April 19, 2006, 3:52 p.m. (Message 45081, in reply to message 45078)
Pat, It is the same figure only we call it "Back to Back". Easier to remember than Allemande which to me denotes something completely different. ;-) Of course, this nomenclature is very confusing to a Scottish country dancer! The first time our vintage dance teacher said "back to back" I took him literally and danced a do se do. :-D A back to back allemande is difficult when attempting this dance with either an inexperienced dancer or, when the height of the dancers are disparate. I once danced this dance with a young lady (high school age) who isn't even 5 feet tall and I'm 6'4". It was difficult for both of us but not as difficult as attempting the "Claire Lancers" with a couple with disparate height! YIKES! Try the "big christmas" figure when the man is tall and the woman very short, she could be dangling all the way around! I got the instructions for the Irish Washerwoman last night and it appears that the dance is basically the same as the one you posted only with slightly different nomenclature. Irish Washerwoman March Long line of dancers, Gents on one side of set and Ladies on other, Gents face down set and Ladies face up set, number couples as odd and even (1-2) All dancers chasse across set L (smile at your partner) and balance (step up and back), return with chasse to R and balance 16 Counts "Back to Back" -- R hand allemande (R shoulders touching) to L hand allemande (L shoulders touching) 16 Counts Odd-Couples (1s) chasse down set, balance to each other 8 Counts Chasse back up the set and cast around even couple (2s) 8 Counts Four hands around (circle) to left and return to R 16 Counts Continue down the set ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------] Yours aye, Tom Mungall Baton Rouge, La, USA