Arm Turn Contra

Formation: Contra lines with couples 1, 3, 5, etc. crossed over and active.
Music: A good reel or singing call

Download RTF file: Arm Turn Contra

(Begin with the Ladies facing out to make each line into a long wave.)
Prompts:
Intro or
57-64   – – – -; – – Allemande Left;
    1-8   – – – -; Swing the dancer on the right and face across;
  9-16   – – – -; Each four Circle Left 3/4 around;
17-24   – – – -; – – Swing your partner and face across;
25-32   – – – -; Long lines Forward and Back;

33-40   – – – -; Ladies Right Arm Turn 1/2 to a wave;
41-48   and Balance – -; – Left Arm Turn 3/4;
49-56   and Balance – -; – Right Arm Turn 1/2;
57-64   and Balance – -; – – Allemande Left;

Description:
    1-8   For a smooth and consistent start, the Ladies should be facing out. Dancers do an Allemande Left with the dancer on their Left.
  9-16   Dancers Swing with the dancer who was on their right before the Allemande Left. At the end of the swing, couples put the lady on the right side of the gent and face across. The couple at the end of the set should Swing with each other and then place the lady on the right and wait to join the wave after the 3/4 left turn.
17-24   Each four dancers Circle to the Left 3/4 around.
25-32   Original partners Swing with each other (they should have been facing after the Circle Left 3/4) and end with the lady on the right and facing across.

33-40   Long lines go Forward three and touch then back up three and touch.
41-48   The Ladies right arm turn half and then join left arms with the opposite gent to make a wave. Then all four dancers balance forward and back in four beats.
49-56   Those holding left hands, turn left three-quarters around to make long waves on each side. In the long waves all dancers balance forward and back in four beats. At the ends dancers who were neutral should turn as necessary to join the wave (men facing out and ladies facing in).
57-64   Those holding right hands, turn right half around to reform the long waves on each side. Again the dancers balance forward and back in four beats. Dancers at the end with no one on their right should quickly crossover ready to do the Allemande Left.

Choreography by: Calvin Campbell using an idea from Al Brozek
Source: Printed in CDP Journal, February 1998
Usage: This contra should not be attempted with new contra dancers. It is appropriate for those with some previous contra experience and an understanding of the crossover necessary at the ends of alternate duple dances.

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