Here are some of my dances for you to look at. To print or download a PDF of the dance description, click the pdf links.
A Welcome Dream pdf
by Bob Olson – 2016
Music: O’Carolan’s “Welcome” 32 bars 5x 3/4
Formation: Longways DM
Count in Beats (steps)
A (6) Set into center of set
(6) Turn single R.
(12) Partners two hand turn.
(6) Circle L 1/2 way with hands.
(6) Turn single L.
(6) Taking 4-hands, Into center (3 steps) & balance in.
(6) Balance back raising hands, 3 steps back letting go hands.
B (12) Partner back-to-back. (long, 6 out 6 back)
(6) Gypsy partner 1/2,
(6) Turn single L
(24) 4 changes Right and Left (6 steps / side)
April Nights pdf
Bob Olson – 2019
Tune: April Waltz (AABB) 3/4
Recording: Perpetual E-Motion X5
Longways DM
Count in beats (steps)
A1 (6) 1s cast down one place, 2s leading up bars.
(18) Full fig. 8, start 1s crossing down as new 2s (below) cast up on outside.
A2 (12) 1s and original 2s (above) mirror back to back 2s split 1s
(12) 1s long cast (come close) back up to the top, 2s moving down bars 3&4.
B1 (6) No-hands circle left 1/2 round more (2 places) [progressed improper]
(6) Turn single left – into
(12) Partner L-shoulder gypsy once round
B2 (12) 1s cross up cast down (1/2 fig. 8) while 2s cast down and lead up
(12) 1s lead up cast down, while 2s cast down and cross up (1/2 fig. 8).
Antonio’s Maggot pdf
by Bob Olson – 2018
Music: Dancing Vivaldi (Double Violin Con. Op.3, No. 8 arranged by Van Kaynor)
Recording by The Moving Violations on Elasticity – ABCD 32 bars 5x
Formation: Longways duple minor
A 1-4: Neighbors R-shoulder siding
A 5-8: Partners L-shoulder siding
B 1-8: Partners back to back
B 5-8: Neighbors back to back
C 1-8: starting with neighbor 4-changes circular hey
D 1-2: 1st corners change
D 3-4: 2nd corners change
D 5-6: Partners change
D 7-8: 3/4 cloverleaf turn-single in (to end facing new set and neighbor)
Butterfly Meadow pdf
By: Bob Olson – 2017, Rev. 2020
Music: The Butterfly – 24 bars (AABBCC) 9/8
Recording by Roguery on ‘Impropriety V1’ ~115 ppm
Formation: Longways duple minor – 1s improper
Counts in beats (steps)
A1 1-4 (12) Set & turn single
A2 5-8 (12) Circle left
B1 1-4 (12) Gate neighbor, lady forward man backs up, end facing partner
B2 5-8 (12) 1/2 pousette (CW, women push)
C1 1-4 (12) 1/2 draw pousette (CW, men push)
C2 5-8 (12) 2 changes, without hands
Devotion pdf
By: Bob Olson – 2018
Music: Miss Fetherston (Carolan’s Devotion) 40 bars 3/4
Recording: Miss Fetherston ~120 BPM (1.05x speed)
Formation: 3 Couple longways
Counts in beats (steps)
A1 (6) Step right and honour
A1 (6) Step left and honour
A1 (12) Partners R-shoulder gypsy
A2 (24) Circle hands-6 to left once round
B (6) 1s & 2s 1/2 Mad Robin, (M1 in)
B (12) 1s & 3s Mad Robin, (W1 in) 2-3-1
B (6) 1s & 2s 1/2 Mad Robin, (W1 in) 1-2-3
(12) 1s & 2s 1/2 pousette, (M1 – W2 push)
(12) 1s & 3s 1/2 pousette, (W1 – M3 push) 2-3-1
(24) Mirror hey for three on sides 2s split 3s
Every’s Maggot pdf
By: Bob Olson (2020)
Music: Doctor Who Pirate Jig by Martha Stokely (2006) 6/8
Recording: Doctor Who Pirate Jig, Childgrove, Wanderlust
Longways Duple minor
Count in (steps)
A1 (4) Partner change L-shoulder (ending close) [1/2 gypsy]
A1 (4) Turn single-R
A1 (4) Partner change R-shoulder (ending close) [1/2 gypsy]
A1 (4) Turn single-L
A2 (16) Single file circle left (CCW all home)
B1 (4) Neighbor (On sides) change L-shoulder (ending close) [1/2 gypsy]
B1 (4) Turn single-R
B1 (4) Neighbor change R-shoulder (ending close) [1/2 gypsy]
B1 (4) Turn single-L
B2 (4) 2nd corners change by left
B2 (4) 1st corners change by right
B2 (4) Partners R-hand turn 1/2
B2 4) Partners set R&L
Floating on a Cloud pdf
Bob Olson – 2018
Music: Umbra, Dave Bartley ©2015 32 bars Umbra pdf 3/4
Recording: Umbra, Roguery, Seattle Ball 2017 Audio
Formation: Longways Duple Minor
Count in beats (steps)
A1 (6) (start chevron) 1st corners change by right
(6) fallback to neighbors place while 2nd corners cast
(12) 1/2 straight pousette, 2nd corners push partners
(6 steps out, 6 steps back)
A 9-16 (24) Four Changes with hands, start R-hand with neighbor
(6 steps per hand)
B 1-8 (6) 2nd corners change by left
(6) Fallback to neighbors place while 1st corners cast on 3&4
(12) 1/2 straight pousette, 1st corners push
B 9-16 (18) Three Changes no-hands. start R- with partner
(6) Turn single left
Fuzzy Thinking pdf
Bob Olson – 2016
Music: Aislin’s Jig by Ruth Anne Fraley (2004) AABBCC (24 bars) 6x 9/8
recorded by Roguery on CD “Impropriety Vol. 1” ~118 bpm
Formation: 3 Couple
A (6) All Set advancing
(6) Turn single Right
(12) Partner turn R-hand around
[Men end facing up]
BC (48) Mens short sheepskin hey
A (6) All Set advancing
(6) Turn single Left
(12) Partner turn L-hand around
[Women end facing up]
BC (48) Women’s short sheepskin hey
The Green Muse pdf
Bob Olson – 2018
Music: Pernod Waltz by Johnny Cunningham (1984) 3/4 Music – pdf
Recording: Bare Necessities, Arranged
Duple Minor longways
A1 1-4: All circle left Half round, balance the ring
5-8: 1st corners gypsy once round
A2 1-4: All circle left Half round, balance the ring
5-8: 2nd corners gypsy once round
B1 1-4: 1st corners take right hands balance forward and back, California Twirl
5-8: 2nd corners take right hands balance forward and back, California Twirl
B2 1-4: Partner Back to Back
5-8: Partners R-hands balance forward and back, California Twirl
Video: https://youtu.be/jShfeEkk9UY
High Expectations pdf
Bob Olson – 2017
Music: Trail’s End by Dave Bartley (2003) 32 bars ~110bpm 3/4
Recording: Trail’s End, Wergeland et al, Seattle Ball 2016
Longways Duple Minor
Count in (steps)
A 1 – 2 (6) 1s lead down as 2s cast up
A 3 – 4 (6) 2s turn single up as 1s turn out to start up into
A 5 – 12 (24) Double full figure-8, 2s crossing down
A 13 -16 (12)Partners L-shoulder gypsy once round.
B1 1 – 2 (6) 1st corner positions cast while 2nd corners loop in to neighbors place.
B1 5 – 8 (12) 1st corners pass L-shoulder to half figure-8 round 2nd corners.
B2 1 – 2 (6) New 1st corner positions cast while
2nd corners loop in to neighbors place.
B2 5 – 8 (12) 1st corners pass L-shoulder to half figure-8 round 2nd corners.
Video from 4/15/17 Workshop: https://youtu.be/Zliq8SlG64I
Jigging Gypsy, The pdf
Bob Olson (2020)
Music: Gypsy Jig
Recording: Jipsy Jig, Moving Violations, Cut
Duple Minor Longways
Count in Beats (steps)
A1 (8) 1st corners gypsy once round
(8) Single file Circle left Half round,
A2 (8) 2nd corners gypsy once round
(8) Circle left Half round,
B1 (4) 1st corners set R&L,
(4) 1st corners change
(4) 2nd corners set R&L
(4) 2nd corners change
B2 (4) Partners set R&L
(4) Partners cross
(8) R-shoulder gypsy partner once round.
YouTube link: https://youtu.be/Bkb5RJ_T4QA
Moon Shadows by Bob Olson – 2017 pdf
Music: Call It a Night Julie King ©1994 32 bars 3/4
Recorded on Contra-intelligence by KGB Audio
YouTube of tune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGgMjHmKnrQ
Formation: Longways Duple Minor
Count in (steps)
A (12) 1st corners (M1 & W2) R-hand turn approx. 1-1/2.
(12) Cast around neighbor & back to place.
(12) 1st corners (M1 & W2) R-shoulder back to back, turning out when left shoulders meet. while 2nd corners (M2 & W1) orbit.
(6) Circle hands-4 to left halfway round
(6) Partners 2-hand turn halfway.
B (12) 1st corner position (M2 & W1) R-hand turn approx. 1-1/2.
(12) Cast around neighbor & back to place.
(12) 1st corner position (M2 & W1) R-shoulder back to back, turning out when left shoulders meet. while 2nd corner position (M1 & W2) orbit.
(12) Circle 4-hands to left once round.
A simplified alternative version for those that can’t take long strides:
Half Orbits: count in (steps)
A (12) 1st corners (M1 & W2) R-hand turn approx. 1-1/2.
(12) Cast around neighbor & back to place.
(12) M1 & W2 R-shoulder B-2-B, turning out when left shoulders meet
while W1 & M2 orbit half way, to others place
(12) Circle 4-hands to left once round
B (12) 2nd corners (W1 & M2) R-hand turn approx. 1-1/2.
(12) Cast around partners & back to place.
(12) W1 & M2 R-shoulder back to back, turning out at end
while M1 & W2 orbit half way, to others place
(6) Circle 4-hands to left halfway round.
(6) Neighbors 2-hand turn halfway
On Marion’s Deck – Revised
Bob Olson (2020) – Rev. 2021
Tune: Farewell Marian, In Barnes, AABA 32 bars 6x 3/4
Recording: Farewell ‘mod.’, Bare Necessities, Bobs Dances ~ 90%
3 Couples, Longways
Count in Beats (steps)
A1 1-8 (24) Crossover hey (mirror-image – 1s cross down)
A2 1-2 (6) 1s cross down as 2s cast up
3-4 (6) W1 casts down around W3, M1 casts up around M2
5-6 (6) 1s pass-R to face ends, W1 – W2, M1 – M3
7-8 (6) W1&W2, M1&M3 set R&L
B1 1-8 (24) Hey for 3 on ends, 1s start R-shoulder, end in center 2nd place, R-S to R-S
A3 1-4 (12) Circle left M1 & 2s, W1 & 3s, once round
5-6 (6) 1s cast down to bottom as 3 lead up
7-8 (6) All set R&L.
On the Wing – 2nd Flight pdf
Bob Olson 2018 (Rev. 2021)
Music: All the Birds in Ballard by Marni Rachmiel 3/4
Recording: Wergeland, Seattle Ball 2016 x7
Longways three couple set.
Count in Beats (steps)
A1 (6) 1s set moving slightly forward,
(6) 1s cast down, as 2s meet and lead up.
(6) 1s set moving forward R-shoulder to shoulder,
(6) 1s continue moving across and cast to middle of ends (Man down Woman up) While
2s & 3s L-shoulder gypsy partner once round,
A2 (24) L-shoulder hey for 3 on ends, (M1 & M3, W1 & W2 start) **
B1 (24) L-shoulder hey for 3 on sides, (M1 & W2, W1 & M3 start) **
B2 (6) 1s pass R-shoulder and cast down as 3s lead up,
(6) 1s cross R-shoulder.
(6) All R-hand turn partner once round.
(6) Turn single-L.
** Note: These are very slow heys. There is lots of time,
6 steps each shoulder pass, so think of each pass as almost a half gypsy.
Keep the set BIG.
Partners pdf
By: Bob Olson – 2018
Music: Partners (32 bars x6) 3/4
recorded by Roguery on CD “Impropriety Vol. IV” (32 bars x7)
Formation: Longways 3 couple
Count in beats (steps)
A (24) Circle hands-6 to left once round, thus:
[2 waltz steps, 2 single steps, 2 waltz steps, 2 single steps]
A (12) Partners R-shoulder gypsy once round
A (12) Partners R-shoulder back to back
B (12) 1s cast to 3rd place while 2s & 3s L-hand turn once round moving up – into…
B (24) Circle hands-6 to right once round, as above in A
B (12) Partners L-shoulder swirly siding.
Resonance pdf
By: Bob Olson – 2017 (Originally published as Limbic Resonance)
Music: The Dancing Betty (lively) from Impropriety Vol. ll
AABB (32 bars) x4 (~105 BPM)
Formation: 4 Couple Longways Becket
Count in (steps)
Fig. 1
A1 1 – 8 (8) Women cross passing L-shoulder, dance R-shoulder round opposite,
(8) Pass R-shoulder, dance L-shoulder around partner, end home.
A2 1 – 8 (8) Men cross, L-shoulder round opposite,
(8) R-shoulder round partner, end home.
B1 1 – 2 (4) Men change R-shoulder,
B1 3 – 4 (4) Women change R-shoulder,
B1 4 – 8 (8) Circle hands-4 to left once round. (fast, 2 steps per side)
B2 1 – 4 (8) Ends 3/4 gate middles to end in line of 4 across.
B2 5 – 8 (8) Set and turn single
Fig. 2
A1 1 – 8 (12) Top couples 1/2 fig. 8,
(4) Turn R-hand back to place.
A2 1 – 8 (12) Bottom couples 1/2 fig. 8,
(4) Turn R-hand back to place.
B1 1 – 8 (16) All slow circle left once round. (4 steps per side)
B2 1 – 4 (8) Ends 3/4 gate middles to end in line of 4 on sides.
B2 5 – 8 (8) Set and turn single
Seven Years of Joy Rev. 2018
Music: Seven Years, played AABBCC (48 Bars) X3 3/4
Recording
Circle Mixer
A1 1-4 Face partner, Set twice
A1 5-8 Turn R-hand once round
A2 1-4 Face neighbor, Set twice
A2 5-8 Turn neighbor L-hand once round
B1 1-4 Face partner R-shoulder gypsy once round (Hey for three)
B1 5-8 Face neighbor L-shoulder gypsy once round
B2 1-8 Repeat B1,
Double progression:
C1 1-2 Face partner, set,
C1 3-4 All make a wide cast BACK one place (6 long steps),to end facing original neighbor.
C1 5-8 Turn two-hands.
C2 1-8 Repeat. (Women always end facing CW, Men CCW.)
The Silk Slip pdf
by Bob Olson (2016).
Music: Your Slip is Showing by Chris Sackett in Imp. Vol. V. (AABCC) 40 bars 9/8
Formation: Longways 3 Couple, or Triple Minor.
Count in (steps)
1-8 (24) 1s cross R-shoulder cast, 1/2 fig 8 up pass R-shoulder
to face 1st corners while 2s lead up on 3-4
9-10 (6) 1s change places with 1st corners R-shoulder,
1st corners pass R-shoulder to face next corner (ad lib for 2 bars (6)**)
11-12 (6) centers & 2nd corners change places R-shoulder, 2nd corners
pass R-shoulder to face next corner, (ad lib for 2 bars (6)**)
13-14 (6) Ones in to center
15-32 (54) Repeat this fig. until 2s and 3s are back in original places
33-40 (24) 1s cross R-shoulder and cast, as 3s lead up, 1s 1/2 fig 8 up end on own side.
**Note: This is a 2 bar (6 count) time to turn single left, or turn single right, or set for 2 bars. Just keep in time so that you are ready to come back into the hey.
Notes:
1) In the hey you always pass Right shoulder, you always pass the same person coming in and pass R-shoulder in center and you always pass the same person going out to a corner. 2s and 3s will end in the corner where they started.
2) The hey sequence is done in 24 bars (72) of music. The sequence goes across the music phrase.
3) For a triple minor change 33-40 to: 1s Fig. 8, M around 3s (out L-shoulder around W3), W around 2s (L-shoulder M2), to own side progressed.
Video: https://youtu.be/DqGmh6lTpCo
Silver Surf – Rev. 2017 pdf
By: Bob Olson
Music: Silver September by Mik Lammers 7×32 3/4
recorded by Masquerade on the CD “An Enchanted Place”
Formation: Longways triple minor
A1 1-4: 1s 1/2 fig. 8 down
5-8: 1s cross and cast, 2s lead up on 7-8
9-16: Mirror hey on sides, 1s split 3s, 2s & 3s cast out.
B1 1-8: Diagonal Dolphin hey M1 followed by W1 start passing R-shoulder with M3
9-16: Diagonal Dolphin hey 1s start passing L-shoulder with W3
Thursday Afternoon pdf
Bob Olson (2020)
Tune: A Distant Flute by Marjorie Millner 32 bar 3/4
Duple minor
Count in beats (steps)
A1 1-4 (12) Star R-hand once round
A1 5-8 (12) Partners Back-2-Back
A2 1-2 (6) 1s lead down the center,
A2 3-4 (6) 1s wheel around (man backs) as 2s cast up to face down
A2 5-8 (12) 1s L-hand turn 2s to end progress and improper
(end with men facing out, women face in for)
B1 1-8 (24) Open Ladies-chain over and back
B2 1-4 (12) Star L-hand once round
B2 5-6 (6) 1s L-hand turn 1/2 way to end progress
B2 7-8 (6) 1s turn single right
The following dances are studies in triple tandem Dolphin heys. A triple tandem Dolphin hey has three couples moving as tandem pairs, all with lead changes at the ends as in a normal Dolphin hey. They are presented as thoughts on the concept.
Braided River pdf
By: Bob Olson – 2017
Music: Elocine by Bo Leyden 3/4
recorded by Roguery on CD “Impropriety V1” 32 bars 5x 133 bpm
Formation: Longways 5 Couple Set, 2s and 4s Improper
A 1-2: 1s lead down center, 2s cast up.
A 3-4: 1s down outside, 3s lead up.
5-8: All couples L-hands once round.
9-16: 1s start passing R-shoulder with M3 for triple tandem Dolphin hey (1s, M3+W2, M4+W5 in tandem, diagonal hey with lead change), 1s finish in 3rd place.
B1 1-8: 1s start passing L-shoulder with W4 for triple tandem Dolphin hey (1s, W4+M5, W3+M2 in tandem, diagonal hey with lead change), 1s finish in 3rd place.
9-10: 1s cross down, 4s cast up.
11-12: 1s down outside, 5s lead up.
13-16: All couples cross left-shoulder (1/2 gypsy), turn single R.
The Squirrel Tree pdf
By: Bob Olson 2018
Music: Squirrels by Paul Hutchinson (2012) 32 bars AABB 3/2
Recording: Roguery, Impro. Vol. V (used at ~110BPM) ~110%
Formation: Three couple longways or Triple minor?
Bars (steps)
A 1-4 (12) 1s meet, cast to 2nd place (2s move up on 3&4)
A 5-8 (12) 1st man 1/2 figure-8 through 3rd couple round woman,
1st woman 1/2 figure-8 through 2nd couple round man.
1st man and 1st woman change ends passing R-shoulders.
A2 1-6 (18) 1st man hands-3 CCW with 2s 1½,
while 1st woman hands-3 CCW with 3s.
A2 7-8 (6) 1st couple pass R shoulder, go into middle facing up while w2 and m3 continue to ends of a line of six down the center.
B 1-8 (24) Triple tandem dolphin hey, w1 start right shoulder up with m2.
B2 1-2 (6) Gypsy partner right to proper sides,
B2 3-4 (6) 2s turn single left while 1s cast to 3rd place as 3s move up the center.
B2 5-8 (12) L-shoulder partner back to back.
Notes:
At the beginning of the dolphin hey the order from the top is w2, m2 (facing down), w1, m1 & w3, m3 (facing up).
Partners dance in tandem switching leads at ends.
Pepper Sauce pdf
By: Bob Olson – 2018
Music: Bobe’s Pepper by Chuck Corman 32 bars AABB 2/2
Recording: Bobe’s Pepper, Arranged x9
Formation: Longways, Triple Minor.
Count in (steps)
A 1-8 (16) 1s cross down and pass outside the 3s to start hey for three on sides,
While 2s cast up.
A2 1-8 (16) 1s cross, cast to 2nd, R-hand turn 3/4 to face up.
While 2s R-hand turn about 1-1/4 moving up to face down,
and 3s L-hand turn about 1-1/4 to face up.
[the order from top is W2, M2 (facing down), W1, M1 & W3, M3 (facing up)].
B1 1-8 (16) Triple tandem dolphin hey, W1 start right shoulder up with m2,
[all end proper & progressed].
B2 1-3 (6) All dance away from the set,
4-6 (6) All loop left to face back in,
7-8(4)All dance back to the set.
For a 3 couple set:
B1 1-8 (16) Triple tandem dolphin hey, W1 start right shoulder up with m2,
[all end proper & progressed].
B2 1-3 (6) All dance away from the set
4-6 (6) 2s loop left to face back in While 1s make long loop down to face in, as
3s make a short loop up, to trade positions.
7-8 (4) All dance back to the set.
Notes:
At the beginning of the dolphin hey the order from the top is w2, m2 (facing down), w1, m1 & w3, m3 (facing up).
Partners dance in tandem trading leads at ends.
Bobe’s Pepper by Chuck Corman from The Moving Violations CD Elasticity.
The Wandering Mage pdf
By: Bob Olson – Rev. 3 – 2019
Music: The Last Mage by Mik Lammers 24 bars ABB 3/4
Recording: The Wandering Mage
Formation: Longways 3 couple, or triple minor double progression.
Count in beats (steps)
A (6) 1s cast down as 2s lead up
(6) 3s cast up as 1s lead down
(12) Gypsy partner once round plus a little to end in line of 6. Note**
B1 (24) Triple tandem dolphin hey, m3 start right shoulder up with w2.
B2 (12) Gypsy partner right to proper sides, turn single left.
(12) Balance forward & back
**Note:
At the beginning of the dolphin hey the order from the top is m2, w2 (facing down), m3, w3 & m1, w1(facing up).
All couples dolphin hey, dance in tandem switching leads at ends.
