Come With Me

By Rick Mohr; October 2017

Contra, Progressed Improper Caller's Box

Level: Intermediate

A1:

Half hey (gents pass left shoulders to start) (8)

Right shoulder gypsy with neighbor (8)

A2:

Circle left 3/4 (gents lead neighbor) (6)

Swing partner (10)

B1:

Half hey (ladies pass right shoulders to start) (8)

Left shoulder gypsy with partner (8)

B2:

Broken circle right 1/4 (ladies lead partner) (2)

Zig right with partner to pass neighbors (2)

Zag left to meet new neighbors (2)

Swing new neighbor (10)

Gypsy-to-circle is a rare and fine transition. This dance offers it with contrasting symmetries—clockwise with neighbor (led by the gents), and counter-clockwise with partner (led by the ladies).

In the walkthrough I suggest stopping after the A1 gypsy with ladies back-to-back in the center facing neighbors. Then neighbors join "side hands"—gents' right and ladies' left—making a nice connection as the gents lead into circle left. Likewise stop after the B1 gypsy, when the gents are back-to-back in the center and partners can join those same side hands. Now have the ladies lead just a few steps right and across the set, stopping with everyone in original positions (across from partner, facing neighbor up and down). From there, walking the zig-zag progression is straightforward. Now everyone is on board for a second walkthrough without stops, with the ladies leading the novel B2 transition smoothly.

Technically this dance doesn't start in "improper" formation, but don't tell the dancers. Begin the first walkthrough with a neighbor swing; then when you're ready to start the dance leave everyone next to the neighbor they've just swung rather than backing up to original places.

Thanks to Kathy Anderson for pointing out how to connect the gypsy-to-circle transition years ago in Jim Kitch's dance "Bees in the Shower". After many attempts to double it with contrasting symmetries I finally found this satisfying version.

Video: Rick Mohr & Dogtown at NEFFA 2024, Marlborough MA: