Orbit the Stars
A1: |
Lines of four forward and back (8) Swing corner (8) |
A2: |
All eight into the center and back (8) Swing next corner (this is your "step-corner") (8) |
B1: |
Allemande left with next corner (6) Pull by step-corner with right hand (2) Allemande left with first corner 1 1/2 (8) |
B2: |
Balance partner (4) Box the gnat (4) Ladies star left while gents orbit clockwise 1/2 (8) |
C1: |
Balance step-corner (4) Box the gnat (4) Gents star left while ladies orbit clockwise 1/2 (8) |
C2: |
Balance and swing partner (16) |
A fun all-moving four-face-four.
In B2 after boxing the gnat, gents are facing clockwise and ladies counter-clockwise. All walk forward—ladies to star left once and gents to "orbit" around the outside halfway—and all meet "step-corners" for a balance.
Finding the right person for the balance is the only tricky part of this dance. One strategy is to remember your step-corner from the A2 swing and watch for them. Another is to watch for your partner and balance the second person after them.
In C1 the roles reverse: after boxing the gnat, ladies are facing clockwise and gents counter-clockwise. All walk forward—gents star left once and ladies orbit halfway. This time it's easy to find the right person as partners meet for a balance and swing.
I settled on this long version after trying for many years (!) to shoehorn the figures into a standard-length dance. The strong story line helps dancers remember the longer sequence, and the band gets a rare chance to play three-part tunes.
Video:
Bev Bernbaum & The O'Schraves at Michigan Dance Heritage 2016, Lexington MI (posted by John Newsome):