Dances by Mark Elvins

Tricentennial Reel

This was written to celebrate the 300th London Barndance event in September 2011.

Longways set wth first couples improper.
Music: 32 bar reels.

A1   1-4  Gypsy left neighbour
     5-8  Gypsy right previous neighbour
          This is almost a reel of three on the line

A2   1-8  Gypsy right partner and melt down into a swing.
          Finish swing with everybody facing down

B1   1-4  All lead down and turn as a couple
     5-8  All lead up, first couple cast down while the
          second couple wheel around to face them

B2   1-4  Circle left once around
     5-8  Balance the ring, partners California twirl
          to next couple

B1 is taken directly from Ted Sannella's Bicentennial Reel while the idea for the triple gypsy came from Jacob Steel.

Covid Contra

Contra, first couples improper.
Music: 32 bar reel.

A1	1-4 5-8	Do si do Neighbour, Single file promenade, First couple going down, second couple coming up.
A2	1-4 5-8	Single file promenade back. Gypsy right Neighbour.
B1	1-6	Men passing left shoulders, three quarters of a reel of four across the set until partners meet for the second time on the men's side.
	7-8	Allemande right partner
B2	1-4	Mini poussette (Men give a little push, then a longer pull into progressed place).
	5-8	Swing Partners finishing facing up or down to the next couple.

This was devised with the help of Lynne Render just as we were going in to lock down. It has only been danced once at March's LBC contra dance since when we have been unable to dance or call. The aim of the dance is obviously not to touch anybody other than your dance partner, which we have to assume is also your life partner. Obviously it is not really possible to dance contra with proper social distancing as we currently have to practise it. I'm sure many other similar dances are also currently being composed.

Mark Elvins. May 2020

LBC CD

LBC CD (think Roman numerals...) was written for our 400th physical dance (there were also about 15 online-only dances during 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic).