2026 BACDS Playford Ball — The Dances
- "R&L" indicates hands
- "Circular Hey" indicates no hands
- CW/CCW = clockwise/counterclockwise
- Unless otherwise specified:
- hand turns and circles are once around
- corner/partner/neighbor changes are by R shoulder
- turns single are to the right
- circles are to the left
- duple minor dances are proper
3 For the Rivals or "3 For the Rhinos" |
|
| A1 |
1-8 |
2s hey for 3 across the set with top 1st corner, 1st corners passing L to start. Skip-change step. |
| A2 |
1-8 |
2s hey for 3 across the set with top 2nd corner, 2nd corners passing R to start. Skip-change step. |
| B1 |
1-4 |
LH star. |
| 5-8 |
1st corners change by L shoulder, then 2nd corners change by R shoulder. |
| B2 |
1-4 |
RH star. |
| 5-6 |
Partners change by R shoulder across set. |
| 7-8 |
All set to partner. |
|
After Dinner Maggot or "After Dinner Magpie" |
|
| A |
1-4 |
1s chase CW down into 2nd place improper as 2s move up. |
| 5-8 |
1s and 3s dance single file circle CCW once around. |
| 9-16 |
Parallel whole heys for 3 along the sides: 1s (each on their own improper side) pass 2s by R shoulder to start hey. |
| B1 |
1-4 |
Face partner, set and turn single. |
| 5-8 |
All 6 circle L ½. |
| B2 |
1-4 |
Face partner, set and turn single. |
| 5-8 |
1st long diagonals change by R shoulders, then 2nd long diagonals, also by R. |
|
Barbarini's Tambourine or "Babirusa’s Tambourine" |
|
| A1 |
|
1st corners cast CCW around outside of neighbors, pass diagonally through the middle (passing L shoulders with each other), then CW around partners into each other's places. |
| A2 |
|
2nd corners cast CW around outside of partners (who are next to them), diagonally through the middle (passing R shoulders), then CCW around neighbors into each other's places. |
| B1 |
1-4 |
With neighbor, fall back a double, then come forward, passing partner by R shoulder. End facing neighbor. |
| 5-12 |
Neighbors back to back, then partners back to back. |
| B2 |
1-8 |
Starting with partner, 4 changes of Rs and Ls. |
| 9-12 |
All 2H turn with partner. |
|
Dashing White Sergeant or "Dashing White Serpent" |
| Composer: |
Scottish traditional. Variant from Brooke Friendly |
| Video: |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2ZttQkOyEs
(the video shows the traditional version. The A2 is different in this variant) |
| Meter: |
2/2 |
| Format: |
3-face-3 Sicilian |
|
| A1 |
|
In ring of 6, facing trios circle L, then R. |
| A2 |
|
Middle person in each line RH turn R-end person in their own line (there’s plenty of time, so make it big), then LH turn the L-end person. |
| B1 |
|
Whole heys for 3 in own line, middle person passing their R-end person by R shoulder to start. |
| B2 |
1-4 |
Lines of 3 dance forward, stamp 3 times, then fall back and clap 3 times. |
| 5-8 |
Lines drop hands, pass through opposite line to meet new trio. |
| Note: It can be fun to change who’s in the middle, and it’s easy to do that during the hey. |
|
Felicity or "Felis-city" |
|
| A |
1-2 |
Long 2nd corners cast CW one place as their neighbors move into their places. |
| 3-4 |
Current middles R-shoulder-around ½ with new opposites. |
| 5-8 |
While middles RH-star, ends R-hand balance forward and back, box the gnat. |
| 9-16 |
As above, new long 2nd corners casting to begin. |
| B |
1-4 |
With partner, all back to back. |
| 5-8 |
All circle L ½. |
| 9-12 |
Ends start 4 changes of a grand chain (with hands) by passing R-hand with partner. Middles wait for the chain to reach them, thus starting L-handed and doing only 3 changes. |
| 13-16 |
All 2H turn with partner. |
|
Freers’ Fortification or "Freers’ Ferret-ification" |
|
| A1 |
1-4 |
In 4s circle L ⅝ until original 1st corners are facing up/down along centerline of set. |
| 5-8 |
As the 1st corners dance a R-shoulder ½ hey along the set, the others fall back and come forward, ending in diamonds. |
| A2 |
1-2 |
In new 4s circle L ¾ until original 2nd corners are along centerline of set. |
| 3-8 |
They dance a R-shoulder ½ hey along the set, as others fall back and come forward, again ending in diamonds. |
| B1 |
1-4 |
Take 2 hands with partner (on diagonal) and in 4s, dance roughly ¾ CW draw poussette into longways set formation (set should now be inverted 180 degrees from starting positions). |
| 5-8 |
Partner back to back. |
| B2 |
1-4 |
In 4s RH star ½, then middles only LH star ½. |
| 5-8 |
Partner set and turn single. |
|
Glassblower’s Dream or "Glassblower’s Bream" |
|
| A1 |
1-4 |
Partner L-shoulder swirly siding halfway into partner’s place, then turn single R. |
| 5-8 |
Partner back to back. |
| A2 |
1-4 |
1st corner places chevron (1st corners pass R shoulder to trade places and face out, then fall back straight across the set) while 2nd corners wait then cast into neighbor’s place. |
| 5-8 |
New 1st corners chevron as above. |
| B1 |
1-4 |
Facing neighbor, take inside hands with partner and go forward a double and back. |
| 5-6 |
1s quick cast down as 2s lead up. |
| 7-8 |
All trade places with partner by R shoulder. 2s may use hands if they wish. |
| B2 |
1-4 |
With neighbor, fall back and come forward. |
| 5-8 |
All 2H turn with partner. |
|
John the Madman or "John the Moorhen" |
| Source: |
Pearson/Young 1726
interpretation by Andrew Shaw |
| Meter: |
6/8 |
| Format: |
duple minor |
|
| A1 |
1-4 |
Partners set and turn single, ending facing neighbors. |
| 5-8 |
Neighbors 2H turn, stay facing. |
| A2 |
1-4 |
Neighbors set and turn single, ending facing partners. |
| 5-8 |
Partners 2H turn. |
| B1 |
1-4 |
1st corners change passing R, 2nd corners change passing L. |
| 5-8 |
1s lead up through 2s and cast back to 2nd place. |
| B2 |
1-4 |
½ draw poussette CCW, current 1st corners backing up the whole way. |
| 5-8 |
½ straight poussette CCW, 2nd diagonals backing up to start. |
|
Kensington Court or "Kangaroo Court" |
|
| A1 |
1-4 |
1s ½ figure 8 down through 2s. |
| 5-8 |
Circle L ½ and fall back. |
| A2 |
|
As above, 2s active. |
| B1 |
1-8 |
4 changes of a circular hey starting with partner (about 3 steps per change), then partner RH turn ½. 1s keep R hands joined and face down, 2s fall back a bit. |
| B2 |
1-8 |
1s dance down center, R-in-R, then raise joined hands and both pivot over L shoulder to face up, bringing joined R hands down in front and joining L hands as well for promenade hold. Promenade back up to place, then cast off as 2s move up. |
|
King's Maggot (or New York) or "Kinkajou’s Maggot (or New Yorkie)" |
|
| A1 |
1-2 |
1s cross and go below, 2s moving up. |
| 3-4 |
1s 2H turn. |
| A2 |
1-2 |
1s (improper) lead down through 3s and cast back to middle. |
| 3-4 |
1s 2H turn ¾ to face up/down, then pass by R to end facing out toward ends. |
| B1 |
1-2 |
1s with 1st contra corners (in long 1st corner places) LH turn ¾. |
| 3-4 |
1s RH turn ~¾. |
| B2 |
1-2 |
1s with 2nd contra corners (in long 2nd corner places) LH turn ¾. |
| 3-4 |
1s RH turn ¾ into… |
| C1 |
1-4 |
R-shoulder whole heys across the set, 1s passing 2nd contra corner to start. |
| C2 |
1-4 |
1s change ends for L-shoulder whole heys on other ends, 1s passing 1st contra corner to start. 1s end in middle proper. |
| D1 |
1-4 |
1s back to back (3 steps out, 3 steps back), ending close, then turn single R out to line (6 steps). |
| D2 |
1-2 |
1s and 3s 2 changes of Rs and Ls. |
| 3-4 |
1s and 3s RH turn P ½ and fall back to line. 231 |
|
Manawyddan or "Manta-wyddan" |
|
| A1 |
1-4 |
In 4s, 1st corners quick RH turn and turn single L out to place. |
| 5-8 |
In 4s LH star. |
| A2 |
1-4 |
In 4s, 2nd corners quick LH turn and turn single R out to place.
|
| 5-8 |
In 4s RH star, and open to hands 4. |
| B1 |
1-4 |
In 4s balance the ring in and out twice, each time rotating one place to the L. |
| 5-8 |
Current middles lead out through the nearest end couple (the ones you just circled with), cast back to place and face the other middle couple. |
| B2 |
1-4 |
Those middles balance the ring (as in B1.) |
| 5-8 |
Middles turn toward partner to face out toward nearest end couple, lead out through them and cast back to middle place. |
|
Mr. Legge’s Initiation or "Mr. Egg’s Incubation" |
|
| A |
1-4 |
1st corners set forward to meet and turn single back to place. |
| |
5-8 |
Starting with partner, 2 changes of Rs and Ls. |
| |
9-12 |
2nd corners set forward to meet and turn single back to place. |
| |
13-16 |
Starting with neighbor, 2 changes of Rs and Ls. Keeping L hands with partner, join R hands as well, for... |
| B |
1-8 |
CCW whole poussette w/crossed hand hold, ending in no-hands wavy line (L shoulder toward neighbor, 1s facing down, 2s facing up), flowing smoothly into... |
| |
9-12 |
All forward a double and back in opposite directions. |
| |
13-16 |
Neighbors LH turn 1¼ to progressed places. |
|
Sir Watkin’s Jig or "Sir Warthog’s Jig" |
|
| A1 |
1-4 |
1s long cast to 2nd place as 2s meet and lead up. |
| 5-8 |
1s 2H turn. |
| A2 |
1-8 |
1s and 3s 4 changes of Rs and Ls, starting with partner. |
| B1 |
1-8 |
1s lead down through 3s and cast back to middle, then lead up through 2s and cast back to middle. |
| 9-10 |
1s mirror turn single down/outward. |
| B2 |
1-4 |
All circle L ½, ending in lines of 3 close together. |
| 5-8 |
Lines of 3 fall back setting then drop hands and come forward with a turn single. |
| 9-10 |
Partner 2H turn ½. |
|
Soulton Jigg or "Seal-ton Jigg" |
| Source: |
Playford 1710
Kathryn and David Wright 1984 |
| Meter: |
6/8 |
| Format: |
duple minor |
|
| A1 |
1-4 |
1s set, then cast down as 2s move up. |
| 5-8 |
All clap once and 2H turn neighbor. |
| A2 |
1-8 |
As above, 2s active. |
| B |
1-4 |
1st corners change by R shoulder, then 2nd corners. |
| 5-8 |
All 4 set in on the diagonal and turn single back out. |
| 9-12 |
Circle L ½ and fall back. |
| 13-16 |
3 changes of a circular hey, starting with partner. |
|
Turning By Threes or "Tern-ing By Threes" |
|
As you face the center of the circle, 1s are on the left of their partners, 2s are on the right.
| A |
1-4 |
Circle L 6 steps. All turn single L. |
| 5-8 |
Circle R 6 steps. All turn single R, ending facing partner. |
| 9-12 |
Partners, long back to back (6 steps forward, 6 steps back). |
| 13-16 |
Starting with partner, 2 quick changes of Rs and Ls around the ring, then with 3rd person RH turn and face center. |
| B |
1-4 |
1s LH star. |
| 5-8 |
2s RH star. |
| 9-10 |
1s into the middle (step-close, step-close). |
| 11-12 |
As 1s fall back, 2s step into the middle. |
| 13-16 |
2s look R for new partner, with whom they R-shoulder around 1¼, ending in ring. |
|
Well Done Jack or "Well Done Jackrabbit" |
|
| A1 |
1-4 |
Partners back to back. |
| 5-8 |
Partners 2H turn 1½. |
| A2 |
1-8 |
As above with neighbor. |
| B1 |
1-4 |
2 changes of Rs and Ls, starting with partner. |
| 5-8 |
Set to partner, then trade places with neighbor while turning single R, 1st corners moving along the inside. (AKA Set and link.) |
| B2 |
1-4 |
1s lead down through new 2s and cast back up. |
| 5-8 |
Partners 2H turn. |
|
Zephyrs and Flora or "Zephyrs and Fauna" |
|
| A1 |
1-4 |
1st corners back to back. |
| 5-8 |
1st corners take RH, then LH, then trade places. |
| A2 |
1-8 |
As above for 2nd corners. |
| B1 |
1-8 |
1s (below) cast up as 2s lead down, then 1s ½ figure 8 down through 2s. |
| B2 |
1-8 |
As above for 2s. |
|
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