Folk Madness

May 22, 2026 · Socorro, New Mexico

Contemporary English Compositions

Sweet Cream english Jenna Simpson
Mendocino Redwood english Mary Devlin, Bob Fraley, Elizabeth Zekley
Mais Oui english Jenna Simpson
Helena english Colin Hume
Pine Hollow english Brooke Friendly
Atossa’s Gift english Scott Higgs

Contemporary English Compositions (alternates)

The Farmer’s Joy english Joseph Pimentel

Easy fallback
Domino Five english Derek Haynes
Doctor Bending’s Serpent english Sharon Green

Easy/Int fallback

English Breakfast

Pluck Me A Fig english Anna Rain
Bluebonnets english Joseph Pimentel
Bloomsbury Market english Playford
Jaque Latin english G. Wilsim
Trip to Skye english Renee Camus
Barbarini’s Tambourine english Walsh

English Breakfast (alternates)

The Farmer’s Joy english Joseph Pimentel

Easy fallback
Jack’s Maggot english Playford

Fallback for Jaque Latin
Peridot Ring english Susan Kevra

Fallback for Bloomsbury Market
An Early Frost english Philippe Callens

Fallback for Trip to Skye
Faithless Nancy Dawson english Anna Bidder

Fallback for Barbarini's Tambourine

Jenna Simpson (2011)

duple minor longways

The Sunlight Room Dave Wiesler 4/4 D major 2006 NIB · Sheet music ↗

Choreography

A1

(1-4) Partners back to back (8)
(5-8) Star R, 1^st corners keep hand for… (8)

A2

(1-4) 1^st corners balance, box-the-gnat (8)
(5-8) 2^nd corners balance, box-the-gnat (8)

B1

(1-2) Set to partner (4)
(3-8) Partners La Baratte: (12)
R hand turn ½
Join L hand under, dancers on R go under in front while both turning toward the music
L hand turn ½

B2

(1-4) Original neighbor star L (8)
(5-8) Next neighbor back to back (8)

Teaching Notes

B1. La Baratte is a complicated way to turn halfway in three steps:

Dancers turn by the right halfway with partner
Keeping right hands joined, also join left hands under in a crossed grip and face up (this is largely for teaching purposes). Raise joined hands an the dancer on the right twirls in front under, while the dancer on the left slides behind.
Dancers turn by the left halfway

B2 to A1: “1s look up; 2s look down”

Mary Devlin, Bob Fraley, Elizabeth Zekley (2005)

duple minor longways

Woodlands Walk Jonathan Jensen 6/8 D minor 2005 BIII p. 92

Choreography

A1

(1-4) Up a double, fall back (8)
(5-8) 2s half figure eight up through 1s (8)

A2

(1-4) Down a double, fall back (8)
(5-8) 1s half figure eight down through 2s (8)

B1

(1-8) Star R, Star L (16)

B2

(1-2) 2^nd diagonal (orig. 1^st corners) change by L (8)
(3-4) 1^st diagonal (orig. 2^nd corners) change by R (8)
(5-8) Partners 2 hand turn, open facing up (8)

Jenna Simpson (2025)

duple minor longways

The Burlesque Cahusac 2/4 F major 1814 NIB · Sheet music ↗

Choreography

A1

(1-4) 1^st corners face partner across, set forward, turn single right (8)
(5-8) 1^st corners turn R 1 ¼, ending in partner’s place (8)
On last 4 counts: 2^nd corners back up along the side into neighbors place (maintaining eye contact with partner)

A2

(1-4) Other dancers (orig 2^nd corners in 1^st diagonal places) face partner along, set forward, turn single right (8)
(5-8) Those dances turn L 1 ¼, ending in original place (8)
On last 4 counts: 1^st corners back up along the side into original place (maintaining eye contact with partner)

B

(1-4) Partners half pousette CCW (8)
(5-8) With next neighbors, double mad robin (8)
(dancers in new 2^nd corner positions forward through middle to start)
(9-16) With original neighbors, hey for 4 (16)
(dancers in 2^nd corner positions in that foursome passing R sh to start)
All progressed

Colin Hume (1988)

4-couple longways

2/2 G major BI p. 50

Choreography

A1

(1-4) Up a double and back (8)
(5-8) Partner set, two hand turn ½ (8)

A2

(1-4) Down a double and back (8)
(5-8) Partner set, two hand turn ½ (8)

B1

(1-4) Middles half figure eight through the nearest end couple (8)
(5-6) Circle left in fours halfway (4)
(7-8) Fall back with neighbor (4)

B2

Face this neighbor
(1-4) Three changes of a grand chain (start NR) (8)
(All on original side)
(5-8) Partner two hand turn (8)
End 3, 1, 4, 2

Background

Hume:

Written for Helena Moss on the occasion of her wedding to Jim Crouch, 26^th March 1988, and called by me at the wedding dance with Wild Thyme providing the music.

Brooke Friendly (2025)

duple minor longways

Jacob Chen 6/8 E minor 2024 NIB · Sheet music ↗

Choreography

A1

(1-4) All set forward to diagonal, turn single right (8)
(5-8) Star R (8)

A2

(1-2) Balance back from diagonal and forward (4)
(3-4) Turn single left (4)
(5-8) Star L (8)

B

(1-8) Double figure eight (1s cast, 2s cross up to begin) (16)
(9-12) Neighbors mirror back to back (2s split 1s to begin) (8)
(13-16) Circle L (8)
(17-18) 1s cast, 2s lead up (4)

Background

Friendly:

Harris Lapiroff won a tune/dance from Jacob and me in an auction at Harmony of Song & Dance. Harris is on the Pinewoods Camp board and requested a dance to build new traditions at Pinewoods in honor of the renaming of the two main dance pavilions. He wanted something relatively accessible that was elegant and graceful. The A part of Jacob’s tune reminds me a bit of the tune used for Abbot’s Bromley in the US, hence the balance back and forward in A2.

Teaching Notes

Friendly:

Between A1 and A2: in the transition from the star (A1) to the balance back (A2) keep hands briefly to face diagonal

In A2: the balance back and forward is step back with right, close (or step slightly back) left, step forward with right, close (or step slightly forward) left in preparation to turn single left

Between A2 and B: in the transition from the star (A2) to the double figure 8 for the 1s, #1 left-side dancer ease out of star and go down outside without extra cast; #1 right-side dancer cast into it

Between the end of B and the repeat: for 2s from the end (leading up) to the beginning, release early so you are out at the sidelines ready to set forward to diagonal

Scott Higgs (2017)

duple minor longways

Tunes

Title	Composer	Interp.	Time	Key	Year	Source	Dots
Love for Three Generations	Clara Byom	—	3/4	F major	2017	NIB	↗
Shepherd’s Wife	Traditional	—	3/4	G major	—	NIB	↗

Choreography

A1

(1-2) 1^st corners set advancing (6)
(3-4) Turn single back to place (6)
(5-8) Two hand turn (12)

A2

(1-8) 2^nd corners, the same (24)

B1

(1-4) Partners R hand balance and box-the-gnat (12)
(5-8) Star R ¾, ending on same side as partner, turn single L (12)

B2

(1-4) Joining hands in a ring, balance and petronella turn one place to the R (12)
(All progressed)
(5-8) Star L (12)

Background

Higgs:

Kit French commissioned this dance and tune to honor three generations of dancing Atossas: his grandmother, Atossa Nilsen Herring; mother, Atossa Herring French; and sister, Atossa French Kramer.

Teaching Notes

Higgs:

This dance is best enjoyed with lots of space.

B1— Less skilled dancers can omit the turn single, easing out to the side instead.

Joseph Pimentel (2012)

duple minor longways

Adam Broome 6/8 A major 2004 BIII p. 56

Choreography

A1

(1-8) 1^st corners set forward, turn single R, two hand turn

A2

(1-8) 2^nd corners, the same

B1

(1-2) 1s lead down the center
(3-4) 1s wheel around as a couple (CW, right hand person backing up)
(5-6) 1s cross up through 2s to original places
(7-8) 1s cast down while 2s move up

B2

(1-4) Star R
(5-8) Star L

Teaching Notes

Pimentel:

This is a simple dance which works well for new dancers, and the tune is so wonderfully joyful that everyone seems to enjoy it.

B1. I like each figure to fit two bar phrases, and for all four figures to feel like one fluid movement. Though I do not often use the words “gate” and “half figure eight,” I think newer dancers begin to get the feel for those figures here without even knowing it. That is intentional.

B2. Encourage intermediate dancers to start the star L on their right foot, so the new first corners have a nice transition into the setting at the top of

Derek Haynes (1998)

five-dancer set (four dancers in corners, active in the middle facing up)

Spootiskerry Traditional 4/4 G major

Choreography

A1

(1-4) Star right with right side corners
(5-8) Star left with left side corners

A2

(1-8) R shoulder hey for 3 on right diagonal

B1

(1-8) L shoulder hey for 3 on left diagonal

B2

Series of R shoulder changes:
(1-2) Active changes with top R corner
(3-4) New middle changes with top L corner
(5-6) New middle changes with bottom L corner
(7-8) New middle changes with bottom R corner

Background

Originally a Scottish Country Dance, it makes a very capable ECD.

Teaching Notes

B2. Each change consists of the middle passing a corner by the R shoulder, that corner entering the middle, turning 90 degrees and passing the next.

This dance can be modified to be Domino Eight with these changes:

Six dancers form a 2x3 grid.
Two actives stand in each square of the grid facing each other.
B2: Before the series of R shoulder changes with corners, the actives quickly change with each other.

Sharon Green (2009)

3-couple longways

The Serpent With Corners Thomas Bending 6/8 A minor 1999 BIII p. 49

Choreography

A1

(1-4) Partners set, change places turning single R (8)
End facing out
(5-8) Lines of 3 lead out, fall back (8)
At the last moment, all face in

A2

(1-8) Repeat to home (16)

B1

(1-4) 1s and 2s half pousette (1^st corners advancing to start) (8)
(5-8) 1s and 3s half pousette (2^nd corners advancing to start) (8)
End 2, 3, 1

B2

(1-8) Circle six L & R, slipping (16)

Anna Rain (2011)

duple minor longways

Winter Oranges Daron Douglas 6/8 G major 1995 BIII p. 111

Choreography

A1

(1-4) 2^nd corners dance R shoulder around partner
(5-8) Give trailing hand to partner and lead them halfway around the ring
(All halfway round)

A2

(1-4) 1^st corners dance L shoulder around partner
(5-8) Give trailing hand to partner and lead them halfway around the ring
(All home)

B1

(1-4) Neighbor L sh back-to-back
(5-6) All set to center
(7-8) Turn single right to place

B2

(1-4) Circle left, keep hands with neighbor at end for…
(5-8) Set and link

Teaching Notes

A1 (5-8)/A2 (5-8) This leading is done as though circling to the left, but only holding hands with partners, not neighbors

B2 (5-8) Set and link = set R & L, then change with neighbor turning single R, 1^st corners turning through the inside, 2^nd corners casting over right shoulder around the outside.

or Trip to Texas

Joseph Pimentel (2005)

duple minor longways

Debbie Jackson 9/8 D minor 2006 BIII p. 31

Choreography

A1

(1-2) 1s lead forward to meet and fall back (6)
(3-4) 1s two hand turn (6)

A2

(1-8) 2s, the same (12)

B

All face corner
(1) Balance back (step back, together, pause) (3)
(2) Balance right (step R, together, pause) (3)
(3-4) Corners simultaneously hole-in-the-wall cross (6)
(5-6) Circle L halfway, to home (6)
(7-8) 1s cast down while 2s lead up (6)

Playford (1703) Interp. Andrew Shaw (2009)

3-couple longways

4/4 G major BII p. 12

Choreography

A1

(1-2) 1L right hand turn with right diagonal (2R) (8)
turn over L shoulder to…
(3-4) Left hand turn with 2L 1 ½ (8)
leaving 2L in the top place
(5-6) Right hand turn with 3L 1 ½ (8)
leaving 3L in the middle place
(7-8) 1L cast up the outside to top place (8)
while 2L and 3L turn right shoulder down through the inside back to place
(All home)

A2

Mirror sequence for 1R:
(1-2) 1R left hand turn with left diagonal (2L) (8)
(3-4) Right hand turn with 2L 1 ½ (8)
(5-6) Left hand turn with 3L 1 ½ (8)
(7-8) 1R cast up the outside to top place (8)
while 2L and 3L turn left shoulder down through the inside back to place
(All home)

B1

(1-4) Heys for 3 across the dance (16)
2s initiate by passing their right diagonal dancer by the left shoulder (splitting the couple)
(5-6) 1s lead down through 2s, cast up around 2s back to place (8)
(7-8) Partners two hand turn (8)

B2

(1-4) Heys for 3 with the other couple (16)
2s initiate by passing their left diagonal dancer by the right shoulder (splitting the couple)
(5-6) 1s cast down to bottom place while 2s and 3s lead up (8)
(7-8) Partners two hand turn (8)

G. Wilsim (1755) Interp. Charles Hendrickson (1996)

duple minor longways

Jack Latin Traditional 2/4 G major 1700s BII p. 66

Choreography

A1

(1-8) 1R cross to pass corner by left and start a hey for three on the L file (16)

A2

(1-8) 1L cross to pass corner by right and start a hey for three on the R file (16)

B1

(1-4) 1s cross and go below while 2s move up (8)
(5-8) 1s cross and go below again (2s stay) (8)

B2

(1-4) 1s lead up to original 2s and set to them (8)
(5-8) 1s lead up through original 2s and cast back to second place (8)

C1

(1-4) All set to corner, twice (8)
(5-8) Star L (8)

C2

(1-4) All set to corner, twice (8)
(5-8) Star R (8)

Renee Camus (2024)

duple minor longways

John Whelan 3/4 B minor 1985 NIB · Sheet music ↗

Choreography

A1

(1-2) Circle L ½ (6)
(3-4) Cast back one place over left shoulder (6)
(5-8) Neighbors left shoulder around across the set (12)

A2

(1-2) Circle R ½ (6)
(3-4) Cast back one place over right shoulder (6)
(5-8) Partners right shoulder around across the set (12)
(All home)

B1

Take hands four
(1-2) Set left and right with a crossover step (6)
(3-4) Balance in and out turning the ring halfway around (6)
(5-8) Repeat B1 1-4 (12)
(All home)

B2

(1-4) Neighbors set and link (12)
(5-6) Partners balance F&B (6)
(7-8) Partners two hand turn (6)

Teaching Notes

Camus:

This dance uses a crossover setting step similar to (the West Coast interpretation of) Irish Lamentation. It’s the cross-step waltz basic: Dancers start by crossing their right foot over their left. Starting the whole dance with the R foot may help.

It’s nice to have a lot of space for this dance, both up and down the set and across.

Walsh (1745) Interp. Jacqueline Schwab (1987)

duple minor longways

2/4 D major BI p. 8

Choreography

A1

(1-8) 1^st corners cast left around neighbor, cross through the middle passing corner by left shoulder, and loop right around partner to end in corner’s place (16)
(1^st corners are swapped)

A2

(1-8) 2^nd corners, similarly, cast right around partner, cross through the middle passing corner by right shoulder, and loop left around partner to end in corner’s place (16)
(All are halfway around)

B1

(1-2) All fall back with neighbor (4)
(3-4) Cross, passing partner by right shoulder (4)
(5-8) Neighbors back to back along (8)
(9-12) Partners back to back across (8)

B2

(1-8) Four changes of rights and lefts (16)
(9-12) Partners two hand turn (8)

Joseph Pimentel (2012)

duple minor longways

Adam Broome 6/8 A major 2004 BIII p. 56

Choreography

A1

(1-8) 1^st corners set forward, turn single R, two hand turn

A2

(1-8) 2^nd corners, the same

B1

(1-2) 1s lead down the center
(3-4) 1s wheel around as a couple (CW, right hand person backing up)
(5-6) 1s cross up through 2s to original places
(7-8) 1s cast down while 2s move up

B2

(1-4) Star R
(5-8) Star L

Teaching Notes

Pimentel:

This is a simple dance which works well for new dancers, and the tune is so wonderfully joyful that everyone seems to enjoy it.

B1. I like each figure to fit two bar phrases, and for all four figures to feel like one fluid movement. Though I do not often use the words “gate” and “half figure eight,” I think newer dancers begin to get the feel for those figures here without even knowing it. That is intentional.

B2. Encourage intermediate dancers to start the star L on their right foot, so the new first corners have a nice transition into the setting at the top of

Playford (1702) Interp. Cecil Sharp (1922)

duple minor longways

2/2 D major BI p. 59

Choreography

A1

(1-8) 1L cross to pass corner by right and start a hey for three on the R file (16)

A2

(1-8) 1R cross to pass corner by left and start a hey for three on the L file (16)

B1

(1-4) Star right (8)
(5-8) Star left (8)

B2

(1-2) 1^st corners change by R (4)
(3-4) 2^nd corners change by R (4)
(5-6) Circle L ½ (4)
(7-8) 1s cast, 2s lead up (4)

Susan Kevra (2017)

3-couple longways

Rachel Bell 2/2 C major 2017 BIII p. 109

Choreography

A1

(1-4) Taking inside hands, partners lead up a double and back, turning in toward partner to face down (8)
(5-8) Lead down a double and fall back (8)

A2

(1-4) Partners swirly siding (over by L, back by R) (8)
(5-8) All set and turn single R (8)

B1

(1-4) All circle L ½, drop hands and face partner (8)
(5-8) w/o hands partner balance F&B, cross by R, turn over R to face partner (8)

B2

(1-4) Top couple cross by R, go below to middle place (8)
while middle couple lead up
while bottom couple back to back
(5-8) Partners 2 hand turn (middles 1 ½, others 1x)
(Ending 2, 3, 1)

Philippe Callens (2000)

duple minor longways

Midwinter Blossom Bob Pasquarello 3/4 G major 1989 BII p. 36

Choreography

A

(1-2) L file turn single right (6)
(3-4) Partners right hand turn ½ (6)
(5-6) (New) L file turn single left (6)
(7-8) Partners left hand turn ½ (6)
(All home)
(9-10) All turn single right (6)
(11-14) Star right, end facing neighbor (12)
(15-16) Pass neighbor right (6)
(All progressed)

B

(1-2) Partners set (6)
(3-4) Partners hole-in-the-wall cross right (6)
(5-8) Join hands and circle left (12)
(9-12) Half pousette (1^st diagonals forward) (12)
(All back home)
(13-16) 1s cross, go below
while 2s two hand turn ½, holding on take two side steps up to progress

Background

Callens:

Written December 2000 and first successfully presented at Brasstown, North Carolina, during Winter Dance Week, with composer Bob Pasquarello present. The dance was inspired by Patrick Reyntiens who suggested that I write a dance in memory of those who have died of AIDS. An early frost (1985) is also the name of a film directed by John Erman, about a young man with AIDS and his family’s reactions to his illness. Although this dance is not formally connected with the film, I decided to make reference to its title for my composition on the same subject.

Teaching Notes

A1. After the star, end facing the same neighbor that you starred with.

Anna Bidder (1937/1964)

duple minor longways

A-Rovin’ Traditional 4/4 D major BI p. 38

Choreography

A

(1-4) 1s lead down, cast up to place (8)
(5-8) 2s lead up, cast down to place (8)
(9-12) Partners back to back (8)

B

(1-2) Set, falling back (4)
(3-4) Turn single forwards (4)
(5-8) Three changes of a circular hey (PR, NL, PR) (8)

Background

Some debate about the composition date of this dance: there’s a reference to three unnamed dances by Anna Bidder in a 1937 publication of English Dance & Song, but the dance itself was not published until 1964.

Teaching Notes

B. Prefer turn single right here

Title	Choreographer	Year	Formation	Key	Meter	Tune	Composer	Source
Contemporary English Compositions
Sweet Cream	Jenna Simpson	2011	duple minor longways	D major	4/4	The Sunlight Room	Dave Wiesler	NIB
Mendocino Redwood	Mary Devlin, Bob Fraley, Elizabeth Zekley	2005	duple minor longways	D minor	6/8	Woodlands Walk	Jonathan Jensen	BIII p. 92
Mais Oui	Jenna Simpson	2025	duple minor longways	F major	2/4	The Burlesque	Cahusac	NIB
Helena	Colin Hume	1988	4-couple longways	G major	2/2	—	—	BI p. 50
Pine Hollow	Brooke Friendly	2025	duple minor longways	E minor	6/8	—	Jacob Chen	NIB
Atossa’s Gift	Scott Higgs	2017	duple minor longways	F major	3/4	Love for Three Generations	Clara Byom	NIB
Contemporary English Compositions (alternates)
The Farmer’s Joy	Joseph Pimentel	2012	duple minor longways	A major	6/8	—	Adam Broome	BIII p. 56
Domino Five	Derek Haynes	1998	five-dancer set	G major	4/4	Spootiskerry	Traditional	—
Doctor Bending’s Serpent	Sharon Green	2009	3-couple longways	A minor	6/8	The Serpent With Corners	Thomas Bending	BIII p. 49
English Breakfast
Pluck Me A Fig	Anna Rain	2011	duple minor longways	G major	6/8	Winter Oranges	Daron Douglas	BIII p. 111
Bluebonnets	Joseph Pimentel	2005	duple minor longways	D minor	9/8	—	Debbie Jackson	BIII p. 31
Bloomsbury Market	Playford	1703	3-couple longways	G major	4/4	—	—	BII p. 12
Jaque Latin	G. Wilsim	1755	duple minor longways	G major	2/4	Jack Latin	Traditional	BII p. 66
Trip to Skye	Renee Camus	2024	duple minor longways	B minor	3/4	—	John Whelan	NIB
Barbarini’s Tambourine	Walsh	1745	duple minor longways	D major	2/4	—	—	BI p. 8
English Breakfast (alternates)
The Farmer’s Joy	Joseph Pimentel	2012	duple minor longways	A major	6/8	—	Adam Broome	BIII p. 56
Jack’s Maggot	Playford	1702	duple minor longways	D major	2/2	—	—	BI p. 59
Peridot Ring	Susan Kevra	2017	3-couple longways	C major	2/2	—	Rachel Bell	BIII p. 109
An Early Frost	Philippe Callens	2000	duple minor longways	G major	3/4	Midwinter Blossom	Bob Pasquarello	BII p. 36
Faithless Nancy Dawson	Anna Bidder	1937/1964	duple minor longways	D major	4/4	A-Rovin’	Traditional	BI p. 38