Auld Lang Syne

November-December 2014
Longways duple minor proper
music Auld Lang Syne

A1	Counterclockwise half poussette, then clockwise draw poussette
A2	Sliding doors/Mad Robin Left hands across
B1	Right hands across Chevron on the first diagonal; others cast into neighbor's place
B2	Second corners draw poussette partners halfway round [all home] Clockwise half poussette

Notes

I chose figures with rotation to evoke the turning of the year and other cycles. Some of the figures also have their reverses, like the half poussettes at the beginning and the stars in the middle. Some figures cross the phrase, to suggest that the cycles go on regardless of landmarks of time: right hands across/left hands across and the ending half poussette and the starting half poussette The consecutive half poussettes at the end of one round into the start of the next have the effect of zig-zagging first with original neighbors then with new neighbors (and then back with new neighbors).
Emphasize difference between regular shuttle poussette and draw poussette. A1 ends with all improper, not progressed
A2: The path of the figure is the same as neighbors back to back, but dancers keep eyes on partner. People in first corner positions (they happen to be original second corners) advance at start of this figure.
B1: Chevron: people in first corner position (original second corners) pass each other on the diagonal by the right shoulder and back up straight across into neighbor's place. While this happens, people in second corner position (original first corners) wait for four beats, then cast up or down into neighbor's place. End this figure all progressed and improper.
B2: The people who draw (pull) are original second corners in their corner's place.

Alternative version for a crowded hall: Only one figure goes outside the longways set. I think it is also more accessible for beginners, as most figures bring dancers back home.

A1	Counterclockwise draw poussette then clockwise draw poussette [all home]
A2	Sliding doors/Mad Robin [people in first corner position advancing] Left hands across
B1	Right hands across First corners change (by right shoulder), second corners change (by left)
B2	Second corner people draw poussette partners halfway round [all home] Clockwise half poussette (shuttle half poussette)

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