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Welcome to DavidGilks.net

Hello and welcome to DavidGilks.net. Here you can find a collection of my original dances as well as anything else I decide to add from time to time. If you have any feedback about the dances or general comments shoot me a message at david (at) davidgilks (dot) net.

Semi Lateral Thinking

Semi Lateral Thinking by David Gilks

Beckett / February 2010

A1

  • Ladies Allemande R 1 (8)
  • Scoop up Partner, Star promenade across (4)
  • Butterfly whirl (4)

A2

  • Circle L 3/4 (8)
  • Neighbour Swing (8)

B1

  • Left Diagonal, Ladies Chain (8)
  • Right & Left through across (8)

B2

  • Partner Balance and Swing (16)

The right and left through in B2 must be finished with a pull by left along the set rather than a courtesy turn (as is common in some places). By doing it in this way dancers end facing their partner, in progressed position ready to balance and swing.

But Is It Any Good?

But Is It Any Good? by David Gilks

Duple Improper / February 2010

A1

  • Hey for 4 Along the Set (16)

A2

  • Neighbour Allemande R 3/4 (6)
  • Men Pull by (2)
  • Partner Swing (8)

B1

  • Circle L 3/4 (8)
  • Neighbour Swing (8)

B2

  • Right & Left across (8)
  • Left Hand Star (8)

The hey for 4 along the set is a little confusing but works well. If you break it down, it consists of dancers passing right shoulders with their neighbour, a left shoulder gypsy with the next person to face back the way they came, passing right with their neighbour again and then a left shoulder gypsy with the next. The move ends with dancers facing their neighbour. Be careful of the end effects; dancers need to be aware that (if waiting on the ends) they do not pass shoulders to start the dance but rather join in from the first gypsy.

Procrastination Reel

Procrastination Reel by David Gilks

Duple Improper / 2008

A1

  • Right Hand Star (8)
  • Men’s chain (8)

A2

  • Circle L (8)
  • Balance the Circle (4)
  • Petronella Turn (4)

B1

  • Neighbour Balance and Swing, finish in line of 4 facing down (16)

B2

  • Line of four down the hall, turn alone (8)
  • Return, 1s shoot down through 2s to new couple (8)

The name says it all really!

The men’s chain in A1 is just like a ladie’s chain, men pull by right and can either be courtesy turned or turned by the left to face back in. The final move in B2 is simply like a reverse cast with the 1s using the 2s to cast inwards and then head down to a new couple.

Back Up and Push

Back Up and Push by David Gilks

Duple Improper / February 2010

A1

  • Neighbours Balance and Swing (16)

A2

  • Men Allemande Left 1 1/2 (8)
  • Partner Swing (8)

B1

  • Right Hand Star (8)
  • Ladies chain (8)

B2

  • Push-off hey for 4 (16)

The push-off hey is taught as women step together, and using each other’s weight, pushoff into their neighbour’s place. Meanwhile, the men slide (or loop) into the woman’s place. Men then start a half hey passing right shoulders and once the hey is complete, the men perform the pushoff move into their neighbour’s place. Dancers can now face new neighbours ready to start the dance again. I often teach the move as women pushoff, men pass R, partners pass L, ladies pass R, partners pass L, men pushoff.

This dance was inspired by Nathanial Jack’s Dead Cat Bounce in which a similar “hey” is used but only the women got to pushoff. I decided to let everyone have a go.

One Sour Kraut

One Sour Kraut by David Gilks

Duple Improper / Feb 2008

A1

  • Neighbours Allemande Left 1 1/2 (8)
  • Ladies Chain (8)

A2

  • Hey for 4, ladies pass right (16)

B1

  • Partner Gypsy and Swing (16)

B2

  • Long lines, forward and back (8)
  • Circle Left 3/4 (6)
  • Pass through (2)

Written at the Cobargo Folk Festival 2008 after hearing German band The Beez sing a song about one very sour German girl.