Retrograde Motion

By Charlie Fenton

TypeContra
FormationImproper
A1(8) Long lines go forward and back
(8) Left-hand star 3/4 (with new neighbors!)
A2(8) Trail buddies gypsy 1 1/2
End in a ring of four with your trail buddy and the two across the set
(4) Balance the ring
(4) Petronella turn one place right
B1(4) Balance the ring
(4) Petronella turn one place right, and spin extra to face your partner
(8) Partners swing
B2(8) Gents allemande left 1 1/2
(8) Neighbors swing

Author's Notes:
Inspired by Ted Sannella's dance "Fiddleheads." Near the end of the Gypsy in A2, the man can take the woman's left hand in his right hand, to help her get around into the ring in time. The object, of course, is to move smoothly from the second petronella spin into the partner swing.

This dance is from American Country Dances On Line
All rights reserved by the author; used by permission.
Added to database 12/24/1996; last revised 3/5/1999; edited by Russell Owen