Swirling Waters

Winner TSDAV Dance Composers Competition 1993

An Australian contemporary bush dance, composed in Canberra.

Composed by:: Lawrie Brown, February 1991
Formation:: Five couples in a circle
Music:: 32-bar Waltz, repeated five times, suggest "Russell's Waltz" (see below)
Instructions:: (Repeat 5-times)

Bar			Instructions				      No. bars
A1 balance forward & back holding RH with, and honouring, partner	2
   ladies RH-star once around holding the wrist of the lady in front	6
A2 men north-country courtesy turn lady ending in ballroom hold		2
   waltz 1/2 way round circle						6
B1 men LH-star once around holding the wrist of the man in front		
   RH-turn partner 1/2 way round					2
   end ladies facing out, men facing in, holding RH partner, LH corner
B2 balance right and left acknowledging partner and corner		2
   RH-turn partner 1/2 way round, end ladies facing in, men facing out	2
   balance right and left acknowledging new partner and corner		2
   LH-turn corner 1/2 way round to meet new partner to recommence	2

Notes:

start facing partner with back to corner, all in a circle
the dance should be done with a waltzing step
in A1 the man guides the lady into the star, and he may continue with two small circles in place to fill the time, or may just balance forward and back
during the courtesy turn in A2, the man stands still facing slightly in, whilst guiding the lady to turn clockwise to back under his left arm round behind him, and then walking forward around to ballroom position for the waltz. Note that the man will briefly have his left arm locked behind his back before releasing this hand and collecting the lady around her waist with his right arm into ballroom hold. This is the courtesy turn used at the end of the north country ladies chain.
the progression is by two places each time through the dance. After 5 repeats you will be back with your partner.

Russell's Waltz

The following tune, which I know as "Russell's Waltz" is the one I've come to prefer to use with this dance. It came to me from Peter Foster, named after a player whose favorite it was. I have since been told that it is similar to "Peeler Creek". I would welcome further information on its background, author or history.

This is also available in abc music notation, as a svg image, and (slightly different) in the original handwritten score scan.