June 2001 improper contra dance by Joseph Pimentel

  A1  Lines of 4 down the hall (1s in the center) Turn alone,
      return, bend the line
  A2  Circle L; Star L
  B1  W see-saw; M DSD
  B2  F&B 1s sw (end facing down and step between new 2s)

Teaching Notes
A simple dance easy for everyone with the uniqueness of the see-saw to give some interest to experienced folks. A see-saw is a left-shoulder do-si-do.
The only transition which might need attention is moving from the men's do-si-do to the long lines forward and back. New dancers don't find this any more challenging than any other parts of the dance, and experienced dancers can make it feel good.

Pimental comments:

My favorite first dance of an evening is Don Armstrong's “Broken Sixpence,” because it is gentle and intuitive for beginners and enjoyable for everyone. I used the dance so much, though, I feared dancers would grow tired of it. After searching for other, similar dances and finding none, I wrote this one to provide some variety. Fred Todt suggested the title, following the “Sing a Song of Sixpence” nursery rhyme and a recently developed interest in birding. I have since become equally fond of Bob Isaacs' “A Pocketful of Rye” as a first dance of a program for more experienced dancers.
Along with “Ramsay Chase,” this dance is also republished here from The Cardinal Collection, which is almost out of print. This simple dance may be my best composition. I like the English dance feel when combined with Daron Douglas' compelling tune, “Yellow Song,” which is on the companion CD.