Trip to Phan Reel

by Susan Kevra

A Becket formation longways contra that progresses counterclockwise!

Susan writes, "The title is a play on words. Tryptophan, as you probably know, is an amino acid found in turkey which supposedly induces drowsiness. The dance was conceived on Thanksgiving night in 1993, after a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with Arthur and Helene Cornelius, to whom the dance is dedicated. The "Trip to" is an oblique reference to all those other dances about trips: Trip to Kilburn, Trip to Paris, etc."

Here's how it works:

A1

• Allemand left your corner (this will be the same person throughout the dance) and swing your partner.

A2

• Circle left 3/4 and swing your neighbor

B1

• Circle left once around and end facing up or down the set
  • with partner beside you; woman on the left, gent on the right.
• With your partner, roll away with a half sashay;
• pass through up and down the line to progress and
• form a wavy line with new neighbors:
  • women join left hands in center and right with neighbor of opposite sex.

B2

• Balance the wavy line (4 counts)
• Gents walk forward in an arc to take the other gent's place across the set,
• while the women turn by the left a leisurely once around. (6ish counts)
• Everyone allemand right your partner (6ish counts) and look for your corner to start again.

Susan notes: "This is not a beginning dance, by any means. It also causes trouble for experienced dancers who refuse to believe that a Becket dance can progress this way. [Note also that the progression occurs in the middle of the dance.] I usually introduce the dance by telling them the dance has surprising features and a dizzying effect. This usually eliminates the frantic waving of arms of helpful souls wishing to inform you that "it doesn't work!" During the walkthrough, a demonstration of the B2 is often useful."

Gary Shapiro adds: "One thing I think would help might be for the dancers to line up improper, then circle right one place into Becket formation. This way couples will progress in the direction they'd expect based on the initial lineup." [Many people seem to think that the notion of active and inactive are unimportant or even irrelevant in Becket dances. A few, however, do pay attention to the direction of progression.]

Tune suggestions: flowing reels; but not too fast!