Weeping Rose Arts & Sciences

Maypole Dancing
Double Crosshatch Dance

Maypole Dancing – Double Crosshatch

Developed by Shannon Smith and Tracey Hanwell

for the Adrian Empire Canton of Weeping Rose 2024

Danced to the song “Sumer Is Icumen In” (dance counts 2 steps to the measure)

This dance begins with 2 sets of couples facing each other in a square. There will be multiple squares of couples around the pole. The dance needs dancers in multiples of 4, with a minimum of 8 dancers.

Introduction (4 sets of 8 counts total)

Begin with 8 counts of music. Stand still.

Bow to your opposite (dancer facing you in the opposite couple) [down 1-2, up 3-4]

Bow to your partner [down 5-6, up 7-8]

All dancers sidestep right for 4 counts.
     (Dancers in the inner circle move to the outer circle)

All dancers sidestep left for 4 counts and continue without stopping to the left for 4 counts (a total of 8 counts if you prefer to count it that way)

All dancers sidestep right for 4 counts and return to the starting point, but all in the outer circle.

Double Crosshatch (2 sets of 8 counts total)

Each square of dancers will weave the double crosshatch pattern in 8 counts, then separate to meet up with the next couple to form new squares.

The new groups of squares will weave the double crosshatch in 8 counts, for a total of 2 sets of the double crosshatch weave. The couples will separate to meet up with the next couple to form new squares.

Weaving Pattern Interim (4 counts)

Count 1 – All dancers bob down

Count 2 – Ladies bob up

Count 3 – Gentlemen bob up

Count 4 – All rest

Double Crosshatch (repeat above)

Reverse Direction Interim (1 count of 4 plus 1 count of 8)

Counts 1-2 – Ladies bob down and up

Counts 3-4 – Gentlemen bob down and up

Counts 1-4 – Couples arm right arms clockwise

Counts 5-8 – Couples arm left arms counterclockwise

(Hold ribbons above head and prepare to switch them to the other hand quickly)

Undo Double Crosshatch (2 sets of 8 counts total)

Undo the weave twice, separating and meeting up as needed.

Maypole Dancing – Double Crosshatch Page 2

Weaving Pattern Interim (4 counts)

Undo Double Crosshatch (repeat above)

Dancers will be back to their starting positions.

Regular Crosshatch Weave

Dancers will pause while the musicians to an introduction to their selected music.

On the cue of the dance master, the dancers will perform the normal weave pattern, with ladies moving around the pole counterclockwise and gentle moving clockwise.

The weave begins with the ladies going under and the gentlemen going over.

Weave until the dance master tells the dancers to meet their partners.

Skip to the pole 4 skips. Skip back 4 skips.

If the dance master so instructs, unweave until the pole is unwoven.

(The master may desire to leave the pole woven.)

Wait for the music to stop.

Raise the ribbons (if they are not still woven to the pole) and shout HUZZAH!