RAGPICKER'S CHRISTMAS

CHOREOGRAPHER: Phil Johnson (October 2007) Bridlington, England
COUNT: 48
TYPE: 2 Wall Line Dance
LEVEL: Beginner/Improver/Easy Intermediate
MUSIC: Ragpicker's Dream by Mark Knopfler-120 bpm (24 count intro) (CD The Ragpicker's Dream, also available as a download from iTunes)
	Silent Night by Jewel (12 count intro) (CD Christmas Hits, also available from iTunes)
	Any moderate waltz tempo - Christmas or other for different times of the year

Danced in groups of four with one facing 6:00; one facing 12:00; one facing 3:00 and the last
facing 9:00. Start holding each other's right hand in the centre of the group at arms length.
(Quadrille style). Also works as a partner dance.

LEFT AND RIGHT SHUFFLES FORWARD X2
(To make a circular full turn right to return to your original position)

1-3	Step left forward (to left diagonal), step right beside left, step forward on left
	(starting to turn to right diagonal)
4-6	Step right forward (turning to right diagonal), step left beside right,
	step forward on right (starting to turn to left diagonal)
7-9	Step left forward (to left diagonal), step right beside left,
	step forward on left (starting to turn to right diagonal)
10-12	Step right forward (starting to turn to face the wall you started from),
	step left forward, (facing wall you started from), step right in place

BASIC WALTZ FORWARD ON LEFT AND BASIC WALTZ BACK ON RIGHT X2
(Hands get raised upwards as you meet in the middle and back down as you waltz back)

13-15	Step left forward, rock onto right beside left, step on left in place
16-18	Step right back, rock onto left beside right, step on right in place
19-21	Step left forward, rock onto right beside left, step on left in place
22-24	Step right back, rock onto left beside right, step on right in place

(Let go of hands)
BASIC LEFT WALTZ FORWARD TO LEFT DIAGONAL, 1/4 TURN LEFT BASIC RIGHT WALTZ BACKWARD
(Now facing opposite wall from where you started) x2 (returning to wall you started from)

25-27	1/4 turn left stepping left forward, rock on right to right side, recover weight on left;
28-30	1/4 turn left stepping back on right, rock left to left side, recover weight on right;
31-33	1/4 turn left stepping left forward, rock on right to right side, recover weight on left;
34-36	1/4 turn left stepping back on right, rock left to left side, recover weight on right.

Note: As you 1/4 turn you should start by moving to the wall on a diagonal (about an 1/8th Turn
left to start) and then square up to the wall for the second step of the basic waltz step to
complete the 1/4 turn so the feet are moving in a diamond shape pattern for counts 25-36.

Note: Dance ends on count 30 (during wall ten) when you are back in your original starting
position and as the music fades Bow/curtsey to your partners on counts of three (12:00 and
6:00 to each other/ 9 and 3 to each other; Then 12 to 3/ 6 to 9 and finally 12to 9 and 6 to 3;
wishing each a happy Christmas as you go round.

(Hold right hands again)
BASIC LEFT WALTZ INTO MIDDLE (raising hands), 1/4 TURN RIGHT BASIC RIGHT WALTZ BACK X2

37-39	Step left forward, rock onto right beside left, step on left on place
40-42	1/4 turn right stepping back on right, rock onto left beside right, step on right in place
43-45	Step left forward, rock onto right beside left, step on left on place
46-48	1/4 turn right stepping back on right, rock onto left beside right, step on right in place
	(to end facing the opposite wall you started from)

START AGAIN

VARIATIONS:
1. For the more advanced you may like to try having two groups of four dancers close to each
other with the 12:00 and 6:00 facing dancers from each group changing places during section 3
(counts 28-30). Moving from your 6:00 position you meet the opposite 12:00 dancer at your 9
and his/her 3:00 (counts 25-27) Turning about 1/8 right weave backwards (front side behind)
into the 6:00 position in the other group and then waltz round to end up as that group's 12:00.
That group's 12:00 doing the same into your group's 12:00 position and then waltzing round to
6:00. Thus making this more of a traditional Quadrille style of dance. For a bit of style on
count 27/28 why not touch palms of right hand together as you cross and turn 1/8 right. It may
be better if the dancers were so set up as to have boy girl crossing each time....getting
complicated now!

2. Now for the really clever show offs why not try placing all groups of four in a circle
(need a huge floor) and have 12 and 6 o' clock dancers in all groups changing places!!!!!

Music Note; During Walls 8 and 9 the music for Ragpicker's Dream fades for a few beats.
Just keep dancing at the same waltz tempo and when it comes back you will be on the right beat.

Silent Night ends on wall 6 at count 13-15 so you will be close together to wish each other
a happy Christmas as the music fades. For this music its best danced under the Mistletoe!

Happy Christmas from
PARTYZONE
CONTACT PHIL - 07989 176525
e-mail partyzone @wymingbrook.co.uk
www.partyzonelinedance.co.uk

From: TKANDR@aol.com

Reformatted for display on web site
Dancing Deep In the Heart of Texas
by Don & Patti Brown
http://members.aol.com/CactusStar/home.htm