... Found this on the web one day, copied it here in case it is deleted from the original source.

The Maypole Dancers.

The best number of dancers is between 8 and 20, and an even
number is best. Two of the dances below require 8 dancers
only.

The end of the ribbon should be helpd firmly in the outer hand
(The one facing away from the pole), while the inner hand
loosely holds the ribbon and can directed it (Holding it up or
down as required). If needed, the ribbon can be held in loops
in the outer hand, and a released on loop at a time as needed.

At first, use a slow tempo for the music (Waltzes are good).
The tempo can increase with practice. If possible, use live
musicians as they can vary the tempo.

The Dances.

There are many Maypole dances. The ones below range from easy
to difficult (and in one case nearly impossible!). The dancers
will need to have a partner, whom they will stand next to to
begin with.

Grand Chain.
This is the most common Maypole dance. The dances stand away
from the pole, with the ribbons slack (but not touching the
ground). The partners face each other. On the beat the boys
move slightly towards the pole as they move forward. The girls
move forward and hold their ribbons up so the boys can go
under them. The boys them move away from the pole, and the
girls towards it slightly. This time the girls move inside the
boys. Continue in this "In and Out" manner until the ribbon is
all used up. Now the fun part. Dancers reverse direction and
try to undo the ribbons. If the dancers look at the point
where their ribbons cross they can work out who should go over
and under. After that it is easy.

Barbers Pole.
The boys start standing next to the pole with their ribbons
pulled tight. The girls start away from the pole with their
ribbons slightly slack. On the beat the girls move one
complete revolution in one direction. When they get back to
their starting position they move towards the pole, pulling
their ribbons tight, while the boys move away from the pole
and let their ribbons go slack. When the boys get to the end
of their ribbons they move one complete revolution IN THE
OPPOSITE DIRECTION as the girls did. Continue in this manner
until the ribbons are used up, then reverse and undo.

The first part of this dance is quite easy, while the undoing
can be a bit tricky. Keep an eye on the point where the
ribbons cross over to see if you have gone too far.

With the above dances, the ribbons will form a platt against
the pole. In the following dances the ribbons will form a
platt AWAY from the pole, forming an umbrella.

Gypsy's tent.
The girls start away from the pole with their ribbons
slack.The boys start half way between the pole and the girls,
facing away from the pole, with their ribbons tight. On the
beat the girls move towards their partner, pulling thier
ribbons tight as they go (They will needto let out their
ribbons slowely during the dance). The girls dance once around
their partner, then move on to the next boy. They dance once
around him, then onto the next boy, and so forth. When the
girls ribbons are used up, reverse and undo. Once undone, the
girls and boys cahnge positions.

Spiders Web (Difficult).
The dances start in the same positions as for Gypsy's Tent. On
the beat, the girls dance around their partner, then dance
PAST the next boy (without dancing around him), and move onto
the next boy. They dance 180 degrees around him, dance back to
the boy they past, then dance 180 degrees aound him. Continue
in this "Past one, around one and back" manner until ribbons
are used, then reverse and undo. Partners then swap positions.

Unholy Mess! (My personal name for this dance, as I've never
seen it done successfully).

Same as Spiders Web, except both the boys and girls dance AT
THE SAME TIME, moving in opposite directions. You have my
sympathy if you try this dance (and I want a photo if you pull
it off!).

The following two dances are for 8 dancers only, in two pairs
of four.

Jacobs Ladder.
The boys start halfway towards the pole, facing out with their
ribbons tight. The girls dance around their partner, then
dance towards the other boy in their pair. When the girls meet
in the centre, they dance 180 degrees around each other, then
head back to their partner. 180 degrees around their partner,
then back towards the centre. Continue in this manner until
ribbon is used. This will form two "Ladders" down the sides
and away from the pole. If you have a wheel on the top of the
pole the ladders can be rotated around the pole (This looks
quite impressive). Undo and swap.

Pyramid.
Same as Jacobs ladder, except when the girls get back to their
partner they dance 90 degrees and head towards the nearest boy
in the other pair, then back. This willform a four sided
pyramid around the pole.

above by Brendan Crawford at: keipa@tpg.com.au

Original artical located at:
http://teachers.net/projects/earthday/topic24/8.24.02.22.22.29.html