Hi All,
Rather than trying to go "outside the box" with GRF contras, lets think
about the box for a moment. Just what is meant by "Improper" (see the
dance below) in the context of a GRF dance.
I'll use "Ladies & Gentlemen" any day given that it allows me to play
either role even though you wouldn't mistake me for either a Gent or a Lady
99% of the time. That's what I tell the dancers as I allow the "Gents" to play
dress-up using a bag of neckties from the thrift stores. That terminology
allows me to keep in touch with the tradition while allowing the dancers to
participate with today's social norms. It also helps break down stereotypes
and perhaps, I hope, instills a bit of "civility" on the dance floor with
dancers
pretending to be "Ladies or Gents". Given that civility isn't much modeled
these days in our culture, perhaps this is helpful.
The important part, as I witnessed again at the RPDLW with Todd W.
calling, is to have fun and be light hearted about it and the dancers will have
fun also. If Galopede works for the group, so much the better.
BTW, the cd, "Salmonberry, New England Contra Dance Music" was
recorded live at dances so the tunes are dance length, square, well phrased
and at a reasonable tempo. I believe it is available from CDSS
<www.cdss.org>. If you use recorded music, at least purchase the cd even
if you don't send the band a cut of your fee.
Enough for now,
John McIntire, Unity, Maine
This is a fun dance for GRF dances:
Contra for Linda (Improper)
A1. (8) N dosido
(8) Circle left
A2. (16) N swing, end facing down
B1. (16) 4-in-line go down the hall, turn as couples, return, bend the
line
B2. (8) Star right
(8) Star left
>From Grant Goodyear: http://www.grantgoodyear.org/dance/dances.html
Anyone know of other online resources to use for GRF or beginner dances?
Rich
>
>
>> Gang,
>>
>> I am looking to get some arm bands for a contra dance workshop with about
>> 30 beginner women. The
>> event is planned for April 11, so there is plenty of time. It is a
>> difficult assignment for this
>> single guy but some one gots to do it. I did some searching on the
>> Internet and found two types
>> with Velcro ($3 and $2 per). In the past during gender free dancing at
>> the flurry, the straps of
>> fabric on the arm didn't seem to last long. So any experience will be
>> greatly appreciated.
>>
>> Secondly the event will last two hours, suggestion on dances, Baby Rose,
>> The Nice Combination,
>> Midwest Folklore, any others. I hope this isn't a Galopede event. Also it
>> looks to be a bandless
>> event. Any advice for CD music or the shanghaiing of a fiddle player.
>> Thanks
>>
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