When Tony Parkes re-issues his 1992 book _Contra Dance Calling: A Basic
Text_, we'll once again have access to well-thought-out ideas for
teaching the hey and many other figures. Until then, search out a used
copy of this very useful book.
A couple of points that Tony makes about teaching the hey:
"A demonstration is almost essential. But be aware that watching a hey
will intimidate unseasoned dancers if they simply look at the blur of
people moving back and forth. Tell those watching to follow the track
of one dancer, the one whose part is identical to their own."
"The most common error in heys is to stop in one's tracks when one has
run out of people to pass, then to turn around on the spot and plow
back in, usually with the wrong shoulder. Remind everyone to make big
loops at the ends; this will help them come back into the hey more
confidently."
Robert Jon Golder
164 Maxfield St
New Bedford, MA 02740 USA
508-999-2486
