-----Original Message----- From: The Witful Turnip Often, I think that the way something is raised sets the tone for how it's
received. I'd be very enthusiastic. But I'm concerned that while the organizer might like the idea and may want to try something different, when it came to the time, the dancers would hate it. You folks are the best test audience I know. What do you think of this idea ? What idea have you tried at NYE dances ? What have you found to work ? The absolute best NYE standard dance event* experience I've had was at a dance in Atlanta, 2003. We wanted a dance to do at the stroke of midnight that allowed everyone in the room to interact with each other. Something to incorporate the traditional 'kiss at midnight' without people having to kiss if they didn't want to. So, I had the band play a 12 bar blues tune, and we did this circle mixer dance: FloorPlay New Years Eve 2003 Formation: circle mixer Level: Easy Music: 12 bar blues tune Composed: 12/31/2002 A1: (8) Grand Right and left (right to current partner; left to #2; right to #3; left to #4; with #5 gypsy B1: (4) with new partner kiss cheek, (12) Swing C1: (8)Promenade; (8) Into Center and come back out Notes: Please note that this is a short dance - does not fit standard contra dance length -- 32 bar -- tunes. It was designed to fit a 12 bar blues tune. If you want to have it fit a regular dance: A1: (8) Grand Right and left (right to current partner; left to #2; right to #3; left to #4; with #5 gypsy A2: (4) with new partner kiss cheek, (12) Swing B1: (16) promenade B2: (8) Into center and come back out; (8) Into center and come back out; It was a fabulous success. People got to dance, got to wish everyone a happy new year, and be more cozy with the ones they wanted to be cozy - and not with the ones they didn't. Note that paul Balliet has a dance called Floorplay. This dance's title is "FloorPlay New Years Eve 2003" *The absolute best NYE ever was Florida Rhapsody 1998. We had a dancing till just shy of midnight, then ran down to the waterfront and lit a fire sculpture that released our fears from the previous year and our hopes for the next year into the heavens. Then we had a professional fireworks show - just for us. If you were at Florida Rhapsody 1998, you will remember how fabulous it was! If you weren't, perhaps we will do it again some year. The absolute best. Ever! : -)
