Hi,
The French, or French Canadian, quadrille "The Carding" is easy and
fun if the band will play a reel with a good strong beat (but not too
fast) on the end of the phrase (4 1/2 x through). I got it from Dudley
Laufman's book "Sweets of May". It's nice because you don't have to
fuss trying to get an even four couples per square. An individual with
a ghost partner can even fit in fine.
The simple version Sweets of May (not the quadrille which is fun
but too complicated) goes well to a jig if the crowd can move
reasonably well.
The Irish Bridge of Athlone simplified (forward and back and cross
over instead of the 7s & 3s) is one of my favorites.
I agree with Martha that the simplified LaBastringue is always an
upper if the band knows the music, and the original version is fun for
more experienced dancers too (as a dancer)
The Irish Haymaker's Jig is fun but having danced it with a friend
calling the more Irish version I'd suggest simplifying the first part
to just forward and back. The rest is do-able and fun with a lively
crowd.
Summer Cheers, Sue Robishaw
P.S. Let me know if you need the steps to any.
