Hi Nancy,
I've done lots of 'family barn dances' and in general like to keep the
dances
synced to the music where possible, but a few things can be done.
Some of the musicians I work with are very good at putting in an extra B part
when
needed. Since lots of the simple dances end with a long cast off and others
following,
I use the extra B to give them time if the sets are long. That way we can at
least start
each time through the dance at the start of a tune - (if does require some
prompting e.g.
"wait for the music")
If a dance ends with a cast off and there is not quite enough time to finish,
and the
dances starts with LLFB say, I sometimes tell the dancers to just 'catch up' -
at a barn
dance this often makes it more fun.
I don't like to slow the tempo very much. For dances in long lines, if adults
partner
kids across from them and each line alternates adult child, there are always
adults
who can help the little ones get thru in time.
Some simple dances the kids like have an indeterminate finish where is there a
pause
between each time thru the dance. See Silly Threesomes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1ObiQAkZOM
I hope these comments are useful.
Cheers, Bill
