On 12/May/10 18:02, Meg Dedolph wrote:
Hi everyone,
I have a question about dance length - not the length of time you run a
particular dance, but the length of an evening of dancing. In Chicago, we
recently went from a three-hour Monday night dance to a two-and-a-half hour
Monday night dance. Some dancers like ending earlier, some really hate it and
others don't seem to care.
Sure, change is interesting. Funny and fought even if inevitable.
From a caller's perspective, will you generally keep calling contras when there
are three or four couples left? I know one can always call squares or triplets,
or ask the band to play waltzes, but I'm specifically curious about contras. Do
people think there's a minimum number of dancers necessary for a contra line?
I've danced in four-couple contra lines, and I don't think it's a whole lot of
fun. And I've been the caller at 10:45 p.m. trying to call a square dance,
which I'm not good at yet, and I don't think that's a lot of fun either.
Thanks for any input you all have....
Meg
Hi Meg,
If I wasn't organising it, I might ask the organiser before hand how
long it is likely to go. When I'm asking when the break is to be, etc.
I'm going to add a note for myself, if asked why, obviously or
otherwise, with respect to length of evening expectations of either the
organiser or dancers.
No, I don't think I'd call contra formations with less than four couples
anyway. There are good triplets or four couple set dances. I've danced
them, now to have them in my choices for calling.
As far squares at the end of an evening, it would depend on it's level
of complexity and involvement. I'm just working toward them as well. On
the one hand one may have more experienced or committed dancers at that
point, or simply tired folks of any ability.
A visiting square, may give a little physical and breathing space for
tired folks. A more involved one (more folks moving) might work for the
movement focused.
From SCD, something like Round Reel of Eight is busy enough _and_
simple enough. Hmm, might modify that for use, use a dosido vs setting.
Nope, not short enough. Same hand (right) balance will do though.
http://www.rscdsleeds.org.uk/dancecrib.asp?ID=2083
(treat Allemande hold as Promenade hold.)
So, having some triplets (xlets or nLets?), some easy squares, round(?),
community/family or ceilidh dances handy is always good.
At the last Raincoast Ruckus (Vancouver, BC), Kathy Anderson hosted a
fun workshop on dances for small or odd numbers of folks. Was really good.
Cheers, John
J.D. Erskine
Victoria, BC
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