I agree with the direction others have taken -- the point is for them
to have a great time and leave liking to dance. Starting from
scratch with contras in one hour won't get them there and the
organizers probably don't know the difference. I would add that I
have found that high school kids love flirty stuff, especially
gypsies (an easy replacement for a do-si-do here and there) and baudy
stuff (Le Brandy with it's "Un, deux, trois, poussez!" goes over
well) and wild stuff (ex: Sashay the Doughnut). If the organizers
are still insisting on contras after you talk with them, for some
reason that we on this list may not have intuited, I've had good luck
with beginners with Family Contra and the Easy Petronella posted by
someone earlier.
I, personally, LOVE calling for loud rowdy groups of enthusiastic
young people -- if you go in expecting chaos and just roll with it,
you can have a blast and if you do, they will too!
On May 21, 2010, at 3:27 PM, Richard Hart wrote:
I've helped to teach contra dancing to large high school gym
classes a few times. I'd suggest that you start with a grand march
at the beginning to help them feel the beat of the music, and to
understand the concept of dancing together. You can start from a
simple circle dance, then break into a line and do various arches
and tunnels, as well and marching in single file, as couples,
groups of 4, 8, and 16, etc.
Then, pick very, very, very, very simple dances, dances where the
concepts of progression and improper, are not needed. Most of them
would never figure those things out in a hour. Try Virginia reel,
and similar dances. Even three different, and progressively more
complex variations on Sir Roger do Coverly, or Virgina reels, would
work. (Save the reel part for the last one, if you do it at all).
Remember, it's all new to them, and just succeeding at dancing in
time with the music, and with each other, is a success for them
(and you).
Rich.
Grunzweig, Noah C. remarked on 5/21/2010 10:33 AM:
So, i hope this is being sent to the appropriate network. I was
asked recently to call a contra dance for a highschool class of
about 30-40 students. I would like to reach out for advice on
working with not only youth, but total groups of non-dancers. in
my experience, youth picks up rather quickly, but the last time i
worked with a summer camp i spent waaay to much time instructing,
so i wanted to see if i could get some pointers. any dance
selections that you folks have found particularly friendly? the
dance will only be one hour and i was asked to do contra dances.
i am, at this point, planning on circle dances or mixers and a
whole set dance like VA Reel; though, i would like to do a
contra. dog branch reel or a dance where there is little or no
crossing the set and pleanty of forgiving moments should there be
confusion (which obviously should be mediated in the walkthru/
lesson). so, that is where i am. any suggestions or advice would
be greatly appreciate. peace.
Noah Grunzweig
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