Barbara G asked:
Any comments/suggestions on making a program more varied? Have been calling for several years and always seem to fall back on several dances over and over, which I would like to avoid (bad habits). Thanks.
I have benefited greatly in this regard from the "Program Planning Matrix" that is published by New England Folk Festival Association. I prefer to call contras and this tool is very helpful in highlighting dances that have similar "semi distinctive actions" that will often make dances be perceived by the dancers as "similar to that earlier dance." Larry Jennings included this matrix near the end of his book "Give-And-Take." I don't know of anywhere else it is available. If someone does perhaps they can make that known.
I now use this matrix in my program planning process. I have entered the matrix data into my database of contras so I can now quickly view my entire program in the matrix format and spot repetitive moves and clusters of figures that could become boring for dancers. The matrix is also useful in helping me to spot gaps in my catalog of dances. Then I can look for something specific like "easy to medium dances that have a shift-to-progress but without a gypsy" to round out my database for more varied programs.
I hope this helps. - Greg
