Hi all,
Various topics.
CHAOS:
Although I appreciate being credited for that version of Chaos (one of my
favorites for family/community type dances) I don't consider it mine. I
learned Chaos from Diane Silver (caller from Asheville NC). Don't know whose
it is. Diane gave me a few variants - including N/P dsd in B2, P/N sw in B2
(making it a mixer) and I think over the years I've added a few tweakings. It
can also work fine w more than 2 cpl sets, depending on how much chaos you want
to invite. NB: Among 6th graders at a recent dance residency it was voted
"Best dance" of the ones they learned.
SNOWBALL:
Splendid dance. I've even done it w a mix of 5 and 6cpl sets (for ex, if
there's just one more cpl that wants to dance, and we can't get another 4 cpls
for the extra set, they just add onto a set.) I always do the AABBCC version
of the dance (Thanks David Millstone for teaching it to me!), and I just treat
the 5/6 as one so I hardly have to change my calling pattern, thus saving
embarrassing miscues due to altering something I know by heart (so both cpls
gallop up center and back to place in the C1, then cpl 1 gallops down ctr to
bottom of set and all swing P for the C2.) I'll run it til at least everyone
has a chance to be cpl 1 once. If the band doesn't know a 3 part tune, it
works for me to use regular AABB tunes. If it won't be coming out even at the
end, and the band isn't up to an A2 ending, then I just add in a tag at the end
to fill up the B1B2 Something like EVERYONE allem R, L, EVERYONE LLF&B, and
EVERYBODY sw one last time.
FORMING SQUARES:
Cool hint from Michael B. Can't wait to try that technique, since facilitating
forming of squares at Comm/Family/School dances for me is always a bit of a
hands-on and time-consuming process, whereas circles is nearly always quick &
efficient.
NEW REPERTOIRE:
More interesting dances to add to the box! Thanks all!
Great thing about new/inexperienced dancers is they are usually happy to do
anything. Great thing about this list is the useful ideas and positive
reinforcement.
Chrissy Fowler
Belfast ME
