I quite disagree, for experienced gender-free dancers (which is the
bulk of my experience); a reversed courtesy turn (right hand in
front, walking clockwise) definitely takes a couple times through
before it's comfortable. And it could well be harder for someone
who's used to both roles of a regular chain—if I've never been the
lady in a ladies' chain, I may find it easier to do a (reversed)
gents' chain since it isn't almost-but-not-quite what I'm used to.
--Read Weaver
Jamaica Plain, MA
lcfd.org
On Dec 9, 2011, at 12:46 PM, Robert Golder wrote:
A "Bands Chain" dance is a better choice as a challenging dance for
a venue where role-free dance is atypical. In a role-free setting,
men as well as women are comfortable with dancing either role in a
chain, so in practice there's really nothing very special about a
bands chain. ... Bob
On Dec 9, 2011, at 7:39 AM, Luke Donforth wrote:
Hello All,
In the near future, I get to call for my first gender free dance. I'm
looking forward to it, and thinking about my program. I was
contemplating
putting in Bands chains. The gents chain is a move that seems by
and large
ignored in conventional contra dancing; the occasional dance I've
seen
using it is usually greeted with grumbling. Are gender free
dancers more
open to the move?
I was thinking of the following dance (where barearms are on the
right
after a swing)
*A1*
Neighbor Balance and Swing
*A2*
Promenade Neighbor across and courtesy turn
Barearms chain across the set (pull by right)
*B1*
Barearms do-si-do 1x
Partner swing
*B2*
Bands chain across (pull by left, courtesy turned by neighbor)
Right Hand Star 1x
I've sent the question directly to the dance organizer, and I'm
cross-posting on facebook, but I also wanted to poll the folks here.
Thoughts?
Thanks.
--
Luke Donforth
[email protected] <[email protected]>
www.lukedonev.com
