I tend to modify most dances to end in a partner swing unless the final move is very distinctive (as in Beneficial Tradition).
I consider is sort of a signature thing to do. Many callers like to start calling again the last time - I don't see the reason for that so I don't do it. I do alert the dancers at the beginning of the final time through the dance - but let them enjoy the final time without having to listen to me until that final swing. A few of our bands build to a strong finish, but most just play at a high energy level all the way through the dance. I enjoy both approaches. Even if a band builds to a big finish - I feel like that final partner swing supports that rather than detracting from it. Mac ________________________________ From: Alan Winston - SSRL Central Computing <[email protected]> To: Caller's discussion list <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, January 3, 2012 8:00 PM Subject: [Callers] Changing on the last round for a partner swing Callers -- Looking for opinions. As a caller, I will usually alter (if necessary), the last dance of a medley, the last dance of the first half, or the last dance of evening to end with a partner swing if it doesn't work that way in the choreography. (You know, that "This time, circle half and swing your partner" or "This time, just keep on swinging!" thing.) I'll usually leave the other dances alone. They end how they end; the band gets to crescendo and I don't have to be heard, and the dancers get something other than utter predictability. (As a dancer I don't like utter predictability; I begin to get a teeny bit bored if the callers changes every dance to end with a partner swing.) But I mentioned this to my date, and she *loves* it when the caller changes the dance to make it a partner swing so that it feels like you're finishing with the partner who asked you, and feels disappointed if the caller doesn't make those changes. I mentioned the issue of stepping on the band's hot ending; as a dancer, that meant nothing to her. So what do y'all think? What do you do? How you do think people like it? (Nobody's ever complained to me that I didn't alter endings enough, and I doubt that's the kind of thing anybody complains to anybody about, but it probably has some impact on dancers enjoyment of the evening.) Thanks! -- Alan -- =============================================================================== Alan Winston --- [email protected] Disclaimer: I speak only for myself, not SLAC or SSRL Phone: 650/926-3056 Paper mail to: SSRL -- SLAC BIN 99, 2575 Sand Hill Rd, Menlo Park CA 94025 =============================================================================== _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list [email protected] http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
