Hi Chris, I love the New England Dancing Masters Productions books, edited by Andy Davis, Peter Amidon, and Mary Cay Brass, if you will be doing more family dances. Until then, here are some of my tried and trues:
Grand March, can be done to just about any tune, ask for a "marchy" tune Circassian Circle Mixer, just needs a 32 bar tune (it's in the above mentioned series, and the book titled Listen to the Mockingbird) People love to go into the middle, clap, and spin back to place. Gallopede, (an ECD) it has it's own tune or many 32 bar tunes will work Zodiac (most bands can play along with the singing "Here come's Zodiac" to the tune "Mammy's little Baby..) I often do a random couple dance using southern figures (circle 4, stars, dosido ptnr, dosido crnr, swings, birdie in the cage, weathervane, duck for the oyster, etc, promenade with your partner around and find another couple..) Virginia Reel Just get them up having fun and feeling success right away before the adults have a chance to think they can't do it, then morph one dance into the next to make it difficult to sit out! Good luck, and feel free to contact me off list for more details about dances. Jill Allen On Jan 14, 2012, at 4:11 PM, [email protected] wrote: > Send Callers mailing list submissions to > [email protected] > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > [email protected] > > You can reach the person managing the list at > [email protected] > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Callers digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Family dances (Chris Weiler (home)) > 2. Re: Family dances (Laur) > 3. Re: Family dances (mavis mcgaugh) > 4. Re: Family dances (Paul Wilde) > 5. Re: Family dances (Laur) > 6. Re: Family dances (JD Erskine) > 7. Re: Family dances ([email protected]) > 8. Re: Family dances (mavis mcgaugh) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2012 14:50:49 -0500 > From: "Chris Weiler (home)" <[email protected]> > To: [email protected] > Subject: [Callers] Family dances > Message-ID: <[email protected]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > I'm calling my first family dance tonight and I haven't been able to > coordinate with the band on music for specific dances. > > What are your favorite family dances that do not have a specific tune to go > with them? I'll be looking through my books, but could use some suggestions. > > Thanks! > > Chris > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2012 12:16:48 -0800 (PST) > From: Laur <[email protected]> > To: Caller's discussion list <[email protected]> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Family dances > Message-ID: > <[email protected]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 > > I think many of these have been posted before.? This is an example of what > I've done with our > > Wheat Scout's program.? typically younger Kids (not preadolescence) and their > parents at a family dance. > > > The "Blob" dance > Patty Cake Polka - hell and toe polka > > Big Circle for little kids (I think this was in the White Mt. Reel book) > Portland Fancy (same book) > Family Contra - Sherry Nevin > > Moons and Stars (Lisa Greenleaf, I believe) > > > I've also used the hat dance? I use a feather or something like that. > I have Sashay the Donut referenced for upper elementary > Seth Tepfer wrote Family Contra in the Castle > > > Rick Gross also has family dances to share. > > Laurie > > Grand Rapids, MI > > > > ? > > > >> ________________________________ >> From: Chris Weiler (home) <[email protected]> >> To: [email protected] >> Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2012 2:50 PM >> Subject: [Callers] Family dances >> >> I'm calling my first family dance tonight and I haven't been able to >> coordinate with the band on music for specific dances. >> >> What are your favorite family dances that do not have a specific tune to go >> with them? I'll be looking through my books, but could use some suggestions. >> >> Thanks! >> >> Chris >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Callers mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >> >> >> > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2012 12:22:32 -0800 (PST) > From: mavis mcgaugh <[email protected]> > To: Caller's discussion list <[email protected]> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Family dances > Message-ID: > <[email protected]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 > > > > ?I?love La Bastrigne - because?the band can play?any?32 bar tune.??? > the dance is easy to teach and folks quickly get the pattern down ---?? > > couples in a big circle facing in? - Mixer? > > A1)?? forward & back > ??????? forward & back > > A2)?? circle left? and? back to the right > > B1)? ALL turn to corner and? SWING?? > > B2?? w?corner (new partner)? Promenade??? ? > > > > FAMILY Contra? by Sherry Nevins? ---? Sicilian Circle???????? No swings?? > ---??and fun? and folks get into the pattern quickly > > A1)? Balance Ring 2x > ???????? circle? Left > > A2)? Balance Ring 2x > ???????? Circle Right > > B1)? Neighbor d-s-d > ???????? Partner? d-s-d > > B2? as couples? > ?????? D-s-d? 1 1/2? > > any version of a virginia reel dance -? is always popular? -? especially if > the top couple??get to do the?? Reel the Set figure [also known as Strip the > willow]? > > > Le Brandy????? proper longways????? 10-12 couples > > A1)??? lines forward & back > ??????????? w/ Partner seesaw > > A2)?? lines forward & back > ????????????? w/ Partner d-s-d? 1 and 1/2 to end back to back? > > B1)??? ALL count in french? -?[1,2,3]????? then once?dance is going I will > yell in? German or Japanese or Spanish??or ?Russian? -? and see how many are > able to count > ????? and then shout Poussez? -? PUSH ---?? they bump 'behinds' with each > other turn around and SWING? > > B2)? ONLY? Top couple sashays down to the bottom?? while everyone else > claps?? and all then move 2 steps ?up the hall???? --? > > > > > Mavis L McGaugh > 510-814-8118 (answering machine-leave message) > > > ________________________________ > From: Chris Weiler (home) <[email protected]> > To: [email protected] > Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2012 11:50 AM > Subject: [Callers] Family dances > > I'm calling my first family dance tonight and I haven't been able to > coordinate with the band on music for specific dances. > > What are your favorite family dances that do not have a specific tune to go > with them? I'll be looking through my books, but could use some suggestions. > > Thanks! > > Chris > > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > [email protected] > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2012 15:26:58 -0500 > From: Paul Wilde <[email protected]> > To: "Caller's discussion list" <[email protected]> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Family dances > Message-ID: > <CACyeUsNMfjzJ7Xjnji+4XCr=014a4-bngejneb2nvv6bvjr...@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > Chris, > > I highly recommend the Suites of May. It's a 3 part dance, but as long as > you keep the general phrasing matched, no one seems to notice the dance > doesn't always begin on the A-1 of the music. It is a surprisingly fun and > exciting dance, compared to how it looks on paper. Keep lines to 6 or 7 > couples or less. Sometimes I let them run the cast off longer than it > should, but as they get the hang of it, speed up the sequential cast off > calls. It adds an element of excitement, especially when the men's line is > getting back to starting position and you are calling both lines to cast > off. > > Have fun! > Paul > > PS Top cpl that makes arch at bottom has to go down far enough to avoid > cramping at the top of the set. > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 5 > Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2012 12:29:22 -0800 (PST) > From: Laur <[email protected]> > To: Caller's discussion list <[email protected]> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Family dances > Message-ID: > <[email protected]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 > > Chris - do you have any idea how old the kids in the family are?? I have some > other things I do at ONS that may be appropriate.? If you need to know > details of the dances I gave before send a PM.? I'll be around for the next 2 > hours. > > ? > Laurie > > >> ________________________________ >> From: Chris Weiler (home) <[email protected]> >> To: [email protected] >> Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2012 2:50 PM >> Subject: [Callers] Family dances >> >> I'm calling my first family dance tonight and I haven't been able to >> coordinate with the band on music for specific dances. >> >> What are your favorite family dances that do not have a specific tune to go >> with them? I'll be looking through my books, but could use some suggestions. >> >> Thanks! >> >> Chris >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Callers mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >> >> >> > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 6 > Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2012 12:42:04 -0800 > From: JD Erskine <[email protected]> > To: Caller's discussion list <[email protected]> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Family dances > Message-ID: <[email protected]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > On 14/Jan/12 11:50, Chris Weiler (home) wrote: >> I'm calling my first family dance tonight and I haven't been able to >> coordinate with the band on music for specific dances. >> >> What are your favorite family dances that do not have a specific tune to go >> with them? I'll be looking through my books, but could use some suggestions. >> >> Thanks! >> >> Chris > > I understand the situation and the approach. > > I wouldn't overly worry if you don't have the married tune. > > If the band is happy picking tunes between dances just give them any > figures that may be helped by an emphasis of playing, show them the > tempo you want by walking/dancing at speed some of the figure. You'll be > providing them with what they can use. My friend told me in the fall, > "You didn't ask for that tune!", which I had assumed was now "in there" > and found a lovely matching piece for Galopede. I called it "American > Galopede" after the fact. > > If they're not able this or happy to work that way then you'll want to > meet earlier and go over some stuff. > > I've sat at (music) Sessions, or when hanging around with musical > friends, parties, bands, band rehearsals (my performances are singing, > dancing, tactile instruments aren't really played in public) and noticed > myself thinking, "Hmm, this tune would work for ____." > > There are seemingly innumerable pieces to which one may dance Canadian > Barn Dance, Patty Cake Polka, etc. Innumerable to me. I have no doubt > that if differences in regional tune/dance marriages occurred it was > when one band/musician thought similarly and it was repeated by them to > the point of being so associated. > > Cheers, John > -- > J.D. Erskine > Victoria, BC > Skype: > island.dance > > Island Dance -- Folk & Country dance info for Vancouver Island > Now at http://members.shaw.ca/island.dance please update links > > > ----- > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 10.0.1416 / Virus Database: 2109/4142 - Release Date: 01/14/12 > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 7 > Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2012 16:14:49 -0500 (EST) > From: [email protected] > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [Callers] Family dances > Message-ID: <[email protected]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" > > Chris, > > There is not "correct" answer for this. This is "folk dance". > > That said, do you know your audience? I've been leading a family dance > series for 21 years now. We've learned to plan a wide variety of dances > because > we never know who is going to show up. I am a huge fan of play party singing > games and very simple dances for a younger set. We usually have a group > of high school foreign exchange students show up for either our January or > February dance. I've warned the band and the other leaders to be prepared! > > Many simple play party games can be done to almost any reel or jig if YOU > make it okay. If this is an ONS, then make it fun and don't worry too much > about form or what is "correct". Keep it simple and keep it fun. > > You should be able to find a ton of play party games and simple dances > online. > > Good luck! > > John B. Freeman, SFTPOCTJ > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 8 > Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2012 14:11:22 -0800 (PST) > From: mavis mcgaugh <[email protected]> > To: Caller's discussion list <[email protected]> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Family dances > Message-ID: > <[email protected]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 > > if you have a number of kids? under the age of ten?(especially boys)? --?? I > use this one anytime I?have youngsters? > ? > Can't Jump? Josie -??? it is a big circle dance?No Partners? ?--??? I never > have the band play anything? --? > ?I tell the dancers? -? you better learn this?song??quickly - or you will > have to listen to me sing!?? they always pick it up quickly? ---????? > ? > you identify?? 1 young person to stand in the ?center of the circle??--? > everyone else? walks **single file? CW?? singing? (or? they join hands and > circle left ) > ? > We're floating?down the river? > We're floating down below? > We're floating down the river > Down the old Saint Jo????? (?have also heard it done saying?? O H I O)? > ? > then all in outer circle? face in? - and point to the person in the middle? > [who NOW begins jumping up and down ] and they sing? > ? > :1 in the middle and he can't jump Josie > 1 in the middle and he can't jump Josie > 1 in the middle and he can''t jump Josie??? > ?Oh Susie Brown??:?? Repeat > ? > while all are singing OH SUZIE BROWN?? the 2nd time? -?the person??in middle? > grabs someone from the outer circle and now there are two in the middle > ? > those in outer circle face CW walking &??singing?? or Circle Left > ? > ? > We're floating down the river > We're floating down below > We're floating down the river > Down the? old Saint Joe? > ? > ALL face to center and point at the 2 in the middle? who commence jumping? > while others point and sing > ? > :? 2 in the middle and they can't jump Josie > ? 2 in the middle and they can't jump Josie > ? 2 in the middle and they can't jump Josie? > ? OH SUZIE BROWN :? Repeat > ? > ? > last time? I just say? ALL in the middle ......??? > ? > **?I usually tell the folks in the outer circle? -? they need to face left > and step ?onto ?their raft - so they can float down the river? - so we have > our arms?outstretched??and we kind of rock from side to side as we move over > the water > ? > ? > the dance and tune are in the??? PEEL the BANANA? dance book? > also in the book? DOWN IN THE VALLEY? > also in the book? STEP LIVELY?? (Red Cover)?? > ? > Mavis L McGaugh > 510-814-8118 (answering machine-leave message) > > > ________________________________ > From: Chris Weiler (home) <[email protected]> > To: [email protected] > Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2012 11:50 AM > Subject: [Callers] Family dances > > I'm calling my first family dance tonight and I haven't been able to > coordinate with the band on music for specific dances. > > What are your favorite family dances that do not have a specific tune to go > with them? I'll be looking through my books, but could use some suggestions. > > Thanks! > > Chris > > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > [email protected] > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > [email protected] > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > > End of Callers Digest, Vol 89, Issue 8 > **************************************
