Here is what I look for to keep contra dancers interested: Keep the dancers moving - avoid delays - like like 'square your sets and wait for the music' Maybe let everyone swing at home while the other sets are catching up. Visiting couple squares have too much down time (but are good in other situations). Heads and sides alternate being active are good if the dance has good energy. Good flow from the figure to the break to the next figure, etc. Something a little unusual but that can be easily taught. Let this be a chance for the band to play their high energy stuff. Make sure the dancers can tell you are having fun.
I had a dancer tell me once - I don't like squares - except when a certain caller calls them. So I asked her if she really doesn't like squares or jsut doesn't like the way most of our caller call them. You might want to talk to a few dancers about squares they have enjoyed. Mac Mckeever ________________________________ From: Richard Hopkins <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, September 8, 2013 12:34 PM Subject: [Callers] Squares for contra-dancers Personally, I like to dance and call squares as much as contra dances, but in many locales there is a strong preference for contras. If you were going to program a square or two in an evening otherwise devoted to contra dances, which ones would you pick? Or what would be the characteristics of squares that you think would make the contra devotees say "That wasn't so bad after all"? (This is assuming you have asked and the organizers haven't told you they expect all contras). I am programming this Friday's Tallahassee dance right now, so this is not just an academic question. Richard Hopkins [email protected] 850-894-9212 850-544-7614 cell Sent from my iPad _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list [email protected] http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
