Hi, Rich!
A couple of thoughts that I have:
I would make sure that I asked about the wedding couple’s definition of “modern
contra”. Their actual definition might help make your programming easier; of
course, the opposite is also true! Does this mean no squares, no circle mixers,
no sicilian circles?
I would also ask them about what their goals are for their dance. If it is
mostly to please the contra dancers, that is important to know; but if it is to
get the non-contra dancing families and friends dancing together, then you have
a way in to get permission to do some programming with those desires in mind.
Do they want gender role-free terminology used? Asking this may encourage them
to think about their attendees.
As for “modern contras” that are a bit easier, I do have a few listed on my
webpage. Do Si Three is a great way to get non-dancers used to dancing, as well
as progressing. And since it was written not so very long ago, I assume it is
defined as a “modern contra” ;-)
After the concept of progressing, the most challenging part of doing “modern
contras” is how to end a swing. So dances in which this is a bit easier to
figure out might be helpful to you. An example is the dance below; however, you
will need room up and down, since the P swing is across. This dance (like most
contras), can be done as a sicilian circle; this formation is a great choice,
as aefallon suggested in her note to you. There are also a number of Becket
dances that might be considered. I have included one below by Orace Johnson.
As for floor space: I saved some advice from John Sweeney and Martha Wild, when
this question came up a while back. Here is what they each said:
We usually plan 1.5 square yards / person. 35 feet x 16
feet = 62 sq.yds. so 40 people will be able to dance comfortably. 60
people is starting to get tight.
John Sweeney
And from Martha (this is a digest of what she shared):
20 feet across for two contra lines
Length of the hall, divided by 4 determines the number of couples in the line.
I hope you have a great experience! Do let us know how the event goes!
Linda
Que Guapo by Linda Leslie
Contra/Improper/Beginner
A1 -----------
Circle left
Circle right
A2 -----------
Right hand star
Left hand star
B1 -----------
Partner do si do
Partner 2 hand Swing (face these neighbors)
B2 -----------
Forward and Back
Twos arch, Ones Duck
Midwest Folklore
by Orace Johnson
Contra/Becket-CW/Easy
A1 -----------
Circle left three-quarters
Neighbor do si do
A2 -----------
Neighbor Balance and Swing
B1 -----------
Circle left three-quarters
Partner Do si do
B2 -----------
Partner Balance and Swing
(look left and slide left to a new couple)
On Aug 1, 2016, at 9:01 AM, Rich Sbardella via Callers
<[email protected]> wrote:
> Friends,
>
> I have been hire to call a wedding with 145 attendees and 15 known contra
> dancers. The bride and groom are insisting on modern contras.
>
> I have never thought about floor space, what is the typical requirement for a
> line of twenty couples?
>
> Any very easy duple improper dances to recommend? I plan on using "Family
> Contra" and "Jefferson and Lincoln".
>
> Thanls,
> Rich
>
>
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