I have some experience with pool noodles (teaching aqua aerobics) and the
dollar-store kind are pretty wiggly and would not withstand the weight of a
magnet, nor be manageable. There are stronger noodles available from
exercise websites, which are not cheap but are tougher and would withstand
use for longer. If 6 ft is from face-to-face, and the human arm is about 2
feet long, perhaps you only need a two-foot noodle, which would add up to 8
feet total with arms extended. Maybe a balsa-wood "baton" would also
work. I'll bet there are some Morris dances that could morph into contra
dances, using sticks. Picturing stars and heys with sticks/noodles--the
dances would be lovely. Get a drone and film them from above!
Our town almost opened up for outdoor gatherings of 10, but then the
upswing in cases hit. And we can't be outdoors until October, anyway, in
this heat.
Louise Siddons is also working on "out-of-the-box" contra ideas:
https://forms.gle/eR8dbyLz9NV3592h8.
Lissa Bengtson
San Antonio
On Mon, Jul 20, 2020 at 8:46 AM Mary Collins via Contra Callers <
[email protected]> wrote:
> I like John's idea of designated partners and no progressions.
>
> Claire I also am liking the noodle idea. Still making connection which for
> me is a huge part of contra and square dance. A thought about that, each
> person would need 2 noodles with the opposing polarity magnet in each end.
> How do you plan for #'s of attendees? Would you sell "noodle hands" so each
> dancer can come prepared and with personal "hands"? (Which I like as a
> group fundraiser)
>
> Watching this space for more dance ideas for my "covid box". Thanks for
> posing these questions.
>
> Mary Collins
>
> On Mon, Jul 20, 2020, 9:02 AM John Sweeney via Contra Callers <
> [email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Hi Claire,
>> What some groups are planning, possibly, is to start their new
>> dance sessions with just couple dances. Come with a partner, or choose one
>> person and stay with them.
>>
>> There are lots of good dances to choose from; but only if your
>> dancers are prepared to embrace change, new ideas and new skills. Contra,
>> ceilidh, squares, ECD, etc. are all part of the same spectrum of dance,
>> with common origins.
>>
>> Here are some ideas (some are usually done as mixers, just stay
>> with the same partner):
>> Salty Dog Rag
>> La Chapelloise
>> Swedish Masquerade
>> Teton Mountain Stomp
>> The Ideal Schottische
>> The Gay Gordons
>> Redwing Mixer
>> Twirl & Go
>>
>> You can Waltz (obviously) and all the other standard couple
>> dances.
>>
>> And if your dancers are prepared to work in fours and stay in
>> those fours, you can add all the Appalachian/Running Set two-couple figures
>> - there are dozens to choose from. Yes, it is more fun to do them with new
>> couples, but if you have to stay in the same foursomes you can still have
>> fun.
>>
>> I hope that helps.
>>
>> Happy dancing,
>> John
>>
>> John Sweeney, Dancer, England [email protected] 01233 625 362 &
>> 07802 940 574
>> http://contrafusion.co.uk/KentCeilidhs.html for Live Music Ceilidhs
>>
>> http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
>> http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive DVDs
>>
>>
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>>
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