Tony (and Rich and others), I'm just learning to call to MWSD dancers, and learning how to gauge what will work out of the box, what will work with a heads-up phrase, and what needs a little teach.
With that in mind, how do you think dancers would respond to "trade by" without a preceeding "pass thru," to maintain a single progression. The power of habits. Jerome On Tue, Mar 14, 2023, 1:57 PM Tony Parkes via Contra Callers < [email protected]> wrote: > I’ve led several Intro to Contras sessions at National S/D Conventions. > The first dance in the session was typically my Inflation Reel, with a > Trade By added after the Pass Thru. (Trade By: If you’re facing someone, > pass thru; if not, do a partner trade [like a California Twirl without > hands]). This gives a double progression and means I don’t have to explain > waiting at the ends or crossing over. I’ve always also used Shadrack’s > Delight, which I wrote to appeal to traditional dancers and MWSDers alike. > > > > For the most part, I’ve found that MWSDers quickly get into the groove of > dancing to the phrase, as long as they’re in longways formation. (I tell > them that contra dancing is “square dance basics with round dance timing.”) > But the moment I put them in squares, with the hope of doing some of my > favorite Lancers or other quadrille figures, they think they can “relax” > and clip the timing. > > > > Tony Parkes > > Billerica, Mass. > > www.hands4.com > > New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century > > (available now) > > > > > > *From:* Rich Sbardella via Contra Callers < > [email protected]> > *Sent:* Tuesday, March 14, 2023 12:29 PM > *To:* Caller's discussion list <[email protected]> > *Subject:* [Callers] Contras for a Crowd that does not Swing > > > > Friends, > > > > I have been asked to lead an intro to contra dance session at a square > dance convention. > > > > I will have time to lead 3-4 contras, and I am looking for suggestions. > > My main concern is that most modern square dancers do not swing, they > simply twirl under. With that in mind, I need contras which have no more > than an eight count swing yet reflect the spirit of the modern contra > scene. > > > > One major difference between contra dance and MWSD is square dancers are > not trained to dance to the phrase of the music. I will most likely begin > with a circle mixer to encourage a full 8 count swing and to emphasize > dancing to the phrase. > > > > I am not looking for contra dances with MWSD basics, but rather typical > contra basics. Any suggestions? I can certainly find some among my > collection, but perhaps there is a gem I might miss. > > > > Thanks, > > Rich Sbardella > > Stafford, CT > _______________________________________________ > Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] > To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] >
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