Hi Mary,
1. Practice
I write out the dances in my own words, which are mostly the words that I will
use for calling, so I don’t practice the calls much.
I do practice the dance itself if it is challenging. I try to find videos
online and study them to look for timings, awkward transitions, style points,
flow, etc.
If necessary I use my Carcassonne Meeples to run through the dance. I have six
couples in different couples and I know that red is #1s, yellow is #2s, etc.
For complex dances, I try dancing the dance to the music to make sure I
understand the timing, the transitions and the positioning. For most dances
any tune at the correct speed works.
For complex dances I will dance the dance as #1 Man, then as #1 Lady (and #2s
as well if necessary) to understand any challenges that they may face.
For complex situations I may try to work out what words I need to use to get
the figures across well, especially when there is a WHILE!
2. Music
I don’t practice the calls to music, I have enough experience to do that on the
fly in most cases. As above, I do practice the dance to music if I need to
understand the phrasing better.
3. Program Planning
ONS: When I get there after setting up the music, while waiting for the
dancing to start.
Most other dances: On the day of the dance.
My quarterly ceilidhs: during the week before the dance to look for new dances
and plan a varied program different from last time.
Live music: To meet the band’s deadline, anything from a couple of days in
advance to a month in advance. I also document length, speed, style, number of
bars, time signature, etc. for the band. I also let them know if I need any
named tunes, but very rarely insist on a specific tune. I would much rather we
dance to a tune that the band can play well, rather than a tune they don’t know
just because someone suggested that tune at some point.
Festivals: Weeks in advance so that I am sure it is going to be a good session
for the dancers.
Happy dancing,
John
John Sweeney, Dancer, England [email protected] 01233 625 362 & 07802 940
574
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
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