Years ago Marlin Powell did that last exercise at Chehalis Dance Camp in B.C., Canada. It was really fun. I was one of those left in the hall learning the dance. It was a fun challenge to use our silent communication skills with those who had not been taught. That's the only thing I remember from that camp.
-Amy On Tue, Jan 16, 2024, 9:27 AM Joseph Erhard-Hudson via Contra Callers < [email protected]> wrote: > For the latter exercise, Sarah VanNorstrand led same sort of thing last > June at Lady of the Lake. > > She had us take hands four and cross over (duple improper), then sent one > entire side of the set out of the room. She taught the dance to the > remaining folks while we were gone. I’m not sure whether she had them dance > with ghosts, or compacted them to teach and then distributed them out > again, or something else. Regardless, once they had mastered it she brought > everyone back in, had us rejoin our places, then the band started with no > further walk-through. We were bound to silence, using only gestures and eye > contact for those in the know to teach the ignorant. It was a basic > vocabulary sequence of course. With everyone primed to communicate and be > attentive we danced it pretty much error free. > > -Joseph > > On Tue, Jan 16, 2024 at 8:49 AM Emily Addison via Contra Callers < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> Hi fellow contra callers :) >> >> I am wondering if any of you have little activities/exercises that you >> use to help dancers improve their knowledge/skills of contra dance? >> >> I know there's lots of opinions on whether this is even necessary or >> should be offered. However, I have a few situations where I've got dancers >> who are keen to improve their skills and I'd like to have various fun ways >> of doing so. >> >> I'd love to hear your ideas! >> >> One activity I remember from mannnnny years ago in Ottawa was led by >> Adina Gordon. She had us form up in contra lines and then she would say >> 1-2 (maybe 3?) figures. We weren't to dance the figure... instead, simply >> go to the spot where we would end up after the figure(s). I remember this >> as being a lot of fun and a great learning experience. >> >> I also remember from that same session something about sending some >> dancers out of the room and teaching the dance to others and then doing the >> dance. (I don't remember the details.) >> >> Thoughts? >> >> Any advice/ideas would be greatly appreciated. >> >> Thanks! >> Emily in Ottawa ON >> _______________________________________________ >> Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] >> To unsubscribe send an email to >> [email protected] >> > _______________________________________________ > Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] > To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] >
_______________________________________________ Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected]
