Re: [Callers] Super easy dances - do they exist?

[Woody Lane via Callers]

I always start my pre-dance workshop with a 2-handed turn. If necessary, 
I demonstrate it with someone. Then I teach allemande left, allemande 
right, and dos-i-do. Then I sometimes ask the band to play a tune 2-3 
times at a relatively fast tempo, and I make up a silly dance using only 
those figures, where the partners only dance with each other (no 
progression, although that would be fun -- just call "move to the next 
person!"). It doesn't take long before everyone is smiling and laughing, 
but the main thing is that they are doing the moves and listening to the 
calls and learning to trust my voice.


Woody

--
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Woody Lane
Caller, Percussive Dancer
Roseburg, Oregon
http://www.woodylanecaller.com
home: 541-440-1926 cell: 541-556-0054


On 6/17/2017 10:07 AM, Linda S. Mrosko via Callers wrote:
2-hand turns --  one year I was teaching a dance that had a 2-hand 
turn -- which I discovered was beyond their comprehension.  Lots of 
blank faces and a few tried to hold onto each other and turn under 
their own arches.  I grabbed a young fellow close by and demonstrated 
a 2-hand turn and there was a huge "a" from the group.  Who'd have 
thought that was a foreign term for 18-year olds.  Why don't they 
teach this stuff in school anymore?

Re: [Callers] Super easy dances - do they exist?

[Linda S. Mrosko via Callers]

If only I could "train" them, but it's a new group every year.

Reminds me of the very first year I did this -- 15+ years ago.  There was
no working sound system -- they told me they had one, so I didn't bring
mine.  The band had theirs, but the screams from the dancers quickly
drowned them out.  I resorted to hand signals only.  Turns out that was one
of the best dances we ever did.

Maybe that's the answer to my problem.

On Sat, Jun 17, 2017 at 6:37 PM, Tom Hinds  wrote:

> Linda, thanks for bringing this topic up.  It sounds like might have a
> good collection of English village dances in your collection.  I think
> they're perfect for that group.  John is correct, get them moving right
> away.
>
> I realize that the thread is super easy dances but I'd like to throw out
> another idea.
>
> Maybe it's time to train them.  I don't think you can get them to be as
> quiet as you want but maybe you can get them to be quiet when you're
> teaching.  Those new to calling might want to think about demos, making
> sure that there's a payoff for being quite and watching.  The payoff/reward
> could be showing them a cool move or a fun way to dance a particular
> sequence etc. etc.  And if you can get them to laugh during the demo that's
> even better.
>
> Thanks to everyone for the dances.  We are fortunate to have so many
> talented contraographers.
>
> T
>
>


-- 



*Looking forward,Linda S. Mrosko*

*102 Mitchell Drive*

*Temple, Texas 76501*

*(903) 292-3713 (Cell)*
*(903) 603-9955 (Skype)*
*contradancetx.com *

*www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy*  (Dance
buttons, t-shirts, & more)*

Re: [Callers] Super easy dances - do they exist?

[Tom Hinds via Callers]

Linda, thanks for bringing this topic up.  It sounds like might have  
a good collection of English village dances in your collection.  I  
think they're perfect for that group.  John is correct, get them  
moving right away.


I realize that the thread is super easy dances but I'd like to throw  
out another idea.


Maybe it's time to train them.  I don't think you can get them to be  
as quiet as you want but maybe you can get them to be quiet when  
you're teaching.  Those new to calling might want to think about  
demos, making sure that there's a payoff for being quite and  
watching.  The payoff/reward could be showing them a cool move or a  
fun way to dance a particular sequence etc. etc.  And if you can get  
them to laugh during the demo that's even better.


Thanks to everyone for the dances.  We are fortunate to have so many  
talented contraographers.


T

Re: [Callers] Super easy dances - do they exist?

[Linda S. Mrosko via Callers]

Thanks, John, for reminding me about that elbow/hand swing.  Haven't used
it in years, but I know the kids would be in awe of me using it (lol).

I did try to teach the ballroom hold swing once several years ago --
awkward.  Never tried it again.

Thanks for sharing those mixers.  I may be able to use one or two of them
next year.

On Sat, Jun 17, 2017 at 12:01 PM, John Sweeney  wrote:

> Hi Linda,
> Do you try to teach them a Ballroom Hold Swing? I.e. a standard
> contra swing?  I never use that for one night stands.
>
> For first-timers I always teach them to put their right forearms
> together, gently hook their hand around their partner’s elbow, with the
> thumb below so that they can’t grip, make a hook with their left hands and
> join them underneath. And don’t lean back! This gives really good
> connection with space between them.  The space means that they can each do
> any footwork (walk, skip, polka, chassis, buzz) without worrying about
> stepping on each other. The space also makes it more comfortable from a
> personal viewpoint.
>
> I love the Gypsy into a Swing – I teach them to start the Gypsy,
> "join right arms, join left hands, swing".  I always demonstrate and most
> of them then make a decent job of swinging.
>
> Or you can always do it as a Two-Hand Turn – nice big oval at
> shoulder level.
>
> But no, I wouldn’t do Tony's dance with first-timers.  My standard
> first timer circle mixer is my:
>
> Virginia Reel Circle Mixer #24
>
> A1: Partner Arm Right; Partner Arm Left
>
> A2: Partner Dosido; Partner Seesaw
>
> B1: Partner Gypsy Meltdown
>
> B2: Promenade around the circle; Men (those on the inside) move on
> then face new partner
>
> Or Diane Silver’s Kid's Chaos Mixer #3 - Scatter (Mixer)
>
> A1: (In fours) Circle Left; Circle right (Slip)
>
> A2: Star Right; Star Left
>
> B1: Neighbour Two Hand Turn; Partner Two Hand Turn
>
> B2: Partner Promenade (Scatter) and find a new couple
>
> Make sure some of you promenade in random directions and against the flow.
> OK to end up as 1, 2, 3, 4 couples together – chaos!
>
> Alt B1: Neighbour Dosido; Partner Dosido
>
> Alt B1: Partner Swing/Turn; Neighbour Swing/Turn – makes it a Mixer
>
> Or Dosido the one you brought, now Dosido someone new - Promenade with
> this one
>
> Happy dancing,
>John
>
> John Sweeney, Dancer, England   j...@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802
> 940 574
> http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs
> http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
>
>
>


-- 



*Looking forward,Linda S. Mrosko*

*102 Mitchell Drive*

*Temple, Texas 76501*

*(903) 292-3713 (Cell)*
*(903) 603-9955 (Skype)*
*contradancetx.com *

*www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy*  (Dance
buttons, t-shirts, & more)*

Re: [Callers] Super easy dances - do they exist?

[Linda S. Mrosko via Callers]

I demo everything at least once -- circling, F, elbow swings, DSDs --
because there's time between the roars to grab someone.  Here's a picture
from the most recent dance where I'm in the middle of the circle with a
volunteer demo-ing Balance, Box the Gnat, Balance, Swat the Flea, DSD
​

On Sat, Jun 17, 2017 at 12:36 PM, David Chandler 
wrote:

> Your mention of the magic of demonstrating a 2-hand turn led me to wonder
> how much you have used demonstration as the core of your teaching in this
> situation. I remember an English caller once who taught everything from the
> floor, demonstrating what she meant. Grabbing a few of the quicker or more
> confident kids to demonstrate figures might make it easier for others to
> learn, especially if they are in a big circle where everyone can see even
> if they can't hear (or listen). It would of course help if you had a
> wireless mic so you could make a noise (a funny-sounding whistle or kazoo?)
> to get them to pay attention to learn the next figure. Tough gig!
>
> David Chandler
>
> On Sat, Jun 17, 2017 at 1:07 PM, Linda S. Mrosko via Callers <
> callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
>> 2-hand turns --  one year I was teaching a dance that had a 2-hand turn
>> -- which I discovered was beyond their comprehension.  Lots of blank faces
>> and a few tried to hold onto each other and turn under their own arches.  I
>> grabbed a young fellow close by and demonstrated a 2-hand turn and there
>> was a huge "a" from the group.  Who'd have thought that was a foreign
>> term for 18-year olds.  Why don't they teach this stuff in school anymore?
>>
>> Thanks for asking the gender question.  I still use ladies and gents when
>> necessary, but I add "those who are pretending to be gents" and "those who
>> are pretending to be ladies".  They're just kids and no one seems to mind.
>> But I've found it's easier to use mostly gender free dances.  That's why
>> Grease and Glue worked fairly well this year.  Don't have to be proper,
>> don't have to be improper, just have to have a partner.  Same with most
>> easy longways dances -- doesn't matter which side of the set you're on.
>>
>> On Sat, Jun 17, 2017 at 11:51 AM, Linda Leslie 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> I use two hand turns with groups like yours….elbow swings work, too.
>>> Since there is more distance between dancers, they don’t seem to have any
>>> discomfort with these moves.
>>>
>>> A question for you, though:  if girls are dancing with girls, and boys
>>> with boys, how are you approaching the use of language to distinguish
>>> positions?
>>>
>>> thanks! Linda Leslie
>>>
>>>
>>> On Jun 17, 2017, at 12:31 PM, Linda S. Mrosko via Callers <
>>> callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>>>
>>> That Tony Parkes dance looks good, but I'd never be able to use it with
>>> this crowd.  In years passed, I tried to teach them swings -- but I guess
>>> everybody still has cooties at 18 years -- never worked -- plus, you have a
>>> good number of girls dancing with girls and boys dancing with boys and it
>>> makes some of them uncomfortable.  This is a crowd that, when I tell them,
>>> let's make a big circle all around the room, they have trouble with the
>>> concept of what a circle looks like.  Not to re-mention the acoustics.
>>>
>>> As a contra dancer, I understand flow from figure to figure, but Swat
>>> the Flea into a right shoulder DSD wasn't a problem with this crowd.
>>>
>>> But thanks for sharing Tony's dance.  I don't remember ever seeing it
>>> before.
>>>
>>> On Sat, Jun 17, 2017 at 4:55 AM, John Sweeney via Callers <
>>> callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>>>
 Hi Linda,
 Re your Box ‘n’ Swat:  I have a somewhat similar dance in my
 files:

 Circle Mixers Are Fun (by Tony Parkes)

 A1) Into the Middle & Back x 2

 A2) Partner Right Hand: Balance & Box the Gnat; Partner Dosido

 B1) Partner Left Hand: Balance & Swat the Flea; Partner Seesaw
 (Left Shoulder Dosido) 1 & 1/2 to meet your New Partner

 B2) New Partner Balance (OR Gypsy) & Swing

 Note that your sequence of Swat the Flea into Dosido involves
 passing by the right when you are holding left hands.  Tony’s sequences
 above allow much easier flow and connection as you can pull past with the
 connected hand.

 Last time I had the challenge of working with a room full of
 noisy youngsters (most of whom didn’t speak English) I just led by example,
 starting with a Grand March then did:
 Sausage (Circle) to the Left/Right (Till I was at the top)
 Long Lines Go Forward & Back
 Top couple Gallop Down (I just took the person opposite and galloped);
 Next Couple; Next Couple; Next Couple
 Repeat

 Once they has used up a bit of energy I was able to get them to
 quiet down a bit!

 Happy dancing,
 John

 John Sweeney, Dancer, 

Re: [Callers] Super easy dances - do they exist?

[David Chandler via Callers]

Your mention of the magic of demonstrating a 2-hand turn led me to wonder
how much you have used demonstration as the core of your teaching in this
situation. I remember an English caller once who taught everything from the
floor, demonstrating what she meant. Grabbing a few of the quicker or more
confident kids to demonstrate figures might make it easier for others to
learn, especially if they are in a big circle where everyone can see even
if they can't hear (or listen). It would of course help if you had a
wireless mic so you could make a noise (a funny-sounding whistle or kazoo?)
to get them to pay attention to learn the next figure. Tough gig!

David Chandler

On Sat, Jun 17, 2017 at 1:07 PM, Linda S. Mrosko via Callers <
callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> 2-hand turns --  one year I was teaching a dance that had a 2-hand turn --
> which I discovered was beyond their comprehension.  Lots of blank faces and
> a few tried to hold onto each other and turn under their own arches.  I
> grabbed a young fellow close by and demonstrated a 2-hand turn and there
> was a huge "a" from the group.  Who'd have thought that was a foreign
> term for 18-year olds.  Why don't they teach this stuff in school anymore?
>
> Thanks for asking the gender question.  I still use ladies and gents when
> necessary, but I add "those who are pretending to be gents" and "those who
> are pretending to be ladies".  They're just kids and no one seems to mind.
> But I've found it's easier to use mostly gender free dances.  That's why
> Grease and Glue worked fairly well this year.  Don't have to be proper,
> don't have to be improper, just have to have a partner.  Same with most
> easy longways dances -- doesn't matter which side of the set you're on.
>
> On Sat, Jun 17, 2017 at 11:51 AM, Linda Leslie 
> wrote:
>
>> I use two hand turns with groups like yours….elbow swings work, too.
>> Since there is more distance between dancers, they don’t seem to have any
>> discomfort with these moves.
>>
>> A question for you, though:  if girls are dancing with girls, and boys
>> with boys, how are you approaching the use of language to distinguish
>> positions?
>>
>> thanks! Linda Leslie
>>
>>
>> On Jun 17, 2017, at 12:31 PM, Linda S. Mrosko via Callers <
>> callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>>
>> That Tony Parkes dance looks good, but I'd never be able to use it with
>> this crowd.  In years passed, I tried to teach them swings -- but I guess
>> everybody still has cooties at 18 years -- never worked -- plus, you have a
>> good number of girls dancing with girls and boys dancing with boys and it
>> makes some of them uncomfortable.  This is a crowd that, when I tell them,
>> let's make a big circle all around the room, they have trouble with the
>> concept of what a circle looks like.  Not to re-mention the acoustics.
>>
>> As a contra dancer, I understand flow from figure to figure, but Swat the
>> Flea into a right shoulder DSD wasn't a problem with this crowd.
>>
>> But thanks for sharing Tony's dance.  I don't remember ever seeing it
>> before.
>>
>> On Sat, Jun 17, 2017 at 4:55 AM, John Sweeney via Callers <
>> callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Linda,
>>> Re your Box ‘n’ Swat:  I have a somewhat similar dance in my
>>> files:
>>>
>>> Circle Mixers Are Fun (by Tony Parkes)
>>>
>>> A1) Into the Middle & Back x 2
>>>
>>> A2) Partner Right Hand: Balance & Box the Gnat; Partner Dosido
>>>
>>> B1) Partner Left Hand: Balance & Swat the Flea; Partner Seesaw (Left
>>> Shoulder Dosido) 1 & 1/2 to meet your New Partner
>>>
>>> B2) New Partner Balance (OR Gypsy) & Swing
>>>
>>> Note that your sequence of Swat the Flea into Dosido involves
>>> passing by the right when you are holding left hands.  Tony’s sequences
>>> above allow much easier flow and connection as you can pull past with the
>>> connected hand.
>>>
>>> Last time I had the challenge of working with a room full of
>>> noisy youngsters (most of whom didn’t speak English) I just led by example,
>>> starting with a Grand March then did:
>>> Sausage (Circle) to the Left/Right (Till I was at the top)
>>> Long Lines Go Forward & Back
>>> Top couple Gallop Down (I just took the person opposite and galloped);
>>> Next Couple; Next Couple; Next Couple
>>> Repeat
>>>
>>> Once they has used up a bit of energy I was able to get them to
>>> quiet down a bit!
>>>
>>> Happy dancing,
>>> John
>>>
>>> John Sweeney, Dancer, England j...@modernjive.com 01233 625 362
>>> http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
>>>
>>>
>>> ___
>>> Callers mailing list
>>> Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
>>> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>>
>>
>> *Looking forward,Linda S. Mrosko*
>>
>> *102 Mitchell Drive*
>>
>> *Temple, Texas 76501*
>>
>> *(903) 292-3713 <(903)%20292-3713> (Cell)*
>> *(903) 603-9955 

Re: [Callers] Super easy dances - do they exist?

[John Sweeney via Callers]

Hi Linda,
Do you try to teach them a Ballroom Hold Swing? I.e. a standard contra 
swing?  I never use that for one night stands.

For first-timers I always teach them to put their right forearms 
together, gently hook their hand around their partner’s elbow, with the thumb 
below so that they can’t grip, make a hook with their left hands and join them 
underneath. And don’t lean back! This gives really good connection with space 
between them.  The space means that they can each do any footwork (walk, skip, 
polka, chassis, buzz) without worrying about stepping on each other. The space 
also makes it more comfortable from a personal viewpoint.

I love the Gypsy into a Swing – I teach them to start the Gypsy, "join 
right arms, join left hands, swing".  I always demonstrate and most of them 
then make a decent job of swinging.

Or you can always do it as a Two-Hand Turn – nice big oval at shoulder 
level. 

But no, I wouldn’t do Tony's dance with first-timers.  My standard 
first timer circle mixer is my:

Virginia Reel Circle Mixer #24 

A1: Partner Arm Right; Partner Arm Left

A2: Partner Dosido; Partner Seesaw 

B1: Partner Gypsy Meltdown

B2: Promenade around the circle; Men (those on the inside) move on then 
face new partner

Or Diane Silver’s Kid's Chaos Mixer #3 - Scatter (Mixer)

A1: (In fours) Circle Left; Circle right (Slip)

A2: Star Right; Star Left

B1: Neighbour Two Hand Turn; Partner Two Hand Turn

B2: Partner Promenade (Scatter) and find a new couple

Make sure some of you promenade in random directions and against the flow.
OK to end up as 1, 2, 3, 4 couples together – chaos!

Alt B1: Neighbour Dosido; Partner Dosido

Alt B1: Partner Swing/Turn; Neighbour Swing/Turn – makes it a Mixer

Or Dosido the one you brought, now Dosido someone new - Promenade with this one

Happy dancing,  
   John 

John Sweeney, Dancer, England   j...@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 
574   
http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs 
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent   

Re: [Callers] Super easy dances - do they exist?

[Linda Leslie via Callers]

I use two hand turns with groups like yours….elbow swings work, too. Since 
there is more distance between dancers, they don’t seem to have any discomfort 
with these moves.

A question for you, though:  if girls are dancing with girls, and boys with 
boys, how are you approaching the use of language to distinguish positions?

thanks! Linda Leslie


On Jun 17, 2017, at 12:31 PM, Linda S. Mrosko via Callers 
 wrote:

> That Tony Parkes dance looks good, but I'd never be able to use it with this 
> crowd.  In years passed, I tried to teach them swings -- but I guess 
> everybody still has cooties at 18 years -- never worked -- plus, you have a 
> good number of girls dancing with girls and boys dancing with boys and it 
> makes some of them uncomfortable.  This is a crowd that, when I tell them, 
> let's make a big circle all around the room, they have trouble with the 
> concept of what a circle looks like.  Not to re-mention the acoustics.  
> 
> As a contra dancer, I understand flow from figure to figure, but Swat the 
> Flea into a right shoulder DSD wasn't a problem with this crowd.
> 
> But thanks for sharing Tony's dance.  I don't remember ever seeing it before.
> 
> On Sat, Jun 17, 2017 at 4:55 AM, John Sweeney via Callers 
>  wrote:
> Hi Linda,
> Re your Box ‘n’ Swat:  I have a somewhat similar dance in my files:
> 
> Circle Mixers Are Fun (by Tony Parkes)
> 
> A1) Into the Middle & Back x 2
> 
> A2) Partner Right Hand: Balance & Box the Gnat; Partner Dosido
> 
> B1) Partner Left Hand: Balance & Swat the Flea; Partner Seesaw (Left 
> Shoulder Dosido) 1 & 1/2 to meet your New Partner
> 
> B2) New Partner Balance (OR Gypsy) & Swing
> 
> Note that your sequence of Swat the Flea into Dosido involves passing 
> by the right when you are holding left hands.  Tony’s sequences above allow 
> much easier flow and connection as you can pull past with the connected hand.
> 
> Last time I had the challenge of working with a room full of noisy 
> youngsters (most of whom didn’t speak English) I just led by example, 
> starting with a Grand March then did:
> Sausage (Circle) to the Left/Right (Till I was at the top)
> Long Lines Go Forward & Back
> Top couple Gallop Down (I just took the person opposite and galloped); Next 
> Couple; Next Couple; Next Couple
> Repeat
> 
> Once they has used up a bit of energy I was able to get them to quiet 
> down a bit!
> 
> Happy dancing,
> John
> 
> John Sweeney, Dancer, England j...@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 
> http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
> 
> 
> ___
> Callers mailing list
> Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Looking forward,
> 
> Linda S. Mrosko
> 102 Mitchell Drive
> Temple, Texas 76501
> (903) 292-3713 (Cell)
> (903) 603-9955 (Skype)
> contradancetx.com
> www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy* (Dance buttons, t-shirts, & more)
> ___
> Callers mailing list
> Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

Re: [Callers] Super easy dances - do they exist?

[Linda S. Mrosko via Callers]

Oh how I wish that would work.  I've tried that technique over the years.
They just ignore me.  Shushing works, but I have to repeat the sh into
the mic lots of times.  A big part of the challenge is the acoustics --
it's worse than being in a gym.  For instance, I get them quiet and then
teach them the first move -- there is a roar -- I get them quiet again --
teach the next move -- there is a roar -- I get them quiet again -- teach
the third move -- there is a roar -- ad nauseam.  The musicians crank up
their music to the max for the dance, but even I can barely hear it over
the din from the dancers.  Short of hiring a person who can do that loud
whistle, I'm at a loss.  I've sort of grown used to it, but my temper is
short and I really have to watch myself.

On Sat, Jun 17, 2017 at 7:42 AM, Jeremy Child 
wrote:

> To quiet a room I use the Girl Guides technique:
>
> I raise my hand, and anyone who sees me knows to stop talking and raise
> their hand too.  More notice this (other peoples hands up and slightly
> diminished volume).  This snowballs quite quickly as peer pressure kicks
> in, and is a very effective technique.  You have to teach it to them first,
> of course, but they pick it up quite quickly.
>
> Jeremy
> www.barndancecaller.net
>
> On 16 June 2017 at 20:10, Linda S. Mrosko via Callers <
> callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
>> I lead an annual dance for 200+ 18-year olds in a hall with terrible
>> acoustics.  Been doing it for 15+ years.  If they all whispered at the same
>> time, it would sound like a roar in that room.  I can only do the most
>> basic stuff most of the time...simple circles, longways with lots of
>> sashaying, an easy folk dance.  But I experiment every now and then, which
>> lead me to come up with the following dances which, for the most part,
>> worked.  Am I stealing them from somebody?  (I like to give credit where
>> credit is due.)
>>
>> They call their dance "Swat the Flea".  I searched for a long time for a
>> very easy dance that had a Swat the Flea and finally wrote this one --
>>
>> BOX'NSWAT (Circle)
>> A1  Women into the middle and back; Gents into the middle & back
>> A2  All make a quarter turn to the right and walk single file to the right
>> B1  Women turn back to face partner -- all shake R hands with Partner &
>> Box the Gnat; change hands, Balance & Swat the Flea
>> B2  DSD Partner; Allemande R w/partner 1-1/2 to progress (women end
>> facing into the center ready to go F)
>>
>>
>> Since contra dances are almost impossible to teach to a loud, boisterous,
>> energetic bunch of 18-year olds who have never heard of or seen a contra
>> dance, I decided to give this a whirl -- and it worked -- mostly!  It would
>> probably be better with a smaller more sedate crowd.
>>
>> GREASE & GLUE (Contra formation -- Gender free -- all you need is a
>> partner)
>> A1  Couple 1 split Couple 2, return to places; Couple 1 DSD
>> A2  Couple 2 split Couple 1, return to places; Couple 2 DSD
>> B1  Star R; Star L (w/hands)
>> B2  Couples face each other -- Couples DSD 1-1/2 ending back-to-back,
>> facing next couple
>>
>>
>> As an aside -- how do you quiet a room with terrible acoustics full of
>> loud people?  Thanks!
>>
>> --
>>
>>
>>
>> *Looking forward,Linda S. Mrosko*
>>
>> *102 Mitchell Drive*
>>
>> *Temple, Texas 76501*
>>
>> *(903) 292-3713 <(903)%20292-3713> (Cell)*
>> *(903) 603-9955 <(903)%20603-9955> (Skype)*
>> *contradancetx.com *
>>
>> *www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy*  (Dance
>> buttons, t-shirts, & more)*
>>
>> ___
>> Callers mailing list
>> Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
>> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
>>
>>
>


-- 



*Looking forward,Linda S. Mrosko*

*102 Mitchell Drive*

*Temple, Texas 76501*

*(903) 292-3713 (Cell)*
*(903) 603-9955 (Skype)*
*contradancetx.com *

*www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy*  (Dance
buttons, t-shirts, & more)*

Re: [Callers] Super easy dances - do they exist?

[Linda S. Mrosko via Callers]

That Tony Parkes dance looks good, but I'd never be able to use it with
this crowd.  In years passed, I tried to teach them swings -- but I guess
everybody still has cooties at 18 years -- never worked -- plus, you have a
good number of girls dancing with girls and boys dancing with boys and it
makes some of them uncomfortable.  This is a crowd that, when I tell them,
let's make a big circle all around the room, they have trouble with the
concept of what a circle looks like.  Not to re-mention the acoustics.

As a contra dancer, I understand flow from figure to figure, but Swat the
Flea into a right shoulder DSD wasn't a problem with this crowd.

But thanks for sharing Tony's dance.  I don't remember ever seeing it
before.

On Sat, Jun 17, 2017 at 4:55 AM, John Sweeney via Callers <
callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> Hi Linda,
> Re your Box ‘n’ Swat:  I have a somewhat similar dance in my files:
>
> Circle Mixers Are Fun (by Tony Parkes)
>
> A1) Into the Middle & Back x 2
>
> A2) Partner Right Hand: Balance & Box the Gnat; Partner Dosido
>
> B1) Partner Left Hand: Balance & Swat the Flea; Partner Seesaw (Left
> Shoulder Dosido) 1 & 1/2 to meet your New Partner
>
> B2) New Partner Balance (OR Gypsy) & Swing
>
> Note that your sequence of Swat the Flea into Dosido involves
> passing by the right when you are holding left hands.  Tony’s sequences
> above allow much easier flow and connection as you can pull past with the
> connected hand.
>
> Last time I had the challenge of working with a room full of noisy
> youngsters (most of whom didn’t speak English) I just led by example,
> starting with a Grand March then did:
> Sausage (Circle) to the Left/Right (Till I was at the top)
> Long Lines Go Forward & Back
> Top couple Gallop Down (I just took the person opposite and galloped);
> Next Couple; Next Couple; Next Couple
> Repeat
>
> Once they has used up a bit of energy I was able to get them to
> quiet down a bit!
>
> Happy dancing,
> John
>
> John Sweeney, Dancer, England j...@modernjive.com 01233 625 362
> http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
>
>
> ___
> Callers mailing list
> Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
>



-- 



*Looking forward,Linda S. Mrosko*

*102 Mitchell Drive*

*Temple, Texas 76501*

*(903) 292-3713 (Cell)*
*(903) 603-9955 (Skype)*
*contradancetx.com *

*www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy*  (Dance
buttons, t-shirts, & more)*

Re: [Callers] Super easy dances - do they exist?

[Jeremy Child via Callers]

To quiet a room I use the Girl Guides technique:

I raise my hand, and anyone who sees me knows to stop talking and raise
their hand too.  More notice this (other peoples hands up and slightly
diminished volume).  This snowballs quite quickly as peer pressure kicks
in, and is a very effective technique.  You have to teach it to them first,
of course, but they pick it up quite quickly.

Jeremy
www.barndancecaller.net

On 16 June 2017 at 20:10, Linda S. Mrosko via Callers <
callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> I lead an annual dance for 200+ 18-year olds in a hall with terrible
> acoustics.  Been doing it for 15+ years.  If they all whispered at the same
> time, it would sound like a roar in that room.  I can only do the most
> basic stuff most of the time...simple circles, longways with lots of
> sashaying, an easy folk dance.  But I experiment every now and then, which
> lead me to come up with the following dances which, for the most part,
> worked.  Am I stealing them from somebody?  (I like to give credit where
> credit is due.)
>
> They call their dance "Swat the Flea".  I searched for a long time for a
> very easy dance that had a Swat the Flea and finally wrote this one --
>
> BOX'NSWAT (Circle)
> A1  Women into the middle and back; Gents into the middle & back
> A2  All make a quarter turn to the right and walk single file to the right
> B1  Women turn back to face partner -- all shake R hands with Partner &
> Box the Gnat; change hands, Balance & Swat the Flea
> B2  DSD Partner; Allemande R w/partner 1-1/2 to progress (women end facing
> into the center ready to go F)
>
>
> Since contra dances are almost impossible to teach to a loud, boisterous,
> energetic bunch of 18-year olds who have never heard of or seen a contra
> dance, I decided to give this a whirl -- and it worked -- mostly!  It would
> probably be better with a smaller more sedate crowd.
>
> GREASE & GLUE (Contra formation -- Gender free -- all you need is a
> partner)
> A1  Couple 1 split Couple 2, return to places; Couple 1 DSD
> A2  Couple 2 split Couple 1, return to places; Couple 2 DSD
> B1  Star R; Star L (w/hands)
> B2  Couples face each other -- Couples DSD 1-1/2 ending back-to-back,
> facing next couple
>
>
> As an aside -- how do you quiet a room with terrible acoustics full of
> loud people?  Thanks!
>
> --
>
>
>
> *Looking forward,Linda S. Mrosko*
>
> *102 Mitchell Drive*
>
> *Temple, Texas 76501*
>
> *(903) 292-3713 <(903)%20292-3713> (Cell)*
> *(903) 603-9955 <(903)%20603-9955> (Skype)*
> *contradancetx.com *
>
> *www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy*  (Dance
> buttons, t-shirts, & more)*
>
> ___
> Callers mailing list
> Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
>
>

Re: [Callers] Super easy dances - do they exist?

[John Sweeney via Callers]

Hi Linda,
Re your Box ‘n’ Swat:  I have a somewhat similar dance in my files:

Circle Mixers Are Fun (by Tony Parkes)

A1) Into the Middle & Back x 2

A2) Partner Right Hand: Balance & Box the Gnat; Partner Dosido

B1) Partner Left Hand: Balance & Swat the Flea; Partner Seesaw (Left 
Shoulder Dosido) 1 & 1/2 to meet your New Partner

B2) New Partner Balance (OR Gypsy) & Swing

Note that your sequence of Swat the Flea into Dosido involves passing 
by the right when you are holding left hands.  Tony’s sequences above allow 
much easier flow and connection as you can pull past with the connected hand.

Last time I had the challenge of working with a room full of noisy 
youngsters (most of whom didn’t speak English) I just led by example, starting 
with a Grand March then did:
Sausage (Circle) to the Left/Right (Till I was at the top)
Long Lines Go Forward & Back
Top couple Gallop Down (I just took the person opposite and galloped); Next 
Couple; Next Couple; Next Couple
Repeat

Once they has used up a bit of energy I was able to get them to quiet 
down a bit!

Happy dancing,
John

John Sweeney, Dancer, England j...@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent