Re: [Callers] Folk Festival - Easy Contra dances to teach Beginners

[Donna Hunt via Callers]

Read:
I also like teaching the Buzz step as a "gallop" (although not like that video 
he looks very awkward).  I find that a demo and then telling new dancers to 
think of galloping with their right foot in front and even give them the "Lone 
Ranger" tune for accompaniment helps them to get the rhythm. Most dancers get 
it right away.  The others I try a one-on-one tutorial and if still not 
successful let everyone know that they can do a walking swing (which I 
previously taught them) and then demonstrate a walking swing AND buzz step 
being done together successfully.

 Donna Hunt

 

 

-Original Message-
From: Read Weaver via Callers 
To: Caller's discussion list 
Sent: Wed, Jul 25, 2018 6:47 pm
Subject: Re: [Callers] Folk Festival - Easy Contra dances to teach Beginners



Or don’t have them do a buzzstep—swings work just fine with a walking step. (If 
you’ve got moderately experienced folks mixed in, though, you may need to teach 
the buzzstep, since few moderately experienced dancers will do a walking swing 
even if asked to.)


If you do teach buzzstep, I’ve had the most success teaching it as a gallop 
https://youtu.be/5GmQ868ArAw?t=12 ; I’ll take a group of 8 or so, holding 
hands, and have everyone gallop (clockwise, right/inner foot in front), then 
break it into two circles without stopping, then into pairs; then stop and show 
ballroom position.



Getting them into ballroom position for the swing and then teaching them to let 
go of the pointy hands works much better than “gents on the left, ladies on the 
right” for ending correctly.




Read Weaver
Jamaica Plain, MA
http://lcfd.org



On Jul 24, 2018, at 12:00 PM, John Sweeney via Callers 
 wrote:



Your next big problem is getting them to do a good buzz-step swing and finish 
with the man on the left, lady on the right.  With large numbers of beginners 
there will some who get in wrong every time and break down the dance.  I would 
practice that in a circle mixer like:
http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/TheExchangeSwing.html
or
http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/VirginiaReelCircleMixer24.html
 






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Re: [Callers] Folk Festival - Easy Contra dances to teach Beginners

[Read Weaver via Callers]

Yeah, don’t show them the video, I was just using it to show what I meant by 
“gallop.”
It’s the method I’ve used in beginners’ sessions for many years. The footwork 
problem can happen in the big circle, but I’ve never seen it after people are 
in pairs. (Certainly say something about it not being bouncy.) It makes for a 
very quick learn, and it ties to something people already know, speeding 
learning and decreasing anxiety.

Read Weaver
Jamaica Plain, MA
http://lcfd.org

> On Jul 26, 2018, at 5:24 AM, John Sweeney via Callers 
>  wrote:
> 
> Hi Read,
>   Sorry, I’m not convinced by the idea of galloping, especially 
> as in the video you cite, where the feet are too far apart, the trailing foot 
> isn’t tucked in and the demonstrator is bouncing up and down.  I have seen 
> people who learnt that way develop bad habits in their swing.
>  
>   I much prefer to get them to turn individually on the spot with 
> the left leg tucked in behind and close, and with relaxed knees.  I want them 
> to learn what it really feels like and to develop their own sense of balance. 
>  This seems to develop a much smoother swing.
>  
>   Lots more details about how I teach a swing at 
> http://contrafusion.co.uk/Contra.html#swinging 
> <http://contrafusion.co.uk/Contra.html#swinging>
>  
>   Of course if it is a one night stand and I am doing dances 
> where the dancers spring apart at the end into their own line, then I don’t 
> teach a buzz-step at all.  I teach: join right forearms, gently hook you left 
> hand just above your partner’s elbow, join left hands (again, a nice hook) 
> underneath, then skip, walk, buzz or anything you like.
>  
> Happy dancing,  
>John   
> 
> John Sweeney, Dancer, England   j...@modernjive.com 
> <mailto:j...@modernjive.com> 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574
>   
> http://www.modernjive.com <http://www.modernjive.com/> for Modern Jive Events 
> & DVDs
> http://www.contrafusion.co.uk <http://www.contrafusion.co.uk/> for Dancing in 
> Kent  
>  
> From: Callers  <mailto:callers-boun...@lists.sharedweight.net>> On Behalf Of Read Weaver via 
> Callers
> Sent: 25 July 2018 23:47
> To: Caller's discussion list  <mailto:call...@sharedweight.net>>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] Folk Festival - Easy Contra dances to teach Beginners
>  
> Or don’t have them do a buzzstep—swings work just fine with a walking step. 
> (If you’ve got moderately experienced folks mixed in, though, you may need to 
> teach the buzzstep, since few moderately experienced dancers will do a 
> walking swing even if asked to.)
>  
> If you do teach buzzstep, I’ve had the most success teaching it as a gallop 
> https://youtu.be/5GmQ868ArAw?t=12 <https://youtu.be/5GmQ868ArAw?t=12> ; I’ll 
> take a group of 8 or so, holding hands, and have everyone gallop (clockwise, 
> right/inner foot in front), then break it into two circles without stopping, 
> then into pairs; then stop and show ballroom position.
>  
> Getting them into ballroom position for the swing and then teaching them to 
> let go of the pointy hands works much better than “gents on the left, ladies 
> on the right” for ending correctly.
>  
> 
> Read Weaver
> Jamaica Plain, MA
> http://lcfd.org <http://lcfd.org/>
> 
> 
>> On Jul 24, 2018, at 12:00 PM, John Sweeney via Callers 
>> mailto:callers@lists.sharedweight.net>> 
>> wrote:
>>  
>> Your next big problem is getting them to do a good buzz-step swing and 
>> finish with the man on the left, lady on the right.  With large numbers of 
>> beginners there will some who get in wrong every time and break down the 
>> dance.  I would practice that in a circle mixer like:
>> http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/TheExchangeSwing.html 
>> <http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/TheExchangeSwing.html>
>> or
>> http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/VirginiaReelCircleMixer24.html 
>> <http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/VirginiaReelCircleMixer24.html>
>>  
> 
>  
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Re: [Callers] Folk Festival - Easy Contra dances to teach Beginners

[John Sweeney via Callers]

Hi Read,

  Sorry, I’m not convinced by the idea of galloping, especially as 
in the video you cite, where the feet are too far apart, the trailing foot 
isn’t tucked in and the demonstrator is bouncing up and down.  I have seen 
people who learnt that way develop bad habits in their swing.

 

  I much prefer to get them to turn individually on the spot with 
the left leg tucked in behind and close, and with relaxed knees.  I want them 
to learn what it really feels like and to develop their own sense of balance.  
This seems to develop a much smoother swing.

 

  Lots more details about how I teach a swing at 
http://contrafusion.co.uk/Contra.html#swinging

 

  Of course if it is a one night stand and I am doing dances where 
the dancers spring apart at the end into their own line, then I don’t teach a 
buzz-step at all.  I teach: join right forearms, gently hook you left hand just 
above your partner’s elbow, join left hands (again, a nice hook) underneath, 
then skip, walk, buzz or anything you like.

 

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   
   

 

From: Callers  On Behalf Of Read Weaver 
via Callers
Sent: 25 July 2018 23:47
To: Caller's discussion list 
Subject: Re: [Callers] Folk Festival - Easy Contra dances to teach Beginners

 

Or don’t have them do a buzzstep—swings work just fine with a walking step. (If 
you’ve got moderately experienced folks mixed in, though, you may need to teach 
the buzzstep, since few moderately experienced dancers will do a walking swing 
even if asked to.)

 

If you do teach buzzstep, I’ve had the most success teaching it as a gallop 
https://youtu.be/5GmQ868ArAw?t=12 ; I’ll take a group of 8 or so, holding 
hands, and have everyone gallop (clockwise, right/inner foot in front), then 
break it into two circles without stopping, then into pairs; then stop and show 
ballroom position.

 

Getting them into ballroom position for the swing and then teaching them to let 
go of the pointy hands works much better than “gents on the left, ladies on the 
right” for ending correctly.

 

Read Weaver

Jamaica Plain, MA

http://lcfd.org





On Jul 24, 2018, at 12:00 PM, John Sweeney via Callers 
mailto:callers@lists.sharedweight.net> > wrote:

 

Your next big problem is getting them to do a good buzz-step swing and finish 
with the man on the left, lady on the right.  With large numbers of beginners 
there will some who get in wrong every time and break down the dance.  I would 
practice that in a circle mixer like:

 <http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/TheExchangeSwing.html> 
http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/TheExchangeSwing.html

or

 <http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/VirginiaReelCircleMixer24.html> 
http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/VirginiaReelCircleMixer24.html

 

 

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Re: [Callers] Folk Festival - Easy Contra dances to teach Beginners

[Read Weaver via Callers]

Or don’t have them do a buzzstep—swings work just fine with a walking step. (If 
you’ve got moderately experienced folks mixed in, though, you may need to teach 
the buzzstep, since few moderately experienced dancers will do a walking swing 
even if asked to.)

If you do teach buzzstep, I’ve had the most success teaching it as a gallop 
https://youtu.be/5GmQ868ArAw?t=12 ; I’ll take a group of 8 or so, holding 
hands, and have everyone gallop (clockwise, right/inner foot in front), then 
break it into two circles without stopping, then into pairs; then stop and show 
ballroom position.

Getting them into ballroom position for the swing and then teaching them to let 
go of the pointy hands works much better than “gents on the left, ladies on the 
right” for ending correctly.


Read Weaver
Jamaica Plain, MA
http://lcfd.org

> On Jul 24, 2018, at 12:00 PM, John Sweeney via Callers 
>  wrote:
> 
> Your next big problem is getting them to do a good buzz-step swing and finish 
> with the man on the left, lady on the right.  With large numbers of beginners 
> there will some who get in wrong every time and break down the dance.  I 
> would practice that in a circle mixer like:
> http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/TheExchangeSwing.html 
> 
> or
> http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/VirginiaReelCircleMixer24.html 
> 
>  

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Re: [Callers] Folk Festival - Easy Contra dances to teach Beginners

[John Sweeney via Callers]

Here’s another easy one – my version of J & L, using ideas picked from other 
callers:

 

Jefferson & Liberty #27

Contra; Improper

 

A1:  Circle Left; Star Right

A2:  Star Left; Circle Right – finish where you started

B1:  #1s Dance Down the Outside (6), Turn around (2)

  #1s Dance Back Up the Outside & into the Middle of a Line of Four between 
the #2s (8)

B2: Down the Hall in Lines of Four (4)

  Backwards Up the Hall in Lines of Four (4)

  #1s Arch, #2s go through the Arch to Face New Neighbours (8)

 

Note: A1 is 16 steps in one direction, A2 is 16 steps back the other way.  I 
generally call “Keep Moving” as the prompt half way through each A music.

 

Use fast, lively music!

 

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   
   

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Re: [Callers] Folk Festival - Easy Contra dances to teach Beginners

[Chris Page via Callers]

On Tue, Jul 24, 2018 at 9:00 AM, John Sweeney via Callers
 wrote:
> Hi Lorraine,

As a clarification, this is not my version of Ellen's Green Jig.

It was developed by another San Diego caller, Graham Hempel, by taking
the A1/A2 of Broken Sixpence
and putting it in Ellen's Green Jig.

Cheers,
-Chris Page
San Diego

>
> Flirtation Reel is great and I use this a lot with beginners as well – the
> Chris Page version:
>
>
>
> = = = = = = = = =
>
> Ellen's Green Jig (by Roy Dommett)
>
> Contra; Improper
>
>
>
> A1:Neighbour Dosido; Partner Dosido
>
> A2:#1s Balance & Swing (Step, Kick) – finish facing down
>
> B1: Circle Left; Circle Right – keep holding hands in the Circle
>
> B2: Duck for Oysters: #2s Arch - #1s Peek; #1s Arch - #2s Peek
>
>   #2s Arch over #1s who pass through to New Neighbours
>
>
>
> "Duck for the oyster, dive for the clam, duck through the hole in the old
> tin can."
>
>
>
> Alt (Chris Page):
>
> A1:Dosido Neighbour; Men Dosido
>
> A2:Ladies Dosido; #1s Swing, end facing down
>
>
>
> = = = = = = = = =
>
>
>
>   I hope that helps.
>
>
>
> 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
>
>
>
> From: Callers  On Behalf Of Lorraine
> Sutton via Callers
> Sent: 24 July 2018 15:49
> To: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
> Subject: [Callers] Folk Festival - Easy Contra dances to teach Beginners
>
>
>
> Hello All,
>
>
>
> I am calling a 2 hour Intro to Contra dance at an Ontario Canada
> Festival. ( more a music focus than a dance focus, at this festival)
>
>
>
> I would appreciate hearing from you as to contra dances ( lws proper &
> Improper) that you have found successful with very novice dancers and why
> you think those dances work for beginners.(I love Larry Jennings definition
> of easy vs complicated )
>
>
>
> I do plan on doing some non progressive lws as well as a both a circle and a
> Sicilian  circle in the program mix , to get the concept of progression.
>
>
>
> Thanks so much.
>
>
>
> Lorraine Sutton  ( lorrainesutt...@gmail.com )
>
>
>
>
>
> ...
>
>
>
>
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Re: [Callers] Folk Festival - Easy Contra dances to teach Beginners

[Cheryl Joyal via Callers]

So Bill - Are you the dance author ??  So glad to know if you are so I can 
credit you !!  

I use this at weddings, Kids gigs, community gigs, and at beginner dancers and 
it is ALWAYS my go to to see if I can progress into contras or if whether it is 
a longways set/circle/sq kind of night !

Thanks 

Cheryl Joyal
clmjo...@gmail.com
clmjo...@aol.com
630-667-3284 (cell)




On Jul 24, 2018, at 7:20 PM, Bill Baritompa  wrote:

Hi Cheryl and all, 

I'm glad you like the dance, it's called  Easy Progressive Contra 3
 
http://lists.sharedweight.net/pipermail/callers-sharedweight.net/2012-July/013022.html
 


I don't specify how much to move the circles or stars in A1 and A2 but just say 
to move
for 8 beats. I tell them they will end of back where they started because 
moving both
directions cancel out each time. 

Also I didn't specify the type of stars but stress the A1/A2 transition is to 
keep moving and 
put your 'inside' (left) hand in. This is to get them to learn to move the 
stars first and make the
grip on the move. Also they don't need to know which hand is left, as they 
should use the hand
closest to the center. 

If the dancer look up to it, I suggest the option to communicate with your Nbr 
in B2 and choose
to allemand 1x or 2x.

Cheers, Bill

On 25/07/2018 11:33 a.m., Cheryl Joyal via Callers wrote:
> One of my favorite is Easy Progressive Contra - I find it works better for me 
> with beginners, because the couples do-si-do 1+1/2 in Family Contra seems to 
> confuse people (or I dont teach it well!)
> 
> Easy Progressive Contra  (by ???)
> 
> A1 (8) Circle Left 1X
> (8) Circle Right 1X
> 
> A2 (8) Star Left - Hands across
> (8) Star Right - Hands across
> 
> 
> B1 (8) Women Do-si-do
> (8) Men Do-si-do
> 
> B2 (8) Neighbor allemande Right 1x
> (8) Neighbor Balance and Pull by to New Ne’s
> 
> Cheryl Joyal
> clmjo...@gmail.com 
> clmjo...@aol.com 
> 630-667-3284 (cell)
> 
> 
 

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Re: [Callers] Folk Festival - Easy Contra dances to teach Beginners

[Linda S. Mrosko via Callers]

More words of wisdom -- people remember a gypsy -- they may not all look
you in the eye, but they get the concept.

On Tue, Jul 24, 2018 at 9:48 AM, Lorraine Sutton via Callers <
callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> Hello All,
>
> I am calling a 2 hour Intro to Contra dance at an Ontario Canada
> Festival. ( more a music focus than a dance focus, at this festival)
>
> I would appreciate hearing from you as to contra dances ( lws proper
> & Improper) that you have found successful with very novice dancers and why
> you think those dances work for beginners.(I love Larry Jennings definition
> of easy vs complicated )
>
> I do plan on doing some non progressive lws as well as a both a circle and
> a Sicilian  circle in the program mix , to get the concept of progression.
>
> Thanks so much.
>
> Lorraine Sutton  ( lorrainesutt...@gmail.com )
>
>
> ...
>
>
> ___
> List Name:  Callers mailing list
> List Address:  Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
> Archives:  https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.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)*
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Re: [Callers] Folk Festival - Easy Contra dances to teach Beginners

[Bill Baritompa via Callers]

Hi Cheryl and all,

I'm glad you like the dance, it's called  Easy Progressive Contra 3
 
http://lists.sharedweight.net/pipermail/callers-sharedweight.net/2012-July/013022.html

I don't specify how much to move the circles or stars in A1 and A2 but just say 
to move
for 8 beats. I tell them they will end of back where they started because moving 
both

directions cancel out each time.

Also I didn't specify the type of stars but stress the A1/A2 transition is to 
keep moving and
put your 'inside' (left) hand in. This is to get them to learn to move the stars 
first and make the
grip on the move. Also they don't need to know which hand is left, as they 
should use the hand

closest to the center.

If the dancer look up to it, I suggest the option to communicate with your Nbr 
in B2 and choose

to allemand 1x or 2x.

Cheers, Bill

On 25/07/2018 11:33 a.m., Cheryl Joyal via Callers wrote:
One of my favorite is Easy Progressive Contra - I find it works better for me 
with beginners, because the couples do-si-do 1+1/2 in Family Contra seems to 
confuse people (or I dont teach it well!)


Easy Progressive Contra  (by ???)

*A1*(8) Circle Left 1X
(8) Circle Right 1X

*A2*(8) Star Left - Hands across
(8) Star Right - Hands across



*B1*(8) Women Do-si-do
(8) Men Do-si-do

*B2*(8) Neighbor allemande Right 1x
(8) Neighbor Balance and Pull by to New Ne’s

Cheryl Joyal
clmjo...@gmail.com 
clmjo...@aol.com 
630-667-3284 (cell)


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Re: [Callers] Folk Festival - Easy Contra dances to teach Beginners

[Mary Collins via Callers]

I just called Rural Felicity at a family reunion (non dancers) they had a
blast

On Tue, Jul 24, 2018, 6:58 PM Martha Wild via Callers <
callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> John already mentioned Family Contra, which is my favorite because the
> progression happens so easily, and it is so obvious that you are facing new
> people. In addition, it has no obvious differences in gender role - doesn’t
> matter who dances on which side, so great with piles of kids and parents
> dancing together, yet it teaches the progression concept.
>
> Next after that I like Ellen’s Green Jig by Roy Dommett. Though it has a
> swing for the 1s, it really doesn’t matter if people open up on the “wrong”
> side, as long as they face their neighbors, all is well.
> A1) Do-si-do neighbor
> Ones do-si-do
> A2) Ones balance and swing (sometimes I have them balance twice because
> swinging is not very comfortable for new people, and sometimes I just have
> them two hand turn after the balance(s).
> B1) Circle left with neighbors
> Circle right back to place (the only time I’ve seen this go wrong was when
> people circled so they ended up doing the next move sideways to the set)
> B2) Duck for the oyster/dig/Dive on through (all keep hands after circle -
> 1s take a little peek under an arch formed by 2s, then back up, 2s do the
> same through 1s, finally 1s pop through to a new couple)
>
> If a whole pile of new people show up at the start of a dance, having
> missed the walkthrough, this is my go to dance to get things started and
> then into the regular program.
>
> Martha
>
>
> On Jul 24, 2018, at 7:48 AM, Lorraine Sutton via Callers <
> callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
> Hello All,
>
> I am calling a 2 hour Intro to Contra dance at an Ontario Canada
> Festival. ( more a music focus than a dance focus, at this festival)
>
> I would appreciate hearing from you as to contra dances ( lws proper
> & Improper) that you have found successful with very novice dancers and why
> you think those dances work for beginners.(I love Larry Jennings definition
> of easy vs complicated )
>
> I do plan on doing some non progressive lws as well as a both a circle and
> a Sicilian  circle in the program mix , to get the concept of progression.
>
> Thanks so much.
>
> Lorraine Sutton  ( lorrainesutt...@gmail.com )
>
>
> ...
>
> ___
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>
>
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Re: [Callers] Folk Festival - Easy Contra dances to teach Beginners

[Cheryl Joyal via Callers]

One of my favorite is Easy Progressive Contra - I find it works better for me 
with beginners, because the couples do-si-do 1+1/2 in Family Contra seems to 
confuse people (or I dont teach it well!)

Easy Progressive Contra  (by ???)

A1  (8) Circle Left 1X
(8) Circle Right 1X

A2  (8) Star Left - Hands across
(8) Star Right - Hands across


B1  (8) Women Do-si-do
(8) Men Do-si-do

B2  (8) Neighbor allemande Right 1x
(8) Neighbor Balance and Pull by to New Ne’s

Cheryl Joyal
clmjo...@gmail.com
clmjo...@aol.com
630-667-3284 (cell)




On Jul 24, 2018, at 5:52 PM, Martha Wild via Callers 
 wrote:

John already mentioned Family Contra, which is my favorite because the 
progression happens so easily, and it is so obvious that you are facing new 
people. In addition, it has no obvious differences in gender role - doesn’t 
matter who dances on which side, so great with piles of kids and parents 
dancing together, yet it teaches the progression concept.

Next after that I like Ellen’s Green Jig by Roy Dommett. Though it has a swing 
for the 1s, it really doesn’t matter if people open up on the “wrong” side, as 
long as they face their neighbors, all is well. 
A1) Do-si-do neighbor
Ones do-si-do
A2) Ones balance and swing (sometimes I have them balance twice because 
swinging is not very comfortable for new people, and sometimes I just have them 
two hand turn after the balance(s).
B1) Circle left with neighbors
Circle right back to place (the only time I’ve seen this go wrong was when 
people circled so they ended up doing the next move sideways to the set)
B2) Duck for the oyster/dig/Dive on through (all keep hands after circle - 1s 
take a little peek under an arch formed by 2s, then back up, 2s do the same 
through 1s, finally 1s pop through to a new couple)

If a whole pile of new people show up at the start of a dance, having missed 
the walkthrough, this is my go to dance to get things started and then into the 
regular program.

Martha


> On Jul 24, 2018, at 7:48 AM, Lorraine Sutton via Callers 
> mailto:callers@lists.sharedweight.net>> 
> wrote:
> 
> Hello All,
> 
> I am calling a 2 hour Intro to Contra dance at an Ontario Canada 
> Festival. ( more a music focus than a dance focus, at this festival)
> 
> I would appreciate hearing from you as to contra dances ( lws proper & 
> Improper) that you have found successful with very novice dancers and why you 
> think those dances work for beginners.(I love Larry Jennings definition of 
> easy vs complicated )
> 
> I do plan on doing some non progressive lws as well as a both a circle and a 
> Sicilian  circle in the program mix , to get the concept of progression.
> 
> Thanks so much.
> 
> Lorraine Sutton  ( lorrainesutt...@gmail.com 
>  )
> 
> 
> ...
> 
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Re: [Callers] Folk Festival - Easy Contra dances to teach Beginners

[Martha Wild via Callers]

John already mentioned Family Contra, which is my favorite because the 
progression happens so easily, and it is so obvious that you are facing new 
people. In addition, it has no obvious differences in gender role - doesn’t 
matter who dances on which side, so great with piles of kids and parents 
dancing together, yet it teaches the progression concept.

Next after that I like Ellen’s Green Jig by Roy Dommett. Though it has a swing 
for the 1s, it really doesn’t matter if people open up on the “wrong” side, as 
long as they face their neighbors, all is well. 
A1) Do-si-do neighbor
Ones do-si-do
A2) Ones balance and swing (sometimes I have them balance twice because 
swinging is not very comfortable for new people, and sometimes I just have them 
two hand turn after the balance(s).
B1) Circle left with neighbors
Circle right back to place (the only time I’ve seen this go wrong was when 
people circled so they ended up doing the next move sideways to the set)
B2) Duck for the oyster/dig/Dive on through (all keep hands after circle - 1s 
take a little peek under an arch formed by 2s, then back up, 2s do the same 
through 1s, finally 1s pop through to a new couple)

If a whole pile of new people show up at the start of a dance, having missed 
the walkthrough, this is my go to dance to get things started and then into the 
regular program.

Martha


> On Jul 24, 2018, at 7:48 AM, Lorraine Sutton via Callers 
>  wrote:
> 
> Hello All,
> 
> I am calling a 2 hour Intro to Contra dance at an Ontario Canada 
> Festival. ( more a music focus than a dance focus, at this festival)
> 
> I would appreciate hearing from you as to contra dances ( lws proper & 
> Improper) that you have found successful with very novice dancers and why you 
> think those dances work for beginners.(I love Larry Jennings definition of 
> easy vs complicated )
> 
> I do plan on doing some non progressive lws as well as a both a circle and a 
> Sicilian  circle in the program mix , to get the concept of progression.
> 
> Thanks so much.
> 
> Lorraine Sutton  ( lorrainesutt...@gmail.com 
>  )
> 
> 
> ...
> 
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Re: [Callers] Folk Festival - Easy Contra dances to teach Beginners

[Kalia Kliban via Callers]

On 7/24/2018 7:48 AM, Lorraine Sutton via Callers wrote:

Hello All,

I am calling a 2 hour Intro to Contra dance at an Ontario Canada
Festival. ( more a music focus than a dance focus, at this festival)

I would appreciate hearing from you as to contra dances ( lws proper
& Improper) that you have found successful with very novice dancers
and why you think those dances work for beginners.(I love Larry Jennings
definition of easy vs complicated )

I do plan on doing some non progressive lws as well as a both a circle
and a Sicilian  circle in the program mix , to get the concept of
progression.


Lots of really good advice in the replies here.

One contra that has worked well for me with very beginning dancers is 
this version of the Washington Quickstep.  The big bonus in this one is 
that the progression doesn't depend on the propriety of the 1s, so even 
if a couple gets confused about which side they should be on, the dance 
still works.  It does use a R through, which can be a challenging move 
for the very new.


Washington Quickstep
duple improper (or proper, depending on how you've taught the R through)
Star R/L
1s down/back/cast off
R thru over/bk
LLFB, 1s sw

Jefferson and Liberty, in its infinite variations, is another good 
starter contra.  Here's the version I tend to use:

Jefferson and Liberty   
duple improper or proper
Star R/L
Circ L/R
Lines of 4 (1s ctr) dn, 1s arch 2s thru, 2s up, 1s follow
1s swing

This one does rely on the dancers being able to remember which role 
they're dancing, but it's nice and basic.

Unruly Reunion (Robert Cromartie)
duple improper
Lines of 4 (1s in middle) dn, turn alone, bk, bend
circle L/R
N dos/sw
LLFB, 1s sw

My new favorite mixer, which I learned here on Shared Weight, is The 
Wheel by Gene Hubert.  Needs a big crowd and a roomy dance space, but 
it's loads of fun.
A1 Promenade (CCW)(16), and at the end of A1 gents move the ladies to 
the middle, so ladies are facing out and gents facing in (note: this is 
a variation from someone here, was it Mac?  Somebody on this list.  But 
it's a really good change).
A2  Join 2 hands with partner and walk 8 steps IN (ladies backing up), 
then 8 slightly smaller steps out (gents backing up), and join hands in 
2 concentric circles.  (Here's where that modification makes the dance 
work better.  Since men tend to have the longer arms, they're now in the 
larger, outer circle.)

B1 All circle LEFT (opposite directions obviously)
B2 *SWING* (nearest person)
There are ALWAYS people who don't find a partner at the start of B2, and 
part of the fun is to then dive into the "odd-sock pile" in the center 
to find a partner, and rejoin the ring either in the swing or the next 
promenade.  This dance can relieve a lot of the tension about "doing it 
right," since it's a big silly scramble.  Also good swing practice.


Kalia in Sebastopol
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Re: [Callers] Folk Festival - Easy Contra dances to teach Beginners

[John Sweeney via Callers]

Hi Lorraine,

  As has been said, if you really want to do contras the you need 
to have a program which teaches basic concepts and builds on them.

 

Family Contra is a great dance for teaching the concept of progression:

https://folkdancemusings.blogspot.com/2015/05/family-contra-usa.html

 

Your next big problem is getting them to do a good buzz-step swing and finish 
with the man on the left, lady on the right.  With large numbers of beginners 
there will some who get in wrong every time and break down the dance.  I would 
practice that in a circle mixer like:

http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/TheExchangeSwing.html

or

http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/VirginiaReelCircleMixer24.html

 

You can have lots of fun without swings:

http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/CheekboneCity.html

http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/Duck.html

http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/GrapevineJig.html

 

Here’s an easy one with a swing:

http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/GirlsofOakhill.html

 

East Litchfield Volunteers is a great dance for beginners:

http://www.biteyourownelbow.com/conndanc.htm

 

I would agree that Right & Left Through is to be avoided.  It is the most 
non-intuitive move in contra dancing.  If you really want to use it in some of 
your dances then I would use something like this to help teach it:

http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/ToMoveorNottoMove.html

 

Flirtation Reel is great and I use this a lot with beginners as well – the 
Chris Page version:

 

= = = = = = = = = 

Ellen's Green Jig (by Roy Dommett)

Contra; Improper

 

A1:Neighbour Dosido; Partner Dosido

A2:#1s Balance & Swing (Step, Kick) – finish facing down

B1: Circle Left; Circle Right – keep holding hands in the Circle

B2: Duck for Oysters: #2s Arch - #1s Peek; #1s Arch - #2s Peek

  #2s Arch over #1s who pass through to New Neighbours

 

"Duck for the oyster, dive for the clam, duck through the hole in the old tin 
can."

 

Alt (Chris Page):

A1:Dosido Neighbour; Men Dosido

A2:Ladies Dosido; #1s Swing, end facing down

 

= = = = = = = = = 

 

  I hope that helps.

 

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   
   

 

From: Callers  On Behalf Of Lorraine 
Sutton via Callers
Sent: 24 July 2018 15:49
To: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
Subject: [Callers] Folk Festival - Easy Contra dances to teach Beginners

 

Hello All,

 

I am calling a 2 hour Intro to Contra dance at an Ontario Canada Festival. 
( more a music focus than a dance focus, at this festival) 

 

I would appreciate hearing from you as to contra dances ( lws proper & 
Improper) that you have found successful with very novice dancers and why you 
think those dances work for beginners.(I love Larry Jennings definition of easy 
vs complicated ) 

 

I do plan on doing some non progressive lws as well as a both a circle and a 
Sicilian  circle in the program mix , to get the concept of progression.

 

Thanks so much. 

 

Lorraine Sutton  ( lorrainesutt...@gmail.com  
 )

 

 

...

 

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Re: [Callers] Folk Festival - Easy Contra dances to teach Beginners

[Jacob or Nancy Bloom via Callers]

WITH BEGINNERS, AVOID RIGHTS AND LEFTS!  Half of them will turn right when
they should have turned left, and the other half will turn all the way
around and look back at the person they just walked past.  To experienced
dancers they seem similar to a ladies chain, but people who have never done
either before find rights and lefts vastly more confusing.

Jacob

On Tue, Jul 24, 2018 at 11:17 AM, Jen Morgan via Callers <
callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> Not necessarily.  I called a contra dance in the ceilidh tent at a UK folk
> festival with few if any experienced contra dancers.  I made a list of very
> basic figures and chose only dances with those figures in.  I think I used
> either only right and left throughs, or only ladies chains, but not both
> (can't remember which sorry!)  No work outside minor set, I preferred eight
> bar figures to four bar figures (over and back etc).  Lots of line of four
> lead down sort of dances.  Lots of the easier chestnuts.
>
> And I delivered the explanation of how to line up, how to know if you're a
> one or two, how the progression works etc, before *every* *single*
> *dance*.  It worked and the dancers had a great time.
>
> Hope it goes well!
> Jen
>
>
> On 24 July 2018 at 15:53, Mac Mckeever via Callers <
> callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
>> I stay away from contras unless you have a good number of experienced
>> dancers to hold things together.  There are lots of dances that are more
>> self correcting and don't have the complexity that progression creates.
>> Virginia Reel works good with beginners
>>
>> Mac McKeever
>>
>> On Tuesday, July 24, 2018, 9:48:59 AM CDT, Lorraine Sutton via Callers <
>> callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Hello All,
>>
>> I am calling a 2 hour Intro to Contra dance at an Ontario Canada
>> Festival. ( more a music focus than a dance focus, at this festival)
>>
>> I would appreciate hearing from you as to contra dances ( lws proper
>> & Improper) that you have found successful with very novice dancers and why
>> you think those dances work for beginners.(I love Larry Jennings definition
>> of easy vs complicated )
>>
>> I do plan on doing some non progressive lws as well as a both a circle
>> and a Sicilian  circle in the program mix , to get the concept of
>> progression.
>>
>> Thanks so much.
>>
>> Lorraine Sutton  ( lorrainesutt...@gmail.com )
>>
>>
>> ...
>>
>> ___
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>> Archives:  https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
>>
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>>
>>
>
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>


-- 
jandnbl...@gmail.com
http://jacobbloom.net/
View my Arlington Food Pantry fundraiser at
https://www.youcaring.com/arlington-food-pantry-621657
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Re: [Callers] Folk Festival - Easy Contra dances to teach Beginners

[Jen Morgan via Callers]

Not necessarily.  I called a contra dance in the ceilidh tent at a UK folk
festival with few if any experienced contra dancers.  I made a list of very
basic figures and chose only dances with those figures in.  I think I used
either only right and left throughs, or only ladies chains, but not both
(can't remember which sorry!)  No work outside minor set, I preferred eight
bar figures to four bar figures (over and back etc).  Lots of line of four
lead down sort of dances.  Lots of the easier chestnuts.

And I delivered the explanation of how to line up, how to know if you're a
one or two, how the progression works etc, before *every* *single*
*dance*.  It worked and the dancers had a great time.

Hope it goes well!
Jen


On 24 July 2018 at 15:53, Mac Mckeever via Callers <
callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> I stay away from contras unless you have a good number of experienced
> dancers to hold things together.  There are lots of dances that are more
> self correcting and don't have the complexity that progression creates.
> Virginia Reel works good with beginners
>
> Mac McKeever
>
> On Tuesday, July 24, 2018, 9:48:59 AM CDT, Lorraine Sutton via Callers <
> callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
>
> Hello All,
>
> I am calling a 2 hour Intro to Contra dance at an Ontario Canada
> Festival. ( more a music focus than a dance focus, at this festival)
>
> I would appreciate hearing from you as to contra dances ( lws proper
> & Improper) that you have found successful with very novice dancers and why
> you think those dances work for beginners.(I love Larry Jennings definition
> of easy vs complicated )
>
> I do plan on doing some non progressive lws as well as a both a circle and
> a Sicilian  circle in the program mix , to get the concept of progression.
>
> Thanks so much.
>
> Lorraine Sutton  ( lorrainesutt...@gmail.com )
>
>
> ...
>
> ___
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>
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Re: [Callers] Folk Festival - Easy Contra dances to teach Beginners

[Mac Mckeever via Callers]

 I stay away from contras unless you have a good number of experienced dancers 
to hold things together.  There are lots of dances that are more self 
correcting and don't have the complexity that progression creates.  Virginia 
Reel works good with beginners
Mac McKeever
On Tuesday, July 24, 2018, 9:48:59 AM CDT, Lorraine Sutton via Callers 
 wrote:  
 
 Hello All,
I am calling a 2 hour Intro to Contra dance at an Ontario Canada Festival. 
( more a music focus than a dance focus, at this festival) 
I would appreciate hearing from you as to contra dances ( lws proper & 
Improper) that you have found successful with very novice dancers and why you 
think those dances work for beginners.(I love Larry Jennings definition of easy 
vs complicated ) 
I do plan on doing some non progressive lws as well as a both a circle and a 
Sicilian  circle in the program mix , to get the concept of progression.
Thanks so much. 
Lorraine Sutton  ( lorrainesutt...@gmail.com )

...
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