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
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.
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
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
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,
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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