Hi Bill and SW; When writing zias, I also first tried putting swings in the
contra sections on the side. It soon became clear it was easier to put them in
the middle. The common progressions used after a swing in a contra didn't
easily get dancers into the square, and vice versa. I'm not sure the
promenade/star/pass through progression will work here, especially since in the
square it is an 8 person star that goes 3/8 instead of 1/4 or 1/2 around. The
pass through is also followed by a circle L - much like 4 facing 4s, I have
found that a forward and back to start is probably necessary to allow dancers
to catch up and establish new groups.
Your idea of a Special One to swing is worth exploring as a way to create more
good solutions. It would have to be carefully taught, and would be different
to American contra dancers who prefer to go on autopilot and not think about
whom to swing.
You're right - zias are a real challenge.
Bob
> Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:58:20 +1200> From: [email protected]>
> To: [email protected]> Subject: Re: [Callers] Zia Formation> > Hi Bob
> and SW,> > I had run across Zia by chance a few weeks > ago. I found
> http://fam.bmi.net/zia.htm which is > maybe where it started. I'm not sure
> when I'll > ever get the chance to try one out, as we are just > starting
> contras here in New Zealand, and numbers > are not very large. At the time I
> started to > think about how to make up a zia that would not > have swinging
> in the center, but only at the sides > like in most contras. Your post gave
> me more > incentive to find one.> > Here is an idea - I'd like to know what >
> people think.> > This dance has one requirement for the > dancers. There is a
> special person to be swung and > who this person is depends on whether you
> are > dancing in the square or contra part of the zia > formation.> > Whose
> Za One Zia or NZia double progression zia> > Couples will progress out of the
> square as > if they lead to the left and passed thru> The Special One:> In
> the square, your corner> In the contra, your partner> > > A1 Circle Left (6
> beats), the Special One Swing> A2 Gents Left hand across to the other side ,
> (the > one across) Swing,> B1 (All) Ladies Chain, (All) Ladies Chain back,>
> B2 Promenade across (8), Star Left (6) Pass thru > (2) with Nbr 2> (if no Nbr
> 2, California Twirl)> > Notes: For square> A1 The circle left is 3/8, and
> after swinging men > will have moved 180 degrees and have corner on right> A2
> Gents star left 1/2, and swing original RH lady> B2 Promenade 1/2 way (8),
> star left 3/8 (6) and > will be one position to left to pass thru (2) with >
> new nbr> > Notes: For contra> A1 Circle left 3/4 and swing your partner (on >
> lady's side)> A2 Gents Allemand Left 1 1/2 (or 1/2) and Neighbor > swing> B2
> Promenade across (8), star left 1/2 (6 so > turning slow) so facing new
> neighbor, pass thru (2)> > There are other easy variations for B1: LLFB, >
> Circle Right or Circle Left, Circle Right> > I've just started with contras,
> but am familiar > with squares. The multiple squares with zero > contra
> connections are a type of 'progressive > square' setup. There are lots of
> MWSD 'stir the > bucket' routines which can modified. However in > this case
> the restriction that the calls also work > for the contra line is not there.
> Also MWSD > doesn't work so much about phrasing. So zias are a > real
> challange.> > Cheers, Bill> > > > > >
> _______________________________________________> Callers mailing list>
> [email protected]> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
_________________________________________________________________
Keep your kids safer online with Windows Live Family Safety.
http://www.windowslive.com/family_safety/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_family_safety_072008
