I have had most success with asking people to make up circles of four couples. When all the circles are complete I ask them to circle left until one couple has their backs to me/the band/ whatever is the top, and then stop. I then check that there is also a couple facing me. I then ask couples to keep holding their partner's hand but let go the other hand and then to make each couple be on one side of a square. If you want to add spare couples then I would recommend waiting until the squares are in the correct formation and then attach the extra couples.
Michael Barraclough www.michaelbarraclough.com -----Original Message----- From: callers-boun...@sharedweight.net [mailto:callers-boun...@sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of Sue Robishaw Sent: Sunday, March 20, 2011 4:39 PM To: CallersList Subject: [Callers] Quadrille Formation Hi, I call some ONS dances now and then and like The Carding (from Dudley Laufman's "Sweets of May" book), a quadrille that can accommodate varying numbers of couples which is something I love in any ONS dance. The dancers enjoy it and it's fun to call. But I'm challenged in the beginning to get the dancers in formation (if I or someone isn't on the floor to help). Squares aren't intuitive for many folks. And once in a square they really balk at adding extra couples to the sides, in spite of assurances that it really is OK. Once we're on our way all is fine and everyone is happy. But I'd like to be better at getting the dancers comfortably in a quadrille/square formation when it is new for many. Any suggestions? Thanks, Sue Robishaw Upper Peninsula of Michigan PS - I'll add my vote for Snowball. The AABB version works for 3, 4 or 5 couples, though I often do top couple to the bottom at the end. I didn't know it had a CC part. _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list call...@sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
