On Thu, Feb 1, 2018 at 7:26 AM, Rick Mohr via Callers < [email protected]> wrote:
> Some dances require skill to make the timing work — like starting a figure > with dispatch so a later balance will be on time, or doing a figure > leisurely to avoid being early for the next one. But while many dancers > have the awareness to make things like that work, many dancers don’t. Since > there are plenty of fantastic dances without such challenges I tend not to > call dances which have them. > > But I’ve also found that such dances are great when I’m asked to lead a > workshop helping dancers improve their skills. Longtime dancers aren't > eager to change their habits, and having something concrete like making a > balance on time adds motivation, ideally opening a window where learning is > possible. > > Unfortunately though I've discarded or passed on collecting most such > dances! > > Have any suggestions of good/great dances where the timing is tight or > loose in spots? > > One of mine in that category is Crow Flight (http://rickmohr.net/Contra/Da > nces.asp#CrowFlight). Learning opportunities include gents flowing from > swing to circle (common with aware dancers but a revelation to some), > ladies moving efficiently from circle to hey, and doing a hey with two > steps per pass (possibly realizing the difference between a 3-change and > 4-change half hey). > > Thanks for any ideas! > Some classics I think fit in this category: The Baby Rose by David Kaynor - lots of time to circle left 3/4 and do si do before a balance. String of Swings by Rick Mohr and Bob Isaacs - ending swings on time can be challenging for some dancers; there's nothing like the dissatisfaction of waiting for somebody to let go of the person you're supposed to swing next. Joyride by Erik Weberg (with slow tempo) - especially as the author wrote it, with the last pass of the hey at the beginning of B1; many dancers aren't used to taking 8 counts for the more loosely timed figures in the A part. Judah Jig by Charlie Fenton (with fast tempo) - dancers have to get all the way around twice in B1 (circling left and right hand star) to make the ladies chain go across the set. Yoyo Zhou
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