[Callers] Seeking contras for a crowded hall

[Michael Fuerst via Callers]

Be wary of any motion that requires all dancers to be in the center at the same time.  Consider dances where first two persons swing in the center, and then the other two swing in the center
A few of my dances that would   work
E.J.M.J.F. in Cincinnati   Improper                                 

A1      Balance and swing neighbor.

A2      Men allemande left 1 1/2 and swing partner.

B1      Long lines forward and back.  Women chain to neighbor.

B2      Women allemande right (4).
        1/2 hey, neighbors start passing left shoulder, until
           neighbors on the side they started the dance (8).
        Neighbors pass left shoulders and go along set to meet new
           neighbors (4).
Spin to Your Neighbor       Improper or Becket                             

Improper version (for Becket version, start at B1 and read notes below)

A1      Neighbors balance and swing

A2      Men allemande left 1 1/2, partners swing

B1      Women do-si-do 1 1/2 to exchange places.
        On the side of the set, neighbors allemande right 1 1/2

B2      Half hey, women start left, end in long wavy lines with
           the men facing out, women facing in, neighbors' 
           right hands joined
        Balance towards your neighbor (right),
           then away (left), then slide past your neighbor to face a
           a new neighbor.  (Actually spinning past your neighbor is
           much more fun, and was the motivation for the dance.)

Say Go to the Do-si-do      Becket Clockwise                                     

A1      Circle Left 3/4
        Neighbors do-si-do 1 1/2, ending with men facing in, women out

A2      1/2 hey men start left shoulder, finish in long waves on opposite side,
           men facing in, neighbor's right hands joined.
        Balance to and way current neighbor, spin (or slide) past this neighbor
           to face new neighbor

B1      New neighbors balance and swing

B2      Star left 3/4, partners swing

Note:   At ends, dancers must face in the wrong way, i.e. man on right,
           woman on left !!
Star Birth                              Duple Improper                         
A1      Man 1 and woman 1 turn in different right hands across
          stars:  man 1 with the couple and next active woman
          above, woman 1 with the couple and next active man
          below
        As Man 1 and woman 1 approach each other in center of set,
          they do-si-do once and almost a 1/2 more along (not across)
          the set, finishing back to back, with man 1 facing down,
          woman 1 facing up.

A2      Star left (hands across), man 1 with couple and next active
          woman below, woman 1 with the couple and next active
          man above.
        1's meet in middle, swing, end facing down.

B1      Down the set 4 in line, 1's turn as couple, return and hand
          cast off.  (For less experienced dancers, just bend the
          line.)

B2      Circle left.  1's 1/2 figure 8 above.  (Experienced inactive
          couples can do-si-do or gypsy immediately after the 1's
          have crossed between them during the 1/2 figure 8,
          finishing just in time to grasp partner's hand for the
          star right.)
Dave Found the Missing Coffee Cup               Becket Clockwise                       
A1      Slide left to new neighbors, circle left 3/4.  Swing neighbor.

A2      Circle left 3/4 and pass partner by right shoulder up and
           down set, to face a shadow (same person throughout
           dance).
        Allemande left shadow (4).  Allemande right partner 1/2, so
          women face into center.

B1      Hey, women start passing left shoulder, continue until
           partners meet on the side of set they started the
           dance.

B2      Balance and swing partner. Michael Fuerst      802 N Broadway      Urbana IL 61801      217 239 5844
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