[Callers] Family dances for 3-9 people?

[JD Erskine via Callers]

On 2016-02-18 2252, Claire Takemori via Callers wrote:
> Hi Everyone,
> In preparation for calling my first family dance on March 6, I’d like to find some family-friendly dances that are for very small groups, like 3-9 people.
> Ideally NOT proper triplets, or 3x3s (already have a few of those) and NO gender roles.
>
> I’ve got a good collection of simple dances for 10++ people, circles, lines, etc.
> I’m preparing for a crowd of up to 100 but if it dwindles down to 1-2 families or starts slow, I’d like something for small groups too.
>
> Thanks!
> Claire Takemori

Sounds like fun.

Gender/lack of gender needn't be inherent in the dance structure, it's 
how we choose to present it. In ONS most once-and-to-the-bottom dances 
may be set up simply as "Line up across from your partner." A penny 
dropped for me the time David Kaynor opened with that at a workshop. 
Part of the keep it simple (for all), and have fun, philosophy.

Really most whole-set dances may be used. It's only if we fuss about 
even numbers/pairs where we let ourselves get in the way, like choosing 
to identify gender, . . . or not. Tack an extra person on somewhere and 
have fun. Admittedly dances designed for an "extra" are handy as this 
has been considered. <g>

Anderson Ferry Reel
Pride of the Pingle
are both for odd numbers and are fun and useful.

You'll find these on-line, the second on many of the barn dance sites.

Barn dance, community dance, eCeilidh, Bush dance sites/listings are 
really handy in this regard.

If there is effectively the one set I'll join someone, anyone, to make a 
pairing and call from within the set. Having a band member keep an eye 
out for signals is useful.

Have a blast.

Cheers, John
-- 
J.D. Erskine
Victoria, BC

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