[Callers] Contras for One Nighters

[Linda Thomas via Callers]

I often introduce the concept of progression with Sanita Hill Circle
(sicilian) by Ed Durlocher, where they don't change partners, but get the
idea of moving on in the big circle with no end effects to worry about.

Super-easy contras: 
Saturday Night Stroll by Mavis McGaugh 
Family Contra by Sherry Nevins.

Back Road to Ayer by Lisa Greenleaf - an Improper contra with a traditional
feel to it... 
and that one has always worked well for me

Rural Felicity, by Dudley Laufman - Proper, traditional, is another no
brainer and people always have fun with it, especially children.

Linda Thomas
Wilmington, NC

   1. Re: Contras for One Nighters (Linda Mrosko via Callers)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Wed, 9 Mar 2016 22:33:02 -0600
From: Linda Mrosko via Callers <callers at lists.sharedweight.net>
To: Rich Sbardella <richsbardella at gmail.com>

The closest I usually get to a contra-style is *DoSiThree*.  Everybody gets
the progression.  The hardest part about that dance is getting them into a
3 face 3 position -- more particularly, a set of 3 people can be a
challenging concept for some (you need lines of 3 people, you and two
partners, etc.).  Once they get in position, the rest of the dance works
great.

I prefer longways dances instead -- *Blobs* is a staple and *Brandy Rump
Bump* for a younger crowd.

Another contra dance that has worked well for me with a majority of
beginners has been *Moonstruck* -- sliding left to progress to the next
couple is easy for anybody to understand, you interact with your partner and
your neighbor, and all you do is clapping, dosidos, circles, balancing and
sliding to the next.

One other is *French Wedding* - dosidos, 2-hand turns, circles, dig for the
oyster/dive for the clam to the next.

If I only have an hour, I don't call a contra.  But if I have 2 hours,
well...I don't know about you, but I like just a little variety.

On Sat, Mar 5, 2016 at 12:44 PM, Rich Sbardella via Callers <
callers at lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> I rarely call a contra at a One Night Party Dance, but occasionally I 
> am asked to.  I have a few in my cards, but can anyone make some sure 
> fire recommendations.
>
> Assume 95%-100% non dancers.
>
> Thanks, Rich
> Stafford, CT
>

End of Callers Digest, Vol 23, Issue 7
**************************************