[Callers] Novelty & Gimmick Contras

Martha Wild via Callers callers at lists.sharedweight.net
Thu Mar 17 18:18:50 PDT 2016


> This is one I wrote that I’ve called a couple of times and people liked it. It is unequal in that the ones swing, but you can easily alternate between ones and twos if the dancers are more experienced. If you look at the link it will make the move clear, in case my explanation doesn’t quite get the idea across.
> 

San Diego Sleigh Ride                                   <>
Martha Wild
Duple improper                                                                            August 1, 2014

A1    Balance and swing your neighbor

A2    Down the set four in line, turn as couples
        Up the set, bend the line, and all face up taking inside hands with partners (facing up two by two)

B1    Ones (below) arch and over, twos back up under the ones arch (4)
        Twos arch and over, ones back up (4)
        Ones arch and over, twos back up (4)
        Twos arch and over, ones back up (4)

B2    Twos face ones at end, circle left once around
        Ones swing and face down (can alternate with twos swing and face up with more experienced dancers)


This dance was written after I saw a Youtube video of Nantucket Sleigh Ride <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVwNiszdVNg> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVwNiszdVNg <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVwNiszdVNg> (by Kirsten Koths), which has this arch and under figure. The people doing it looked like they were having a very good time, but the rest of the dance had no partner swing. I have modified this to include one, or at best an alternating partner swing. Feedback was positive. 


> On Mar 17, 2016, at 11:41 AM, Rich Sbardella via Callers <callers at lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> 
> Hello Tavi, 
> 
> You are correct, gimmick was a bad choice of words.  Gimmick is a term used in MWSD publications to describe surprise or unusual choreography.
> 
> The type of dances I am looking for are dances that have an unusual element, whether it be a different move like rip 'n snort, an unusual application as in Bree's "couple to solo" Dosido, or an unusual progression.  These dances are easy enough for a floor with many beginners but novel (?) enough for most dancers to enjoy.  
> 
> Rich
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Thu, Mar 17, 2016 at 1:46 PM, tavi merrill via Callers <callers at lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:callers at lists.sharedweight.net>> wrote:
> I take issue with the term "gimmick." Using familiar moves in new ways is IMO called "good choreography." If one defines using existing moves in novel ways as "gimmick," basically every use of petronella turns and waves after "Petronella" and "Rory O'Moore" is a gimmick. 
> 
> Originally had a long list of dances, but then i saw "easy" in Rich's original ask, so pared down: 
> 
> "Anthem to a Pet Ferret" by Sargon de Jesus may be of interest
> 
> "A Sure Thing" by Chris Page is challenging to teach but not actually challenging to dance
> 
> also do si do and swing the one behind offers a simple but fun twist. U can find it in Tom Hinds' "Python Reel" and Rick Mohr's "Leave the Wine"
> 
> 
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