Re: [Callers] Sharing Mixers

One night, when I arrived at our dance a few minutes before 8:00 , Robert Cromartie was calling a mixer. I don't recall what prevented the usual new comers workshop, but I was told the mixer was in place of one. It worked quite well and it was easy for people to jump in as they arrived. A couple of years later I was in New Bern, NC. There was a problem with sound set up, so we weren't ready to go until 8:20. I had a room full of impatient dancers and anxious newcomers expecting a lesson. I started with a very very simple mixer and it was thrilling to see everyone's face light up and the mood shift to joy for the rest of the night. Since then, I've thought of an easy mixer, as the first dance, as a good way for new people to acclimate to moving in time to the music, shifting from one move to another, interacting with (and touching!) lots of strangers, and letting go of the partner they came with. In spite of that, I don't start with a mixer unless the dance is more than 50% beginners -- I think it would feel strange to the regular crowd. I often enjoy the discussions here; thanks for all the interesting opinions and all the good dances I've harvested from this list. Here are mixers I like for the 3rd slot: Ames Amble George Lowrey A1 In the center and back 2 times. A2 Ptr dosido; Neighbor dosido, B1 Promenade with ptr; Women turn back to the gent behind and Allmd Rt; Ptr Allmd Left B2 Swing new partner (the one you allmanded Rt) A simpler version is: B1 promenade; B2 Women turn back to the gent behind and swing. Getting To Know You Robt Cromartie A1 circle L; circle R A2 Ptr dosido; Neighbor seesaw B1 Ptr B&Swg B2 Into the ctr and back, Neighbor swing January Mixer Bob Dalsemer A1 Promenade with ptr A2 Men continue single file; women turn back single file (8) Everyone turn back, pass your ptr B1 with the next allmd L; allmd R B2 Dosido and swg