I have some experience with pool noodles (teaching aqua aerobics) and the dollar-store kind are pretty wiggly and would not withstand the weight of a magnet, nor be manageable.  There are stronger noodles available from exercise websites, which are not cheap but are tougher and would withstand use for longer.  If 6 ft is from face-to-face, and the human arm is about 2 feet long, perhaps you only need a two-foot noodle, which would add up to 8 feet total with arms extended.  Maybe a balsa-wood "baton" would also work.  I'll bet there are some Morris dances that could morph into contra dances, using sticks.  Picturing stars and heys with sticks/noodles--the dances would be lovely.  Get a drone and film them from above!  
    Our town almost opened up for outdoor gatherings of 10, but then the upswing in cases hit.  And we can't be outdoors until October, anyway, in this heat.  
Louise Siddons is also working on "out-of-the-box" contra ideas:  https://forms.gle/eR8dbyLz9NV3592h8.

Lissa Bengtson
San Antonio


On Mon, Jul 20, 2020 at 8:46 AM Mary Collins via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
I like John's idea of designated partners and no progressions.

Claire I also am liking the noodle idea. Still making connection which for me is a huge part of contra and square dance. A thought about that, each person would need 2 noodles with the opposing polarity magnet in each end. How do you plan for #'s of attendees? Would you sell "noodle hands" so each dancer can come prepared and with personal "hands"? (Which I like as a group fundraiser)

Watching this space for more dance ideas for my "covid box". Thanks for posing these questions.

Mary Collins

On Mon, Jul 20, 2020, 9:02 AM John Sweeney via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hi Claire,
        What some groups are planning, possibly, is to start their new dance sessions with just couple dances.  Come with a partner, or choose one person and stay with them.

        There are lots of good dances to choose from; but only if your dancers are prepared to embrace change, new ideas and new skills.  Contra, ceilidh, squares, ECD, etc. are all part of the same spectrum of dance, with common origins.

        Here are some ideas (some are usually done as mixers, just stay with the same partner):
Salty Dog Rag
La Chapelloise
Swedish Masquerade
Teton Mountain Stomp
The Ideal Schottische
The Gay Gordons
Redwing Mixer
Twirl & Go

        You can Waltz (obviously) and all the other standard couple dances.

        And if your dancers are prepared to work in fours and stay in those fours, you can add all the Appalachian/Running Set two-couple figures - there are dozens to choose from.  Yes, it is more fun to do them with new couples, but if you have to stay in the same foursomes you can still have fun.

        I hope that helps.

            Happy dancing,                     
                   John                 

John Sweeney, Dancer, England   john@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574                       
http://contrafusion.co.uk/KentCeilidhs.html for Live Music Ceilidhs             
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent                       
http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive DVDs


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