Re: [Callers] challenging contras

Hi Richard, [For those of you that are not subscribed to trad-dance-callers, this thread has provoked quite a response and discussion from the membership.] Richard, congrats on taking on the challenge of calling several sessions at Down East. From experience, I know it takes some courage to reach and do things that I haven't done before. There are several things that can make a dance challenging. The trick is deciding what you think the dancers are expecting. Some of the ways to make a dance challenging: No walk thru Unusual/unfamiliar formation Unusual/unfamiliar figures Dances requiring "change of focus" (more on this below) Figures that leave the minor set (shadow, future or past neighbor interaction) Poor flow (the next move is not the one they will expect or have momentum to do) Poor teaching (even the simplest dance can be challenging) Any dance above the skill level of the dancers I'm sure that there are other things that make a dance challenging, but this list is just off the top of my head. I would think that you would not want to call a dance that fit any of the last three categories. No walk thru dances are not very challenging, but do rely on the dancers knowing the figures cold. This is the only category above where the dancers can still "turn off their brains" and have an enjoyable dance experience. The others will require them to think about what they are doing. I think that unusual formations and figures speak for themselves. Dances that require "change of focus" are dances that require them to change who they are dancing with in the middle of the dance. i.e. Balance, Petronella spin one place to the right and spin a half more to face new neighbors. Or balance long waves on the side of the set, neighbor in your right hand, allemande left with the next neighbor. There are many more. Figures that leave the minor set should also be self explanatory. There are some fun reunion dances out there that take you far away from your partner before reuniting you at the last moment. You can mix up these categories during your session, too. You can start off with (or end with) a no walk thru dance, do one "wrack your brain" dance in the middle and put a triplet or four-facing-four dance into the program as well. Please remember to remind everyone at the beginning of the session that it is for experienced dancers only. Let them know that simpler dances will be done across the hall in the auditorium. Good Luck!! I hope this has helped. Chris Weiler Goffstown, NH Richard Green wrote: