Barn burners can be a composite of many things -- choreography, tunes, tempo, dancer skill. Also the caller's voice if used well. One of the greatest BB dances I ever danced to was at a festival with a festival orchestra/band playing a rousing Chorus Jig.
But I like moves like down-the-hall, or one or two balances, or a hey that dancers just flow into (as in "Rockin' Robin" or "Anastasia"). And not a high piece count, so the dance is easy on tired brains, especially when the band kicks into a higher tempo. Like
increasing the tempo slightly on a tune-change. And the dance not too long -- following the old vaudeville principle of "leave'em wanting more".
For example, a dance with a couple of well-placed balances, ending the medley with "Music for a Found Harmonium" can be a capstone of barn-burning excitement. (-- with the right band, of course.)
Woody
Roseburg, OR
On 2/4/2023 3:05 PM, Amy Wimmer via Contra Callers wrote:
Hey All,
What are your favorite barn burner contras? I have a few, but they get old.