I think also that dancers may have different opinions depending on how interesting the dances are. If you have two no-neighbor swing dances back-to-back, I think it is a little boring if both are relatively basic choreo.  

Also, early in the evening, neighbor swings help me mitigate the "what if a new dancer has a mediocre partner?" issue, so they aren't as likely to develop bad swing habits from the getgo if they are exposed to a variety of ways people swing.

In dance,
Julian Blechner
Western Mass

On Tue, Jun 13, 2023, 1:47 PM Joe Harrington via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
I was surprised to discover, like maybe two decades ago, that the caller guidelines for a certain very well known dance requested: "A good amount of neighbor interaction, especially early in the evening. The dancers prefer no more than two dances without neighbor swings."  Those words are still there.  Not saying I agree, just pointing out that this isn't new.  Remember that it's about the dancers, not the callers!

--jh--


On Tue, Jun 13, 2023 at 1:54 AM Michael Fuerst via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Greg Frock in a Jun 9 thread, 'Dance Modules,'  suggested  " the 'mandatory swing requirements' these days, more and more choreographic sequences are just coming up with new ways to interestingly connect the swings"
I disagree.  A mandatory partner swing requirement seems to exist, but no  neighbor swing requirement.   
Instead of a neighbor swing,  either  (a) substantial non-swing interaction with either or both neighbors (stars, allemandes, shoulder rounds, dosidos, chains or heys), or (b) distinctive choreography,  can result in a  great dances.
(1) Last time I danced an evening to Darlene Underwood's calling, she called 4 excellent dances without a neighbor swing.   (As a dance composer I notice such dances.)
(2) The May Heydays festival held in England, just posted on  this list  (thread 'May the Serpent Be With you') the winners of its annual dance competition.   The second place winner, Cherry Season, (3) The Callers' Box  has 3525 duple minor dances without a neighbor swing including 9 by me.    Clearer descriptions of some of mine may found at my web page
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