On Feb 2, 2018, at 11:58 AM, Yoyo Zhou via Callers <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

On Thu, Feb 1, 2018 at 7:26 AM, Rick Mohr via Callers <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

Some dances require skill to make the timing work — like starting a figure with dispatch so a later balance will be on time, or doing a figure leisurely to avoid being early for the next one. But while many dancers have the awareness to make things like that work, many dancers don’t. Since there are plenty of fantastic dances without such challenges I tend not to call dances which have them.

But I’ve also found that such dances are great when I’m asked to lead a workshop helping dancers improve their skills. Longtime dancers aren't eager to change their habits, and having something concrete like making a balance on time adds motivation, ideally opening a window where learning is possible.

Unfortunately though I've discarded or passed on collecting most such dances! 

Have any suggestions of good/great dances where the timing is tight or loose in spots? 

One of mine in that category is Crow Flight (http://rickmohr.net/Contra/Dances.asp#CrowFlight). Learning opportunities include gents flowing from swing to circle (common with aware dancers but a revelation to some), ladies moving efficiently from circle to hey, and doing a hey with two steps per pass (possibly realizing the difference between a 3-change and 4-change half hey).

Thanks for any ideas!

Some classics I think fit in this category:

The Baby Rose by David Kaynor - lots of time to circle left 3/4 and do si do before a balance.

String of Swings by Rick Mohr and Bob Isaacs - ending swings on time can be challenging for some dancers; there's nothing like the dissatisfaction of waiting for somebody to let go of the person you're supposed to swing next.

Joyride by Erik Weberg (with slow tempo) - especially as the author wrote it, with the last pass of the hey at the beginning of B1; many dancers aren't used to taking 8 counts for the more loosely timed figures in the A part.

Judah Jig by Charlie Fenton (with fast tempo) - dancers have to get all the way around twice in B1 (circling left and right hand star) to make the ladies chain go across the set.

Yoyo Zhou

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