To be clear, I’m not advocating the use of “lead/follow” anywhere but in the preliminary session (or, if there is no session, in an experienced dancer briefing a first-timer friend on the way in). Like it or not, our heritage includes a
few asymmetrical moves, and I think it’s more helpful to newbies to point out the asymmetry than to pretend it’s not there.
(I’m aware that some folks enjoy doing what an old-timer would call a reverse lead or a back-lead, with the robin leading the lark. But I believe that in practice it’s still relatively rare.)
Tony Parkes
Billerica, Mass.
New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century
(available now)
From: John Sweeney via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Thursday, February 9, 2023 10:43 AM
To: 'Shared Weight Contra Callers' <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Callers] Re: Gentlespoons/Ladles (from Rompin' Stompin')
I agree completely with Tony, except…
I don’t think it is a good idea to use the terms “leader” and “follower”.
The only leader in the room is the caller.
For flashy moves either person can briefly lead another – e.g. twirling the end person as you go Down the Hall in Lines of Four. That is gender-independent.
For much more on the subject please see:
http://contrafusion.co.uk/LeadFollow.html
Happy dancing,
John
John Sweeney, Dancer, England
john@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent