When I wrote Shadrack’s Delight 51 years ago (one of the first all-moving contras to gain wide acceptance among trad callers), I envisioned the wave balances as forward and back. Both of the balances are followed by hand turns halfway around, and I dislike the feel of a hand turn following a sideways balance (starting in either direction relative to the following turn). In my experience, most dancers do sideways balances in Shadrack, perhaps because they’re used to balancing sideways in dozens of other dances. I find that even when I specify a forward and back balance, many dancers don’t try it.
Tony Parkes
Billerica, Mass.
New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century
(available now)
From: Emily Addison via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2023 10:07 PM
To: contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
Subject: [Callers] Dances with balancing waves forward and backward?
Hi folks :)
As a dancer, I remember loving the feel of waves lines that balance forward and back. However, I don't have any dances that specifically call for that.
Might you have suggestions of dances that specifically call for Bal F&B or which often get modified for that feel of a balance?
Thank you!
:) Emily in Ottawa