Re: [Callers] Inclusivemess & Older Dancers

Michael, Hi and thanks for your wonderful post. I regularly call for a new dancer (who started within the last yr. or two and who dances once a month or less) who is 91 and very deaf. I have also danced at several wknd. & festival settings where there were blind and otherwise physically challenged dancers. In the first case, I try and call dances that are not overly taxing on orientation and quick/complicated progressions across or up or down the set. Yes, other dancers are wonderful at helping keep him on track, but there is only so far I can take things when he's in line (if I'm his partner, it's easier still, knowing exactly what he needs help w/ at any one instant). In the second case, the blind or physically challenged dancers at the festivals and dance weekends were nearly always accomplished and were easily helped and oriented by all those he/she danced with, much like you described. What I'm looking for is to build a group of dances that are more aimed at older dancers (and perhaps a higher % than we see at most series) who don't have the physical capabilities and stamina they once did, but still love the dance. I want to provide them w/ enjoyable and not too simple dances that will not leave them purple and on the verge of passing out (or worse). I realize we often strive to plan and create the best programs possible for the MUC setting. This is a wonderful thing that is happening around this and other countries. What I would like to focus on in this particular thread is to address the needs of, let's arbitrarily say, a large group of 70 y.o. and up who have been dancing a long time and would like to continue doing so both comfortably, confidently and, of course, joyfully. A quick example. 1s swing while 2s admire, etc. My deck's not at hand, but I'll offer one dance from memory. Jeff's Gypsy DI A-1 1s gypsy & swing (or whatever they want to do in the center) A-2 Lines of 4 down the hall (1s in center) 2s half cast 1s to swap places and come back up B-1 Circle L 1X (to original DI) Pass N-1 by R (1s D, 2s Up) and gypsy N-2 (by L in orig, but could modify and make it a RSh gypsy to simplify) B-2 (Back to) N-1 gypsy & swing This gives the dancers a lot of slack time and they have the freedom to do pretty much as they please in either of the gypsy/swing sequences. It also has a very pleasing flow. Tunes for this could be very relaxed. As it turns out, this is also a completely gender neutral dance. warmest regards, Paul Prov RI