Re: [Callers] Heys for new dancers

Sometimes I first do a circle mixer such as Lucky Seven which has a Grand Right & Left to the 7th person, or a square with a Grand Right & Left (or Grand Chains as we call them over here in the UK) to get used to the weaving flow of a hey. I heard the expression "swimming through people" from someone and like using it. I find using hands can really help, but then a lot of beginners offer the wrong hand when they turn, so I emphasise that they shouldn't offer a hand when you turn; the person coming out of the set has the right of way and knows which way to go - take the hand they offer you. The momentum from the hand contact usually makes people turn the right way; when you drop the hands then eye contact is great - just keep your eyes on the last person you pass and you will turn the right way. There are a lot more heys than the ones listed earlier: three-person (e.g. #1 man with the two ladies in a Proper dance) occurs in longways sets, and in other formations any number of people can be involved! There are also Ricochet Heys, Tapsalteerie Heys (only one couple doing the ricochet each time), Dolphin Heys and so on. That is why it helps to teach the principles: swim through the people, only turn at the end of the line, use eye contact to turn the right way, loop on the turns to give room for the other people. Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent