Bob Isaacs calls a contra dance with a fun chase figure at the end of some longer multisession gigs. The ones chase around the twos with the first going around both twos and the second going around one, reversing the order of the ones on the return leg of the chase. They do this twice in 16 beats (I think. That seems short but 32 seems long, hmmm…), each dancer leading once and following once. It’s pretty fun with high-tempo music (like 125 bpm). It’s even more fun because after he stops cueing, he goes around the room and quietly invites those sitting out to run through the set during the chase, and then for everyone to chase out of the set. Pretty guaranteed chaotic fun!

—jh—

On Sat, Feb 4, 2023 at 3:47 PM Emily Addison via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

Hey folks,

After a number of relatively quiet caller years (parenting; pandemic), I've started to dig deep to expand my repertoire and up my skills.  It feels like it's time for lots more dance fun! :)

One dance that I've really enjoyed is Heartbeat Contra (by Don Flaherty - see below).

Tom Calwell called it in Ottawa way back in 2010 and  at the top of the B1, he called Al R 1.5 or ANYTHING (R shoulder round, swing, DSD).

Do any of you throw in a 'do anything' moment in an evening of contra programming? I'm always looking for fun, playful moments that make dancers smile and this feels like a lovely one.  If you throw in an anything moment, how do you choose when?

And do you have other strategies for adding playfulness to an evening?

I've got some dances which I find super playful and fun (e.g., Three's Company - Altered & Alternating - Paul Balliet)

Thoughts on this?

Thanks!

Emily in Ottawa

-------------------------------

Heartbeat Contra (Don Flaherty)

A1 

Bal Ring & Petronella Twirl 

Bal Ring & Petronella Twirl

A2

Bal Ring & N Sw

B1

ROB Al R 1.5  OR ANYTHING! (Al R, Rshoulder round, swing, DSD... original was RH round)

P Sw

B2

Cir L 3/4

Bal Ring & California Twirl

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