Re: [Callers] Easy dances for teaching contra

This dance is not really a full-blown contra, but its also not a square or circle. I use it to teach a few of the basics, without having to also worry about the formation (proper, improper, etc.) and the progression at the same time. Beginners seem to like it and I can use it to teach a few of the basic moves without the additional complexities. Trip to F'Town (or Francestown) Setup: have couples form circles of 4 with couple facing couple anywhere on the floor - no contra lines. At start, but really at the end of the B2 part: bow to your neighbor. A1: dos-a-dos neighbor; dos-a-dos partner. A2: Chose 1 of Right & Left, over & back, or Ladies' Chain over & back, or Star left, then star right (Depending on the skills of the dancers, I will chose one or more of these to teach, then practice during the dance. Sometimes I pick just one, other times I alternate each time through, and sometimes even just call the move randomly if they can handle it.) B1: Circle Left 1X Circle Right back to place. B2: pass through and go and find a new couple to dance with. bow to your new neighbor. This dance allows me to focus on the basic calls, without having to also teach progression at the same time. After doing this dance, it is much easier to introduce the idea of the progression with the next dance. Rich Hart. Joy Greenwolfe remarked on 11/17/2006 9:27 PM: