Dear Chris:
Good luck in Maine... Just some thoughts about your program: of course a very
solid start with "The Nice Combination". This is a great starting dance, and
I really like that you have included a circle dance in your program. Though,
personally I am not a huge fan of a circle dance, depending on the type of
crowd you are calling for, this I think will be a wonderful selection and of
course "Love And Kisses"...
I would agree, that if you are going to a triplet it really has to be in the
first half of your program, probably number three or four, I would recommend.
As the night goes on there just will not be enough energy on the dance floor
to make a triplet work.
I would also consider that the first half of your program seems like it has a
lot of neighbor balances and swings, which is ok, but does not offer much
variety. There is "The Nice Combination", "Hey In The Barn", and
"Forgotten
Treasure" all within about four or five dances of eachother. Personally, I
would recommend either or when it comes to "The Nice Combination" and
"Forgotten Treasure". I tend to go more with "Forgotten Treasure",
because
there just seems to be better energy with that dance...
I love Chorus Jig, as you probably know, and love that you have included it in
your program... It is a great dance that really should be danced more... You
might want to consider waiting to late to call this dance, because contra
corner can be very differcult for new dancers. But yea!!! to Chorus Jig.
Also, there are only two dances without balances in your program, I would
consider, perhaps maybe adding a dance without a balance... Perhaps "Steel
Anniversary" by Rick Mohr or "Roll In The Hey" by Roger Diggie, both I
would
consider very smooth dances. And of course different dances is always key
when I am calling, I really like Mary Cay's Reel, and no doubt it is a
classic, also there would be a good dance to call after a dance that has a lot
of gents movement, because in a lot ways, I think this dance is a good break
for the gents.
Just some other dances I really like that you should consider: "Balance To My
Lou" by Becky Hill, it has a great petronella balance squence in it, and it
just has a partners swing. Other dance like "Chuck the Bungie" by Rick Mohr
and "You Can't Get There From Here" by Carol Ormand have great balance
squences... All I would recommend... Just one finally thought, I would not
end a dance with the "The Baby Rose", it is great and solid dance... but I
would recommend going out either with more of a bang... or something very
smooth... If you are looking for bag of course there is "Trip To Lamberville"
by Steve Zakon-Anderson, one of my all time favorites, and of course request
the band play "Rainy Night in Montague (the only song that should be played
with this dance) or perhaps something very smooth like "Comfort Deluxe" by
Rick Mohr...
Well, just some thoughts, a lot of thoughts actually... But good luck, I'm
sure you will knock then dead...
Sincerely,
Jeff Petrovitch
Jeffrey M. Petrovitch
jeffrey.m.petrovitch(a)usa.net
"Five nights of contra dancing... through 'top-notch' style and technique,
with the love and passion for the dance, the title above all others was
awarded. I am an 'Iron Dancer'." - J.M. Petrovitch