19 Feb
2018
19 Feb
'18
3:13 p.m.
Chuck,
I would encourage you to have plenty of easy to medium-easy dances
available, and avoid programming all complex dances.
Consider an easy dance done as a no-walk-through, or with minimal
walk-through, or with a focus on executing this one little timing thing
well so the whole crowd can have success with the dance. There is a reason
for it to be in the program, and a satisfaction with doing it well.
So, yes, pepper the dance with complexity, but don't make the whole recipe
taste like pepper.
Complexity can include: unusual formations, unusual figures, unusual music
(outside the 32-bar structure, for example), unusual interactions (shadows,
or same-sex swings).
Also, consider using dances with figures that are unusual but not difficult
(ex: circle right). This puts experienced dancers out of their pattern but
does not unduly strain them. (It also puts beginning dancers on even
footing with experienced dancers, when you use this technique for regular
dance evenings).
Good luck, I'm sure it'll be fun!
--Jerome
Jerome Grisanti
660-528-0858
http://www.jeromegrisanti.com
"Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power
and magic in it." --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
On Mon, Feb 19, 2018 at 10:38 AM, Charles via Callers <
callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hello list members,
I will be calling my first session of "Challenging Dances" soon, and I
have a few questions:
1. Is there an archived discussion on this topic that any one knows about,
and if so could someone point me to it?
2. If not, I'm wondering about other callers' experiences with these
dances - how "challenging" is generally appropriate? (Bear in mind this is
not Greenfield, Concord, or a similar dance series where it's safe to
assume most dancers will be very experienced/skilled). What sort of "arc"
has worked well for such sessions? I know the final program will be
determined by the level of those who actually show up to the dance, but
it'd be nice to start with a general frame of reference.
3. Any favorite challenging dances anyone has been having particular fun
with lately? (I have a good assortment but am always looking for new ones).
Thanks! Chuck
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