Re: [Callers] Folk Festival - Easy Contra dances to teach Beginners

John already mentioned Family Contra, which is my favorite because the progression happens so easily, and it is so obvious that you are facing new people. In addition, it has no obvious differences in gender role - doesn’t matter who dances on which side, so great with piles of kids and parents dancing together, yet it teaches the progression concept. Next after that I like Ellen’s Green Jig by Roy Dommett. Though it has a swing for the 1s, it really doesn’t matter if people open up on the “wrong” side, as long as they face their neighbors, all is well. A1) Do-si-do neighbor Ones do-si-do A2) Ones balance and swing (sometimes I have them balance twice because swinging is not very comfortable for new people, and sometimes I just have them two hand turn after the balance(s). B1) Circle left with neighbors Circle right back to place (the only time I’ve seen this go wrong was when people circled so they ended up doing the next move sideways to the set) B2) Duck for the oyster/dig/Dive on through (all keep hands after circle - 1s take a little peek under an arch formed by 2s, then back up, 2s do the same through 1s, finally 1s pop through to a new couple) If a whole pile of new people show up at the start of a dance, having missed the walkthrough, this is my go to dance to get things started and then into the regular program. Martha