Hi Alex,

              I believe that, during the calling, saying which side of the room the key dancer is on is a much easier way than making people remember artificial numbers.

              But, yes, for writing the directions down, then Left File and Right File is probably the best, where  Left File, in longways sets, is those with their left shoulder nearer the top/music.

              If you normally always call CW Becket dances, then it may be worth considering announcing before the walk-through that it is a CCW progression (or maybe not, they usually aren’t listening yet!).  Or just before the progression emphasise the direction.

            Happy dancing,

                   John                      

John Sweeney, Dancer, England   john@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574

http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

From: Alexandra Deis-Lauby <adeislauby@gmail.com>
Sent: 29 May 2025 15:42
To: John Sweeney <john@modernjive.com>
Cc: Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: Re: [Callers] Re: Looking for input on this dance I wrote

John, the question at the moment is how to define them for dance writing purposes.  In her original dance, there is “Lark 1“ referenced. If you don’t define which side lark one starts on you get two very different dances. 

In my mind, the 1s are defined as the right-file couple because they used to be the ones facing down the hall in improper formation assuming everyone moves one place to the left around the circle instead of right. 

I would argue that the dancers know it too. When I call a becket dance that progresses backwards and don’t tell them, invariably someone waves their arms and hollers from the floor that it’s broken and they progressed the wrong direction.

Alex

Sent from my iPhone

On May 29, 2025, at 6:59 AM, John Sweeney via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

HI Katherine,

              Numbers in Becket formation are not defined.  Some callers may number them, I have never seen a reason to.  The progression is normally just clockwise or counter-clockwise.  Just tell the dancers which way to look (left or right diagonal) when they are progressing.

              If you need to identify someone then I would point to one side of the hall (or give it a name) and tell the person on that side what to do.  If you give them numbers then the numbers will change when they are out at the top or the bottom.  But that side of the hall is always that side of the hall.

              Flirtation Reel is a great dance, but does have a Swing.

            Happy dancing,

                   John                      

John Sweeney, Dancer, England   john@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574

http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

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