Re: [Callers] Crowded hall dances

Message: 3 Date: Sat, 26 Mar 2011 01:06:12 -0400 From: Paul Wilde <zenyente(a)gmail.com> To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> Subject: Re: [Callers] Quadrille Formation and ONS Message-ID: <AANLkTi=W=i+zOZLMv+oMM89kRoxnats4cwT_bBFZCEu2(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Most esteemed colleagues, I danced at Rehoboth tonight and a most unusual and wonderful thing happened. Lisa Greenleaf walked us through a dance, saw that we were too crowded and that some of the moves were going to be especially uncomfortable, and told us to talk among ourselves while she picked out another dance. I might add that this is a very popular dance, and 3 full lines are comfortable in the hall and 4 lines are definitely pushing the limit, especially if there are some dancers being a little over zealous or not watching their set spacing. We've probably all been in this situation at least once as dancers. This is the first time I can ever remember someone changing a dance because it was too crowded for that particular set of moves. Occasionally we, as callers, switch dances after a walkthrough because what we first had in mind might be looking a bit too challenging for the particular mix before us. But never can I remember a caller changing dances after a walkthrough because of space. Thank you Lisa. I would love to start a thread on this mostly overlooked (unless I missed something earlier on), but very dear to my heart, topic. Far too often have I been in a hall that was too tight for certain sequences, but it seems that maybe the caller came with a set program and wasn't willing to modify dance selections based on this most important criteria. Most dances are made up of a wide range of ages, and crowded halls where people are getting knocked around and bumped is uncomfortable, not all that much fun, and especially unfair to older dancers. My first suggestion would be to eliminate or highly restrict moves like a full hey in these situations. What I would like is for people to make suggestions of fun, flowing dances that are compact, especially in their width. I think having a "list" or some other organizing format, of these "compact dances" would greatly enhance our toolboxes. What do you think? This list is truly amazing. Thank you everyone. warmest regards, Paul ------------------------------ Message: 4 Date: Sat, 26 Mar 2011 09:49:04 -0500 From: Luke Donev <luke.donev(a)gmail.com> To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> Subject: Re: [Callers] Compact dances Message-ID: <AANLkTimCuraxuOrVwjmgWsYMtNqaqicrmXS-9osSvC+K(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 On Sat, Mar 26, 2011 at 12:06 AM, Paul Wilde <zenyente(a)gmail.com> wrote: Hi Paul, Good topic, thanks for starting it. I remember being at a crowded dance in Montpelier with Nils Fredland calling, and he did 4 face 4 dances. I was initially surprised, but it made good use of the space. By merging two sets laterally it eliminated the space that would normally be between those sets and made folks aware of 7 other dancers instead of 3 other dancers. I think it depends on the geometry of the hall, but 4 face 4 dances can be good, non-obvious, efficient use of space. Just something to add to that part of your tool-box. -- Luke Donev http://www.lukedonev.com Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com ------------------------------ Message: 5 Date: Sat, 26 Mar 2011 11:20:01 -0400 (EDT) From: barbara153(a)aol.com To: callers(a)sharedweight.net Subject: Re: [Callers] Quadrille Formation and ONS Message-ID: <8CDB9E068D51A3E-D00-23033(a)Webmail-m115.sysops.aol.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Paul Barbara G. here. I would be very interested in this list you are suggesting about compact dances. I have had the occasion, as I'm sure many of us had, to change up my program once I was in the hall and saw how crowded it was getting. I have stopped in the middle of a walkthrough, to the surprise of several seasoned callers in the room, and changed the dance. I didn't know this was a "no no" but also I feel you are doing what is best for the dancers. I did it without a lot of fuss or explanation and it worked fine.