Re: [Callers] Questioning a sacred cow of contra dancing

Luke said " Something with a 1st corners/2nd corners wasn't what I had in mind here (as if you accidentally swapped role post swing, you'd suddenly have to remember you were a different number)". Like Linda I always think of them as "right diagonals" and "left diagonals" - it's not who you are, but where you are. So it should work, but of course there are bound to be some confused people :-) Linda asked for the timing of: "A1/A2: Four Changes of Right & Left with Balances Forward & Back before each one - Start Right with Partner" Alan's response was spot on: Finding Your Balance (by John Sweeney) Contra; Becket (CW) A1: Right hand Balance Forward & Back with Partner (4) Pull by Partner, face Neighbour (4) Left hand Balance Forward & Back with Neighbour (4) Pull by Neighbour, face Partner (4) A2: Repeat A1 from these places, finishing at home B1: Balance the Ring; Men Cross Balance the Ring; Ladies Cross B2: Half Promenade Yearn on the Left Diagonal to New Neighbours (Single Progression) I use this dance with less experienced dancers when I want to do a dance later in the session which has normal Right & Left Changes. The Balance in this dance gives them more time to orientate themselves and get used to going round a four person Grand Chain (Grand Right & Left) without superfluous turns. I can get people to do a Grand Chain in a big circle, then a Grand Chain in a three-couple circle, but as soon as I reduce it to a two-couple circle some of them start turning the wrong way as they pull by. :-) Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent