I might be a bit different than most of the replies to your question. For a regular contra dance, I usually set up a program on that day or one day prior. Sometimes in the car enroute to the dance (if someone else is driving). I may be thinking of dances that I'd like to call during the previous week or two, but I actually put things on paper (or lay out cards) within 48 hours of the actual event, usually within 12 hours . Frankly, I don't want to get my head into an ownership mindset that would result if I invest so much in the program. My approach leaves much to flexibility and nimbleness. Of course, for some slots I'll have 2 or 3 dances listed on the paper -- depends on the dancers/music/heat in the room/etc -- and then make those choices on-the-fly while calling the previous one or two dances. Always watching the dancers and listening to the music.

Of course, everything can change in an evening, depending on so many things. Dances, dance sequence, tempos, musical requests to the band, musician preferences of the musicians and their skills for communication, etc. I also have a couple of back-pocket dances for just-in-case situations. I also have a couple of dances that I could call as No-Walk-Throughs, depending on the timing of the program and many other on-the-spot judgements. In the end, I think it's all about the dancers -- I want them and the musicians to have a very fun time.

Sometimes I like to have a small table at the back/side of the stage where I can lay out a few other cards that are not in my program. These I can see quickly and possibly use them if necessary. Again, the judgements are made on the fly.

Community dances (like barn dances, Grange dances, square dances, etc.) are different. I rarely do any preparation. I bring my cards, talk to the organizers, watch the crowd, listen to the music, and choose dances on the fly. Again, always watching the crowd.

And hot-house gigs like NEFFA, Northwest Folklife, the Portland Roadhouse, etc. are again different. Those are highly-organized programs well in advance, but they are also short (slots of 50-90 minutes). I'll think of dances weeks in advance, work up a program two weeks in advance, send it to the band, and then coordinate with them intensively. These gigs are kind of like Las Vegas Shows, and IMO they require careful preparation. Only rarely do they include on-the-fly changes.

Woody

---

I am curious how much time you all plan programming a dance before arriving at a venue.  If you do not preprogram, what is your approach for on the fly programming?

Rich Sbardella

Stafford, CT