21 Dec
2006
21 Dec
'06
12:01 p.m.
Thanks so much to Lisa and Seth for their ideas. I really appreciate having
different options to suggest to organizers.
Lisa's idea is interesting to me because it incorporates all of the pieces
that I've come across in the past, but in combination. I like the idea of
the combo and launching directly from one thing to the next. I get the
coordination needed with the band regarding tunes, but I'd be more concerned
about whether I could get people back to their original partner using a
mixer like Lucky Seven. And if you typically have 3 concentric circles at
Scout House, how the heck do you manage to get everyone back to their
original partner ? Do all the circles have the same number of people in
them, or is there some trick to get people back to their partners ?? Or, do
you just give up and tell everyone to find their original partners ???
Seth, I can definitely see a 12 bar bluesy mixer with a kiss incorporated
working in the south !! I'll have to get to one of the Atlanta dances
sometime soon. I'd probably suggest a hug instead of a kiss, depending on
the community. I had to chuckle when I read your comment about Florida
Rhapsody and the fire sculpture. A little story. My youngest sister was
WOOF-ing (World Organization of Organic Farmers) 2 years ago in Belgium on
NYE. At the farm, they had a tradition of making a huge bon fire, writing
down a list of things they wanted to leave behind, walking a spiral
meditative walk up to the bon fire at midnight, throwing the list into the
fire, and then having a party to start the year anew. It was particularly
poignant for my sister who had recently lost her husband, to whom she'd only
been married a short time, to cancer. I LOVED that idea. I love the idea of
letting go of things at the end of a year, as opposed to making resolutions
and the vague disappointment I feel when I don't always keep them. Anyway,
last NYE, I was calling in Lansing MI. 2005 was not a good year for me on
many levels and I had a *long* list of things I wanted to leave behind. But
I couldn't make a bon fire at the dance. It's very close to the state
capital buildings ! After the dance, a bunch of us went back to Bonnie and
Hanno's (the wonderful organizers) house, where I was also staying. And
after some wine and chocolate, I went out on their front lawn with my list
and a pack of matches and had a tiny bon fire of my own ! I stayed far
enough away from the house to make sure that there were no accidental
fireworks. Though I do love professional fireworks, I didn't want to
accidentally light up their house ! I'll definitely have to get myself to
Florida Rhapsody !!
And thanks Cynthia for your comment too. I've called in Belfast and I
wouldn't hesitate to try the mixer idea, whether its' 3 Couple or Kentucky,
there. I think the northern Maine dancers would really get into it :-)
As it happens, when I was booked for the event (quite a while ago, and not
top of mind), the organizer and I talked briefly about potential midnight
scenarios. Since I just emailed them again asking some more specific
questions about the dance community in order to plan a program and mentioned
the mixer idea, they told me what they've been doing for the last 4-5 years
and want to stick with that. And so, I will go with their wishes and
thought I'd mention it to everyone as yet another NYE option.
They've asked that I end the contra dance in progress at 11:55-ish and ask
everyone to get into groups of 12-16 people. They feel that will allow the
couples to be together but in a larger group to accommodate everyone. They
bring out cups and bottles of sparkling cider and juice to each group.
Everyone fills cups and count down to midnight and Happy New Year. After a
couple of minutes, the band plays a waltz and there is time for the 1st
contra of the new year before the evening is done.
I'll have to figure where to have my little bonfire this year. Although,
2006 was a really good year so there's not much I want to leave behind. The
list will be short. Thanks all. And again, best wishes for the holiday and
the new year.
Bev
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The Witful Turnip wturnip(a)sympatico.ca
"I'm 40-fucking-5, and I've got nothing to hide !"
- Samantha Jones (Sex in the City)
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