John already mentioned Family Contra, which is my favorite because the progression happens so easily, and it is so obvious that you are facing new people. In addition, it has no obvious differences in gender role - doesn’t matter who dances on which side, so great with piles of kids and parents dancing together, yet it teaches the progression concept.
Next after that I like Ellen’s Green Jig by Roy Dommett. Though it has a swing for the 1s, it really doesn’t matter if people open up on the “wrong” side, as long as they face their neighbors, all is well.
A1) Do-si-do neighbor
Ones do-si-do
A2) Ones balance and swing (sometimes I have them balance twice because swinging is not very comfortable for new people, and sometimes I just have them two hand turn after the balance(s).
B1) Circle left with neighbors
Circle right back to place (the only time I’ve seen this go wrong was when people circled so they ended up doing the next move sideways to the set)
B2) Duck for the oyster/dig/Dive on through (all keep hands after circle - 1s take a little peek under an arch formed by 2s, then back up, 2s do the same through 1s, finally 1s pop through to a new couple)
If a whole pile of new people show up at the start of a dance, having missed the walkthrough, this is my go to dance to get things started and then into the regular program.
Martha
Hello All,
I am calling a 2 hour Intro to Contra dance ....at an Ontario Canada Festival. ( more a music focus than a dance focus, at this festival)
I would appreciate hearing from you as to contra dances ( lws proper & Improper) that you have found successful with very novice dancers and why you think those dances work for beginners.(I love Larry Jennings definition of easy vs complicated )
I do plan on doing some non progressive lws as well as a both a circle and a Sicilian circle in the program mix , to get the concept of progression.
Thanks so much.
...
_______________________________________________
List Name: Callers mailing list
List Address:
Callers@lists.sharedweight.netArchives:
https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/