11 Apr
2013
11 Apr
'13
2:42 p.m.
In older contra dances, danced duple or triple proper, same-sex right-and-left-through
moves are common -- that is, a R and L through started from a position where two men are
facing two women. Through the folk process, we have largely abandoned that practice, and
either don't call those dances or call them much modified. There may be a number of
reasons for this, but I think likely part of it has been discomfort with the same-sex
interaction in that move. The folk process can take us in any number of directions….
"AFAIK it's a non-traditional element being added to a traditional folk
dance form. It's not well defined, so awkward. A caller could say that
#2's take the ladies position in the swing, but a caller at the next dance
could say the reverse... so still not well defined.
"As a caller, the job is to facilitate an enjoyable dance, not make a point
of deliberately poking people's stress buttons.
"As a traditional folk dance form, contra dancing is not static, but
evolution should come from the "folk," not self appointed social attitude
police.
``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Richard S. Hopkins
Tallahassee, FL
850-894-9212
850-544-7614 (cell)
hopkinsrs(a)comcast.net