Re: [Callers] Grand Marches and ONS

Here are a few things that I do with a grand march. It works well with ONS dances, but I often do it somewhere in the middle, maybe after a break, if there is one. I usually start the dance with simpler couple and circle dances where I can review some basic formations (some of forward and back, circle, dos-a-dos, R&L over, ladies chain, etc), without the dancers also needing to remember to stay in line, who was active, and which way to progress. This is a good break from the slightly more complex dances and always well liked. 1. I start in a big circle, which either I join to lead, or I have seeded with someone who knows all or most of the routine. 1. Circle left and right. 2. Then I or the seed breaks the circle and leads the line in various directions around the room. 2. When hands are held in a line like this we can do a spiral in, until the spiral is so tight you can't go any further. Then the leader makes a very tight U turn and spirals back out. (Be careful of those who have difficulty with their balance here..) 3. Then the line, hands still held, leads around the room until the seed, or I, am in the rear of the room in the center.. Before this point I have called out "drop hands, march single file". From the rear, we march toward the band in single file. 4. At this point I either drop out and turn around, or am already facing the line approaching me. Now I point and call out "left, right," etc., as you remember. 5. Now I say "go back to the rear and take hands 2 X 2 with your partner." (Careful here if the original circle was created from individuals and not partners) 6. At this point you can (optionally) lead the couples in line around the room and do different varieties of arches and bridges. - first couple arches, second goes under and makes an arch, third goes under 2 arches and makes an arch, etc. Then when all have passed under the arches/bridge, the first couple follows under the bridge. Be careful to let them know they should not continue the bridge, or it will go on forever. There are a number of other possibilities here, such as an over and under line where each couple goes under the first couple, but then makes an arch to go over the second and continues under and over down the line. 7. Again, lead the line of couple around the room, to end at the rear, center, where now the couple head again up the center toward the band. Again I face the line and point and call "Left, right" to go around the oudside of the room and back that magic point in the middle of the rear. 8. Now take hands in lines of 4 and again come up the hall. At the front, again alternate lines go down the outside to the rear and take hands 8 in line.This line proceeds up the center to the front. I may or may not proceed to lines of 16, depending on the hall and number of people. 9. At this point, when the lines again approach the front, I raise my hands for them to stop and let the band finish the last time through the tune. Then I end by introducing the band and ask for a big hand for the band. I'm pretty flexible with this and I vary it every time I do it. I chose the parts that will fit the time, desired dance length, crowd, and hall. There are certainly other formations that could be included, as well. With posts, you may need to keep lines short, or tell people to drop hands where necessary to pass the posts. Rich. Rickey remarked on 10/15/2006 9:53 PM: