Hi Don,
I think that the default definition now is that the pivot point is at the
joined hands, but diverse choreography means that it can be anywhere in order to achieve
the desired effect.
For example in Bob Isaacs’ March of the Triplets, the second pair of Gates
have to move sideways while rotating, to make room for another couple to fit in line
between the two Gates.
It is often worth clarifying who is doing the Gating and what the
destination is.
I agree that choreography interpretation can be a challenge. I have never
understood dances like Devil’s Dream and Beaux/Boys of Oakhill where the dance finishes
with a Right & Left Through, so that the couples are in line, but starts with a
completely different configuration. All the dancers have to move from lines into a new
position in zero time.
I strongly suspect that dances like this were originally Two Changes of
Rights & Lefts; the dancers could use the final Pull By Left to get to their new
position. The addition of the Courtesy Turn really messes the choreography up. Or maybe
it was just lousy choreography :-)
Happy dancing,
John
John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574
http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
From: Callers <callers-bounces(a)lists.sharedweight.net> On Behalf Of Don Veino via
Callers
Sent: 13 October 2018 22:53
To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Subject: Re: [Callers] Gate vs Hand Cast
Thanks for all the replies and details! I only have one of Larry's books, mine
(G&T if I recall correctly) has just a supplemental glossary.
I was stuck on the idea of a gate having a person serving as a post, now I understand the
definition has gone to a shared/equal move. Gate it is.
I don't have any examples at hand, but such a change in meaning/practice (around a
person - > around a pair's center) could impact the feeling of prior choreography.
I think I read something recently where an argument was being made that modern folks
approaching traditional material with current move interpretation may be causing them to
not flow as well as they did with contemporary interpretation, negatively coloring dancer
reception of the material.
-Don