1 Dec
2012
1 Dec
'12
6:27 p.m.
Jonathan,
Here are some more requirements for your list:
* It must not have a shadow swing. (Imagine having to swing every
time through with someone you didn't choose [shudder].)
* It must not have any gypsy figures. (Forced mock flirtation--yuck!)
* The ladies chain must be over and back. (All those one-way figures
in dances these days seem somehow incomplete.)
* It must not have any "over and back" figures. (Bo-o-o-oring.)
* It must not have a gents chain (too often danced awkwardly).
* It must have a same-sex swing.
* It must not have a same-sex swing.
* All the figures and transitions must be comfortably familiar.
* It must have at least one excitingly novel figure or transition.
* It must have a special tune that fits it like a glove.
* It must have lots of partner interaction, not just a (balance and)
swing.
* It must separate dancers from their partners and then reunite them
in a surprising (but comfortably familiar) way.
* It must not have out-of-minor-set actions that make for confusing
end effects.
* It must start in improper formation with "New neighbors balance
and swing".
* It must end in Becket formation with "Partners balance and swing".
[BTW, if we only get to pick three best/favorite dances, no two should
start or end the same way.]
* It must be the dance I dance with a superbly skilled partner (who
is also oblivious to any of my own imperfections).
* It must be the dance where my first-time-dancer partner's eyes
light up.
--Jim
On Nov 30, 2012, at 2:58 PM, Jonathan Sivier wrote:
...
So far this has been a list of favorites, and they have all been
great dances. However Michael asked for the name of the BEST DANCE
EVER WRITTEN, not our personal favorites. While I don't have a
candidate dance to put forward at this time, I do think I can list
some criteria which could be used to judge the dance. Here is my
list of requirements.
1. It must be smooth with great flow.
2. It must be bouncy and energetic with lots of balances.
3. It must have at least 3 swings (partner, neighbor and shadow).
4. It must have several gypsy figures.
5. It must be an equal dance.
6. It must give the actives a chance to shine, while the 2's
appreciate them.
7. It must have all the usual glossary figures; stars, circles,
allemandes, do-si-do's, etc.
8. It must have a ladies chain.
9. It must have a gents chain.
10. It must have contra corners.
11. It must have a hey.
12. It must have 4 Petronella balance and turn figures.
13. It must not require more than one walk-through, even for
absolute beginners with no experience at all.
14. The caller must be able to drop out after no more than 3 times
through the dance with no effect on the set.
15. It must work equally well with reels, jigs, hornpipes, slip
jigs, or any other tune the band decides to play, including crooked
tunes.
16. It must be traditional, with lots of historical significance.
17. It must be modern, with all the latest bells and whistles.
That's all I can think of at the moment. I'm sure others will
have additional requirements. As I say I can't think of one offhand
that fulfills these needs, but I look forward to dancing it at the
next dance I go to.
Jonathan
P.S. ;-)