30 Oct
2025
30 Oct
'25
2:36 p.m.
Ang and others —
Great thread!
I also want to put my publication into the mix of resource possibilities:
“Join Up Hands: Dances for School and Community Groups”. It’s a book of longways,
circle, and square dances perfect for one-off gigs, family events, school dances, and
community dances. Also included are ample time-tested tips for working with these
populations. Available via CDSS bookstore or my website: www.newdayhoedown.com
<http://www.newdayhoedown.com/>
(Ang — I was going to contact you directly after I listened to your “From the Mic”
interview with Mary Wesley, thinking my resource might be of interest for this leg of your
dance calling work.)
Thanks, all.
sue
Sue Hulsether
New Day Hoedown LLC
www.suehulsether.com
newdayhoedown(a)icloud.com
shulsether(a)mac.com
608-632-1267 Cell
P.O. Box 363, Viroqua, WI 54665
On Oct 30, 2025, at 9:25 AM, Peter Foster via Contra
Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
There are a bunch of bush dances on my bush dance page at
http://pfoster.pcug.org.au/bushdanc/index.htm
<http://pfoster.pcug.org.au/bushdanc/index.htm>
They are from various sources and include some originals.
Here are some that have been well received.
Circle Mixers
Jubilee Jig
Grinding the Gears
Infinity
Summer Evening Waltz
Longways (whole set)
Boston Tea Party
Cheltenham Flyer
Digger’s Jig
The Sausage Machine (includes a figure that gives dancers a sense of accomplishment. Or
broken arms)
Simply Elegant (a waltz for 3 couples)
Snowball Jig
A Snowball's Chance (includes a snowball grand chain)
Tornado Alley
Trip to Gunsburg (could also be called "Don't Forget the Shortcut")
Squares
Clarissa’s Catch
The Four Sisters Square Dance
Lost In Space (includes a hey for 8)
Push and Shove
Other Formations
Borrowdale Exchange (scatter mixer)
Ninepenny Bit (gender free for 9 people)
My contra dance page also includes some circle mixers:
http://pfoster.pcug.org.au/dance/contra.htm
<http://pfoster.pcug.org.au/dance/contra.htm>
Lost and Found
Rang Tang Mixer (scatter mixer)
Peter
On 30/10/2025 11:57 am, Angela DeCarlis via Contra Callers wrote:
Hello everyone!
I've been starting a new dance series in Gainesville, Florida called the All
Y'all. The gist of the series is that each event features a variety of community
social dancing in an effort to attract experienced dancers who want to try new styles, as
well as dancers who are brand new to all of it.
At the first event we had barn dances, some very easy contra dances, a simple square
dance, some urban line dancing, and a demo performance from a local clogging group. It was
a great success, with around 75 folks attending, the majority of whom were beginners.
Here's a link if you want to check out some videos of the fun.
<https://www.instagram.com/p/DO1uvMGkbFm/?img_index=1>
Here's the ask: I need to expand my repertoire of beginner-friendly dances to include
more formations, and also different traditions! In particular, I want to add more English,
Scottish, etc ceilidh dances to my bank for my upcoming events. Simple squares and
anything else you adore is also welcome!
If you have one of two you love, please send them along. Please include what tradition
and/or country the dance originates from when appropriate! I'm not yet at a point
where I can request any special music — so like, some day I'd love to have balfolk and
all that goodness, but it won't happen soon. For now assume the musicians are playing
from the American Oldtime repertoire (including 3-part tunes!).
Thank you all in advance, especially those reading from across the pond. 🙂
Ang
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