Re: [Callers] Gender role switching and 64-bar dances

64-bar and 48-bar dances are problematic because of the piece count. I agree that piece count becomes a real issue. The limited playing around I've done with things like 48 bar dances have things like heys where folks are on autopilot for one move through a phrase of the dance. I think it also requires more attention to avoid repeating moves. If there were three circle lefts in a 64 bar dance (how many 32 bar dances have 2?), I think each one adds a moment of possible confusion as folks have to remember what happens after the current circle. Alternating Corners, while a fun dance, requires folks to remember a piece of information for halfway through the dance (i.e. who went last). It's like the second time coming out of a circle left and having to remember where you're at. I think a caller would have more luck dropping out on a 64 bar dance if the first and second half didn't share a bunch of the same moves. I'm curious what folks feel the effect of having a couple be inactive is on the total memory of the dancers? I'm talking about scenarios like chorus jig where one couple goes down and back twice while the other couple stands there. An argument could be made that folks pausing get less tired, stay fresher, and help the dancers remember the dance. My opinion is that the inactives are more likely to zone out and need to be brought back in by the actives. Its nice in Chorus Jig if the 2s remembered to slide up the hall, but I find the 2s often have trouble just remembering which 1s to cast. I'd advocate for 64 bar dances to keep everyone moving, and not have a lot of time where some folks are waiting for other folks to do a move. -- Luke Donev http://www.lukedonev.com Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com