On 12/26/2011 10:03 AM, holt.e(a)comcast.net wrote: I did a freshman orientation day dance for a few years at a nearby college and it usually worked well to use most of my usual ONS program. I used several of the wholeset dances such as Galopede and Cumberland Reel and some easy circle mixers (300 18 year olds in a giant circle). Near the end of the dance I was able to introduce a couple of easy contras with swings, but that would need to be decided based on how things go the rest of the evening. As a rule I limit the dances for these kinds of events to figures where the name of the figure pretty much describes how to do it. For example circles, stars, hand turns (left, right and two hand) and lines of various kinds. My impression is that groups of college kids like these learn things pretty fast and are plenty active, so you shouldn't have to simplify things very much. Jonathan ----- Jonathan Sivier Caller of Contra, English and Early American Dances jsivier AT illinois DOT edu Dance Page: http://www.sivier.me/dance_leader.html ----- Q: How many angels can dance on the head of a pin? A: It depends on what dance you call!

On 26/Dec/11 08:03, holt.e(a)comcast.net wrote: From the subject line it sounds like you have a handle on this. It sounds like a ONS dance, I'd treat it as such (ONS, Community dance, Barn dance, English Ceilidh). Hopes for the future (of individual dancers) notwithstanding, it stands on its own, is not part of a series, is likely to have few "experienced" dancers, etc. etc. etc. A blast is fun to have! I had three very large Tetris pieces show up at a fund-raiser ONS near All Hallows Eve. Was quite fun, "Two hand turn, or as close as you can." There was a space for the face to look out, and a bottle to look in, therefore all had at least one arm/hand available. Folks will come to future dances if they had fun, more so than if the pattern of the dances is the same. IOW there is no requirement to have a "Contra" (MUC def'n used) dance on the program for fun to be had or for folks to be encouraged to attend a MUC dance series later. I've trotted this essay out before, worth re-reading. Though it speaks more to setting up/running a dance series on campus there are some gems for a campus ONS dance leader. http://germantowncountrydancers.org/campus.html Don't forget a clapping dance, usually a hoot. (e.g. Patty Cake Polka, Green Stockings) Things that allow for maximum use of energy, or sound effects, are good. License to sashay down the hall, into/through other sets (with caution) is fun. Good natured safety comments work fine, "Be kind to yourself, partner, others." "Dancing is all fun and games until someone loses an eye." Handy if you can sing a snippet from Don Freed's "Being A Pirate" song. http://www.wtv-zone.com/phyrst/audio/nfld/10/pirate.htm I think progression is the potential enemy of a caller of a hall full of new dancers. Yes, one can deal with it, however likely best to take a fun, easy path, appropriate to the event. As well as circle, whole set, and mixers of different formations, I like simple Beckets. Try Wherries Circle Contra. If the crowd has succeeded with a Longways FAMAW like Jefferson & L. (Liberty, Lincoln) or Family Contra in The Castle give Midwest Folklore a try. Brains die during the event, so it's useful to recall having the program peak for challenging dances in a useful spot is a good idea, rather than at the end of the evening (Note to self -- Yes, mildly forgotten at a November dance). I've plucked fun stuff (inc. Wherries Circle, Witch's Reel, Borrowdale Exchange) from these, amongst other sites like Bob Archer's, Colin's, Seth's, The Round, sites: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/greenery/BarnDances/ http://www.ceilidhcalling.co.uk/home.php http://pfoster.pcug.org.au/bushdanc/index.htm some interesting mixers and chestnuts from: http://www.library.unh.edu/special/index.php/ralph-page-dance-legacy-weekend including Set A Crochet & Midwest Folklore. David Kaynor was on the Island recently and at his workshop had a similar dance to the first, a two cpl., "proper"ish one that avoided the need for a Lady's Chain. Nice. A great quote from Hugh Stewart, "If most dancers have next to no experience then you need dances that probably look boringly simple to you; if in doubt use even easier dances; people get more frustrated struggling with a dance that is too complicated for them then doing something they regard as dead easy." Near the foot of http://homepage.ntlworld.com/greenery/BarnDances/CallersCheckList.html Have fun. Report back if you'd like. Cheers, John/'JD' -- J.D. Erskine Victoria, BC Skype: island.dance Island Dance -- Folk & Country dance info for Vancouver Island Now at http://members.shaw.ca/island.dance please update links ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1416 / Virus Database: 2109/4107 - Release Date: 12/27/11