If people have more ideas about very easy dances for small numbers, please keep sending them. I don't mean to "unask" JoLaine's original question or derail discussion of it. But I have a different line of questioning (as reflected in the changed subject line above) that also seems worth pursuing. And since the dance JoLaine's talking about is only a few days away, I don't want to hold off on asking. For JoLaine: What have you and/or the band and/or the organizers of this proposed dance series been doing to try to ensure that there will be many more than 5 or 6 people at this dance? For everyone: What do you recommend they do between now an Friday? --Jim On Mar 27, 2012, at 10:24 AM, JoLaine Jones-Pokorney wrote:

If you have a crowd that's expecting contra dances, how well is something like a goofy three-around-three one-night-stand dance going to go over? (That sounds like a leading question, but I'm really asking it. I know a million small-set bouncy/skippy one-night-stand dances, but I didn't even think about those when I faced my teeny crowd a couple of weeks ago, because I didn't think they'd read like contra-dancing and because I'm primarily identified as an English caller, I worry about seeming to take things too far afield.) ------------------------------------------------------- A favorite of mine for ONS situations (five couples): UP THE SIDES AND DOWN THE MIDDLE (CDM, own tune or any bright jig) [_Serpentiner_ is very, very nice with this.] Long set for four to six couples. A1: Step-swing balance in lines twice; cross over with polka step. A2: Repeat to places B1: (Reel time) 1s down the middle (walking, 8 bars) while 2s lead a single cast (polka step) down, then up through the 1s moving arch. B2: Swing partners. (Repeat until 1s at top again). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Falling Masonry Easy, ceilidh 4-couple longways; 32-bar jigs. A1: Hands in lines, forward and back, drop hands, cross over, stay facing out. (Variants possible here with arching). A2: Hands in lines, backward into the set (touching glutes optional), forward, drop hands, cross backward (same shoulder) into original lines. B1: "Falling Masonry" figure (like a collapsing chimney): Tops gallop down while everyone else moves up (important); new tops the same, until all four have galloped down. (A new couple starts every two bars). B2: 1s to the bottom again, others move up, all swing when you arrive in progressed place. (From Jonathan Coxhead's calling and my memory.) Fun, easy dance. ----------------------------------------------- JANUARY JIG (Got it from Jonathan Coxhead - Easy, Ceilidh) three-couple longways. 1x= 3x32 bar jigs. ("Fair Jenny's Jig" rocks with this dance) A1:1-4: M1 sets to W2, W3, W2, W3 5-8: Those three circle left and right; M1 finishes at home A2: -- The same led by W1 with M2 and M3. B1: 1-4: 1s gallop down 5-8: 1s gallop back B2: 1s cast off to bottom place (skipping?), swing when they get there WHILE 2s and 3s right hand star, left hands back, all four drifting up to top place. ----------------------------- Leaving of Liverpool (3 couple LW - 4/4 G - but you can do it with four couples) Written by David Carpenter A1 Lines F&B Gate middles up A2 Lines F&B Gate middles down B1 Slip L; Slip R B2 Top couple cross, go below 2's, cross again, go outside below 3's (and others move up) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- These are just fine for dancers with no particular expectations. If they're expecting swings, contra dance, or complete symmetry, then not so much. -- Alan -- =============================================================================== Alan Winston --- WINSTON(a)SSRL.SLAC.STANFORD.EDU Disclaimer: I speak only for myself, not SLAC or SSRL Phone: 650/926-3056 Paper mail to: SSRL -- SLAC BIN 99, 2575 Sand Hill Rd, Menlo Park CA 94025 ===============================================================================

Here's one. Six Hand Reel. The version I know goes Circle of six, gents to left of their partners. A1 Circle left and right A2 Hands across right hand star then left hand star B1 Couple whose hands are joined lowest, gent pulls (new) partner under and through for a swing, then middles, then top B2 Promenade the circle I gave it in standard contra phrases, but you might choose to do it unphrased with new dancers. Richard On Mar 27, 2012, at 1:24 PM, JoLaine Jones-Pokorney wrote: