Hi all,
Various topics.
CHAOS:
Although I appreciate being credited for that version of Chaos (one of my favorites for
family/community type dances) I don't consider it mine. I learned Chaos from Diane
Silver (caller from Asheville NC). Don't know whose it is. Diane gave me a few
variants - including N/P dsd in B2, P/N sw in B2 (making it a mixer) and I think over the
years I've added a few tweakings. It can also work fine w more than 2 cpl sets,
depending on how much chaos you want to invite. NB: Among 6th graders at a recent dance
residency it was voted "Best dance" of the ones they learned.
SNOWBALL:
Splendid dance. I've even done it w a mix of 5 and 6cpl sets (for ex, if there's
just one more cpl that wants to dance, and we can't get another 4 cpls for the extra
set, they just add onto a set.) I always do the AABBCC version of the dance (Thanks David
Millstone for teaching it to me!), and I just treat the 5/6 as one so I hardly have to
change my calling pattern, thus saving embarrassing miscues due to altering something I
know by heart (so both cpls gallop up center and back to place in the C1, then cpl 1
gallops down ctr to bottom of set and all swing P for the C2.) I'll run it til at
least everyone has a chance to be cpl 1 once. If the band doesn't know a 3 part tune,
it works for me to use regular AABB tunes. If it won't be coming out even at the end,
and the band isn't up to an A2 ending, then I just add in a tag at the end to fill up
the B1B2 Something like EVERYONE allem R, L, EVERYONE LLF&B, and EVERYBODY sw one last
time.
FORMING SQUARES:
Cool hint from Michael B. Can't wait to try that technique, since facilitating
forming of squares at Comm/Family/School dances for me is always a bit of a hands-on and
time-consuming process, whereas circles is nearly always quick & efficient.
NEW REPERTOIRE:
More interesting dances to add to the box! Thanks all!
Great thing about new/inexperienced dancers is they are usually happy to do anything.
Great thing about this list is the useful ideas and positive reinforcement.
Chrissy Fowler
Belfast ME
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