On Mon, Sep 9, 2013 at 6:41 PM, Chris Page <chriscpage(a)gmail.com> wrote:
If you want to catch every figure ever done, I say
you're doomed.
Absolutely; but if people list moves I don't end up using, there's no
harm in that (and I'll get to learn some interesting new moves that
I've never seen in the process I hope).
But would do you think of the following moves:
Rockette-style
long-lines kicks, hip-bump checks, saying "Happy Birthday, Bob!", or
playing rock-paper-scissors?
I'm not familiar with the first, might include hip-bumps (which I've
seen once or twice), and probably won't include saying random things,
playing rock-paper-sicssors, etc. (for no reason in particular; this
isn't really a scientific or historical study of contra dance moves,
just me picking some out for inclusion in this package).
On the other hand, just because I might not use something doesn't mean
people shouldn't shout it out; I don't think I've ever seen a (contra)
dance where people play rock-paper-scissors; love it!
All of these have been inflicted on contra dances,
which can pretty
much take any grafted figure, whether it's ride-the-waves, ferris
wheel, or cuddle turn and dip.
I'll have to look up some of these too; thanks!
Figures can have multiple names (quick -- which state
isn't named
after the reverse-hand California Twirl), or the same name can apply
to different figures. (Tag the line, or gypsy star.) Composite figures
can have a name (like swing through), or a basic figure can have many
variations (like who ricochets in a queen-bee hey, or variations on a
square through).
I'm dealing with these sorts of things on a case-by-case basis. In
general things that are basically the same move (but in a different
direction, with different people, X times around, etc.) I just count
as one move. Where the same name applies to different figures, I'll
try to pick the most common one and note it in the documentation. Some
things people count as `moves' I simply count as flourishes (and
visa-versa), so it's not likely that everyone will agree with me on
all points (which is fine).
As a final thought, I leave you with "Troy
Lee's Bingo"
That's a great one; thanks! I'll add that to my cards (along with
copious notations so I remember what everything means).
—Sam
--
Sam Whited
pub 4096R/EC2C9934
https://samwhited.com/contact