Re: [Callers] dance floor capacity - Contra Callers

17 Jun 2010

I agree with David. My worst calling experience (quite a long time ago) was when I tried
to call a contra dance at a wedding. It was not a good choice for me to make. The top
couple was drunk, no one had ever done a contra dance before, and it was an unmitigated
disaster. Unless it is a contra dance crowd (which it sounds like Joy will not have), I
would do the easy, fun dances that David sugests. Many of those types of dances can be
done in individual couples, 2-couple sets, circles, or simple longways sets that can
accommodate a lot of people.

I also agree with Richard in that the edges of the dance floor can be dangerous. In
addition, if people are dancing on or near grass, I would advise anyone with high heels to
be quite careful (or take them off).

Another thought about small dance floors is that the people who want to dance will get up
first, and when the dance floor is full, the others who are less interested often just
stay put, so overcrowding might not happen. Of course, we would love to have everyone get
up and dance, but that probably can't happen with a too-small dance floor.

Suzanne Girardot

-----Original Message-----
...
 From: David Millstone
&lt;David.Millstone(a)VALLEY.NET&gt;
Sent: Jun 17, 2010 12:28 PM
To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
Subject: Re: [Callers] dance floor capacity

My aim at such outdoor events is to have as many people participate as possible,
regardless of the size of the dance floor. In fact, if it's a party of 150-200
people, and it's going to be under a large tent, I encourage the wedding couple
not to get a dance floor if ours is the only dancing. Participants at such
events don't do a buzz step swing; they'll be just as happy to walk/hop around
their partner with an elbow swing. I'll call simple dances-- rarely any that are
actual contras in lines-- that allow maximum participation with minimum
instruction. Having the dance floor in the center can send the wrong message
that this is only for the few people who can squeeze onto that space.

And if that decision has already been made and there's a floor there, then
simple longways dances (such as Galopede) can and do extend off the floor
allowing many more to participate. A Sicilian circle such as Haste to the
Wedding can go all around the open space in the tent, crossing over the official
dance floor as needed but not limited to that space.

David Millstone
Lebanon, NH
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