guess i didn't ask that question very well. as a caller and musician, i "program" dances in a similar manner. because there was a time not too long ago when i was calling over 100 dances a year, i came up with different scheme to help me keep track of what i was doing. i set up a grid that reflected programming on one axis and difficulty of dances on the other. for example, programming for the first half is something like this: 1. easy straight-forward dance with well-phrased music 2. same again, to reinforce 3. add another figure, change mood to something more lively and energizing. 4. add another figure, change mood to smooth and "sexy" 5. hardest dance of half, "interesting" music 6. easy dance so beginners that leave at break go out feeling good, big showoff piece for band the musical version of that is: 1. music that's easy to listen and find the beat. stuff like round the horn, march of st tim. what else can i do to improve the dance? maybe the first set should be something familiar (i like arkansas traveler/redwing) to make a large group of beginners feel like something is familiar. nothing with fancy syncopation (ie caribou reel) or As and Bs that sound alike (some oldtimey tunes). right now, the dance is ALL about the beginners. 2. as above 3. take the energy up a little - growling old man, tuba city truckstop, caleche creek, beth cohen's, stuff like that. all rhythm, no melody - just energy. 4. sleazy jigs or jig to smooth reel - wild one, indian point, lots of good irish jigs, nice melody. CONTRAST from last set. 5. something fun - dedicado a jos, ronde de voyageurs, trip to sofia - lots of good french-canadian stuff for this, or . or something jazzy, or using different instrumentation - again, a CONTRAST for the last set. 6. this is the only dance i ever talk to the caller about, and it's usually just to tell them that we have a big number to end the set - do you do an easy dance?? i just ask nicely and trust them to do the right thing. for each of these categories, i then choose dances or tunes that i think "fit". for dances, i usually have three or four dances for each category, depending on the skill level of the dancers that evening, and maybe two sets. and of course, every dance is different, so things can change - but i think this approach leaves me ready for almost anything. SO...what do you think about when choosing tunes to play at a dance? barb