Hi
I run a group every Monday morning between 10 and 12 where the 30 or so dancers who attend are all over 60 with several approaching 80 (including my wife and I).  We use many ECD dances from Playford to many of the modern dance composers (both European and American) as well as many from social dance publication..  We don't do contra but trad squares are included.  There's some leeway in how we dance but it's always in phrase with the music.  The major concession is to change set and turn single to set R & L moving forward and then fall back in four steps.

We attract experienced dancers as well as absolute beginners and have several who have health issues.  The general approach is "if you can walk, you can do it!" We've been going now for 14 years and I can see no reason why we should ever stop.

Barrie Bullimore (UK)

On Wed, May 9, 2018 at 2:25 PM, Tom Hinds twhinds@earthlink.net [trad-dance-callers] <trad-dance-callers@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
 

Annette's email reminded me of something I'd like to mention.   I would think carefully about weather to have a last waltz or not.

Long ago I called evening for seniors and at the end was chewed out by the organizer for having a last waltz.  Since most of those attending had lost their partner, having a last waltz reminded them of that losss.


On May 8, 2018, at 4:23 PM, Annette Kirk akirk200@yahoo.com [trad-dance-callers] <trad-dance-callers@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

My experience is that women outnumber men at senior events so I avoid partner dances with male-female roles.  The ladies will take the man's role, but I think it's better if they are equals.  Here are 2 of my Go-To gender-free dances:

Rick's Mixer -- a partner dance has only elbow swings and hand claps
Solomon Levi Square - gender-less, and you can do singing calls if want. Dancers can sing on chorus. Originally tune of same name, tho' it works well with Nelly Bly or Golden Slippers, surely other tunes.


Annette Kirk
Northport NY 11768


On Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 1:56:40 PM EDT, 'Linda S. Mrosko' elmerosko@gmail.com [trad-dance-callers] <trad-dance-callers@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


 

A circle waltz or two is always nice between active dances to catch your breath.

I like Circle Waltz Mixer.  I think it's by Peter Amidon...  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivg4OsR3OeI

    Bal F&B - Roll Away 4x
    4th time, take both hands w/new P & step in & out, release hold & twirl (ML/WR) 1x around
    Join hands again & step out & in & twirl again (MR/WL) 1x round
    2-hand turn this P 1-2x round & open like a book

Or Spanish Waltz.  Always a good dance.
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