Re: Community and One Nighter dances: Book and CDSS article

Hi Karen For you, and many others, a repertoire of 30 - 40 suits your style. That’s the way your brain operates. For me, and many others, a repertoire of 300 suits our style. That’s the way my brain operates. Obviously, you are not afflicted (or blessed) with my “disorder" of ADD! I will admit, I generally stick to a repertoire of the same basic 6 to 10 dances at a community dance, and private party gig; and the same 5 to 8 dances at weddings, and the same 8 to 10 dances at family dance gigs. I totally enjoy seeing different (or the same) people doing Virginia Reel, Circassian Circle, Buffalo Gals, Spiral, or Zodiac for the thousands of times I lead them, but i also get in the mood to try something different. I love new (to me) dances, and whenever I learn a new one, I can’t wait to try it out on dancers! Sort of like the thousands of great fiddle tunes. My brain likes to go beyond the same 40 - 50 tunes that our Tuesday night jam session goes through. Maybe it’s my ADD, but I love to play a few hundred tunes. I say, let people have a big collection, and let them choose whether to stick to some favorites, or try something else. When I was into contra calling, I loved Zesty Contras with all those dances. I was like a “kid in a candy store” with that book! One direction I was thinking of going in this book was to list dances that are tried and true, and maybe use these 30 to 40 dances as a good core to have ready for any community or one nighter gigs. Paul Rosenberg Albany, NY www.homespun.biz 518-482-9255