Re: Dances for Elderly Dancers

Ridge and all, Certain groups are comfortable with their own timing at any age.  Community dance is a social dance.  It's not a performance or a re-creation.It belongs to those on the floor.  Patricia Campbell's - main thing remark - is well taken.  Dudley Laufman has reiterated this point in these discussion groups.  I was at a Dudley dance Saturday night.  It's a community dance held monthly.  Folks drift in from 7 till 7:45 or so, and it can end early, some time after 9, or go till 10pm.  It's not large.  Saturday's dancers were younger but "never done this before" types to seniors to a core of regulars.  There was good music, there was rhythm and cadence in the caller's voice.  There was NOT the strictest phrasing - nor even in the couple of singing calls.  The dancers were still there at 10:00pm Bob Livingston Middletown, CT On Monday, May 7, 2018, 10:57:33 PM EDT, Patricia Campbell countrydancecaller(a)gmail.com [trad-dance-callers] <trad-dance-callers(a)yahoogroups.com> wrote:   Hi Ridge, The main thing I'd suggest is to not worry about going over a phrase of music -  Fail-safe ones that I've used: Any La Bastringue-type dance - with do-si-do and either short or no swing and then promenade - lots of built-in time to finish a figure. Visiting couple square dance - again - forget staying on the phrase - great when it happens/fine when it doesn't. Circassion Circle Virginia Reel (tell them they can walk, they don't have to sashay if it's not safe for them); reeling the set it optional (you can demonstrate and see if any want to try it). Email me if you'd like a few more that I've used at senior centers. Patricia Patricia Campbell, Dance Caller p ​atricia(a)countrydancecaller.com On Mon, May 7, 2018 at 10:26 PM, Ridge Kennedy srk3nn3dy(a)gmail.com [trad-dance-callers] <trad-dance-callers(a)yahoogroups.com> wrote:   Dear All, I'm doing a dance for folks in a retirement community.  I'd appreciate any thoughts about the "bulletproof" dances you use for an older and I suspect slower group.  Please share. Sincerely, Ridge -- Ridge Kennedy [Exit 145]www.ridgekennedy.com When you stumble, make it part of the dance.