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@gmail.com [trad-dance-callers] 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


On Mon, May 7, 2018 at 10:26 PM, Ridge Kennedy srk3nn3dy@gmail.com [trad-dance-callers] <trad-dance-callers@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]

When you stumble, make it part of the dance.