[Callers] Dance length/dances per evening

[Amy Wimmer via Callers]

My mileage varies considerably in numbers of dances I get through in
an evening. The biggest factors are 1) number of beginners, 2)
chattiness/inattention of dancers, 3) flexibility of band, 4) length
of break.

I have tried to pay attention to specific couples and track them in a
dance, but ALWAYS get confused. Were they twos and now are ones? That
just doesn't work for me. Nor does counting iterations of a dance, for
the same reasons others have mentioned. I use a watch or clock and
even then I forget what time they started. I mostly go by feel.

I prepare 10-11 dances for a 2 1/2 hour dance (our regular dance),
usually getting 9-10 done, and 12-13 for a 3 hour dance, usually doing
at least 12. I have had to pull out more once in a while.

I have an oddity coming up: a band for which I am calling has asked to
take the lead on when to end the dances. I figure one evening of that
can't hurt, if it keeps the band happy. I will take notes. The leader
of this band has control issues and knows what's best for everyone.

Generally I plan for 15 minutes from start to start of each dance and
if I get in more, that's great.

-Amy



> On Apr 26, 2015, at 5:54 PM, Maia McCormick via Callers <callers at lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
> Just polling the masses here--how long do you generally run your dances (in times through the dance, time take, couples going up and back, etc.)? How many dances do you generally manage to fit into a 3-hour contra evening? I've heard different wisdom from different folks and am curious to add some more data points!
>
> Cheers,
> Maia
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