[Callers] Warm weather dancing

[Michael Barraclough via Callers]

You could use triplets - they only need to run 9x (or even 6x) through.

Woody's suggestion about using waltzes is good. You could also try some
English Country Dances in waltz time which use the Sicilian circle
formation. These will avoid those who don't do couples dancing feeling
left out. There are also some contras in waltz time.

-- 
Michael Barraclough
michael at michaelbarraclough.com
www.michaelbarraclough.com



-----Original Message-----
From: Lindsey Dono via Callers <callers at lists.sharedweight.net>
Reply-to: Lindsey Dono <lynzimd at yahoo.com>
To: Callers List <callers at lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Callers] Warm weather dancing
Date: Thu, 2 Jun 2016 19:31:55 +0000 (UTC)

Hi Callers,
 
I’m booked to call a dance this Saturday; the temperature is predicted
to be 98F. This is an unusually high temperature for the area and time
of year- this organization does not hold summer dances.
 
I’ve emailed the organizers asking for their thoughts/contingency plans.
My first priority is keeping the dancers safe. 
 
While I’m waiting to hear back from them, I’m brainstorming ideas for
how to make a hot weather dance a safe and fun experience (presuming it
isn’t cancelled due to heat). 
 
Here’s what I’ve come up with generally:
-Remind dancers to take time to hydrate/change shirts etc rather than
rushing to maximize the number of dances called.
-Offer ice/popsicles at the break.
 
And specifically as a caller:
-Run dances shorter.
-Moderate band tempo
-Select dances where ladies/gents/ones/twos/first corners/second corners
get “solos.” The hall tends to consist of two long lines, so I imagine
that I might want to make shorter lines if I call something uneven.
-Avoid butterfly whirls
-Walk all dances, but avoid unnecessarily long walk-throughs.
 
Other thoughts? Are there figures that tend to take less energy? I’m
imaging that sequential balances are less tiring than full heys, but I’m
not certain of this. 
 
Also, suggestions for interesting dances with more recovery time? 
A dance that comes to mind is Tecumseh (Dylan Bustin).
 
Thanks!
Lindsey

(Tacoma, WA)
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