Mainstream square dance class #3

[bjarvis]

Class #3 last night went very well, much like the prior classes.

The new dancers continue to absorb everything they're given like a sponge. I was afraid kent4str and I would still be brain-dead from this past weekend's C1 sessions but we were actually in reasonable form overall.

This class, we covered:

• lead right/left
  
• bend the line
  
• partner trade
  
• grand square
  
• star thru
  
• walk around the corner/see saw
  

Now that they're comfortable with the dance space and each other, we're making the breaks between tips closer to five minutes in length rather than ten. I think we're far enough along to implement singing calls next week although we may push it one more week.

The new dancers voted and have opted for a class on Columbus Day next Monday so we can't attend justetthon's C1 club night but we'll find another window some time in future.

Comments

[billeyler.livejournal.com]

Snookums, if you're not doing singing calls from night 1, I don't know if I'll respect you in the morning.

[bjarvis.livejournal.com]

I'm inclined to show them something novel & new each of the first several classes rather than blowing it all at them in a single session. We've shown them squared sets, stars and 8CT positions; this week, they got lines (facing in & facing out). Shortly, they'll get thars, waves, completed DPT, 1/4 & 3/4 tag positions and so on. Next week, they'll probably get singing calls. Later in the series, they'll get periodic 60 second public service announcements about fly-ins, conventions, the IAGSDC, the GCA and WASCA (our local square dance club umbrella organization). I'm also thinking about scheduling a guest caller in a month or so to give those who can't get to Thursday club nights a chance to dance to someone completely new.

I'm comfortable with our pacing currently, and we're soliciting feedback during every break. When it's all over, we'll also be distributing surveys to the new dancers & angels to get their feedback. We can ask if they'd prefer the singers earlier or later, among other things.