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

[bjarvis.livejournal.com]

I find myself worrying more about accidentally editorializing too much. For example, we taught them "do paso" last week. While we showed them how it goes and drilled it to ensure it was being done right, I also made mention that of all the calls in the Mainstream list, this is one of the least frequently used, so infrequently in fact that it's sometimes a fast way to crash an experienced A2 square. When we later did "right & left thru" and "star thru," however, I emphasized that these calls come up constantly & frequently so they'd better have these ones down flawlessly.

I think I'm doing the right thing by helping guide their focus and giving a bigger picture of the modern square dance program, but I wonder sometimes if I'm simply instilling my own biases rather than giving useful advice.

I do spend a lot of time double-checking the definitions to be absolutely sure my understanding of the calls matches the official CALLERLAB version, and have been surprised with some discrepancies. Where there's a variance between our area's customs and the official description, I'll go with the CALLERLAB version first with appropriate disclaimers. If it seems appropriate, I'll toss in our local flavour towards the end of the evening or make a note to explain it more fully in a later class.