strathspey@strathspey.org:52601

Martin Sheffield

Choosing demo dances (Was: dances for 3 cpl sets?)

June 2, 2008, 7:36 p.m. (Message 52601)

Le 2 juin 08 à 17:28, James Mungall a écrit :

>  I'll second Wendy's suggestion of Flight of the Falcon.

For a public performance?
I'd say that reels of three are among the least readable/ 
understandable figures for the layman. And while a falcon reel well  
executed can be very elegant, I imagine that it must be even less  
clear for the average spectator.  Straight lines, circles, triangles  
are easy on the eye. Promenades, poussettes & allemandes should be  
worth watching. Turns (RH/LH or 2H) are fine. Reels, however,  
especially when not symmetrical, are a different matter. Just think  
how long it takes a beginner dancer to undersand the logic of a reel,  
in spite of regular practicing.  The spectator sees a reel once or  
twice and wonders what on earth we are doing.

Although it is not our main purpose in life, our club was asked to  
put on a little show the other day.
We did Shifting Bobbins and Postie's Jig, for their symmetry;
Wind on Loch, since the timing of the interlocked reels allows an  
in&out movement for the whole set, easier to understand than an  
ordinart reel;
Piper & Penguin, for a different formation, with understandable  
patterns;
Johnnie Walker, likewise, plus the change of tempo to wake up the  
audience;
St Martin's Cross, for straight lines symmetry and movement.
Midnight Toil, a 5-cp set (but works as a 3-cp), with the two active  
couples echoing each other (covering) .

Sorry, these are not what Monica originally asked for, but I think it  
is wise to consider which dances are worth watching and why.
I did not mention the real reason for choosing the above. Our dancers  
know them well enough to be relaxed and look as if they are enjoying  
the activity.  The non-specialist spectator does not care a damn  
whether our feet are pointing correctly or whether our hands are the  
correct height from the floor. But he can see whether we are enjoying  
ourselves or not, and that is what counts.

Martin