strathspey@strathspey.org:1325

R Julian Cattaneo

Re: Briefings at Balls

March 16, 1995, 7:08 p.m. (Message 1325)

I did some SCD many years ago at Caledonian Balls in Argentina and 
Uruguay.  There were no briefings.  But then, the same eight dances were 
done, year after year; people formed their sets before coming to the 
ball, and practiced beforehand.  So briefings weren't needed.
 So I was a bit surprised when I started SCD in Canada three years and a 
bit ago to learn about briefings.  (But then, I was also absolutely 
astounded at how *many* different dances there were!!) I like briefings.  
 In Windsor, for our Annual Ball, full (printed) briefs are mailed out
with the tickets (the programme/briefs booklets *are* the tickets!), so
all have a chance to prepare the dances in advance.  Some of us use the
wee green book as well.  But the briefs serve to concentrate the mind;
confirm with partner and other set members what the dance is all about;
and it is neater than the huddles some others have described on this
List... 
 (I agree that a bad brief is worse than no brief at all!... )

Happy dancing
					J
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    R Julian Cattaneo                                      xxx@xxxxxxxx.xx
    University of Windsor    --   Windsor, Ontario   --   Canada   N9B 3P4
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