During this small (very small) lull in the calling action I had an opportunity to try something I'd been wanting to try. Two things, in fact. I know you're not supposed to choose dances by their names, but it's hard to resist calling one actually named for one of your children. And I couldn't pass up the chance to learn one with my other child's name, too. Luckily, they're both good dances, if a tad difficult.
The first was "Where's Alex?", written by Michael Furst at a Breaking Up Thanksgiving weekend when the eponymous lad was not yet even a teenager. I've danced it only twice - that night, and once in LA when Lisa Greenleaf called it. Otherwise, it's so fiendishly difficult to call that it's just Not Done. It's not really hard to dance, exactly, because it flows well. It's just hard to keep your bearings. There is a half hey which you do with current neighbors, then a half hey you do with your next neighbors, then a gypsy you do with a third neighbor, only to return to swing your second neighbor. If everyone knows which direction they're going, the moves are not all that difficult, but that is asking a lot, and the end effects are tough. I still don't have them figured out. I think you're supposed to stay where you are, but...Anyway, we did actually successfully dance it for a while last night - kudos to the dancers!
The other is Colin Hume's lovely dance "Elizabeth", done to the lovely tune by Colin Hume also called "Elizabeth". There, as in "Where's Alex?" the difficulties are all in the second half. In the second half, the ones cross and cast, then do a figure of eight ending up below the twos. The twos are supposed to do a figure of eight starting up, ending up below the ones, then walking up between them to progress. Think about it. If the ones have ended up below the twos, how do the twos do a figure of eight starting UP? I can't tell if they are supposed to do it with imaginary friends, or what. And another thing. I can't even tell from the instructions when the twos are supposed to begin. One version I have says the twos "meanwhile" drop back a little on a diagonal, then do the figure of eight. "Meanwhile" means "simultaneously with" but that is just about impossible in this case, as near as I can tell. Another version says the twos "wait" and then start the figure of eight. How long is "wait"? I can't find Colin's original instructions, or haven't so far, so I don't know what he thinks about it. He has a tantalizing page on his web site "Dance Technique: Phrasing and Timing" in which he lists 14 dances, including Elizabeth, discusses 13 of them, but leaves out one - you guessed it - Elizabeth. I ended up giving the ones 12 counts to do their thing and the twos the other 12 counts, but I'm not at all certain this is correct.
We also discussed all the calling opportunities coming up: Kay and Chrystal and Missy will be calling at STL ECD this Friday the 12th and Monday the 22nd (it would be great if we would go and support them!), and Billy has offered us the chance to call at the Youth Contra on Friday the 19th. We've been invited to call at Grand Center and at the Arch on Saturday and Sunday September 27 and 28. And the next Hatchling Dance is October 4. Whew!
Think about which of these events you'd like to call at, and let me know!
To our dancer friends: you are most welcome to come, including especially those of you who are new - it helps you get to know people, strengthens your dance skills, and gives us the opportunity to improve our teaching!
M
E
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2 comments:
"the ones cross and cast, then do a figure of eight ending up below the twos. The twos are supposed to do a figure of eight starting up, ending up below the ones, then walking up between them to progress. "
(It's been a long time since I danced this, so keep that in mind as I write this. I'm just analyzing/visualizing from the written instructions you posted. And combining that with faint memories...)
It's kind of like that 3/4 of a double figure of 8 from the dance "St. Louis" BUT the twos have to wait to move--maybe could even be called a hesitation. As soon as the ones cross the twos cross up to do begin that figure of eight. Remember how we sort of follow someone when we are doing the double(maning 2 couples doing it at the same time) figure of 8? It's the same concept. In plain old full figure of 8 everyone ends back in their starting place. Which put's the twos back at the bottom of the dance thats why they have to lead up to progress. I am assuming something in the dance prior to that series of moves leaves the 1's improper or they would end improper after a cross and full figure of 8.
So obviously both couples cant "end below" but did you consider that for the ones, "ending below" is the ultimate landing place since no further instructions have been given? They sill need to end up below the 2's--progressed--but I am assuming they can loop large to accomodate the 2's as they lead up.
What's the total count for that "meanwhile" figure?
Ooops.
Did I mention that it's half figure eights in the B of Elizabeth?
Guess not.
Still, what you say makes sense, and that's kind of how Lyndon, Gitry, Charles and Bob and I figured it out in the entryway to Applebys when we stopped for dinner on the way to Colorado, but it didn't seem to work that way on Wednesday.
We'll have to try it again with fewer people (so we can really see and really count) to get it just right. I really want to get it just right, even if only in my own head.
I suppose we could ask Colin. What a concept.
M
E
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