Contra workshop(s) for Chippenham or elsewhere

Initial thoughts ..Judith Cooper May 2003

Candidate wkshop titles:

Getting in the Groove
Going with the Flow

Twirls , whirls and timing

Some desirable wkshop Outcomes / the thinking behind them / wkshop frameworks

Experience / increase awareness of synchronicity i.e. experience why timing is important for flow / high energy
In my experience there are usually key elements within each contra for which perfect timing is critical; if achieved it enables dancers to experience a state of dynamic balance, movement becomes easier , & promotes harmony in dancing ;a side effect is that this fuels both a social buzz and high energy reaction which will permeate from the couple to couple throughout the set. Typically elements in a contra whereby dancers meet / link are good candidates
For example …the point of impact on the floor during a balance….the whole hall is as one – the energy can be electric.
Four in a line down the room …if all sets line up the hall becomes the set and again as one, the surge of energy can be intense, but always inclusive.
Different types of tunes can further help reinforce / illustrate these aspects

Understand better how to achieve & keep the contra flow going throughout the set. For example, experience how different types of tune can help to establish this

When a state of dynamic balance is achieved through all the elements of a dance, &

shared by each couple in a set, a mesmeric state increasingly can be achieved , i.e. all

the individual elements of the dance need less attention , the meeting & interaction of

couples as they progress through the set becomes the focus of attention. Also, as this

state of harmony is reinforced , through the many repetitions of the contra elements

the dance will tend to flow more easily and high energy results.

Understand how improvisation can enhance a contra & its effect on flow / energy….. For example, reels of four / heys , ladies chains ,twirls etc in different dances.
Provide opportunities for experimentation but encourage dancers to keep an eye on the flow of the dance i.e. notice,. accommodate what others in close proximity in the set are doing; also those nearby in the next set, those sitting out nearby etc. [ Is twirl heap a new concept !] Again, vary the experience by trying out the elements to different tunes.

What is high energy contra?

New England Chestnuts

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