This week's flourish celebrates some of the mixing that was the inspiration for the Contra Syncretist name, although this one isn't going too terribly far afield. This week, Steve shows how a "gate" from English Country Dance (and some older contras) can be substituted for an allemande -- either as a form of controlled chaos or as a way to avoid pulling on a sore shoulder.
A few notes: this one is deceptively simple, but can really throw off newbies. Keep this in mind. Also, if you're not careful you can pull some muscles in the wrists in a really odd way (yeah, we thought this was strange too, but it's something in the unusual grip while giving weight), so be aware that you're doing something that has a possibility of disorienting the other dancer and compensate accordingly.
You, too, can have your flourishes featured! Drop me a line (or a link)!
Coming up in the next couple of weeks, I will post the long-awaited article on why we should care about ASCAP/BMI/SESAC when we plan recorded-music contras, and we will continue to check in with alternative contra organizers and participants -- stay tuned!
Happy Friday!
Carry on Dancing,
CS
You, too, can have your flourishes featured! Drop me a line (or a link)!
Coming up in the next couple of weeks, I will post the long-awaited article on why we should care about ASCAP/BMI/SESAC when we plan recorded-music contras, and we will continue to check in with alternative contra organizers and participants -- stay tuned!
Happy Friday!
Carry on Dancing,
CS
