Live music is what makes
the dance go. We're lucky
to have the kind of great
old-time string bands
playing for us that lift our
spirit and keep our feet
moving to a solid groove.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOSPITALITY TIPS FOR EXPERIENCED DANCERS

Choose new dancers for your partners.  Be sure to introduce your partner to your neighbors.  When the dance ends, thank him/her and see if they want help finding another experienced dancer to dance with.

Take “Hands Four” as soon as you line up.  It reduces the lag time between dances

Model good listening behavior.  Refrain from talking during the walk through.  New dancers especially need to listen closely to the calls and they follow our lead if we’re chatting during the walkthrough.

During the first dances of the night, limit your embellishments; they may confuse or overwhelm your partner.  For swings, chains, do-si-dos, starts, etc., focus on doing the basic move very smoothly and in a way that gets your partner where he/she needs to be on time.  Help him/her grow in confidence in the basics.

Swing slowly & gently.  End your swing a little early to give your partner more transition time between figures.  At the end of the swing: Women: Disengage his left hand and help him face the right direction.  Men: Help her into the next figure as you let go of her.

When out at the top or bottom, scan the crowd to see who’s sitting out.  Ask one of them to dance the next dance to make sure they’re not forced to sit out 2 dances in a row. At the same time, don’t pressure anyone to dance!

When out at the end, tell your partner how they’ll come back in (what move, with whom) and give them a “ready-now” cue.

When someone makes a mistake, smile and encourage them to go on.  Remind them it’s more important to have fun than to do it right.  Have fun with each new dancer.  Help them smile, laugh and enjoy themselves.

If the caller has stopped calling and your partner is confused, tell him/her what the next move is.

If you get way behind, drop a move if you can get your partner ready for the next figure or the next neighbor. 

If you see a couple drop out in the middle of the line, and a couple has no neighbors, you can fix the line by having the couple without neighbors drop out and go to the bottom of the set. 

New dancers may be uncomfortable with too much eye contact.

When forming a star, place your partner’s hand where it needs to be.  Point to the correct shoulder in a hey.

At all times….SMILE!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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