Childrens barn dance - sugggestions

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Childrens barn dance - sugggestions

15 Jan 13 - 03:40 AM (#3466309)
Subject: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: GUEST,FloraG

I'm booked to do a Brownies and Guides barn dance Saturday week. I'm told that all of them will be there for the first half and the older ones for the second half. I expect to play my melodeon and call at the same time.
I'm looking for suggestions for really good dances that suit younger children.
Thanks.
FloraG

15 Jan 13 - 04:55 AM (#3466325)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: GUEST,Eliza

Circassian Circle, Dashing White Sergeant, Gay Gordons, Sir Roger De Coverley, Strip The Willow. I danced all these as a girl when country dances were taught at school. I also taught them myself as a teacher in the sixties. I also taught them to Brownies when I was a Tawny Owl. So I can recommend them! Suggest you run through the steps without the music first, and have adult helpers take a partner too, to guide the girls around. Wish I could join you, well done for continuing the tradition.

15 Jan 13 - 05:53 AM (#3466341)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: Wolfhound person

Cumberland Square with the basket left out, Nottingham Swing. Some of the easy Playford stuff - I learnt "If all the world were paper" at school under 8 years.

Paws

15 Jan 13 - 10:15 AM (#3466431)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: GUEST,leeneia

I looked up girl scouts on YouTube and was surprised to see Girl Scout flash mobs and Girl Scout rap. Esp.with the older girls, I would incorporate a little of that into my act to help bridge the generation gap.

15 Jan 13 - 12:29 PM (#3466491)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: Marje

I can think of several but can't remember the details of the steps of any of them, so this will only be any use if someone else knows them!
1. The Bear Dance has a funny routine that you can do to it, which entails tapping various parts of your anatomy on the floor (finishing with the bottom, which children find hilarious).
2. There's a dance with a similar formation to Dashing White Sergeant, called the Big Three. Both of these are good because they can have 2+1 of either gender.
3. A square dance to the tune of "I want to be near you" (aka Aupres de ma Blonde). The kids can sing the chorus as, "I want a banana/With a yellow, yellow skin/I want a banana/With a yellow skin" which also goes down well, particularly if they're allowed to caper like monkeys.

Can anyone fill in the details of these?

Marje

15 Jan 13 - 04:01 PM (#3466581)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: Mo the caller

Some of the dances Eliza suggests (Dashing White Sergeant, Gay Gordons, Strip The Willow) need to be 'taught'. You have to decide how much of the evening you you want to be 'having fun to music' and how much 'concentrating and learning'. Learning one new dance each week is not the same as a whole lot of new dances.
Some really easy ones are Blaydon Races, Pat-a-cake Polka, Circassian, Galopede. I might improvise a dance where 1 line dances round the other, and v.v. followed by a right hand turn, left hand turn, 2 hand turn, do-ce-do, and maybe a swing. Top couple dance down the middle. If you want to try something more ambitious you could ask the Guides to partner a Brownie.

On this site are instructions for Flying Scot, Oxo (second version is easier). And more. I some of the dances he grades as 1 are harder than others.

If I'm teaching a strip the willow figure (and it is fun once mastered) I put a dead simple dance round it. So if you have already taught the dances with 'lines forward and back and cross over, f&b, cross back' and 'cast off arch at the bottom others follow and come through' (aka peel the banana or follow the leader) you have taught most of Barley Reel - just the Strip the Willow to teach
A1 Lines f&b cross
A2 repeat
B1&2 1st couple strip the willow down
C1 1s arch at bottom, new top couple cast and lead through arch with everyone following
C2 swing.

If you have 4 couples and they are quick it works in 48 bars, if there are different numbers in each set, or if you say 1s get to the bottom of the set using Strip the Willow or any other way (gallop, leap-frog, etc. etc.) the sets will get out of time so need someone in each set who has memorised the sequence.

15 Jan 13 - 04:43 PM (#3466605)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: Mo the caller

When I am doing a Family dance, sometimes instead of having a cast-off where each line goes a different way, I use a double cast - join hands with your partner, both go down the left side of the set (1s arch rest come up as usual). This may be easier to teach, though a cast should be OK for Brownies (7+). Will you have any Rainbows too?

15 Jan 13 - 05:00 PM (#3466627)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: Mo the caller

The Weakest Link (adapted from Rebecca's Roundabout by John Chapman)
Lines of 3 facing anticlockwise round a big circle
A1 walk/dance forward 16 steps (gives time to catch up if muddles happen)
A2 Circles for 3, left and right
B1 R hand star, L hand star for 3
and finish in line facing anticlockwise. middle person is the Weakest Link
B2 Middle person go round the outside person (in front then behind), through the middle, round the inside person, through the middle and on to stand between the next 2 (no overtaking)

16 Jan 13 - 04:17 AM (#3466857)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: GUEST,FloraG

Don't know how many little ones or mums will be there yet. Because I play and call at the same time I have to get the calls totally learnt - so thanks for all the prompt replies.
FloraG

16 Jan 13 - 04:59 AM (#3466877)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: banjoman

Hi Flora - OTB played for lots of family/childrens dances over the years at Broadstairs and it was soon apparent that the youngsters were very quick to pick up most of the dance moves. I sugest you pick from your own repetiore and possibly leave out the really complicated ones -the grown ups will have problems with them-
Enjoy
Pete

16 Jan 13 - 06:26 AM (#3466898)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: Marje

Strip the Willow isn't difficult if you are really sure of who belongs in which line (M/F), but if you don't have a clear gender-divide, it's much more difficult. In your case you're unlikely to have equal numbers of males and females, and for willow-stripping you not only need to know which sex you are, you need to be able to tell the gender of each of the other dancers at a glance, otherwise you end up swinging with the wrong people and it ends up in chaos. I'd give that a miss this time. Same applies to any other dances where it's important to distinguish males from females.

Marje

16 Jan 13 - 06:32 AM (#3466901)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: selby

We did one for Cubs and Beavers, We started with the Bear Dance which definitely got them in the mood, it kept being requested during the night so we used it as "bait" that if you all join in behave and enjoy yourselves we might do it again which obviously we did and we encored it the kids loved it.
Keith

16 Jan 13 - 08:20 AM (#3466930)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: Dave MacKenzie

I've done a few dances at Hobby Horse camps many years (decades) ago, and we used mainly our normal repertoire (never missed the basket from "Cumberland Square Eight" - small children (and older ones) loved it), and even learnt a few new ones. I think your probably better to stick with what you know well, so that if necessary you can improvise when they get it wrong.

16 Jan 13 - 08:50 AM (#3466946)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)

Mo, you are a gold mine! I've just stolen "Weakest Link"- thanks!

Flora, I often play the accordion as accompaniment to my fiddling husband, and call at the same time, and it's tricky but manageable. The main thing is to know the tunes cold- it's fine to have notes on the dances on a stand at your side, but you can't bobble the music, because the dancers are counting on the music to guide them.
Some family dances I do:
La Bastringue (Great first circle dance- you can vamp the music while they're getting a feel for the figures, and teach as you go)
Noble Duke of York
Galopede (great first longways dance because there's so much time to do stuff!)
Rural Felicity (as learned from Dudley Laufman)
Heel and Toe Polka (to the tune of the Jenny Lind Polka)
A few mixers, like "Sasha" which is a Russian couple dance with its own tune and silly moves, where the couples part and seek another partner after each time thru.

Maybe we need a caller's Permathread? This is fun!

16 Jan 13 - 08:53 AM (#3466948)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)

Here's one of many excellent resources on the www:
Thomas Green Barn Dances

16 Jan 13 - 09:11 AM (#3466956)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: Mo the caller

Yes but....Strip the willow might go wrong if there are mostly girls BUT WHO WILL KNOW.
When I call Barley reel for absolute beginners I tell the 1s that this is THEIR solo moment, get them to look at all the people in the other line and say the will be turning each of these 'possibly'. show them the correct version but say that no-one should say they are wrong, as long as they get to the other end of the set they can use the authorised version, turn random people, or invent something else. Doing it in 'as long as your set takes' means that if someone gets into a muddle they have time to sort it out. But you can only call the first time, or until sets are out of sync.

I agree with Dave. Well known is good. I often improvise when working with children.
e.g. The Dog Waltz
One big circle, no partner needed. Chassee right to start (ballroom direction/anticlockwise). The call is.
Slide. Slide. Slide. Stamp stamp.
(otherway) back , back. In. In
Out. Out. Turn around.
Sway, sway, sway, sway (with hands joined swinging them in and out)

I use this call at family dances with a circle of children in one corner(or the middle) while the adults are dancing the St Bernard Waltz - the call is the same until the end where the ladies turn under the mans arm instead of all turning and they 'waltz on' instead of swaying.

16 Jan 13 - 09:16 AM (#3466958)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: Mo the caller

Do you think guides are too old/young for the Hokey Cokey. It goes down well with tinies and with young drunken weddings.

16 Jan 13 - 02:48 PM (#3467142)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: Steve Gardham

I'm totally with, Mo. I've called and played at the same time for many years but if you're going to do this then you need to keep it as simple as possible. Youngsters do not take kindly to standing around while you explain something complicated. On the other hand they will pick things up far quicker than adults. Swedish Masquerade. Pat-a-cake Polka

Hokey Cokey a must and similar. Wind the bobbin. Blaydon. They might pick up bridge of Athlone with a little help.

The older ones will cope with all the old favourites and may even know some of the movements. I'd avoid Waves of Torry and Drops of Brandy unless you've got a few to demonstarte who are familiar with the movements.

16 Jan 13 - 07:23 PM (#3467272)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: GUEST,Ebor_Fiddler

Try Pete and Sue Coe - they do a lot of work in this field.

17 Jan 13 - 05:02 AM (#3467462)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: Mo the caller

One of the pitfalls in Waves of Tory with beginners is the fact that, after the 1st couple has cast off, made an arch and started dipping and diving, they are still thinking of themselves as 1st couple and want to end the dip at the top. Or people just end up in random order.

So now there are times when I call a simplified version - Waves of the Sea. Something like Forward and back twice, all cast and lead up (no arch), dip & dive till I say 'Swing'. I warn them that the order of the line for the next time through will be unpredictable. I do it in a long set (or 2 long sets depending on the dance space), so no fussing about '2 couples over there and 1 at the back'. This version would not suit members of this forum.
The dip and dive is a fun figure - takes a bit of 'getting' but satisfying when you have. So I put it in a setting where they haven't anything else to worry about.
Not much good if there's too much mixing of tall and short in the set. (Adults with tinies)

17 Jan 13 - 04:50 PM (#3467724)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: Mo the caller

The links above to Thomas Green's site may soon be out of date. If the thread is as longlived as most Mudthreads, try this instead

18 Jan 13 - 03:46 AM (#3467947)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: GUEST

The Hokey Kokey is a greate suggestion. Thanks.

I have not seen the bear dance. is it done to the tune bear dance? What is the basic format?

I am thinking of doing Dusty bluebells and shuffle the pack. I might do an olimpics special with athletic movements as a prize dance. Poor old brown owl could award it to the best group.

I've still got a week to go to think up ideas so all suggestions still in the melting pot at the moment.
Thanks
FloraG

18 Jan 13 - 05:48 AM (#3467971)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: Mo the caller

Bear Dance is a bit silly (OK for Brownies, not sure what Guides would make of it)
Tune is Bear dance.
Each time you repeat whay you did last time and add a bit (like the song 12 days of Christmas)
1. Circle left, circle right
2. Tap the floor with left foot, right foot
3. Tap the floor with left hand, right hand
4. Tap the floor with head
5. Tap the floor with bottom

18 Jan 13 - 05:54 AM (#3467973)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: Mo the caller

I wrote down Bear Dance at a Hobby Horse club dance at Lichfield festival, years ago (I'd danced new dances till my brain couldn't take any more, so thought I'd go and steal some tips for working with kids).
At that time I didn't know the Bear Dance tune, and didn't have internet to search. So I tried to remember how it went, and write it down. All my memory gave me was the A part. I don't know if the musician played a B and I'd forgotten, or if he kept repeating the A.

18 Jan 13 - 07:36 AM (#3468006)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: alex s

Mo is THE LADY GURU for kid's ceilidhs.
She ain't good, she's the BEST!
We luv ya, Mo! x

18 Jan 13 - 08:06 AM (#3468023)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: Mo the caller

:)

26 Jan 13 - 08:20 AM (#3471623)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: GUEST,FloraG

Tonights the night. The snow has cleared and I'm mostly ready. The car has started to make strange clunky noises - and I can't get it serviced till Tuesday. Fingers crossed.
Thanks for all the suggestions and ideas.
FloraG

26 Jan 13 - 12:54 PM (#3471718)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: Steve Gardham

Cold and damp, might be your starter. Where are the clunks coming from? If it's the engine I'd take the bus!

27 Jan 13 - 06:44 AM (#3471958)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: Mo the caller

Lucky it wasn't Friday.
Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

27 Jan 13 - 06:44 AM (#3471959)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: Mo the caller

Lucky it wasn't Friday.
Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

27 Jan 13 - 08:38 AM (#3471986)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)

Would you share your set list, Flora? How did it go?

Mo, I keep meaning to thank you for the Weakest Link dance! I've tried it on two of my classes, right at the end of their semester(term) so they had been dancing with me since September. Ong group of 8-9 year olds and one group of 10-11 year olds. The latter group was larger and had great fun. The younger group had just 12 dancers, so we formed an "X" and did our best, but the outside dancers had to take very long strides! All agreed it was a very fine dance.

28 Jan 13 - 04:13 AM (#3472334)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: GUEST,FloraG

Hi
I had forgotton how echo ee school halls are. Glad I took the PA. There were lots of them ( 100 +)
I started with a heel toe circle ( IN out claps turn move on )
In and out the dusty bluebells
then a bit of playford dance for the adult helpers.
Then a long set but without the cast - just the top 2 down up and outside ending at the bottom ( turns and doe si doe )The room lent itself to 5 sets.
Then a strip the willow for the guides
Then a 2 couple - turn doe si doe circle find another pair leading into 8 and 16 then a big circle
Then Hoky Cokey
Then auld lang sine ( AS IT WAS Burns + 1 )
The very little ones went home after that
Gay gordons
Then a long set with shuffle the pack and stars
Then wring out the dishcloth
Lucky 7 ( They got the hay in the end)
Finishing with a shortened version of Sir Roger as still very big sets.
I did not risk any squares or bear dance as I'm not sure how well the PA would have worked with all the noise. They were all very excited when dancing. I have a good square dance where you make different animal noises each time you go in and out but there was too much noise when they were dancing for that.
I found out that the guides don't have a badge for errecting PA ( shame ) but they do have a music one so if we get invited a again then I might encourage them to do a bit of a band before hand and learn some of the basic tunes. Many had been there most of the afternoon and each group - they came from different packs -had made a craft thing, with the winners getting a prize. They then had fish and chip suppers - then more arrived for the dancing. Home time 9PM.
What an excellent way for yougsters to spend a wet Saturday afternoon in january. What a lot of work for the helpers.
FloraG

28 Jan 13 - 04:55 AM (#3472345)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: Mo the caller

Glad it went well.

What is 'shuffle the pack' - I don't know that one.

28 Jan 13 - 06:01 AM (#3472363)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: banjoman

Well don e Flora - hope to see you in May if all goes well

28 Jan 13 - 07:38 AM (#3472390)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: GUEST,FloraG

Shuffle the pack is a good one for just before the break - it wears the children out.
long sets
1st couple gallop down
bottom 2 couples up
3 down
4 up etc
You need a good sized hall but you can have up to 9 couples ( 7 is better)
I would usually do odd number stars as the inbetween thing but could be oxo or anything really. The first ( top )couple need to dance down to the end at some point.
Peter
We are already looking forward to May and using the caravan more this summer. Hope all is well with you. I've learnt a few new tunes on the hardanger.
FloraG

28 Jan 13 - 11:36 AM (#3472500)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: Mo the caller

Thanks, it looks good. I'll need to shuffle my brain to work out who ends up where :)

30 Jan 13 - 06:42 PM (#3473675)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)

Yikes! I just read the newspaper and saw my name- I thought I was calling the First Friday Family dance at our local library in March, but no, it's this Friday!

My set list:
Hell and Toe Polka
Virginia Reel
Rural Felicity
Sasha
Kentucky Running Set/Wind the Ball
Rebecca's Roundabout
Sweets of May
Hokey Cokey
Kings and Queens

These are mostly very young children and their parents. Very simple dances required! And it's likely we won't get to everything on the list. But we'll have a good time!

31 Jan 13 - 04:05 PM (#3474012)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: Mo the caller

Phew - good job you saw it.
Have fun.

01 Feb 13 - 03:54 PM (#3474569)
Subject: RE: Childrens barn dance - sugggestions
From: Bert

Swap and swing
Take a peek
Pop the whip
Dip and dive

A Promenade mixer usually goes down well.