pennsicdance: ball suggestions

[Gene Schwartzman]

From: Greg Lindahl <lindahl at pbm.com>
>Following up on Zhena's constructive criticism:

I could continue this, but it would only allow Gregory to confirm other
people's opinions of him.. so I really will turn this into constructive
discussion...

>
>Any inputs for next year's ball list? As usual, the dances will be
>done in rotation of both style and difficulty, so if you'd like
>something new, it will likely replace a dance of similar style and
>difficulty.

And so.. I now ask publically, what I asked privately and never received...
Please post (or e-mail me privately) a list of all the dances that are
commonly known (or have music available) as I am sure there are many of us
who know the dance, but might not remember the exact name and would like to
see things on 'paper' so to speak.  Once I can see the list (which did exist
in the barn the past war), I will make my suggestion(s) and we will allow
the community to decide the validity or inappropriateness of the suggestions
I make.

>
>For 16th century Italians, please make sure freely-copyable music is
>available. We have time to transcribe if any are needed; we do have a
>copyable distribution of Vilanella, by the way.

As I know few Italian dances by foot, and even less by name, I will ask
other people to describe what a given Italian dance might be and it's
complexity, though it doesn't mean I'm against (unlike Gregory would like to
have everyone believe) having them.

Here's a simple summary of the list below:
ECD - 10 dances (4 after midnight)
Italian - 13 dances (2 after midnight and are repeats)
Arbeau - 7 dances (2 after midnight)
English Measure - 2 dances (none after midnight)
2 Galliards (not sure which category they would fall into)

What concerns me, is not the dances themselves, but the dance distribution
that tends to focus heavily on one form or another at the beginning (in this
case Italian - and yes, I think doing the first two sets of all ECD is just
as bad...).  Now, of course all the Italian fanatics will find nothing wrong
with that :) and I don't want to offend them - I personally find some of the
Italian dances very enjoyable and dance them heartily, but I think the dance
distribution could be done a bit better as to allow for a greater enjoyment
of all concerned.  Also, I think, that the order of some of the dances can
be done better as some of the dances that tend to be popular or well known
seem to be danced at the end, when a lot of the people are gone - and yes, I
understand that space is a constraint.

So... in order for me to be able to produce a coherent, enjoyable, and well
rounded list for the ball, I request a list of the dances that are known
(either in music or dance) of all genres( sp?).

Thank you,
Zhenya

>
>The existing list is:
>
>Gathering Peascods (ECD)
>Rostiboli (15cI)
>Montarde (Arbeau)
>(16cI of medium complexity)
>Parsons Farewell (ECD)
>Black Almain (English Measure)
>The Pinwheel Game (16cI)
>Horses' Branle (Arbeau)
>
>Break: Ballo del Fiori (16cI)
>
>Official Bransle (Arbeau)
>Galliard (16c)
>Jenny Pluck Pears (ECD)
>Gelosia (15cI)
>Madam Cecilia Alman (English Measure)
>(16cI of medium complexity)
>Hearts Ease/Rufty Tufty (suite) (ECD)
>Petit Riense (15cI)
>
>Break: Lyonnaise Galliard
>
>A Pavane: Carolingian, or improvise (Arbeau)
>A Saltarello (15cI)
>New Boe Peep (ECD)
>Anello (15cI)
>Pease Bransle (Arbeau)
>(16cI of medium complexity)
>Picking of Sticks (ECD)
>Amoroso (15cI)
>
>The Band Begins Turning Into Pumpkins
>
>Break: more of the Pinwheel Game
>
>Trenchmore (ECD)
>Washerwomans Bransle (Arbeau)
>Sellengers Round (ECD)
>Turkish Bransle (after the fashion of Arbeau)
>Black Nag (ECD)
>Petit Riense (15cI) (now that it's less crowded)
>Hyde Park (ECD)
>

-----------------
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Gene Schwartzman             USSF Level 7 Referee
e-mail: emagene at erols.com    NSCAA National Diploma