Good analysis from Angela, and good question from Seth.

I think I'd add that callers ought to keep in mind the playfulness, and carefully consider the words they use to describe it. That goes also not just in keeping it lighthearted, but also being cognizant that the chase figure can be tight timing, and a lot of folks (especially older) may not have the agility.

It's an odd enough figure where I think a floor demo is almost always warranted, and the tone and such can be conveyed really well through this.

In dance,

Julian Blechner

He/Him

Western Mass, USA

On Wed, May 7, 2025, 12:32 PM Angela DeCarlis via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

I appreciate your thoughtfulness on this, Seth (as ever!). Like shadow swings, I imagine there are occasions where neighbor chases could go over especially well, like at certain dance weekends where there's a lot of affinity between attendees. I'm thinking of Youth Dance Weekend, Queer Contra Dance Camp, etc — mainly because these are spaces where there's a lower likelihood of dancers feeling uncomfortable or unsafe with others on the dancefloor.

That all said, and speaking for myself, I do think a neighbor chase is totally viable for most regular series! Even though it's a pretty interactive move, the fact that there's no physical contact in a chase makes it feel less risky to me.

I think that overthinking is totally warranted here, even if we kind of arrive at a "seems fine, after all!" conclusion!

On Wed, May 7, 2025, 10:51 AM steveholl via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

Check out the dance Prom Night. 

Sent from Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

-------- Original message --------

From: "Tepfer, Seth via Contra Callers" <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>

Date: 5/7/25 10:41 AM (GMT-05:00)

To: Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>

Subject: [Callers] Chase figure with neighbor?

Hello font of experience

I was pondering chase figures in contra dance. You know, the move where one person goes around the other couple while being followed by their partner.

Are there dances out there where the chase is done with a neighbor instead? Is it as much fun or is it awkward or unsettling?

I enjoy the playfulness of the chase figure (especially when it goes both ways) but I always wonder if there is an unpleasant undercurrent for some. I can imagine there are people we would NOT want to be chased by.

Am I overthinking this?
Sent from my iPhone
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