Dance Sets and 
Formats of Country Dances

        Country dance formats are different at each country dance and 
each dance club. But they all have one common goal...keep the people 
happy and dancing while fulfilling any goals of your club.

        If your dance group is line dance oriented, you might try this format. Start 
off the dance with some slower, easier line dances to get the people onto the 
floor and to become limber. It also gives the dancers time to start making
requests.

        A mix might be:
                3 easy, slow, popular line dances
                2 to 3 partner dances -- line dance in middle to same songs if 
	there is room
                3 line dances -- increased tempo
                2 partner dances -- line dances if room
                1 mixer dance

Hillbilly Rick sez...
I normally try to do at least 2 partner dances in a row, never just 1 partner
dance.  Why waste time getting dancers on the floor into a circular pattern
or with a partner and then change right back to a line formation?  I find
that the more the dancers dance, the thirstier they get.  If the dancers sit
and watch a few people dance the harder dances all night all they do is sip a
drink slowly.

        Slow dances are nice, especially right before you end the dance.  As in any
dance, it also acts as a cool down before going home.

        For the last song of the night, pick a song that signifies your character.
Some of Hillbilly Rick's favorites are, Drinking Champagne by George Strait
and Happy Trails by Roy Rogers. We do a dance called the Tennessee Walk as if
we are walking home.

Multiple country dances to the same song at the same time

        Multiple country dances at the same time to the same song, are a salvation
to country dance. This is a good way to keep country dance healthy and
growing. It allows the beginners to stay on the dance floor without getting
discouraged. Multiple dances at the same time allows both beginners and
higher level dancers to dance at the same time. Since the beginners don't
have to sit out any of the harder dances, they do not get discouraged.
Experienced dancers get to do their higher level dances at the same time,
practice what they have learned and to show off a little what they have
learned and what beginners can look forward to.

        Multiple dances allow the dancers to choose which dance they want to do.
They do not have to participate in a dance that another group of dancers has
begun. The other group can start up their own and both groups can dance at
the same time. The only limitation is the size of the dance floor.

        Multiple dances become much more important if you are having a large dance
and drawing from a large geographical area. Ask the different dance clubs for
a list of their current dances and music before the dance. Tempo the songs to
the dances you don't know and come up with dance matches to songs you are
going to play so all can dance. Normally at a dance of this size, each group
of dancers from a different locality will band together and dance in the same
area.

        Let me restate that  the main problem in doing multiple dances at the same
time is the size of your floor! You must customize your sets to that size
requirement! If the line dancers have to sit down for a while to give the two
steppers, east or west coast swingers and both partner dancers a chance to
dance then so be it! But by the same token then the partner dancers must give
up the floor when it is full of line dancers.

IT IS UP TO THE DJ TO CONTROL THE FLOOR! IT IS UP TO THE DJ TO 
CONTROL THE FLOOR!
When there is a problem talk to the DJ First, the management second! If the
DJ is doing what the management wants him to do from a business decision and
you are unhappy go dance elsewhere!


Most Danced Dances in our area!
Progressive Cowboy (Kool Dance) - I'm A Cowboy by Smokin Armadillo's or
Tribal Dance by Two Unlimited
Tush Push - Super Duper Love - Exile
Rockin the Rodeo - Rodeo Rock by Jimmy Collins
J- Walk - Walking to Jerusalem by Tracy Byrd
Diamond Reggae - Reggae Cowboy by Bellamy Bros. or It's Your Life
by Dr Aban
Beat Mix
Electric Slide - Indian Outlaw by Tim Mc Graw
Rock It - Baby Likes to Rock It! by the Tractors
Fever - Jeff Moore