Looks like the archive of the sd-callers mailing list has run out of room; messages stopped being archived in November 2001. Ever so appropriately, the final message involves that venerable and still-controversial question of who’s your partner in a wave.

Speaking of venerable and controversial questions, Dan Nordbye, at a dance at Duke City Singles, called a crossfire from an unusual formation…something like this:

He wanted the center six (the column) to trade while those two dancers stuck out on the ends crossfold and then everybody step ahead to a column. If he hadn’t told us who the centers were, I don’t think I would have solved the puzzle in dance-time.

Crossfire is one of those calls that seems to ignite (so to speak) controversy. In particular, the question of crossfire from outfacing lines, which brings up the question of whether crossfire is a four- or eight- person call often leads to vehement discussion. For some background, see Vic Ceder’s definition and his supporting essay. Also see the Square Dance Guru’s take on crossfire. CALLERLAB’s Plus definitions define crossfire as:

As the centers begin to Trade, the ends Cross Fold. Upon completing their Trade, the centers release hands and step straight forward forming an ocean wave or mini-wave with the dancers they are facing. If the Trade leaves the original centers facing no one, they step forward and remain facing out.

This begs the question because if crossfire is a four-person call, the centers who did the trade from outfacing lines aren’t really “facing” anyone, since there’s the dividing wall between the two groups of four dancers.

However, leaving aside the crossfire controversy, Dan called a really fun dance. He’s a true professional, mixing some interesting choreography with smooth dancing, while keeping the dancers laughing. Each tip was different; each tip had a purpose. He workshopped circulates and split circulates from infacing and outfacing lines (although he never did the dread “split circulate 1-1/2, twice” thing). I heard a little grumbling (“why couldn’t he just call pass thru and partner trade..”), but most of the dancers had fun.