Hi, Rich,
I come to almost all of my gigs with a program prepared in advance. For
each dance slot, I have multiple choices of dance compositions that all
fulfill the same purpose (same key figure, same type of progression, same
type of orientation, etc.), from which I choose depending on what I think
the crowd will enjoy most. I usually leave two slots open for on-the-fly
choices of glossary dances that I can call without a walk-through.
When I come to an event without a program already prepared, it is usually
because I anticipate moments when my choices of dance compositions may be
influenced by an insufficient number dancers for a contra line.
Dugan Murphy
Portland, Maine
dugan at duganmurphy.comwww.DuganMurphy.comwww.PortlandIntownContraDance.comwww.NufSed.consulting
> From: Rich Sbardella <richsbardella(a)gmail.com>
> To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Subject: [Callers] Programming a Dance
>
> I am curious how much time you all plan programming a dance before arriving
> at a venue. If you do not preprogram, what is your approach for on the fly
> programming?
> Rich Sbardella
> Stafford, CT
>
When was the last time you got a tan at an *indoor* contradance?
No, this is not a joke. I got sunburned while calling this past Saturday
(March 3rd, in Pennsylvania).
How is this possible? Probably a damaged metal halide bulb in the community
center gym where the dance was held. Apparently this is a problem that
occurs sporadically in gyms all over the country, as I found out after a
google search:
https://news.vanderbilt.edu/2004/05/19/damaged-metal-halide-
lamps-can-cause-indoor-sunburns-56964/
https://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationSafe
ty/AlertsandNotices/ucm116540.htm
I'm very fair-skinned and burn easily, but I'm not the only one who was
affected — the musicians got sunburns as well, and two of them have (mild)
eye irritation symptoms. It's only when we compared notes yesterday that we
realized what had happened.
We will all be ok, and thankfully there haven't been any reports of dancers
being affected — it was a large and lively crowd, and we kept them moving!
Other than the burns, it was an absolutely wonderful dance.
The problem had not occurred before at this monthly event because the bank
of lights that we now think the culprit bulb is a part of is not usually
on. It was needed that night because some of the other lights had burned
out.
I would like to commend the dance organizers for taking the problem very
seriously. Once informed, they immediately contacted the community center
management, who in turn promised to address the issue right away.
I don't mean to alarm anyone, but next time you call in a gym, you may want
to wear sunscreen!
Anne Lutun
Philadelphia, PA
As I sit out this Nor'easter, I am doing some house cleaning. I have
collected many dances without titles and perhaps someone can provide names.
Thanks in advance!
Rich Sbardella
Stafford, CT
#1
Untitled Contra Star Thru
Inside Hands - Neighbor Balance
Star Thru
Ladies Chain
Ladies Allemande Right 1-1/2
Neighbor Swing
Gents Allemande Left 1-1/2
Partner Swing
Balance The Ring
Spin Right
Balance The Ring
California Twirl
Inside Hands - Neighbor Balance
#2
Newer Untitled Early Stars
Contra D/I
(Good for Pre-Dance Workshop?)
Neighbor Dosido
Neighbor Swing
Circle left 3/4
Partner Swing
Long Lines Forward & Back
Right Hand Star
Ladies Chain
Left Hand Star
New Neighbor Dosido
#3
Untitled 2 Half Heys
Neighbor Balance & Swing
- - - -
Circle Left 3/4
Gents Pass Left in Center to start Hey
Partner Rollaway to Half a Hey
Partner Balance & Swing
- - - -
Ladies Pass Right in Center to start Hey
Ladies Chain
Half Hey
New Neighbor Balance & Swing
#4
Untitled 2 Half Heys
Neighbor Balance & Swing
- - - -
Circle Left 3/4
Gents Pass Left in Center to start Hey
Partner Rollaway to Half a Hey
Partner Balance & Swing
- - - -
Ladies Pass Right in Center to start Hey
Ladies Chain
Half Hey
New Neighbor Balance & Swing
#5
Untitled PTO
BECKET
Pass Thru to a Wave
(Recommend L then R) Balance Wave
Ladies Alle L 1-1/2 - Gents Orbit
Partner Balance & Swing
- - - -
Gents Pass Left
Walk Around Neighbor
Neighbor Swing
Ladies Pass Right
LEFT Walkaround Partner
Promenade
Hook to the Left
Pass Thru to a Wave
#6
Untiltled w/ Gents Chain
Untitled
Balance the Ring
Spin to the Right
Balance the Ring
Spin to the Right
Hands Across - Left Hand Star
(to Partner) Gents Chain Across
Gents pull Left Hand and end up on left side after Chain.
Mad Robin
Face Partner & Partner Swing
Circle Left 3/4
Pass Thru - New Neighbor Swing
Form a Ring & Balance Now
Dance logs, a cumulative record for a series of which dances have been
called on any given evening, are very common in the English dance
community but vanishingly rare in the contra community. Why is that?
They're really helpful for incoming callers, and it's probably nice for
the dancers not to keep getting the same dances week after week.
I've only ever known of one contra series that kept a log, and it's
probably because I suggested it when they started out (the Queer Contra
series in Oakland, CA). Are there any contra organizers out there who
maintain a dance log? Those of you who do, how do you get the dance
lists from the callers? The Oakland series had a little book on the
stage and the callers would write their programs down as they went or at
the end of the night.
Part of it comes down to record-keeping on the part of the callers. I
keep a personal log of all the dances I've called so I can avoid
repeating myself when I return to a given venue. That makes it easy for
me to produce a set list after the fact if an organizer wants to fill in
a gap in the log. Fellow contra callers, do you all keep records of
what you call, and if you don't, how do you avoid repeating yourself or
remember what worked well (or not) the last time you called at a
particular place?
If you work with something like Caller's Companion, do you update the
program list with what you actually danced as opposed to what you
programmed?
Just curious about other people's process on this.
Kalia in Sebastopol, CA
I have had the same experience as Mac. The same dance can be different depending on the tune, the band, your partner...and even your own mood and abilities from 1 dance to the next.
Paula McFarlingColumbia, Mo
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
-------- Original message --------From: John W Gintell via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> Date: 3/7/18 9:13 AM (GMT-06:00) To: Kalia Kliban <kalia.kliban(a)gmail.com> Cc: callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net Subject: Re: [Callers] Dance logs and record-keeping
> On Mar 6, 2018, at 11:23 PM, Kalia Kliban via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
> On 3/6/2018 7:28 PM, Mac Mckeever via Callers wrote:
>> This seems to me to be a lot of effort with very little benefit. There are thousands of dances and each caller has their own approach to programming. It is rare for a dance to be called two nights in a row. When I do see that happening I often ask other dancers around me if they remember it - and no one ever has.
>> How would the next caller get access to this info? The logistics would seem difficult and unnecessary.
>
> The way our local English dances do this is that the series programmer sends the current log to the next caller on deck, who can then consider the log or not, as they choose. It's not a big deal. I run the Sebastopol dance, and I either write down the programs myself if I'm at the dance or contact the caller afterward to get their list. Simple Excel spreadsheet to keep track. Easy.
>
> If I'm coming to call for a community I've never worked with before, seeing a list of the dances they've done gives me a good idea of the general level of the group. It's a useful tool.
>
> Kalia in Sebastopol
For our English dance in Jamaica Plain, the caller writes the dance name on a whiteboard in front of the hall after each dance. At the end of the dance we transcribe it into book, I take a photo of the board and enter it in a database at home - and then post on our web page two lists, one sorted by night, and one sorted by dance name. (If I am not there someone else sends me the info).I sometimes have to adjust the spellings - or deal with the “the” in the name so the sorting by dance name is OK. This record goes back to January 2010.
http://lcfd.org/bgfe/
_______________________________________________
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> see my comments sprinkled.......
> On Mar 6, 2018, at 12:21 AM, Jeanette Mill via Callers wrote:
>
>> Hello
>>
>> I am devising a workshop for a festival here in Australia, and
>> have long been of the opinion that there are no "leaders" in
>> contra dance couples.
>
>
> That's a great issue to discuss. My thought is that having a
> really fun time requires someone to take the initiative. Of course
> it's quite possible that dancing in Australia is different than
> dancing here in the states.
>
>
>> Moves should be executed with mutual consent, especially
>> embellishments such as turning under out of a ladies' chain.
>> Conventions such as waltz hold swings are really useful here. In
>> Australia, other related dance forms use a variety of swing holds,
>> which lead to confusion and interruption of flow. I plan to place
>> some emphasis on conventions of holds, such as allemande and star
>> holds.
> Would it depend on the situation? If there are new dancers would
> you expect or appreciate leading from a more experienced dancer? I
> would say skill level would play a part in this issue even between
> people who are not beginners.
>>
>> I would value people's opinions on this, as it may ruffle some
>> long-held conventions. Any words of wisdom from the gender free
>> dance community would be especially welcome.
>>
>>
>> Also, I believe that if dancers are to enjoy embellishments, they
>> must be by mutual consent. This is so difficult to establish in a
>> microsecond. I would value any thoughts on how to advise reaching
>> this consent in the context of a contra dance.
> I know in my small town everyone knows everyone and it's easy to
> adjust your style when it comes to embellishments. When you meet
> someone in line you know what to expect unless it's a new face.
>
> Would that be very different at a large dance or say at a festival
> where people from other areas attend?
>>
>> Looking forward to your thoughts
> My limited personal experience is that I'm the leader because I'm
> the stronger dancer.
>
> If I verbally suggest that my partner "twirl me" they will, but
> it's usually in the wrong direction or at the wrong time. There
> are good female leaders out there, but not here in my town. So how
> about a workshop where people are allowed or encouraged to try the
> role they may not be the most comfortable with?
>>
>> cheers
>> Jeanette
>>
>> __________
>>
>> List Name: Callers mailing list
>> List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/
>> callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net/
>
Linda Leslie Celebration of Life
Sunday, May 20
1:30-4:30 PM
at The Concord Scout House
Sharing of memories followed by a community dance.
The sharing is for us to remember Linda and her wonderful energy, generous spirit and warm love. The dance is for Linda—this is what she wanted us to do!
—Lisa Greenleaf
When was the last time you got a tan at an *indoor* contradance?
No, this is not a joke. I got sunburned while calling this past Saturday
(March 3rd, in Pennsylvania).
How is this possible? Probably a damaged metal halide bulb in the community
center gym where the dance was held. Apparently this is a problem that
occurs sporadically in gyms all over the country, as I found out after a
google search:
https://news.vanderbilt.edu/2004/05/19/damaged-metal-halide-
lamps-can-cause-indoor-sunburns-56964/
https://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationSafe
ty/AlertsandNotices/ucm116540.htm
I'm very fair-skinned and burn easily, but I'm not the only one who was
affected — the musicians got sunburns as well, and two of them have (mild)
eye irritation symptoms. It's only when we compared notes yesterday that we
realized what had happened.
We will all be ok, and thankfully there haven't been any reports of dancers
being affected — it was a large and lively crowd, and we kept them moving!
Other than the burns, it was an absolutely wonderful dance.
The problem had not occurred before at this monthly event because the bank
of lights that we now think the culprit bulb is a part of is not usually
on. It was needed that night because some of the other lights had burned
out.
I would like to commend the dance organizers who, once informed, took the
problem very seriously and immediately contacted the community center
management, who in turn promised to address the issue right away.
I don't mean to alarm anyone, but next time you call in a gym, you may want
to wear sunscreen!
Anne Lutun
Philadelphia, PA
Someone from Stratford, Ontario in Canada has contacted me-he has a
collection of square dance records from his parents that he would like to
give away to a good home. If you're interested please contact him directly
Larry Crisp beege318(a)hotmail.com
Also please let me know that you have done so. Thanks!
---
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For those of us lucky enough to be calling on May the Fourth (or it’s
sister holiday, Revenge of the Fifth): Anyone have some Star Wars-themed
dances to recommend?
Cheers,
Maia
