I can no longer find the original post about The Wheel circle mixer, but
I'd like to thank the person who recommended it. I used it, with Mac
MacKeever's modification of rolling the women to the inside before going
into the middle, at a contra last night with a large percentage of
energetic teenagers. It was excellent! Just the right amount of silly
as the odd socks scrambled to find each other in the middle, and plenty
of time for them to get back into the promenade. It's playful, pretty
hard to break, and very quick to teach. It's a keeper!
Kalia
Hello Folks,
Does anyone have dances that they are willing to share of Colonial period
dances that are adapted to a Party Dance environment for non dances? I
instantly think of Rakes of Mallow (longways) and Haste to the Wedding (as
a Duple Minor).
I have a few others, but would like to add to my repertoire. Easy is what
I am looking for. Alcohol involved in reenactment party dance.
Thanks,
>From one of the colonies!
Rich Sbardella
Stafford, CT
Hi: I don't usually wake up with a dance in my brain so I'm wondering if it's already been written.
Solistice '17 improper Donna Hunt
Long waves with ladies facing in
A1 Balance wave and Rory twirl to R to NEXT neighbor and Swing
A2 Pass through to a wave and Balance, walk forward to next wave and Balance
B1 Swing through (turn R 1/2, gents pull by) Partner Swing
B2 Balance ring and twirl to right, Allem L neighbor 1 1/2 to make waves
Anyone recognize this as a dance already out there?
Donna Hunt
Some dances require skill to make the timing work — like starting a figure
with dispatch so a later balance will be on time, or doing a figure
leisurely to avoid being early for the next one. But while many dancers
have the awareness to make things like that work, many dancers don’t. Since
there are plenty of fantastic dances without such challenges I tend not to
call dances which have them.
But I’ve also found that such dances are great when I’m asked to lead a
workshop helping dancers improve their skills. Longtime dancers aren't
eager to change their habits, and having something concrete like making a
balance on time adds motivation, ideally opening a window where learning is
possible.
Unfortunately though I've discarded or passed on collecting most such
dances!
Have any suggestions of good/great dances where the timing is tight or
loose in spots?
One of mine in that category is Crow Flight (http://rickmohr.net/Contra/
Dances.asp#CrowFlight). Learning opportunities include gents flowing from
swing to circle (common with aware dancers but a revelation to some),
ladies moving efficiently from circle to hey, and doing a hey with two
steps per pass (possibly realizing the difference between a 3-change and
4-change half hey).
Thanks for any ideas!
Rick
For historic nerdiness, how about an old dance from proper formation like
Jackson Liberty?
On Feb 7, 2018 11:44 AM, "DAVID HARDING via Callers" <
callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
"Entangled in Monte Carlo" by Luke Donforth
http://www.madrobincallers.org/2014/11/12/contra-with-a-swing-dance-move/
On February 7, 2018 at 8:58 AM Ron Blechner via Callers <
callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hey callers,
I'm looking for dances with nerdy inspirations to add a few more choices to
an upcoming session. Skill level easy through intermediate+.
This can be dances inspired by a nerdy reason (like Jurassic Redheads or
Star Trek) or some kind of nerdy-choreography.
Thanks!
Ron Blechner
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Spare Parts - The Regency Ballroom
http://www.bfv.com/regency/
> On 6/02/2018, at 11:48, Rich Sbardella via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
> Does anyone have a dance length recording of Sir Roger De Coverly?
> I need a source for purchase.l
> Rich
> Stafford, CT
> _______________________________________________
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> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
(aside: I love this list! So very helpful)
RE: The Wheel
Bill Olson noted that the dance can be challenging with the ladies in the
outside circle, due to their generally shorter arms.
Given that the promenade is a long 16 beats, Has anyone tried adding a two
hand turn after 12 beats to put the gents on the outside? I wonder if this
is one of the things that Rick Mohr tried while attempting to reduce socket
injuries. ??
Date: Wed, 31 Jan 2018 21:06:54 +0000
From: Bill Olson <callbill(a)hotmail.com>
Yeah, That's what I was more thinking of than moderately difficult dances
like Beneficial Tradition.. I like Gene Hubert's circle mixer "the wheel" :
The Wheel, circle mixer by Gene Hubert
A1 Promenade (CCW)(16)
A2 (face partner Gents facing out, Women facing in) join 2 hands with
partner and walk ~8 steps IN (8), join hands in concentric circles and walk
~8 steps back out (8)
B1 all circle LEFT (opposite directions obviously)
B2 *SWING* (nearest person)
"The Wheel" has been a favorite of mine since 1994. Around here some call
it "Wheel of Misfortune" -- hilarious! (i.e. who will the fates deliver
unto you for a swing?)
I could never find it in my Gene Hubert books -- apparently because it was
published in his first collection "Dizzy Dances" (
https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/index/DD1.txt) which I don't have. I
never thought that was a problem, since "Dizzy Dances II" is subtitled
"Featuring the best of Volume 1 plus...". But now I wonder how many other
great dances that Gene didn't consider "the best" are hiding in that book!
I've also long struggled with the "women's arms pulled out of their
sockets" problem, and tried a couple fixes that failed spectacularly. Mac,
your solution looks brilliant and I'm excited to try it!
Rick
Here are a few dances I’ve found can enhance a silly atmosphere!
Carmen’s Contra, which I think is by Lisa Greenleaf
NOTE: Men empty right pockets before dance!!
A
Circle left ¾, pass through – (8) (progression)
Do-si-do next neighbor – (8)
With same neighbor: clap, clap, bump, bump (clap two hands, bump right hips) – (4)
With that neighbor swing – (12)
B
Long lines forward and back – (8)
Women allemande right, 1 1/2 – (8)
Partners balance and swing – (12)
Aw Shucks! by Carol Copp
NOTE: To teach the clapping, have everyone say together “Right, left, both, turn! Right, left both, swing!”
A
Ones sashay down center – (8)
Ones sashay back up stopping between the twos – (8)
Ones face each other, clap one beat each: right, left, both and turn to face neighbors – (4)
Neighbors facing each other clap: right, left – (3)
Neighbors swing – (9) End facing down the set in line of four
B
Down the hall in lines of four holding hands twos in the middle – (8)
Turn as a couple (gents back up while ladies go forward), and come back up, ones in center – (8)
Ones drop hands in middle of line, fall back into long lines (progressed) Ladies chain across – (8)
Ladies chain back – (8) Ones are ready to sashay again, stopping between the NEXT twos.
Casino Polka by Tony Parkes
NOTE: It’s fun if neighbors take a dramatic cheek-to-cheek ballroom position
A
Neighbors, heel, toe, sashay (start with gent’s left foot, lady’s right foot) (4) back in (4)
“Heel and toe and step together, step”
Repeat (8)
Do-si-do neighbor (8)
Swing neighbor (8) (End facing across)
B
Gents allemande left, 1 ½ times around (8)
Partner swing on the side of the set (8)
Circle left 1 ¼ times (8) (end facing down or up)
Pass right shoulders through to next couple (8) (progression)
<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>
Delia Clark
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Taftsville, VT 05073
Office/mobile: +1-802-457-2075
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