Contra Callers

contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net

12 participants
4406 discussions

by Mary Collins

I know many of us travel some distance to call a dance, and some of us have only a few miles to go to call. I'm curious in each situation, how your pre-dance day is spent. What helps and what has hindered your calling might be good too. Thanks in advance for your input. Mary Collins

8 years, 1 month

Pirate Themed Dances!

by Angela DeCarlis

He- Ahem- AHOY, Shared Weight? Did you know that September 19 is International Talk Like a Pirate Day? Me neither, but the dance I'm calling tonight was sure to let me know! I know there are a bunch of Pirate-themed dances out there (one that I heard Maggie Jo Saylor called years ago springs to mind, with two consecutive wave balances). Send along some of your favorites, maybe others with gigs this weekend will find they come in handy! Thanks! Angela www.angeladecarlis.com

8 years, 1 month

Re: [Callers] Pirate Themed Dances!

by Dugan Murphy

Hi, Angela, I wrote two dances called "All Hands on Deck" and "Hold Fast." They both sort of combine "Fast Hands" by Diane Silver and "A Pirate's Life for Me" by Nathaniel Jack. See www.duganmurphy.com/dances-i-wrote Two of my other titles, "Bold Coast" and "Cutler Coast" sound a little piratelike, though they actually refer to a state park in Cutler, Maine. They are written out on the same web page linked above. Dugan Murphy Portland, Maine dugan at duganmurphy.com <dugan(a)duganmurphy.com> www.DuganMurphy.com www.PortlandIntownContraDance.com www.NufSed.consulting > Date: Sat, 16 Sep 2017 10:21:38 -0400 > From: Angela DeCarlis <aedecarlis(a)gmail.com> > To: callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> > Subject: [Callers] Pirate Themed Dances! > > He- Ahem- AHOY, Shared Weight? > > Did you know that September 19 is International Talk Like a Pirate Day? > > Me neither, but the dance I'm calling tonight was sure to let me know! I > know there are a bunch of Pirate-themed dances out there (one that I heard > Maggie Jo Saylor called years ago springs to mind, with two consecutive > wave balances). Send along some of your favorites, maybe others with gigs > this weekend will find they come in handy! > > Thanks! > Angela > > www.angeladecarlis.com >

8 years, 1 month

4 couple set Chorus Jig

by Yoyo Zhou via Callers

Hi callers, I've been looking for a funky dance, a variation on Chorus Jig for 4 couples, alternating, everybody turns contra corners. Does anyone know who to thank for it? (I remember dancing it at one of the Monte Toyon camps (Spring Fever or Queer Contra Camp) but I can't remember which! For bonus points, I'd love to figure out whom I learned it from.) The dance goes like this: A1: top couple down the outside and back B1: top couple down the middle and back, cast off with 2s C: all turn contra corners in the middle (All turn partner right 3/4, 1st corner left 1, parter right 1/2, 2nd corner left 1. It looks like a wave of 8 down the middle.) B2: all balance and swing partner; end swing facing up (?) (? = Do you alternate facing up/down?) Then, every other time, alternate: the bottom couple goes up the set and casts off with the 3s. So the 1s and 2s just change places with each other, and the 3s and 4s change places with each other, and everyone has a turn. Thanks, Yoyo Zhou

8 years, 1 month

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Gypsies (But Were Afraid to Ask)

by John Sweeney

Important note: This is NOT about whether or not modern callers should use the term. Please don't raise that question in response to this note. This is a historical analysis of the gypsy. If you are interested please look at http://contrafusion.co.uk/Gypsy.html where you will find all these subjects covered: Gypsy - Whole Gip - Walk Around: The Move & The Name References & Definitions Through the Ages Gypsy: The Name Warning Backs & Faces Not Turning Your Faces Sharp's Whole Gips The Solo Gypsy Interlocking Gypsies or Double Gyp Conclusion Note on Etymology Other Sources Appendix 1: Walk Around the Corner Appendix 2: Back-Circles Thanks to all the people who provided information and insights. Please let me know if you have anything that will help me to improve this page. Thanks. Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

8 years, 2 months

Labor Day dances

by Andrea Nettleton

Hey all, Can someone point me to the thread I imagine already exists with dances for Labor Day? Or, if you have written or know of some good ones, please let me know? Anything about work, workers, labor, and the like. The one I have that came to mind was Labor of Love, by, I think, Kathy Anderson. Thanks! Andrea Sent from my external brain

8 years, 2 months

New archives

by Seth Seeger

Hello callers, I’m sorry it’s taken me so long, but at last we have a new archive system: http://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/ <http://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/> The old archives should be imported this weekend. For power users, there are some interesting search options and keyboard shortcuts: https://www.mail-archive.com/faq.html#search <https://www.mail-archive.com/faq.html#search> https://www.mail-archive.com/faq.html#accesskeys <https://www.mail-archive.com/faq.html#accesskeys> I welcome any feedback! Seth

8 years, 2 months

Re: [Callers] Waltz-Time Contra Choreography

by Don Veino via Callers

Here's one I'm fond of. One could argue whether this is a Contra, ECD, or... Linda’s Gifts (of Time) – Longways Duple Proper in Waltz Time – Don Veino 20160818 *Type:* Longways Contra or English Dance, Duple Proper *Status:* Public, Proven In grateful recognition of Linda Leslie’s investments of time in the folk dance community and in particular her consultation and mentoring given me as I hone my dance calling and composition. *A1* (6,6) First Corners Set to each other (small steps to the Right-2-3, Left-2-3), Hole in the Wall (forward 3 beats/steps, pass rights and pivot 1 step, fall back 2 steps into each other’s places) (12) Second Corners, same thing *A2* (12) Partner Two-Hand Turn 1x (12) Circle Left 1x *B1* (12) Ones Half Figure 8 up and around Twos to finish below (12) Twos do similar below, to finish above *B2* (12) Partner Back to Back/Dosido (6) Ring Balance with current Neighbors (6) Cloverleaf Turn Single over outside shoulder to face new Neighbors http://veino.com/blog/?p=1464 On Aug 8, 2017 2:03 PM, "Dugan Murphy via Callers" < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: Do you have a favorite contra dance written to fit a waltz tune?

8 years, 2 months

Re: [Callers] Waltz-Time Contra Choreography

by John Sweeney via Callers

Hi, Dugan asked about waltz contra choreographies. The music in the Allison Wonderland video is much faster than I would use for a contra waltz. Many of the dancers seem to end up almost running to keep up. The waltz at the beginning or end of an evening at a contra dance is usually significantly slower, and more the sort of speed that I would use to get the feel of a waltz. (Yes, I know the Irish like to waltz 50% faster, but that is a very different style!) Here are some contras that were written specifically for waltz music: = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Tulsa Tribute (by Keith Tuxhorn) Contra; Becket - Waltz A1: Circle Left Half Way (2); Balance the Ring (2) Circle Left* Half Way (2); Balance the Ring (2) A2: Open Ladies' Chain x2 B1: Full Hey with hands - Ladies start with Right Hand B2: Partner Waltz in Place (4), Waltz Left** to face a New Neighbours (4) An Open Ladies' Chain is an old form in which you do NOT do a Courtesy Turn. I always teach it and call it as "Ladies Pull By Right, Allemande Left the Man you meet" * I go Right to make it easier for inexperienced dancers ** I go Right because my brain tells me that is the direction in which I should waltz around the room Easy B2: Ladies Gypsy (4); Yearn Left (2); Step Right & Honour (2) = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = A Waltz for Terry (by Don Armstrong) Contra; Improper - Waltz A1: #1s with #2 Man: Balance the Ring twice; Circle Left A2: #1s with #2 Lady: Balance the Ring twice; Circle Right to a Line of Four facing Down the Hall (#1 Lady lets go with Right Hand; #1 Man raises Left Hand to left #2 Lady through) B1: Down the Hall in Lines of Four (2) bars, Balance Forwards (1), Turn Alone (1) Up the Hall in Lines of Four (2), #2s Gate the #1s Up to progressed positions with a wide hand-cast (2) B2: Open Ladies' Chain (the Men can do a Turn Single to the Left while the Ladies cross) Open Ladies' Chain back An Open Ladies' Chain is an old form in which you do NOT do a Courtesy Turn. I always teach it and call it as "Ladies Pull By Right, Allemande Left the Man you meet" = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Equal Opportunity Waltz Contra (by Becky Hill) Contra; Improper - Waltz A1: Star Left; Star Right A2: Neighbour Allemande Right; Partner Allemande Left B1: Ladies Cross (2); Men Cross (2) Balance the Ring; Partner Roll Away with a Half Sashay B2: Partner: Take Right Hand: Balance & Box the Gnat Partner: Take Left Hand: Balance & Swat the Flea = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = If I was going to use a standard contra then I would choose a smooth, flowing one like: The Mad Gypsy (by John Sweeney) Contra; Becket A1: Ladies' Chain Mad Robin - AC - Ladies through the Middle A2: Full Hey - Ladies start Right Shoulder B1: Ladies Gypsy (slow & wide) Neighbour Two-Hand Turn (or Waltz) B2: Balance the Ring; Ladies Cross Yearn on the Left Diagonal = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

8 years, 2 months

Re: [Callers] Callers Digest, Vol 40, Issue 10

by Gretchen Caldwell via Callers

Tulsa Tribute is a simple, lovely "contra waltz" that works well as a cool-down on a hot night. I sometimes use it as the next-to-last dance of the evening. The band needs to choose a waltz in AABB, rather than ABAB as many are usually played. If I teach it in tempo, they usually figure it out. Tulsa Tribute - Keith ?Juxhorn? (can't read my own writing)**Becket**A1: Circle left 1/2, balance the ring Circle left 1/2, balance the ringA2: Ladies chain over and back (it really helps to call this in tempo - the ladies tend to pick up the loveliness of the waltz tempo with the chain)B1: Full hey for four (ladies start by passing right shoulders)B2: With your partner, waltz in place, end by sliding left to a new couple. Gretchen Caldwell, Charlotte NC gretchendance(a)yahoo.com

8 years, 2 months

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Contra Callers