Contra Callers

contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net

12 participants
4406 discussions

by Amy Wimmer via Callers

Hi All, I recently had the opportunity to call a contra to a group of rank beginners in a difficult situation: outdoors, on sloping concrete, without amplification for either myself or the band, to people not expecting a dance, with a band mostly unfamiliar with either contra or fiddle tunes, who had no opportunity to practice or choose tunes. It was a staff party with a barnyard theme. Granted, this particular good of people is accustomed to being spontaneous and silly at times, most are in their 20's, and it's a liberal, accepting group. The organizers wanted to use the terms "cows" and "chickens" instead of any other usual terms for dancers. When they arrived at the party each person chose a name tag with either a cow or a chicken on it. They didn't know it, but this determined which role they'd play in the dance. I arbitrarily chose to "put the chicken on the right, because the chicken is always right." (I keep chickens, and they ARE always right) There was not time for much of a lesson, either. It'd have been much easier if everyone had joined the dance at the beginning. All said, just about everyone had a really great time, myself included. The band was hyped up to try another dance evening later in the week, though that never materialized. I never mentioned gender in any way. That part just seemed to not matter. They were dancing with their friends. It didn't matter that they weren't experts or even very good. I was heartened and encouraged to try something like this again, perhaps with more widely used dancer terms. -Amy

8 years, 3 months

Re: [Callers] Seeking *lists* of tunes for patter squares

by jim saxe via Callers

Folks, When I sent out my request back in May soliciting lists of recommended tunes for patter squares, I wrote: > ... If you got this query via a mailing list, please send > tune lists directly to me and *not* to the entire mailing list. > .., I'm trying to see which tunes get mentioned > *independently* by many recommenders, so I don't want the lists > anyone sends me to be influenced one way or another by whatever > suggestions other people have already sent. ... > > I plan to gather recommendations for the next couple months and > to post a summary some time in July. Now it's the end of July, and I find myself in a bit of a quandary, since I haven't gathered nearly as much data as I'd hoped, and I'd prefer not to have my results so far circulating around and possibly biasing anyone else who might yet supply input. On the other hand, I don't want to renege on providing a summary. So what I'm going to do is take some more time (possibly several months, at the rate things are going). But meanwhile if anyone's impatient for a summary, you can contact me off-list (Jim dot Saxe at-sign gmail dot com), and I'll send a brief synopsis of what I've gathered as of today, July 31. (Note: This will only include information from recent informants and a few other recent sources, not all the stuff I'm still working on from old books, articles, record catalogs, etc.) Meanwhile thanks to the following persons who have supplied tune lists in response either to my queries on trad-dance-callers and the SharedWeight or (more commonly) to other requests either by email or in person: T-Claw supplied a list of tunes that he and other participants shared at a session called "List of Favorite Square Dance Tunes" at the 2015 Dare To Be Square Weekend in Nashville. Bob Dalsemer supplied a short list of tunes that he had gathered from three Brasstown area fiddlers. He also supplied a tune list from an unpublished manuscript by the late D. B. Hendrix with more tunes than the ones listed in his book _Smoky Mountain Square Dances_ (but I'm not including that list in my "recent sources" category). I also got tune lists from Erik Hoffman, Bill Litchman, Tony Mates, Jim McKinney, David Millstone, Tony Parkes, Jordan Ruyle, Don Stratton, and Vivian Williams. Thanks, all. I also got at least one well-intentioned reply that seemed so far off target from what I requested that I couldn't use it (thanks all the same if you know who you are). --Jim

8 years, 3 months

Phil Jamison: Hoedowns, Reels, and Frolics

by Aahz via Callers

I don't recall seeing this mentioned, passing along to people interested in the history of square dancing, clogging, and other southern Appalachia dances. http://www.philjamison.com/hoedowns-reels-and-frolics/ Picked up from the Facebook group Safety Dance: Building Safe and Empowered Social Dance Communities -- Hugs and backrubs -- I break Rule 6 http://rule6.info/ <*> <*> <*> I'm fond of saying that relationships are a complex dance of dependence, independence, and interdependence, and the rhythm and steps are different for each relationship.

8 years, 3 months

Roger Whynot Contras for Modern Square Dancers (Part 1)

by Rich Sbardella via Callers

Hello Judy, I found the Dick Leger album with Roger Whynot contras. I remember dancing many of these at East Hill Farm with Dick Leger. *SW Contra* Alternate Duple/Double Progression, No P Swg A1 N DSD, N Swg A2 Face Across Flutterwheel, Sweep 1/4, Star Thru B1 Circle Left, Circle Right B2 Promenade Across, R&L Thru *Eighteenth of January* Alternate Duple/Double Progression, No P Swg A1 N DSD, N Swg A2 Square Thru, Slide Thru, Meet New Neighbor, Join Hands w/New Neighbor B1 Circle Left, Circle Right B2 Lad Chain, Chain Back *Route 61* Alternate Duple, No P Swg (This is listed as a Double Progression. Is it?) A1 Across the Set RH Balance, Turn Half by Right, R&L Thru & Courtesy Turn 1/4 More A2 Promenade Wholeset, Wheel Around & Comeback B1 Lad Chain, Chain Back B2 New N Swg, LL F&B *Sue's Delight* Alternate Duple Single Progression The Sweep 1/4 are indicated as with vines. A1 Holding your P hand, Balance as Couples R, then L, Sweep 1/4, Lad Chain to N A2 Lad Chain to P, Holding N Hand, Balance as Couples R, the Left, Sweep 1/4 B1 R&L Thru, Star Thru, Circle Half, B2 Pass Thru & Swg, LL F&B These contras are all on the first side of the LP "A Modern Style Contra Dance Party". Each dance would all be a tough sell today, since there are no Partner Swings. More to come, Rich Sbardella Stafford, CT On Wed, Jul 19, 2017 at 9:48 AM, Rich Sbardella <richsbardella(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Judy, > > Dick Leger published an LP of contras written by Roger Whynot. The LP was > aimed at square dancers and included Flutter Wheel and Sweep 1/4 More. > Perhaps I will be able to find it later and post some dances. > > I called contras at the New England Square and Round Dance Convention this > year and the dancers enjoyed contras that I also call at modern contra > dances, Keep the progressions simple, and keep the swings short. > > Peace, > Rich > Stafford, CT > > On Tue, Jul 18, 2017 at 10:28 PM, Judy Greenhill via Callers < > callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > >> Hi everyone, >> >> I have undertaken to teach some modern square dancers how to contra >> dance, and I’m wondering if anyone has experience with this and has any >> dances to recommend? I’m a square dancer myself but most of my contra >> repertoire is for modern contra dancers- 2 swings, lots of Balance and >> swing, etc. I’d like more dances with MWSD moves in them and possibly >> without any, or only 1, swing, and they don’t need to have a partner swing. >> The dancers I am teaching are all either plus or advanced, so they will >> tire pretty quickly of the usual simple glossary contras I would normally >> do in a teaching situation. They can do the moves; it’s the formation that >> is new to them. >> >> >> >> Thanks, >> >> Judy >> >> >> >> >> <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> Virus-free. >> www.avast.com >> <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> >> <#m_-880773143942596016_m_6636786697433527171_DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Callers mailing list >> Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net >> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net >> >> >

8 years, 3 months

Looking for a particular sort of becket dance

by Kalia Kliban via Callers

Hi all, I'm re-vamping my list of simple contra dances for new callers, and am in search of a very particular sort of becket dance. The list is one of my hand-outs for callers' classes at camps, so the folks who'll be using it are likely to be nervous, brand-new callers. To that end, I'm looking for sturdy, hard-to-break, low-piece-count dances. In a perfect world they'd be composed of simpler glossary figures. I already have a fair collection of simple dances to choose from, but would like to include one more becket dance (I have Tica Tica Timing already on the list). This perfect becket that I'm looking for should _not_ start with circle L 3/4, and should not contain petronella twirls. Bonus points if it doesn't have a whole hey, since I've already got a couple of whole hey dances in the list. I look forward to hearing what you can recommend. Many thanks, Kalia Kliban

8 years, 3 months

Two new longways set dances

by Luke Donforth via Callers

Hello all, Lately, my choreography brain has been churning on community dances (longways, circles, etc). I've got two new ones that I haven't gotten to test out yet. I'd be curious to hear folks thoughts on them; both the dance moves and how to succinctly explain it to people not used to dancing (for instance, I use the phrase cross trail in this write-up, which I wouldn't use at a community dance) Each of them have (what I think is) a new figure for the progression; and then could be mixed with the staples of long lines, DSDs, etc. I'm not even pretending to break this up into A's and B's; because they're not that kind of dance ;-) *Long Corners * by Luke Donforth longways set top in left line trade with bottom in right line, giving a high five with the left hand in the middle then next trade and high five, and the next, until both lines have swapped and you're across from partner again the pair at the top of the line (was bottom couple) stays put and swings each other around, while two lines do a cross trail at the top; giving your partner a high five with your right when you pass head of each cross-trailing line leads back down to bottom of their original side of the set and stays there. Everyone else follows in their line long lines forward and back DSD partner straight across Progression 1 2 3 4 5 => 5 1 2 3 4 Here's a link to a series of photos, hopefully illustrating the beginning sequence: https://plus.google.com/u/3/104785381669836716439/posts/ZVTsdkH6fj7 (unmarked peg is the caller) *The Fountain* by Luke Donforth Longways sets Top couple makes an arch and goes over the other two lines The rest move up, and when the reach the top, they make an arch and go down over the rest of the line When the bottom couple reaches the top, the separate (peel the banana style) and lead their line down the outside (no hands). Everyone except the original top couple (now at the bottom) follows. The couple at the bottom swings, and as other folks get back to line; they can swing their partner. Long lines forward and back Allemande your partner Other hand Allemande your partner Progression: 1 2 3 4 5 => 2 3 4 5 1 Pictures at: https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipO8FvLShqqQllbGxe-IQ0fpvQiQhA1SNUiQ0S7…

8 years, 3 months

Fwd: Does This Sequence Exist?

by Rich Goss via Callers

> You could just as easily circle Left 1x in B2. > > >> On Jul 18, 2017, at 8:14 AM, Andrea Nettleton via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: >> >> I question the flow of a circle R into a swing. But I don't recognize the sequence. >> Cheers, >> Andrea >> >> Sent from my external brain >> >> On Jul 18, 2017, at 9:55 AM, Jerome Grisanti via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: >> >>>>> >>> >>> I wonder if this sequence has already been written (and titled): >>> >>> Trip to Kentucky >>> Improper contra >>> Jerome Grisanti (unless prior claim exists) >>> >>> A1: Long lines go forward, roll away as you go back (women moving from left to right in front of their neighbors). >>> Men allemande left 1.5. >>> >>> A2: Partner B & S. >>> >>> B1: Right & Left Thru, Ladies chain. >>> >>> B2: Circle RIGHT 1x, Neighbors swing. >>> >>> Thanks, >>> >>> Jerome >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> Jerome Grisanti >>> 660-528-0858 >>> http://www.jeromegrisanti.com >>> >>> "Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it." --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Callers mailing list >>> Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net >>> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net >> _______________________________________________ >> Callers mailing list >> Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net >> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

8 years, 3 months

contras for modern square dancers

by Judy Greenhill via Callers

Hi everyone, I have undertaken to teach some modern square dancers how to contra dance, and I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this and has any dances to recommend? I'm a square dancer myself but most of my contra repertoire is for modern contra dancers- 2 swings, lots of Balance and swing, etc. I'd like more dances with MWSD moves in them and possibly without any, or only 1, swing, and they don't need to have a partner swing. The dancers I am teaching are all either plus or advanced, so they will tire pretty quickly of the usual simple glossary contras I would normally do in a teaching situation. They can do the moves; it's the formation that is new to them. Thanks, Judy --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

8 years, 3 months

contras for square dancers

by Judy Greenhill via Callers

Hi everyone, Thank you for all your suggestions and helpful tips. Just to emphasize-I am BOTH a square dancer AND a contra dancer, but so far only a contra caller. I love both! For different reasons. I've undertaken to call some contras for a local group. Our caller, who has been calling for over 50 years-he started when he was 9 years old-has never called contras and I have challenged him to start. He's accepted that challenge but says he's never called a program he hasn't danced. Since contra dance around here-southern Ontario-pretty much shuts down for the summer I'm filling a gap until the fall. I don't expect to make contra dancers of them, although if some of them get bitten by the bug. Judy --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

8 years, 3 months

Does This Sequence Exist?

by Jerome Grisanti via Callers

> > >> I wonder if this sequence has already been written (and titled): Trip to Kentucky Improper contra Jerome Grisanti (unless prior claim exists) A1: Long lines go forward, roll away as you go back (women moving from left to right in front of their neighbors). Men allemande left 1.5. A2: Partner B & S. B1: Right & Left Thru, Ladies chain. B2: Circle RIGHT 1x, Neighbors swing. Thanks, Jerome -- Jerome Grisanti 660-528-0858 http://www.jeromegrisanti.com "Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it." --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

8 years, 3 months

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Contra Callers