Contra Callers

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45 participants
4388 discussions

by Yoyo Zhou via Callers

Hi callers, I improvised this dance inspired by James Hutson's Treasure of the Sierra Madre last night, but it seems like it could have been written before. Does anyone have a title and author for it? NB. The B2->A1 transition has slightly awkward hands for the gents, but it seemed to go fine. A1: N balance, box the gnat; gents allemande left 1+1/2 A2: full hey, pass P right B1: P balance, swing B2: circle left 3/4; balance ring, P CA twirl Thanks, Yoyo Zhou

8 years, 5 months

Re: [Callers] What to do with a really bad new dancer?

by April Blum via Callers

You want to avoid letting him pair up with a new dancer, so you might indeed want to have a confidential chat with the regular ladies who are also good leads, and see if they are willing to take turns dancing with him. Some techniques for his partners: Walk the swing and stop early to face in. Turn 1.5 allemandes into half allemandes or pull bys. Turn free moves into "with hands" moves where possible. Ask your caller to suggest that everyone try a hey with hands if the timing is tight. Or turn a hey for four into a hey for three, with you and he acting as a unit. That works for half heys as well. Just cross the set together, dodging the other two dancers. If he's hopelessly behind each time through, consider skipping B2 and set up for the next repetition. Maybe concentrate on getting him comfortable with the first part of the sequence. Is he aware of his "rock in the stream of the dance" status? The answer to this might affect how much adaptation he will accept. Do keep in mind that it takes a certain amount of courage to try something new and challenging, particularly as an individual rather than a couple. And one or more of the organizers should chat with him at the break. It would be useful to find out if he has a physical challenge. On Mar 6, 2017 3:13 PM, Marie-Michèle Fournier via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > > Hi everyone, > Lately a new dancer has started coming to our dance and he is bad enough that he will often make the set break if the dance is moderately challenging. He seems to have some kind of impairment and walks very stiffly which means he will often not be on time for a figure and also often does not remember what is coming next. > We want to be inclusive but at the same time his presence negatively impacts other dancers in his set and while some of the experienced dancers will take one for the team and dance with him, it is an unpleasant experience to be his partner. Unfortunately, we always have many new dancers and having one couple not be where they should be can really throw them off in some dances so I feel like I have to push and pull him around to be on time, despite the fact that it's a little rude. > A recent caller to our dance called him a "speed bump" which was quite accurate. I'm sure other dances have had experience with similar troubles, does anyone have advice on how to deal with this so that other dancers still have a good time yet we are nice to this problematic dancer? > Thank you > Marie > ContraMontreal

8 years, 5 months

Dances Inspired by "Beneficial Tradition"

by Dugan Murphy via Callers

Does anybody know of dances inspired by "Beneficial Tradition" by Dan Pearl that includes the "zipper" figure (B2 of "Beneficial Tradition") or variations of that figure? I just wrote one myself, so I'm curious to see what else is out there. Here's mine: Dela Says Yippee by Dugan Murphy (Clockwise Becket) A1 Long Lines Forward and Back (8) / Neighbor Left Hand Pull-by Across the Set (hopping and shouting recommended on the fourth beat) (4) - New Same-Role Dancer Across the Set Right Hand Pull-by Across the Set (hopping and shouting recommended on the fourth beat) (4) A2 New Ladies (not the one just pulled by) Left Hand Allemande 1.5 (8) / Neighbor Swing B1 Circle Left 3 Places (8) / Partner Di-Si-Do (8) B2 Partner Balance & Swing (16) This dance is also posted here: www.duganmurphy.com/dances-i-wrote Dugan Murphy Portland, Maine dugan at duganmurphy.com <dugan(a)duganmurphy.com> www.DuganMurphy.com www.PortlandIntownContraDance.com www.NufSed.consulting

8 years, 5 months

Role term survey responses

by Jeff Kaufman via Callers

As part of thinking about how whether non-gendered terms would work for mainstream contra dances, I thought it would be good to ask callers what they thought. Is it something where most callers were only willing to call Gents/Ladies, or are they more flexible? Do they generally support this sort of change, or do they think it's a bad idea? I wrote to people who have called BIDA in the last year, plus the ones who are currently booked, to ask them whether: - A dance like BIDA switching to gender free terms is better, worse, or about the same. - They have a preference between Larks/Ravens and Jets/Rubies. - They would be willing to call Larks/Ravens or Jets/Rubies if a dance required that. Of the 18 callers I wrote to, 17 responded. Of them, all but one was willing to call Larks/Ravens or Jets/Rubies, though several said (without my having suggested it) that they wouldn't be willing to call Lead/Follow. Many of the respondents didn't say whether they were in favor of the switch. Of the 11 who did respond, it was 5x yes, 3x ambivalent, and 3x no. Nine callers preferred Jets/Rubies because they find it easier to say, but no one so much that they were willing to call Jets/Rubies but not Larks/Ravens. Some freeform responses, lightly edited: - "I prefer Jets/Rubies, but only slightly. I can see the benefit of 'L'/'R' matching the default swing ending position with the initial letters but I think I'd make fewer mistakes with Jets/Rubies. Not enough to sway a decision though. - "My personal preference is for Jets/Rubies, but that's just because it's easier for me to say right now. I'm sure that if I practiced Larks/Ravens would be fine too. If the point of using gender free terms is to distance the roles even further from gender, than I'd go with Larks/Ravens. Jets/Rubies sounds very similar to Gents/Ladies, and some callers slip up and say 'Gents' for 'Jets'." - "The birds are arbitrary terms and seem to have fewer unwanted(?) associations than the rock terms. So I'm for the birds." - "I'm not wildly positive about either Larks/Ravens or Jets/Rubies, but if I had to choose one set, it would be Larks/Ravens. To me, Jets/Rubies carries a lot of baggage: It sounds enough like Gents/Ladies that it invites the reaction 'Who are they trying to kid?' The lack of logical association between jewels (inanimate objects) and dancing (an intimate human activity) makes the use of Jets/Rubies feel as if the series is being run by an in-group with a secret language. (I realize the two foregoing reactions are contradictory, but these are gut reactions, not necessarily rational ones.) Also, 'Jets' makes me think of the gang in West Side Story, and also of airplanes (more inanimate objects). To sum up, the word in a dance context has no positive associations for me, and some negative ones. Larks/Ravens has no baggage for me, doesn't reinforce gender stereotypes, and has a built-in mnemonic with the L/R initials." - "Enough people are offended by 'Jets' sounding too close to 'Gents' that I think Larks/Ravens is a much easier sell." - "My preference would be Jets/Rubies, because the sound similarity to traditional terms make the transition easier. (I understand that that very feature makes it the less desirable choice in some people's view.)" - "As a caller who learned with Gents/Ladies, I find Jets/Rubies the easiest to use." - "I've never used Larks/Ravens. I've used Jets/Rubies, and felt fairly comfortable with it. Larks/Ravens makes more sense to me. Definitely happy to use either one." - "I have a preference for Jets/Rubies but the only terms I *will not use* are Leads/Follows." - "I don't have a preference between those two sets of terms. I am also comfortable with Lead/Follow, but know that this is also a challenging choice for some people and I understand why it's maybe not the best pick. I like it because those terms have dance connotations" - "I like Jets/Rubies because regular contra dancers from other places can come in and dance without needing anything to be explained to them since the terms are pretty similar to Gents/Ladies. Also, Larks/Ravens sounds a little silly." - "As far as Jets/Rubies vs Larks/Ravens, I like using Jets/Rubies because they sound almost the same as Gents/Ladies. For my rhymes and patter, it's a pretty easy substitution. But my first impression of the terms is that they are still kind of gendered, or at least can be interpreted that. 'Jets' sounds aggressive and masculine, and 'Rubies' are definitely feminine. " - "I can't imagine trying to turn a singing square gender free." - "From the point of view of a caller trying to get a new set of words out of my mouth when significant chunks of my teaching and prompting are automatic, I think that I would prefer Jets/Rubies for a few reasons. First, I think that I would manage to confuse myself and stumble around switching 'Gents' to 'Larks', which starts with the same letter as 'Ladies', and might be more likely to flip-flop the two. Also, I know that it has been successfully used, but the initial consonants of Larks/Ravens aren't nearly as contrasted as are those of Jets/Rubies (or of Gents/Ladies)." - "Not really a preference, although as a caller perhaps Jets/Rubies is a slightly easier transition."

8 years, 6 months

Pousette between mad robins

by Ron Blechner via Callers

Choreography question: Anyone encounter any dances with a mad robin, half pousette, into a mad Robin with new neighbors? Thanks, Ron Blechner

8 years, 6 months

Re: [Callers] Pousette between mad robins

by Dugan Murphy via Callers

Hi, Ron, My favorite is "Songbird" by Cary Ravitz: http://www.dance.ravitz.us/#sb2 Dugan Murphy Portland, Maine dugan at duganmurphy.com www.DuganMurphy.com www.PortlandIntownContraDance.com www.NufSed.consulting > Date: Fri, 24 Feb 2017 14:16:49 -0500 > From: Ron Blechner via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> > To: callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> > Subject: [Callers] Pousette between mad robins > > Choreography question: > > Anyone encounter any dances with a mad robin, half pousette, into a mad > Robin with new neighbors? > > Thanks, > Ron Blechner >

8 years, 6 months

Increased number of community dance requests?

by Luke Donforth via Callers

Hi all, Just wondering if anyone else is experiencing a bump in requests for community/family dances? I feel like the last month or so, there's been an uptick in schools and community centers requesting them. Could be a local fluctuation, or something bigger. Anyone else getting that impression? Possibly I'm projecting based on my own desire to build community through dance, but a couple years ago I was knocking on doors trying to make these happen, and now they're knocking on our door. Hope you're all having a similar experience! -- Luke Donforth Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>

8 years, 6 months

from geopmercer@gmail.com

by geopmercer via Callers

Hi! Have you already seen it? http://www.stowemedia.com/lkitwm.php?geopmercer_gmail_com geopmercer(a)gmail.com

8 years, 6 months

Re: [Callers] Callers Digest, Vol 34, Issue 11

by K Panton via Callers

Ron, I could not locate use of the word "bland" in the post you reference. In any event... Did you not read the paragraph following that which contained the reference to diet soda? The author stated that others may disagree. Obviously, you disagree. Please don't belittle the views of others as you demonstrate your egalitarian viewpoint. I happily agree with most of what Neal wrote. I don't go contra dancing to dance with guys, primarily. I go to dance with women. Yes, for me there is quite a (fortunate) difference between dancing with men & women. I'll dance with men but those "sublime" moments have happened only when dancing with women. Couples dancing originated as gendered. I would argue that it continues to be primarily gendered simply because couples are gendered whether identified by physical difference or role predeliction. I know of homosexual dancers who have preference for one role over the other; they are not ambi-dance-trous in that sense. I.e. they do not get a similar level of enjoyment dancing both roles. Argue away, but please avoid the "holier than thou". Ken Panton Message: 1 Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2017 22:49:24 -0500 From: Ron Blechner via Callers < I have danced at a bunch of genderfree dances, as well as my home dance having a lot of people who dance both roles. I can't say I've ever had this "diet contra" experience. My home dance is widely known among musicians and callers as a lively crowd who brings good energy to performers. Proper and improper have little relevance, but that doesn't stop a seeming endless supply of new choreography being generated and called by various callers. Does it really matter if I'm allemanding or swinging with a particular gender? I guess a person can still choose to only dance with one gender if they really felt strongly. But saying that genderfree dancing is bland? I mean, it's a folk community dance. The whole point is we all dance in one big set together. If dancing only to swing people of one gender means so much that contra is "diet" without it, I would ask what exactly contra means to you? Best regards, Ron Blechner On Feb 13, 2017 6:17 PM, "Woody Lane via Callers" < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: I basically agree with Neal. I would not want to replace gents and ladies with other arbitrary terms. For many of the same reasons. Woody -- Woody Lane Caller, Percussive Dancer Roseburg, Oregon http://www.woodylanecaller.com home: 541-440-1926 <(541)%20440-1926> cell: 541-556-0054 <(541)%20556-0054> ------------------------------ On 2/13/2017 2:51 PM, Neal Schlein via Callers wrote: I do not want to replace gent and lady as terms, based on my own experience. Some context: I've been dancing for between 29 and 37 years, depending on how you count--my parents met at a square dance and I grew up dancing. I started calling about 18 years ago, and dance/call ECD, Scottish, squares, contra, ballroom, and folk styles at varying levels of proficiency. Seeing a man dancing the lady's role, or a woman dancing the gent's role, has never, ever phased me. It's fun to swap, requires technical skill, speaks well of a dancer who can do it well stylistically, and sometimes is necessary to fill out a set. It is also an important skill for any caller, and one callers need to know how to handle when it happens in special situations; the callers I grew up with talked about when they first encountered gay or one-gender crowds in the 60s and how they struggled to adjust on the fly. That said, I first encountered "gender-free" dancing at a Heather and Rose (?) ECD dance outside of Eugene, Oregon about 15 years ago. I didn't know what I was walking into, and thought it was a normal ECD event until they lined up and started teaching. They used several dances I was familiar with; I had been teaching some older ECD dances for a graduate folklore class and recently returned from Berea's Christmas Country Dance School. Aside from momentary confusion, adapting to the unfamiliar terminology and random line-up was not a problem for me. What I couldn't adapt to was how being made "gender free" changed the character of the dances I knew. They became less elegant, less interesting, and were lessened overall. Switching between an A and a B position meant nothing aside from (possibly) a slightly different floor pattern. Proper and improper had no relevance. There was no stylistic mastery needed to switch dance sides because any clue as to historically demanded or intended stylistic differences had been stripped out--there weren't even ROLES anymore, merely positions; there was nothing to hold onto even as a guideline for playacting. The dances completely lost their flavor and character. They became like Caffeine Free Diet Crystal Coke. (I mean, honestly...WHY WAS THAT EVER MADE? Just drink water!) Other folks may certainly disagree with me, and I have followed and agree with the many counterpoints, but I personally believe that the terms "gentlemen" and "ladies" (and their derivatives) positively influence how people behave and relate, and definitely how a dance is done. I don't worry about that at special or family events, of course; I just want everyone to get up and have a good time. But encouraging folks to learn both roles to become better dancers is only meaningful if there is a meaningful difference between the roles. I am a happily married man and prefer to dance with women as partners and corners. I don't mind dancing with men, but that's not what I go to dances for; if I wanted to get close to a bunch of sweaty guys, I'd play football. If we're honest, we can admit that the vast majority of our general dancers (both new and old) are probably similar. So why not let the dance reflect that? That's more likely to win friends than taking a wonderful dance with character and making it into "gender free diet crystal contra." Just my 2 cents. Neal Neal Schlein Youth Services Librarian, Mahomet Public Library _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

8 years, 6 months

The Gene, resequenced

by Tavi Merrill via Callers

For anyone who's fooling around with left swings, in knee-saving workshops and such... Margarine becket: from improper, circle RIGHT ;) 3 places A1. circle R 3, turn to new Neighbor, swing! (standard clockwise swing) A2. Long lines forward & (returning) Gents Neighbor roll away along Gents RH chain (standard courtesy turn with roles reversed) B1. Gents pass R: full hey B2. Partner gypsy L (or seesaw) swing L (counterclockwise)!!! Tavi

8 years, 6 months

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