Contra Callers

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4372 discussions

Re: [Callers] Another vote for "jets" and "rubies"

by Amy Wimmer via Callers

Donna, I can imagine a scenario in which organizers would be shy to share this information for fear of retaliation or pressure from those who want them to change their practices. Having received such pressure, personally, I am sure it will happen to others. I'm not saying all pressure to change is bad, but that some people don't like being pushed. It is a (smallish) issue around the term "gypsy" in my neck of the woods. -Amy On Jan 31, 2017 6:39 AM, "Donna Hunt via Callers" < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: If we were creating a doc for attendance and opening it up to the "world of contra dances organizers" to comment why not add some other categories that we've been discussing? Linda Leslie suggested the Organizers group might have stats. I'm wondering if CDSS keeps any? When Jeff replied to my query about LGBTQ dances and groups using non-gender terminology I wasn't at all surprised to see the list (since I know most of those groups), but I *was* surprised to realize that there were no groups in other major cities throughout the country. Topics that might be on the Doc: Dance Organizations that use non-gender terminology Dance Organizations that have considered but decided not to use non-gender terminology Dance Organizations that have decided to use a non "gypsy" terminology Dance Organizations that have considered but decided not to use non "gypsy" terminology There could be a write in section where Dance Organizations could state which terms they use. I would request that the attendance be under 25, 26-50, 51-75, 76-100, etc. Or even increments of 20. There are several small groups in this country that survive with under 20 attendance and other groups where a drop in 25 dancers means serious financial hardship. Dave is concerned that groups might be wary about posting such information. Are there groups represented on this list that might NOT participate in this information gathering? Seems useless to even create the Doc unless folks are willing to post the data. Donna Hunt -----Original Message----- From: Dave Casserly via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> To: Jeff Kaufman <jeff(a)alum.swarthmore.edu> Cc: callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> Sent: Mon, Jan 30, 2017 4:12 pm Subject: Re: [Callers] Another vote for "jets" and "rubies" What if we made a Google doc with more vague categories where dances could self-report their attendance? Something like, a column for the state where the dance is located, a column for 2015 average attendance, all done in ranges of 1-50, 51-100, etc, and another column for 2017 attendance, with the same ranges? I think that would be useful for purposes of knowing how many dances are suffering declining attendance, and where those dances are, but wouldn't give out enough specific information to make organizers queasy about publicly releasing data. On Mon, Jan 30, 2017 at 1:35 PM, Jeff Kaufman via Callers < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > For attendance, what I would love to see is dances making their > attendance numbers fully public. Something like a googledocs > spreadsheet that anyone can view where you put in attendance numbers. > > (I've advocated for this, internally to BIDA, for years > (unsuccessfully). We do have a sheet like this, but it's not public.) > > On Mon, Jan 30, 2017 at 1:07 PM, Linda Leslie via Callers > <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > > It may be that the Organizers’ List for Shared Weight may have this kind > of > > data. > > Linda > > > > On Jan 30, 2017, at 12:51 PM, Ron Blechner via Callers > > <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > > > > No, I haven't seen statistical analysis of this. Maybe it's worthwhile > for > > this to be polled out to various dances. > > > > Best regards, > > Ron > > > > On Jan 30, 2017 10:54 AM, "Donna Hunt" <dhuntdancer(a)aol.com> wrote: > > > > Just getting back to this thread, lots to catch up on. > > > > Jeff and Ron: You both seem like the statisticians here. Is there any > data > > that reflects where in the country the LGBTQ gender-free dances are and > > where the communities that use gender-free terminology are? > > > > Just curious. > > > > Ron: When you say that local dances attendance is down is there data > about > > that compared to dances where attendance is not down? Again, looking for > > information country wide or even geographic area. > > > > Thanks > > Donna Hunt > > > > _______________________________________________ > > 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 > > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net > -- David Casserly (cell) 781 258-2761 <(781)%20258-2761> _______________________________________________ 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, 4 months

Re: [Callers] Another vote for "jets" and "rubies"

by Dugan Murphy via Callers

Since it was an article about my dance series that started this conversation about role terms, I'll offer that the primary reason we chose "jets" and "rubies" as gender-free terms is so that 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" and "ladies." We also took a look at this graphic of Ron Blechner's analysis of gender-free role terms people have been talking about: http://amherstcontra.org/ContraDanceRoleTerms.pdf We may not use "jets" and "rubies" forever, but we figured we'd give it a try. There didn't seem to be any reasons not to try and there are certainly plenty of reasons to try. Most men at our dance dance as jets and most women dance as rubies, but for the few who dance opposite, switch around, or whose gender expression doesn't fit the man/woman binary, I'd like to think that formally separating dance roles from gender is validating in a meaningful way. Dugan Murphy Portland, Maine dugan at duganmurphy.com www.DuganMurphy.com www.PortlandIntownContraDance.com www.NufSed.consulting

8 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] Another vote for "jets" and "rubies"

by Ron Blechner via Callers

No, I haven't seen statistical analysis of this. Maybe it's worthwhile for this to be polled out to various dances. Best regards, Ron On Jan 30, 2017 10:54 AM, "Donna Hunt" <dhuntdancer(a)aol.com> wrote: Just getting back to this thread, lots to catch up on. Jeff and Ron: You both seem like the statisticians here. Is there any data that reflects where in the country the LGBTQ gender-free dances are and where the communities that use gender-free terminology are? Just curious. Ron: When you say that local dances attendance is down is there data about that compared to dances where attendance is not down? Again, looking for information country wide or even geographic area. Thanks Donna Hunt

8 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] Local styles vs. consensus (Was: Another vote for "jets" and "rubies")

by Ron Blechner via Callers

Hearing the multiple-prompts-for-same-move topic framed in a new way has been helpful to me. I've enjoyed that local communities have different feels to them. I like that this discussion led to Tony and others indicating that term variations are part of the charm of local variations. With regards to Tony's question about the number of terms increasing in contra, a question: I understand that squares used to be more commonly interspersed with contras at dances, correct? Squares provide so many different moves that they need special teaching for individual dances. So are modern contras that much different? If I need to teach a box the gnat or a square-thru to a room with a number of new dancers, does it matter whether that move is taught for a contra or a square? I agree that the contras themselves have gotten more complex in the past few decades, but the overall choreography over time? I might like to hear more voices of long-time callers / dancers for perspective. Best regards, Ron Blechner On Jan 30, 2017 10:17 AM, "Tony Parkes via Callers" < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: Rich Hart wrote: << I'd also add to your two requirements (enjoyable and in a safe space), a third one. that is that our dances should also be welcoming to all, regardless of their position in life, and dance skills. As callers, we all try to chose dances and calls that are appropriate, and acceptable for the local dancers. That should not change.>> I deliberately kept my list of requirements short, because I’m not convinced there’s consensus on any others. You might think “welcoming to all, regardless of… dance skills” would be a no-brainer, but in reality, some series are (perceived as) far less welcoming than others. One could even argue (though I’m not arguing here) that this is not necessarily a bad thing, as long as there’s at least one series in every metropolitan area that nurtures beginners. I do want to say that I find it somewhat troubling when a series that doesn’t bill itself as “challenging” or “experienced” develops a reputation for freezing out newcomers. I agree that callers try to present programs that are “acceptable for the local dancers”; but that’s not the same as being “welcoming to all.” The local dancers may be quite sophisticated in their tastes and capacities, and it may be hard (though not impossible) to please them and still foster an inclusive atmosphere. The disparity between series attitudes may be a good thing, a bad thing, or some of each, but it’s the reality in many areas. Tony Parkes Billerica, Mass. www.hands4.com New book: Square Dance Calling (ready Summer 2017) _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

8 years, 4 months

Local styles vs. consensus (Was: Another vote for "jets" and "rubies")

by Tony Parkes via Callers

Chet Gray wrote: <<In regards to the present variety in role terminology, I may be fairly alone in this opinion, but I hope we never intentionally arrive at a grand consensus. I love that different terms for roles have sprung up in different communities, just as I love that so many wonderful terms have sprung up for eye-turn/shoulder-turn/spiral. I love hearing "allemande", "hand turn", and "hand 'round" in different communities. I love that "dosado" means drastically different things in different long-lived community ("square") dances. I love that some communities default to hands-across stars while others default to wrist-hold stars. I love that there are at least three different promenade positions, and each is default in different communities. As much as my engineer brain would enjoy it, I hope we never have a CALLERLAB to strictly define terminology and steps for contra dances.>> Amen! One of the things I’ve long lamented about the modern square dance movement is the disappearance of regional variations. If square dancing is viewed as a hobby, it makes sense (given the mobility of people in industrialized countries) to standardize the meaning of calls, hand and arm positions, and other rules and customs. But if it’s viewed as a folk art, it’s a crying shame to lose the variations. To me, standardizing a folk dance form is like saying there’s only one right way to cook chicken. (Given how far MSD has strayed away from tradition and toward homogenization, it feels to me as if they’re saying KFC is the only right way to cook chicken.) The contra dance world has never had an entity like Callerlab with the clout to convince local groups to standardize, and I don’t think it needs one. Two of the big attractions of contra dancing (IMO) are its lack of regimentation and the small number of terms a newcomer must learn. That small number (again IMO) means that adjusting from one village to another is not difficult: Typically only 3 or 4 terms out of 15 or 20 are understood differently. A big question in my mind is whether there’s anything approaching a consensus among contra callers (and interested organizers and dancers) on any points beyond the obvious: that dancing should be enjoyable and a dance venue should be a safe space. I would strongly caution folks against thinking there’s a consensus when only a small percentage of callers and leaders has been heard from. I’m thinking here, not specifically about the gender-free vs. gendered issue or which gender-free terms to adopt, but about the big picture – which includes those issues, but also includes standardization vs. local styles, “gypsy” vs. a new term (and again, which one to adopt), and which, if any, of the many new movements to expect dancers to memorize. This last issue is much on my mind, as the contra vocabulary has more than tripled since I started dancing. Do we really want to go down that road? Getting back to the issue of gender-free terms (though I’ve changed the subject line to allow more general discussion), I hope that here, as elsewhere, we can feel free to experiment and not feel constrained by what other people and groups are doing. Tony Parkes Billerica, Mass. www.hands4.com<http://www.hands4.com> New book: Square Dance Calling (ready Summer 2017)

8 years, 4 months

Folk Dance Books Available

by Jerome Grisanti via Callers

Recently, the university where my wife works got rid of their dance department, and my wife brought home to me multiple copies of a bunch of folk dance books, including: Folk Dances of the British Isles (Anne Schley Duggan, Jeanette Schlottmann, Abbie Rutledge -- at least three copies) Folk Dances of European Countries (Anne Schley Duggan, Jeanette Schlottmann, Abbie Rutledge -- at least three copies) Folk Dances of the United States and Mexico (Anne Schley Duggan, Jeanette Schlottmann, Abbie Rutledge -- at least three copies) Folk Dances of Scandinavia (Anne Schley Duggan, Jeanette Schlottmann, Abbie Rutledge -- at least three copies) The Teaching of Folk Dance Teaching of Ethnic Dance (Joukowsky) American Indian and Other Folk Dances (Shafter) Caller/Teacher Manual for the Extended Basics Program for American Square Dancing (Ruff) (Two books: Levels 1-3 and Beyond Level 3) Folk Dancing in High School and College (Grace I. Fox) Folk Dance Progressions (Lidster and Tamburini) AND, she wants me to clean up my dance library. Any help you can offer to move them to new homes (come and get them, I'll send them to you, etc.) would be greatly appreciated. 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, 4 months

Dance title, author and choreography

by QuiAnn2 via Callers

Hi, Saw this dance on-line (it’s the video that is on the GoFundMe page for the Dayton, VA dance) and I like the dance. Does anyone know the title, author and author's choreography of the dance? I can work out the choreography but would like to see how the author describes the B1 and B2 of the dance. Thanks! https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=51&v=fs1nS2NCKyc <https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=51&v=fs1nS2NCKyc> Jacqui

8 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] Contras which feature a "Dublin Bay" figure

by Ron Blechner via Callers

I'd love to see more Dublin Bay dances that aren't all glossary moves surrounding the down-hall move. I like the concept of Erik's dance, but share the courtesy turn concern. Personally, I find Dublin Bay in a contra dance an exercise of "why aren't we just going down the hall?" It just feels gimmicky to me. But I enjoy the dance Dublin Bay - so it's not a criticism on the figure, but its use. So I like that Erik incorporated it into a means of achieving a new choreography - the transition to a swing. That to me is cool. So. What else we got? :) Ron Blechner On Jan 22, 2017 4:27 PM, "K Panton via Callers" < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: How does this dance feel in practice, Erik? I like the notion of incorporating lesser-used figures. I like both the chain the line - to progress the lady early and setup for a satisfying reunion later - and the Dublin Bay. I am troubled by two things here though. First the courtesy turn duration will vary depending on which side of the set you are on (1/4 or 1+1/4 for the overachiever on one side, 3/4 for the other couple). Second is the transition you mentioned to B2. How to get rid of chain to line of 4? The Dublin Bay to P b&sw "might" be smoothed by the following: on the return, after 4 steps forward, do not turn and backup. Instead, do a funky whatever-we're-calling-a-gypsy just 1/2. I.e. all drop hands. Insides walk around outside person 1/2 way to face P in next 4-some. Outsides kind mad robin around the inside person 1/2 way to face P. Meh. On 1/19/2017 11:49 PM, Erik Hoffman via Callers wrote: I find, when dancing the one or two dances I?ve danced that try to steal the Dublin Bay figure, they have a line backing up bending into a circle. I found this transition not to my taste. So I took a stab at a different transition. I think it works, but it?s a bit tricky: Happy Birthday, Susan Erik Hoffman Becket A1 Wm ?Chain the line? (Wm Al R ?, then to next Wm, Al L ? to meet Nb on R diag ? across from Shadow); Neighbor Swing A2 LLF&B; Wm Chain to Shadow B1 Dublin Bay DH4inL ends loop back, centers step forward to B2 Pt B&S Given to Susan Petrick on her birthday, while on tour with the OpporTunists in 2010 (I think). The Dublin Bay DH4inL: Down for 4, turn alone backing up for 4, up for 4, turn alone, backing up for 4. From the ECD dance Dublin Bay. Others have used the Dublin Bay move, but ended it with a ?fold into a circle. That backing up, then circling has never felt good to me. This is my attempt to come up with a segue I like. Note, even though it?s a Becket dance, there is a difference in roles in this dance between the ?ones? and ?twos?. ~Erik Hoffman Oakland, CA _______________________________________________ , Be _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

8 years, 4 months

What dance series are using what gender-free terms?

by Jeff Kaufman via Callers

I know several dance series use gender-free terms: Jets/Rubies: Portland ME Lead/Follow: Hampshire College, Contradelphia [defunct?] Bands/Bare-arms: JP, Western MA Larks/ Ravens: Circle Left, South Bay Does anyone know of other dances that are gender free, and what terms they use? Jeff

8 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] Contras which feature a "Dublin Bay" figure ("Pivot the Line", yay)

by Roger Hayes via Callers

"Pivot the Line" is a good dance; I called it at our regular Madison dance tonight, it went well. I enjoyed seeing the dancers figure out how to dance the unfamiliar figures -- nothing was too hard, the beginners got through it fine, and people enjoyed refining the timing for the Dublin Bay figure. I taught it without being very precise on the timing, to give people the joy of discovery. It was interesting to me that practically none of the dancers pre-bent the line for the A2. I think the 2's were enjoying the swoop across the set to start the (figure formerly known as a) gypsy; it's more dramatic than the usual oh-you're-here-already start of that figure. - Roger H On Wed, Jan 18, 2017 at 9:28 PM, QuiAnn2 via Callers < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > I’ve also written a dance with this down the hall figure in it. I like to > call it early in the evening since it’s very connected and has “rest” time > for each couple. I haven’t run it through the Shared Weight gauntlet to see > if anyone else has written it. Please let me know if it’s already out there. > > *Pivot the Line* > by Jacqui Grennan, 5/1/2016 > Contra/Improper/Easy > > A1 ----------- > Four steps down the hall, turn alone, rejoin hands in lines of 4 > Four more steps down the hall, walking backwards > Four steps up the hall, turn alone, rejoin hands in lines of 4 > Four more steps up the hall, walking backwards. Bend the line > A2 ----------- > (16) 2’s gypsy RIGHT/swing, face up to same N’s > B1 ----------- > (16) Same N B&Sw > B2 ----------- > (8) 1’s DSD across set > (8) 1’s P Sw (2’s get ready for DTH, 1’s end the swing facing down between > new neighbors). > > > >

8 years, 4 months

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