Contra Callers

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4388 discussions

Catapult 2017 looking for callers

by Rob Harper via Callers

Any rising star callers out there ready for a chance to get out on the national circuit? Catapult is built to help you along the way. A stage. A mic. A fantastic collection of breakout bands. A hall full of dancers and organizers excited to find the best ready-to-be-discovered contra talent. A spotlight. Memorial Day 2017. For all the details check out www.catapultshowcase.com. ciao, rah -- Rob Harper thatrobharper(a)gmail.com (404) 307-3444

8 years, 8 months

Does this dance exist?

by Maia McCormick via Callers

Whipped this one up looking for a double-chain dance to get beginners accustomed to the figure*. Has it been written before? (If not, tentatively titling this one "Chain of Fools".) (Uhh, unless there's another dance of that name already... which I can't imagine there isn't... in which case I'll come up with something else.) becket L A1: slice L ladies chain to N A2: ladies chain to P ladies alle. R 1 1/2 B1: N b&s (Or perhaps the same dance, starting at B1, with "long lines forward and back" in place of the slice.) Cheers, Maia * currently my go-to dance for this purpose is currently Erik Hoffman's Made Up Tonight <https://www.cambridgefolk.org.uk/contra/dances/erik_hoffman/made_up_tonight…>, but I like to have options (and I like to have glossary dances that don't start with "N b&s").

8 years, 8 months

Re: [Callers] Slice vs Yearn

by John Sweeney via Callers

Richard Hopkins asked, "What is 'slice'? And is it different from 'yearn'?" I think most people use Slice and Yearn to mean the same thing: As a couple move forward diagonally to face the next couple (default is usually to the left); high-five them with your spare hands (not the one you are using to hold your partner's hand) while turning to face them across the set; fall back (push away) to your progressed positions facing them. There is also a Double Slice, i.e. forward to the left diagonal couple and continue moving to the left as you back out to face the next couple (double progression) And Bob Isaacs introduced Half a Slice (in the dance of the same name): "As a couple, go forward towards each other on the diagonal. The top two dancers join hands; the bottom two push off to make a line of four facing down. This is an efficient way to get everyone progressed and facing down in 8 beats, so there is time for creative or dramatic push-offs." Some people sometimes use one term to mean single progression and the other to mean double progression, but I don't believe there is any universal agreement, so it is always best to write or teach exactly which one you mean. I like Yearn as it implies more interaction with the couple you are approaching. 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, 8 months

Does this dance exist?

by Richard Hopkins via Callers

What is ‘slice’? And is it different from ‘yearn’? Richard `````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` Richard Hopkins 850-544-7614 hopkinsrs(a)comcast.net

8 years, 8 months

2018 New Zealand Contra Dance Tour

by Susan Rudder via Callers

Any Musicians, Callers, Dancers want to spend the month of February 2018 traveling around New Zealand? The Allemande Joy Contra Dance Bus is now accepting applications. We hike, bike, paddle, visit glaciers, beaches, gorges, spend a night on Milford Sound and much more. Evenings we have dances with the local communities. For information, contact Julie: 2018AJ(a)gmail.com <2018AJ(a)gmail.com> <2018AJ(a)gmail.com>

8 years, 8 months

In search of some dances

by Maia McCormick via Callers

Hi there hivemind, I'm in search of the following dances and would be grateful to anyone who can help me out: 1) Cupid's Clout (...Cupid's Cloud? Something like that? A lovely flowy dance with pousettes) 2) Square Route (petronella spin --> 3 changes of a square thru) 3) Looking for name and author of: A1: circle L 3/4 N swing A2: long lines square thru 2 B1: next N. bal & box the gnat gents allemande L 1 1/2 B2: P b&s Happy merry etc., Maia

8 years, 8 months

Re: [Callers] Variations of 3-33 by Steve Zakon-Anderson

by John Sweeney via Callers

Instead of Ladies Dosido 1 & 1/2 I always teach Ladies Dosido then Pass Through (by the Right Shoulder). That makes it clearer as to where they are heading (especially if they like spinning their Dosidos!). 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, 8 months

Variations of 3-33 by Steve Zakon-Anderson

by Dugan Murphy via Callers

Dear Shared Weighters, I wanted to call "3-33" by Steve Zakon-Anderson recently, but with a different B2 progression that would be easier for dancers to execute and for me to teach. Does this dance already exist under another title? If not, I'd like to call it "4-44" to present it in clear homage to Steve's creation. 4-44 by Dugan Murphy A1 Neighbor one right hand balance (4); pull by right (2); neighbor two pull by left (2); Neighbor three right hand balance (4); box the gnat (4) A2 Neighbor three pull by right (2); Neighbor 2 pull by left (2); Neighbor one swing (12) B1 Circle left three places (8); Partner swing (8) B2 Ladies chain (8); Left hand star (8) Please let me know if this sequence already has a name. I am already aware of "334" by Diane Silver A1 Neighbor one right hand balance (4); pull by right (2); neighbor two pull by left (2); Neighbor three right hand balance (4); box the gnat (4) A2 Neighbor three pull by right (2); Neighbor 2 pull by left (2); Neighbor one swing (12) B1 Gents left hand allemande 1.5 (8); Partner swing (8) B2 Circle left three places (8); Balance the ring (4); Partner California twirl (4) Question two: are there other 3-33-inspired dances out there you know about? Dugan Murphy Portland, Maine dugan at duganmurphy.com www.PortlandIntownContraDance.com www.NufSed.consulting

8 years, 8 months

contra name/author?

by Claire Takemori via Callers

Hi everyone. I just picked up a couple contra dances on Sunday and the caller didn’t know the titles or callers. I hope you can help to ID these 2 dances? BECKET A1 CL3 N Sw, face down A2 DTH, TA Ret, bend to ring B1 CL 1/2 , across from P as couple slide out Left & slide R until Gents meet Gents allem L 1x B2 P R-sh round & Sw Improper A1 N B &Sw A2. Gents Allem 1.5 P sw B1. LLFB L CH to N B2 bal ring P Roll lady across with 1/2 sashay Bal ring N rolls lady along Thanks for your help! Claire (Campbell CA)

8 years, 8 months

Favorite relatively Modern ECD

by Erik Hoffman via Callers

Hi All, I'm going to lead an English dance in early February. I've led English once or twice, and mostly stuck with The Playford Collection, and some Pat Shaw dances. I wouldn't mind collecting a few more modern dances. Please feel free to either post them to the list, or send to me directly: erik(a)erikhoffman.com<mailto:erik@erikhoffman.com> And, of course, please include the music. Thanks, ~Erik Hoffman Oakland, CA

8 years, 8 months

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