Contra Callers

contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net

30 participants
4403 discussions

by John Sweeney

Hi Mo, Yes, as with Petronella, the move used by contra dancers is very different from the move in the dance Mad Robin! Happy dancing, John From: mjw(a)mowaddington.plus.com <mailto:mjw@mowaddington.plus.com> <mjw(a)mowaddington.plus.com <mailto:mjw@mowaddington.plus.com> > Sent: 17 September 2023 20:23 To: John Sweeney <john(a)modernjive.com <mailto:john@modernjive.com> > Subject: RE: [Callers] Re: New Terminology Question I partly agree, having contorted my brain listening to a well known caller (“sh!”) describe a move then realise that he was describing a ladies chain. But I always wonder about mad Robin because that wasn’t how we did the move when I first learned the dance. Colin, did you learn it sideways?

2 years, 1 month

Ceilidh dances at a contra

by Rich Goss

Does anyone slip in a ceilidh style dance at a contra? Some of the mixers work well at contra dances. Also, it’s an opportunity to give new dancers brains a break. I suspect this practice is more common in the UK. Colin, feel free to chime in. Rich

2 years, 1 month

Re: New Terminology Question

by Katherine Kitching

ah yes that is very good too, Ben, thanks! I think your suggestion merits copying to the list.... Sep 17, 2023 11:51:03 AM Ben Werner <benknobi89(a)gmail.com>: > What about “facing do si do”? > > Sent from my iPhone > >> On Sep 17, 2023, at 8:12 AM, Katherine Kitching via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: >> >> ok good point re it not being quite a mirror reflection... hmmm... >> >> maybe i'll try "side-slide do-si-do" >> _______________________________________________ >> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net >> To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net

2 years, 1 month

Fwd: Re: New Terminology Question

by Rich Goss

My first response may have just gone to Katherine. Forwarding to list. > From: Rich Goss <rich(a)richgoss.com> > Date: September 17, 2023 at 7:00:06 AM PDT > To: Katherine Kitching <kat(a)outdooractive.ca> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Re: New Terminology Question > > I might add that I never use the terms petronella or Rory O’More. I will always say “balance the ring and spin to the right” or “balance and slide right/left past this neighbor.” More descriptive and less confusing to new dancers. I can use fewer words after teaching and calling it two of three times, like “balance, spin right” or “balance, slide”. > > Regarding Petronella, it sort of bugs me that it’s sometimes called as the the name of a move instead of “as in the dance Petronella.” Same with Rory O’More. Since those dances are rarely called and generally unknown, it makes more sense to me to just call and teach it like the previous paragraph. I do occasionally call the actual dance Petronella so folks know where the move came from. I’m pretty sure those dances get called more frequently in New England. > > I’ll continue using California Twirl. Seems to be universally understood and easy to teach. Kudos to the “facing star” term. I love it. > > Rich > >> On Sep 17, 2023, at 5:41 AM, Katherine Kitching via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: >> >> What interesting timing for Michael to write "Some terms, such as Rory O'More, petronella and California twirl should be banished for more descriptive phrases--in this case "balance and slide/shift". " >>

2 years, 1 month

A little self congratulations

by Mary Collins

A few weeks ago I called some squares and simple old longways sets for an equine group I am a member of. This was their yearly 3 day camp out and trail ride their horses. A big event. I make it a practice to set up and call for free for groups I am a member of outside of dance groups. Today I received a notice that one of the members had such a good time she is going to the Meadville dance with Toppish and Gaye Fifer, and is looking for others to join her!! A new recruit, looking to recruit others! Yeah!!!! It's not often we get actually mentioned that we have such influence. Just had to brag a wee bit, I knew you all would understand. Smiles, Mary Collins

2 years, 1 month

Small challenges for experienced dancers, but easy for newbies

by sargondj＠gmail.com

New subject line because Dale’s comment reminded me of a question that’s been on my mind: what are some favorite dances, sequences, or figures that are slightly challenging for experienced dancers but don’t register as preferentially more challenging for beginners? In other words, these are movements that play off our biases/expectations from years of dancing, but are not actually technically complex. Some examples: - pretty much any well-structures circle right - there’s a dance I have that does a left-hand pull by up/down the set directly out of a R-L through courtesy turn, which I think qualifies. I find these occasionally useful for dances with lots of beginners, but which also have a small group of experienced dancers who happen to be there. Does anyone else have ideas that fit this theme? Sargon > On Sep 14, 2023, at 13:29, Dale Wilson via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > > > Jeff says: > I'll bite that bullet: callers generally shouldn't be calling a dolphin hey at a regular evening dance. > > And Amy says: > > It always helps to read the room first. Got a bunch of beginners? Call simpler dances, at least the first half. Explain them well. Don't call a complicated move that will discourage them. You want them to return, right? Baby steps, then walking, then jogging, then dolphin heys. > > So I say: > > Exactly right, Amy. I always have a challenging dance on tap ready to call toward the middle of the second half of the evening. If there are too many beginners (including our perpetual beginners) when the time comes, I simply skip the challenging dance. If the walk-thru doesn't go well, I'm ready with an easy replacement. But when it works our experienced dancers love conquering a [small] challenge -- at least that's what they tell me later. > > Dale > > > > _______________________________________________ > Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net

2 years, 1 month

Need to hire a good band in north NJ/NYC area for Oct. 2 event...

by Keith Tuxhorn

Hi gang-- I'm helping out a friend who lives outside of the needed area, as do I. A caller may also be needed, someone experienced with calling one-night stands. Probably will be a large amount of newbies. Please help out by posting a band name, contact person, and phone and/or email info. And if you're a caller in that area with ONS experience and available, please send your contact info. Thanks so much for all the help! Keith Tuxhorn Springfield, IL

2 years, 1 month

Re: AABBCC contras?

by K P

A quick follow-up with another Youtube tune clip to accompany an AABBCC contra. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w9ZcHzr3LQ A little zippier and more "production" -- but also a lively medley -- than the previous link. JJ's adaptation is terrific. I've "thought-danced" it many times now, and I think it would be a very fun dance for a typical weekly crowd with some novices. It's not difficult. Ken P

2 years, 1 month

Re: tune names

by Drew Delaware

Hi all, One of the things that we started doing during the virtual/Zoom dances that happened throughout the pandemic was having the band themselves announce the tune name. Dancers loved it, and it helped them feel more connected with the band (which was particularly important in that setting, as dancers donated directly to the band.) It was one of the things I've attempted to carry back over to the live setting, and I've had very positive feedback on doing so. The key is to still keep that transition tight, from the end of the walk through to starting the dance. I announce the dance name and choreographer as a fluid transition into the start of the dance, so it's not "eating up time." And the bands I've worked with usually only say a few words, unless the tune is particularly special. When I can, I note down the tune name so I can repeat it at the end of the dance as the applause subsides, along the lines of "That was DANCE NAME by CHOREOGRAPHER, and that (beautiful/fun/energetic) tune was TUNE NAME." Often people are more interested in names of things after they've heard it or experienced it - especially other callers - so it's valuable to share names of things when finished, as well. Cheers! Drew > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Mac Mckeever <macmck(a)ymail.com> > To: Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2023 03:06:05 +0000 (UTC) > Subject: [Callers] tune names > We had a conversation at our dance tonight how many of our local callers > get tune names from the bands and pass that along to the dancers right > before starting. > > Many visiting callers do not do this - is this just a local tradition or > am I missing something? > > Most of our local bands are old time but a few are more contemporary. We > do this with visiting bands and they seem to appreciate it. > > We feel the music is a major part of the tradition and deserves to be > acknowledged along with the musicians and callers. Often we find a band is > about to play a tune they wrote. Dancers also give a little cheer when we > announce a tune they especially enjoy > > Where are the rest of you on this? > > Mac McKeever > St Louis >

2 years, 1 month

Re: Travels in Canada

by playford1651

Hello Amy Thank you for your helpful messageWe're in Montreal evenings of 5-7 September, and then we move on to nova scotia.If you're ever in UK do let us know and we can help you sort out a dance itinerary!Best wishesMaureen and Graham KnightSent from my Galaxy -------- Original message --------From: Emily Addison <emilyladdison(a)gmail.com> Date: 22/08/2023 09:43 (GMT-05:00) To: Don Veino <sharedweight_net(a)veino.com> Cc: Graham Knight <playford1651(a)googlemail.com>, Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> Subject: Re: [Callers] Re: Travels in Canada If you're interested in Quebec Squares, there's likely a few dances around in the general vicinity of Montreal over the next few weeks. Let me know if that's of interest and I'll connect you to people in the know.As for contras in Ottawa... they run September through to June.:) Emily in OttawaOn Tue, Aug 22, 2023 at 9:29 AM Don Veino via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:There is a dance in Mahoney Bay this weekend. We happen to be in Nova Scotia currently but return to the US on Wednesday, so will miss it ourselves.Here's what I got in response to my earlier inquiry:"Hello, glad you found us! We do have a dance in August on, Saturday the 24th. Doors open at 6pm, dance starts at 6:30. We meet in the Anglican Church Hall at 14 Parish Street in Mahone Bay. It's the nearest building across from Tim Horton's. Hope you can join us!Miranda LeverCaller"On Tue, Aug 22, 2023, 7:23 AM Graham Knight via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:We will be travelling in Canada over the next few weeks and we were wondering what contra events might be happening? We will be in Montreal and Halifax, and a few places in between. Also in Vancouver at the end. Many thanks. Graham K _______________________________________________ Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net _______________________________________________ Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net

2 years, 1 month

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Contra Callers