Contra Callers

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21 participants
4391 discussions

by Chris Weiler (home)

Hello SW callers, I finally caught up on my e-mail and have read the discussion about starting a new choreography list. My thought is that most if not all callers would want to be on both lists, so why not have them be the same list? My only answer that I could think of why not is if the callers list volume is getting too heavy for some people. So I would like to know is if there are many people who would _not_ subscribe to a choreography list? Also, what do you think of the traffic volume lately? If you think that the volume is too heavy lately, would you rather have it divided into two lists to increase the signal to noise ratio? Thanks to everyone for your interest and participation, even if it's just lurking. Chris Weiler Your friendly neighborhood SharedWeight moderator. Craftsbury, VT

13 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] mentorship

by rcd＠rochester.rr.com

Gee, Alan, it sounds like you're ready to to be a mentor! It's a relationship that enriches both sides. Often the mentor learns as much from the mentee (is that a word?) as the "student" from the "master". I use quotes because I think the true master always feels a bit of a fraud just because they know how much they don't know. Rich ----- Reply message ----- From: "Winston, Alan P." <winston(a)slac.stanford.edu> To: "'Caller's discussion list'" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> Subject: [Callers] mentorship Date: Mon, May 7, 2012 5:49 pm Part of me would still like to get formally mentored; part of me thinks that might be kind of emotionally Difficult when I've been calling for 27 years and am (in some ways) pretty good, and in a fair amount of demand (when you add up the ONS, Regency, Civil War, English, and contra, I gigged about 50 times last year and seem to be on track to do that again this year). I know I don't know everything, by a long shot. _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers

13 years, 4 months

Remembering Your Mentors

by JohnFreem＠aol.com

Hi all, I haven't followed the whole thread, so I apologize if I am repeating something. I can't speak for everyone here, but I know that this applies to some of us. I have been calling for over thirty years. I am now on "emeritus" status, but am still very grateful to all of the callers, dancers, and musicians who mentored me. Some of these callers are still active: Glen Morningstar, Tony Parks, Larry Edelman, Fred Parks, and my hero, Bill Alkire come to mind. Each of these callers made a huge impression on me through classes, observation, and in their willingness to discuss our craft. Some of my early influences have passed on: Ted Sannela, Gene Ward, Bud Pierce, Dean Wooden, and my dear friend, David Park Williams are some of those I remember. How many of us have shown how much we appreciate what others have shared with us? I sometimes wonder. David Park Williams was past his prime when I met him, but his enthusiasm for dancing and his willingness to share continued until his death at 86. I thought it was important for others to see how it used to be, so I had David share the microphone with me at most of my public dances. I know that he was grateful. He went out of his way to mentor a few newer callers at our Grange's monthly family dance. I know that David enjoyed the after dance discussions we had. Several new callers were thus able to learn from him and to continue to share with a new generation of dancers. I was able to pick Ted's brain at Pinewoods in the early 90s. I still am mindful of some of his tips when I call these days. Several of us often went to dance to Gene Ward's calling at the late Webberville, Michigan Square dance. This was a very different culture than the dances we were used to! I was so thrilled when Gene called his version of the "Northern Lights" square at my wedding reception. So, I guess what I'm saying is that we should be mindful that it's really important to remember that what we are doing is part of a long living tradition. Sure, some of us get left behind by change. I wouldn't recognize a "Mad Robin" if it bit me on my rear. Remember those who helped you get to where you are, and do your part to make sure that this continues for generations to come. John B. Freeman, SFTPOCTJ

13 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] New choreo list / traffic volume

by Hilton Baxter

I agree with the comments of John Sweeney (copied below - after deleting unneeded material). Hilton Baxter 607 651-8768 > I would rather have a single list. > > I would also love to cut down on volume. > But not by reducing the number of posts. > By, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, reducing the SIZE of them. > Too many people just do a "Reply", type what they want, and then press > "Send". > > There is one other crucial step. Before pressing "Send" check what it > is that you are sending and delete all the material that is not required > or not relevant. > > Happy dancing, > John

13 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] Don't teach proper formation unless you need it

by Chrissy Fowler

> I was at a dance recently where the caller noticed that there were > many new dancers and that it probably wouldn't work to just wait for > people to get into position. c I am curious about the phenomenon that Jeff refers to in this sentence. I've never danced at, or called, ore even heard about a dance where the caller could "just wait for people to get into position." Where does this happen? I've experienced a few (notable for their rarity) dances where the dancers IMMEDIATELY take hand four and cross when the caller asks the first time, for example Montpelier in the late 1990s/early 2000s. (Quite shocking for a caller used to having at least 4 requests worth of time to talk w band, etc. before the hands four improper status is achieved.) But this notion of actually lining up improper is new to me. Would the caller just know, at a glance, that everyone in a crowded hall was correctly in position to start the walkthrough? How would dancers joining the set know that the folks above them were in position correctly? How much less time does it take than lining up proper and taking hands four accordingly? Chrissy Fowler Belfast, ME PS In case anyone is taking down data... - I find as a caller and a dancer that it works well/efficiently to have all gents in one line, all ladies in the other, start at top, take hands four, id ones/twos and down/up line of direction for progression, id neighbors. Even when I'm calling only duple improper contras all night. - I have no attachment to using terms proper/improper, or actives/inactives, with duple proper symmetrical dances. - I think that habitual "insensitive twirling" (late, dangerous, awkward, confusing-for-twirlee) is a detriment to the spirit of trad NE social dance. And I say this as someone who has done every one of those sorts of twirls as a dancer (late, dangerous, awkward, confusing-the-twirlee -- in my case, with gents who don't expect me to initiate a twirl for them) But when I do it, I know it's a problem for others around me. You know, sort of like when you look down and realize you are going 60 in a 35mph zone. Whoopsy! > From: callers-request(a)sharedweight.net > Subject: Callers Digest, Vol 93, Issue 5 > To: callers(a)sharedweight.net > Date: Sat, 5 May 2012 12:00:22 -0400 > > Send Callers mailing list submissions to > callers(a)sharedweight.net > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > callers-request(a)sharedweight.net > > You can reach the person managing the list at > callers-owner(a)sharedweight.net > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Callers digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Don't teach proper formation unless you need it (Jeff Kaufman) > 2. Re: Don't teach proper formation unless you need it > (George Mercer) > 3. Re: Don't teach proper formation unless you need it > (Charles Hannum) > 4. Re: Don't teach proper formation unless you need it > (95sg23(a)comcast.net) > 5. Re: Don't teach proper formation unless you need it (Jeff Kaufman) > 6. Re: Don't teach proper formation unless you need it (Linda Leslie) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Fri, 4 May 2012 14:32:09 -0400 > From: Jeff Kaufman <jeff(a)alum.swarthmore.edu> > To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Subject: [Callers] Don't teach proper formation unless you need it > Message-ID: <20120504183209.GA1973(a)melfpelt.swarpa.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > Contra dancing has almost entirely lost the 'proper' formation, with > gents in one line and ladies in another. For most of contra dancing's > history, however, that was the standard formation and many people, > especially callers, still think of it that way. > > I was at a dance recently where the caller noticed that there were > many new dancers and that it probably wouldn't work to just wait for > people to get into position. They told all the couples to stand with > the ladies in one line and the gents in another, to take hands for > from the top, and that this was proper formation. Then they introduced > 1s and 2s and had all the ones cross over. But they didn't call any > proper or assymetric dances all night! Which is fine; I think they > chose good dances for the crowd. But why introduce the terminology? > Especially when there's so many other terms we want them to be > absorbing? > > Jeff > > PS: I also posted this on my blog, and there are some comments there: > > http://www.jefftk.com/news/2012-05-04.html > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Fri, 4 May 2012 14:44:34 -0400 > From: George Mercer <geopmercer(a)gmail.com> > To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Don't teach proper formation unless you need it > Message-ID: > <CACRi76shnLzgLhpPsK2+38KuiwA-z8HAfKBU+HHNh=xMwkPHCA(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > Good point. I agree. Thanks, George > > On Fri, May 4, 2012 at 2:32 PM, Jeff Kaufman <jeff(a)alum.swarthmore.edu>wrote: > > > Contra dancing has almost entirely lost the 'proper' formation, with > > gents in one line and ladies in another. For most of contra dancing's > > history, however, that was the standard formation and many people, > > especially callers, still think of it that way. > > > > I was at a dance recently where the caller noticed that there were > > many new dancers and that it probably wouldn't work to just wait for > > people to get into position. They told all the couples to stand with > > the ladies in one line and the gents in another, to take hands for > > from the top, and that this was proper formation. Then they introduced > > 1s and 2s and had all the ones cross over. But they didn't call any > > proper or assymetric dances all night! Which is fine; I think they > > chose good dances for the crowd. But why introduce the terminology? > > Especially when there's so many other terms we want them to be > > absorbing? > > > > Jeff > > > > PS: I also posted this on my blog, and there are some comments there: > > > > http://www.jefftk.com/news/2012-05-04.html > > _______________________________________________ > > Callers mailing list > > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Fri, 4 May 2012 14:50:42 -0400 > From: Charles Hannum <root(a)ihack.net> > To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Don't teach proper formation unless you need it > Message-ID: > <CAEqW=hNoJ3xs+_JH6sAMSLruQWagnox6joqw15TC+=8ZuG=kOQ(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > On Fri, May 4, 2012 at 2:32 PM, Jeff Kaufman <jeff(a)alum.swarthmore.edu>wrote: > > > I was at a dance recently where the caller noticed that there were > > many new dancers and that it probably wouldn't work to just wait for > > people to get into position. They told all the couples to stand with > > the ladies in one line and the gents in another, to take hands for > > from the top, and that this was proper formation. Then they introduced > > 1s and 2s and had all the ones cross over. But they didn't call any > > proper or assymetric dances all night! Which is fine; I think they > > chose good dances for the crowd. But why introduce the terminology? > > Especially when there's so many other terms we want them to be > > absorbing? > > > > If nobody teaches it, then when someone does call one, half the people in > the hall will be starting at the stage like deer in headlights. Much like > why triplets, triple minors, and even squares, do not work well in the > Boston-area contra dance scene any more, even though they used to be called > frequently back in the VFW days. > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Fri, 4 May 2012 19:03:18 +0000 (UTC) > From: 95sg23(a)comcast.net > To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Don't teach proper formation unless you need it > Message-ID: > <596413448.2373327.1336158198630.JavaMail.root(a)sz0061a.westchester.pa.mail.comcast.net> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > Without using the terminology of "proper", I? find it easier when teaching a beginner's workshop to line up all the men/women on their respective sides, then teach 1s & 2s, then have the 1's change places with their partners , ensuring the men have their partners on the right and ladies on the left, whichever way they are facing.? If i do call a proper dance during the evening, it's easy enough to have them line up that way. > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Jeff Kaufman" <jeff(a)alum.swarthmore.edu> > To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Sent: Friday, May 4, 2012 2:32:09 PM > Subject: [Callers] Don't teach proper formation unless you need it > > Contra dancing has almost entirely lost the 'proper' formation, with > gents in one line and ladies in another. For most of contra dancing's > history, however, that was the standard formation and many people, > especially callers, still think of it that way. > > I was at a dance recently where the caller noticed that there were > many new dancers and that it probably wouldn't work to just wait for > people to get into position. They told all the couples to stand with > the ladies in one line and the gents in another, to take hands for > from the top, and that this was proper formation. Then they introduced > 1s and 2s and had all the ones cross over. But they didn't call any > proper or assymetric dances all night! Which is fine; I think they > chose good dances for the crowd. But why introduce the terminology? > Especially when there's so many other terms we want them to be > absorbing? > > Jeff > > PS: I also posted this on my blog, and there are some comments there: > > ??http://www.jefftk.com/news/2012-05-04.html > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 5 > Date: Fri, 4 May 2012 16:16:24 -0400 > From: Jeff Kaufman <jeff(a)alum.swarthmore.edu> > To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Don't teach proper formation unless you need it > Message-ID: <20120504201624.GA4784(a)melfpelt.swarpa.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > Charles Hannum wrote: > > > > If nobody teaches it, then when someone does call one, half the > > people in the hall will be starting at the stage like deer in > > headlights. > > > > I would say that if a caller wants to do something uncommon they > should be prepared to teach it to the people who haven't seen it > before. > > You seem to be proposing that callers teach things they don't intend > to use so callers at future dances don't have to. > > (I wasn't trying to get into the question of whether the caller was > wrong to program an evening without any proper or unequal-turn dances, > though I don't think they were.) > > Jeff > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 6 > Date: Fri, 4 May 2012 17:59:32 -0400 > From: Linda Leslie <laleslierjg(a)comcast.net> > To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Don't teach proper formation unless you need it > Message-ID: <E9D77335-70AF-4120-AF3A-908AE6F093F7(a)comcast.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes > > I agree with 95sg23(a)comcast.net. I very often will ask a large group > of new dancers to line up proper (and I explain what that means), for > *my* benefit. I share that when dancers line up in this way, it > signals me that they are ready to start dancing, and that it is easier > to organize the actual formation that comes next. This also leads to a > more direct understanding of what improper then means, so what we > teach/dance than takes on some logic. I also mention some history, > but never take too long doing it. > > And even if I don't call an actual proper formation dance, there are > lots of times when it is useful to let dancers know that they are > "proper" and that this is the correct position to be in. A good > example would be a contra corners (cc) dance (not talking about > beginners here). It is helpful for folks to know that they are in > proper formation at the start of the cc (at least for most cc dances). > > The time spent on this concept is minimal, and I believe well worth > the time. Sharing information is more inclusive, and I believe dancers > appreciate this. > Interesting thread! Thanks, Jeff! > warmly, Linda Leslie > > On May 4, 2012, at 3:03 PM, 95sg23(a)comcast.net wrote: > > > Without using the terminology of "proper", I find it easier when > > teaching a beginner's workshop to line up all the men/women on their > > respective sides, then teach 1s & 2s, then have the 1's change > > places with their partners , ensuring the men have their partners on > > the right and ladies on the left, whichever way they are facing. If > > i do call a proper dance during the evening, it's easy enough to > > have them line up that way. > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Jeff Kaufman" <jeff(a)alum.swarthmore.edu> > > To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > > Sent: Friday, May 4, 2012 2:32:09 PM > > Subject: [Callers] Don't teach proper formation unless you need it > > > > Contra dancing has almost entirely lost the 'proper' formation, with > > gents in one line and ladies in another. For most of contra dancing's > > history, however, that was the standard formation and many people, > > especially callers, still think of it that way. > > > > I was at a dance recently where the caller noticed that there were > > many new dancers and that it probably wouldn't work to just wait for > > people to get into position. They told all the couples to stand with > > the ladies in one line and the gents in another, to take hands for > > from the top, and that this was proper formation. Then they introduced > > 1s and 2s and had all the ones cross over. But they didn't call any > > proper or assymetric dances all night! Which is fine; I think they > > chose good dances for the crowd. But why introduce the terminology? > > Especially when there's so many other terms we want them to be > > absorbing? > > > > Jeff > > > > PS: I also posted this on my blog, and there are some comments there: > > > > http://www.jefftk.com/news/2012-05-04.html > > _______________________________________________ > > Callers mailing list > > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > _______________________________________________ > > Callers mailing list > > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > > End of Callers Digest, Vol 93, Issue 5 > **************************************

13 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] New choreo list / traffic volume

by Chrissy Fowler

AMEN to what John said below. Especially the last sentence. If you are a person who habitually sends the entire history at the end of your SW posts, and there's no compelling reason for you to include all those lines, PLEASE consider taking a few seconds to only include the relevant parts - for the benefit of your fellow list-mates. Cheers, Chrissy Fowler Belfast (PS I almost sent an apology to the list when my fingers flew too fast the other day and I sent a reply with the whole giant digest history appended. But then I decided that would mean sending a non-essential email.) > > I would also love to cut down on volume. > > But not by reducing the number of posts. > > By, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, reducing the SIZE of them. > > Too many people just do a "Reply", type what they want, and then press > "Send". > > There is one other crucial step. Before pressing "Send" check what it > is that you are sending and delete all the material that is not required > or not relevant. > > Happy dancing, > John

13 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] New choreo list / traffic volume

by John Sweeney

I would rather have a single list. I would also love to cut down on volume. But not by reducing the number of posts. By, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, reducing the SIZE of them. Too many people just do a "Reply", type what they want, and then press "Send". There is one other crucial step. Before pressing "Send" check what it is that you are sending and delete all the material that is not required or not relevant. Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk <http://www.contrafusion.co.uk/> for Dancing in Kent

13 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] new choreo list / traffic volume

by tavi merrill

Two lists! Digests can get overwhelming, and imho if a person is less interested in choreography discussions they're more likely to "tune out" the list when choreography discussions overtake other topics. "Signal to noise ratio" is a good way of putting it. I would subscribe to both but i think having topics separated would streamline discussion/catching up a bit. Is there a way of segregating choreo from more general topics when digests are generated without starting a separate list? Thanks for your work in connecting the community, Chris! Lurking - and about to pounce - tavi

13 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] New choreo list / traffic volume

by P. Campbell

Hi Chris, I would go with whatever is picked - either way would be of interest to me (either separate list or integrating it into this one). Thanks! Patricia Patricia Campbell Newtown, CT On May 9, 2012, at 2:23 PM, "Chris Weiler (home)" > <chris.weiler(a)weirdtable.org> wrote: > > > Hello SW callers, > > > > I finally caught up on my e-mail and have read the discussion about > > starting a new choreography list. My thought is that most if not all > > callers would want to be on both lists, so why not have them be the > > same list? My only answer that I could think of why not is if the > > callers list volume is getting too heavy for some people. > > > > So I would like to know is if there are many people who would _not_ > > subscribe to a choreography list? > > > > Also, what do you think of the traffic volume lately? If you think > > that the volume is too heavy lately, would you rather have it divided > > into two lists to increase the signal to noise ratio? > > > > Thanks to everyone for your interest and participation, even if it's > > just lurking. > > > > Chris Weiler > > Your friendly neighborhood SharedWeight moderator. > > Craftsbury, VT > > > > > > __

13 years, 4 months

Can someone recommend some Easy English Country Dances?

by Lindsay Morris

I'm starting a weekly community dance at the Unitarian church here in Charlotte. I Care Not for these Ladies was a hit: In a circle, there's slipping left and right, siding, and arming, interspersed with a set-and-turn-single, pull by two and turn the third chorus. So I said I'd find the crew more like that: not real complicated, more slow and stately. Any recommendations? (The name will do; I can find the instructions.) Thanks! -------------------- Lindsay Morris CEO, TSMworks Tel. 1-859-539-9900 lindsay(a)tsmworks.com

13 years, 4 months

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