Contra Callers

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4391 discussions

by Richard Hart

Hello, The Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend is approaching very quickly. Please consider joining us at the University of New Hampshire, January 13-15, next month. Details can be found at http://ralphpage.neffa.org/ This year the retrospective will focus on the dances in the Nelson, NH town hall. If you have ever attended or participated at a Nelson dance, I'd like to hear your memories and reflections. You may be quoted at the Ralph Page weekend, so please let me know what impressed you and what has stuck in your mind. Why do you think that we are still dancing in the Nelson town hall? We have our own answers to that question, which you will hear at the Ralph Page weekend, I'd like to add your thoughts, as well, if you have ever joined us for an evening of dance in the Nelson town hall. Thanks a lot, Rich Hart, Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend Committee.

13 years, 9 months

Holiday dances and tunes

by Ric Goldman

Hi folks, I have 4 gigs coming up this month, 1 of which is a ONS. I'll look in archives as well, but I'm curious if folks can recommend any good dances or tunes in an Xmas, Hannukah, Solstice, or Kwanza theme I can use. I already have a few gimmicks, but always looking for more. Thanx, Ric Goldman Palo Alto, CA

13 years, 9 months

tune structure as second nature

by Chrissy Fowler

Just a funny phenomenon brought to mind by Alan's good advice, quoted here: > Hmm. Do you pay attention to the music when you're dancing? Do you know where > you are in the tune when you're on the floor? You kinda need for that to be > second nature - something you don't have to spend conscious brain cycles on. As someone who listens to trad music a lot, I can say Alan's point is the case for me (as a caller, dancer, music-appreciator, occasional hack musician.) I just "know" which part is the A and which is the B - kind of like autopilot. In fact I think I probably more reliably know automatically where I am in the music than where I am in the dance sequence. And it's HUGELY helpful to me as a caller. But once in a great while there is a tune that just 'sounds backward.' The A sounds to me like it's the B, and vice versa. I have no idea why this is true, but it definitely is a phenomenon for me. Inevitably I am thrown off track by those tunes, and sometimes do something wrong as a consequence (prompt wrong call, give band signals midway thru the A1, start dancing the wrong thing, etc.) Anyone else have this experience? Anyone know what might make a given part of the tune sound "A-ish" or "B-ish"? And perhaps more to the point, does anyone even want to spend bandwidth pondering these questions?? ;) Chrissy Fowler Belfast, ME

13 years, 9 months

Re: [Callers] tune structure as second nature

by David.Millstone＠valley.net

--- Chrissy wrote: But once in a great while there is a tune that just 'sounds backward.' --- end of quote --- Keep in mind that there are some tunes where different musicians know the two parts in different order. I've run across bands who play the Growling Old Man and the Cackling Old Woman in what sounds to me like the wrong order and yes, that throws me off, too. And then there are tunes such as Mackimoyle, where some musicians put the first beat at the start of opening four eight notes, while others treat those as pickup notes. I know the tune best this second way-- that's the way I learned it-- so when I encounter it the other way, it takes me a moment to adjust. David Millstone Lebanon, NH

13 years, 9 months

Invitation to connect on LinkedIn

by Bob Fabinski

I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn. - Bob Bob Fabinski Engineer at Eastman Kodak Rochester, New York Area Confirm that you know Bob Fabinski: https://www.linkedin.com/e/-v6oloc-gvnskqhn-4j/isd/5098453310/5yjwo8Qn/?hs=… -- You are receiving Invitation to Connect emails. Click to unsubscribe: http://www.linkedin.com/e/-v6oloc-gvnskqhn-4j/q323nL1k2p_VceDamJt3kmDzBtNVX… (c) 2011 LinkedIn Corporation. 2029 Stierlin Ct, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA.

13 years, 9 months

Catapult Caller Applications: t-Minus 3 days

by Rob Harper

Don't want to spam this list but as a caller, you might be interested. Last month I announced the Catapult Showcase in Atlanta over Memorial Day Weekend 2012. The Caller (and Band) applications are due on 11/30 - that's this Wednesday. If you're a caller (or in a band) who'd be perfect for Catapult, get your application at http://www.catapultshowcase.com/registration.html. If you're not sure you'd be perfect, you should apply anyway. You never know. If you're not quite right for this year, you'll be first on the list to get applications for 2013. Or if you've got a favorite up and coming band or caller you'd like to recommend, please direct them to www.catapultshowcase.com. Don't delay. Act now! Hope to see you in May in Atlanta. ciao, rah Rob Harper Catapult! The National Contra Showcase info(a)catapultshowcase.com 404-307-3444

13 years, 9 months

Re: [Callers] Callers Companion - how is it working for you?

by The Witful Turnip

>From: "kanara(a)triton.net" <kanara(a)triton.net> >Sent: Monday, November 14, 2011 3:34 PM >Subject: [Callers] Callers Companion - how is it working for you? Hi Karin, I *LUV* Callers Companion! I highly recommend it. Will's program does everything I ever wanted a dance database to do and more. I found it very easy to adopt and use it all the time. At this point, I have 80 programs in it and just under 300 dances. >Are you using the basic version, or the expanded version? - I use the basic version. >How long have you been using it? - I believe since 2009. I was one of the original beta testing team. At this point, I can't remember my calling life before using it. >Are you using it with a Mac or a PC? - I use it with PC. I have it installed on a little Lenovo netbook that I use for calling. It's great! >My husband is just taking up calling, and I've been calling and collecting >dances for about 6 years now. We are wondering whether we could use one >database for both of our collections; do any of you users have a sense of >the workability of a combination database using Callers Companion? I can't speak to your last question. Hope that helps, Bev

13 years, 9 months

Re: [Callers] Steps to "Winter in Summerland"? | Seek caller videos

by Brian Hamshar

Hey Jonathan, I've been working gradually for the past year or so on a project related to yours. Many folks all around VA, NC, etc. have noticed that I tend to tote around a videocam to nearly every contra dance I attend lately. I'm working on a collection of video clips of dances (especially the trickier ones) taught and called - by top callers when available - with each video clip typically containing the teaching plus twice through with music. I expect to get some of them on my YouTube channel over the next year or so, but since it's merely a hobby by an enthusiastic and increasingly busy caller/musician, we shall see. Right now I'm also working on switching over from my cards to Will Loving's "Caller's Companion." If anything, this new level of organization will hopefully lead to more as I seek to properly harness the video link feature of that database software. Brian Hamshar Contra dance caller/producer (trad & crossover) Based in Charlottesville, VA -----Original Message----- Date: Sunday, November 13, 2011 2:01:12 pm To: "Post to Callers" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> From: "Jonathan LF King" <squash(a)ufl.edu> Subject: [Callers] Steps to "Winter in Summerland"? | Seek caller videos I'm a "cub caller" from Gainesville, FL, and seek the choreography for "Winter in Summerland" by Jeff Spero and James Hutson. I'm aware of several online videos of the dance, e.g, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlisHB8G8GQ and can glean the steps from the video, but wonder if someone could provide the official choreography? ================================================================ For my own reference, I assembled a few well-known dances with steps and video-links of the dances. Another "cub caller" told me the page was useful to her, so I've put it online at http://www.math.ufl.edu/~squash/contradance.dances-tunes.html Errors in the dance-steps are mine, as I've re-written some for my own edification. I'm looking to add to this collection. If you know of an online video of a good dance, please email me [eddress below]. Useful are videos where the caller can be clearly heard [a plus if the teaching is included], and where the video shows, uncut, at least one full cycle, together with the transition to the next cycle. Another plus: Videos that show the end-effect, for complicated dances. I currently only have one video of a 4-facing-4, and would like especially to expand that section. Sincerely, -Jonathan King ================ PS: My eddress is squash at ufl dot edu PPS: I thank "ccpage19143", Chris Page (whom I've not yet met) for taking the time and having the expertise to label /many/ YouTube contras with the title and author. My "dance-tunes" page would be half its size without his public-service work. _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers

13 years, 9 months

Steps to "Winter in Summerland"? | Seek caller videos

by squash＠ufl.edu

I'm a "cub caller" from Gainesville, FL, and seek the choreography for "Winter in Summerland" by Jeff Spero and James Hutson. I'm aware of several online videos of the dance, e.g, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlisHB8G8GQ and can glean the steps from the video, but wonder if someone could provide the official choreography? ================================================================ For my own reference, I assembled a few well-known dances with steps and video-links of the dances. Another "cub caller" told me the page was useful to her, so I've put it online at http://www.math.ufl.edu/~squash/contradance.dances-tunes.html Errors in the dance-steps are mine, as I've re-written some for my own edification. I'm looking to add to this collection. If you know of an online video of a good dance, please email me [eddress below]. Useful are videos where the caller can be clearly heard [a plus if the teaching is included], and where the video shows, uncut, at least one full cycle, together with the transition to the next cycle. Another plus: Videos that show the end-effect, for complicated dances. I currently only have one video of a 4-facing-4, and would like especially to expand that section. Sincerely, -Jonathan King ================ PS: My eddress is squash at ufl dot edu PPS: I thank "ccpage19143", Chris Page (whom I've not yet met) for taking the time and having the expertise to label /many/ YouTube contras with the title and author. My "dance-tunes" page would be half its size without his public-service work.

13 years, 9 months

(no subject)

by Martha Edwards

Three days ago we learned that the good ladies of the Monday Club (who own the building where we dance) don't like the word "Whiskey" in our English/American dance weekend (High Tea & Whiskey), so we're changing the name to wait for it High Tea & Sasparilla M E

13 years, 9 months

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