I'll be touring in North America October next year. If your group
might be interested in booking me to run dances or workshops, please
see http://www.colinhume.com/tour.htm
Colin Hume
Jeff Kaufman asked where dancers dance the cast off with the twos
acting as the pivot point. One place for sure is the Washington DC
area (that's my original dance community). But I'm talking more
about the past when we did the older dances.
Some dancers responded to me directly. Two dancers from the same
dance community reported completely different answers. One caller
made the point that it's very rare for a caller to go over the fine
points of a cast off. I think this is a good point since there are
so many other things to teach, like safety (safe allemandes), timing,
how to do the more common moves well etc. The finer points of a cast
of are relatively speaking not that important.
Thanks to all of you for helping me out on this.
I wrote a couple dances to fill gaps in the program at this evening's
Pittsburgh dance, and they both went quite well. But since they were
inspired by a number of other dances there's a good chance they already
exist. Anybody recognize either of these?
Dance A
Becket (ccw)
A1:
(8) Long lines forward; on the way back, men roll partner away
(8) Pass through across. Each person turns 1/4 to their right and everyone
walk single file around the set to the next neighbors
A2:
(8) Right hand star once around with new neighbors (hands across)
(8) Gents drop out, Women allemande right 1 1/2
B1:
(16) Balance and swing neighbor
B2:
(8) Men allemande left 1 1/2
(8) Swing partner
Note: The single file promenade flows nicely into the hands across star if
the gents take right hand as they pass each other and the women fall in
behind them.
Dance B
Becket (cw)
A1:
(8) Long lines forward and back
(8) Right and left through
A2:
(8) Circle left 3/4
(8) Neighbor swing
B1:
(8) Ladies chain on the left diagonal (to shadow)
(8) Give right hands to the person across the set, balance, pull by right.
Pull by shadow left. [like a piece of an interrupted square through]
B2:
(16) Balance and swing partner
Thanks,
Bronwyn
I'm in the process of writing a book on the ins and outs of
choreography. The last chapter is a glossary of uncommon moves used
in contras. I remember, maybe 15 years ago, someone wrote a dance
that used a move called a hockey stick. Does anyone know the dance/
know the move? My memory is that dancers walk across the set single
file and then turn a quarter and move either up or down.
Also, I may have discovered some regional differences in the move
cast off. I realize that cast off isn't done as much as it was many
years ago, but I wanted to know how you do it in your area. Say the
ones go down the hall, return and cast off with the twos. Do the
twos act as a pivot point? Or do the twos back up while the ones
cast (the pivot is between the dancers).
Thanks for you help!!!!
Tom
It's also called "button-hook" by some dance writers. (Isn't that what Jim Kitch calls it in "Bees in the Shower?")
-----Original Message-----
>From: kheine(a)twcny.rr.com
>Sent: Feb 23, 2011 3:00 PM
>To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
>Cc: callers-request(a)sharedweight.net
>Subject: [Callers] uncommon moves--"hockey stick"/"fishhook"
>
>Here in Ithaca, the figure that you refer to as a "hockey stick" is called a "fishhook." --K
>
>>
>> Message: 6
>> Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 08:57:33 -0500
>> From: Tom Hinds <twhinds(a)earthlink.net>
>> To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
>> Subject: [Callers] cast off
>> Message-ID: <ADC6A104-0E5C-452A-B7F4-3B85B8BBA8D8(a)earthlink.net>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed
>>
>> I'm in the process of writing a book on the ins and outs of
>> choreography. The last chapter is a glossary of uncommon moves used
>> in contras. I remember, maybe 15 years ago, someone wrote a dance
>> that used a move called a hockey stick. Does anyone know the dance/
>> know the move? My memory is that dancers walk across the set single
>> file and then turn a quarter and move either up or down.
>>
>
>> Tom
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 9
>> Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 11:26:41 EST
>> From: Dhuntdancer(a)aol.com
>> To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
>> Subject: Re: [Callers] cast off
>> Message-ID: <847d4.3874e54d.3a968f41(a)aol.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"
>>
>> Bumbling in the Shower Erik Smith Becket-L
>> A1. 8 Long lines forward and back
>> 8 Gents allem L 1?
>> A2. 4,12 Neighbor balance, & swing
>> B1. 8 Ladies chain to partner
>> 8 Pass thru across and turn R ? and single file promenade to next
>> couple
>> B2. 8 Circle L
>> 8 Partner swing
>>
>> I collected this in the late 80's/early 90's and it has the "hockey stick"
>> you're talking about.
>>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Callers mailing list
>Callers(a)sharedweight.net
>http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
Bree Kalb, LCSW
301 W. Weaver St.
Carrboro, NC 27510
919-932-6262 ext 216
Regarding the Use of Email -- Please Note: Although I use a firewall and my
computer is password protected, my emails are not encrypted. Therefore, I
cannot guarantee confidentiality of email communication. If you choose to
communicate confidential information with me via email, I will assume that
you have made an informed decision and I will view it as your agreement to
take the risk that email may be intercepted. Please be aware that email is
never an appropriate vehicle for emergency communication. If you are canceling an appointment less than 48 hours in advance, please also leave me a voice mail message at my office.
Here in Ithaca, the figure that you refer to as a "hockey stick" is called a "fishhook." --K
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 08:57:33 -0500
> From: Tom Hinds <twhinds(a)earthlink.net>
> To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
> Subject: [Callers] cast off
> Message-ID: <ADC6A104-0E5C-452A-B7F4-3B85B8BBA8D8(a)earthlink.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed
>
> I'm in the process of writing a book on the ins and outs of
> choreography. The last chapter is a glossary of uncommon moves used
> in contras. I remember, maybe 15 years ago, someone wrote a dance
> that used a move called a hockey stick. Does anyone know the dance/
> know the move? My memory is that dancers walk across the set single
> file and then turn a quarter and move either up or down.
>
> Tom
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 9
> Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 11:26:41 EST
> From: Dhuntdancer(a)aol.com
> To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
> Subject: Re: [Callers] cast off
> Message-ID: <847d4.3874e54d.3a968f41(a)aol.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"
>
> Bumbling in the Shower Erik Smith Becket-L
> A1. 8 Long lines forward and back
> 8 Gents allem L 1?
> A2. 4,12 Neighbor balance, & swing
> B1. 8 Ladies chain to partner
> 8 Pass thru across and turn R ? and single file promenade to next
> couple
> B2. 8 Circle L
> 8 Partner swing
>
> I collected this in the late 80's/early 90's and it has the "hockey stick"
> you're talking about.
>
Bumbling in the Shower Erik Smith Becket-L
A1. 8 Long lines forward and back
8 Gents allem L 1½
A2. 4,12 Neighbor balance, & swing
B1. 8 Ladies chain to partner
8 Pass thru across and turn R ¼ and single file promenade to next
couple
B2. 8 Circle L
8 Partner swing
I collected this in the late 80's/early 90's and it has the "hockey stick"
you're talking about.
Donna
"Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we should
dance." -unknown
In a message dated 2/23/2011 8:57:09 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
twhinds(a)earthlink.net writes:
I'm in the process of writing a book on the ins and outs of
choreography. The last chapter is a glossary of uncommon moves used
in contras. I remember, maybe 15 years ago, someone wrote a dance
that used a move called a hockey stick. Does anyone know the dance/
know the move? My memory is that dancers walk across the set single
file and then turn a quarter and move either up or down.
Also, I may have discovered some regional differences in the move
cast off. I realize that cast off isn't done as much as it was many
years ago, but I wanted to know how you do it in your area. Say the
ones go down the hall, return and cast off with the twos. Do the
twos act as a pivot point? Or do the twos back up while the ones
cast (the pivot is between the dancers).
Thanks for you help!!!!
Tom
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
We had a discussion the other night - not about how many walkthroughs, but
about how many times the caller should call before dropping out.
Obviously, it depends.
So, for the purpose of this discussion, let's assume a new-dancer to
intermediate dancer to experienced dancer ratio of 1:2:1. If everyone were
evenly scattered by dance level, each group of four would have two
intermediate dancers, one beginner and one very experienced dancer. Let's
not assume that the dancers are evenly scattered, but are slightly clumped,
so that beginners do encounter each other occasionally, sometimes with only
a couple of intermediate dancers to help them.
Let's further assume that the dance is in the part of the country where two
walkthroughs is considered appropriate - where, even if the first
walkthrough goes just fine, the second one cements the learning and leaves
you in a position to "dance it from here." Let's further assume that the
dance lasts about nine minutes (17 times through).
Here's the question: If you have taught an easy dance clearly, *and the
dance appears to be going well*, how many times through the dance should you
call? Once or twice with full calls ("join hands and circle to the left"),
once or twice with shortened calls ("circle left") and then nothing? Or five
times through with full calls, three times with shortened calls, then
nothing?
How much is too much? How little is too little?
M
E
--
For the good are always the merry,
Save by an evil chance,
And the merry love the fiddle
And the merry love to dance. ~ William Butler Yeats
Two contras called at a dance not long ago... the caller can't come up with the
titles or authors. Can anyone on the list help?
Thanks.
David Millstone
#1
duple improper
A1 Neighbor allemande left 1-1/2
Ladies chain
A2 Hey for four (women starting R shoulder)
B1 Women turn by RH, once around
Swing partner
B2 Circle left 3/4 around to home
Swing neighbor
#2
duple improper
A1 Circle left 3/4
Partner allemande right 1-1/2, end with women facing in
A2 Balance wave, circulate (women cross, men loop)
Balance wave, circulate again (men cross, women loop)
B1 Balance wave, swing partner
B2 Circle left 3/4
Balance the ring, pass thru to new neighbors
Hi Callers,
If you're in the Northeast, you may have already gotten word of this, but thought I'd put it out one time on this list. I may put out one more announcement here as the date approaches, otherwise we'll be sending updates to the Shared Weight Organizers listserv, and directly to dance organizers in the Northeast. If you'd like to be kept in the loop directly, please email me.
Thanks!
Chrissy Fowler Belfast, ME ktaadn_me(a)hotmail.com
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Greetings dance organizers,
We've got a new name! Puttin' on the Dance: A Conference for Northeast Dance Organizers, Nov 11-13, 2011 near Norwich, VT
We've got a new conference email address! NEDanceOrgs(a)gmail.com
And, we've got other news too...
80+ of you participated in our online survey. Wow!
Your feedback is invaluable information for us as we continue to plan. Thank you, thank you, one and all.
Particularly
helpful are specific suggestions and offers of ways you'd like to
participate. Keep 'em coming! (NEDanceOrgs(a)gmail.com)
Many of you have already marked your calendars for Nov. 11-13. Double Wow! We're thrilled. This is definitely going to be an invigorating weekend, giving all of us tools, inspiration, and overall support for our dance organizing efforts.
Speaking of support, we've been brainstorming ways that dance groups
can support their organizers by sending them to the conference. Linda had a great
suggestion:
Start saving now! If a monthly series
were
to keep a modest $15-25 from each dance's gate starting in February,
you'd have a hefty chunk of cash available to fund your participation in
the conference. Or,
you could raise your dance admission by only $1, and set aside the extra
to underwrite conference attendance. Or, set out a contribution jar at
the
admission table -- let your dancers know you're planning to give your
organization a big boost by attending, and let them get invested in the
process too. Attending will be a terrific investment into the future of
your series!
Also, CDSS has budgeted funds for matching
scholarships, further supporting the efforts of dance groups to get
their organizing team to the conference.
If you have things you'd like to discuss with your fellow organizers right now, in advance of the conference, consider joining the Shared Weight listserv for Organizers.
It could be a terrific 'virtual networking' tool for us dance organizer
folks. (direct link to subscribe:
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/organizers)
---> NOTE: Send questions or comments regarding the conference directly to us via NEDanceOrgs(a)gmail.com. Thanks!
We'll keep in touch as other plans are firmed
up. In the meantime, let us
know if you have questions or suggestions.
Happy organizing!
Chrissy Fowler, Delia Clark & Linda Henry
NEDanceOrgs(a)gmail.com
(207) 338-0979
