Contra Callers

contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net

45 participants
4388 discussions

by Greg McKenzie

Bev wrote: >Not that I'm suggesting that something like this would "never" happen in >Canada, but I believe it's safe to say that the likelihood is *much* lower. >There are many reason why I don't want to live in the US and this is a >perfect example of one of them. You are certainly lucky to have single payer universal health care in Canada. If we, someday, develop a civilized health care policy here in the U.S.A., I'm sure that we would still need to purchase caller's insurance. Though I expect that it would be even cheaper than it is currently. We could still be sued, but not for medical expenses. Contra dances--and many other community events--would be easier and probably less expensive to organize. Just a thought, Greg

15 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] Caller insurance

by The Witful Turnip

>Here is a story that happened to a friend of mine. <snip...> >It caused a gash which had to be attended to in an emergency room. > >The lady sued the city, the dance club sponsoring the dance, the fire >extinguisher manufacturer, AND THE CALLER, whom she contended should have >warned her about the danger. > >Whether she won the suit or not, it still must be defended. Insurance is >indispensable. If you don't have it, get it. It's not expensive and it can >save you so much aggravation should an accident occur. > >Ron Nelson Not that I'm suggesting that something like this would "never" happen in Canada, but I believe it's safe to say that the likelihood is *much* lower. There are many reason why I don't want to live in the US and this is a perfect example of one of them. I'm curious to know if this was a one night stand or a regular dance. And if a regular dance, if that particular lady was someone who regularly attended that dance, or was someone there for the first time. Unfortunately, all these stories do (and I do understand that they likely make up a *very* small percentage of occurrences)is make me wonder if I should be calling in the US.... And that seems a real shame to me. <sigh> Bev p.s. I've had one person respond to me directly about this and he wisely mentioned that there are other caller lists that I don't participate in, and potential callers who don't participate in those or use email. Therefore it's difficult for me to get a sense of whether there's an interest and critical mass in Canada to investigate coverage here.

15 years, 4 months

callers insurance

by Bree Kalb

Thanks to everyone to replied to my query about insurance. I've considered it off and on over the years; it probably made more sense when I was touring a lot. I'll probably sign up any way. Bree Kalb Carrboro, NC 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.

15 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] Caller's Insurance

by The Witful Turnip

Message: 4 > Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2010 07:53:58 -0500 > From: Martha Edwards <meedwards(a)westendweb.com> > To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Caller's insurance > Message-ID: > <z2x7d8d864a1004010553q5b90016el94ecdc2439faba1e(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > I **cannot recall a single instance in the twenty years that I have been > dancing that a dancer sued anyone for anything. But there was an > *insurance company* that sued our dance group to recover costs associated > with a dancer who fell and broke a wrist. So even though we are a > remarkably un-litigious group of people, it's not just dancers who > might sue, and insurance for the hall, the dance group and even the > caller is a smart idea. > > Thank you CDSS for making it easy and affordable for us to purchase! I have life, disability, car and condo insurance. I believe in having insurance that ideally, as David mentioned, I never need to use. And I would like to have callers insurance. However, it is NOT easy for me to get it. As a Canadian and resident of Canada, even though I'm a CDSS member in good standing, I was not eligible for this insurance when it was covered by Callerlab. The preliminary answer from CDSS (Jeff is currently on vacation) suggests that this has not changed even though the carrier has changed. It's disappointing. I attempted to do some digging here in Canada to see if there was some equivalent coverage when CDSS first told me I wasn't eligible. I got nowhere at the time and gave up. But since I'm calling more and more in the US at bigger events, it does concern me that I could be vulnerable. I'd appreciate it if the Canadian callers on this list that have an interest in pursuing insurance would email me directly. I'm curious to know how many we are. Thanks, Bev

15 years, 5 months

Re: [Callers] Caller's insurance

by David.Millstone＠valley.net

Bree asked, "...can you say more about the reasons to have insurance?" One simple and practical reason is that many halls now require proof of insurance before they will let a dance group-- or others, for that matter-- use the facility. Having this slip of paper has made it possible for our band to hold a monthly dance in the local town hall. Without it, no way. And then there's the reason that I've not needed so far, which is someone falling down on the dance floor and getting seriously injured, and sueing the caller, having decided that it's your fault-- not controlling the crowd properly, failure to give adequate warning of the dangers involved, not giving proper safety precautions, choosing a dance that was inappropriate for that particular crowd. Sure, you might well win the case in court, but it'd be nice to have the insurance company paying for your defense. Unlikely? Yep, but so are many other litigious situations in which people find themselves. Someone died at a dance where I was calling but there was no legal action involved in that one. Still, not fun... I figure that caller's insurance is like any other kind of insurance... you pay your money-- as Chris said, it's not a large sum-- and hope that you never need it. David Millstone Lebanon, NH

15 years, 5 months

Caller's insurance

by Bree Kalb

Chris and others: can you say more about the reasons to have insurance? I've considered it but never heard of a situation where it was needed. Bree Kalb Carrboro, NC Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 22:26:41 -0400 From: "Chris Weiler (home)" <chris.weiler(a)weirdtable.org> To: Shared Weight <callers(a)sharedweight.net> Subject: [Callers] [Fwd: Callers Insurance] Message-ID: <4BAAC9E1.4000000(a)weirdtable.org> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed If you don't have it, get it. Chris Weiler Goffstown, NH -------- Original Message -------- Hello Callers, So in late breaking news, CDSS now has callers insurance again! it is a policy with Philadelphia, similar to what we had in past years. There was a slight increase in price this year, it will be $55 per year The year for this policy begins on April1 this year, so there will be no lapse in coverage! Information and applications can be found at http://www.cdss.org/caller-insurance.html

15 years, 5 months

Re: [Callers] Question about Venus & Mars timing....

by The Witful Turnip

Thanks everyone who chimed in to help! Makes perfect sense now that I look at it, that the circle and rollaway should be in the first phrase of the A2, and the gents allemanding and ladies orbiting in the second phrase. Thank you David for reminding me about the RPLDW syllabi. I've said for years that I need to get to that weekend and still haven't made it. Probably why I never think to look there but I've added the link to my favorites now. Bill actually got the answer to me first since I get this list as the digest version and he emailed me directly as well. I was going to call the dance again tonight but ended up switching it out for Money Musk instead!! Yes Martha, I know all about your husband! I met both of you at the English Weekend in STL last Labor Day. I think it's really cool that you went to school with Martin, Lisa. What a great resource this group is! Thanks again everyone. Bev

15 years, 5 months

Question about Venus & Mars timing...

by The Witful Turnip

Hi all, I have a dance called "Venus & Mars" noted as written by a Martin Sirk. I believe that I've danced it a number of times but had never called it until a week ago. I can't remember how/where I got the calls. I've tried searching for it online but can't seem to find anything resembling what I have. So, I thought I'd consult my panel of experts. First question is, do I have this written correctly? A1: Neighbor balance & swing A2: Circle L 3/4 Partners rollaway w half sashay (up/down)* B1: Gents allemande L 1 1/2, while the ladies orbit CW 1/2 way Partner swing B2: Circle L 3/4 Balance ring, partners california twirl My second question is about the timing in the A2, which is why I keep wondering if I've transcribed this incorrectly. There seems to be leftover time. I think people are used to circling L 3/4 in 8 counts. * But I'd say that the rollaway w half sashay is only worth 4 counts maybe 6, but not 8, especially if people have good weight and really move the circle around. Is the timing really that mushy? I found that many of the gents started the allemande early. The ladies often took a split second to remember they were orbiting, but everyone had quite a bit longer than 8 counts for the partner swing. While I was watching the dancers, it seemed like every circle of 4 was in a slightly different place in the dance. As it happened, I was calling the dance with an old time band and the tune didn't have particularly distinct phrasing, so I didn't think it was particularly problematic. I just don't remember there being that much spare time when I've danced it. Anyone call this dance that can comment? Thanks, Bev

15 years, 5 months

Re: [Callers] Question about Venus & Mars timing...

by David.Millstone＠valley.net

Hi Bev, You have the bare bones of the dance transcribed correclty, but not the timing. >From the 2004 Syllabus for the Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend: A2- Circle left 3/4, with partner on the side rollaway with a half sashay Gents allemande left 1&1/2 while women orbit clockwise halfway round I'll just repeat a suggestion I've made before: The collection of syllabi from the RPDLW is a great place to look for dances, especially given the handy index that David Smukler updates each year: http://www.library.unh.edu/special/index.php/ralph-page-dance-legacy-weekend David's notes for this dance: ---quoted material follows: The author, an astronomer says, "The only thing I would add is that when the ladies orbit, they pass right shoulders with the lady in the next square [i.e., minor set], that is they go around each other. This really adds to the sensation of swirling planets." Note that, except for its title, this contra dance is entirely unrelated to the "Venus and Mars" square dance figure. ---end quoted material David Millstone Lebanon, NH

15 years, 5 months

Re: [Callers] Teaching Mad Robin

by Jerome Grisanti

Rich Goss wrote: > That would be an interesting discussion topic.? Has anyone encountered a > mad robin that is reversed? > -- > In the English dance "Mad Robin," the ones do the mad robin figure following the path of the do-si-do, but when the twos do the figure they are following the path of a see-saw. Not sure about modern contras, but I expect at least some involve a see-saw-path mad robin. --Jerome Jerome Grisanti 660-528-0858 http://www.jeromegrisanti.com 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

15 years, 5 months

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