Hi-
My name is Judith Muse. I write a column for our local Contra Dance
newsletter here in the Triangle area in North Carolina. My topic this
time is callers - how they see their role, what they want dancers to
know, what's the hardest/best part the about calling. You probably get
the idea by now. Please share anything you would like dancers to hear.
Also, if you want to be credited in the article, please let me know who
you are.
Thanks a lot,
Judith
I've been calling a couple of 4 face 4 dances to good reviews- Mark Widmer's "This Dance Has No Title" - the variation by Bob Isaacs- and Seth Tepfer's "Color Outside the Lines"
One of our regular dancers who is into the 4f4's suggested I look up Pat Shaw's K&E. Some searching revealed the steps, but I have no idea what it means. Anyone with experience calling this dance, or who could explain double becket formation, how the splitting and casting off works, or the power turn on the ladies chain?
Also does anyone else have a favorite 4f4 formation dance to share?
TIA!
K&E by Pat Shaw- formation Double Becket
1's are in the middle and progress down, 2's are on the ends and progress up
A1: 1's split the 2's, cast back to place, end facing the other 1's(8)
1's only- Right hand star, back to your 2's (8)
A2: 2's split the ones and cast back to place (8)
Same four (1's w/ 2's): Left hand star (8)
B1: 1's only- Ladies chain with power turn - face out (8)
Ones with the twos: Ladies chain (8)
B2: Same four: Circle left ¾ (8)
1's Circle left ¾ and move down a little while 2's Swing
and move up (8)
-Alison Murphy
Memphis TN
"It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds."
~Samuel Adams
HTTP://CAMPAIGNFORLIBERTY.COM
____________________________________________________________
Click here for free information on nursing degrees, up to $150/hour
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2131/fc/Ioyw6iifeLf98nOEotpyRXnRMdo677d…
I LOVE this dance! I've danced it several times and remember it well,
though I have not personally called it. It's a favorite of the Ann Arbor
(MI) English Country dance community.
K&E by Pat Shaw- formation Double Becket
1's are in the middle and progress down, 2's are on the ends and progress up
A1: 1's split the 2's, cast back to place, end facing the other 1's(8)
1's only- Right hand star, back to your 2's (8)
A2: 2's split the ones and cast back to place (8)
Same four (1's w/ 2's): Left hand star (8)
B1: 1's only- Ladies chain with power turn - face out (8)
Ones with the twos: Ladies chain (8)
B2: Same four: Circle left ? (8)
1's Circle left ? and move down a little while 2's Swing
and move up (8)
I believe the formation is more often known as "Vermont Tempest"
formation. You can also think of it (if you're a good New Englander ;-) as
"Cribbage board" progression--"Up the outside, down the inside." "Double
Becket" may be misleading, because the "half" of the set on the caller's
right is progressing clockwise while the "half" of the set on the caller's
left is progressing counter-clockwise.
Okay, that's gotta have been even more confusing than you're used to. Try
the "diagram" version of the Progression (Please look at this in Courier or
another fixed-width font):
Dance Turn 1:
BAND
2M 1L 3M 4L
2L 1M 3L 4M
6M 5L 7M 8L
6L 5M 7L 8M
Dance Turn 2:
BAND
2L 2M 4L 4M (Out)
6M 1L 3M 8L
6L 1M 3L 8M
5M 5L 7M 7L (Out)
Dance Turn 3:
BAND
6M 2L 4M 8L
6L 2M 4L 8M
5M 1L 3M 7L
5L 1M 3L 7M
... Got it? Good. (Cue Danny Kaye ...)
Next question: splitting & casting off. The dance starts with "insides"
(your description's 1s) facing (as couples) their respective "outsides"
(your description's 2s). You could say the "insides" are dancing the path
of a mirror do-si-do--but the "outsides" just get out of the way instead of
fully participating, and the "insides" are always moving forward. In other
words, the "insides" dance forward shoulder-to-shoulder, the "ousides" move
apart from each other, then (*behind* or outside the "outsides") the
"insides" turn away from each other, around their respective "outsides"
(gent 'round lady, lady 'round gent) and dance back into the middle to face
the other "inside" couple.
The A2 Left-hand Star is VERY IMPORTANT. The "inside" ladies must keep in
mind that they are looking in the B1 to chain across with the other "inside"
lady--this means they actually want to start chaining when they have only
starred about 3/4.
Power turn: another great invention. It's simply a courtesy
turn+180degrees. Inside Gent takes the "inside neighbor" lady in courtesy
turn position and they guide each other around as per usual to face the
opposite couple--and PAST that position they keep turning until their backs
are to the opposite couple (their partners), and, in this case, facing the
"outsides". Note that the "inside" ladies are now with their "inside
neighbor" gents and about to chain AWAY from them to an "outside neighbor"
gent. Don't worry, the circles will get you back with your partner.
The Circle Ls are both 3/4--i.e. until the "insides" are back on the inside
of the set and can whirl around to take Circle L hands-4 with their
partners.
I'm happy to mail you (USPS) a full diagram of the dance if this isn't
enough. Or if there's a place on the list where I could upload a scan,
that's okay, too.
It's an awesome dance! Have fun!
Lark Speyer
--
"In this case, we may waive formalities. We really haven't time. This is
to-day, but it will soon be to-morrow, and then we may be very different
people, and in some other country."
-- Willa Cather, _The Song of the Lark_
Holy cow.
I think this is real--a write-a-dance-expressing-science contest.
And I think Contra would be an excellent dance medium ...
Good luck, everyone!
:-)
Lark Speyer
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jon Leonard <jbwl(a)hushmail.com>
Date: Oct 9, 2008 8:39 PM
Subject: Can you do a Tropical Contra dance in a month?
To: Lark-Aeryn Speyer <laspeyer(a)gmail.com>
http://gonzolabs.org/dance/
Love,
Dad
--
"In this case, we may waive formalities. We really haven't time. This
is to-day, but it will soon be to-morrow, and then we may be very
different people, and in some other country."
-- Willa Cather, _The Song of the Lark_
In my cards, I have the name of the dance by David Smukler as "Pining
for You". I will be glad to get in touch with David and ask the
actual name...
Also, for Mad Robins: Who goes into the middle first depends on the
dance. I have about a dozen dances with this lovely move, and who
goes into the middle is determined by what the movement is just before.
Cheers! Linda
>
>
> i've been searching in vain for a dance called "Into the Pines". i
> remember
> dancing to it almost a year ago and havent stopped thinking about
> how great
> it was since...but i cant seem to locate it. Does anyone else
> recognize
> this name?
> all my thanks,
> Rachel
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 07:48:33 -0400
> From: "Beth Parkes" <ebay(a)hands4.com>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] searching for a dance...
> To: <rachel.shapiro05(a)gmail.com>, "'Caller's discussion list'"
> <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Message-ID: <002301c92872$a19a3330$e4ce9990$@com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> I assume you mean In the Pines by David Smuckler:
>
> In the Pines
> David Smuckler, Improper Contra
> A1 Gypsy neighbor, Swing neighbor
> A2 Long lines forward & back, Gents turn left 1 ?
> B1 Balance & swing partner
> B2 Circle left ?, With Neighbor, roll away with a half shashay, Cross
> trail thru
>
> Beth
>>
Hi all,
Spelling Police reporting in here, lest anyone try to do a search for David's brilliant work as compiler, editor and producer of the syllabus for the Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend (or his fine website or any other of his worthy contributions to dance nirvana) and end up stymied due to misspelled surnames.
For the record, David Smukler has no C.
Smuckers Jam has a C.
Mukluks ... no C.
Muck boots ... with a C.
Chrissy Fowler (with a C)
:-)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.belfastflyingshoes.org
home 207-338-0979 cell 603-498-3506
_________________________________________________________________
See how Windows Mobile brings your life together—at home, work, or on the go.
http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/msnnkwxp1020093182mrt/direct/01/
i've been searching in vain for a dance called "Into the Pines". i remember
dancing to it almost a year ago and havent stopped thinking about how great
it was since...but i cant seem to locate it. Does anyone else recognize
this name?
all my thanks,
Rachel
I just learned a great contra that has great flow. I'd like to know
if anyone knows the title or composer:
A1 gypsy neighbor, mad robin.
A2 one half pousett, hey (about 3/4 hey) men pass left.
B1 swing partner
B2 ladies chain, star left.
thanks.
On Sep 29, 2008, at 12:00 PM, callers-request(a)sharedweight.net wrote:
> 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. Re: Another Name That Dance (crunchymama(a)juno.com)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2008 23:00:04 GMT
> From: "crunchymama(a)juno.com" <crunchymama(a)juno.com>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] Another Name That Dance
> To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
> Message-ID: <20080928.180004.26347.0(a)webmail07.vgs.untd.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
>
> I am relieved to hear that it is in fact "Cure for the Claps"-
> locally it's been called as "Cure for the Clap" and in spite
> enjoying dance I've always shuddered at the name. Never made the
> connection to the clapping on petronella till now. :o)
>
> -Alison Murphy
>
>
>
>
> -- richgoss(a)comcast.net wrote:
> Cure for the Claps - Bob Isaacs
>
> -------------- Original message --------------
> From: Walter <walterdaves(a)alltel.net>
>
>> So, what's the name of this one? I saw it on YouTube, from All Soles
>> Dance, with the Great Bear Trio playing**
>>
>> * *
>>
>> *A1: Balance the ring; Petronella twirl, Swing partner
>> A2: Balance the ring, Petronella twirl, Swing neighbor
>> B1: Down the hall, turn single, return
>> B2: Circle left 3 places, balance the ring, California twirl
>> *
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Walter Daves
>> **
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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
>
>
> ____________________________________________________________
> Click to become a designer and quit your boring job.
> http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2131/fc/
> Ioyw6iieWt4vxNBfVPt8enDYApM1TsouH40DE7PnSKs2vTlWvpi5YP/
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> Callers mailing list
> Callers(a)sharedweight.net
> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
>
>
> End of Callers Digest, Vol 49, Issue 10
> ***************************************
Just a quick side note, "poussette" does come from the verb "pousser" (push)
in French, but the term probably comes from the word poussette itself, which
is a baby carriage. I think is a rather nice image for what goes on the
figure. And it's a fun little tidbit to share with the dancers too! :)
-Sargon
On Wed, Oct 1, 2008 at 12:00 PM, <callers-request(a)sharedweight.net> wrote:
> Send Callers mailing list submissions to
> callers(a)sharedweight.net
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:13:33 -0500
> From: "Martha Edwards" <meedwards(a)westendweb.com>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] name of dance
> To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Message-ID:
> <7d8d864a0809301213s4dc6d37agd86503103c2e9446(a)mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Drat! I only saw the first post. Sorry for being late to the dance and
> jumping in. It's still got strange timing, not that it matters, since the
> dance is so flowy.
>
> In a poussette, someone "pushes" (french: poussez) and someone pulls
> (not-french: poulet :-). In Joyride, the woman pushes, or the man pulls,
> taking his partner with him. The couples lead out four steps, then,
> slightly
> to the left, back in four steps (with the woman backing up) to trade places
> with the other couple in the set of four.
>
> There are other poussettes, like the draw poussette, where the man (or the
> woman) keeps on backing up while the couples trade places, rather like a
> toy
> train going around the christmas tree.
>
> M
> E
>
> On Tue, Sep 30, 2008 at 11:33 AM, Tom Hinds <twhinds(a)earthlink.net> wrote:
>
> > I just learned a great contra that has great flow. I'd like to know if
> > anyone knows the title or composer:
> >
> > A1 gypsy neighbor, mad robin.
> >
> > A2 one half pousett, hey (about 3/4 hey) men pass left.
> >
> > B1 swing partner
> >
> > B2 ladies chain, star left.
> >
> > thanks.
> >
Hey All--
I'll be calling my first gig at the Spanish Ballroom this Friday with
New Hip Trio. Would love to see some familiar faces (or at least put
faces with some familiar names). If you're in the area and can come,
be sure to come up at some point and introduce yourself!
Jack Mitchell
Durham, NC
