Contra Callers

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4388 discussions

Re: [Callers] suggestions for dancing on lawns...

by Greg McKenzie

Callers, Some people may not be familiar with the jargon we use. Just to clarify: ONS stands for "Old Ninnie's Shuffle" a dance done at retirement homes in southern New Mexico. MUC stands for "Mucilaginous Uphill Crabwalk" which is a popular dance amongst college students on the East coast. Just thought that might help. Sincerely, Greg McKenzie ******** At 12:43 PM 6/17/2008, you wrote: >Dancing on grass works just fine. Stick with an elbow swing, which >I usually do for a ONS dance anyway. >I'm assuming that this is a dance with mostly novice, one-time >dancers. We did play for a MUC dance once that was in the grass and >the dance seemed to work just fine too, except for the mosquitos.

17 years, 2 months

Re: [Callers] suggestions for dancing on lawns...

by richgoss＠comcast.net

Dancing on grass works just fine. Stick with an elbow swing, which I usually do for a ONS dance anyway. I'm assuming that this is a dance with mostly novice, one-time dancers. We did play for a MUC dance once that was in the grass and the dance seemed to work just fine too, except for the mosquitos. Rich -------------- Original message -------------- From: Laur <lcpgr(a)yahoo.com> > Hell all, looking for support and any suggestions for calling an outside wedding > dance. > > Since I am dealing with a wedding dance I don't have to worry about fast > dancing. Although I keep thinking about that unsteady dancing thing that is > already present with non-dancers, and their over exuberance. I also think about > letting that caller insurance lag this year. > > I'm open to anything anyone can offer. Wedding is Sunday. Trying to rethink > today and tomorrow. > > Thanks - Laurie, Grand Rapids, MI > > > ~ What the heart has once owned.....it shall never lose. ~ > ~ Henry Ward Beecher~ > ~~ > > > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers

17 years, 2 months

Re: [Callers] suggestions for dancing on lawns...

by David.Millstone＠VALLEY.NET

> any suggestions for calling an outside wedding dance The all-purpose KISS principle ("Keep It Simple, Stupid!") certainly applies here. One other thought, given the circumstances-- inexperienced dancers and uneven footing-- is to encourage two-hand turns for any swings in the dances you choose. Dancers will have more controlover their own bodies if they're not locked into someone else's embrace. David Millstone

17 years, 2 months

Re: [Callers] Lefthanders Day dance

by Gale T. Wood

A tip for future dance choreographers: train yourself to dance both the M & F roles so that you Can get a feel for what each dance partner is required to do. I find that it's both fun and a real learning experience to dance the opposite genders role. Happy dancing Gale

17 years, 2 months

United We Dance - final transition

by Rickey

Hi, In United We Dance, by Bob Isaacs, I am curious how you tell people to re-form the long wavy lines after the star in B2, to continue the dance. To set up these lines from an improper formation before the dance starts it seems sufficient to me just to tell the men to turn and face out and take their neighbors right in their right. It is the transition from the star left that ends the dance to that long wavy line that puzzles me some for the women. It seems that the men can naturally end that star facing out, but it seems that the women will end that star also facing out and will need to take an extra turn to face in to set up that long wavy line for the continuation of the dance. How do you tell folks to make this transition? Other comments are, of course welcome, but it is this transition that, for the women, I am wondering about. The full dance is below. Thanks, Rickey Holt, Fremont Starting formation: Right hand long wave with neighbor. I take this to mean two such waves, down the sides. (A1) Balance and ROM slide Right / Balance and ROM slide Left (A2) Balance and swing Neighbor (B1) Circle left ¾ / Swing Partner (B2) Ladies Chain / Star Left.

17 years, 2 months

Re: [Callers] Lefthanders Day dance

by Hgrastorf＠aol.com

New title: Not Always Right (much better, thanks!) I haven't had a chance to actually "dance" it yet, but I would (gently) remind the gentlemen that we ladies have gotten accustomed to a certain amount of institutionalized awkwardness (I suppose we could call it the Ginger Rogers syndrome) so a little turnabout seems fair. In squares, for instance, to allemande one's corner is easy for the men -- you use the natural (outside) hand. For the ladies, however, the natural hand to use would be the right hand -- that's OUR outside hand. We ladies must turn 45 degrees and reach across with our INSIDE hand to allemande our corner smoothly and gracefully -- something which many callers I've danced to fail to point out for the beginners on the floor. And of course in virtually all contra corners dances with a "cast off" figure, the man's free hand, as he comes into the center, is his right hand, so he's ready to begin the contra corners figure. But the lady "castee's" right hand is around the waist of the lady "caster." I've seen many women beginners try contra corners and "not get it" repeatedly because they try, over and over, to start with their natural hand -- the left (free) hand. (I was a source of considerable "prop wash" the first time I tried contra corners. A helpful neighboring woman dancer kept repeating "RIGHT hand" in my direction until I finally got it "right"). Having spluttered on defensively however at far too much length, I agree that the dance should flow smoothly. What about: B1: Half a hey on the LEFT diagonal, ladies chain across to the new neighbor (16 counts). B2 Balance the ring, Petronella LEFT (8) one place. Balance the ring, Petronella LEFT one place, turn around and form a new left hand star with the next neighbors? April Blum **************Vote for your city's best dining and nightlife. City's Best 2008. (http://citysbest.aol.com?ncid=aolacg00050000000102)

17 years, 2 months

Dances of the Mormon Trek 1840-1860

by Rickey

Hi all, I have been hired to lead some dancing for a recreation of the Mormon Trek that took place from 1840 to 1860. Apparently they believed in dancing and danced during the trek itself. It would be fun to include any historically accurate (or roughly historically accurate) material that I can. There will be close to 100 dancers mostly teenagers I believe, most or all with no prior experience with traditional dance. Any suggestions for easy dances - circles, sets or maybe contras (although I know better than to expect them to do contras unless we turn the contras into Sicilian circles) would be very welcome. I might even take on a square or two. The dance will take place outside, perhaps under a tent, but I believe without a wooden floor. Your suggestions will be happily danced. Thanks, Rickey Holt, Fremont, NH

17 years, 2 months

August 13, International Lefthanders Day

by hgrastorf＠aol.com

I'm a novice caller, and will be taking the Callers Workshop with Lisa Greenleaf at Pinewoods this August.? Wednesday, August 13th will be the 36th International Lefthanders Day, and I've written the following dance which I hope to call there that evening, since its Campers Night?-- it?dances okay in my head.? Any input? Name of Dance:? August 13 Duple Improper, double progression. A1? LEFT hand star (8) morphing into LEFT hand Allm w/neighbor (8)?(like Al's Safeway Produce) A2? Ladies pass LEFT shoulders across the set to B/S partner (16)? Face LEFT diagonal B1? On the LEFT diagonal, half a hey, ladies leading.? Ladies turn back over their LEFT shoulders to LEFT gypsy partner (16).? Face across. B2? Circle LEFT --? (One and 1/8 places?)?(8 counts) Far enough to balance the ring (4) and then pass LEFT shoulders (4) into a new LH star with the next.?? April Blum

17 years, 2 months

Looking for a dance name, author and other data...

by Richie Katz

Hi.... I've posted 4 videos of Lisa Greenleaf, Ron Buchanon, and Becky Hill calling, A Pirates Life for Me, The 24th of June, Are you 'most done, and one unknown dance. All this is on the caller's corner page of contrausa.com. Can anyone look at these and let me know some of the dance names, the author's data and any other comments on the calling and dances? By the way, the dancing and music is great also... and you may see your friends in there :) best wishes ... Richie Katz Tampa

17 years, 2 months

International Lefthanders Day

by David.Millstone＠VALLEY.NET

--- April wrote: Does anyone have a suggestion for a tune that has a different B2???? --- end of quote --- I think what you mght be looking for is a three-part tune. Instead of playing AABBCC, the band might play, for example, AABC, giving you that different sound for the B2 part of your dance. Possibly the best-known tune that has three parts (aside from Chorus Jig, which won't work because it's more like ABCB and because for some dancers that tune is linked with the dance) is Ragtime Annie. Most fiddlers know the A and B parts and many will also know the C part. Other three-part possibilities that quickly come to mind are Reel Beatrice (French-Canadian), Quadrille Jos Bouchard (ditto) and Merrily Kissed the Quaker's Wife (Irish). Of course, in keeping with your theme of "LEFT," you might want to consider using "The Girl I Left Behind Me" as your tune. ;-) David Millstone

17 years, 2 months

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