Contra Callers

contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net

33 participants
4404 discussions

by Will Loving

Hi everyone, I joined SharedWeight a few weeks ago but have not had time to introduce myself. My name is Will Loving - though some who met me many years ago may remember me as Will McNaughten - and I live in Amherst, MA. I've been contra dancing for about half my life - 26+ years I think - initially in Seattle, NH/VT (Lyme, Etna, Norwich, Putney), and DC/MD/VA, but mostly in the Pioneer Valley/Western Mass area for the last 20+ years. I got interested in calling early on and started collecting dances and teaching my students (small Quaker High School in Maryland) and anyone else who was interested. Ken Haltenhoff (Bluemont dance), Steve Schnur, David Kaynor and Larry Jennings book ³Zesty Contras² were early influences. After I moved to Western Mass I called the Montague dance once or twice when David was away but didn¹t do much beyond that. My wife, Kate, and I also taught East Coast swing for five years here in the valley and my interest in calling is very much related to my joy in teaching dance. For the last 12+ years, parenting and running my business have taken precedence over many personal interests including dancing and calling, but I'm finally beginning to move in those directions again. Though my time is still limited, I'm actively looking for opportunities to learn more about calling and to talk with and observe people calling and teaching. I¹m driving to Belfast, Maine this weekend to do the Intro Callers workshop with Chrissy Fowler and will hopefully be going to the followup weekend with Lisa in September. I really appreciate Chris Weiler¹s recent post about his experiences as a new caller, it¹s inspiring and gives me hope for how things can open up as you go along. I know I bring certain skills to the table because of my background in movement and teaching, but I¹m pretty clueless at the moment about the music side of things and how to interact with the musicians. Lots to learn and I very much appreciate the encouragement of the caller community (esp. David Kaynor, Rick Mohr, Lisa Greenleaf, Linda Leslie, George Marshall, et al.) as I figure out what next steps to take. Finally, for my work, I do database programming in FileMaker Pro, mostly for community arts organizations and other non-profits. I created a small dance database some years ago for my own use, but now that I actually might start using it actively I wanted something that was much more functional and nicer to look at. I¹ve been working on something for several weeks that I think might be of interest to the caller community, particularly because it has the ability to create and preserve sets of dances for a particular date and location. At some point in the next few weeks I¹ll post a link to a downloadable beta (both Mac and Win) for people to play with, but in the short term here ( http://dedicationtechnologies.com/CC/ ) are some screen shots to show you where I¹m going with it. There is a lot of functionality already built in which you can¹t really see but which will be apparent when you actually get a chance to play with it. I also have lots of questions for you all because I would like this to be versatile enough for contras, square and English, so I¹ll be soliciting your input on that. Thanks for listening and for the encouragement I¹ve already received from many of you. Thanks, Will -- William M. Loving Dedication Technologies, Inc. 7 Coach Lane Amherst, MA 01002-3304 USA will(a)dedicationtechnologies.com Tel: +1 413 253-7223 (GMT 5) Fax: +1 206 202-0476

17 years, 6 months

Anyone Recognize this Dance?

by mavis mcgaugh

Don't Know Author/or Name of Dance - hoping someone will recognize it. I know I will use it again and would like to be able to give credi to the author. thanks Cirle Mixer A1 Forward and back Forward and back A3 with your Corner Seesaw with your Partner D-S-D 1 1/2 to get to next Partner - stand next to this new Partner Right shoulder to Right shoulder Men are facing CCW and Ladies are Facing CW B1 Take Right hands with this Partner and Balance R & L Spin to the Right Balance L & R Spin to the Left B2 with this new Partner Balance & Swing end swing facing in - join hands in a circle - dance starts again. Used it a week ago for the first time - large group of newcomers and lots of regular dancers. All quickly got into the dance and it flowed well. WOuld like to be able to give credit to whoever wrote it next time I use it. Mavis L McGaugh 510-814-8118 (answering machine-leave message) ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

17 years, 6 months

Re: [Callers] Shoofly Swing

by Suzanne Girardot

Yes, this is a visiting big circle dance, as was done in the Southeast (I believe). There is an initial lead couple that starts the shoofly swing, which is the allemande turning figure that progresses from couple to couple. After the lead couple has passed about 3 or 4 couples, the next couple starts dancing the move and it travels around the circle. The man follows along the inside of the circle and turns his partner as she returns to him. If I were to call this, I would start with a big circle, possible circle left and right, into the center and back, swing partner and promenade, grand right and left, and then when that's all done, get the lead couple started with the shoofly swing. At the end (when you have decided that it has gone on long enough), you can do a similar ending with the whole circle. I probably wouldn't do this at a "contra dance" but there are many one night stands, parties, and square dances where this would be totally appropriate and fun. Suzanne -----Original Message----- >From: Jack Mitchell <jamitch3(a)mindspring.com> >Sent: Apr 30, 2008 10:19 AM >To: Suzanne Girardot <suzanneg(a)wolfenet.com>, Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> >Subject: Re: [Callers] Shoofly Swing > >Ok. Having a little trouble picturing this. > >a) Is the whole dance the shoefly swing? >b) If the women are visiting, does her partner >just follow her along the circle on the inside of the circle? > >Thanks, > >Jack > > >At 01:02 PM 4/30/2008, you wrote: >>Gretchen, I have seen this dance called by Phil >>Jamison. In a big circle, this dance goes on >>for a while, but many people can be dancing at >>one time. Once the women have danced all the >>way around, the women can turn the men and the >>men can do the visiting. This would indeed be a >>long dance, but back in the day, this would have >>been extremely fun and not at all boring. What I >>enjoy about this dance is the chance to turn >>smoothly with your partner, and then turn the >>next person in the circle with the left, >>smoothly going around into the allemande with >>your partner again. It can be really rhythmic >>and did I mention smooth? You can get a nice >>groove going with it. It would be a fun dance >>for newer dancers, especially with a driving >>old-time band. It sounds as though you have the >>entire dance. Once you get the dancers going >>("Turn your partner with a shoofly swing") there >>is no more calling necessary until you want to >>bring that part of the dance to a close and >>perhaps finish with a big circle or grand right >>and left. Suzanne Girardot Seattle, WA >>-----Original Message----- >From: Gretchen >>Caldwell <gretchendance(a)yahoo.com> >Sent: Apr >>29, 2008 12:12 PM >To: >>callers(a)sharedweight.net >Subject: [Callers] >>Shoofly Swing > >I'm looking for a circle dance >>called, I believe, "Shoofly Swing".Â Cubby >>Whitehead used to end every evening with it in >>Bradenton Florida in the late 1980s.Â It >>involves one couple starting with an allemande >>right, lady then allemandes next gent by left, >>then partner by right, next gent by left, and so >>on.Â After the allemanding partners have passed >>you by, you and your partner join until the >>whole circle is peeling off in one amazing mass >>of allemandes. >Anyone have it? >I've just >>joined the list, have been calling for two >>years, and appreciate the support of the >>community.Â I plan to try Microchasmic soon for >>our weeklyÂ Monday night dance, where the level >>of dancing is, surprise surprise, improving as >>we three local callers try more challenging >>dances.Â Not a lot of contracorners going >>on.Â This triplet might be just the >>thing. >Gretchen Caldwell >Charlotte >>NC >_____________________________________________ >>__ >Callers mailing >>list >Callers(a)sharedweight.net >http://www.shared >>weight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >>_______________________________________________ >>Callers mailing list Callers(a)sharedweight.net >>http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >

17 years, 6 months

Re: [Callers] Calling Contra Medleys

by Jerome Grisanti

One other note about calling medleys, a point well made by Cary Ravitz at http://ravitz.us/dance/call.php#9 The band's tune shift is an energy lift. Switching dances shifts the attention to the caller and the steps and away from the band, thus negating that lift. He suggests getting into the new figure and THEN switching tunes, rather than switching tunes and dances at the same time. I recommend following the link above if you're not familiar with his advice on dance calling. Even if you don't agree, it's well reasoned and organized information. I'll also weigh in my agreement that medleys, like squares, are best when well prepared and matched to the crowd. I've got several medleys on deck awaiting the right crowd (and some may wait for years). --jerome -- Jerome Grisanti 660-528-0858 660-528-0714 http://www.jeromegrisanti.com

17 years, 6 months

Re: [Callers] 2 questions

by Bronwyn Woods

(I hope this didn't get posted twice) I'll start out by saying that I am a big fan of unannounced medleys. Especially at the end of the Dawn Dance or at other times when I'm tired and don't want to think. I agree with Beth's points about "the non-thinking groove" and the "spice of not knowing what is coming next". Also, there is often a moment in "standard" contras after the caller has stopped calling and my brain has turned off when all of a sudden my muscle memory gets distracted and I have absolutely no idea where I am or what comes next. That can be very jarring. In a medley that never happens. As an experienced dancer, I often only need to pay peripheral attention to the calls, and so can focus on the music and the people I'm dancing with even as the caller is calling and the dance is changing. For me, it can be a much richer experience. The thing that I like about squares is the variety. One thing that I like about contras is being able to dance with the entire longways set. Medleys combine the best of both worlds. I never danced medleys as a novice dancer, so I can't speak to that from personal experience, but I have seen beginning dancers absolutely thrilled after doing an unannounced medley because they did something they didn't think they could do. I might be in the minority, but I think that unannounced medleys can be more beginner-friendly than planned medleys. You don't get the NEFFA partner planning thing, and so beginning dancers are more likely to be dancing with experienced dancers. Also, instead of being scared away and feeling left out, beginning dancers are included and get a sense of accomplishment at the end. Anyway, I'm certainly not disputing that medleys need to be planned carefully and done in situations where they will succeed. But I think that (along with other out of the ordinary dances such as 4-face-4 and the like) medleys can help make contra dancing more varied and exciting without making it less inclusive and beginner-friendly. Just my thoughts. -Bronwyn > On Thu, May 1, 2008 at 9:04 PM, Beth Parkes <ebay(a)hands4.com> wrote: > > > Ah, but there is another non-thinking groove zone that traditional > > square > > dancers understood and somehow modern contra dancers don't get: you > > don't > > have to think, just do what the darn caller tells you to do each time > > around > > and enjoy the variety and the spice of not knowing what is coming next. > > I > > find it better than the "do the same thing over and over and over and > > over" > > boredom of the (always soooo similar) modern contra scene. The fun is > > the > > three legged stool: the caller, the band, and the dancers. Modern contra > > dancers only want the music. Their loss. > > > > IMVHO, of course. > > > > Beth > > > >

17 years, 6 months

2 questions

by PARKER MANN

All- Over the last few weeks I 've come across some questions related to calling and I though I'd combine a couple in one note rather than inflict two messages on everyone. Comments on either or both are appreciated. 1. I have run into the following mixer dance and I'm not sure how best to call it. I don't know the name and author or I'd ask him/her. The problem is that no beat counts or A1-A2-B1-B2 divisions were given. The formation is a wavy circle with gents facing in, ladies facing out, partners by the right. The moves are: Balance the wave R/L Allemande R half way and reform the wavy circle Balance the wave L/R Allemande L half way and reform the wavy circle Balance the wave R/L Allemande R 1x Allemande L 1 1/2 times Partners balance and swing Promenade around the circle Partners drop R hands and reform the circle. Old partner is in left hand, new partner in right. The problem is I can't make the timing look right. The first five moves look to all be four beat moves, but then there are 12 beats left for the allemande R 1x and allemande L 1 1/2. If not, moves are falling across the phrase. Has anyone tried this dance or know anything about it? I'm thinking that drop the third balancing of the wave would work best, but that means a half allemande, full allemande, and 1 1/2 allemande consecutively. 2. I'm at the point where I want to try calling a dance medley. Any thoughts on good combinations to start with? What coordination do you do with the band ahead of time? Thanks. -Parker

17 years, 6 months

Announcing the Frolic in the Fall - 9/27/08 in Harrisburg, PA

by Frolic in the Fall

Hi Friends, Dancers, Organizers, and previous Frolicers: ANNOUNCING, The Second Annual Frolic in the Fall. To be held Saturday, September 27, 2008 from 11am-11pm . Location is the YWCA Camp Reily, just outside of Harrisburg , PA , a 5-acre camp where we dance in a rustic lodge with a wood floor, surrounded by Nature in the Appalachian Mountains of PA. Music from the Contra Rebels from York and Dancewiz from Philadelphia , calling by Tom Hinds, from Faber, VA, and Dave Colestock, from Harrisburg, PA. The Frolic starts with an hour of Waltzing from 11-12, then Contra Dancing from Noon-11. There will be an HOUR LONG Dance Medley, at about 4:30 , followed by a Pot Luck Dinner (last name A-M, dessert or side dish; N-Z main dish, please). Cost is $25/person, limited to 100 dancers, advance registration highly encouraged. Dance at the Locust Lane Contra Dance on Friday 9/26/08 with Perry Shafran calling to All Hat, No Cattle, then stay over at a local motel, b&b, or camp with us on-site. Tent camping for Fri and Sat nights is available for additional $20 /person. Contact us at Fallfrolic(a)yahoo.com or visit the website at www.frolicinthefall.freeservers.com Register online or by snail mail by 9/13/08 , please. Feel free to forward this email, and tell all of your friends - spread the word! Thank you, and hope to see YOU at the Frolic. Can you DANCE for an HOUR??? Come to the FROLIC and find out!!! Thanks for your interest, Dave Colestock --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

17 years, 6 months

Re: [Callers] idea for a longer contra medley

by Dan Black

Dave, During Ralph Page Legacy Dance weekend I was introduced by the emcee as being from the western shores of NJ. Couldn't resist, and it must be in the advance geography class. See ya, Dan ----- Original Message ---- From: Dave Colestock <contradancerdave(a)yahoo.com> To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> Sent: Thursday, May 1, 2008 4:16:06 PM Subject: Re: [Callers] idea for a longer contra medley Hey Dan - When did NJ acquire a Western Shore??? I thought it only had an east coast ocean exposure!!! Or do I need to brush up on Geography 201? Dave Colestock Dan Black <blackjunier(a)yahoo.com> wrote: One thing that has been helpful being involved in medeleys, is the chance to become familiar with calling a no walk through dance. Sometime I can include one quick dance at the end with a no walk thru. People seem to enjoy and this dance is usually has more dancers than the previous. Secondly it is better than a medley because you don't have to call as many times and keep track of how many times til the change. Chris great comment about the band, just think playing the fiddle for 26 minutes straight. My shoulder gets sore thinking about it. There was a time when I'd call a three dance medley and it seemed to go over well. Maybe it is time to do that again. Nice thread. Dan Black Western Shore of NJ ----- Original Message ---- From: Chris Weiler (home) To: Caller's discussion list Sent: Thursday, May 1, 2008 2:49:31 PM Subject: Re: [Callers] idea for a longer contra medley Speaking as a caller who made a mistake during his medley, it was eternal. 8^) Right now 6 dances repeated 6 times works out to roughly 19 minutes. That's just enough time to get set up, form lines, recite the warning/welcoming poem and be done in time to allow the bands to change for the next set. 6 dances repeated 8 times is almost 26 minutes. That doesn't leave any time for the band change. Koren's idea of having two medleys in a session might be more practical, but I have another concern: What about the musicians? It's a long time to play and I've talked to some after playing for a medley and heard how fatigued they are. Happy Dancing! Chris Weiler Goffstown, NH Janet Levatin wrote: > I like some of those ideas. I would at least like to see the 6 dances > each repeated 8 times, or 8 dances each repeated 6 times. Or maybe two > 6 x 6 in a row. I just thought the whole thing was a bit too short. > Janet > > _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ _______________________________________________ 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 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

17 years, 6 months

Re: [Callers] idea for a longer contra medley

by Dan Black

One thing that has been helpful being involved in medeleys, is the chance to become familiar with calling a no walk through dance. Sometime I can include one quick dance at the end with a no walk thru. People seem to enjoy and this dance is usually has more dancers than the previous. Secondly it is better than a medley because you don't have to call as many times and keep track of how many times til the change. Chris great comment about the band, just think playing the fiddle for 26 minutes straight. My shoulder gets sore thinking about it. There was a time when I'd call a three dance medley and it seemed to go over well. Maybe it is time to do that again. Nice thread. Dan Black Western Shore of NJ ----- Original Message ---- From: Chris Weiler (home) <chris.weiler(a)weirdtable.org> To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> Sent: Thursday, May 1, 2008 2:49:31 PM Subject: Re: [Callers] idea for a longer contra medley Speaking as a caller who made a mistake during his medley, it was eternal. 8^) Right now 6 dances repeated 6 times works out to roughly 19 minutes. That's just enough time to get set up, form lines, recite the warning/welcoming poem and be done in time to allow the bands to change for the next set. 6 dances repeated 8 times is almost 26 minutes. That doesn't leave any time for the band change. Koren's idea of having two medleys in a session might be more practical, but I have another concern: What about the musicians? It's a long time to play and I've talked to some after playing for a medley and heard how fatigued they are. Happy Dancing! Chris Weiler Goffstown, NH Janet Levatin wrote: > I like some of those ideas. I would at least like to see the 6 dances > each repeated 8 times, or 8 dances each repeated 6 times. Or maybe two > 6 x 6 in a row. I just thought the whole thing was a bit too short. > Janet > > _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

17 years, 6 months

The mystery mixer....

by The Witful Turnip

Hi All, The dance in question is Sunday on the Green, written by Jim Kitch. I've called it lots of times and it's a great dance. I agree with Alan's notation of the timing below, and his comment to NOT drop the balances. They make the dance. I've added some comments that help me teach and call it as well as a bit about the B2, that might help the rest of you. So here's my take on it: (starts in an Alamo ring, ladies face out/gents in) A1 1-2 Balance the wave R/L 3-4 Partners allemande R half way and reform the wavy circle 5-6 Balance the wave L/R 7-8 With #1, allemande L half way and reform the wavy circle A2 1-2 Balance the wave R/L 3-4 With #2, allemande R 1x 5-8 With #1, allemande L 1 1/2 times B1 1-8 Partners balance and swing B2 1-6 Promenade around the circle 7-8 Partners drop R hands, keep holding L hand, ladies loop L to the inside of the circle and around current partner, and gives R to new partner to reform the wavy circle. (Old partner is in left hand, new partner in right) I typically tell dancers that they'll move away from their partner by 2 people and then come back to balance and swing them. I think it helps to give them the markers. Also, I particularly like the transition from the promenade back to the wavy circle because you keep the connection with the partner the whole time. Hope that helps, Bev >Message: 7 >Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:59:16 -0700 (PDT) >From: Alan Winston - SSRL Central Computing > <winston(a)slac.stanford.edu> >Subject: Re: [Callers] 2 questions >To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> >Message-ID: <01MU8J6EYIMM8XO7P3(a)SSRL.SLAC.STANFORD.EDU> >Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=us-ascii > >Parker wrote: > >> 1. I have run into the following mixer dance and I'm not sure how best to >>call it. I don't know the name and author or I'd ask him/her. The >>problem is >>that no beat counts or A1-A2-B1-B2 divisions were given. > >> The formation is a wavy circle with gents facing in, ladies facing out, >>partners by the right. The moves are: > >(I have modified this with measure counts, assuming 2 beats to a measure) > >A1 1-2 Balance the wave R/L > 3-4 Allemande R half way and reform the wavy circle > 5-6 Balance the wave L/R > 7-8 Allemande L half way and reform the wavy circle > >A2 1-2 Balance the wave R/L > 3-4 Allemande R 1x > 5-8 Allemande L 1 1/2 times >B1 1-8 Partners balance and swing >B2 1-6 Promenade around the circle > 7-8 Partners drop R hands and reform the circle. > Old partner is in left hand, new partner in right. > >> The problem is I can't make the timing look right. The first five moves >>look >>to all be four beat moves, but then there are 12 beats left for the >>allemande R >>1x and allemande L 1 1/2. If not, moves are falling across the phrase. > >I don't actually know this dance either, but can see this working. The >allemande R 1x works up some momentum which you don't have to damp to get >into >the allemande L, and you _can_ get all the way around an allemande in four >steps. If you like you can encourage the dancers to try to do that. (What >will really happen is that the two allemandes will blur into one figure >(which >will feel a little bit like a do pas o), and the timing will vary a bit >from >person to person. But everybody's motivated to be on time for the balance >(which is definitely at the top of B1), so it will work, and if anybody's >late >they can just get a shorter swing with their partner, so it won't break >down. > >> Has anyone tried this dance or know anything about it? I'm thinking that >>drop the third balancing of the wave would work best, but that means a >>half >>allemande, full allemande, and 1 1/2 allemande consecutively. > >Don't drop the balance. You'll only confuse their muscle memory. And 12 >beats >is enough time to do the allemande figures. > >-- Alan

17 years, 6 months

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