Contra Callers

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15 participants
4361 discussions

by Martha Wild

I'm struggling with the same question - but I have to add that I've been leaning toward book, because in spite of all the comments about the ease of having stuff as a website, I have no idea how to set up a website. A friend of mine just spent weeks trying to set up a website and finally has one page where the links don't work very well and it isn't centered. So I'm not excited about trying to put one together. The other concern I suppose is that paper is archival - 200 years from now someone can look at a book. Will a website still exist? Will the technology have changed and old websites be superceded by new formats? What about publishing as a PDF file, and sending interested parties a printable copy? Or burning a CD with a PDF and giving that to people? Or a Word or Excel file, set up so that cards could be printed out? Martha

17 years, 10 months

Finish the Dance

by Rickey

Hi, Tod Whittemore came east and did a dance evening last night in New Hampshire and it was a great evening. He ended the evening with a great dance that am trying to remember today. Below is what's left in my brain (more than I expected). If you were at the dance or recognize the dance can you help me get it right? Also if you know the name and author that would be great. Tod did not give the name. Thank you all. Rickey Holt, Fremont, NH The remnants of the dance: (duple improper) A1 Star Left Below (8) 1s turn around (alone, in place) and Star Right Above (8) A2 Actives do-si-do below (to a wave across) (4) Balance that wave (?) (4 - if there was a balance here) Allemande Right Neighbor (4) Men (in the center) Allemande Left (1/2) to Partner (4 - I remember that this was rushed; perhaps it was only for 2, but then this math won't work) B1 Partner Balance and Swing (8) (I thought it was for the whole B1, but I think that there was a ladies chain over in here) Ladies Chain over (8) B2 Hey over and back end by getting ready to form the next left hand star below) (16) I don't know if this would even put everyone where they need to be. Thanks again. Rickey

17 years, 10 months

Re: [Callers] Callers Digest, Vol 34, Issue 14

by Chrissy Fowler

Re Rickey's dance: Looks like one I have in my box that's called The Magpie and the Seal by David Zinkin. d.imp. a1 RH Star with neighbors LH Star with previous neighbors a2 (return to original neighbors) dsd n 1+ to wave (women in ctr by left) bal wave (4) N all R 1/2 way (2) men all L 1/2 way (2) b1 P b&s b2 Ladies ch half hey (ladies start r. sh) look to next Ns for rh star. a fun one to dance, and satisfying to call if there is a critical mass of experienced/competent dancers. the lh star really confuses newbies, and the a2 moves along. chrissy * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Check out our dance series at http://www.belfastflyingshoes.org > 1. Finish the Dance (Rickey) > 2. Re: Finish the Dance (Chris Lahey) > > >---------------------------------------------------------------------- > >Message: 1 >Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2007 10:01:45 -0400 >From: "Rickey" <holt.e(a)comcast.net> >Subject: [Callers] Finish the Dance >Hi, > >Tod Whittemore came east and did a dance evening last night in New >Hampshire >and it was a great evening. He ended the evening with a great dance that >am >trying to remember today. Below is what's left in my brain (more than I >expected). If you were at the dance or recognize the dance can you help me >get it right? Also if you know the name and author that would be great. >Tod >did not give the name. > >Thank you all. > >Rickey Holt, > >Fremont, NH > > > >The remnants of the dance: > >(duple improper) > >A1 Star Left Below (8) > > 1s turn around (alone, in place) and > > Star Right Above (8) > >A2 Actives do-si-do below (to a wave across) (4) > > Balance that wave (?) (4 - if >there >was a balance here) > > Allemande Right Neighbor (4) > > Men (in the center) Allemande Left (1/2) to Partner >(4 - I remember that this was rushed; perhaps it was only for 2, but then >this math won't work) > >B1 Partner Balance and Swing (8) (I thought it >was for the whole B1, but I think that there was a ladies chain over in >here) > > Ladies Chain over (8) > >B2 Hey over and back end by getting ready to form the next left hand >star below) (16) > > > >I don't know if this would even put everyone where they need to be. > >Thanks again. > >Rickey > > > > > >------------------------------ > >Message: 2 >Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2007 11:13:07 -0400 >From: "Chris Lahey" <clahey(a)clahey.net> >Subject: Re: [Callers] Finish the Dance >To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> >Message-ID: > <a633da570706300813x2bc268efsed34122070f2a6ca(a)mail.gmail.com> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed > >I don't recognize the dance at all, but it looks pretty cool and I've >got comments below. > >On 6/30/07, Rickey <holt.e(a)comcast.net> wrote: > > Hi, > > > > Tod Whittemore came east and did a dance evening last night in New >Hampshire > > and it was a great evening. He ended the evening with a great dance >that am > > trying to remember today. Below is what's left in my brain (more than I > > expected). If you were at the dance or recognize the dance can you help >me > > get it right? Also if you know the name and author that would be great. >Tod > > did not give the name. > > > > Thank you all. > > > > Rickey Holt, > > > > Fremont, NH > > > > > > > > The remnants of the dance: > > > > (duple improper) > > > > A1 Star Left Below (8) > > > > 1s turn around (alone, in place) and > > > > Star Right Above (8) > > > > A2 Actives do-si-do below (to a wave across) (4) > >Is this (8)? > > > Balance that wave (?) (4 - if >there > > was a balance here) > > > > Allemande Right Neighbor (4) > > > > Men (in the center) Allemande Left (1/2) to Partner > > (4 - I remember that this was rushed; perhaps it was only for 2, but >then > > this math won't work) > >And the do-si-do time might explain why you were rushed here? > >This is the first significant center crossing. Men have switched sides. > > > B1 Partner Balance and Swing (8) (I thought >it > > was for the whole B1, but I think that there was a ladies chain over in > > here) > >Let's just assume this was 16. > > > Ladies Chain over (8) > >Here women switch sides. At this point, everyone is on the opposite >side of the set from their initial position. > > > B2 Hey over and back end by getting ready to form the next left >hand > > star below) (16) > >And we end on the wrong side of the set 8 beats late. If we replace >this with a half hey, we end on the right side of the set right on >time. The thing I'm most unsure about is how well the half hey would >lead into the left hand star. In my head it seems like it would lead >into the right hand star better. However, that makes it left hand >star into a do-si-do, and that's also not quite as smooth. Maybe I'm >wrong about the smoothness. I'd have to dance it to be sure. Can >anyone else comment on this? > >So, obviously, I don't know if this was the original dance or what the >name or author of it was. I'd love to find out. > > _________________________________________________________________ Dont miss your chance to WIN $10,000 and other great prizes from Microsoft Office Live http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/aub0540003042mrt/direct/01/

17 years, 10 months

Re: [Callers] Finish the dance

by Martha Wild

Rickey, Chris, I think Chris has it right. The do-si-do would have to be 8 counts because it is 1 1/4 around with the women ending in center. After the four count wave balance, there are basically two steps to allemande right neighbor 1/2 and 2 for the men to allemande 1/2. That is a bit rushed but doable. The half hey into a star left works quite well, actually, assuming it's an ordinary half hey with women passing right shoulders to start. Not a beginner type dance, people need to know where they are going. But I don't know name or author either. Martha On Jun 30, 2007, at 9:00 AM, 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. Finish the Dance (Rickey) > 2. Re: Finish the Dance (Chris Lahey) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2007 10:01:45 -0400 > From: "Rickey" <holt.e(a)comcast.net> > Subject: [Callers] Finish the Dance > To: <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Message-ID: <000001c7bb1f$351cab00$020fa8c0@maxx> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Hi, > > Tod Whittemore came east and did a dance evening last night in New > Hampshire > and it was a great evening. He ended the evening with a great > dance that am > trying to remember today. Below is what's left in my brain (more > than I > expected). If you were at the dance or recognize the dance can you > help me > get it right? Also if you know the name and author that would be > great. Tod > did not give the name. > > Thank you all. > > Rickey Holt, > > Fremont, NH > > > > The remnants of the dance: > > (duple improper) > > A1 Star Left Below (8) > > 1s turn around (alone, in place) and > > Star Right Above (8) > > A2 Actives do-si-do below (to a wave across) (4) > > Balance that wave (?) (4 - > if there > was a balance here) > > Allemande Right Neighbor (4) > > Men (in the center) Allemande Left (1/2) to Partner > (4 - I remember that this was rushed; perhaps it was only for 2, > but then > this math won't work) > > B1 Partner Balance and Swing (8) (I > thought it > was for the whole B1, but I think that there was a ladies chain > over in > here) > > Ladies Chain over (8) > > B2 Hey over and back end by getting ready to form the next > left hand > star below) (16) > > > > I don't know if this would even put everyone where they need to be. > > Thanks again. > > Rickey > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2007 11:13:07 -0400 > From: "Chris Lahey" <clahey(a)clahey.net> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Finish the Dance > To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Message-ID: > <a633da570706300813x2bc268efsed34122070f2a6ca(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed > > I don't recognize the dance at all, but it looks pretty cool and I've > got comments below. > > On 6/30/07, Rickey <holt.e(a)comcast.net> wrote: >> Hi, >> >> Tod Whittemore came east and did a dance evening last night in New >> Hampshire >> and it was a great evening. He ended the evening with a great >> dance that am >> trying to remember today. Below is what's left in my brain (more >> than I >> expected). If you were at the dance or recognize the dance can you >> help me >> get it right? Also if you know the name and author that would be >> great. Tod >> did not give the name. >> >> Thank you all. >> >> Rickey Holt, >> >> Fremont, NH >> >> >> >> The remnants of the dance: >> >> (duple improper) >> >> A1 Star Left Below (8) >> >> 1s turn around (alone, in place) and >> >> Star Right Above (8) >> >> A2 Actives do-si-do below (to a wave across) (4) > > Is this (8)? > >> Balance that wave (?) (4 - >> if there >> was a balance here) >> >> Allemande Right Neighbor (4) >> >> Men (in the center) Allemande Left (1/2) to Partner >> (4 - I remember that this was rushed; perhaps it was only for 2, >> but then >> this math won't work) > > And the do-si-do time might explain why you were rushed here? > > This is the first significant center crossing. Men have switched > sides. > >> B1 Partner Balance and Swing (8) (I >> thought it >> was for the whole B1, but I think that there was a ladies chain >> over in >> here) > > Let's just assume this was 16. > >> Ladies Chain over (8) > > Here women switch sides. At this point, everyone is on the opposite > side of the set from their initial position. > >> B2 Hey over and back end by getting ready to form the next >> left hand >> star below) (16) > > And we end on the wrong side of the set 8 beats late. If we replace > this with a half hey, we end on the right side of the set right on > time. The thing I'm most unsure about is how well the half hey would > lead into the left hand star. In my head it seems like it would lead > into the right hand star better. However, that makes it left hand > star into a do-si-do, and that's also not quite as smooth. Maybe I'm > wrong about the smoothness. I'd have to dance it to be sure. Can > anyone else comment on this? > > So, obviously, I don't know if this was the original dance or what the > name or author of it was. I'd love to find out. > > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > > End of Callers Digest, Vol 34, Issue 14 > ***************************************

17 years, 10 months

Personal Dance Database Needed

by Gale T. Wood

HI Folks, Over the past week I configured a database using MS Access. Its perfectly useful if you ignore the Microsoft bells and whistles and keep the 'rules' simple. (dont bother with the relational stuff) If there is somebody else trying to set up using Access. I will be glad to share what I have learned. See ya on the floor Gale

17 years, 10 months

New SharedWeight lists are ready! And thanks Chris and Seth

by Gale T. Wood

Hay thanks, Chris, It will be good to know what's going on in the heads of musicians :-) And possibly get a new perspective on this whole performance thing. Also would like to extend a big thanks to you and Seth for all the work you Put into these projects. I cant imaging the years it would take to accumulate the amount of knowledge found in these archives, if I had to do it by trial and error (mostly error :-)) Thanks Gale W.

17 years, 10 months

Re: [Callers] New SharedWeight lists are ready!

by Chris Weiler

I apologize here are the correct links: http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/musicians http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/organizers Chris Original message: Hello everyone!! I was amazed at the response I got. Thank you to everyone who forwarded my message to people who might be interested. Some of those people contacted me to express their interest in being a part of the discussion. We have the new lists up and ready for people to join!! Here are the links to join each list: http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/admin/musicians http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/admin/organizers We are in the process of updating the main website. I'll make an announcement when it's ready. A few people contacted me expressing their interest and presenting their credentials to "qualify" to be on these lists. We don't block anyone from joining. All we ask is that you have an interest in the topic. We have several lurkers on the Callers list that have never called a dance. I'm looking forward to the discussions! Chris Weiler Goffstown, NH Original Announcement: I apologize if I sent this to anyone twice. Some of you know about an e-mail list that Seth Seeger and I have been running called Shared Weight. The list callers(a)sharedweight.net has been running for 2 1/2 years now and we consider it to be a great success. It was intended to be and has become a resource for people new to calling for traditional dance to come and learn from experienced people. If you are not familiar with the list, please check it out. The archives are public, so you can read what the posts are like: http://www.sharedweight.net/ I am considering starting two new lists on the website: organizers(a)sharedweight.net and musicians(a)sharedweight.net. It should be obvious that these new lists would be targeted at organizers and musicians for traditional dancing. We would hope to have a core group of experienced people and also new people to share information about these subjects. You have been included in this e-mail because you either subscribe to the callers list, or are an organizer or musician that I have an e-mail address for. Since I am a caller who is also an organizer and is working on jumping into the 3rd category, I have an interest in promoting the growth of all of these. Please take some time and consider whether or not you would be interested in joining either of these new lists. I welcome any comments or questions as well. Please feel free to forward this to anyone who you think might be interested. Thank you for your time. Happy Dancing!!! (and calling, organizing and playing!!) Chris Weiler Goffstown, NH http://www.sharedweight.net/ http://www.chrisweiler.ws/

17 years, 10 months

New SharedWeight lists are ready!

by Chris Weiler

Hello everyone!! I was amazed at the response I got. Thank you to everyone who forwarded my message to people who might be interested. Some of those people contacted me to express their interest in being a part of the discussion. We have the new lists up and ready for people to join!! Here are the links to join each list: http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/admin/musicians http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/admin/organizers We are in the process of updating the main website. I'll make an announcement when it's ready. A few people contacted me expressing their interest and presenting their credentials to "qualify" to be on these lists. We don't block anyone from joining. All we ask is that you have an interest in the topic. We have several lurkers on the Callers list that have never called a dance. I'm looking forward to the discussions! Chris Weiler Goffstown, NH Original Announcement: I apologize if I sent this to anyone twice. Some of you know about an e-mail list that Seth Seeger and I have been running called Shared Weight. The list callers(a)sharedweight.net has been running for 2 1/2 years now and we consider it to be a great success. It was intended to be and has become a resource for people new to calling for traditional dance to come and learn from experienced people. If you are not familiar with the list, please check it out. The archives are public, so you can read what the posts are like: http://www.sharedweight.net/ I am considering starting two new lists on the website: organizers(a)sharedweight.net and musicians(a)sharedweight.net. It should be obvious that these new lists would be targeted at organizers and musicians for traditional dancing. We would hope to have a core group of experienced people and also new people to share information about these subjects. You have been included in this e-mail because you either subscribe to the callers list, or are an organizer or musician that I have an e-mail address for. Since I am a caller who is also an organizer and is working on jumping into the 3rd category, I have an interest in promoting the growth of all of these. Please take some time and consider whether or not you would be interested in joining either of these new lists. I welcome any comments or questions as well. Please feel free to forward this to anyone who you think might be interested. Thank you for your time. Happy Dancing!!! (and calling, organizing and playing!!) Chris Weiler Goffstown, NH http://www.sharedweight.net/ http://www.chrisweiler.ws/

17 years, 10 months

Re: [Callers] Low Numbers and No Partner Dances

by David.Millstone＠valley.net

Rickey asked, "I am wondering if you have any dances for low numbers of dancers (perhaps 6 or less), when most or all of the dancers are beginners and adults. I am also wondering if you have any dances (presumably different dances), that do not require choosing a partner and are good openers for beginner adults." I've missed some of this discussion, so apologies if I'm repeating. There are many good possibilities to be found in the English ceilidh repertoire. One useful source of such dances is Thomas Green's website: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/greenery/BarnDances/ Now, granted, 6 or less is a pretty small number of dancers, and many of the dances on this site need more than that, but there are plenty that will work well for the situation you describe. Triplets, of course, are a helpful part of your repertoire. With five people there, you can join in to make up a triplet, and that will keep your dancers moving for quite a while. They range, of course, from simple to very challenging, so pick carefully. One that you might find appropriate for this situation is David's Triplet #4," by David Smukler, which was written specifically to be relatively simple: http://www.davidsmukler.syracusecountrydancers.org/DSS.html#trip4 Good luck! David Millstone

17 years, 10 months

More on Low Numbers and No Partner Dances

by Rickey

Hi callers, Thanks for the suggestions. There were several. If you can, post the dances, or send them directly to me if you prefer, (holt.e(a)comcast.net). If that is too difficult can you point me towards some. Perhaps indicate some favorites. I try to do my homework but I am a bit overwhelmed. As far as just going home, when the numbers are low: Don't want to go home - not if we can still have some fun anyway, at least not for a while. Might only be for a bit. As far as Ted's Triplets, I do have several and I enjoy them. Most of those I have are challenging for me to teach to beginners Alan Winston asked "Does it have to still feel like a contra dance, or can it be generically one-night-stand?" I do not expect these dances to feel like contras, but they should be dances that can by done by contra dancers, especially dancers with little or no traditional dance experience. Walking steps best. Silly dances are ok. As far as using English dances, I have danced some English, mostly English Country Dance dances and can teach simple moves (Siding, Setting, etc). If it is something that these dancers can enjoy that night - great. I do not have Antony Heywoods's "X Marks The Spot". Would love to see it. For the partner free dances I did not expect a mixer, but a mixer would be fine - but roughly within the New England, Southern or perhaps Western traditional dance traditions, so as to stay within the limitations of the dancers - and of this caller. Alan, I would love to see some of those" 5-person ceilidh-type dances that don't require asking a partner to dance" that you mentioned. Mark Goodwin - you mentioned several interesting possibilities that I am not familiar with. Can you post some of these or point me towards them. They are all out of my experience at this point. They were: (1) Spanish Waltz (2) Domino Five, by David Haynes (3) Polka Dots (4) Steve Schnurr's dance Cottontail Rag (5) Simple Jack (6) Kentucky Reel, by Chris Brady (7) The Margate Hoy, by Thompson 1783 (8) The Weevil by Richard Mason (9) Susan Elberger's "Greenfield" Dudley How does the whole set longways Danse du Castor go. (Sounds like an oil.) I have the others you mentioned, but not that one Thanks to all of you - you are great. Rickey Holt Fremont, NH

17 years, 10 months

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