Contra Callers

contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net

40 participants
4387 discussions

by Bob Peterson

While taking today to clean up my dance inventory I took a look at French Four, which goes like this: French Four Contra Duple/Improper Traditional A1 1s balance, right pull by, cross below 2s, 2s move up 1s balance, right pull by, cross above 2s, 2s move down A2 1s Balance & Swing B1 1s down center, turn as a couple, come back 2s cast 1s to second place B2 All right and left through, twice If the major set is short and dancers tired, this can be done as a triple minor to give the 2s and 3s even more resting out (but pretty dull for the 3s). So then I wondered what it might take to make it a triplet (because I’m collecting my triplets as part of my inventory review) and came up with this variation in B2. Triplet variation All dancers proper A1 (new) 1s balance, right pull by, cross below 2s, 2s move up 1s balance, right pull by, cross above 2s, 2s move down A2 1s Balance & Swing B1 1s down center, turn as a couple, come back 2s cast 1s to second place B2 Lines of 3 forward and back Lines of 3 forward, on the way back 3s roll 1s to bottom (left to right) This variation gives the 3s more to do. What do you think? Is it too odd to have same-roles do the roll away with each other? \Bob Peterson bob(a)contracorner.com

6 years, 7 months

Dance ID?

by Louise Siddons

Hi all, I collected a dance from a colleague, and she didn’t know its name or choreographer. Can you help us? Duple minor A1 (Face your neighbor) Right-hand chain (up and down the set); ptr do-si-do 1 1/2 A2 w/next N (shadow), bal & box the gnat; pull by R and ptr swing B1 Circle left 3 places; N swing B2 Long lines fwd & back; new N do-si-do thanks, Louise. — Louise Siddons, dance caller http://www.scissortail.org/siddons/ lesiddons(a)gmail.com 650-804-9663

6 years, 8 months

For Sale: Complete Caller Wireless Setup with Broadway quality headset mic

by William M Loving

For Sale: Complete caller wireless microphone setup with Broadway quality Countryman e6 microphone. $400 (approx $740 new) • Countryman e6 "earset" microphone and case • Spare e6 cable (worth $60) • Shure PGX1 Body Pack Transmitter • Shure PGX4 Receiver with power adaptor • XML Receiver to sound board cable • Shure carrying case I used this setup to teach and call contra dance and it allowed me to both walk around while teaching and also occasionally dance while calling. The sound quality of the Countryman e6 mic is superb. Dancers frequently commented on how clear it was and that it was "like you were standing right next to me". The e6 is the same mic you will see performers wearing in professional theater productions. This is the "directional" version rather than the omni-directional version which I also tested before going with the directional. The directional version allowed me to walk directly in front of the main speakers and continue talking as long as I did not turn my head so that the mic tip was pointed directly at the speaker. Though correct placement near the corner of the mouth is more important with a directional mic, I had no problem with it and was able to dance and call at the same time (at the end of the night when you're down to one short set). Photos posted publicly on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/wmloving/media_set?set=a.10156761519392192 Will -- Will Loving 2419 S York St Apt 5 Denver CO 80210-5319 +1 413 253-7223 (GMT –7) +1 413-221-8626 (iPhone)

6 years, 8 months

New issue of Shop Talk - resources for organizers

by Emily Addison

Hi Shared Weight Callers, Just a quick heads up that the latest issue of Shop Talk came out last week! Shop Talk is a new (FREE) e-newsletter from the Country Dance and Song Society. The goal of Shop Talk is to support, inspire, and connect traditional dance, music, and song organizers. I know some callers are also organizers so I thought it appropriate to share here. View the latest issue: https://conta.cc/2QYlA7c View the inaugural issue (Aug 2018): https://conta.cc/2PlKAEr If you want to receive Shop talk, sign up: https://conta.cc/2PlKAEr <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0014j0gmgnFzCpFmgPedCdNt-hzftTyGkQRou7YL3ieZClg…> Please share the news if you enjoy Shop Talk! Thanks, Emily Addison - writing from Ottawa, Ontario Consultant - Country Dance and Song Society

6 years, 8 months

colinhume.com

by Colin Hume

I've been having such trouble sending and receiving emails that my hosting company will shortly be moving everything to a new server. That means that both website and email will be down for a while. If you might want to contact me, see http://colinhume.com NOW for an alternative email address! And if you've emailed me and not had a reply, please try again using this address. Colin Hume

6 years, 8 months

Caller needed for tonight's barn dance in Westford MA

by Paul Wilde

Can anyone cover this? Please contact Mike: mharder(a)gmail.com 978-692-2039 Thanks, Paul This list ROCKS!!!

6 years, 9 months

Ralph Page Dance Weekend Scholarship Deadline is tomorrow!

by Shari Shakti

The deadline to apply for a music or caller scholarship is tomorrow, November 21st! All applications need to be received by midnight tomorrow. Here's the direct link to the application. Check it out if you are interested. It will be an excellent weekend to attend whether awarded the scholarship or not! https://www.neffa.org/ralph-page/ralph-page-scholarship/

6 years, 9 months

English Dance Callers Association

by Colin Hume

A new organisation, the English Dance Callers Association, has been formed to run courses for Club Callers in England. If you're a Club Caller who would like to improve your calling and thereby improve the standard of dancing at your club, this is for you! The organisation was formed by Judith De Witt, who is not a caller but is the Chairman of the Friends of Cecil Sharp House and the Chairman of Eastbourne International Folk Dance Festival. The tutors other than myself are: Robert Moir, a well-known caller particularly of Playford-style dances. Hazel Moir, also a caller and a dance composer - her best-known dance is White Wheat. Victoria Yeomans, a well-known caller and musician. Dave Yeomans, who with Victoria forms the band "Deo Volente" which can be seen performing at festivals and dances up and down the country. Bernie Culkin, an up-and-coming young caller who co-founded the Malvern Playford Ball and has now moved up to Cheshire. Bernie, Hazel and Robert are members of the Pat Shaw Legacy Group which organised many events in the Pat Shaw centenary year. The first running of the course will be in the Nottingham area, starting on Sunday 5th January 2019. To find out more and download an application form, please visit our website at http://edca.info Colin Hume Email colin(a)colinhume.com Web site http://colinhume.com

6 years, 9 months

Twitter and Instagram for Contra Dance Marketing

by John Sweeney

Hi all, Has anyone had any success at getting new people along to dances by using Twitter or Instagram? If so, please do you have any advice on: How to get started? What sort of material to post? Who to Follow to see some successful usage? Thanks. Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

6 years, 9 months

Colds

by Bob Peterson

Cold and flu season is on us. Where is the line between cancelling on a gig and forging ahead despite how I feel? I guess it’s a matter of how composed I can be and how quiet I can keep my conditions from the dancers. Medication can help, but can interfere with safe driving. If I feel I must cancel, what’s the right amount of notice to give? Who finds the replacement if I have to cancel?

6 years, 9 months

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Contra Callers