7 May
2025
7 May
'25
9:41 a.m.
Hello font of experience
I was pondering chase figures in contra dance. You know, the move where one person goes
around the other couple while being followed by their partner.
Are there dances out there where the chase is done with a neighbor instead? Is it as much
fun or is it awkward or unsettling?
I enjoy the playfulness of the chase figure (especially when it goes both ways) but I
always wonder if there is an unpleasant undercurrent for some. I can imagine there are
people we would NOT want to be chased by.
Am I overthinking this?
Sent from my iPhone
7 May
7 May
6:18 p.m.
👍
Angela reacted via Gmail
<https://www.google.com/gmail/about/?utm_source=gmail-in-product&utm_medium=et&utm_campaign=emojireactionemail#app>
On Wed, May 7, 2025, 4:56 PM Julian Blechner <juliancallsdances(a)gmail.com>
wrote:
Good analysis from Angela, and good question from
Seth.
I think I'd add that callers ought to keep in mind the playfulness, and
carefully consider the words they use to describe it. That goes also not
just in keeping it lighthearted, but also being cognizant that the chase
figure can be tight timing, and a lot of folks (especially older) may not
have the agility.
It's an odd enough figure where I think a floor demo is almost always
warranted, and the tone and such can be conveyed really well through this.
In dance,
Julian Blechner
He/Him
Western Mass, USA
On Wed, May 7, 2025, 12:32 PM Angela DeCarlis via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
I appreciate your thoughtfulness on this, Seth
(as ever!). Like shadow
swings, I imagine there are occasions where neighbor chases could go over
especially well, like at certain dance weekends where there's a lot of
affinity between attendees. I'm thinking of Youth Dance Weekend, Queer
Contra Dance Camp, etc — mainly because these are spaces where there's a
lower likelihood of dancers feeling uncomfortable or unsafe with others on
the dancefloor.
That all said, and speaking for myself, I do think a neighbor chase is
totally viable for most regular series! Even though it's a pretty
interactive move, the fact that there's no physical contact in a chase
makes it feel less risky to me.
I think that overthinking is totally warranted here, even if we kind of
arrive at a "seems fine, after all!" conclusion!
On Wed, May 7, 2025, 10:51 AM steveholl via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Check out the dance Prom Night.
Sent from Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
-------- Original message --------
From: "Tepfer, Seth via Contra Callers" <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Date: 5/7/25 10:41 AM (GMT-05:00)
To: Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Callers] Chase figure with neighbor?
Hello font of experience
I was pondering chase figures in contra dance. You know, the move where
one person goes around the other couple while being followed by their
partner.
Are there dances out there where the chase is done with a neighbor
instead? Is it as much fun or is it awkward or unsettling?
I enjoy the playfulness of the chase figure (especially when it goes
both ways) but I always wonder if there is an unpleasant undercurrent for
some. I can imagine there are people we would NOT want to be chased by.
Am I overthinking this?
Sent from my iPhone
_______________________________________________
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4:03 p.m.
New subject: [External] Re: Re: Chase figure with neighbor?
Thanks Bob!
Sent from my iPhone
On May 7, 2025, at 4:19 PM, Bob Isaacs <isaacsbob(a)hotmail.com> wrote:
Here's the one Chris mentioned - Bob
Cut to the Chase Becket-L
Intermediate
A1. 8 Long lines forward and back
8 Circle L ¾ and pass through
A2. 8 Ladies allemande L 1½
8 Partner allemande R 1½
(1)
B1. 8 1L around two and 2G around one and he cuts through (2)
8 2G around two and 1L around one and she cuts through
B2. 8 Actives swing
8 Partner swing
Written on December 1, 2005, and first called on April 5, 2006 at Princeton, NJ. It was
about time for a neighbor chase sequence. Short sets are necessary to make this fair to
both pairs of neighbors.
(1) – By varying the length of this allemande, partners can choose who will be active.
(2) – The 1L and 2G are above their partners when the chase starts, which is worth
emphasizing in the teaching. If the 2L and 1G chase it works equally well. By
identifying the neighbors above as the active couple, the call is “active couple chase –
lady ‘round two and gent ‘round one and he cuts through, gents ‘round two and lady ‘round
one and she cuts through.”
________________________________
From: Chris Page via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Wednesday, May 7, 2025 1:24 PM
To: Tepfer, Seth <labst(a)emory.edu>
Cc: Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Callers] Re: Chase figure with neighbor?
"Cut to the Chase" by Bob Isaacs.
You'll have to ask him for the specific figures.
Cheers,
-Chris Page
Los Angeles, CA
On Wed, May 7, 2025 at 7:41 AM Tepfer, Seth via Contra Callers
<contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hello font of experience
I was pondering chase figures in contra dance. You know, the move where one person goes
around the other couple while being followed by their partner.
Are there dances out there where the chase is done with a neighbor instead? Is it as much
fun or is it awkward or unsettling?
I enjoy the playfulness of the chase figure (especially when it goes both ways) but I
always wonder if there is an unpleasant undercurrent for some. I can imagine there are
people we would NOT want to be chased by.
Am I overthinking this?
Sent from my iPhone
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
3:55 p.m.
Good analysis from Angela, and good question from Seth.
I think I'd add that callers ought to keep in mind the playfulness, and
carefully consider the words they use to describe it. That goes also not
just in keeping it lighthearted, but also being cognizant that the chase
figure can be tight timing, and a lot of folks (especially older) may not
have the agility.
It's an odd enough figure where I think a floor demo is almost always
warranted, and the tone and such can be conveyed really well through this.
In dance,
Julian Blechner
He/Him
Western Mass, USA
On Wed, May 7, 2025, 12:32 PM Angela DeCarlis via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
I appreciate your thoughtfulness on this, Seth (as
ever!). Like shadow
swings, I imagine there are occasions where neighbor chases could go over
especially well, like at certain dance weekends where there's a lot of
affinity between attendees. I'm thinking of Youth Dance Weekend, Queer
Contra Dance Camp, etc — mainly because these are spaces where there's a
lower likelihood of dancers feeling uncomfortable or unsafe with others on
the dancefloor.
That all said, and speaking for myself, I do think a neighbor chase is
totally viable for most regular series! Even though it's a pretty
interactive move, the fact that there's no physical contact in a chase
makes it feel less risky to me.
I think that overthinking is totally warranted here, even if we kind of
arrive at a "seems fine, after all!" conclusion!
On Wed, May 7, 2025, 10:51 AM steveholl via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Check out the dance Prom Night.
Sent from Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
-------- Original message --------
From: "Tepfer, Seth via Contra Callers" <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Date: 5/7/25 10:41 AM (GMT-05:00)
To: Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Callers] Chase figure with neighbor?
Hello font of experience
I was pondering chase figures in contra dance. You know, the move where
one person goes around the other couple while being followed by their
partner.
Are there dances out there where the chase is done with a neighbor
instead? Is it as much fun or is it awkward or unsettling?
I enjoy the playfulness of the chase figure (especially when it goes both
ways) but I always wonder if there is an unpleasant undercurrent for some.
I can imagine there are people we would NOT want to be chased by.
Am I overthinking this?
Sent from my iPhone
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
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3:19 p.m.
Here's the one Chris mentioned - Bob
Cut to the Chase Becket-L
Intermediate
A1. 8 Long lines forward and back
8 Circle L ¾ and pass through
A2. 8 Ladies allemande L 1½
8 Partner allemande R 1½
(1)
B1. 8 1L around two and 2G around one and he cuts through (2)
8 2G around two and 1L around one and she cuts through
B2. 8 Actives swing
8 Partner swing
Written on December 1, 2005, and first called on April 5, 2006 at Princeton, NJ. It was
about time for a neighbor chase sequence. Short sets are necessary to make this fair to
both pairs of neighbors.
(1) – By varying the length of this allemande, partners can choose who will be active.
(2) – The 1L and 2G are above their partners when the chase starts, which is worth
emphasizing in the teaching. If the 2L and 1G chase it works equally well. By
identifying the neighbors above as the active couple, the call is “active couple chase –
lady ‘round two and gent ‘round one and he cuts through, gents ‘round two and lady ‘round
one and she cuts through.”
________________________________
From: Chris Page via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Wednesday, May 7, 2025 1:24 PM
To: Tepfer, Seth <labst(a)emory.edu>
Cc: Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Callers] Re: Chase figure with neighbor?
"Cut to the Chase" by Bob Isaacs.
You'll have to ask him for the specific figures.
Cheers,
-Chris Page
Los Angeles, CA
On Wed, May 7, 2025 at 7:41 AM Tepfer, Seth via Contra Callers
<contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hello font of experience
I was pondering chase figures in contra dance. You know, the move where one person goes
around the other couple while being followed by their partner.
Are there dances out there where the chase is done with a neighbor instead? Is it as much
fun or is it awkward or unsettling?
I enjoy the playfulness of the chase figure (especially when it goes both ways) but I
always wonder if there is an unpleasant undercurrent for some. I can imagine there are
people we would NOT want to be chased by.
Am I overthinking this?
Sent from my iPhone
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
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To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
12:24 p.m.
"Cut to the Chase" by Bob Isaacs.
You'll have to ask him for the specific figures.
Cheers,
-Chris Page
Los Angeles, CA
On Wed, May 7, 2025 at 7:41 AM Tepfer, Seth via Contra Callers
<contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hello font of experience
I was pondering chase figures in contra dance. You know, the move where one person goes
around the other couple while being followed by their partner.
Are there dances out there where the chase is done with a neighbor instead? Is it as much
fun or is it awkward or unsettling?
I enjoy the playfulness of the chase figure (especially when it goes both ways) but I
always wonder if there is an unpleasant undercurrent for some. I can imagine there are
people we would NOT want to be chased by.
Am I overthinking this?
Sent from my iPhone
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
11:32 a.m.
Hi Seth,
I believe that chasing your neighbour is fine. It is no more
intimate than a Gypsy. I call lots of them and have never seen any hint of
unhappiness.
I like Loretta Holz's Meandering Matilda where Lady #2 does a Figure
Eight through the other side, and halfway through she beckons Man #1 to
follow her. https://vimeo.com/18176699
If you feel any concern then call it "following" rather than
"chasing".
Happy dancing,
John
John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802
940 574
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
-----Original Message-----
From: Tepfer, Seth via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: 07 May 2025 15:42
To: Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Callers] Chase figure with neighbor?
Hello font of experience
I was pondering chase figures in contra dance. You know, the move where one
person goes around the other couple while being followed by their partner.
Are there dances out there where the chase is done with a neighbor instead?
Is it as much fun or is it awkward or unsettling?
I enjoy the playfulness of the chase figure (especially when it goes both
ways) but I always wonder if there is an unpleasant undercurrent for some. I
can imagine there are people we would NOT want to be chased by.
Am I overthinking this?
Sent from my iPhone
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
11:32 a.m.
I appreciate your thoughtfulness on this, Seth (as ever!). Like shadow
swings, I imagine there are occasions where neighbor chases could go over
especially well, like at certain dance weekends where there's a lot of
affinity between attendees. I'm thinking of Youth Dance Weekend, Queer
Contra Dance Camp, etc — mainly because these are spaces where there's a
lower likelihood of dancers feeling uncomfortable or unsafe with others on
the dancefloor.
That all said, and speaking for myself, I do think a neighbor chase is
totally viable for most regular series! Even though it's a pretty
interactive move, the fact that there's no physical contact in a chase
makes it feel less risky to me.
I think that overthinking is totally warranted here, even if we kind of
arrive at a "seems fine, after all!" conclusion!
On Wed, May 7, 2025, 10:51 AM steveholl via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Check out the dance Prom Night.
Sent from Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
-------- Original message --------
From: "Tepfer, Seth via Contra Callers" <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Date: 5/7/25 10:41 AM (GMT-05:00)
To: Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Callers] Chase figure with neighbor?
Hello font of experience
I was pondering chase figures in contra dance. You know, the move where
one person goes around the other couple while being followed by their
partner.
Are there dances out there where the chase is done with a neighbor
instead? Is it as much fun or is it awkward or unsettling?
I enjoy the playfulness of the chase figure (especially when it goes both
ways) but I always wonder if there is an unpleasant undercurrent for some.
I can imagine there are people we would NOT want to be chased by.
Am I overthinking this?
Sent from my iPhone
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
9:51 a.m.
Check out the dance Prom Night. Sent from Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
-------- Original message --------From: "Tepfer, Seth via Contra Callers"
<contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> Date: 5/7/25 10:41 AM (GMT-05:00) To:
Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> Subject:
[Callers] Chase figure with neighbor? Hello font of experienceI was pondering chase
figures in contra dance. You know, the move where one person goes around the other couple
while being followed by their partner. Are there dances out there where the chase is done
with a neighbor instead? Is it as much fun or is it awkward or unsettling?I enjoy the
playfulness of the chase figure (especially when it goes both ways) but I always wonder if
there is an unpleasant undercurrent for some. I can imagine there are people we would NOT
want to be chased by. Am I overthinking this?Sent from my
iPhone_______________________________________________Contra Callers mailing list --
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.netTo unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
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days old
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8 comments
7 participants
participants (7)
-
Angela DeCarlis -
Bob Isaacs -
Chris Page -
John Sweeney -
Julian Blechner -
steveholl -
Tepfer, Seth