16 Jun
2025
16 Jun
'25
9:36 a.m.
Greeting callers!
I'm putting together a program of challenging contras for an upcoming gig.
This is an area where I'm still developing - hooray for new horizons!
Would anyone be willing to share a favorite challenging dance or two from
their repertoire?
Many thanks,
Hannah Chamberlain
Westbrook, ME
5:13 p.m.
It is not as much clockwise movement as it looks like on paper
A parts have almost no turning
B parts are a 8 count swing - followed by 3 half circles - with pauses for a roll away in
between
Never had anyone say this dance made them dizzy
Mac
On Monday, July 28, 2025 at 03:17:21 PM CDT, Colin Hume via Contra Callers
<contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
On Mon, 28 Jul 2025 15:39:41 +0000 (UTC), Mac Mckeever via Contra Callers wrote:
I have always liked DuQuoin Races by Orace Johnson
(attached)
Dancers in England find all that clockwise movement makes them too dizzy.
Colin Hume
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4:34 p.m.
Is that because on average we are older than US contra dancers? I
certainly struggle with too much same direction - although dances likle
that flow well.
On 28/07/2025 21:17, Colin Hume via Contra Callers wrote:
On Mon, 28 Jul 2025 15:39:41 +0000 (UTC), Mac Mckeever
via Contra Callers wrote:
I have always liked DuQuoin Races by Orace
Johnson (attached)
Dancers in England find all that clockwise movement makes them
too dizzy.
Colin Hume
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11:39 a.m.
I have always liked DuQuoin Races by Orace Johnson (attached)
Rally fun dance and somewhat challenging
Mac
On Monday, July 28, 2025 at 10:23:36 AM CDT, Sam Whited via Contra Callers
<contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Scrubbies by David Smukler is one of my favorites. It's probably not
"dance weekend challenge session" levels of difficulty, but it may be a
bit challenging for your local community dance that's a bit newbie heavy
(as I found out recently).
https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=18934
—Sam
On 2025-06-16 09:36, Hannah Chamberlain via Contra Callers wrote:
Greeting callers!
I'm putting together a program of challenging contras for an upcoming
gig. This is an area where I'm still developing - hooray for new horizons!
Would anyone be willing to share a favorite challenging dance or two
from their repertoire?
Many thanks,
Hannah Chamberlain
Westbrook, ME
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
--
Sam Whited
sam(a)samwhited.com
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11:23 a.m.
Scrubbies by David Smukler is one of my favorites. It's probably not
"dance weekend challenge session" levels of difficulty, but it may be a
bit challenging for your local community dance that's a bit newbie heavy
(as I found out recently).
https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=18934
—Sam
On 2025-06-16 09:36, Hannah Chamberlain via Contra Callers wrote:
Greeting callers!
I'm putting together a program of challenging contras for an upcoming
gig. This is an area where I'm still developing - hooray for new horizons!
Would anyone be willing to share a favorite challenging dance or two
from their repertoire?
Many thanks,
Hannah Chamberlain
Westbrook, ME
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
--
Sam Whited
sam(a)samwhited.com
22 Jul
22 Jul
12:25 p.m.
New subject: Contra Dances, Matrices and Groups
Hi, all
I was looking for something else, but when this popped up I had to share it. Some of you
likely read this at the time it came out in 2003, but I did not.
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/contra-dances-matrices-and-groups
As not a mathematician, I chuckled as I scanned it – hope you do as well. Those of you who
ARE mathematicians will get more of the nuances.
Dorcas Hand
Houston TX
20 Jun
20 Jun
1:34 a.m.
A few that I dig:
- Double Click (Bob Isaacs) - both roles get circulate to swing
transition
- Robins on a Wire (Will Mentor) - mad robin/wavy lines at center groove
- Apogee (Chris Page) - both RH and LH chains, orbits for both roles
- Ellie's Pumpkin Show (Bill Olson) - wavy lines at center, fractional
RSR's
- Heart of Joy (Chris Page) - eye-contact poussettes
- The Baby Jo (Maia McCormick) - smooth lost-and-found shadow dance
- Reflections (Cary Ravitz) - here be dragons! This is a 1.5x
progression dance on average (alternates single and double prog), be sure
you understand this one VERY WELL before attempting to call it 🙃
--
Maia McCormick (she/her)
917.279.8194
On Thu, Jun 19, 2025 at 12:05 AM Julian Blechner via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
I have too many dances, thus unsure what to
recommend.
What skill level? "Challenging" can mean very different things.
What do you think makes dances interesting?
Any particular move sets you're missing?
In dance,
Julian Blechner
He/Him
Western Mass, USA
On Mon, Jun 16, 2025, 9:36 AM Hannah Chamberlain via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Greeting callers!
I'm putting together a program of challenging contras for an upcoming
gig. This is an area where I'm still developing - hooray for new horizons!
Would anyone be willing to share a favorite challenging dance or two from
their repertoire?
Many thanks,
Hannah Chamberlain
Westbrook, ME
_______________________________________________
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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19 Jun
19 Jun
12:04 a.m.
I have too many dances, thus unsure what to recommend.
What skill level? "Challenging" can mean very different things.
What do you think makes dances interesting?
Any particular move sets you're missing?
In dance,
Julian Blechner
He/Him
Western Mass, USA
On Mon, Jun 16, 2025, 9:36 AM Hannah Chamberlain via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Greeting callers!
I'm putting together a program of challenging contras for an upcoming gig.
This is an area where I'm still developing - hooray for new horizons!
Would anyone be willing to share a favorite challenging dance or two from
their repertoire?
Many thanks,
Hannah Chamberlain
Westbrook, ME
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
18 Jun
18 Jun
10:12 p.m.
Some dances that stretch dancers’ skills in ways that aren’t necessarily complex choreo:
* Will Mentor’s Lethbridge Contra alternated with James Hutson’s Culver City Contra
(alternating right and left thru, right hand chain vs left and right thru, left hand
chain)
* Jeremy Korr’s The Digital Divide (similar concept)
* Yoyo’s Zhou’s Waxmyrtle (the choreo here is not hard, the “challenge” is in doing a
contra to slipjig time. Note that you will need to check with the band in advance if they
have a slipjig to play and ensure it’s the right length)
* Gene Hubert’s Fan In The Doorway (also slipjig, same note as above, longer than the one
above and more complex)
Harris Lapiroff (he/him)
Dance Caller and Organizer
Boston Intergenerational Dance Advocates Board (Cambridge MA)
Pinewoods Camp, Inc Board (Plymouth MA)
https://chromamine.com/contra/
On Tue, Jun 17, 2025, at 12:55 PM, Mary Keith Eustis via Contra Callers wrote:
Oh More Snakes! and Sealed with a Keith, both by Cary
Ravitz
On Tue, Jun 17, 2025, 10:14 AM Colin Hume via Contra Callers
<contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Goody Two Shoes by Micah Smukler
Abnormality by Danika and Emma Murray:
https://colinhume.com/instl.htm#Abnormality
Colin Hume
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17 Jun
17 Jun
3:55 p.m.
Oh More Snakes! and Sealed with a Keith, both by Cary Ravitz
On Tue, Jun 17, 2025, 10:14 AM Colin Hume via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Goody Two Shoes by Micah Smukler
Abnormality by Danika and Emma Murray:
https://colinhume.com/instl.htm#Abnormality
Colin Hume
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1:13 p.m.
Goody Two Shoes by Micah Smukler
Abnormality by Danika and Emma Murray:
https://colinhume.com/instl.htm#Abnormality
Colin Hume
10:04 a.m.
Complexity Swing by Roni Wiener
https://sundragonrising.com/contra.html#Complexity_Swing
Love dancing it, but I've never had the opportunity to call it.
--jh--
On Mon, Jun 16, 2025 at 3:32 PM Jon Greene via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hi Hannah,
Goody One Shoe by Rick Mohr
High Seas by Diane Silver
I still very much like Autumn Marriage, our wedding dance that you called
for us but it needs a little extra room and it might not be considered
challenging enough.
Good luck!
- Jon
Sent from my iPhone
On Jun 16, 2025, at 2:18 PM, Russell Owen via
Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Two I like:
Serendipity, by Chris Page
Psithurism, by Seth Tepfer
Regards,
Russell
> On Jun 16, 2025, at 6:36 AM, Hannah Chamberlain via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
> Greeting callers!
> I'm putting together a program of challenging contras for an upcoming
gig.
This is an area where I'm still developing - hooray for new horizons!
> Would anyone be willing to share a favorite
challenging dance or two
from their repertoire?
> Many thanks,
> Hannah Chamberlain
> Westbrook, ME
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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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16 Jun
16 Jun
3:20 p.m.
Hi Hannah,
Goody One Shoe by Rick Mohr
High Seas by Diane Silver
I still very much like Autumn Marriage, our wedding dance that you called for us but it
needs a little extra room and it might not be considered challenging enough.
Good luck!
- Jon
Sent from my iPhone
On Jun 16, 2025, at 2:18 PM, Russell Owen via Contra
Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Two I like:
Serendipity, by Chris Page
Psithurism, by Seth Tepfer
Regards,
Russell
On Jun 16, 2025, at 6:36 AM, Hannah Chamberlain
via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Greeting callers!
I'm putting together a program of challenging contras for an upcoming gig. This is an
area where I'm still developing - hooray for new horizons!
Would anyone be willing to share a favorite challenging dance or two from their
repertoire?
Many thanks,
Hannah Chamberlain
Westbrook, ME
_______________________________________________
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 
2:18 p.m.
Two I like:
Serendipity, by Chris Page
Psithurism, by Seth Tepfer
Regards,
Russell
On Jun 16, 2025, at 6:36 AM, Hannah Chamberlain via
Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Greeting callers!
I'm putting together a program of challenging contras for an upcoming gig. This is an
area where I'm still developing - hooray for new horizons!
Would anyone be willing to share a favorite challenging dance or two from their
repertoire?
Many thanks,
Hannah Chamberlain
Westbrook, ME
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
2:15 p.m.
A few that come to mind.
Batja's Breakdown by Tom Hinds
Dancing Sailors by Ed Shaw (contra corners and diagonal heys)
Fiddle Heads by Ted Sannella
Shadows of the Hey #3 by Myrtle Whilhite
Jonathan
On 6/16/2025 8:36 AM, Hannah Chamberlain via Contra Callers wrote:
Greeting callers!
I'm putting together a program of challenging contras for an upcoming gig. This is an
area where I'm still developing - hooray for new horizons!
Would anyone be willing to share a favorite challenging dance or two from their
repertoire?
Many thanks,
Hannah Chamberlain
Westbrook, ME
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
12:13 p.m.
New subject: [External] Re: Favorite Challenging Contras?
Hi Hannah,
I am partial to Naughty Neighbors by Mark Richardson. Becket dance with a
quick visit to past neighbors before progressing.
Greg
On Mon, Jun 16, 2025 at 10:03 AM Tepfer, Seth via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
A few of my faves
Hemiodynamic by Andrea Nettleton (swing thru plus move to a new wave)
Buffalo Stampede by Tom Hinds (square thru 6 times to make a rectangle)
Take the Hey Train by Rick Mohr (long wave of robins, long wave of larks)
Turn Everyone by Al Olson (contra corners turned 90)
Seth Tepfer, MBA, CSM, PMP (he, him, his)
Senior IT Manager, Emory Primate Center
<https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/fcd3f5d71da848759228584d1a49babd@emory.edu?anonymous&ep=signature>
Book time to meet with me
<https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/SethTepfer@mscloud.emory.net/bookings/>
------------------------------
*From:* J Freedner via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
*Sent:* Monday, June 16, 2025 9:40 AM
*To:* Hannah Chamberlain <hannahchamb(a)gmail.com>
*Cc:* callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
*Subject:* [External] [Callers] Re: Favorite Challenging Contras?
Ooooo... If you're in Brooks on Friday or Saturday check in with Will
Mentor about one called Kings and Queens!
On Mon, Jun 16, 2025, 9:36 AM Hannah Chamberlain via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Greeting callers!
I'm putting together a program of challenging contras for an upcoming gig.
This is an area where I'm still developing - hooray for new horizons!
Would anyone be willing to share a favorite challenging dance or two from
their repertoire?
Many thanks,
Hannah Chamberlain
Westbrook, ME
_______________________________________________
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
10:02 a.m.
New subject: [External] Re: Favorite Challenging Contras?
A few of my faves
Hemiodynamic by Andrea Nettleton (swing thru plus move to a new wave)
Buffalo Stampede by Tom Hinds (square thru 6 times to make a rectangle)
Take the Hey Train by Rick Mohr (long wave of robins, long wave of larks)
Turn Everyone by Al Olson (contra corners turned 90)
Seth Tepfer, MBA, CSM, PMP (he, him, his)
Senior IT Manager, Emory Primate Center
[cid:89c58ebb-6321-4ab5-b744-9327cb6ce807]<https://outlook.office.com/boo…
Book time to meet with
me<https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/SethTepfer@mscloud.emory.n…
________________________________
From: J Freedner via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Monday, June 16, 2025 9:40 AM
To: Hannah Chamberlain <hannahchamb(a)gmail.com>
Cc: callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: [External] [Callers] Re: Favorite Challenging Contras?
Ooooo... If you're in Brooks on Friday or Saturday check in with Will Mentor about
one called Kings and Queens!
On Mon, Jun 16, 2025, 9:36 AM Hannah Chamberlain via Contra Callers
<contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>>
wrote:
Greeting callers!
I'm putting together a program of challenging contras for an upcoming gig. This is an
area where I'm still developing - hooray for new horizons!
Would anyone be willing to share a favorite challenging dance or two from their
repertoire?
Many thanks,
Hannah Chamberlain
Westbrook, ME
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list --
contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave@lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:contracallers-leave@lists.sharedweight.net>
9:40 a.m.
Ooooo... If you're in Brooks on Friday or Saturday check in with Will
Mentor about one called Kings and Queens!
On Mon, Jun 16, 2025, 9:36 AM Hannah Chamberlain via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Greeting callers!
I'm putting together a program of challenging contras for an upcoming gig.
This is an area where I'm still developing - hooray for new horizons!
Would anyone be willing to share a favorite challenging dance or two from
their repertoire?
Many thanks,
Hannah Chamberlain
Westbrook, ME
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
26
days inactive
68
days old
contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
19 comments
17 participants
participants (17)
-
Colin Hume -
Dorcas Hand -
Gregory Frock -
Hannah Chamberlain -
Harris Lapiroff -
J Freedner -
Joe Harrington -
Jon Greene -
Jonathan Sivier -
Julian Blechner -
Mac Mckeever -
Maia McCormick -
Mary Keith Eustis -
Mo Waddington -
Russell Owen -
Sam Whited -
Tepfer, Seth