[Callers] Another approach to Gender Free calling

Mon Jun 1 10:23:35 PDT 2015

Also with regard to Ron's questions, numbers 2 and 3 (who-leads-whom and
who-walks-forward) can be handled by using the terms "clockwise" and
"counterclockwise."  As to 4 (who passes whom for a hey), I agree with Bob
that if the dance is good, it should be obvious, but even if not, "pass
left shoulders in the middle for a hey for four" can only be interpreted
one way, so that fixes the issue of referring to roles.  Roll-aways can be
handled with "roll away from the left to the right" or "roll away from the
right to the left."

I'm not saying that it's perfect, but it is actually quite doable to call a
dance without referring to roles at all, even without resorting to first or
second corners.

Perry asked for an example of a dance with global terminology used.  Here's
one (just picking a common, typical dance):

Square Affair, by Becky Hill

A1 Long Lines, 1st corners chain (or just say "chain" if you're dealing
with experienced dancers and don't want to use the corners terminology)
A2 Balance and pull by partner, pull by neighbor, balance and pull by
partner, pull by neighbor
B1 New neighbors balance and swing
B2 Circle 3/4, partner swing

Perry, you also mentioned that you are trying to figure out how global
terminology would work for proper dances.  I have always called proper
dances using global terminology without even thinking about it.  For Chorus
Jig, for instance, why would you ever need to use the term "gent" or
"lady"?  Down the outside, back, down the middle, back and neighbor
around-the-waist turn, 1s turn contra corners, 1s balance and swing.
Nothing that any particular role does that the other role isn't doing at
the same time.

On Mon, Jun 1, 2015 at 9:41 AM, Bob Morgan via Callers <
callers at lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> With regard to Ron's questions
>
> 1. Would be easily covered by 1st or 2nd corners walk forward to a wave
>
> 2. Again can be done with reference to corners
>
> 3. Not so familiar with these.
>
> 4. You usually only need an obvious first pass person so not an issue I
> think
>
> 5.  If you're facing out you turn, if you're facing across you walk is how
> I call it anyway
>
> Bob
>
> On Mon, Jun 1, 2015 at 5:09 PM, Ron Blechner via Callers <
> callers at lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
>> Andrea, how would you handle the following:
>>
>> 1. Lines of one role/position to the center to a wavy line, as in Trip to
>> Lambertville, et all?
>>
>> 2. Indication of who walks forward / backs up in a gypsy star?
>>
>> 3. Indication of who-leads-who, such as in Ramsay Chase, Pedal Pushers,
>> Jurassic Redheads, etc.
>>
>> 4. Indication of who is passing while calling a hey.
>>
>> 5. Indication of who crosses, who turns in a box circulate?
>>
>> 6. Indication any other role/position specific move that I haven't
>> mentioned? Turn over right shoulder, as in Fairport Harbour? Rollaways?
>>
>> None of these fall under the "most unusual figures" as you stated.
>>
>> Ron
>> On Jun 1, 2015 11:59 AM, "Andrea Nettleton via Callers" <
>> callers at lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>>
>>> In previous discussions here, on FB, and privately with organizers at
>>> Hampshire over the last two years, I have discussed the possible use of
>>> global terminology for gender free contra.  I would contend that if used,
>>> everyone would become more aware of the structure of dances.  Only the most
>>> unusual figures/sequences would be unable to be called.  The addition of
>>> first and second corner positions to the arsenal makes it possible for same
>>> role dancers to also be called upon to dance together without reference to
>>> gender.  Second corners chain, or first corners allemande L 1 1/2 for
>>> example.  It would have to be agreed that this refers to those standing in
>>> those positions at that moment.  In ECD we use first and second corners to
>>> refer to the people, first and second diagonals for the positions.  But
>>> since we use diagonal to refer to those across and over one set, this seems
>>> unhelpful.  Simply corner positions works better.  I'm glad some folks are
>>> trying it out at last.  I had hoped for an opportunity myself before now.
>>> Cheers,
>>> Andrea
>>>
>>> Sent from my iOnlypretendtomultitask
>>>
>>> On Jun 1, 2015, at 8:37 AM, Jim Hemphill via Callers <
>>> callers at lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>>>
>>> The recent discussions on this topic inspired me to try an experiment in
>>> gender free calling.  Last night I called the contra dance in St. Louis
>>> using gender free calling without telling anyone.    The experiment was a
>>> great success.  I received lots of  positive feedback on the evenings
>>> dance.  At the break and after the dance I made a point to ask several
>>> dancers, some were callers as well, if they noticed anything different or
>>> unusual about the dances or how I taught them.   One person noticed that
>>> there were more dances that included a swing in the center for couple 2
>>> than usual.  No one I talked to noticed that the calls and teaching were
>>> gender free.
>>>
>>> It took some extra time to construct a fun, diverse 3 hour program, but
>>> it is certainly possible.  Re-labeling the dancers is not the only way to
>>> call gender free.
>>>
>>> If you are interested in the program I used or the larger collection of
>>> gender free dances I chose the program from, send me an email,
>>> arcadian35 at gmail.com.
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Jim Hemphill
>>>
>>>
>>>
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-- 
David Casserly
(cell) 781 258-2761
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