[Callers] Building to Contra Corners

[Alexandra Deis-Lauby]

In my dance community a proper dance won’t help because everyone dances all the roles so training folks to look for certain genders isn’t a good idea (and in my opinion never is). Instead, I’d suggest something with short Allemandes (half, 3/4) or diagonal waves (dr Blums delight). 

If the figure is new to your dancers, use a triplet (by David smuckler) or a three facing three (Melanie axel lute wrote one).  Contra corners is much easier in that formation. 

A

Sent from my iPhone

> On Feb 20, 2019, at 5:06 PM, Ann Fallon via Callers <callers at lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> 
> Hi, Hannah
> 
> I like your idea of teaching a proper dance earlier in your program.  If you are going to choose a contra corners dance in which the active couple has to do a half-figure eight to get proper, you might want to teach the half-figure eight in an earlier dance, too.
> 
> Here's a triplet which I also find useful for teaching/learning contra corners.  I am the author, but don't mean to be self-promoting here.
> 
> Microchasmic Triplet
> 
> Proper Formation, all facing partner
> The middle couple is the "active" couple, so there is no need to get them into position before starting the contra corners.
> 
> A1    Forward and Back, DSD Partner
> A2    Middle couple turn contra corners
> B1    ALL balance and swing Partner, end facing up
> B2    Top couple lead a cast off to the bottom.   When they reach the bottom they make a two-handed arch and the other two couples go below them and come through the arch.
> 
>  It's a peel the banana, come through the arch figure as in the Virginia Reel. 
> Encourage the dancers to come to the top of their set before casting off to the bottom, or the sets will move too far down the hall. 
> 
> Here's a link to a video.  
> 
> Good luck!
> 
> Ann
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Hannah Chamb via Callers <callers at lists.sharedweight.net>
> To: callers <callers at lists.sharedweight.net>
> Sent: Wed, Feb 20, 2019 4:38 pm
> Subject: [Callers] Building to Contra Corners
> 
> Hi all, first time posting here!
> 
> I'm new-ish to calling and I've yet to call contra corners. I think I'm up for the challenge and could teach the figure itself, but I still think it's a tricky one for dancers in all but the most experienced crowds. A few callers I know have advised me to build up to a challenging figure like contra corners over the course of an evening by calling dances that echo the skills the dancers will need later. 
> 
> With that in mind, what dances would you call early in the evening in a mixed-level group that would help "teach" dancers the skills they need to be successful at contra corners? 
> 
> I've been thinking I should include an easy proper-ish dance, and maybe a dance with allemandes outside the minor set... anything else come to mind?
> 
> Thanks in advance, 
> Hannah Chamberlain
> Westbrook, ME
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