Contra Callers April 2007

contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net

36 participants
44 discussions

by robertgolder＠comcast.net

I can only speak with reference to calling at NEFFA, as I have never applied to DownEast. As some of you may know that Linda Leslie is NEFFA's program chair, I will note that the program chair does not select performers for contra sessions. Regarding NEFFA 2007, the following notice is now posted at http://neffa.org/perf_app.html - The Program Committee is not prepared to take your application at this time, since it is too late to apply for this year's NEFFA Festival. Please note that the application to perform is always available during the month of September, with a deadline in October. If you'd like to get an e-mail notice of application availability, send a blank e-mail to NEFFA_Performers-subscribe(a)yahoogroups.com So you can note on your calendar that September is a good time to check the NEFFA web site, and also arrange for a notice to pop up in your e-mail. The NEFFA application invites you to come up with a briefly-described theme for your session, with a title of 20 characters or less. IMO, use your own judgment as to how important the theme is. If you are offering a concept that's really meaningful to you, don't be afraid to describe it. If what you really want to do is just call some hot contras, then IMO I wouldn't go overboard on the theme. Unlike Northwest Folklife, callers and bands apply SEPARATELY to the New England Folk Festival. And I believe that this is a very good thing for beginning callers who hope to have a chance at getting onstage. This mix-and-match policy gives a fresh perspective for experienced performers, and can be an eye-opening experience for newcomers who may get to work with seasoned veterans. I will never forget calling at NEFFA with Northern Spy, a band that has worked with caller David Millstone for 25 years. And where was David during this session? Out on the floor, happily dancing to the music of his own band. NEFFA's selection process made that wonderful hour possible for me. For what it's worth, the first year I successfully applied I asked for a "Festival Orchestra" slot, which means that instead of calling a themed, hour-long session I called two dances in the Main Hall with the assembled orchestra and then got off the stage as the next Festival Orchestra caller had a turn. IMO, the key here (as well as in submitting a session proposal) is to choose dances that you know by heart, can teach well, fully believe in, and love to share with a crowd. You don't want to have second thoughts as you approach the microphone. If you're wondering why performer applications are required so far in advance of a festival, note that NEFFA may have 1700 performers, many of whom perform in multiple sessions (perhaps performing alone, and with a participatory dance group, and also with a concert performance group!). You can't doublebook a performer (or larger groups to which she may belong), you have to give her time to move from one venue to another, plus a bunch of other scheduling etceteras that would drive me loony to contemplate further. How scheduling was done in the days before computers is beyond me. -- Robert Jon Golder 164 Maxfield St New Bedford, MA 02740 (508) 999-2486

4 years, 5 months

48 BAR Dance

by mavis mcgaugh

Hi I saw a 48 bar dance called Beatrice by Erik Hoffmann - intrigued me. I am planning to use it in December --- spoke with the band about a 48 Bar tune set. Never called a 48 Bar dance before ---- anything tricky about it - aside from the length issue - staying focused for that extra section? thanks for any insights. Mavis L McGaugh 510-814-8118 (answering machine-leave message) ____________________________________________________________________________________ Sponsored Link Get an Online or Campus degree Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's - in less than one year. http://www.findtherightschool.com

17 years

Re: [Callers] Balance the star / left hands joined into swing

by Jerome Grisanti

>From a left-hand balance, a man can lift his left hand over his head and lead the woman's left hand onto his right shoulder. Ron Buchanan taught this styling at the (lamentably late) Celebration Dance weekend in Indianapolis in July 2003. Mange Tak *By Ron Buchanan* Improper Contra A1: Neighbors balance by Left hand & swing A2: Face across, pass thru to an ocean wave (ladies in middle, *neighbor* in other hand), Balance, Allemande Right neighbor ½, men pull by Left, allemande Right partner ¾ B1: Allemande Left shadow 1x Swing partner B2: Face across, pass thru to an ocean wave (ladies in middle, *Partner* in other hand), Balance, Allemande Right partner ½, men pull by Left, allemande Right neighbor ¾ to new neighbor. (Shadow is on your left diagonal at start of the dance) *** And returning to the original idea of figures that use a balance in a (hands-across) star, here's one of my favorite dances: Catch a Falling Star *By Melanie Axel-Lute* Contra - Improper easy-med A1 (16) Neighbors balance and swing A2 (8) Circle left 3/4 (8) Partners swing B1 (8) Long lines go forward and back (8) Hands across right-hand star B2 (4) Balance the star (4) Ladies trade places with a half gypsy, while the gents turn single left (8) Hands across left-hand star *Editor's Notes:* Turn single left: walk a loop over your left shoulder, ending up where you started. The term is from English Country dancing. --Jerome -- Jerome Grisanti 660-528-0858 660-528-0714 http://www.jeromegrisanti.com

17 years, 7 months

Re: [Callers] Balance the star, etc.

by Chip Hedler

Jerome Grisanti's use of the "hands-across grip in several dances where there is a 'balance the star' move before or after turning the star" immediately brought to mind Michael McKernan's "Daybreak Reel" (which was often called just before breakfast at the dawn dances that used to take place at the beautiful old hall on Number 10 pond in Calais, Vermont). Daybreak Reel, by Michael McKernan (Duple Improper) A1: Allemand L below 1-1/2; women dosido A2: Men balance, dosido, allemand R 1-1/4 to form wave by joining L hands with partners B1: Balance wave, swing partners B2: Women chain 1/2 to R-hands across star position; turn star 1/2 and look for next neighbor Following David Millstone's suggestion, went to David Smukler's discussion of Dandy's Hornpipe at http://www.davidsmukler.syracusecountrydancers.org/dandies.htm which was so intriguing that it was hard to resist trying yet another tweaked version. This is a totally spur-of-the moment conception with no time spent researching, so if it's already been done, my apologies for reinventing someone else's wheel. Comments and suggestions would be extremely welcome. Handy Dandy (Duple Proper) A1: Long lines forward and back; actives turn by R hand 1/2, allemand L neighbor (till women are facing in again--will be less than a full turn in men's line) A2: Ladies chain over and back B1: Star L; star R with NEXT couple down B2: Actives swing; end facing up and cast off with original neighbor If A1 is too rushed, what about A1: Actives turn by R 1-1/2; allemand L neighbor, etc?

17 years, 7 months

Re: [Callers] New callers material?

by David.Millstone＠VALLEY.NET

Don't know whether you'd want to direct beginning callers to this, but folks on this list might also enjoy the articles by Richard Powers, including this one on teaching dances: http://socialdance.stanford.edu/syllabi/teaching_tips.htm His particular field of expertise is teaching vintage social dances, not particularly aimed at contras, and much of what he says here is aimed at people who will be teaching in a class setting, not at a public dance. Nonetheless, he is an experienced dance teacher and has much of value to offer. David Millstone

17 years, 7 months

Re: [Callers] Balance the star, etc.

by richgoss＠comcast.net

It's not really a California twirl though, more like a swat the flea. CT is gents right/ladies left hands. The end of the wave figure is left/left with your partner. Daybreak Reel, by Michael McKernan (Duple Improper) A1: Allemand L below 1-1/2; women dosido A2: Men balance, dosido, allemand R 1-1/4 to form wave by joining L hands with partners B1: Balance wave, swing partners B2: Women chain 1/2 to R-hands across star position; BALANCE; turn star 1/2 and look for next neighbor -------------- Original message -------------- From: "gtwood(a)worldpath.net" <gtwood(a)worldpath.net> > > Hi Rich, > If I am reading the dance correctly, and perhaps this has been already > suggested > How about a: Cal Twirl into the Partner swing. This can be done by either > partner > Its quick and sets up the swing nicely. > Thanks Gale > Original Message:

17 years, 7 months

Jacket found and heading to NEFFA ! [was: Re: Re: Jacket left at Scout House !]

by The Witful Turnip

Gotta luv the dance community :-) Thank you everyone who called and emailed, particularly Nell and Karen. And thanks Chris for putting the note out onto the other Boston Area list. Liza Carter has picked up my jacket and will be bringing it to NEFFA for me. Big hugs all ! Hope to see and dance with most of you later today. Bev *********************************** wturnip(a)sympatico.ca Travelling again ! Responding via web-based email ***********************************

17 years, 7 months

Re: [Callers] Balance the star, etc.

by gtwood＠worldpath.net

Hi Rich, If I am reading the dance correctly, and perhaps this has been already suggested How about a: Cal Twirl into the Partner swing. This can be done by either partner Its quick and sets up the swing nicely. Thanks Gale Original Message: ----------------- From: Rich Goss richgoss(a)comcast.net Date: Fri, 20 Apr 2007 06:50:44 -0700 To: callers(a)sharedweight.net Subject: Re: [Callers] Balance the star, etc. I thought about that too. You could twirl the lady under right into your arms, but otherwise it seems a bit clumsy. Rich On 4/19/07 6:20 PM, "Jack Mitchell" <jamitch3(a)mindspring.com> wrote: > Ok....the wave balance (with partner's left hand) into a swing seems > really awkward. I'm sure there's a way to make it flow, but I'm > missing it. Thoughts? > > Jack > > >> A2: Men balance, dosido, allemand R 1-1/4 to form wave by joining L hands >> with partners >> >> B1: Balance wave, swing partners >> >> B2: Women chain 1/2 to R-hands across star position; turn star 1/2 and >> look for next neighbor >> >> >> >> Following David Millstone's suggestion, went to David Smukler's discussion >> of Dandy's Hornpipe at >> http://www.davidsmukler.syracusecountrydancers.org/dandies.htm which was >> so intriguing that it was hard to resist trying yet another tweaked >> version. This is a totally spur-of-the moment conception with no time >> spent researching, so if it's already been done, my apologies for >> reinventing someone else's wheel. Comments and suggestions would be >> extremely welcome. >> >> Handy Dandy >> (Duple Proper) >> >> A1: Long lines forward and back; actives turn by R hand 1/2, allemand L >> neighbor (till women are facing in again--will be less than a full turn in >> men's line) >> >> A2: Ladies chain over and back >> >> B1: Star L; star R with NEXT couple down >> >> B2: Actives swing; end facing up and cast off with original neighbor >> >> If A1 is too rushed, what about >> A1: Actives turn by R 1-1/2; allemand L neighbor, etc? >> _______________________________________________ >> Callers mailing list >> Callers(a)sharedweight.net >> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web LIVE Free email based on Microsoft® Exchange technology - http://link.mail2web.com/LIVE

17 years, 7 months

"For The Love Of The Dance," R. Cromarie

by Adina Gordon

Hi y'all, I'm looking for Robert Cromartie's "For The Love Of The Dance." Anyone have it? I appreciate the help. Many thanks, -ag --------- Adina Gordon 828.230.9266 adina(a)adinagordon.com http://www.adinagordon.com/ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

17 years, 7 months

Re: [Callers] Jacket left at Scout House !

by The Witful Turnip

DUH ! It's late and I'm tired. My cell phone number is 416-458-0586. And I'm staying at Lynda Wright's for the night heading back to Malden tomorrow. Her number is 207-748-3219. Since I get the digest version of Shared Weight and won't see it until 12 noon today, please call. Thanks again, Bev > From: The Witful Turnip <wturnip(a)sympatico.ca> > Date: 2007/04/20 Fri AM 02:09:03 EDT > To: <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > CC: <wturnip(a)sympatico.ca> > Subject: Jacket left at Scout House ! > > My apologies to everyone in advance for my mis-use of this list for this purpose. But since I'm a long way from home and don't have access to my email address book, this was the only way I could thing of to contact people who might have been at the Pre-NEFFA contra dance at The Scout House in Concord MA earlier this evening. > > I realized half way to ME that I've left my jacket (black denim with lots of silver zippers and buttons) hanging on a peg on the left side of the hall, down clode to the stage. My carelessness, I know. But I'm wondering if there's any way to get it back before I fly home to Toronto on Monday afternoon. Unfortunately, I'm not staying for the Monday night dance. Does the hall have a day job such that it might be open and I stop there on my way back to MA tomorrow ? Might someone have picked it up, and if so who ? I'll beg..... > > Thanks in advance. > Bev > p.s. It was a terrific dance with great calling by lots of different callers from all over North America to fab tunes by The Groovemongers. Thanks to Sue Rosen for organizing, and Dan Pearl for sound. Think NEFFA ! > > *********************************** > wturnip(a)sympatico.ca > Travelling again ! > Responding via web-based email > *********************************** > > *********************************** wturnip(a)sympatico.ca Travelling again ! Responding via web-based email ***********************************

17 years, 7 months

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Contra Callers April 2007