Hi,
I am wondering if you have any dances for low numbers of dancers (perhaps 6
or less), when most or all of the dancers are beginners and adults. I am
also wondering if you have any dances (presumably different dances), that do
not require choosing a partner and are good openers for beginner adults.
Thanks as always to all,
Rickey Holt.
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
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
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Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's - in less than one year.
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Hi,
Tod Whittemore came east and did a dance evening last night in New Hampshire
and it was a great evening. He ended the evening with a great dance that am
trying to remember today. Below is what's left in my brain (more than I
expected). If you were at the dance or recognize the dance can you help me
get it right? Also if you know the name and author that would be great. Tod
did not give the name.
Thank you all.
Rickey Holt,
Fremont, NH
The remnants of the dance:
(duple improper)
A1 Star Left Below (8)
1s turn around (alone, in place) and
Star Right Above (8)
A2 Actives do-si-do below (to a wave across) (4)
Balance that wave (?) (4 - if there
was a balance here)
Allemande Right Neighbor (4)
Men (in the center) Allemande Left (1/2) to Partner
(4 - I remember that this was rushed; perhaps it was only for 2, but then
this math won't work)
B1 Partner Balance and Swing (8) (I thought it
was for the whole B1, but I think that there was a ladies chain over in
here)
Ladies Chain over (8)
B2 Hey over and back end by getting ready to form the next left hand
star below) (16)
I don't know if this would even put everyone where they need to be.
Thanks again.
Rickey
Re Rickey's dance:
Looks like one I have in my box that's called The Magpie and the Seal by
David Zinkin.
d.imp.
a1 RH Star with neighbors
LH Star with previous neighbors
a2 (return to original neighbors) dsd n 1+ to wave (women in ctr by left)
bal wave (4) N all R 1/2 way (2) men all L 1/2 way (2)
b1 P b&s
b2 Ladies ch
half hey (ladies start r. sh) look to next Ns for rh star.
a fun one to dance, and satisfying to call if there is a critical mass of
experienced/competent dancers. the lh star really confuses newbies, and the
a2 moves along.
chrissy
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Check out our dance series at
http://www.belfastflyingshoes.org
> 1. Finish the Dance (Rickey)
> 2. Re: Finish the Dance (Chris Lahey)
>
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Message: 1
>Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2007 10:01:45 -0400
>From: "Rickey" <holt.e(a)comcast.net>
>Subject: [Callers] Finish the Dance
>Hi,
>
>Tod Whittemore came east and did a dance evening last night in New
>Hampshire
>and it was a great evening. He ended the evening with a great dance that
>am
>trying to remember today. Below is what's left in my brain (more than I
>expected). If you were at the dance or recognize the dance can you help me
>get it right? Also if you know the name and author that would be great.
>Tod
>did not give the name.
>
>Thank you all.
>
>Rickey Holt,
>
>Fremont, NH
>
>
>
>The remnants of the dance:
>
>(duple improper)
>
>A1 Star Left Below (8)
>
> 1s turn around (alone, in place) and
>
> Star Right Above (8)
>
>A2 Actives do-si-do below (to a wave across) (4)
>
> Balance that wave (?) (4 - if
>there
>was a balance here)
>
> Allemande Right Neighbor (4)
>
> Men (in the center) Allemande Left (1/2) to Partner
>(4 - I remember that this was rushed; perhaps it was only for 2, but then
>this math won't work)
>
>B1 Partner Balance and Swing (8) (I thought it
>was for the whole B1, but I think that there was a ladies chain over in
>here)
>
> Ladies Chain over (8)
>
>B2 Hey over and back end by getting ready to form the next left hand
>star below) (16)
>
>
>
>I don't know if this would even put everyone where they need to be.
>
>Thanks again.
>
>Rickey
>
>
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 2
>Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2007 11:13:07 -0400
>From: "Chris Lahey" <clahey(a)clahey.net>
>Subject: Re: [Callers] Finish the Dance
>To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
>Message-ID:
> <a633da570706300813x2bc268efsed34122070f2a6ca(a)mail.gmail.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>
>I don't recognize the dance at all, but it looks pretty cool and I've
>got comments below.
>
>On 6/30/07, Rickey <holt.e(a)comcast.net> wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > Tod Whittemore came east and did a dance evening last night in New
>Hampshire
> > and it was a great evening. He ended the evening with a great dance
>that am
> > trying to remember today. Below is what's left in my brain (more than I
> > expected). If you were at the dance or recognize the dance can you help
>me
> > get it right? Also if you know the name and author that would be great.
>Tod
> > did not give the name.
> >
> > Thank you all.
> >
> > Rickey Holt,
> >
> > Fremont, NH
> >
> >
> >
> > The remnants of the dance:
> >
> > (duple improper)
> >
> > A1 Star Left Below (8)
> >
> > 1s turn around (alone, in place) and
> >
> > Star Right Above (8)
> >
> > A2 Actives do-si-do below (to a wave across) (4)
>
>Is this (8)?
>
> > Balance that wave (?) (4 - if
>there
> > was a balance here)
> >
> > Allemande Right Neighbor (4)
> >
> > Men (in the center) Allemande Left (1/2) to Partner
> > (4 - I remember that this was rushed; perhaps it was only for 2, but
>then
> > this math won't work)
>
>And the do-si-do time might explain why you were rushed here?
>
>This is the first significant center crossing. Men have switched sides.
>
> > B1 Partner Balance and Swing (8) (I thought
>it
> > was for the whole B1, but I think that there was a ladies chain over in
> > here)
>
>Let's just assume this was 16.
>
> > Ladies Chain over (8)
>
>Here women switch sides. At this point, everyone is on the opposite
>side of the set from their initial position.
>
> > B2 Hey over and back end by getting ready to form the next left
>hand
> > star below) (16)
>
>And we end on the wrong side of the set 8 beats late. If we replace
>this with a half hey, we end on the right side of the set right on
>time. The thing I'm most unsure about is how well the half hey would
>lead into the left hand star. In my head it seems like it would lead
>into the right hand star better. However, that makes it left hand
>star into a do-si-do, and that's also not quite as smooth. Maybe I'm
>wrong about the smoothness. I'd have to dance it to be sure. Can
>anyone else comment on this?
>
>So, obviously, I don't know if this was the original dance or what the
>name or author of it was. I'd love to find out.
>
>
_________________________________________________________________
Dont miss your chance to WIN $10,000 and other great prizes from Microsoft
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Rickey, Chris,
I think Chris has it right. The do-si-do would have to be 8 counts
because it is 1 1/4 around with the women ending in center. After the
four count wave balance, there are basically two steps to allemande
right neighbor 1/2 and 2 for the men to allemande 1/2. That is a bit
rushed but doable.
The half hey into a star left works quite well, actually, assuming
it's an ordinary half hey with women passing right shoulders to
start. Not a beginner type dance, people need to know where they are
going.
But I don't know name or author either.
Martha
On Jun 30, 2007, at 9:00 AM, callers-request(a)sharedweight.net wrote:
> Send Callers mailing list submissions to
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>
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>
>
> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Finish the Dance (Rickey)
> 2. Re: Finish the Dance (Chris Lahey)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2007 10:01:45 -0400
> From: "Rickey" <holt.e(a)comcast.net>
> Subject: [Callers] Finish the Dance
> To: <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Message-ID: <000001c7bb1f$351cab00$020fa8c0@maxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Hi,
>
> Tod Whittemore came east and did a dance evening last night in New
> Hampshire
> and it was a great evening. He ended the evening with a great
> dance that am
> trying to remember today. Below is what's left in my brain (more
> than I
> expected). If you were at the dance or recognize the dance can you
> help me
> get it right? Also if you know the name and author that would be
> great. Tod
> did not give the name.
>
> Thank you all.
>
> Rickey Holt,
>
> Fremont, NH
>
>
>
> The remnants of the dance:
>
> (duple improper)
>
> A1 Star Left Below (8)
>
> 1s turn around (alone, in place) and
>
> Star Right Above (8)
>
> A2 Actives do-si-do below (to a wave across) (4)
>
> Balance that wave (?) (4 -
> if there
> was a balance here)
>
> Allemande Right Neighbor (4)
>
> Men (in the center) Allemande Left (1/2) to Partner
> (4 - I remember that this was rushed; perhaps it was only for 2,
> but then
> this math won't work)
>
> B1 Partner Balance and Swing (8) (I
> thought it
> was for the whole B1, but I think that there was a ladies chain
> over in
> here)
>
> Ladies Chain over (8)
>
> B2 Hey over and back end by getting ready to form the next
> left hand
> star below) (16)
>
>
>
> I don't know if this would even put everyone where they need to be.
>
> Thanks again.
>
> Rickey
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2007 11:13:07 -0400
> From: "Chris Lahey" <clahey(a)clahey.net>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] Finish the Dance
> To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Message-ID:
> <a633da570706300813x2bc268efsed34122070f2a6ca(a)mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>
> I don't recognize the dance at all, but it looks pretty cool and I've
> got comments below.
>
> On 6/30/07, Rickey <holt.e(a)comcast.net> wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> Tod Whittemore came east and did a dance evening last night in New
>> Hampshire
>> and it was a great evening. He ended the evening with a great
>> dance that am
>> trying to remember today. Below is what's left in my brain (more
>> than I
>> expected). If you were at the dance or recognize the dance can you
>> help me
>> get it right? Also if you know the name and author that would be
>> great. Tod
>> did not give the name.
>>
>> Thank you all.
>>
>> Rickey Holt,
>>
>> Fremont, NH
>>
>>
>>
>> The remnants of the dance:
>>
>> (duple improper)
>>
>> A1 Star Left Below (8)
>>
>> 1s turn around (alone, in place) and
>>
>> Star Right Above (8)
>>
>> A2 Actives do-si-do below (to a wave across) (4)
>
> Is this (8)?
>
>> Balance that wave (?) (4 -
>> if there
>> was a balance here)
>>
>> Allemande Right Neighbor (4)
>>
>> Men (in the center) Allemande Left (1/2) to Partner
>> (4 - I remember that this was rushed; perhaps it was only for 2,
>> but then
>> this math won't work)
>
> And the do-si-do time might explain why you were rushed here?
>
> This is the first significant center crossing. Men have switched
> sides.
>
>> B1 Partner Balance and Swing (8) (I
>> thought it
>> was for the whole B1, but I think that there was a ladies chain
>> over in
>> here)
>
> Let's just assume this was 16.
>
>> Ladies Chain over (8)
>
> Here women switch sides. At this point, everyone is on the opposite
> side of the set from their initial position.
>
>> B2 Hey over and back end by getting ready to form the next
>> left hand
>> star below) (16)
>
> And we end on the wrong side of the set 8 beats late. If we replace
> this with a half hey, we end on the right side of the set right on
> time. The thing I'm most unsure about is how well the half hey would
> lead into the left hand star. In my head it seems like it would lead
> into the right hand star better. However, that makes it left hand
> star into a do-si-do, and that's also not quite as smooth. Maybe I'm
> wrong about the smoothness. I'd have to dance it to be sure. Can
> anyone else comment on this?
>
> So, obviously, I don't know if this was the original dance or what the
> name or author of it was. I'd love to find out.
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> Callers mailing list
> Callers(a)sharedweight.net
> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
>
>
> End of Callers Digest, Vol 34, Issue 14
> ***************************************
HI Folks,
Over the past week I configured a database using MS Access.
Its perfectly useful if you ignore the Microsoft bells and whistles
and keep the 'rules' simple. (dont bother with the relational stuff)
If there is somebody else trying to set up using Access. I will
be glad to share what I have learned.
See ya on the floor
Gale
Hay thanks, Chris,
It will be good to know what's going on in the heads of musicians :-)
And possibly get a new perspective on this whole performance
thing.
Also would like to extend a big thanks to you and Seth for all the work
you
Put into these projects. I cant imaging the years it would take to
accumulate the amount of knowledge found in these archives, if I had to
do it
by trial and error (mostly error :-))
Thanks Gale W.
I apologize here are the correct links:
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/musicianshttp://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/organizers
Chris
Original message:
Hello everyone!!
I was amazed at the response I got. Thank you to everyone who forwarded
my message to people who might be interested. Some of those people
contacted me to express their interest in being a part of the discussion.
We have the new lists up and ready for people to join!! Here are the
links to join each list:
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/admin/musicianshttp://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/admin/organizers
We are in the process of updating the main website. I'll make an
announcement when it's ready.
A few people contacted me expressing their interest and presenting their
credentials to "qualify" to be on these lists. We don't block anyone
from joining. All we ask is that you have an interest in the topic. We
have several lurkers on the Callers list that have never called a dance.
I'm looking forward to the discussions!
Chris Weiler
Goffstown, NH
Original Announcement:
I apologize if I sent this to anyone twice.
Some of you know about an e-mail list that Seth Seeger and I have been
running called Shared Weight. The list callers(a)sharedweight.net has been
running for 2 1/2 years now and we consider it to be a great success. It
was intended to be and has become a resource for people new to calling
for traditional dance to come and learn from experienced people. If you
are not familiar with the list, please check it out. The archives are
public, so you can read what the posts are like:
http://www.sharedweight.net/
I am considering starting two new lists on the website:
organizers(a)sharedweight.net and musicians(a)sharedweight.net. It should be
obvious that these new lists would be targeted at organizers and
musicians for traditional dancing. We would hope to have a core group of
experienced people and also new people to share information about these
subjects. You have been included in this e-mail because you either
subscribe to the callers list, or are an organizer or musician that I
have an e-mail address for. Since I am a caller who is also an organizer
and is working on jumping into the 3rd category, I have an interest in
promoting the growth of all of these.
Please take some time and consider whether or not you would be
interested in joining either of these new lists. I welcome any comments
or questions as well. Please feel free to forward this to anyone who you
think might be interested. Thank you for your time.
Happy Dancing!!! (and calling, organizing and playing!!)
Chris Weiler
Goffstown, NH
http://www.sharedweight.net/http://www.chrisweiler.ws/
Hello everyone!!
I was amazed at the response I got. Thank you to everyone who forwarded
my message to people who might be interested. Some of those people
contacted me to express their interest in being a part of the discussion.
We have the new lists up and ready for people to join!! Here are the
links to join each list:
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/admin/musicianshttp://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/admin/organizers
We are in the process of updating the main website. I'll make an
announcement when it's ready.
A few people contacted me expressing their interest and presenting their
credentials to "qualify" to be on these lists. We don't block anyone
from joining. All we ask is that you have an interest in the topic. We
have several lurkers on the Callers list that have never called a dance.
I'm looking forward to the discussions!
Chris Weiler
Goffstown, NH
Original Announcement:
I apologize if I sent this to anyone twice.
Some of you know about an e-mail list that Seth Seeger and I have been
running called Shared Weight. The list callers(a)sharedweight.net has been
running for 2 1/2 years now and we consider it to be a great success. It
was intended to be and has become a resource for people new to calling
for traditional dance to come and learn from experienced people. If you
are not familiar with the list, please check it out. The archives are
public, so you can read what the posts are like:
http://www.sharedweight.net/
I am considering starting two new lists on the website:
organizers(a)sharedweight.net and musicians(a)sharedweight.net. It should be
obvious that these new lists would be targeted at organizers and
musicians for traditional dancing. We would hope to have a core group of
experienced people and also new people to share information about these
subjects. You have been included in this e-mail because you either
subscribe to the callers list, or are an organizer or musician that I
have an e-mail address for. Since I am a caller who is also an organizer
and is working on jumping into the 3rd category, I have an interest in
promoting the growth of all of these.
Please take some time and consider whether or not you would be
interested in joining either of these new lists. I welcome any comments
or questions as well. Please feel free to forward this to anyone who you
think might be interested. Thank you for your time.
Happy Dancing!!! (and calling, organizing and playing!!)
Chris Weiler
Goffstown, NH
http://www.sharedweight.net/http://www.chrisweiler.ws/
