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
Get an Online or Campus degree
Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's - in less than one year.
http://www.findtherightschool.com
Hi All,
We are shopping for sound equipment. We hold dances in a small extremely
live hall. We get from 30 to 50 dancers. We also do gigs in other halls
for up to 100. We are a community band: good musicians with, sometimes
several sit-ins (also good): We are 2 Fiddles, 1 recorder/clarinet/saxophone
(i.e. one person, who switches between these instruments), 1 Silver flute, 1
Irish (wooden) flute, 1 guitar (with pick-up soon I hope), 1 keyboard, 1
Bodhran, sometimes 1 added Bodhran, rarely another guitar, a stand up
Acoustic Bass, and an Acoustic Piano (in place of keyboards). With Caller at
most we need 12 inputs. Below is a list of the equipment we are
considering. We are relatively new to equipment of this caliber. Ease of
use is an issue. We are choosing from among the following. Do you have
experience with these? Do you have preferences?
MIXERS:
1. Allen & Heath PA20 - 16 mono inputs plus 2 stereo inputs, and a
built-in equalizer
OR
2. Soundcraft MPM12/2 - 12 mono inputs plus 2 stereo inputs. Would
require an added equalizer, possibly the dbx 231 31-Band Graphic Equalizer,
from Sweetwater
Speakers
We are thinking of using 10" powered speakers, 2 for the room, and 2 for
monitors. The two we are choosing between are:
1. Mackie SRM 350
OR
2. RCF ART 310A
To this we would add a caller's monitor TC-Helicon VoiceSolo VSM-200
MICROPHONES
1. Dynamic Vocal Mikes - Either Shure SM 58, OR Shure Beta 58
2. And for General Purpose Mikes: Shure SM 57
What has you experience with this equipment been.
Thanks for you help,
Rickey Holt.
Hi,
I've been giving serious consideration to a Roland AC-90. Peter, you described it exactly. It's light weight, has both XLR and 1/4" input. Also has Aux inputs in the back for an iPod (RCA and 1/4". the cool thing about it is that it has a recepticle to mount it on a speaker stand built in. Here is a link: http://www.roland.com/products/en/AC-90/index.html Download the owner's manual for a complete description.
-------------- Original message --------------
From: Peter Amidon <peter(a)amidonmusic.com>
> Hi,
>
> I am adding to the request.
>
> I need advice on what self-powered speaker with
> at least an XLR and a quarter inch input in the
> back. I would love a speaker big enough for
> dancing with groups of children; right now I use
> my amplifier with an EV X300 (I'm spoiled).
>
> I would be using it with my wireless headset
> system (the XLR connection) and my iPod
> (I have an adaptor into a quarter inch input).
>
> Of course I would love it if it were not too heavy.
> It needs to be able to go on a stand.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Many thanks.
>
> Peter Amidon
> peter(a)amidonmusic.com
> 802-257-1006
> cell 917-922-5462
> _______________________________________________
> Callers mailing list
> Callers(a)sharedweight.net
> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
Thanks to Lisa Seiverts for an entertaining evening of dancing ,
and to Nat Hewitt and friend for excellent tunes. I applaud
Lisa for doing such a great job calling basically a never-ever dance
and doing mostly contras! I picked up plenty of points for calling that
type of dance, just by being on the dance floor. To be sure it was not a
difficult crowd (plenty of youthful energy!) but still a bit of a
challenge...
There were a few experienced dancers on hand, they set up their
digs by the hoarse shoe pits (near the river!) the common ground
landed us all in the same place....
Ossipee Valley Bluegrass (and folk) festival is very laid back and
nicely laid out
with the Main venue in the middle of the camping area
and there is always picking going on in the 'tent city' along with
guitar/banjo/fiddle
contests.
The only downside I found is the food venues ( better to bring your own)
As Natt Hewitt commented If they want more of a folk crowed they will
need
to do better than Bluegrass food :-) (or something the same)
Hope other dancers and those interested in traditional music get to
experience this
Fest before it gets too big.
This was my 2nd year at OVB and I've had a great time both years.
Located in Cornish Maine, just a little ways from the NH border
in Late July
See ya on the floor
Gale
Our dance group in Charlotte NC is considering a long-term lease on an unused gym. Terms are great, we have a strong lead on a temporary portable floor while we raise money for a better floor. Acoustics, however, are horrendous. It's a big concrete box. What are some relatively quick and cheap ways we can get the acoustics to an OK level while we do the fundraising to do the job right? We need to move in fast as we presently have no better alternatives for our weekly dance. We're thinking about hanging quilts and heavy curtains from ropes along the walls and maybe up in the high ceiling.
Any ideas? Suggestions?
Thanks.
Gretchen Caldwell
gretchendance(a)yahoo.com
Charlotte NC
>Gretchen,
>I knew a ballet group that was meeting in a large warehouse room -
>they covered the walls with large grey cardboard egg flats - you may
>have seen them, they carry more eggs than the traditional cartons,
>though those can also be used. I think one of their members/friends
>had a chicken ranch....Not sure where you can get them, or how much
>they cost, but they do absorb sound and keep it from reflecting all
>over.
>Martha
OMG
This is what can happen when you improvise with sound deadening material:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Station_nightclub_fire
Cardboard? Cardboard!? CARDBOARD!!!
Gretchen,
I knew a ballet group that was meeting in a large warehouse room -
they covered the walls with large grey cardboard egg flats - you may
have seen them, they carry more eggs than the traditional cartons,
though those can also be used. I think one of their members/friends
had a chicken ranch....Not sure where you can get them, or how much
they cost, but they do absorb sound and keep it from reflecting all
over.
Martha
On Jul 24, 2007, at 9:00 AM, callers-request(a)sharedweight.net wrote:
> Send Callers mailing list submissions to
> callers(a)sharedweight.net
>
> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
> callers-request(a)sharedweight.net
>
> You can reach the person managing the list at
> callers-owner(a)sharedweight.net
>
> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of Callers digest..."
>
>
> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. How can we improve acoustics in a gym? (Gretchen Caldwell)
> 2. Re: How can we improve acoustics in a gym? (Jack Mitchell)
> 3. Re: How can we improve acoustics in a gym?
> (richgoss(a)comcast.net)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2007 12:57:58 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Gretchen Caldwell <gretchendance(a)yahoo.com>
> Subject: [Callers] How can we improve acoustics in a gym?
> To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
> Message-ID: <20070723195758.10913.qmail(a)web33805.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> Our dance group in Charlotte NC is considering a long-term lease on
> an unused gym. Terms are great, we have a strong lead on a
> temporary portable floor while we raise money for a better floor.
> Acoustics, however, are horrendous. It's a big concrete box. What
> are some relatively quick and cheap ways we can get the acoustics
> to an OK level while we do the fundraising to do the job right? We
> need to move in fast as we presently have no better alternatives
> for our weekly dance. We're thinking about hanging quilts and
> heavy curtains from ropes along the walls and maybe up in the high
> ceiling.
>
> Any ideas? Suggestions?
> Thanks.
>
> Gretchen Caldwell
> gretchendance(a)yahoo.com
> Charlotte NC
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2007 16:32:09 -0400 (EDT)
> From: Jack Mitchell <jamitch3(a)mindspring.com>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] How can we improve acoustics in a gym?
> To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Message-ID:
> <13792894.1185222729535.JavaMail.root@mswamui-
> cedar.atl.sa.earthlink.net>
>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> Gretchen--
>
> Heavy curtains will definitely help. You may want to see if you
> can put some hooks into the walls that you could then hang the
> curtains from. If you've danced at the Carrboro Century Center
> before and after they put in the curtains and sound panels, that's
> a great example of the difference. Also, the Grange (Greensboro)
> was much improved when they added the acoustic panels on the
> walls. Quilts will help some, but they tend not to be as absorbent
> as good heavy curtains.
>
> Jack
>
> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Gretchen Caldwell <gretchendance(a)yahoo.com>
>> Sent: Jul 23, 2007 3:57 PM
>> To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
>> Subject: [Callers] How can we improve acoustics in a gym?
>>
>> Our dance group in Charlotte NC is considering a long-term lease
>> on an unused gym. Terms are great, we have a strong lead on a
>> temporary portable floor while we raise money for a better floor.
>> Acoustics, however, are horrendous. It's a big concrete box.
>> What are some relatively quick and cheap ways we can get the
>> acoustics to an OK level while we do the fundraising to do the job
>> right? We need to move in fast as we presently have no better
>> alternatives for our weekly dance. We're thinking about hanging
>> quilts and heavy curtains from ropes along the walls and maybe up
>> in the high ceiling.
>>
>> Any ideas? Suggestions?
>> Thanks.
>>
>> Gretchen Caldwell
>> gretchendance(a)yahoo.com
>> Charlotte NC
>> _______________________________________________
>> Callers mailing list
>> Callers(a)sharedweight.net
>> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2007 21:07:10 +0000
> From: richgoss(a)comcast.net
> Subject: Re: [Callers] How can we improve acoustics in a gym?
> To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Message-ID:
>
> <072320072107.1125.46A5187E000E85090000046522073007939C9C0109080C079D@
> comcast.net>
>
> Content-Type: text/plain
>
> If you use curtains make sure they are quite heavy, and make sure
> the wall opposite the band is well covered. One thing we did at a
> very live hall once was put batting up across the ceiling. That
> absorbed lots of bounce. Tilting your speakers down a bit (and as
> high as you can get them) also helps. I would suggest that you
> also put this question out on the contrasf(a)yahoogroups.com (contra
> sound forum) yahoo group. They would have tons of suggestions.
> Rich
>
>>>
>>> Our dance group in Charlotte NC is considering a long-term lease
>>> on an unused
>> gym. Terms are great, we have a strong lead on a temporary
>> portable floor while
>> we raise money for a better floor. Acoustics, however, are
>> horrendous. It's a
>> big concrete box. What are some relatively quick and cheap ways we
>> can get the
>> acoustics to an OK level while we do the fundraising to do the job
>> right? We
>> need to move in fast as we presently have no better alternatives
>> for our weekly
>> dance. We're thinking about hanging quilts and heavy curtains from
>> ropes along
>> the walls and maybe up in the high ceiling.
>>>
>>> Any ideas? Suggestions?
>>> Thanks.
>>>
>>> Gretchen Caldwell
>>> gretchendance(a)yahoo.com
>>> Charlotte NC
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> Callers mailing list
> Callers(a)sharedweight.net
> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
>
>
> End of Callers Digest, Vol 35, Issue 5
> **************************************
Greetings
On the 2nd wknd in Aug I am calling a dance in Gorham NH
It is also the 100th anniversary of the town historical society.
I would like to call a few dances from in this time period.
Family/barn dances would be a plus, but I do hope to call some contras as well. Formations and calls will be appreciated.
thanks in advance
Gale Wood
