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)
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Hi Callers
I'm looking for dances that go well with Cape Breton style
fiddle tunes. I'm doing a gig next month with Roger Treat
I have a full evenings dances mapped out but would like to supplement
a couple of dances that really go well with C B tunes
(tunes would be a +)
Thanks
Gale
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I have a dance that I found among my cards, but I apparently forgot to
write down the author's name.
Does anyone know this dance? I'm not 100% on the name or sequence,
but this is what I had on my card.
Winter Storm becket cw
A1 circle left 3/4
Dosido N 1 1/4 to short waves
A2 balance the wave walk forward
Swing new N
B1 M allamande L 1 1/2
1/2 Hey passing partner R
B2 Partner Balance and swing
Any info would be great.
Thanks,
Chris
Hi Friends, Dancers, Callers, Organizers, et al:
Would you please announce the following event at your upcoming dances in early to mid September, and pass the word out to your dance friends who may want to attend. Feel free to forward this entire email. I have attached 2 Word documents, they are the flyer and the registration form for the event. It is the First Annual Frolic in the Fall hopefully it will be an annual event depending on this years success. Details are available at www.frolicinthefall.freeservers.com Thank you for helping me publicize this event, and I hope to see you there. Thanks,
Dave Colestock
ANNOUNCING,
The First Annual Frolic in the Fall. Held Saturday, September 22, 2007 from 11am-11pm. Locations is at YWCA Camp Reily, just outside Harrisburg, PA, in a rustic lodge with a wood floor and surrounded by Nature in the Appalachian Mountains of PA. Music from the Contra Rebels from PA and the Groovemongers from NY and RI, calling by Robert Cromartie, from NC, and Dave Colestock, from PA. Dance starts with an hour of waltzing with recorded music from 11-12, then Contra Dancing from Noon-11. There will be an HOUR LONG Dance Medley, followed by a Pot Luck dinner (last name A-M, dessert or side dish, N-Z main dish, please). Cost is $25/person, limited to 100 dancers. Contact us at fallfrolic(a)yahoo.com or visit the website at www.frolicinthefall.freeservers.com Register online or by snail mail by 9/15, please. Thank you, and hope to see YOU at the Frolic.
Can you DANCE for an HOUR??? Come to the FROLIC and find out!!!
Rickey,
Another Roll Away dance with a hey instead of a chain is the following:
A Summers Delight Becket by Don Flaherty
A1 4,4 Circle left 1/2, Gents roll-away with a half sashay neighbor across the set
4,4 Circle left 1/2, Gents roll away with a half sashay partner along the set
A2 8 1/2 Hey Gents start pass left shoulder
8 Partner Swing
B1 8 Gents allemande left 1-1/2
8 Neighbor Swing
B2 8 Ladies chain to partner
8 Right Diagonal Right & Left Thru
Danced this on last Saturday. This is a double progression dance and you are never out of the line. Also this may already be a dance by someone else, I have not had the chance to check that out yet. A very flowy dance but be careful of your audience.
See ya,
Dan
----- Original Message ----
From: Rickey <holt.e(a)comcast.net>
To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2007 4:12:07 PM
Subject: [Callers] 40 Mohr Years AND Feet in Flight
You guys are sooo cool. I was at Pinewoods for a week and I think maybe we
did both dances (very cool dances too).
Thanks
Rickey Holt
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There's a dance by Dale Rempert that has that move in the A1. It's a fun dance.
Feet In Flight - Dale Rempert Improper
A1: Ring Bal, Ladies roll N GENTS Rt to Lt
Ladies Chain
A2: Ladies Gypsy 1x, Partner Swing
B1: Corners Cross (Gents, then Ladies)
Circle Left 1x
B2: Ring Bal, Pet Twirl, Ring Bal, California Twirl
-------------- Original message --------------
From: "Rickey" <holt.e(a)comcast.net>
> Hi,
>
> I danced a contra several weeks ago that had a roll-away with a half sashay
> directly into a ladies chain. I assume that the lady was on the gents left
> for some reason, sashayed from left to right and then started the ladies
> chain, but I do not remember for sure. Perhaps it was the men that rolled
> away. It may also have had something on a diagonal somewhere. I'm not sure
> of that but I am sure about the roll-away into a ladies chain. SO... can
> you send me any dances you have that go directly from a roll away into a
> ladies chain. It was a great move, especially to a somewhat jazzy tune.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Rickey Holt.
>
>
>
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