Contra Callers January 2008

contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net

40 participants
49 discussions

by Rickey

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.

2 years

Re: [Callers] Festival Applications

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, 6 months

Re: [Callers] Callers Digest, Vol 38, Issue 2

by Martha Wild

If there are a lot of children, and no other contra dancers, for the first workshop, don't start with a contra. Start with something that breaks the ice and is easy and gets them facing each other in long lines. For my "one night stands", weddings, etc., I start with a dance sometimes called "The Hat Dance" - except I use a large stuffed animal gorilla, so people call it the "gorilla dance' - you know, three chairs at the top of the set, two lines on either side, one person sits in middle with gorilla on lap, one head of each line sit on the side, band starts up and plays like a house afire, mid person gives gorilla to one of the seated people, dances down set with the other in a sashay or polka or whatever they choose, gorilla receiver moves to mid seat, next two sit down. I don't know why this is so successful, but people love this dance. They love watching other people get or give the gorilla. I gave up on the hat idea because w. kids there may be head lice. Really. The gorilla is cuter anyway. This gets people moving, touching, laughing, and standing in two lines and learning top of set and bottom of set. Then follow perhaps with a reel, like Virginia reel. This gives a vague concept of progression and doing something different at different positions in the dance. There are some other simpler reels than Virginia reel as well, without the strip the willow but with the follow around and arch and under. I think the one of the easiest contras is Ellen's Green Jig. I don't have time to put it up here, maybe someone else could if you don't know it, but it's one where everyone pretty much is in contact all the time so it's hard to screw up, has just balance and swing, do-si- do and circles pretty much, and the progression is oh-so-obvious, and it doesn't matter if the genders get all screwed up as long as ones are ones and twos are twos. Oh, I called for a dance where 15 foreign exchange students showed up with limited English. I'd keep the calls in English as you are a beginning caller and it would be too much to think of to do it in Japanese as well. But just pick the way you are going to call the figure, e.g. Ladie's Chain - and NEVER vary it. It will always be Ladie's Chain, not "Chain the women", not "women chain" not "chain across" just flat out plain "Ladies Chain". People will catch on. Martha On Oct 2, 2007, at 4:00 PM, 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. Japan dance and self intro/update > (sharedweight.99.kyoto(a)spamgourmet.com) > 2. Re: Japan dance and self intro/update (Lindsay Morris) > 3. Re: Japan dance and self intro/update (Greg McKenzie) > 4. Re: Japan dance and self intro/update > (Alan Winston - SSRL Central Computing) > 5. Re: Japan dance and self intro/update (Lisa Sieverts) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Tue, 2 Oct 2007 11:59:28 -0700 (PDT) > From: sharedweight.99.kyoto(a)spamgourmet.com > Subject: [Callers] Japan dance and self intro/update > To: callers(a)sharedweight.net > Message-ID: <74363.4139.qm(a)web38705.mail.mud.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 > > [n.b. this has been 'cross posted' to the yahoo traditional callers > list, in case anyone is on > both lists...] > > This post from a llooonnnngg time dancer and first time caller who is > requesting some advice for an unusual situation...but as it is my > first post, I will explain a little about myself, and along the way > that will explain the unusual situation and help guide and refine any > replies. > > My name is david crespo, a name some of you no doubt fear -- I mean > recognize -- or would (recognize, that is) (if you saw my ugly > mug) (well, maybe fear...) from my 20 odd (quite odd) years of > dancing and involvement in the dance community in New England, mostly > Vermont (Etna, Norwich, Thetford, to Northern Spy etc.) and Maine > (SMFA (Yarmouth), Falmouth, Bates, Bowdoinham...). As some of you > thus know, about 3 years ago, at a Wake the Neighbors Bates dance I > was met by a cute and not very frightening Japanese exchange student, > Yukie, who with a very little gentle nudging at Deffa a week later, > eventually (rapidly, that is) was able to parlay that happenstance > circumstance into what is now a beautiful and happy marriage. She > returned to Japan shortly after we completed our courtship and about > a year later I followed. We're living in Kyoto. > > Alas, there is one tragic note attending this otherwise joyous and > perfect scenario. Japan, you see, is a land thouroughly devoid of one > essential nutrient: contradancing. You can imagine my dismay, tears, > and lamentations. Sadly, then, since my arrival, I have been quietly > (well not so quietly) teaching english while secretly incubating evil > plans to conquer Japan, then Asia, then the world in 64 (drastic) > measures (hmmm--- good name for a dance). This month, my long patient > agony of waiting has begun to pay off. I have been given the > opportunity to indoctrinate a few trusting and innocent souls into > the sublime mysteries of la dance du contra and create an army of > swiftfooted robots, ready and willing to do my bidding at every call. > SOON I WILL CONQUER THE WORLD!!! > > ahem. > > please excuse me while my medicine kicks in. Ah, yes, thank you. OK, > where was I? The fact is, my wife and I have been invited to lead a > contradance workshop at a local festival on October 20. When we found > out, we began doing as much research as we could on calling and so > on. We found a few basic dances, like Baby Rose and Diane's Visit and > Atonement Reel that we like and figured would be suitable and we have > been practicing calling them. But I really welcome any suggestions... > > Actually, above and beyond some decades of doing things proper and > improper, I took a caller workshop or two from Rick Mohr (thanks > Rick) so I have a rough idea of what's involved. And I've learned a > bit from practicing calling and writing a few ad hoc dances on my > own. For example, I learned that being a dancer has habituated me to > act ON the beat, but as a caller I need to act BEFORE the beat, > eh....this flustered me at first. Are there any other typical first > caller pointers we should be on the lookout for? > > In addition, there are a few other associated circumstances in this > project that create the aforementioned unique situation. In brief > (HA! fooled you), since I've rattled on too long, here is what I mean: > > I don't speak more than the rudiments of Japanese. My wife is still a > beginner dancer, to wit, she isn't a strong enough one to call on her > own. Between us we are trying to teach each other what the other > lacks and hopefully make one good caller out of the two of us. One > question that has come up is is it better to keep the standard names > for the figures, or to Japanify them. (We are leaning to the > former...Japanese has a very high percentage of english loan words, > and they learn english (poooooorly) in school.) Still, has anyone > ever tried to call across a language barrier? > > Japanese are touch sensitve. They don't touch, they don't give eye > contact. They don't give weight. (They give wait). They don't hug. > They don't even say I love you. They are very shy. For example, I am > told that this is to the point that standing in a line of men facing > a line of women is likely be uncomfortable, even for the younger > generation, so Yukie feels we should use mixed couples with armbands > to distinguish "gender"--I mean position. As we build a community of > experienced dancers, it would be expected that some of this > inhibition might wear off...). You can see why they need to dance. On > the other hand, they are good followers. Any advice for working with > a shy crowd? > > Some or many of the attendees at this workshop, we just found out, > are likely to be children. Depending on the percentage, it may be > necessary to do a kids dance, or at least a dance kids could enjoy. I > am good at working with kids in general, but I would love any advice > for doing a dance with young people. I don't know or haven't been > able to find any children's dances, though I assume the Family Dance > in Yarmouth is still up and I plan to contact Jeff Raymond about it, > because I can't remember the caller's name (Nancy....) (though we > have danced and chatted about dancing and calling several times at > the May Day Festival...gads! say hi if you're listening..). > So, children's dances are one thing I am looking for. > > We are working in a small space...maybe two lines of six couples > each. Advice for small spaces???　 > > We are doing three workshops. If the same people return, we may do > more advanced things, or we may just repeat teh workshop...but I > would like to try different dances each time, for my practice. > > The room will be full of beginners, so no experienced dancers to rely > on. Ballroom dancing had a certain following here (and in Kyoto there > is a small set dancing group that we visited...small 14 or so... and > a square dancing group that we plan to visit. ) but not enough to be > helpful, in the sense that there are few cultural supports for > learning (i.e. in the US most everyone knows (even if they don't > admit it) how to at least fake a waltz or ballroom position...not > here.) Think martian territory... > > I should add that we are seriously working towards starting a regular > dance here (we've found an available and very suitable space, a > church hall in a nearby church, for example) and this is for us a > tryout and possible stepping stone. We want to whet people's > appetite, and leave them wanting more. We have a half hour to do it... > > OK...apologies for the verbose and windy post. Fond regards to all of > you I know, hajimemashite ("nice to meet you" in japanese, literally > "beginning") to the rest and many thanks in advance for your time and > help...cheers...david > > nothing rhymes with nostril... > > > > ______________________________________________________________________ > ______________ > Don't let your dream ride pass you by. Make it a reality with > Yahoo! Autos. > http://autos.yahoo.com/index.html > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Tue, 02 Oct 2007 15:23:07 -0400 > From: Lindsay Morris <lindsay(a)tsmworks.com> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Japan dance and self intro/update > To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Message-ID: <47029A9B.1020203(a)tsmworks.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Wow, you're biting off too much. > Teach them community-dance stuff first - circle mixers, easy > things to > get them used to touching, allemanding, and giving weight. > If they refuse to take hands and circle left, then I suggest you > fake a > heart attack and get out. > Lindsay Morris > Principal > TSMworks > [1]www.tsmworks.com > 859-539-9900 > > > [2]sharedweight.99.kyoto(a)spamgourmet.com wrote: > > [n.b. this has been 'cross posted' to the yahoo traditional callers > list, in cas > e anyone is on > both lists...] > > This post from a llooonnnngg time dancer and first time caller who is > requesting some advice for an unusual situation...but as it is my > first post, I will explain a little about myself, and along the way > that will explain the unusual situation and help guide and refine any > replies. > > My name is david crespo, a name some of you no doubt fear -- I mean > recognize -- or would (recognize, that is) (if you saw my ugly > mug) (well, maybe fear...) from my 20 odd (quite odd) years of > dancing and involvement in the dance community in New England, mostly > Vermont (Etna, Norwich, Thetford, to Northern Spy etc.) and Maine > (SMFA (Yarmouth), Falmouth, Bates, Bowdoinham...). As some of you > thus know, about 3 years ago, at a Wake the Neighbors Bates dance I > was met by a cute and not very frightening Japanese exchange student, > Yukie, who with a very little gentle nudging at Deffa a week later, > eventually (rapidly, that is) was able to parlay that happenstance > circumstance into what is now a beautiful and happy marriage. She > returned to Japan shortly after we completed our courtship and about > a year later I followed. We're living in Kyoto. > > Alas, there is one tragic note attending this otherwise joyous and > perfect scenario. Japan, you see, is a land thouroughly devoid of one > essential nutrient: contradancing. You can imagine my dismay, tears, > and lamentations. Sadly, then, since my arrival, I have been quietly > (well not so quietly) teaching english while secretly incubating evil > plans to conquer Japan, then Asia, then the world in 64 (drastic) > measures (hmmm--- good name for a dance). This month, my long patient > agony of waiting has begun to pay off. I have been given the > opportunity to indoctrinate a few trusting and innocent souls into > the sublime mysteries of la dance du contra and create an army of > swiftfooted robots, ready and willing to do my bidding at every call. > SOON I WILL CONQUER THE WORLD!!! > > ahem. > > please excuse me while my medicine kicks in. Ah, yes, thank you. OK, > where was I? The fact is, my wife and I have been invited to lead a > contradance workshop at a local festival on October 20. When we found > out, we began doing as much research as we could on calling and so > on. We found a few basic dances, like Baby Rose and Diane's Visit and > Atonement Reel that we like and figured would be suitable and we have > been practicing calling them. But I really welcome any suggestions... > > Actually, above and beyond some decades of doing things proper and > improper, I took a caller workshop or two from Rick Mohr (thanks > Rick) so I have a rough idea of what's involved. And I've learned a > bit from practicing calling and writing a few ad hoc dances on my > own. For example, I learned that being a dancer has habituated me to > act ON the beat, but as a caller I need to act BEFORE the beat, > eh....this flustered me at first. Are there any other typical first > caller pointers we should be on the lookout for? > > In addition, there are a few other associated circumstances in this > project that create the aforementioned unique situation. In brief > (HA! fooled you), since I've rattled on too long, here is what I mean: > > I don't speak more than the rudiments of Japanese. My wife is still a > beginner dancer, to wit, she isn't a strong enough one to call on her > own. Between us we are trying to teach each other what the other > lacks and hopefully make one good caller out of the two of us. One > question that has come up is is it better to keep the standard names > for the figures, or to Japanify them. (We are leaning to the > former...Japanese has a very high percentage of english loan words, > and they learn english (poooooorly) in school.) Still, has anyone > ever tried to call across a language barrier? > > Japanese are touch sensitve. They don't touch, they don't give eye > contact. They don't give weight. (They give wait). They don't hug. > They don't even say I love you. They are very shy. For example, I am > told that this is to the point that standing in a line of men facing > a line of women is likely be uncomfortable, even for the younger > generation, so Yukie feels we should use mixed couples with armbands > to distinguish "gender"--I mean position. As we build a community of > experienced dancers, it would be expected that some of this > inhibition might wear off...). You can see why they need to dance. On > the other hand, they are good followers. Any advice for working with > a shy crowd? > > Some or many of the attendees at this workshop, we just found out, > are likely to be children. Depending on the percentage, it may be > necessary to do a kids dance, or at least a dance kids could enjoy. I > am good at working with kids in general, but I would love any advice > for doing a dance with young people. I don't know or haven't been > able to find any children's dances, though I assume the Family Dance > in Yarmouth is still up and I plan to contact Jeff Raymond about it, > because I can't remember the caller's name (Nancy....) (though we > have danced and chatted about dancing and calling several times at > the May Day Festival...gads! say hi if you're listening..). > So, children's dances are one thing I am looking for. > > We are working in a small space...maybe two lines of six couples > each. Advice for small spaces???　 > > We are doing three workshops. If the same people return, we may do > more advanced things, or we may just repeat teh workshop...but I > would like to try different dances each time, for my practice. > > The room will be full of beginners, so no experienced dancers to rely > on. Ballroom dancing had a certain following here (and in Kyoto there > is a small set dancing group that we visited...small 14 or so... and > a square dancing group that we plan to visit. ) but not enough to be > helpful, in the sense that there are few cultural supports for > learning (i.e. in the US most everyone knows (even if they don't > admit it) how to at least fake a waltz or ballroom position...not > here.) Think martian territory... > > I should add that we are seriously working towards starting a regular > dance here (we've found an available and very suitable space, a > church hall in a nearby church, for example) and this is for us a > tryout and possible stepping stone. We want to whet people's > appetite, and leave them wanting more. We have a half hour to do it... > > OK...apologies for the verbose and windy post. Fond regards to all of > you I know, hajimemashite ("nice to meet you" in japanese, literally > "beginning") to the rest and many thanks in advance for your time and > help...cheers...david > > nothing rhymes with nostril... > > > > ______________________________________________________________________ > ____ > __________ > Don't let your dream ride pass you by. Make it a reality with > Yahoo! Autos. > [3]http://autos.yahoo.com/index.html > > > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > [4]Callers(a)sharedweight.net > [5]http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > References > > 1. http://www.tsmworks.com/ > 2. mailto:sharedweight.99.kyoto@spamgourmet.com > 3. http://autos.yahoo.com/index.html > 4. mailto:Callers@sharedweight.net > 5. http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >

15 years, 8 months

Ralph Sweet video

by David.Millstone＠valley.net

[Apologies for duplicate posting] I'd like to make folks on this list aware that my new video about caller Ralph Sweet is now available for purchase on DVD. Entitled "Sweet Talk," it's 73 minutes long, mostly an edited interview with Ralph. Additional material interspersed with the interview includes segments on the early years of modern Western square dancing, some older audio recordings and photographs of callers and dancers as well as diagrams from numerous square dance books. There are also several short sequences recorded in recent years of Ralph calling, including at the Greenfield dance the night when Ralph and his all-star band recorded the wonderful "Shindig in the Barn" CD. Among the topics that Ralph discusses are his own history in traditional dance (from Connecticut to Georgia to Texas and back again to New England), the rise of MWSD and some subsequent difficulties that movement faced, his attempts to introduce contra dance to modern Western dancers, his fife and flute business, and some advice for callers. Others on this list have seen parts of the video that were screened at the recent Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend; some have copies of the entire video that they purchased at that time. I'll let them speak to the merits of the video, if they feel so moved. I also have copies available of the Dudley Laufman video and my earlier one that focuses on Bob McQuillen. Discount prices available for folks who purchase packages containing more than one title. Please contact me off-list for more information. David Millstone <millstone(a)valley.net> P.S. And let me conclude by encouraging others to get out there with a video camera to record interviews with callers, musicians, dancers, organizers, as well as shooting footage from dances. Once you've done so, look into making that ootage available to others by getting it-- originals or a good copy-- into an appropriate archive!

16 years, 10 months

Re: [Callers] Shadow swings and Irrational Hypocrisy

by Greg McKenzie

Friends, It seems that having folks who really dislike swinging together at a community dance is bad news...with, or without shadow swings. I know it happens, but callers can work to create a more gracious and generous atmosphere. It would feel odd to plan an evening program while considering the needs of people who wish to avoid contact at a social dance. Chris, I wonder; how would you feel about a dance with a shadow swing, and a neighbor swing, but with NO partner swing? I suspect that many of us call a dance or two each night with no partner swing. Would you protest more if there were one partner-swing-free dance with a shadow swing? (And would that be "rational hypocrisy?) Also, how many dances a night do you call that have no partner swing? Just wondering, Greg ********* At 02:35 PM 1/24/2008, Chris wrote: >I currently don't have any dances with shadow swings in my >repertoire, by choice. > >Part of that is to avoid the situation where you're forcing two >people to swing together who Really Don't Want To Swing >Over and Over. And they'll let you know it, whether it's a >breakup, or one person's someone that they don't want to >dance with. (In my first community I went to, there was >one person like this. It would drive which lines people went >into, people would refuse sometimes to neighbor swing >with said person, and it really corrupted the whole partner- >asking dynamic of the dance. So I'm shaped by an extreme.) > >There's the secondary reason that it's not as interesting as >it's the same person over and over and over. And you've >already got your partner over and over and over, with the >partner swing I need to pander to. So that cuts out still more >neighbor interaction. It's why I strongly prefer neighbor grand >right and lefts to shadow grand right and lefts, for instance. > >A shadow can be a convenient marker to create the effect >of a lose-and-find partner sequence, so they do have their >uses. > > > >Yet I call a dance with a shadow swing about one night >of every three. They're the four-face-fours where you swing >your corner. So I fully admit to irrational hypocrisy. > >-Chris Page >San Diego >_______________________________________________ >Callers mailing list >Callers(a)sharedweight.net >http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers

16 years, 10 months

Re: [Callers] Shadow swings and Irrational Hypocrisy

by David.Millstone＠valley.net

--- Greg McKenzie wrote: Thank you Bob for reminding me that it is not necessary to tell the dancers that a particular dance is traditional. That could entirely change the way some perceive it. --- end of quote --- Several years ago at a dance camp on the west coast, I included several triple minor dances in my program over the course of the three days. A camper approached one of camp organizers and asked, quite happily, "What's the story with these 'Hands Six' dances? Is this a new thing that's been invented back East?" David Millstone Lebanon, NH

16 years, 10 months

Re: [Callers] Shadow swings and Irrational Hypocrisy

by Greg McKenzie

Bob Wrote: >And if you perceive that your group is receptive, and not wedded to >hard-and-fast expectations, and you have a band that can play the >tune for "Money Musk" or play marches for "British Sorrow," you'll >be surprised to find that a) half the dancers will thank you for >calling an old traditional triple minor contra dance, b) the other >half will thank you for inventing a new, unique, and ultra-modern >style of contra dance, and c) these dances are so much fun that some >dancers may not even notice that there is no swing in either dance. Thank you Bob for reminding me that it is not necessary to tell the dancers that a particular dance is traditional. That could entirely change the way some perceive it. Greg

16 years, 10 months

Re: [Callers] Shadow swings and Irrational Hypocrisy

by robertgolder＠comcast.net

> Have I opened a huge can of worms here? > ~Barbara Yes indeed! :-) I love chocolate ice cream. I can eat chocolate ice cream over and over again. But dessert would be dull if there was no other dessert in the world except chocolate ice cream. Sometimes I want mango coconut ice cream, or baklava, or... I love duple minor contra dances with a neighbor swing and a partner swing. But life would be dull, etc., and you get the idea, that when there is too much of a good thing then sometimes it no longer is a good thing. Why should dancing always be the same? Don't we have TV for that? The smart caller keeps an eye open for opportunities to increase dancers' enjoyment of the evening. On a hot summer night, that means alternating neighbor/partner swing dances with partner-only-swing, actives-only-swing, and similar dances to beat the heat. And if you perceive that your group is receptive, and not wedded to hard-and-fast expectations, and you have a band that can play the tune for "Money Musk" or play marches for "British Sorrow," you'll be surprised to find that a) half the dancers will thank you for calling an old traditional triple minor contra dance, b) the other half will thank you for inventing a new, unique, and ultra-modern style of contra dance, and c) these dances are so much fun that some dancers may not even notice that there is no swing in either dance. PS: Sometimes a shadow swing is good too. ... Bob -- Robert Jon Golder 164 Maxfield St New Bedford, MA 02740 (508) 999-2486

16 years, 10 months

Re: [Callers] Callers Digest, Vol 41, Issue 18

by Martha Wild

Barbara, Yes, the worms are crawling about..... Here are some of my thoughts on neighbor swings and equal and unequal dances. True confessions: when I was a new dancer, many years ago, I would sometimes get asked to dance by guys that I wasn't that eager to dance with - some pulled too hard, or yanked my arm around, or were horribly sweaty, etc., and being polite I said yes, but I can't tell you how relieved I was to do a dance with no partner swing! I sometimes will call a first dance with only a neighbor swing if there are lots of new people and they are dancing with each other, for some reason or other. The swing is much easier to learn if you aren't both new at it, and people learn to open up on the correct side and get proper training before they have to go it on their own together. I sometimes call Erik Hoffman's dance "The Last Swing of Summer" because even though it only has a neighbor swing, you spend 16 counts do-si-doing as a couple with your partner, which experienced dancers can turn into all sorts of flirtatious fun and twirlings and mini- swings as they go around. I've danced it myself, and I really enjoy it, sans swing. As for unequal dances, I like to call unequal double progression dances where only 1 couple swings because they move quick enough through the line so that everyone gets their chance. I also like to call dances where 1s swing and later on 2s swing, so no one feels left out. There are lots of interesting choreographic possibilities that get missed if one relies too heavily on a dance program with all equal dances, frankly, and it can be tiring to boot. As a dancer I actually enjoy watching the other couple swing and admiring their style, grace, and interaction, as long as I know that I will get my chance. On really hot summer nights with no air conditioning here in San Diego, unequal dances give a welcome respite. I also dislike the trend I've seen some places to have every dance have two swings in it. This leads to a lot of dances in the same program with circle left and swing somebody, and that gets old real fast, people! Besides being really hard for some reason on my left hip. Well, 'nuff said, but I'm going to keep calling fun unequal dances, and I won't ban the very occasional neighbor swing, though they do have to be used with discretion. Martha On Jan 28, 2008, at 12:07 PM, 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. Re: Labor of love (gtwood(a)worldpath.net) > 2. Re: Shadow swings and Irrational Hypocrisy (Barbara Groh) > 3. Re: Shadow swings and Irrational Hypocrisy (Koren A. Wake) > 4. Re: Shadow swings and Irrational Hypocrisy (Charles M. Hannum) > 5. Re: Shadow swings and Irrational Hypocrisy (Jack Mitchell) > 6. Re: Shadow swings and Irrational Hypocrisy (Bob Isaacs) > 7. Re: Shadow swings and Irrational Hypocrisy (Charles M. Hannum) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Mon, 28 Jan 2008 12:54:29 -0500 > From: "gtwood(a)worldpath.net" <gtwood(a)worldpath.net> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Labor of love > To: callers(a)sharedweight.net > Message-ID: <380-220081128175429945(a)M2W012.mail2web.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 > > Hi Delia > I talked to Gail at the Ralph Page weekend. She mentioned that the > Woodstock > dance is looking for callers. (esp. the Feb. 15th dance) > I gave her my Phone# and e-mail. I have not heard from her as of > Jan. 28 > after reading your post I have some Qs > before I agree to do the dance, > mainly because I will be coming quite a distance. > It sounds like your the person to communicate with > my e-mail is gtwood(a)worldpath.net > > Thanks > Gale Wood > > -------------------------------------------------------------------- > mail2web.com - Microsoft? Exchange solutions from a leading provider - > http://link.mail2web.com/Business/Exchange > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Mon, 28 Jan 2008 13:14:16 -0500 > From: "Barbara Groh" <barbaragroh(a)bellsouth.net> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Shadow swings and Irrational Hypocrisy > To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Message-ID: <006f01c861d9$98469860$6400a8c0@Babs> > Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; > reply-type=original > > I occasionally call dances with a shadow swing, but I would NEVER > call a > dance with no partner swing. Many times in my 35 years of dancing, > I have > had an evening where I FINALLY got to dance with some special > partner, only > to have the disappointment of doing a dance with no partner swing. > What a > letdown! > > Any caller in my area who calls dances without partner swings is > either > going to hear about it from one or more dancers, or at least be > grumbled > about behind their backs. It's probably not a big deal in a > roomful of > beginners, but I think that most experienced dancers feel cheated > if they > don't get to swing their partner. > > In fact, there has been much discussion in our dance community > (really, all > over the Southeast) as to whether "unequal" dances (where only the 1's > swing) are "acceptable," given that there are so many great "equal" > dances > available. Of course, this would knock out a whole bunch of the old, > traditional contras... > > Have I opened a huge can of worms here? > ~Barbara > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Greg McKenzie" <gregmck(a)earthlink.net> > To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Sent: Friday, January 25, 2008 2:09 AM > Subject: Re: [Callers] Shadow swings and Irrational Hypocrisy > > >> >> Friends, >> >> It seems that having folks who really dislike swinging together at a >> community dance is bad news...with, or without shadow swings. I know >> it happens, but callers can work to create a more gracious and >> generous atmosphere. It would feel odd to plan an evening program >> while considering the needs of people who wish to avoid contact at a >> social dance. >> >> Chris, I wonder; how would you feel about a dance with a shadow >> swing, and a neighbor swing, but with NO partner swing? I suspect >> that many of us call a dance or two each night with no partner >> swing. Would you protest more if there were one partner-swing-free >> dance with a shadow swing? (And would that be "rational hypocrisy?) >> >> Also, how many dances a night do you call that have no partner swing? >> >> Just wondering, >> >> Greg >> >> ********* >> >> At 02:35 PM 1/24/2008, Chris wrote: >>> I currently don't have any dances with shadow swings in my >>> repertoire, by choice. >>> >>> Part of that is to avoid the situation where you're forcing two >>> people to swing together who Really Don't Want To Swing >>> Over and Over. And they'll let you know it, whether it's a >>> breakup, or one person's someone that they don't want to >>> dance with. (In my first community I went to, there was >>> one person like this. It would drive which lines people went >>> into, people would refuse sometimes to neighbor swing >>> with said person, and it really corrupted the whole partner- >>> asking dynamic of the dance. So I'm shaped by an extreme.) >>> >>> There's the secondary reason that it's not as interesting as >>> it's the same person over and over and over. And you've >>> already got your partner over and over and over, with the >>> partner swing I need to pander to. So that cuts out still more >>> neighbor interaction. It's why I strongly prefer neighbor grand >>> right and lefts to shadow grand right and lefts, for instance. >>> >>> A shadow can be a convenient marker to create the effect >>> of a lose-and-find partner sequence, so they do have their >>> uses. >>> >>> >>> >>> Yet I call a dance with a shadow swing about one night >>> of every three. They're the four-face-fours where you swing >>> your corner. So I fully admit to irrational hypocrisy. >>> >>> -Chris Page >>> San Diego >>> _______________________________________________ >>> 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 > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Mon, 28 Jan 2008 13:29:24 -0500 > From: "Koren A. Wake" <koren.a.wake(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Shadow swings and Irrational Hypocrisy > To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Message-ID: > <99d834190801281029i12191266w3520d16301e4628a(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > I've got to say that while I respect the traditional dances and > don't mind > the occasional actives-preferential dance (as long as the contra lines > aren't too long to begin with!), I really like the newer dances > that I've > seen recently where ones and twos alternate being active. I don't > know the > names of these dances (maybe someone can help me out?), but I know > there's > at least one where the ones and twos trade off being the couple who > does > contra corners and then swings in the middle, and I'm a big fan of > that. > Contra corners into a swing in the middle is one of my favorite > moves if the > set is working together well. > > I definitely agree with Barbara, though, that it's really > disappointing to > not have a partner swing at all. And I think there's a > responsibility as a > caller to make sure that if you do call a dance where only the ones > swing, > the lines are short enough and the dance runs long enough that > everyone gets > to be a one for a decent amount of time! > > - Koren > > On 1/28/08, Barbara Groh <barbaragroh(a)bellsouth.net> wrote: >> >> I occasionally call dances with a shadow swing, but I would NEVER >> call a >> dance with no partner swing. Many times in my 35 years of >> dancing, I have >> had an evening where I FINALLY got to dance with some special >> partner, >> only >> to have the disappointment of doing a dance with no partner >> swing. What a >> letdown! >> >> Any caller in my area who calls dances without partner swings is >> either >> going to hear about it from one or more dancers, or at least be >> grumbled >> about behind their backs. It's probably not a big deal in a >> roomful of >> beginners, but I think that most experienced dancers feel cheated >> if they >> don't get to swing their partner. >> >> In fact, there has been much discussion in our dance community >> (really, >> all >> over the Southeast) as to whether "unequal" dances (where only the >> 1's >> swing) are "acceptable," given that there are so many great >> "equal" dances >> available. Of course, this would knock out a whole bunch of the old, >> traditional contras... >> >> Have I opened a huge can of worms here? >> ~Barbara >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Greg McKenzie" <gregmck(a)earthlink.net> >> To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> >> Sent: Friday, January 25, 2008 2:09 AM >> Subject: Re: [Callers] Shadow swings and Irrational Hypocrisy >> >> >>> >>> Friends, >>> >>> It seems that having folks who really dislike swinging together at a >>> community dance is bad news...with, or without shadow swings. I >>> know >>> it happens, but callers can work to create a more gracious and >>> generous atmosphere. It would feel odd to plan an evening program >>> while considering the needs of people who wish to avoid contact at a >>> social dance. >>> >>> Chris, I wonder; how would you feel about a dance with a shadow >>> swing, and a neighbor swing, but with NO partner swing? I suspect >>> that many of us call a dance or two each night with no partner >>> swing. Would you protest more if there were one partner-swing-free >>> dance with a shadow swing? (And would that be "rational hypocrisy?) >>> >>> Also, how many dances a night do you call that have no partner >>> swing? >>> >>> Just wondering, >>> >>> Greg >>> >>> ********* >>> >>> At 02:35 PM 1/24/2008, Chris wrote: >>>> I currently don't have any dances with shadow swings in my >>>> repertoire, by choice. >>>> >>>> Part of that is to avoid the situation where you're forcing two >>>> people to swing together who Really Don't Want To Swing >>>> Over and Over. And they'll let you know it, whether it's a >>>> breakup, or one person's someone that they don't want to >>>> dance with. (In my first community I went to, there was >>>> one person like this. It would drive which lines people went >>>> into, people would refuse sometimes to neighbor swing >>>> with said person, and it really corrupted the whole partner- >>>> asking dynamic of the dance. So I'm shaped by an extreme.) >>>> >>>> There's the secondary reason that it's not as interesting as >>>> it's the same person over and over and over. And you've >>>> already got your partner over and over and over, with the >>>> partner swing I need to pander to. So that cuts out still more >>>> neighbor interaction. It's why I strongly prefer neighbor grand >>>> right and lefts to shadow grand right and lefts, for instance. >>>> >>>> A shadow can be a convenient marker to create the effect >>>> of a lose-and-find partner sequence, so they do have their >>>> uses. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Yet I call a dance with a shadow swing about one night >>>> of every three. They're the four-face-fours where you swing >>>> your corner. So I fully admit to irrational hypocrisy. >>>> >>>> -Chris Page >>>> San Diego >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> 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 >> > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Mon, 28 Jan 2008 13:32:56 -0500 > From: "Charles M. Hannum" <root(a)ihack.net> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Shadow swings and Irrational Hypocrisy > To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Message-ID: > <9d49f6db0801281032l1f9911b5g600c18c9bcce0b61(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > I am really not a fan of what you call "unequal" dances. I always > feel like > I should have brought a pillow. This is why I dislike one of the > Great > Classics -- Chorus Jig. > > That said, in many cases it's possible to simply alternative the > active role > between the 1s and 2s, and balance the dance better. Some callers > do this. > (I don't think there's a good way to do it with Chorus Jig, though.) > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 5 > Date: Mon, 28 Jan 2008 13:53:18 -0500 > From: Jack Mitchell <jamitch3(a)mindspring.com> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Shadow swings and Irrational Hypocrisy > To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Message-ID: <E1JJZ6Y-0007mE-FC(a)elasmtp-spurfowl.atl.sa.earthlink.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed > > Well, since one of the other threads on here recently has been "Labor > of Love", I'll share one of my favorite alternating contra corners > dances: > > Labor of Love > Kathy Anderson > Improper > > A1 N B&S > A2 LL F&B > 1's (2's) RH Bal & Box the Gnat > B1 1's (2's) turn Contra Corners > B2 1's (2's) B&S > > This is a great dance to teach contra corners because the only thing > at all hard about it is the contra corners itself. Better still, it > doesn't have a half figure 8, which folks frequently have more > trouble with than the contra corners itself. In any event, it's a > fun dance! > > Jack > > > > > At 01:29 PM 1/28/2008, you wrote: >> I've got to say that while I respect the traditional dances and >> don't mind >> the occasional actives-preferential dance (as long as the contra >> lines >> aren't too long to begin with!), I really like the newer dances >> that I've >> seen recently where ones and twos alternate being active. I don't >> know the >> names of these dances (maybe someone can help me out?), but I know >> there's >> at least one where the ones and twos trade off being the couple >> who does >> contra corners and then swings in the middle, and I'm a big fan of >> that. >> Contra corners into a swing in the middle is one of my favorite >> moves if the >> set is working together well. >> >> I definitely agree with Barbara, though, that it's really >> disappointing to >> not have a partner swing at all. And I think there's a >> responsibility as a >> caller to make sure that if you do call a dance where only the >> ones swing, >> the lines are short enough and the dance runs long enough that >> everyone gets >> to be a one for a decent amount of time! >> >> - Koren >> >> On 1/28/08, Barbara Groh <barbaragroh(a)bellsouth.net> wrote: >>> >>> I occasionally call dances with a shadow swing, but I would NEVER >>> call a >>> dance with no partner swing. Many times in my 35 years of >>> dancing, I have >>> had an evening where I FINALLY got to dance with some special >>> partner, >>> only >>> to have the disappointment of doing a dance with no partner >>> swing. What a >>> letdown! >>> >>> Any caller in my area who calls dances without partner swings is >>> either >>> going to hear about it from one or more dancers, or at least be >>> grumbled >>> about behind their backs. It's probably not a big deal in a >>> roomful of >>> beginners, but I think that most experienced dancers feel cheated >>> if they >>> don't get to swing their partner. >>> >>> In fact, there has been much discussion in our dance community >>> (really, >>> all >>> over the Southeast) as to whether "unequal" dances (where only >>> the 1's >>> swing) are "acceptable," given that there are so many great >>> "equal" dances >>> available. Of course, this would knock out a whole bunch of the >>> old, >>> traditional contras... >>> >>> Have I opened a huge can of worms here? >>> ~Barbara >>> >>> >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> From: "Greg McKenzie" <gregmck(a)earthlink.net> >>> To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> >>> Sent: Friday, January 25, 2008 2:09 AM >>> Subject: Re: [Callers] Shadow swings and Irrational Hypocrisy >>> >>> >>>> >>>> Friends, >>>> >>>> It seems that having folks who really dislike swinging together >>>> at a >>>> community dance is bad news...with, or without shadow swings. I >>>> know >>>> it happens, but callers can work to create a more gracious and >>>> generous atmosphere. It would feel odd to plan an evening program >>>> while considering the needs of people who wish to avoid contact >>>> at a >>>> social dance. >>>> >>>> Chris, I wonder; how would you feel about a dance with a shadow >>>> swing, and a neighbor swing, but with NO partner swing? I suspect >>>> that many of us call a dance or two each night with no partner >>>> swing. Would you protest more if there were one partner-swing-free >>>> dance with a shadow swing? (And would that be "rational >>>> hypocrisy?) >>>> >>>> Also, how many dances a night do you call that have no partner >>>> swing? >>>> >>>> Just wondering, >>>> >>>> Greg >>>> >>>> ********* >>>> >>>> At 02:35 PM 1/24/2008, Chris wrote: >>>>> I currently don't have any dances with shadow swings in my >>>>> repertoire, by choice. >>>>> >>>>> Part of that is to avoid the situation where you're forcing two >>>>> people to swing together who Really Don't Want To Swing >>>>> Over and Over. And they'll let you know it, whether it's a >>>>> breakup, or one person's someone that they don't want to >>>>> dance with. (In my first community I went to, there was >>>>> one person like this. It would drive which lines people went >>>>> into, people would refuse sometimes to neighbor swing >>>>> with said person, and it really corrupted the whole partner- >>>>> asking dynamic of the dance. So I'm shaped by an extreme.) >>>>> >>>>> There's the secondary reason that it's not as interesting as >>>>> it's the same person over and over and over. And you've >>>>> already got your partner over and over and over, with the >>>>> partner swing I need to pander to. So that cuts out still more >>>>> neighbor interaction. It's why I strongly prefer neighbor grand >>>>> right and lefts to shadow grand right and lefts, for instance. >>>>> >>>>> A shadow can be a convenient marker to create the effect >>>>> of a lose-and-find partner sequence, so they do have their >>>>> uses. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Yet I call a dance with a shadow swing about one night >>>>> of every three. They're the four-face-fours where you swing >>>>> your corner. So I fully admit to irrational hypocrisy. >>>>> >>>>> -Chris Page >>>>> San Diego >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> 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 >>> >> _______________________________________________ >> Callers mailing list >> Callers(a)sharedweight.net >> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 6 > Date: Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:01:43 -0500 > From: Bob Isaacs <isaacsbob(a)hotmail.com> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Shadow swings and Irrational Hypocrisy > To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Message-ID: <BAY129-W3995BC023A6971C2EF8693AA340(a)phx.gbl> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > >> That said, in many cases it's possible to simply alternative the >> active role> between the 1s and 2s, and balance the dance better. >> Some callers do this.> (I don't think there's a good way to do it >> with Chorus Jig, though.) > Yes there is - when sets are long enough, I've been using this > version for a few years; > > 1A1. 1's down the outside, turn alone and return > 1A2. 1's down the center, turn alone, return and cast off > 1B1. 1's turn contra corners > 1B2. 1's balance, swing > 2A1. 2's up the outside, turn alone and return > 2A2. 2's up the center, turn alone, return and cast off > 2B1. 2's turn contra corners > 2B2. 2's balance, swing > > As we all know, it has been customary for the inactives to cheat > and swing during the A1. When the actives are done with B2 in this > version, they can start cheating by simply keep on swinging - > they're already there. Then after about a 28 beat swing they'll > appreciate being inactive for a while. > > On the subject of shadow swings, the best dance I know of with one is; > > Ten Strings Attached Improper, Jim Saxe/Charlie Fenton > > A1. Neighbor balance, swing > A2. Gents allemande L 1 1/2 - give R to partner to form wave/4 > Balance, walk forward > B1. Shadow swing, partner swing > B2. Partner promenade across, ladies chain > > Unlike swing-swing with different neighbors, the roll from shadow > to partner can get better with repetition as all know who they are > going to. Another B2 here that gives some needed partner > interaction is circle L 3/4, balance, California twirl. > > I call shadow swing once in a while, and agree that they are best > reserved for experienced audiences and dance camps. I have yet to > write a dance with one in it, partly due to their limited use and > partly because it isn't easy to find sequences like Ten Strings > Attached that have a shadow swing and enough neighbor and partner > action. > > Bob > _________________________________________________________________ > Shed those extra pounds with MSN and The Biggest Loser! > http://biggestloser.msn.com/ > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 7 > Date: Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:06:54 -0500 > From: "Charles M. Hannum" <root(a)ihack.net> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Shadow swings and Irrational Hypocrisy > To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Message-ID: > <9d49f6db0801281206w3d238dc0g6f17ecfc434cc0e1(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > That's the obvious way to alternate Chorus Jig. It exacerbates a > problem > that already exists in the dance -- if the set gets too close to > the bottom > of the hall, then the 1s get bunched up near the bottom. Since > most sets > align at the top of the hall, you now have that problem all the > time in the > opposite direction. > > > On 1/28/08, Bob Isaacs <isaacsbob(a)hotmail.com> wrote: >> >> >>> That said, in many cases it's possible to simply alternative the >>> active >> role> between the 1s and 2s, and balance the dance better. Some >> callers do >> this.> (I don't think there's a good way to do it with Chorus Jig, >> though.) >> Yes there is - when sets are long enough, I've been using this >> version for >> a few years; >> >> 1A1. 1's down the outside, turn alone and return >> 1A2. 1's down the center, turn alone, return and cast off >> 1B1. 1's turn contra corners >> 1B2. 1's balance, swing >> 2A1. 2's up the outside, turn alone and return >> 2A2. 2's up the center, turn alone, return and cast off >> 2B1. 2's turn contra corners >> 2B2. 2's balance, swing >> >> As we all know, it has been customary for the inactives to cheat >> and swing >> during the A1. When the actives are done with B2 in this version, >> they can >> start cheating by simply keep on swinging - they're already >> there. Then >> after about a 28 beat swing they'll appreciate being inactive for >> a while. >> >> On the subject of shadow swings, the best dance I know of with one >> is; >> >> Ten Strings Attached Improper, Jim Saxe/Charlie Fenton >> >> A1. Neighbor balance, swing >> A2. Gents allemande L 1 1/2 - give R to partner to form wave/4 >> Balance, walk forward >> B1. Shadow swing, partner swing >> B2. Partner promenade across, ladies chain >> >> Unlike swing-swing with different neighbors, the roll from shadow to >> partner can get better with repetition as all know who they are going >> to. Another B2 here that gives some needed partner interaction is >> circle L >> 3/4, balance, California twirl. >> >> I call shadow swing once in a while, and agree that they are best >> reserved >> for experienced audiences and dance camps. I have yet to write a >> dance with >> one in it, partly due to their limited use and partly because it >> isn't easy >> to find sequences like Ten Strings Attached that have a shadow >> swing and >> enough neighbor and partner action. >> >> Bob >> _________________________________________________________________ >> Shed those extra pounds with MSN and The Biggest Loser! >> http://biggestloser.msn.com/ >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 > > > End of Callers Digest, Vol 41, Issue 18 > ***************************************

16 years, 10 months

Re: [Callers] Shadow swings and Irrational Hypocrisy

by Jack Mitchell

Well, since one of the other threads on here recently has been "Labor of Love", I'll share one of my favorite alternating contra corners dances: Labor of Love Kathy Anderson Improper A1 N B&S A2 LL F&B 1's (2's) RH Bal & Box the Gnat B1 1's (2's) turn Contra Corners B2 1's (2's) B&S This is a great dance to teach contra corners because the only thing at all hard about it is the contra corners itself. Better still, it doesn't have a half figure 8, which folks frequently have more trouble with than the contra corners itself. In any event, it's a fun dance! Jack At 01:29 PM 1/28/2008, you wrote: >I've got to say that while I respect the traditional dances and don't mind >the occasional actives-preferential dance (as long as the contra lines >aren't too long to begin with!), I really like the newer dances that I've >seen recently where ones and twos alternate being active. I don't know the >names of these dances (maybe someone can help me out?), but I know there's >at least one where the ones and twos trade off being the couple who does >contra corners and then swings in the middle, and I'm a big fan of that. >Contra corners into a swing in the middle is one of my favorite moves if the >set is working together well. > >I definitely agree with Barbara, though, that it's really disappointing to >not have a partner swing at all. And I think there's a responsibility as a >caller to make sure that if you do call a dance where only the ones swing, >the lines are short enough and the dance runs long enough that everyone gets >to be a one for a decent amount of time! > >- Koren > >On 1/28/08, Barbara Groh <barbaragroh(a)bellsouth.net> wrote: > > > > I occasionally call dances with a shadow swing, but I would NEVER call a > > dance with no partner swing. Many times in my 35 years of dancing, I have > > had an evening where I FINALLY got to dance with some special partner, > > only > > to have the disappointment of doing a dance with no partner swing. What a > > letdown! > > > > Any caller in my area who calls dances without partner swings is either > > going to hear about it from one or more dancers, or at least be grumbled > > about behind their backs. It's probably not a big deal in a roomful of > > beginners, but I think that most experienced dancers feel cheated if they > > don't get to swing their partner. > > > > In fact, there has been much discussion in our dance community (really, > > all > > over the Southeast) as to whether "unequal" dances (where only the 1's > > swing) are "acceptable," given that there are so many great "equal" dances > > available. Of course, this would knock out a whole bunch of the old, > > traditional contras... > > > > Have I opened a huge can of worms here? > > ~Barbara > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Greg McKenzie" <gregmck(a)earthlink.net> > > To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > > Sent: Friday, January 25, 2008 2:09 AM > > Subject: Re: [Callers] Shadow swings and Irrational Hypocrisy > > > > > > > > > > Friends, > > > > > > It seems that having folks who really dislike swinging together at a > > > community dance is bad news...with, or without shadow swings. I know > > > it happens, but callers can work to create a more gracious and > > > generous atmosphere. It would feel odd to plan an evening program > > > while considering the needs of people who wish to avoid contact at a > > > social dance. > > > > > > Chris, I wonder; how would you feel about a dance with a shadow > > > swing, and a neighbor swing, but with NO partner swing? I suspect > > > that many of us call a dance or two each night with no partner > > > swing. Would you protest more if there were one partner-swing-free > > > dance with a shadow swing? (And would that be "rational hypocrisy?) > > > > > > Also, how many dances a night do you call that have no partner swing? > > > > > > Just wondering, > > > > > > Greg > > > > > > ********* > > > > > > At 02:35 PM 1/24/2008, Chris wrote: > > >>I currently don't have any dances with shadow swings in my > > >>repertoire, by choice. > > >> > > >>Part of that is to avoid the situation where you're forcing two > > >>people to swing together who Really Don't Want To Swing > > >>Over and Over. And they'll let you know it, whether it's a > > >>breakup, or one person's someone that they don't want to > > >>dance with. (In my first community I went to, there was > > >>one person like this. It would drive which lines people went > > >>into, people would refuse sometimes to neighbor swing > > >>with said person, and it really corrupted the whole partner- > > >>asking dynamic of the dance. So I'm shaped by an extreme.) > > >> > > >>There's the secondary reason that it's not as interesting as > > >>it's the same person over and over and over. And you've > > >>already got your partner over and over and over, with the > > >>partner swing I need to pander to. So that cuts out still more > > >>neighbor interaction. It's why I strongly prefer neighbor grand > > >>right and lefts to shadow grand right and lefts, for instance. > > >> > > >>A shadow can be a convenient marker to create the effect > > >>of a lose-and-find partner sequence, so they do have their > > >>uses. > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >>Yet I call a dance with a shadow swing about one night > > >>of every three. They're the four-face-fours where you swing > > >>your corner. So I fully admit to irrational hypocrisy. > > >> > > >>-Chris Page > > >>San Diego > > >>_______________________________________________ > > >>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 > > >_______________________________________________ >Callers mailing list >Callers(a)sharedweight.net >http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers

16 years, 10 months

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Contra Callers January 2008