Contra Callers November 2011

contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net

18 participants
7 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, 4 months

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, 11 months

Catapult Caller Applications: t-Minus 3 days

by Rob Harper

Don't want to spam this list but as a caller, you might be interested. Last month I announced the Catapult Showcase in Atlanta over Memorial Day Weekend 2012. The Caller (and Band) applications are due on 11/30 - that's this Wednesday. If you're a caller (or in a band) who'd be perfect for Catapult, get your application at http://www.catapultshowcase.com/registration.html. If you're not sure you'd be perfect, you should apply anyway. You never know. If you're not quite right for this year, you'll be first on the list to get applications for 2013. Or if you've got a favorite up and coming band or caller you'd like to recommend, please direct them to www.catapultshowcase.com. Don't delay. Act now! Hope to see you in May in Atlanta. ciao, rah Rob Harper Catapult! The National Contra Showcase info(a)catapultshowcase.com 404-307-3444

13 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] Callers Companion - how is it working for you?

by The Witful Turnip

>From: "kanara(a)triton.net" <kanara(a)triton.net> >Sent: Monday, November 14, 2011 3:34 PM >Subject: [Callers] Callers Companion - how is it working for you? Hi Karin, I *LUV* Callers Companion! I highly recommend it. Will's program does everything I ever wanted a dance database to do and more. I found it very easy to adopt and use it all the time. At this point, I have 80 programs in it and just under 300 dances. >Are you using the basic version, or the expanded version? - I use the basic version. >How long have you been using it? - I believe since 2009. I was one of the original beta testing team. At this point, I can't remember my calling life before using it. >Are you using it with a Mac or a PC? - I use it with PC. I have it installed on a little Lenovo netbook that I use for calling. It's great! >My husband is just taking up calling, and I've been calling and collecting >dances for about 6 years now. We are wondering whether we could use one >database for both of our collections; do any of you users have a sense of >the workability of a combination database using Callers Companion? I can't speak to your last question. Hope that helps, Bev

13 years, 5 months

Re: [Callers] Steps to "Winter in Summerland"? | Seek caller videos

by Brian Hamshar

Hey Jonathan, I've been working gradually for the past year or so on a project related to yours. Many folks all around VA, NC, etc. have noticed that I tend to tote around a videocam to nearly every contra dance I attend lately. I'm working on a collection of video clips of dances (especially the trickier ones) taught and called - by top callers when available - with each video clip typically containing the teaching plus twice through with music. I expect to get some of them on my YouTube channel over the next year or so, but since it's merely a hobby by an enthusiastic and increasingly busy caller/musician, we shall see. Right now I'm also working on switching over from my cards to Will Loving's "Caller's Companion." If anything, this new level of organization will hopefully lead to more as I seek to properly harness the video link feature of that database software. Brian Hamshar Contra dance caller/producer (trad & crossover) Based in Charlottesville, VA -----Original Message----- Date: Sunday, November 13, 2011 2:01:12 pm To: "Post to Callers" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> From: "Jonathan LF King" <squash(a)ufl.edu> Subject: [Callers] Steps to "Winter in Summerland"? | Seek caller videos I'm a "cub caller" from Gainesville, FL, and seek the choreography for "Winter in Summerland" by Jeff Spero and James Hutson. I'm aware of several online videos of the dance, e.g, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlisHB8G8GQ and can glean the steps from the video, but wonder if someone could provide the official choreography? ================================================================ For my own reference, I assembled a few well-known dances with steps and video-links of the dances. Another "cub caller" told me the page was useful to her, so I've put it online at http://www.math.ufl.edu/~squash/contradance.dances-tunes.html Errors in the dance-steps are mine, as I've re-written some for my own edification. I'm looking to add to this collection. If you know of an online video of a good dance, please email me [eddress below]. Useful are videos where the caller can be clearly heard [a plus if the teaching is included], and where the video shows, uncut, at least one full cycle, together with the transition to the next cycle. Another plus: Videos that show the end-effect, for complicated dances. I currently only have one video of a 4-facing-4, and would like especially to expand that section. Sincerely, -Jonathan King ================ PS: My eddress is squash at ufl dot edu PPS: I thank "ccpage19143", Chris Page (whom I've not yet met) for taking the time and having the expertise to label /many/ YouTube contras with the title and author. My "dance-tunes" page would be half its size without his public-service work. _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers

13 years, 5 months

Steps to "Winter in Summerland"? | Seek caller videos

by squash＠ufl.edu

I'm a "cub caller" from Gainesville, FL, and seek the choreography for "Winter in Summerland" by Jeff Spero and James Hutson. I'm aware of several online videos of the dance, e.g, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlisHB8G8GQ and can glean the steps from the video, but wonder if someone could provide the official choreography? ================================================================ For my own reference, I assembled a few well-known dances with steps and video-links of the dances. Another "cub caller" told me the page was useful to her, so I've put it online at http://www.math.ufl.edu/~squash/contradance.dances-tunes.html Errors in the dance-steps are mine, as I've re-written some for my own edification. I'm looking to add to this collection. If you know of an online video of a good dance, please email me [eddress below]. Useful are videos where the caller can be clearly heard [a plus if the teaching is included], and where the video shows, uncut, at least one full cycle, together with the transition to the next cycle. Another plus: Videos that show the end-effect, for complicated dances. I currently only have one video of a 4-facing-4, and would like especially to expand that section. Sincerely, -Jonathan King ================ PS: My eddress is squash at ufl dot edu PPS: I thank "ccpage19143", Chris Page (whom I've not yet met) for taking the time and having the expertise to label /many/ YouTube contras with the title and author. My "dance-tunes" page would be half its size without his public-service work.

13 years, 5 months

(no subject)

by Martha Edwards

Three days ago we learned that the good ladies of the Monday Club (who own the building where we dance) don't like the word "Whiskey" in our English/American dance weekend (High Tea & Whiskey), so we're changing the name to wait for it High Tea & Sasparilla M E

13 years, 5 months

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Contra Callers November 2011