Contra Callers February 2011

contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net

48 participants
42 discussions

by Dhuntdancer＠aol.com

Bumbling in the Shower Erik Smith Becket-L A1. 8 Long lines forward and back 8 Gents allem L 1½ A2. 4,12 Neighbor balance, & swing B1. 8 Ladies chain to partner 8 Pass thru across and turn R ¼ and single file promenade to next couple B2. 8 Circle L 8 Partner swing I collected this in the late 80's/early 90's and it has the "hockey stick" you're talking about. Donna "Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we should dance." -unknown In a message dated 2/23/2011 8:57:09 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, twhinds(a)earthlink.net writes: I'm in the process of writing a book on the ins and outs of choreography. The last chapter is a glossary of uncommon moves used in contras. I remember, maybe 15 years ago, someone wrote a dance that used a move called a hockey stick. Does anyone know the dance/ know the move? My memory is that dancers walk across the set single file and then turn a quarter and move either up or down. Also, I may have discovered some regional differences in the move cast off. I realize that cast off isn't done as much as it was many years ago, but I wanted to know how you do it in your area. Say the ones go down the hall, return and cast off with the twos. Do the twos act as a pivot point? Or do the twos back up while the ones cast (the pivot is between the dancers). Thanks for you help!!!! Tom _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers

14 years, 1 month

How much is too much? How little is too little?

by Martha Edwards

We had a discussion the other night - not about how many walkthroughs, but about how many times the caller should call before dropping out. Obviously, it depends. So, for the purpose of this discussion, let's assume a new-dancer to intermediate dancer to experienced dancer ratio of 1:2:1. If everyone were evenly scattered by dance level, each group of four would have two intermediate dancers, one beginner and one very experienced dancer. Let's not assume that the dancers are evenly scattered, but are slightly clumped, so that beginners do encounter each other occasionally, sometimes with only a couple of intermediate dancers to help them. Let's further assume that the dance is in the part of the country where two walkthroughs is considered appropriate - where, even if the first walkthrough goes just fine, the second one cements the learning and leaves you in a position to "dance it from here." Let's further assume that the dance lasts about nine minutes (17 times through). Here's the question: If you have taught an easy dance clearly, *and the dance appears to be going well*, how many times through the dance should you call? Once or twice with full calls ("join hands and circle to the left"), once or twice with shortened calls ("circle left") and then nothing? Or five times through with full calls, three times with shortened calls, then nothing? How much is too much? How little is too little? M E -- For the good are always the merry, Save by an evil chance, And the merry love the fiddle And the merry love to dance. ~ William Butler Yeats

14 years, 1 month

Dance ID?

by David.Millstone＠valley.net

Two contras called at a dance not long ago... the caller can't come up with the titles or authors. Can anyone on the list help? Thanks. David Millstone #1 duple improper A1 Neighbor allemande left 1-1/2 Ladies chain A2 Hey for four (women starting R shoulder) B1 Women turn by RH, once around Swing partner B2 Circle left 3/4 around to home Swing neighbor #2 duple improper A1 Circle left 3/4 Partner allemande right 1-1/2, end with women facing in A2 Balance wave, circulate (women cross, men loop) Balance wave, circulate again (men cross, women loop) B1 Balance wave, swing partner B2 Circle left 3/4 Balance the ring, pass thru to new neighbors

14 years, 1 month

Northeast Dance Organizers Conference

by Chrissy Fowler

Hi Callers, If you're in the Northeast, you may have already gotten word of this, but thought I'd put it out one time on this list. I may put out one more announcement here as the date approaches, otherwise we'll be sending updates to the Shared Weight Organizers listserv, and directly to dance organizers in the Northeast. If you'd like to be kept in the loop directly, please email me. Thanks! Chrissy Fowler Belfast, ME ktaadn_me(a)hotmail.com +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Greetings dance organizers, We've got a new name! Puttin' on the Dance: A Conference for Northeast Dance Organizers, Nov 11-13, 2011 near Norwich, VT We've got a new conference email address! NEDanceOrgs(a)gmail.com And, we've got other news too... 80+ of you participated in our online survey. Wow! Your feedback is invaluable information for us as we continue to plan. Thank you, thank you, one and all. Particularly helpful are specific suggestions and offers of ways you'd like to participate. Keep 'em coming! (NEDanceOrgs(a)gmail.com) Many of you have already marked your calendars for Nov. 11-13. Double Wow! We're thrilled. This is definitely going to be an invigorating weekend, giving all of us tools, inspiration, and overall support for our dance organizing efforts. Speaking of support, we've been brainstorming ways that dance groups can support their organizers by sending them to the conference. Linda had a great suggestion: Start saving now! If a monthly series were to keep a modest $15-25 from each dance's gate starting in February, you'd have a hefty chunk of cash available to fund your participation in the conference. Or, you could raise your dance admission by only $1, and set aside the extra to underwrite conference attendance. Or, set out a contribution jar at the admission table -- let your dancers know you're planning to give your organization a big boost by attending, and let them get invested in the process too. Attending will be a terrific investment into the future of your series! Also, CDSS has budgeted funds for matching scholarships, further supporting the efforts of dance groups to get their organizing team to the conference. If you have things you'd like to discuss with your fellow organizers right now, in advance of the conference, consider joining the Shared Weight listserv for Organizers. It could be a terrific 'virtual networking' tool for us dance organizer folks. (direct link to subscribe: http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/organizers) ---> NOTE: Send questions or comments regarding the conference directly to us via NEDanceOrgs(a)gmail.com. Thanks! We'll keep in touch as other plans are firmed up. In the meantime, let us know if you have questions or suggestions. Happy organizing! Chrissy Fowler, Delia Clark & Linda Henry NEDanceOrgs(a)gmail.com (207) 338-0979

14 years, 1 month

Re: [Callers] Rory O'More wave bals AND contra corners?

by David.Millstone＠valley.net

Chrissy mentioned that among other things, she was curious about Petronella twirls in dances. When David Smukler and I were writing the articles that ended up as "Cracking Chestnuts," the earliest dance we could find that drew on the Petronella figure was one composed by Dudley Laufman's daughter Heidi. Ted Sannella, a choreographer ahead of his times in so many ways, used the twirl in his great composition Fiddleheads, written nearly 30 years ago. David S. has a list of dances with Petronella twirls on his website, here: http://www.davidsmukler.syracusecountrydancers.org/petronella_spinoffs.htm At this point, the number is well over 100. David Millstone Lebanon, NH

14 years, 1 month

Re: [Callers] Rory O'More wave bals AND contra corners?

by Chrissy Fowler

Hi all, Thanks for satisfying my curiosity by sending your thoughts along (including original compositions!) As background: I've been thinking off and on lately about how many contemporary compositions feature figures from certain chestnuts (including contra corners as in Chorus Jig or Sackett's Harbor, Petronella spin&bal or bal&spin, wavy lines across as in Hull's Victory, long waves at the sides with allemandes as in Lamplighter's Hornpipe, and Rory O'More wave balances and slides/spins.) As I pondered, it occurred to me that I didn't know any dances that follow the Rory O'More pattern (w both contra corners and rom bals) so I did a bit of poking around before bringing my curiosity to the "collective caller mind" here on SW. w/appreciation, Chrissy Fowler (Belfast, ME)

14 years, 1 month

Rory O'More wave bals AND contra corners?

by Chrissy Fowler

Hello callers, Curious if anyone knows any contra dance that contains both Rory O'More type wave(s) *and* contra corners. (Besides the dance Rory O'More itself!) My online and book searching thus far has netted nil. Thanks! Chrissy Fowler Belfast Maine

14 years, 1 month

Re: [Callers] Callers Digest, Vol 78, Issue 16

by JoLaine Jones-Pokorney

Thanks to Robert - that fixes my defective Coleman's march. I must have copied the A1 from another dance into my spreadsheet. Thanks to all who contributed! JoLaine On Tue, Feb 15, 2011 at 12:00 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. An idea whose time.... may not have yet arrived, but.... > (Bob Green) > 2. Help with "Coleman's March" (JoLaine Jones-Pokorney) > 3. Re: Help with "Coleman's March" (Dhuntdancer(a)aol.com) > 4. Re: Help with "Coleman's March" (Jeff Kaufman) > 5. Re: Help with "Coleman's March" (Robert Golder) > 6. Re: Help with "Coleman's March" (Linda Leslie) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2011 19:53:49 -0600 > From: Bob Green <bobgreen(a)swbell.net> > To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Subject: [Callers] An idea whose time.... may not have yet arrived, > but.... > Message-ID: > <AANLkTinMzarMD6TmLeQeJ9reBhFz-irRH=cX6_cnjVqB(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > A sample of a potential archive site. Checking to see if there is any > interest. > > http://dancevideos.childgrove.org/ > > > Bob > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2011 10:22:39 -0500 > From: JoLaine Jones-Pokorney <jolaine(a)gmail.com> > To: callers(a)sharedweight.net > Subject: [Callers] Help with "Coleman's March" > Message-ID: > <AANLkTimJW8EFdn_PCtVWpYcsBbaD7yiTpRAXy4i80_e-(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252 > > Hi all ? I?m new to the list and grateful for the good stuff I see here! I > hope you can help me with this dance called ?Coleman?s March? by Ted Crane. > The way I have it written, there is no progression and I can?t figure out > what is wrong. This is what I have: > A1 ? LLF&B, Women Allemande L 1.5 > > A2 ? Partner B&Sw, Circle L 1x > > B1 ? Partner Gypsy ?, Women Gypsy while men orbit. > > B2 ? Neighbor G&Sw > Can anyone tell me what is wrong? > Thanks, > JoLaine Jones-Pokorney > Gainesville Oldtime Dance Society, GODS > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2011 10:29:55 EST > From: Dhuntdancer(a)aol.com > To: callers(a)sharedweight.net > Subject: Re: [Callers] Help with "Coleman's March" > Message-ID: <63378.119c1da9.3a8bf5f3(a)aol.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" > > You might consider asking Ted. I got his email address > _www_ted2(a)tedcrane.com_ (mailto:www_ted2@tedcrane.com) > > > is off his web site > _http://tedcrane.com/DanceDB/_ (http://tedcrane.com/DanceDB/) > > which is a great source for finding callers and bands and dances. > > Donna Hunt > "Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we should > dance." -unknown > > > > In a message dated 2/15/2011 10:22:59 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, > jolaine(a)gmail.com writes: > > Hi all ? I?m new to the list and grateful for the good stuff I see here! I > hope you can help me with this dance called ?Coleman?s March? by Ted > Crane. > The way I have it written, there is no progression and I can?t figure out > what is wrong. This is what I have: > A1 ? LLF&B, Women Allemande L 1.5 > > A2 ? Partner B&Sw, Circle L 1x > > B1 ? Partner Gypsy ?, Women Gypsy while men orbit. > > B2 ? Neighbor G&Sw > Can anyone tell me what is wrong? > Thanks, > JoLaine Jones-Pokorney > Gainesville Oldtime Dance Society, GODS > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2011 10:31:34 -0500 > From: Jeff Kaufman <jeff(a)alum.swarthmore.edu> > To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Help with "Coleman's March" > Message-ID: <20110215153134.GB10551(a)melfpelt.swarpa.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > JoLaine Jones-Pokorney wrote: > > > > A1 LLF&B, Women Allemande L 1.5 > > > > A2 Partner B&Sw, Circle L 1x > > > > B1 Partner Gypsy, Women Gypsy while men orbit. > > > > B2 Neighbor G&Sw > > I don't know the dance, but it would work if you took out the orbit. > > Jeff >

14 years, 1 month

Help with "Coleman's March"

by Dan Pearl

I don't know Coleman's March, but the transcription has a timing problem. If you want to get your sequence to work better, try: A1. LL F&F, W almd L 1-1/2 A2. Bal & sw pt B1. Cir L 1/2 (4 cts); gypsy pt R-sh about 3/4 (4 cts); W gypsy Lsh while M orbit clockwise to home side (8) B2. Gypsy N R sh, swing N

14 years, 1 month

Help with "Coleman's March"

by JoLaine Jones-Pokorney

Hi all – I’m new to the list and grateful for the good stuff I see here! I hope you can help me with this dance called “Coleman’s March” by Ted Crane. The way I have it written, there is no progression and I can’t figure out what is wrong. This is what I have: A1 – LLF&B, Women Allemande L 1.5 A2 – Partner B&Sw, Circle L 1x B1 – Partner Gypsy ½, Women Gypsy while men orbit. B2 – Neighbor G&Sw Can anyone tell me what is wrong? Thanks, JoLaine Jones-Pokorney Gainesville Oldtime Dance Society, GODS

14 years, 1 month

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Contra Callers February 2011