Contra Callers August 2012

contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net

52 participants
31 discussions

by David.Millstone＠VALLEY.NET

Good for you, Chris! With Crowfoot providing the music, I'm sure the crowd responded with enthusiasm. I read in this morning's paper that the USS Constitution was going to take a sail around Boston Harbor, ony the second time in more than 100 years that this would take place. A momentous day in many ways! Thanks for letting me know. I'd be interested to know what else you put on your program. David

11 years, 8 months

tempo

by Tom Hinds

Rich Sbardella said: Some songs "sound" fast at 120 and some songs sound slow at 128.? This sound sometimes confuses dancers.? I'd be curious to know if the perception of tempo is influenced by the busyness of the tune or how it's played. Does a tune sound faster if it's notey? Does a less notey tune sound slower? Tom

11 years, 8 months

Re: [Callers] appropriate tempos

by tavi merrill

This may be slightly off topic, since i know nothing about MWSD, and i don't have exact tempo figures to share, but an observation - i've noticed recently that one of the moves in contra dance that is particularly sensitive to tempo issues is the hey, particularly when followed by a move like long waves balance & ROM. (You might notice this in dances such as "Rant & Roar" by Russell Owen and "Groovemongers Contra" by Don Flaherty). For ROM wave balances to work well, the tempo must be such that they can complete the hey and form waves ready to balance on the down beat of the next phrase. Conversely, particularly in a dance where a hey is followed by a balance & swing, when a tempo is too slow, dancers may finish a hey with a couple extra beats to spare before the balance. When there are live musicians involved, it strikes me that, whatever the starting tempo, musicians can respond to the dancers (and if they don't notice, callers can make sure they do) - particularly noting whether people are repeatedly late or early for the next move after a hey - or if dancers arrive early to a progression figure or appear to be rushing, all signs that the tempo needs adjustment.

11 years, 8 months

Appropriate Tempos

by Dugan Murphy

Callers, What is your experience working with bands to establish an appropriate tempo? Do bands ever ask you what tempo you want? Do you ever request a particular tempo to fit a dance? Do you communicate tempo requirements numerically (beats per minute) or maybe by tapping your feet? When are slower tempos appropriate and when are faster ones appropriate? What do you consider to be the range in beats per minute that is appropriate for contra? Some preliminary research told me that a range of 112-120 beats per minute is appropriate. Do you agree? I've called with maybe 20-25 bands in my young calling career and only 2 have asked me for guidance or confirmation concerning the tempo of their music (both bands play primarily for non-contra audiences, I believe). I told both bands to use their judgment, which produced satisfactory results in all cases except one dance in which the band misunderstood my request for a sultry/flirty tune to mean that they should play at about half the tempo one would normally expect for contra, which proved terribly confusing for the dancers. The lesson I learned is that I ought to know more about the range of tempo that is expected for contra and what tempos are appropriate when so that I can provide that information to bands when asked. -- Dugan Murphy Cincinnati, Ohio http://caller.duganmurphy.com <http://www.linkedin.com/in/duganmurphy>

11 years, 8 months

Re: [Callers] Celebrating Caller Brad Foster, CDSS Executive Director Emeritus

by janet＠bertog.com

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Smartphone ----- Reply message ----- From: "Sharon Green" <sharongreen(a)post.harvard.edu> To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> Subject: [Callers] Celebrating Caller Brad Foster, CDSS Executive Director Emeritus Date: Mon, Aug 6, 2012 9:18 pm Hiho, contra callers! On Sunday, August 26, at Pinewoods English Week, the CDSS Board and the English Dance Week community are going to hold a celebration of Brad Foster's 28 Years as Executive and Artistic Director of CDSS. It is called Bravo Brad. Because the number of folks allowed at Pinewoods is limited, only registered campers, staff members, Pinewoods crew, and a small number of invited guests can attend. However, there still are ways you can participate in Bravo Brad. You can write a note to Brad, sharing memories of the times you've spent together. You can send a photo showing Brad in action as Executive Director, traveling contra & ECD caller, musician, dancer, singer. You can put together a scrap book page, combining messages, photos, poems, stickers, sketches, musical compositions... The possibilities are endless. I've been collecting notes, photos, and scrapbook materials for a while now, and will continue to do so till the end of English Week, when we'll begin the process of creating the scrapbook. Between now and September 3rd, I'd love to get scrapbook contributions from you. Here's where to send your contributions: Snail Mail: Bravo Brad, c/o Sharon Green, 6103 Harwood Avenue, Oakland CA, 94618 E-mail: sharongreen(a)post.harvard.edu Thanks for your help! Sharon Green (occasionally lurking on this list) _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers

11 years, 8 months

Re: [Callers] mentorship

by David.Millstone＠valley.net

Ron wrote, "One of the biggest challenges is learning dances. A library of shared dances would be invaluable." I'll call folks' attention to a resource that's been mentioned here before, the detailed syllabi from the Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend: http://www.library.unh.edu/special/index.php/ralph-page-dance-legacy-weekend The whole collection contains hundreds of dances-- mostly contras, as well as squares, triplets, dances in odd formations, chestnuts, new compositions. Each dance is carefully notated, and there is frequently backgroun information to round out the interested caller's knowledge. Some dances are easier, suitable for mixed crowds, and some are more complex. (Occasionally, the syllabus editor, David Smukler, will add a cautionary note that clues in the reader that this particular dance may be more complicated than it appears.) All in all, this is a superb resource for callers both experienced and those newer to the mic. I think it's the best collection available on the web. > - I'd love a list of every dance everywhere, divided by region, with listings >of address, organizers, contact info, links to websites, and their policies toward >callers. (does this resource exist?) Don't think you'll find the "policies toward callers" but there are several excellent resources that do the rest: * http://www.contradancelinks.com/ * http://www.neffa.org/Top/Folk_Dancing/Contras/Dances/index.shtml * http://tedcrane.com/dancedb/ * http://www.thedancegypsy.com/ * http://www.contracorners.net/contra/links/dancemap.html Hope this helps. David Millstone

11 years, 8 months

Please Trim Your Posts

by Paul Wilde

Hey all, Just a gentle reminder per earlier (lengthy) discussions: please trim all unnecessary posts when replying to a message. We are busy folk and don't need the extra verbiage (which we've already seen at least once) to slog through. If it's previously posted but really necessary to include, just clip and include those important lines when replying. THANK YOU! Paul On Mon, Aug 6, 2012 at 8:41 AM, <JsphDeP(a)aol.com> wrote: > Hi Kalia, > Welcome. I am also new to Sharedweight and have > found it very helpful. > > Joe De Paolo > > > In a message dated 8/5/2012 12:00:19 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > callers-request(a)sharedweight.net writes: > > 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. Hello! (Kalia Kliban) > 2. Re: Hello! (rich sbardella) > 3. Re: Hello! (Mark Hillegonds) > 4. Re: Hello! (Greg McKenzie) > 5. Re: Hello! (Joyce Miller) > 6. Re: Hello! (Laur) > 7. Re: Hello! (barbara153(a)aol.com) > 8. Re: Hello! (Bill Baritompa) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Sat, 04 Aug 2012 11:52:43 -0700 > From: Kalia Kliban <kalia(a)sbcglobal.net> > To: callers(a)sharedweight.net > Subject: [Callers] Hello! > Message-ID: <501D6F7B.30602(a)sbcglobal.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > Hi all, > > I've just joined up and wanted to say hello. I'm a new contra caller > but longtime English caller from Sebastopol, CA, about an hour's drive > north of San Francisco. I saw a few familiar names as I was cruising > through some of the archives, but look forward to getting more familiar > with the cast of characters here as time goes on. > > Kalia Kliban > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2012 12:10:00 -0700 (PDT) > From: rich sbardella <richsbardella(a)snet.net> > To: kalia(a)sbcglobal.net, Caller's discussion list > <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Hello! > Message-ID: > <1344107400.31875.YahooMailClassic(a)web180014.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 > > > > --- On Sat, 8/4/12, Kalia Kliban <kalia(a)sbcglobal.net> wrote: > > > From: Kalia Kliban <kalia(a)sbcglobal.net> > Subject: [Callers] Hello! > To: callers(a)sharedweight.net > Date: Saturday, August 4, 2012, 2:52 PM > > > Hi all, > > I've just joined up and wanted to say hello.? I'm a new contra caller but > longtime English caller from Sebastopol, CA, about an hour's drive north > of > San Francisco.? I saw a few familiar names as I was cruising through some > of the archives, but look forward to getting more familiar with the cast > of > characters here as time goes on. > > Kalia Kliban > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > Kalia, > Welcome from the right hand coast. > Rich Sbardella, CT > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2012 16:00:20 -0400 > From: "Mark Hillegonds" <mhillegonds(a)comcast.net> > To: "'Caller's discussion list'" <callers(a)sharedweight.net>, > <kalia(a)sbcglobal.net> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Hello! > Message-ID: <005301cd727b$c72420f0$556c62d0$@net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Welcome also from the peninsular coasts (Michigan) > > Mark Hillegonds > > cell: 734-756-8441 > email: mhillegonds(a)comcast.net > blog: www.defriction.com > > > -----Original Message----- > From: callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net > [mailto:callers-bounces@sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of rich sbardella > Sent: Saturday, August 04, 2012 3:10 PM > To: kalia(a)sbcglobal.net; Caller's discussion list > Subject: Re: [Callers] Hello! > > > > --- On Sat, 8/4/12, Kalia Kliban <kalia(a)sbcglobal.net> wrote: > > > From: Kalia Kliban <kalia(a)sbcglobal.net> > Subject: [Callers] Hello! > To: callers(a)sharedweight.net > Date: Saturday, August 4, 2012, 2:52 PM > > > Hi all, > > I've just joined up and wanted to say hello.? I'm a new contra caller but > longtime English caller from Sebastopol, CA, about an hour's drive north > of > San Francisco.? I saw a few familiar names as I was cruising through some > of > the archives, but look forward to getting more familiar with the cast of > characters here as time goes on. > > Kalia Kliban > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > Kalia, > Welcome from the right hand coast. > Rich Sbardella, CT > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2012 13:02:40 -0700 > From: Greg McKenzie <grekenzie(a)gmail.com> > To: kalia(a)sbcglobal.net, "Caller's discussion list" > <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Hello! > Message-ID: > <CAFqkWLurbH+=GGKhOG5fLCEAhBpUhmfVRXAd+Zbiav58r-hZeA(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > Kalia, > > Welcome as well from the Santa Cruz mountains of California. Good to see > your name on this list. > > Greg McKenzie > > ************* > > On Sat, Aug 4, 2012 at 11:52 AM, Kalia Kliban <kalia(a)sbcglobal.net> > wrote: > > > Hi all, > > > > I've just joined up and wanted to say hello. I'm a new contra caller > but > > longtime English caller from Sebastopol, CA, about an hour's drive north > of > > San Francisco. I saw a few familiar names as I was cruising through > some > > of the archives, but look forward to getting more familiar with the cast > of > > characters here as time goes on. > > > > Kalia Kliban > > ______________________________**_________________ > > Callers mailing list > > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > > > http://www.sharedweight.net/**mailman/listinfo/callers< > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers> > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 5 > Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2012 14:06:17 -0700 > From: Joyce Miller <joyceling(a)sbcglobal.net> > To: kalia(a)sbcglobal.net, Caller's discussion list > <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Hello! > Message-ID: <8C3EA2A3-35F0-40D3-9571-5531F867EA11(a)sbcglobal.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > Hi Kalia-- > > So glad to hear you are calling contras now! I mostly lurk on this list > but I'm delighted you've joined us! > > Joyce Miller > Grass Valley, CA > > On Aug 4, 2012, at 11:52 AM, Kalia Kliban wrote: > > > Hi all, > > > > I've just joined up and wanted to say hello. I'm a new contra caller > but longtime English caller from Sebastopol, CA, about an hour's drive > north > of San Francisco. I saw a few familiar names as I was cruising through > some of the archives, but look forward to getting more familiar with the > cast > of characters here as time goes on. > > > > Kalia Kliban > > _______________________________________________ > > Callers mailing list > > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 6 > Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2012 14:15:14 -0700 (PDT) > From: Laur <lcpgr(a)yahoo.com> > To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>, > kalia(a)sbcglobal.net > Subject: Re: [Callers] Hello! > Message-ID: > <1344114914.71326.YahooMailClassic(a)web121705.mail.ne1.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 > > "Weighing" in from Michigan's West Coast... > > Laurie Pietravalle > Greater Grand Rapids, MI > > > > > > > From: Kalia Kliban <kalia(a)sbcglobal.net> > > Subject: [Callers] Hello! > > To: callers(a)sharedweight.net > > Date: Saturday, August 4, 2012, 2:52 PM > > > > > > Hi all, > > > > I've just joined up and wanted to say hello.? I'm a new > > contra caller but > > longtime English caller from Sebastopol, CA, about an hour's > > drive north of > > San Francisco.? I saw a few familiar names as I was > > cruising through some of > > the archives, but look forward to getting more familiar with > > the cast of > > characters here as time goes on. > > > > Kalia Kliban > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 7 > Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2012 17:16:06 -0400 (EDT) > From: barbara153(a)aol.com > To: callers(a)sharedweight.net > Subject: Re: [Callers] Hello! > Message-ID: <8CF409D7EA51800-167C-3D836(a)webmail-d067.sysops.aol.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > > Kalia > Welcome to the list. > Barbara G > Springfield, NJ > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Greg McKenzie <grekenzie(a)gmail.com> > To: kalia <kalia(a)sbcglobal.net>; Caller's discussion list > <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Sent: Sat, Aug 4, 2012 4:02 pm > Subject: Re: [Callers] Hello! > > > Kalia, > > Welcome as well from the Santa Cruz mountains of California. Good to see > your name on this list. > > Greg McKenzie > > ************* > > On Sat, Aug 4, 2012 at 11:52 AM, Kalia Kliban <kalia(a)sbcglobal.net> > wrote: > > > Hi all, > > > > I've just joined up and wanted to say hello. I'm a new contra caller > but > > longtime English caller from Sebastopol, CA, about an hour's drive north > of > > San Francisco. I saw a few familiar names as I was cruising through > some > > of the archives, but look forward to getting more familiar with the cast > of > > characters here as time goes on. > > > > Kalia Kliban > > ______________________________**_________________ > > Callers mailing list > > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > > > http://www.sharedweight.net/**mailman/listinfo/callers< > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers> > > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 8 > Date: Sun, 05 Aug 2012 10:04:32 +1200 > From: Bill Baritompa <staf186(a)ext.canterbury.ac.nz> > To: kalia(a)sbcglobal.net, Caller's discussion list > <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Hello! > Message-ID: <501D9C70.5050407(a)ext.canterbury.ac.nz> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > Welcome from New Zealand. Cheers, Bill > > > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > > End of Callers Digest, Vol 96, Issue 2 > ************************************** > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >

11 years, 8 months

Re: [Callers] Callers Digest, Vol 96, Issue 2

by JsphDeP＠aol.com

Hi Kalia, Welcome. I am also new to Sharedweight and have found it very helpful. Joe De Paolo In a message dated 8/5/2012 12:00:19 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, callers-request(a)sharedweight.net writes: 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. Hello! (Kalia Kliban) 2. Re: Hello! (rich sbardella) 3. Re: Hello! (Mark Hillegonds) 4. Re: Hello! (Greg McKenzie) 5. Re: Hello! (Joyce Miller) 6. Re: Hello! (Laur) 7. Re: Hello! (barbara153(a)aol.com) 8. Re: Hello! (Bill Baritompa) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Sat, 04 Aug 2012 11:52:43 -0700 From: Kalia Kliban <kalia(a)sbcglobal.net> To: callers(a)sharedweight.net Subject: [Callers] Hello! Message-ID: <501D6F7B.30602(a)sbcglobal.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Hi all, I've just joined up and wanted to say hello. I'm a new contra caller but longtime English caller from Sebastopol, CA, about an hour's drive north of San Francisco. I saw a few familiar names as I was cruising through some of the archives, but look forward to getting more familiar with the cast of characters here as time goes on. Kalia Kliban ------------------------------ Message: 2 Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2012 12:10:00 -0700 (PDT) From: rich sbardella <richsbardella(a)snet.net> To: kalia(a)sbcglobal.net, Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> Subject: Re: [Callers] Hello! Message-ID: <1344107400.31875.YahooMailClassic(a)web180014.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 --- On Sat, 8/4/12, Kalia Kliban <kalia(a)sbcglobal.net> wrote: From: Kalia Kliban <kalia(a)sbcglobal.net> Subject: [Callers] Hello! To: callers(a)sharedweight.net Date: Saturday, August 4, 2012, 2:52 PM Hi all, I've just joined up and wanted to say hello.? I'm a new contra caller but longtime English caller from Sebastopol, CA, about an hour's drive north of San Francisco.? I saw a few familiar names as I was cruising through some of the archives, but look forward to getting more familiar with the cast of characters here as time goes on. Kalia Kliban _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers Kalia, Welcome from the right hand coast. Rich Sbardella, CT ------------------------------ Message: 3 Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2012 16:00:20 -0400 From: "Mark Hillegonds" <mhillegonds(a)comcast.net> To: "'Caller's discussion list'" <callers(a)sharedweight.net>, <kalia(a)sbcglobal.net> Subject: Re: [Callers] Hello! Message-ID: <005301cd727b$c72420f0$556c62d0$@net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Welcome also from the peninsular coasts (Michigan) Mark Hillegonds cell: 734-756-8441 email: mhillegonds(a)comcast.net blog: www.defriction.com -----Original Message----- From: callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net [mailto:callers-bounces@sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of rich sbardella Sent: Saturday, August 04, 2012 3:10 PM To: kalia(a)sbcglobal.net; Caller's discussion list Subject: Re: [Callers] Hello! --- On Sat, 8/4/12, Kalia Kliban <kalia(a)sbcglobal.net> wrote: From: Kalia Kliban <kalia(a)sbcglobal.net> Subject: [Callers] Hello! To: callers(a)sharedweight.net Date: Saturday, August 4, 2012, 2:52 PM Hi all, I've just joined up and wanted to say hello.? I'm a new contra caller but longtime English caller from Sebastopol, CA, about an hour's drive north of San Francisco.? I saw a few familiar names as I was cruising through some of the archives, but look forward to getting more familiar with the cast of characters here as time goes on. Kalia Kliban _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers Kalia, Welcome from the right hand coast. Rich Sbardella, CT _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers ------------------------------ Message: 4 Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2012 13:02:40 -0700 From: Greg McKenzie <grekenzie(a)gmail.com> To: kalia(a)sbcglobal.net, "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> Subject: Re: [Callers] Hello! Message-ID: <CAFqkWLurbH+=GGKhOG5fLCEAhBpUhmfVRXAd+Zbiav58r-hZeA(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Kalia, Welcome as well from the Santa Cruz mountains of California. Good to see your name on this list. Greg McKenzie ************* On Sat, Aug 4, 2012 at 11:52 AM, Kalia Kliban <kalia(a)sbcglobal.net> wrote: > Hi all, > > I've just joined up and wanted to say hello. I'm a new contra caller but > longtime English caller from Sebastopol, CA, about an hour's drive north of > San Francisco. I saw a few familiar names as I was cruising through some > of the archives, but look forward to getting more familiar with the cast of > characters here as time goes on. > > Kalia Kliban > ______________________________**_________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > http://www.sharedweight.net/**mailman/listinfo/callers<http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers> > ------------------------------ Message: 5 Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2012 14:06:17 -0700 From: Joyce Miller <joyceling(a)sbcglobal.net> To: kalia(a)sbcglobal.net, Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> Subject: Re: [Callers] Hello! Message-ID: <8C3EA2A3-35F0-40D3-9571-5531F867EA11(a)sbcglobal.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Hi Kalia-- So glad to hear you are calling contras now! I mostly lurk on this list but I'm delighted you've joined us! Joyce Miller Grass Valley, CA On Aug 4, 2012, at 11:52 AM, Kalia Kliban wrote: > Hi all, > > I've just joined up and wanted to say hello. I'm a new contra caller but longtime English caller from Sebastopol, CA, about an hour's drive north of San Francisco. I saw a few familiar names as I was cruising through some of the archives, but look forward to getting more familiar with the cast of characters here as time goes on. > > Kalia Kliban > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers ------------------------------ Message: 6 Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2012 14:15:14 -0700 (PDT) From: Laur <lcpgr(a)yahoo.com> To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>, kalia(a)sbcglobal.net Subject: Re: [Callers] Hello! Message-ID: <1344114914.71326.YahooMailClassic(a)web121705.mail.ne1.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 "Weighing" in from Michigan's West Coast... Laurie Pietravalle Greater Grand Rapids, MI > > > From: Kalia Kliban <kalia(a)sbcglobal.net> > Subject: [Callers] Hello! > To: callers(a)sharedweight.net > Date: Saturday, August 4, 2012, 2:52 PM > > > Hi all, > > I've just joined up and wanted to say hello.? I'm a new > contra caller but > longtime English caller from Sebastopol, CA, about an hour's > drive north of > San Francisco.? I saw a few familiar names as I was > cruising through some of > the archives, but look forward to getting more familiar with > the cast of > characters here as time goes on. > > Kalia Kliban ------------------------------ Message: 7 Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2012 17:16:06 -0400 (EDT) From: barbara153(a)aol.com To: callers(a)sharedweight.net Subject: Re: [Callers] Hello! Message-ID: <8CF409D7EA51800-167C-3D836(a)webmail-d067.sysops.aol.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Kalia Welcome to the list. Barbara G Springfield, NJ -----Original Message----- From: Greg McKenzie <grekenzie(a)gmail.com> To: kalia <kalia(a)sbcglobal.net>; Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> Sent: Sat, Aug 4, 2012 4:02 pm Subject: Re: [Callers] Hello! Kalia, Welcome as well from the Santa Cruz mountains of California. Good to see your name on this list. Greg McKenzie ************* On Sat, Aug 4, 2012 at 11:52 AM, Kalia Kliban <kalia(a)sbcglobal.net> wrote: > Hi all, > > I've just joined up and wanted to say hello. I'm a new contra caller but > longtime English caller from Sebastopol, CA, about an hour's drive north of > San Francisco. I saw a few familiar names as I was cruising through some > of the archives, but look forward to getting more familiar with the cast of > characters here as time goes on. > > Kalia Kliban > ______________________________**_________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > http://www.sharedweight.net/**mailman/listinfo/callers<http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers> > _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers ------------------------------ Message: 8 Date: Sun, 05 Aug 2012 10:04:32 +1200 From: Bill Baritompa <staf186(a)ext.canterbury.ac.nz> To: kalia(a)sbcglobal.net, Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> Subject: Re: [Callers] Hello! Message-ID: <501D9C70.5050407(a)ext.canterbury.ac.nz> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Welcome from New Zealand. Cheers, Bill ------------------------------ _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers End of Callers Digest, Vol 96, Issue 2 **************************************

11 years, 8 months

Re: [Callers] Hello!

by Tina Fields

On Aug 5, 2012, at 10:00 AM, : Kalia Kliban <kalia(a)sbcglobal.net> > > > Hi all, > > I've just joined up and wanted to say hello. I'm a new contra caller > but longtime English caller from Sebastopol, CA, about an hour's drive > north of San Francisco. I saw a few familiar names as I was cruising > through some of the archives, but look forward to getting more familiar > with the cast of characters here as time goes on. > > Kalia Kliban > > ------------------------ So glad to see you getting serious about contra calling now! Welcome, sister. I miss you mightily. xo Tina

11 years, 8 months

Article on Dance Calling

by Greg McKenzie

Callers, While I was looking for some information on "teaching techniques" that might be applied in dance calling I was struck by how some trends in education parallel my own approach to calling contras at open, public contra dances. As a result I was moved to write the following article. The implications of this could change how we, as callers, "frame" the regular, public contra dance events that form the core of this dance tradition. I would love to hear your comments and reactions to these ideas. (I can also post this article on-line if anyone would fine that more useful.) Enjoy. Greg McKenzie ********** ** *Contra Dance as Active Group Learning: **It’s a “Walk-Through” not a “Talk-Through”* *By Greg McKenzie* * * Dance callers—particularly when calling at open, public, contra dances—might benefit from an overview of one of the major trends in education over the last 30 years. In the field of education there has been a steady and growing movement away from the classic model of a “teacher”, “professor”, or “instructor” who presents material to an assembled “class” of students who watch and listen passively while taking notes. In this classic model the only activity asked of “students” was asking questions of the instructor. This model is now more often described as “passive instruction.” It has its place, to be sure, but in all forms of education from graduate work down to first grade it has been largely supplanted by “active” forms of instruction including individual research (either in the library, in the “real world” or on the internet), group and individual presentations, group exercises, and other forms of structured group learning activities. It has been demonstrated that when students are actively engaged in the learning process they take responsibility, they learn more, and the learning process is more enjoyable and empowering. In the field of education this movement has required a shifting of the basic vocabulary of education. Instead of speaking about the process of “teaching” the focus is now on “learning” and this has been a pivotal shift. Our goal, after all, is to achieve learning for the student. “Teaching” is really only one means to that end. The role of the “instructor” has shifted to become more of a learning facilitator or learning manager. Learning becomes a collaborative process where the “students” become active leaders and learn from each other. The movement to active forms of learning is one of the major changes in education during our lifetime. It has changed the field of education and improved the outcomes significantly. Moreover it has raised the confidence of young people who have learned that they are active participants in, not only their own education, but also the education of their peers, their families, and the larger society. This has not been a painless process. Many “instructors,” who have honed their presentation skills, have had to re-think their role and learn to turn control of the learning process over to the students. The accomplished lecturer or presenter must learn to be quiet, observe carefully, and facilitate a process in which they take a much less prominent role. But educators have learned that, when students are given control over their own learning process, they tend to take responsibility for their education and are much more invested in the outcomes. This movement has permeated the field of education—and that includes dance instruction. To some degree, the use of group learning is common in most dance instruction. Because it involves many psychomotor skills, dance is a perfect candidate for structured, active group learning. In most social dance we can see this principle in effect whenever the instructor stops the music and says “Gents please move forward to the next lady. Let’s try it again.” This is a form of facilitated group learning. Consider the “walk-through” at contra dances in this context. In the modern contra dance tradition the walk-through is an ideal structure for putting regular contra dancers into a leadership position which empowers them to act as “hosts” at open, public contra dances. Viewed from this frame, the caller’s role is to facilitate a process where the knowledge of the more experienced contra dancers is transferred to the first-time contra dancers in a facilitated group learning process. This is a different way of framing the entire process wherein the tradition of contra dance is transferred from a community of contra dance enthusiasts to newcomers at open public dances. For callers there are a few points that need to be made: - This process of active group learning takes place in all dance traditions to a certain degree, but it is most prevalent at open, public events where passive learning is likely to act as a distraction from the social purpose of the event. It is at public social events where this kind of group dance learning is most appropriate, and most effective. The “walk-through” at contra dances incorporates this kind of active learning into a predictable ritual that the regular attendees are both familiar and comfortable with. - The active group learning process is most effective when newcomers are well integrated into the community of regular attendees. This is best accomplished with a very brief orientation in which newcomers are made aware of the tradition of dancing with more experienced dancers on their first night. This orientation process should have both an explicit, formal introduction and an implicit component making it absolutely clear to first-timers that this is the normal and preferred process. - Active and passive learning cannot occur simultaneously. It is the caller’s job to facilitate learning with clear transitions between brief periods of passive learning and periods of active group learning, as well as with transitions to verbal socializing and other activities. The caller facilitates these transitions and must be able to “step back” and allow the regulars to play their roles of leaders and hosts. This involves a high level of trust, by the caller, in the regular dancers and the ceding of responsibility to the regulars, allowing them to proceed without distraction or intervention. Consequently, this form of learning is most effective if, during the walk-through, the caller limits their verbal information to precise and timely prompts using as few words as possible. My own experience is that contra dance enthusiasts almost universally accept the role of “host” or “leader” with avidity and gratitude. The walk-through is the key learning activity at open, public contra dances and it puts the regulars into a position of authority and responsibility that makes them feel more engaged in the process of welcoming first-timers and sharing the excitement of contra dance with them as they are “swept into” the fun. The process of active group learning continues after the walk-through and during the rest of the dance, and that includes after the caller stops prompting the dance. Active group learning is not only fun for regulars it is also, by far, the most effective way to learn the psychomotor skills involved in social dance. A wise caller recognizes that the most important learning takes place when the caller is NOT speaking. Recognition of the value of active learning on the dance floor has many implications for how contra dance callers may want to alter their teaching and calling style. When the walk-through is framed as a group learning activity some common caller practices may need revision. - Precision in how the calls are structured becomes even more important. When calls are structured using only a few, clear words it allows learning dancers to focus on the lead of their more experienced partner and attend to the physical connection and the variety of leads from different dancers. - Using the most effective word order also becomes much more critical. The regulars need to know what is happening *next* so that they can anticipate and lead their partner in a timely manner. Poorly structured calls using less effective word order have the same effect as “late” calls because the leader is often not told what direction to face until the end of the call. This is frustrating for your “hosts” because they may not have memorized the dance and that moment of hesitation—while waiting for the critical information—lowers their confidence level. (It is this kind of casual, un-structured calling, that perpetuates the myth that dancing with first-timers is *not* fun.) It is the job of the caller to make sure that dancing with first-timers is fun. The recognition of the value of active learning could influence your entire approach to calling. Some of the calling styles and techniques, such as patter calling and singing squares, for example may not be as adaptable to this more active group learning process. When calling at open, public social dances, all callers should consider how their techniques impact the active group learning process. Some may be best avoided, particularly early in the evening, or adapted to fit the needs of active learners. Some styles might not be appropriate for open, public dances and would be best reserved for dances intended for dance enthusiasts only, where newcomers are not likely to attend. Changing the structure of your calls to be more precise, and to use effective word order will require some effort. Writing your calls on your dance cards in the most effective word order with the timing indicated for each call is highly recommended. For callers who have relied on memorization of all of their dances this may be a good time to take the plunge and learn how to use dance cards effectively on stage when calling. Designing and using dance cards effectively is a skill and a technique that must be learned and practiced like any other skill. Dance cards, however, can give you improved flexibility over having to re-memorize all of your dances whenever your calling style evolves, or changes to meet the needs of different groups. The traditional “barn-raising” in rural America is a good metaphor for how our dance traditions are passed on through generations. At a barn-raising the community comes together in a traditional gathering where the seasoned “experts” in building mentor and teach young helpers in the arts of carpentry, joinery, planning, and group organizing. There are many “leaders” at a barn-raising and decisions are often made by groups in a collaborative process. This encourages ownership of the tradition itself. And as new materials, new tools, new environmental conditions, and even new purposes for the barn come into being the barn-raising tradition evolves to adapt. This is a model we can follow for how our dance traditions develop and evolve over time. Many people are drawn to the art of dance calling precisely because they love to teach others. We should all remember that this joy of teaching is felt by most of us, and callers need to be willing to allow others to share in the fun of passing along a tradition they are passionate about to others. This is one area where contras can stand out; as a place where dance enthusiasts can gather to share their passion for social dance with newcomers. Callers who recognize that joy of sharing the tradition will work to make sure that the experience of partnering with newcomers is fun. Creating space in the evening for the regular dancers to lead their novice partners through the dance is one of the greatest strengths of contra dance. Callers need to remember that social learning is a part of the process and the caller who is skilled at “stepping back” and allowing the regulars to instructively, but silently, lead newcomers will be recognized for that skill. The walk-through, done with a minimum of precise, clear, and timely prompts, is one of the most effective mechanisms for allowing this form of community learning to occur—surpassed only by contras danced to music after the caller has stopped prompting. The caller’s silence is a statement of confidence in this process that empowers all of the dancers. We should remember that the most effective dance instructor in the hall, is the hall itself. The best callers will use the knowledge and skill of the hall to sweep-in first-timers with an exciting and joyful process of collaborative, active learning. That process requires that the caller learns how to “step back” and allow the hall to do what it does best. In summary: Techniques of active, group learning are extremely effective and are particularly well-suited to social dance instruction. Active learning builds the confidence of learners, produces a positive impression of other dancers as being more friendly and helpful, and gives the dancers in the tradition as sense of “ownership” of the tradition. It is also more fun for everyone. The “walk-through” at an open, public contra dance is one form of active learning that has been tried and developed over generations. As the contra dance tradition evolves, however, we need to be mindful of how the principles of active learning can be incorporated even more effectively into this tradition. “Does Active Learning Work? A Review of the Research” by Michael Prince, http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/Papers/Prince_AL.p…

11 years, 8 months

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Contra Callers August 2012