Contra Callers November 2016

contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net

1 participants
21 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.

1 year, 11 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, 5 months

Calling a Halloween dance tonight? Try this circle mixer...

by Amy Cann via Callers

I try and call the dances of Rich Blazej whenever I can and this one's a Halloween favorite, re-done as "Werewolves and Zombies". *Garfield's Escape* -- circle of couples PLUS ONE EXTRA in the center (Garfield) A1 All into the center EIGHT steps and back, menacing the Garfield A2 Circle left, circle right B1 Women (werewolves) promenade single file to the right, while men (zombies) "star" by the right -- each man puts his right hand on right shoulder of the man in front - including Garfield. B2 Caller hollers "Escape!" ("Boo!", or maybe "Braaaiiins") and all men run to the outside and swing with a woman in the outer circle. A new Garfield remains in the center. Rich himself named this after Garfield the comic-strip cat, way back when he was cynical and funny (the cat, not Rich). "The single man remaining at the end of the dance is entitled to a pan of lasagna and some fresh kitty litter". My favorite normal tune for this is the minor jig Coleraine, played at a slightly slower lurch-y tempo, but if I'm lucky the band'll do the Alfred Hitchcock theme. Have fun, just thought I'd share -- and I'd love to hear how it goes if you do it, and what variations emerge. Cheers, Amy

5 years

A new(?) dance, written with a gyre

by Luke Donforth via Callers

Hello all, Linda Leslie's suggestion of gyre as a replacement for gypsy bubbled around in my brain and a new (I think) dance percolated up. It has a twist that isn't the gyre (which I consider just new nomenclature); women casting out of the swing to travel from one minor set to another (similar to gent's movement in Scoot by Tom Hinds). I haven't gotten to test it with dancers yet, as I just finished running it through with pegs on my desk; but I wanted to share it in support of a new term. A Gyre for Linda by Luke Donforth Contra/Becket-CCW A1 ----------- (4) Pass through to an ocean wave (ladies left, catch right with partner) (4) Balance the short Wavy line (2) Walk forward (3) Shadow gyre right 1/2 (3) Gents gyre left 1/2 in the middle A2 ----------- (16) Neighbor gyre right and swing B1 ----------- MEANWHILE FIGURE: (8) Men allemande Left 1-1/2 WHILE women cast cw around whole set one woman’s place (8) 1/2 Hey, passing partner by right shoulder B2 ----------- (16) Partner gyre right and swing at home As for the other aspects that have been discussed: I pronounce it with a softer g sound. For reasons unclear to me, gyre has different accepted pronunciations; but (to my knowledge) gyration doesn't. As for using the term (which I clearly support); it costs me nearly nothing to switch and helps make the dance more accessible for some; both in dropping a term some find offensive and making the name more descriptive of the move. My job as a caller is to help share the joy of dancing, and if this does that I'm in favor of it. -- Luke Donforth Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>

6 years, 7 months

Catapult 2017 looking for callers

by Rob Harper via Callers

Any rising star callers out there ready for a chance to get out on the national circuit? Catapult is built to help you along the way. A stage. A mic. A fantastic collection of breakout bands. A hall full of dancers and organizers excited to find the best ready-to-be-discovered contra talent. A spotlight. Memorial Day 2017. For all the details check out www.catapultshowcase.com. ciao, rah -- Rob Harper thatrobharper(a)gmail.com (404) 307-3444

7 years, 10 months

Thank you

by Luke Donforth via Callers

Hello Shared Weight, Just feeling particularly grateful to the community of callers and organizers out there. Thank you to all of you for the work that you do. I believe it helps build stronger, more connected communities, and a better world. I personally lose sight of that sometimes, especially at year's end when things get hectic. But whatever you're celebrating this weekend and holiday season, my thanks go to you. Take care, -- Luke Donforth Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>

7 years, 12 months

Post-Election Day dances

by via Callers

Here's what I actually called on post-election Wednesday in Baltimore: Long May It Wave (Melanie Axel-Lute) The Eyes Have It Vote With Your Feet (Bob Isaacs) Take All of the Credit and None of the Blame (Larry Edelman) Not a Figment of Your Imagination (Lynn Ackerson) The Dancer's Duty (Chris Page) Kitchen Stomp (Becky Hill) Break United We Dance (Bob Isaacs) The Tease (Tom Hinds) There Is No Way to Peace, Peace Is the Way (Erik Hoffman) Illegal in Most States (Robert Cromartie) Jubilation (Gene Hubert) [A little backstory -- I run a dance camp called FootFall. To avoid using gazillions of paper cups at meals and dumping them in the landfill, every year we provide all dancers with a travel mug (labeled with their names). Every year it's a different color, and it has a different dance-related quote on it.] Thursday morning, I got the following email from someone who had been at the Baltimore Wednesday night dance:: "My FootFall mug in my office says, 'We do not always dance because we are happy, but we dance and cannot help but become happy.' Last night, post-election, was such a night." April Blum

8 years

Post election day dances?

by April Blum via Callers

I calling the Baltimore contra on Wednesday. Vote With Your Feet of course. Others I am considering are: Take All of the Credit and None of the Blame The Eyes Have It Illegal in Most States Not a Figment of Your Imagination Rocks and Dirt In Cahoots Chaos Pie Blueshift The Dancer's Duty Long May It Wave There Is No Way to Peace Any other suggestions? April Blum

8 years

Re: [Callers] A Lot of "Don't Know" dances--Most Now Have Names

by Erik Hoffman via Callers

Hi All, Thanks to all who've supplied names! Below are the names of most of my "Don't Know" dances. A few, reposted at the bottom of this email, are still mysteries. ~Erik Hoffman Oakland, CA My Right Hand Man Becket Roger Auman A1 Wmn Allemande Rt 1½; Half Hey (Nb st Lft sh) A2 NbrB&S B1 on Lft Diag: Women Chain-to Shdw; (w/ Shdw) Across: Right & Left Thru B2 LLF&B; Partner Swing a slight variation of: A Precarious Balance Improper Becky Hill-original has A1 as Nbr B&S A1 DSD Nbr; Sw Nbr A1 R&L Thru Acrss; Star Lft ¾, end in a wave on the Wm's side Pt in left, Shdw in Rt B1 BAL the wave, Al Rt Shdw; Sw Pt B2 Circle Lft 1¼; CA twirl Pt Early Morning Swim-w/ clarification from Kathy Improper Kathy Anderson A1 Ones split the Twos: Mirror DSD to Circle; BAL the Ring, Pt Rollaway with a Half Sashay Acrss A2 DSD Nbr to a Wave, Mn in Center; Rory O'More BAL (to put Wm in center) B1 Wm Al Lft 1½; Sw Pt B2 Prom Pt; Circle Lft ¾, Twos Arch, Pop the Ones through Greenfield Petronella Improper Chris Ricciotti A1 Ptnella BAL Twice A2 BAL the Ring, CA Twril Pt; Sw Nbr B1 Mn Al Lft 1½; Sw Pt B2 Wm Chain; Half Hey, Wm start, Rt shoulder >From a green piece of paper, the 2000 Echo Summit dance schedule. I should email Susan Kevra (the other caller) and see if she knows about this dance. Rollin' and Tumblin' Improper Cis Hinkle A1 BAL & Sw Nbr A2 LLF&B w/ Wm Roll Away with Half Sashay (left); LLF&B w/ Mn Roll Away with a Half Sashay (Rt, same Nbr) B1 Wm Al Rt 1½; Sw Pt B2 Wm Chain; Star Left Fun Dance for Majoirie Becket Dean Alemain A1 Crcl Lft ¾; Nb Sw A2 LLF&B; Mn Al Lft 1½ B1 Pt BAL & Sw B2 Mn Cross (4), Wm Cross (4); Hands Across Rt Star Single File lead to next couple (Mn in lead) California Twirlin' Imp Janet Levatin A1 Bal Ring, w/ Pt, CA Twirl, turn alone to face in Bal Ring, w/ Nb, CA Twirl, (I think:) turn alone to face in A2 Bal Ring, w/ Pt, Ca Twirl to face new Nb; that New Nb Sw B1 Circle Lft ¾; Pt Sw B2 Wm Chain; LLF&B w/ Rollaway (or, I think, LLF&B; Wm Chain /w Rollaway) Backstitch Improper Al Olson A1 (Remember this Nbr) LLF&B; BAL Towards Nbr One, Back, Roll Away with Half Sashay A2 (still in lines) BALt towards Nbr Two, Away, Sw Nbr Two B1 Mn Al Lft 1½; Sw Pt B2 (with Nbr Two) Star Lft ¾; Sw Nbr One >From Kathy Anderson at the Brattleboro Dawn Dance, May 29, 2000 Rollin' to the Grey Eagle Improper Hank Morris A1 LLF&B w/ Rollaway; Women Chain A2 Hey (Wm st Rt sh) B1 Partner B&S B2 Circle Left ¾; Neighbor Swing Baridhara Improper Chris Weiler A1 Star Right; Neighbor Gypsy A2 Circle Single File Left Half (still looking at Neighbor Women lead) (4) Neighbor Gypsy (some more) (4); Neighbor Swing B1 Give & Take: Women pull Partner back B2 Women Chain; Star Left Roll 12.5 Improper Chris Page A1 Nbr DSD; Nbr Swing A2 LLF&B; Wm chain (to Pt)-end in Ring B1 Ring Balance, Roll Nbr; Pt Swing B2 Circle Lft ¾; Ring Balance, CA Twirl Quicksilver Reel Becket Mike Richardson A1 Long Lines Forwad & Back; Circle Left, Slide Lft (R&L T; Circle Slide, or LLF&B, Circle ½, Slide) A2 Hey, Wm start, Rt shoulder B1 Wm Al Rt ¾ to long wave in center (4), BAL; Wm back out WHILE Mn Al Rt with Man to Rt ¾ to long wave, BAL B2 Mn step forward to Pt: Sw Pt Ben's Spinoff #3 Becket A1 Nbr Allemande Rt, Wmn Lft Pull By, Pt Allemande Rt, Wmn Lft Pull By A2 Neighbor B&S B1 Circle Left ¾; Partner Swing B2 LLF&B; Women Chain At least it was on a blue piece of paper that also had Hey for 40, as called by S.K. Don't Know #1 Improper Don't Know A1 with Nbr, BAL, Bx Gnat; Star Rt A2 Circle Lft ¾; Sw Pt B1 Mn Pull By with the Left, Bx Gnat with Nbr; Half Hey, Nbr start Rt Shoulder B2 BAL & Sw Nbr Don't Know #2 Improper Don't Know A1 BAL with Nbr, Gypsy (Rt shoulder); Half Hey, Wm start Lft Shoulder A2 BAL & Sw Nbr (opposite side) B1 Wm Gypsy 1½; Sw Pt B2 LLF&B; Mn Gypsy 1½ to progress Don't Know #3 Improper Don't Know A1 Nbr BAL & Sw end in Circle A2 BAL Ring, Pet Tw to wave: Pt in Rt, Wm in Cntr Rory O'More BAL, B1 Mn Al Lft once, Pt Sw B2 Circle Lft ¾; Nbr Al Lft 1½ On an envelope Don't Know Yet From Andy Wilson-June 1, ???? Imp A1 "Hey" along lines: Pass Nb Rt, next Lft, 3rd Rt Shoulder Turn, pass next Left, to Current Nbr A1 w/ Current Nbr, ½ Rt Sh Turn then "Stalk": Wm crosses, Mn follows to other side; Nb Sw B1 Circle Lft ¾; Pt Sw B2 Star Lft ¾; turn to face Nbr: BAL, Pull by w/ Rt Says, Beware to start the "Hey" with the Right Shoulder. Could that last Balance & Pull By be with the Left?

8 years

Scholarships for Callers and Musicians

by via Callers

An important part of the annual Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend is a scholarship opportunity for 2 aspiring contra/square dance callers and 2 dance musicians. The Scholarship Application couldn't be easier: 2 simple questions. The Application can be found here: http://ralphpage.neffa.org/scholarships.html and needs to by in my hands by Dec. 3rd. Please forward this to folks you think would be interested. It is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the history of the dance form we love and learn from some of the very best callers and dance musicians! Thanks! Sandy Lafleur for the RPDLW Committee

8 years

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Contra Callers November 2016