Contra Callers February 2016

contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net

1 participants
26 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, 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

3 years, 11 months

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

Re: [Callers] Gents doing "ladies" chain

by Rona via Callers

This discussion got me thinking about dances which have both a Gents RH chain and Ladies LH chain. I wasn't sure if any existed, so I wrote a few. I have no idea when I would ever call them, but it was a fun exercise :) On a somewhat related note, I appear to have a thing for writing Becket dances, but I'm proud to say that none of these start with "Circle Left 3 places". In fact, they don't have any circles in them, so they can also help with the "dances without a circle left" campaign. That's Not How We Do ItContra, BECKET, by Rona Wiener, Jan 2016 A1 (4) Balance the Ring (4) Gents Roll away P along set (8) Gents RIGHT HAND chain [To N] A2 (8) Gents [Gypsy] x1 (8) Neighbor Swing B1 (4) Balance the Ring (4) Ladies Roll away N along set (8) Ladies LEFT HAND chain [to P] B2 (8) On Right Diagonal Half a hey [Ladies lead by L] (8) Partner Swing Slightly Less Wrong Contra, BECKET, by Rona Wiener, Jan 2016 A1 (4) Balance the Ring (4) Spin R (as in Petronella), face NN (4) Balance the Ring (4) Spin R A2 (8) Star L x 1 [hands across, gents drop out] (8) Ladies LEFT HAND chain [to N] B1 (8) Star R x 1 [hands across, ladies drop out] (8) Gents RIGHT HAND chain [To P] B2 (4) Pass Through (12) Partner Swing Double NegativeContra, BECKET, by Rona Wiener, Jan 2016 [Starts on side with P, Gents on R] A1 (8) Star R x 1 [hands across, ladies drop out] (8) Gents RIGHT HAND chain [To N] A2 (8) Star L x 1 [hands across, gents drop out] (8) Ladies LEFT HAND chain [to P] B1 (8) Half a hey [Ladies lead by L] (8) Partner Swing B2 (8) Right and Left Through (8) Pass Through, Single File Promenade along the set to NN On Wednesday, January 20, 2016 10:17 PM, Alexandra Deis-Lauby via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: I think I just danced one in CDH which both chains. But I can't remember who was chaining when because I was swapping anyway. But if anyone else was there and remembers... On Sun, Jan 17, 2016 at 7:11 PM, Ron Blechner via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: Anyone know any contras with gents chaining from right-hand position? I have four I wrote on the plane, and I don't think I've ever danced one. And considering the ro swapping I encounter at many of my gigs, maybe it's time I start calling them sometime.I know there's one by Gene Hubert where ladies chain, are rolled away with 1/2 sashay, and gents are right-hand chained from the right. Notes for that appreciated. I'd like dances where gents are doing a regular right hand chain.I'm not talking about "Gents chain", which is from the Left-hand side. For that matter, I want to make it clear that "gents chain" is named poorly. I called "gents, left-hand chain" the other night in Greenfield and it required less explanation than when I've called/taught it as "gents chain". But I digress.Thanks! Ron Blechner _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

7 years, 10 months

Simple Revolving door dances?

by Alexandra Deis-Lauby via Callers

Anyone have any beginner or intermediate revolving door dances? Thanks, Alex

8 years, 1 month

Recognize this dance?

by jwcontrahands4 via Callers

Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S™ III, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone improper duple a1: inside hand (man's right and w''s left) balance, star thru, men alm left 1.5 to ptr a2: bal & swing partner b1: star right, turn away from partner and star left with shadow b2: return to partner and circle left 3/4, bal circle, partner california twirl. note: I like how the handhold of the cal twirl goes into the inside-hand balance of a1. Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S™ III, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

8 years, 1 month

Is this a new dance?

by Michael Barraclough via Callers

Is this original? Any issues? FOR HE'S A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW Duple Improper A1 Balance the ring & Petronella, balance the ring and men trade A2 Men give & take B1 Balance the ring & Petronella, balance the ring and men trade B2 Ladies give & take -- Michael Barraclough michael(a)michaelbarraclough.com www.michaelbarraclough.com

8 years, 1 month

Recognize this dance?

by jwcontrahands4 via Callers

improper duple a1: inside hand (man's right and w''s left) balance, star thru, men alm left 1.5 to ptr a2: bal & swing partner b1: star right, turn away from partner and star left with shadow b2: return to partner and circle left 3/4, bal circle, partner california twirl. note: I like how the handhold of the cal twirl goes into the inside-hand balance of a1. Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S™ III, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

8 years, 1 month

A dance of mine to try

by Michael Fuerst via Callers

One Shy of Twenty Feb 1998 Becket Counterclockwise Intermediate-Advanced A1 Long lines forward and back, roll away on the way back Circle right 3/4, pass neighbor by left shoulder A2 Do-si-do a second neighbor 1 1/2 to face a third neighbor Swing the third neighbor, end facing across B1 Hands across left hand star with 3rd neighbor Hands across right hand star with 2nd neighbor B2 With second neighbors, Men do-si-do each other, WHILE Women exchange places by turning back over their left shoulders and orbiting counterclockwise 1/2 way around the do-si-do'ing men Partners swing, end facing across End Effects: When out at the end with partner, do as much of the dance as they can, as follows: a) participate in the forward and back and roll away across the set b) do-si-do 1 1/2 with partner across the set, then swing a neighbor c) during either the neighbor or partner swing, swing with partner and face back in as one would for an improper dance (man on left women on right) d) otherwise, just wait with partner Named for the 1998 19th Swing into Spring dance weekends, all organized at McCormack's Creek State Park in Spencer IN by Tom and Andrea Morrison of Bloomington IN Michael Fuerst 802 N Broadway Urbana IL 61801 217 239 5844Links to photos of many of my drawings and paintings are at www.ArtComesFuerst.com

8 years, 1 month

CRAPO Dance Recall Notice, #DCAv1 - "Double Crossed Again"

by Abed A. Dan, S.E. via Callers

CRAPO Dance Recall Notice DCAv1, 20160227 Dear Dance Leader, The Choreography Registration And Publication Office* (CRAPO) Safety Division (SD), in partnership with dance author Don Veino, jointly announce a voluntary recall of his dance composition "Double Crossed Again", version 1. In order to prevent dancer dissatisfaction and maximize enjoyment for the future, we have agreed this joint voluntary recall. Mr. Veino has re-imagined the dance to address a flow violation and has revised the composition to improve dancer enjoyment. As a potential consumer of this composition (via participation on the Shared Weight Callers forum), we provide this notice to you. As sole compensation for your potentially sub-optimal experience, CRAPO SD have reached an agreement with Mr. Veino to supply you a fully tested second revision of the original composition plus a bonus dance for your inconvenience (his new "Sneaks & Peeks"), see below. Should you wish to opt out of this recall, please delete this entire message and discard your copy of the original version dance in a safe manner, in compliance with applicable local hazardous waste regulations. Best Regards, Abed A. Dan, S.E. CRAPO Chief Safety Engineer ========================== REVISED DANCE COMPOSITION ========================== *Double Crossed Again!* (V2) _________________________ [Type]: Contra [Formation]: Duple Improper [Author]: Don Veino [Status]: Independently Validated:: [Comments]: Intermediate/Advanced (Cross-Trails, significant out of minor set action). My first double Cross-Trails dance. :: [A1]: (4,4) Right Hand BALANCE, CROSS-TRAIL (Pass current N (N1) Right up/down the set, Pass P Left across) (8) NEIGHBOR 1 SWING (on away side) :: [A2]: (8) LEFT DIAGONAL LADIES CHAIN (to Shadow) (4) Right Hand to NEIGHBOR 2 (across set), BALANCE N2 (4) CROSS TRAIL (pass N2 by right across, pass Shadow by left up/down to face P) #PROGRESSION :: [B1]: (4,12) PARTNER BALANCE, SWING :: [B2]: (8) LONG LINES FORWARD & BACK (8) STAR RIGHT 3/4 and face progression to take Right Hand with THIS neighbor... ========================== BONUS DANCE COMPOSITION ========================== *Sneaks & Peeks* - DI, DP - Don Veino 20150106 ____________________________________________ Set up with Ones slightly between Twos to ID handy hands (I have them swing as in the B2 first), all facing up/down in direction of progression. Intermediate/advanced (due to expectation-warping). Double progression many swings dance - particularly if sneaky! A1 (4,4) Handy Hand (G1 LH, L1 RH) Neighbor Balance, Twirl to Swap into Mirror Waves (1s face out, 2s in) (4,4) Wave Balance Fwd & Back, Handy Hand Allemande 1/2x A2 (4,4) Wave Balance Fwd & Back, Handy Hand Allemande 1/2x (1s face out, 2s in) (8) Twos Swing in center, end facing UP (for cross-set play, 1s may meanwhile Mirror Turn Single on the outside to sneak a peek with/high five a shadow in the next line and face down) [Progression 1] B1 (4,12) Next Neighbor Balance & Swing B2 (4,12) Ones Only Balance & Swing in center, face down (2s can meanwhile sneak in a cross-set Swing w/a shadow in the next line over and face up with a ready Handy Hand) [Progression 2] NOTES: Tune: Daniel Boucher's "Circular Reel" was used as inspiration and fits well. Cautions for dancers: as a DP you're never out, and note your handy hand _and_allemande_direction_ changes at ends. Named after a game our 4+1/2 year old daughter Raeden calls "Sneaks", where she tries to stay in my blind spot while I try to catch sight of her (giggling herself silly the whole time). Dancers seem to really like this one, called at two Concord Scout House gigs during Feb. 2016. Short video at https://youtu.be/nF15xR3EwN4 . *This is all intended as an amusing way of getting out an improved revision to my original dance. This is a joke organization, really! -Don :)

8 years, 1 month

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Contra Callers February 2016