Contra Callers March 2016

contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net

1 participants
42 discussions

DosiWhat? - Correction and Clarification

by John Sweeney via Callers

Thanks to Donna for noticing my deliberate mistake! I thought I had fixed the direction of the Lasso... I have reworded A1, hopefully to avoid confusion! The Alabama Rang Tang and the Mountain Dosido were both originally known in their communities as just "Dosido" (spelt anyway you like, but sounding the same, apart from vagaries of accent). The names, and the Do Paso, were changed to avoid confusion as mass communication brought dance communities together. So this dance is basically a series of Dosidos! Alabama Rang Tang: Partner Allemande Left, men cross the set, passing back to back, reaching out with their other hand to the other lady, Neighbour Allemande Right, men cross the set, passing back to back reaching, out with their other hand to their Partner. Usually repeated twice then turning into a Promenade. The lady's job is to stay on the spot, allemanding whichever man comes towards her and sending him back. Mountain Dosido: The man raises his right hand (holding the lady's left hand) and the lady walks forwards around him (CCW) while he stands still; the lady finishes where she started. The call is now often "DoSi the Lady" to differentiate, and is normally followed by You Swing Mine and I'll Swing Yours" as in this dance. "DoSi" is pronounced doe-sigh. I usually say "Lasso the Lady" though, to avoid confusion and to help to remind them of what the move is. DosiWhat? (by John Sweeney) Contra; Becket (CW) A1: Men Dosido; Ladies Dosido 1 & 1/2 - all face New Neighbours up and down the hall: as the ladies pass by the right shoulder for the second time they take their partner's right hand in their left hand, so that the man turns 1/4 to his left, and she puts her back to her Old Neighbour You have progressed. The lady keeps walking forwards into the next move... A2: Men Lasso your Partner CCW around yourself and along to the other Man; Neighbour Swing B1: Open Ladies' Chain: Ladies Pull by Right; Partner Allemande Left 1 & 1/4 - continue into an Alabama Rang Tang: Men pass B-to-B; Neighbour Allemande Right; Men pass B-to-B, weave into a B2: Partner Gypsy Meltdown Notes: Teach the Ladies' Dosido as "Dosido and Pass Thru", otherwise they may spin and face where they think they are going. Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

8 years, 9 months

Re: [Callers] Novelty & Gimmick Contras

by John Sweeney via Callers

Here's a few with a difference; Cumberland Contra is here: http://www.contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/CumberlandContra.html The Slithy Dance is at: http://www.contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/SlithyDance.html Note: You can change the Two Hand Turn in B1 into a Swing; you can teach B2 as a Whole Set Petronella Still working on this one: DosiWhat? (by John Sweeney) Contra; Becket (CW) A1: Men Dosido; Ladies Dosido 1 & 1/2 - Men turn to the Left and take Man's' Right Hand to Partner's Left Hand to face a New Couple A2: Mountain Dosido ("DoSi the Ladies"): Lasso Partner CW around self and along to the other Man; Neighbour Swing B1: Open Ladies' Chain: Ladies Pull by Right; Partner Allemande Left 1 & 1/4 - continue into an Alabama Rang Tang: Men pass B-to-B; Neighbour Allemande Right; Men pass B-to-B, weave into a B2: Partner Gypsy Meltdown Notes: Teach the Ladies' Dosido as "Dosido and Pass Thru", otherwise they will spin and face where they think they are going. The Alabama Rang Tang and the Mountain Dosido were both originally known in their communities as just "Dosido". The names were changed to avoid confusion as mass communication brought dance communities together. So the dance is basically a series of Dosidos! "DoSi" is pronounced dose-eye. I usually say "Lasso the Lady" though, to avoid confusion and remind them of what the move is. The man raises his right hand and the lady walks forwards around him while he stands still. Then "You Swing Mine and I'll Swing Yours". Please let me know if you try it. Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

8 years, 9 months

Novelty & Gimmick Contras

by Rich Sbardella via Callers

Here I am with another question. I learn so much from these threads. What are some easy, but good, novelty, or gimmick contras. To elaborate, I mean contras that have unusual moves, or contras that use basic moves in unusual ways. Maybe Ovals, Wholeset Promenades, Old-Timey square dance moves? Two of my favorites are "Hot Buttered Rolls" and "Roll Over Johannes" Rich Sbardella Stafford, CT

8 years, 9 months

Re: [Callers] Novelty & Gimmick Contras

by tavi merrill via Callers

I take issue with the term "gimmick." Using familiar moves in new ways is IMO called "good choreography." If one defines using existing moves in novel ways as "gimmick," basically every use of petronella turns and waves after "Petronella" and "Rory O'Moore" is a gimmick. Originally had a long list of dances, but then i saw "easy" in Rich's original ask, so pared down: "Anthem to a Pet Ferret" by Sargon de Jesus may be of interest "A Sure Thing" by Chris Page is challenging to teach but not actually challenging to dance also do si do and swing the one behind offers a simple but fun twist. U can find it in Tom Hinds' "Python Reel" and Rick Mohr's "Leave the Wine"

8 years, 9 months

Re: [Callers] Novelty & Gimmick Contras

by Bree Kalb via Callers

8 years, 9 months

Re: [Callers] Multiple Swings

by tavi merrill via Callers

Didn't see these mentioned yet (pardon if i missed them) Ted and Lynn - Rick Mohr Naked in California - Nils Fredland Belgian Chocolate - Sargon de Jesus All Swings Considered - Tom Hinds

8 years, 9 months

Re: [Callers] Novelty & Gimmick Contras

by Tina Fields via Callers

Another great whole-oval dance, along with Gang of Four, is the ever-popular Fairport Harbour by Paul Balliet. Advanced dancers can add in a cool trick in that one: suggest that in the B, gents have time to rollaway your partner before passing through the set (with lady on the left - scandalous!) because it's a piece of cake to correct that with the next move, swing your partner on that other side. My favorite "can only get away with calling it once every few years" dance is Carmen's Contra or variations, which features a truly goofy and fun "clap-clap-bump-bump" figure a la Carmen Miranda. Remind those dancing the gents' role to empty their pockets first. Tina > On Mar 16, 2016, at 2:01 PM, via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > > Re: [Callers] Novelty & Gimmick Contras

8 years, 9 months

Mountain Dance – Calling, Feet & Figures – From Scratch - Scholarships Due April 1st.

by T Claw via Callers

I'll be co-teaching a week long Appalachian Dance and Calling class with Becky Hill this summer. So if you don't have post Clifftop plans that make you feel like living and you're not going to Galax, come hang with us. SCHOLARSHIP Applications due APRIL 1st. Save yourself $450. I think we are taking over William Mentor's slot. Staff Musicians include Aaron Olwell and Jess McIntosh. You can take all sorts of other dance and music classes too. https://augustaheritagecenter.org/about-augusta/scholarships/ https://augustaheritagecenter.org/augusta-schedule/dance/ "Mountain Dance – Calling, Feet & Figures – From Scratch: This class focuses on Appalachian Dance Traditions. As a major facet of community dance is inclusion, no prior experience is necessary and all ages are welcome. T-Claw <https://youtu.be/uNTu_WbWdas> and Becky Hill will be joined throughout the week by West Virginia square dance callers Mack Samples, Ellen and Eugene Ratcliffe and Lou Maiuri, who will share dance figures unique to this region. We’ll present the basics of square dance calling, choreography, patter and teaching. Becky will cover the fundamentals of flatfooting and clogging. Look forward to the Tennessee Walking Step and creating your own steps through improvisation." Take Care, T-Claw Square Dance Caller calling.t.claw(a)gmail.com 615-430-8230 www.tclawcalling.com www.facebook.com/tclawcalling

8 years, 9 months

Re: [Callers] Dances with multiple swings

by via Callers

Illegal in Most States by Robert Cromartie. A1 B/S N; face across. A2 Ladies chain to P, Out of the courtesy turn, circle RIGHT halfway (all are standing between P and Shadow -- except at the ends of course) Pass through straight across, turn to Shadow. B1 (NO Bal either swing). Swing Shadow (8), roll out and swing P (8) B2 LL F/B. Circle 0.75, pass thru There's a video on YouTube _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

8 years, 9 months

Recognize this dance?

by Bree Kalb via Callers

This emerged as I was driving home Wednesday night listening to a Latter Day Lizards CD and thinking about needing some fairly simple, but interesting dances to call at an upcoming dance. I can’t find it in my collection of dances, but it’s so generic, I think someone else must have composed it and I was merely remembering. A 1 N DoSiDo; Swg A 2 LLF&B; Pass thru to an ocean wave (women take left hands); Balance the Wave B1 Women allmd Left 1/2; Ptr Swg B2 Circle L 3/4; Balance the ring, California Twirl Thanks! Bree Kalb Carrboro NC

8 years, 9 months

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Contra Callers March 2016