Contra Callers February 2017

contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net

1 participants
18 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.

2 years, 6 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

5 years

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, 7 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>

7 years, 1 month

Role term survey responses

by Jeff Kaufman via Callers

As part of thinking about how whether non-gendered terms would work for mainstream contra dances, I thought it would be good to ask callers what they thought. Is it something where most callers were only willing to call Gents/Ladies, or are they more flexible? Do they generally support this sort of change, or do they think it's a bad idea? I wrote to people who have called BIDA in the last year, plus the ones who are currently booked, to ask them whether: - A dance like BIDA switching to gender free terms is better, worse, or about the same. - They have a preference between Larks/Ravens and Jets/Rubies. - They would be willing to call Larks/Ravens or Jets/Rubies if a dance required that. Of the 18 callers I wrote to, 17 responded. Of them, all but one was willing to call Larks/Ravens or Jets/Rubies, though several said (without my having suggested it) that they wouldn't be willing to call Lead/Follow. Many of the respondents didn't say whether they were in favor of the switch. Of the 11 who did respond, it was 5x yes, 3x ambivalent, and 3x no. Nine callers preferred Jets/Rubies because they find it easier to say, but no one so much that they were willing to call Jets/Rubies but not Larks/Ravens. Some freeform responses, lightly edited: - "I prefer Jets/Rubies, but only slightly. I can see the benefit of 'L'/'R' matching the default swing ending position with the initial letters but I think I'd make fewer mistakes with Jets/Rubies. Not enough to sway a decision though. - "My personal preference is for Jets/Rubies, but that's just because it's easier for me to say right now. I'm sure that if I practiced Larks/Ravens would be fine too. If the point of using gender free terms is to distance the roles even further from gender, than I'd go with Larks/Ravens. Jets/Rubies sounds very similar to Gents/Ladies, and some callers slip up and say 'Gents' for 'Jets'." - "The birds are arbitrary terms and seem to have fewer unwanted(?) associations than the rock terms. So I'm for the birds." - "I'm not wildly positive about either Larks/Ravens or Jets/Rubies, but if I had to choose one set, it would be Larks/Ravens. To me, Jets/Rubies carries a lot of baggage: It sounds enough like Gents/Ladies that it invites the reaction 'Who are they trying to kid?' The lack of logical association between jewels (inanimate objects) and dancing (an intimate human activity) makes the use of Jets/Rubies feel as if the series is being run by an in-group with a secret language. (I realize the two foregoing reactions are contradictory, but these are gut reactions, not necessarily rational ones.) Also, 'Jets' makes me think of the gang in West Side Story, and also of airplanes (more inanimate objects). To sum up, the word in a dance context has no positive associations for me, and some negative ones. Larks/Ravens has no baggage for me, doesn't reinforce gender stereotypes, and has a built-in mnemonic with the L/R initials." - "Enough people are offended by 'Jets' sounding too close to 'Gents' that I think Larks/Ravens is a much easier sell." - "My preference would be Jets/Rubies, because the sound similarity to traditional terms make the transition easier. (I understand that that very feature makes it the less desirable choice in some people's view.)" - "As a caller who learned with Gents/Ladies, I find Jets/Rubies the easiest to use." - "I've never used Larks/Ravens. I've used Jets/Rubies, and felt fairly comfortable with it. Larks/Ravens makes more sense to me. Definitely happy to use either one." - "I have a preference for Jets/Rubies but the only terms I *will not use* are Leads/Follows." - "I don't have a preference between those two sets of terms. I am also comfortable with Lead/Follow, but know that this is also a challenging choice for some people and I understand why it's maybe not the best pick. I like it because those terms have dance connotations" - "I like Jets/Rubies because regular contra dancers from other places can come in and dance without needing anything to be explained to them since the terms are pretty similar to Gents/Ladies. Also, Larks/Ravens sounds a little silly." - "As far as Jets/Rubies vs Larks/Ravens, I like using Jets/Rubies because they sound almost the same as Gents/Ladies. For my rhymes and patter, it's a pretty easy substitution. But my first impression of the terms is that they are still kind of gendered, or at least can be interpreted that. 'Jets' sounds aggressive and masculine, and 'Rubies' are definitely feminine. " - "I can't imagine trying to turn a singing square gender free." - "From the point of view of a caller trying to get a new set of words out of my mouth when significant chunks of my teaching and prompting are automatic, I think that I would prefer Jets/Rubies for a few reasons. First, I think that I would manage to confuse myself and stumble around switching 'Gents' to 'Larks', which starts with the same letter as 'Ladies', and might be more likely to flip-flop the two. Also, I know that it has been successfully used, but the initial consonants of Larks/Ravens aren't nearly as contrasted as are those of Jets/Rubies (or of Gents/Ladies)." - "Not really a preference, although as a caller perhaps Jets/Rubies is a slightly easier transition."

8 years, 3 months

Pousette between mad robins

by Ron Blechner via Callers

Choreography question: Anyone encounter any dances with a mad robin, half pousette, into a mad Robin with new neighbors? Thanks, Ron Blechner

8 years, 3 months

Re: [Callers] Pousette between mad robins

by Dugan Murphy via Callers

Hi, Ron, My favorite is "Songbird" by Cary Ravitz: http://www.dance.ravitz.us/#sb2 Dugan Murphy Portland, Maine dugan at duganmurphy.com www.DuganMurphy.com www.PortlandIntownContraDance.com www.NufSed.consulting > Date: Fri, 24 Feb 2017 14:16:49 -0500 > From: Ron Blechner via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> > To: callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> > Subject: [Callers] Pousette between mad robins > > Choreography question: > > Anyone encounter any dances with a mad robin, half pousette, into a mad > Robin with new neighbors? > > Thanks, > Ron Blechner >

8 years, 3 months

Increased number of community dance requests?

by Luke Donforth via Callers

Hi all, Just wondering if anyone else is experiencing a bump in requests for community/family dances? I feel like the last month or so, there's been an uptick in schools and community centers requesting them. Could be a local fluctuation, or something bigger. Anyone else getting that impression? Possibly I'm projecting based on my own desire to build community through dance, but a couple years ago I was knocking on doors trying to make these happen, and now they're knocking on our door. Hope you're all having a similar experience! -- Luke Donforth Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>

8 years, 3 months

from geopmercer@gmail.com

by geopmercer via Callers

Hi! Have you already seen it? http://www.stowemedia.com/lkitwm.php?geopmercer_gmail_com geopmercer(a)gmail.com

8 years, 3 months

Re: [Callers] Callers Digest, Vol 34, Issue 11

by K Panton via Callers

Ron, I could not locate use of the word "bland" in the post you reference. In any event... Did you not read the paragraph following that which contained the reference to diet soda? The author stated that others may disagree. Obviously, you disagree. Please don't belittle the views of others as you demonstrate your egalitarian viewpoint. I happily agree with most of what Neal wrote. I don't go contra dancing to dance with guys, primarily. I go to dance with women. Yes, for me there is quite a (fortunate) difference between dancing with men & women. I'll dance with men but those "sublime" moments have happened only when dancing with women. Couples dancing originated as gendered. I would argue that it continues to be primarily gendered simply because couples are gendered whether identified by physical difference or role predeliction. I know of homosexual dancers who have preference for one role over the other; they are not ambi-dance-trous in that sense. I.e. they do not get a similar level of enjoyment dancing both roles. Argue away, but please avoid the "holier than thou". Ken Panton Message: 1 Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2017 22:49:24 -0500 From: Ron Blechner via Callers < I have danced at a bunch of genderfree dances, as well as my home dance having a lot of people who dance both roles. I can't say I've ever had this "diet contra" experience. My home dance is widely known among musicians and callers as a lively crowd who brings good energy to performers. Proper and improper have little relevance, but that doesn't stop a seeming endless supply of new choreography being generated and called by various callers. Does it really matter if I'm allemanding or swinging with a particular gender? I guess a person can still choose to only dance with one gender if they really felt strongly. But saying that genderfree dancing is bland? I mean, it's a folk community dance. The whole point is we all dance in one big set together. If dancing only to swing people of one gender means so much that contra is "diet" without it, I would ask what exactly contra means to you? Best regards, Ron Blechner On Feb 13, 2017 6:17 PM, "Woody Lane via Callers" < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: I basically agree with Neal. I would not want to replace gents and ladies with other arbitrary terms. For many of the same reasons. Woody -- Woody Lane Caller, Percussive Dancer Roseburg, Oregon http://www.woodylanecaller.com home: 541-440-1926 <(541)%20440-1926> cell: 541-556-0054 <(541)%20556-0054> ------------------------------ On 2/13/2017 2:51 PM, Neal Schlein via Callers wrote: I do not want to replace gent and lady as terms, based on my own experience. Some context: I've been dancing for between 29 and 37 years, depending on how you count--my parents met at a square dance and I grew up dancing. I started calling about 18 years ago, and dance/call ECD, Scottish, squares, contra, ballroom, and folk styles at varying levels of proficiency. Seeing a man dancing the lady's role, or a woman dancing the gent's role, has never, ever phased me. It's fun to swap, requires technical skill, speaks well of a dancer who can do it well stylistically, and sometimes is necessary to fill out a set. It is also an important skill for any caller, and one callers need to know how to handle when it happens in special situations; the callers I grew up with talked about when they first encountered gay or one-gender crowds in the 60s and how they struggled to adjust on the fly. That said, I first encountered "gender-free" dancing at a Heather and Rose (?) ECD dance outside of Eugene, Oregon about 15 years ago. I didn't know what I was walking into, and thought it was a normal ECD event until they lined up and started teaching. They used several dances I was familiar with; I had been teaching some older ECD dances for a graduate folklore class and recently returned from Berea's Christmas Country Dance School. Aside from momentary confusion, adapting to the unfamiliar terminology and random line-up was not a problem for me. What I couldn't adapt to was how being made "gender free" changed the character of the dances I knew. They became less elegant, less interesting, and were lessened overall. Switching between an A and a B position meant nothing aside from (possibly) a slightly different floor pattern. Proper and improper had no relevance. There was no stylistic mastery needed to switch dance sides because any clue as to historically demanded or intended stylistic differences had been stripped out--there weren't even ROLES anymore, merely positions; there was nothing to hold onto even as a guideline for playacting. The dances completely lost their flavor and character. They became like Caffeine Free Diet Crystal Coke. (I mean, honestly...WHY WAS THAT EVER MADE? Just drink water!) Other folks may certainly disagree with me, and I have followed and agree with the many counterpoints, but I personally believe that the terms "gentlemen" and "ladies" (and their derivatives) positively influence how people behave and relate, and definitely how a dance is done. I don't worry about that at special or family events, of course; I just want everyone to get up and have a good time. But encouraging folks to learn both roles to become better dancers is only meaningful if there is a meaningful difference between the roles. I am a happily married man and prefer to dance with women as partners and corners. I don't mind dancing with men, but that's not what I go to dances for; if I wanted to get close to a bunch of sweaty guys, I'd play football. If we're honest, we can admit that the vast majority of our general dancers (both new and old) are probably similar. So why not let the dance reflect that? That's more likely to win friends than taking a wonderful dance with character and making it into "gender free diet crystal contra." Just my 2 cents. Neal Neal Schlein Youth Services Librarian, Mahomet Public Library _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

8 years, 3 months

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Contra Callers February 2017