Contra Callers June 2020

contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net

4 participants
5 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

Contra-Style Dances for Virtual Events

by Kyla Wargel

Hello, I wanted to share some dances I've written over the past few months, in case they are of use to others. I wrote these dances to call during Bloomington’s weekly Wednesday night zoom dance. They are written for one person to dance alone, but they can be adapted or improvised for more people. I have been walking through the dances twice (while demonstrating the moves) and calling for the duration of the dance (while also dancing by myself on camera to continue demonstrating). I am lucky to have musicians in my small pandemic circle, so I’ve been calling to live music. The easiest way to view the dances (as far as formatting goes) is with this google doc link. I will also copy and paste them below as well. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iMRE0YZZZf3nu2cXU5TwThSgF3ooP38jdNSgn6n… I'm curious for thoughts and feedback, too! Kyla Wargel *“Solo Dance #1”* A1: Do-si-do Circle left, 1 time A2: Do-si-do Balance and swing yourself, end facing down/away from your device B1: Down the hall, turn alone, come back B2: Balance, move one spot to the right (Petronella turn) Balance, move one spot to the left *“Solo Dance #2”* A1: Figure eight (start facing your device, figure eight starts as if you’re doing an allemande right ¾ so that your figure eight moves away from the device) A2: Right shoulder round (melt into it as you finish figure eight) Swing (end facing across with your left side closest to your device) B1: Short lines forward and back Balance right then left, slide right (or spin, think Rory O’Moore) B2: Balance left then right, slide left Star left *“Solo Dance #3”* A1: Balance and swing yourself (end facing device) A2: Balance right then left, walk back four steps Balance right then left, walk back for steps B1: Zig left, zag right, zig left, zag right (8) (sashay forward in a zig zag pattern) Freestyle clogging (8) B2: Freestyle clogging (16) *Variation: Instead of freestyle clogging, repeat A2 and the first eight counts of B1.Tips: For the long swing, move slowly or not in a tight circle to avoid dizziness!* *“COVID-19 Step”* A1: Balance the ring, balance again Circle left, 1 time A2: Balance the ring, balance again Circle right, 1 time B1: Right foot - heal, toe, heal, toe (4); sashay right (4) Left foot - heal, toe, heal, toe (4); sashay left (4) B2: Balance, walk back four steps Zig zag forward (sashay back and forth to your starting place) *“Progress Alone”* *Notes: For this dance, encourage dancers to place two objects on the floor, about a body-length apart. The dance starts by facing the two objects and “connecting” right hands with the first object. Works well with music with a bouncy A part and flowy B part.* A1: Right hand balance, turn halfway (then give your left hand to the second object) Left hand balance, turn halfway (keep left hand connected there) A2: Left hand balance, turn halfway (give right hand to the first object) Right hand balance, turn halfway B1 Melt into a figure eight (follow the same path you just made with the balance/turn sequence, but flowy this time. 8 counts down, 8 counts back) B2: Melt into a swing when you get home (end facing your floor objects) Big circle left halfway (so that you are now in front of your second object - in “progressed” position; you will progress back and forth, i.e., alternate your starting place, throughout the dance) *“Untitled” (as of now)* *Note: Start facing your device, with plenty of space for dancing between you and the device.* A1: Right hand balance, pull by (6) left hand pull by (2) Right hand balance, pull by (6) left hand pull by (2) (square through with RH balances; end back at starting place) A2: See-saw Swing yourself (end facing down/away from your device) B1: Go down the hall, turn alone, come back B2: Balance side to side (4), walk back (4) Balance side to side (4), walk forward (4)

4 years, 2 months

With no apology to O'Shaughnessy

by Bob Peterson

Apropos of absolutely nothing, this stanza came to me after reading Ode by O’Shaughnessy: They are the music makers, and we the dancers of dreams, Balancing by the lone ocean waves, swinging our neighbors supreme, world-losers and world-forsakers, robins chaining to the extremes, Yet we are the movers and shakers, balancing the rings. —me, with no apology to O'Shaughnessy Inspired in a moment of madness from that famous poem... We are the music makers, And we are the dreamers of dreams, Wandering by lone sea-breakers, And sitting by desolate streams;— World-losers and world-forsakers, On whom the pale moon gleams: Yet we are the movers and shakers Of the world for ever, it seems. — Stanza 1, Ode by Arthur William Edgar O'Shaughnessy Improvements and additions welcome! \Bob Peterson Billerica, MA

4 years, 6 months

Callers workshop Sun 6/14

by Claire Takemori

Dear Callers, Hope you can come to this workshop, by Jeffrey Spero on Sun 6/14, from 2-330pm PDT(5-630pmEDT) He is a great dance musician and wonderful teacher/caller too. RSVP to Jeff. Or share with a caller who might be interested! Hey callers… ever wonder how to respond when a band asks “Would a jig work well for this dance?” Want to know what the band talks about while you’re teaching the dance? Interested in learning how to communicate better with the other people you share the stage with? Then this is the workshop for you! Led by caller/musician Jeffrey Spero (Syncopaths, Rhythm Raptors), we’ll delve into how the music effects the dance through time signatures (reels and jigs) and modes (major, minor, modal). We’ll talk extensively about on-stage communication - ways the caller and band can work more closely together to enhance the enjoyment for dancers, musicians and callers. Join us on Zoom on Sunday, June 14th at 5p ET / 2p PT for this informative and fun workshop! Cost for the 90 minute workshop is only $25, and space is limited. For more information or to register, contact Jeff at mail(a)jeffreyspero.com <mailto:mail@jeffreyspero.com>. https://www.facebook.com/events/1395246570678796/ <https://www.facebook.com/events/1395246570678796/> Claire Takemori Dance Caller (408) 874-6840 <tel:(408)%20874-6840> (VM) clairedancecaller(a)gmail.com <mailto:clairedancecaller@gmail.com> https://www.facebook.com/ClaireTakemoriDanceCaller/ <https://www.facebook.com/ClaireTakemoriDanceCaller/> bacds.org/teen <http://bacds.org/teen>

4 years, 6 months

Caller workshop w/ Jeffrey Spero (Syncopaths, Rhythm Raptors, Offbeats etc)

by Claire Takemori

Hey callers… ever wonder how to respond when a band asks “Would a jig work well for this dance?” Want to know what the band talks about while you’re teaching the dance? Interested in learning how to communicate better with the other people you share the stage with? Then this is the workshop for you! Led by caller/musician Jeffrey Spero (Syncopaths, Rhythm Raptors), we’ll delve into how the music effects the dance through time signatures (reels and jigs) and modes (major, minor, modal). We’ll talk extensively about on-stage communication - ways the caller and band can work more closely together to enhance the enjoyment for dancers, musicians and callers. Join us on Zoom on Sunday, June 14th at 5p ET / 2p PT for this informative and fun workshop! Cost for the 90 minute workshop is only $25, and space is limited. For more information or to register, contact Jeff at mail(a)jeffreyspero.com. https://www.facebook.com/events/1395246570678796/ <https://www.facebook.com/events/1395246570678796/> (Zoom sponsored by BACDS in CA) Email Jeff directly please ! Claire (BACDS)

4 years, 6 months

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Contra Callers June 2020