Contra Callers November 2021

contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net

17 participants
7 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

Covid cancellations

by Mary Collins

May have been talked about already so forgive me if it has. I have been contracted to call a wedding in Oct. Currently covid numbers are rising in my area and the bride, groom and I have talked about vaccines (yes), alcohol (no) and what if. Normally I do not require a deposit but I do expect payment upon arrival at venue. The question is: what to request as cancellation payment. What do others put in your contracts regarding this? Thanks in advance. Mary Collins

2 years, 4 months

Trying to put together a program from a limited repertoire

by Ted Sims

Wow, I just got asked to call the first half (of a two hour) tonight, which means there is no one else to do it. I call occasionally on open calling nights and I think it will go ok, but no one would say I am a skilled caller, and I have a small repertoire I call from, which are: Becky's Brouhaha Apples and Chocolate The Nice Combination Becket in the Kitchen Roll in the Hey Butter Old Time Elixir#2 Flying Flamingos So, I'm humbly soliciting advice for putting together a first half out of the possibilities above, with many thanks. Also, there is a tune the band likes to play, a pretty smooth one by Tom Turino called "Nighthawk 750". I'm looking for a dance that works well with this one.

2 years, 11 months

New non-discriminatory Northern California contra dance forming

by Alison Murphy Maderas

Given that the vaccines do not stop the spread, only mute symptoms, and that natural immunity isn't always documented, we will be hosting live in person dances with a minimum of paperwork and a maximum of privacy in the coming year. We are also considering prohibiting masks, as a)no peer-reviewed studies published prior to 2020 show that they are effective in preventing the spread of respiratory diseases b)many published studies show they provide repositories for bacteria to breed, and increase reuptake of both bacteria and CO2 and c) dancing with someone who covers their face with a dirty hanky impairs communication and connection. We don't want to discriminate needlessly, but we do believe that having everyone on the same page with regards to their own personal responsibility to manage their heath matters. The choice to attend an event where others will be holding hands, touching each other, have visible faces and expect to see theirs, and the vulnerability that comes with having a face that can be seen and known, will be appreciated by those in attendance, and will provide a strong unifying factor in community building. If any of this echoes positively with you, and you reside in the Jefferson State area, please contact us at crunchycontradance(a)pm.me for further updates. Current counties of interest include Humboldt, Trinity, Shasta, Tehama, and Siskiyou. Looking for dance space, media contacts, musicians primarily in these areas. Cognitive dissonance between what I have written and your COVID beliefs? Feel free to block emails from the above address and write me off. This list is for contra dancing, not to debate misinformation and who is right or wrong- it is my desire to start a dance, not a debate. I think we can agree that the definition of science and the definition of policy are not synonymous, and hope we may all dance together, both freely and safely, in unity someday. Namaste, Alison

2 years, 12 months

Squares from Northern Junket

by Colin Hume

Northern Junket was a magazine which Ralph Page edited from 1949 to 1984. I've now started copying out the Squares he published there, sometimes with my own comments and suggestions - I've finished Volume 1. I know some of you dance and call Squares as well as Contras. If you're interested, please read my page at: https://colinhume.com/instnj.htm and let me have any corrections and comments either through the list or by email. Colin Hume

2 years, 12 months

dances resuming

by Jane Ewing

NACDS - North Alabama Country Dance Society in Huntsville, Al see Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/5561454053 Starting with a Nov 13th dance at our regular venue with proof of vaccination, photo ID, contact information and signature on waiver that covers venue and NACDS. The church in which we hold our dances has a capacity limit of 100 people in the gym. Jane Ewing Producer,, NACDS

3 years

Does anybody know of active vaccinated-only, in-person contra dances?

by Becky Liddle

Hi caller friends, I’m the president of Toronto Contra Dance and we’re about to survey our membership about when they’ll feel ready to return to in-person dancing, and under what circumstances. We’re expecting that at first dances will be vaccinated-only spaces, probably with masks required. But it would be very useful to us if we knew of other dance organizations that had already begun vaccinated-only dances, so we could learn how that’s going. (Do they require masks? Can people enjoy the dance with masks? Has anyone gotten sick? What adaptations, e.g., slowing down the music, have they needed to make to accommodate mask-wearing? What systems have worked well for verifying vaccination status?) I had hoped CDSS would be monitoring back-to-in-person dances to inform the rest of us how those ventures are going, but as far as I can tell, they’re not doing that. Any information anyone can provide would be most appreciated! Back-channel messages welcome! If I’m re-inventing the wheel here, please put me in touch with whatever group is looking into this! Thanks! Becky Liddle

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Contra Callers November 2021