Contra Callers October 2023

contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net

27 participants
11 discussions

by Erik Hoffman

I'd love to collect a few more whole set dances for one night stands. I have done my version of the Virginia Reel, of course. Some Running Set figures (though not in a big circle, but, "find another couple and circle left), Sasha, the Broom Dance and/or the Fan Dance, Blobs, and possibly teach Jefferson & Liberty, or a slightly simplified version of Haste to the Wedding and the first "Hands Four" dance. So, I've been collecting the Simple Contra Dances, and adding them to my repertoire with thanks to all sharing them! I am looking for Whole Set Dances. Here's one from me: Building a Tunnel I put some figures together after looking at dancing in Douglastown, Quebec, that I found from Laura Risk's wonderful collection of music and notes she coproduced with Brian Morris, the Douglastown cd (https://www.laurarisk.com/recordings.html). I call this Building a Tunnel. Then I stole part of what I think is The Flying Scottsman (which I learned from the wonderful Sandy Bradley) or is it Kingston Flyer as Tony Parkes mentioned. Building a Tunnel Longways set a Whole Set dance Not too phrased to the music In long lines, Head Person of Line One leads their line all the way around Line Two Then Head of Line Two leads line around Line One All Partner Do Si Do, Swing (any way: elbow, 2-hand, ballroom) Top Couple arch over one line to the bottom-Mow The Lawn... Top Couple arch over the other line back to the top-Cut Their Hair... Top Couple Sashay to Bottom, Make an Arch The two lines face down, go down and around the Top (soon to be Bottom) Couple Through the arch, and, as the line goes under, make an Arch when couples go through the last arch (made by the couple they've been following). In other words, Building a Tunnel. When teaching the Top Couple to make an arch I teach taking one hand as they face the line. By the second or third time, couple start doing the arch with two hands, thus, I don't know why I bother... Like other dances as the Virginia Reel, sets can easily get out of sync. If they do, I watch and stop calling except to remind un-sync-ed if they forgot something. So many times when teaching the Virginia Reel, dancers want to do the "build a tunnel" and I (and most likely most of you) have to teach promenading up and not passing anyone. Now they get to build it! Thinking of making the first Hands Four dance Easier For years I've called the dance at the Full Belly Farm's "Hoes Down" where they put their hoes down and dance. I've used Jefferson & Liberty, but, in sets on an empty field where sets can easily get 20-couples long or longer, and not wanting to take even more time bi and trifurcating sets into shorter sets. I think I presented Barbarella earlier, and it got me thinking: would it be easier to teach a phrased progressive dance in Becket Formation ending by sliding left to a new couple? So, I'm going to try a couple of ideas at my next One Night Stand: Start getting lines in becket formation. My first thought is to star with Long Lines going forward and back, to reinforce that we are dancing with everyone, but I can also starting by teaching a slice and then putting that slice as B2. That said, these just thinking right now: My First Try: A1 LLF&B; Neighbor across Do Si Do A2 Partner Do Si Do, Swing (any way) B1 Face Down for Line of Four Down the Hall, Turn as a Couple (or, uh, not), Return B2 Circle Left, Circle Right, Slide Right to next couple to A1 LLF&B Or A1 w/ Couple Across: Circle Left, then Right A2 w/ Neighbor Across: DSD, Two Hand Turn B1 Back on Own Side: Ptnr DSD, Two Hand Turn (or Swing any kind) B2 Looking to the Left: Long Lines go Forward to a New Couple, then Straight Back, to A1 with New Nbr I think these might be easier to explain to complete novices. Any thoughts? ~Erik Hoffman Oakland, CA

6 months

Gear / money-saving tip on a ~$130 cordless mic

by Robert Matson

Hi All, I hope this helps someone in our community save money on a cordless microphone. Just now, a caller friend asked me about the ~$130 Monoprice-brand cordless mic system that we use for calling and teaching. We've used this inexpensive but perfectly adequate cordless mic system for over a year and 16 dances. https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=600060 2x mics, 2x headpieces, 2x transmitters, 1x 2-channel receiver. Outputs: 2x XLR for ea. channel or 1x 1/4" combined. ~$130 We've noticed no downsides in spite of the low price, except that Ellen finds the headpiece slips. I understand the issue as being that long thick straight hair prevents the head piece from clamping snugly. She solved it once by wearing a baseball cap. I've worn the mic about six times for calling single dances and to help teach walk-throughs and -- short hair no baseball cap and wearing reading glasses -- had a seamless experience. Another semi-local caller, who calls a monthly dance and to whom I recommended the same set, hasn't mentioned to me any downsides or frustrations. I have no relationship with the manufacturer or dealer. I've bought other things from Monoprice. The one time I had an issue, they quickly resolved it. Hope this helps someone. Rob - - - - - - - - - - - - Robert Matson Cell: (917) 626-2675

6 months, 2 weeks

Hinge Binge alternatives?

by Julian Blechner

Sometimes a dance looks good on paper, and it's difficult to know dance's issues until you dance it. I wonder if anyone has variations to Bob Isaacs' "Hinge Binge"? I really like the hinging part of the dance, but ... in lark/gent/lefthand role, I find my right arm is strained from having it up so much. Here's the original: Becket A1: Larks Give and Take, Neighbor Swing A2: Circle L 3/4, Partner Dosido to short wavy line, P in RH, larks in ctr with LH B1: Bal Wave, Hinge + Circulate (Partner Alle R 1/4, then box circulate with Robins crossing set to new wave, larks, looping right to face back in and join wave on the same side) Bal Wave, Hinge + Advance (N1 Alle R 1/4, then walk forward to new neighbors, make another wave) B2: Bal Wave, Hinge + Circulate (N2 Alle R 1/4, Robins cross, larks loop right) Partner Swing So the Lark role is holding their arm up and providing weight: A1: 8 beats for swing A2: 6 beats during circle, continued from the swing B1a: 4 beats for the balance, 2-3 beats for the allemande, and you don't really have any time to move your arms down and let them rest before you have to take hands in the next wave B1b: 4 beats for the balance , another 2-3 beats for the allemande, again, no real time to put your arms down. B2a: 4 beats for the balance , another 2-3 beats for the allemande, and, again, no real time to put your arms down before the swing. B2b: 8 beats for swing So the dance for the larks/gents is an 8 beat break, 14-16 beats of swing -> circle, a 8 beat dosido where the last beat or two to raise your arms for the wave, and then 32 beats continuously keeping right arms up. Could give a longer rest in the A: A1: Robins G+T, NS A2: Robins Chain, Pass Thru to an Ocean wave w/P in right, robins in ctr. This keeps the dance nearly intact, a bit harder since Pass-the-Ocean isn't a glossary move, but affords 6-8 more beats of rest. Roles are swapped in the waves, but it doesn't matter since you progress the same and wind up with your partner. We could lose the neighbor swing in the A1 and make it something like: A1. LLFB Larks Alle L 1.5x A2. 3/4 Hey (NR, Robins L, PR, Larks L, NR, Robins L) Partner Alle R 1/4 to short waves ... which preserves the B1-B2 of Hinge Binge more closely without the role swap. There's probably a way to move the partner swing to the A1 and remove the neighbor swing. Anyway. Curious if there's already dances out there. In dance, Julian Blechner

6 months, 3 weeks

Most difficult contras

by Michael Fuerst

What are the most difficult contras (improper, proper, indecent or becket) that you have danced, have called, and remain afraid to call?

6 months, 3 weeks

Re: Larks, Robins, Gents, Ladies and "X, formerly known as Twitter"

by John W Gintell

> Which do you speculate will come first? > a) The press will regularly refer to "X" rather than "X, formerly known as Twitter" > OR > b) The contra dance world will agree to one of larks/robins or gents/ladies > I like to point out two important factors that should influence the transition to larks/robins. 1. To some LGBTQ+ people being called a Lady or Gent is mentally harmful because gender ID is a very important matter and sometimes has a long and often uncomfortable personal history. 2. It helps encourage people to dance both roles. a) I’ve been at dances where there are more people of one gender than the other and as a result some dancers sit out a dance because they feel uncomfortable about asking someone of the same gender to dance. And there are some people who think that Ladies shouldn’t ask Gents to dance. b) I think dancing both roles makes you a better dancer because you get to appreciate the affect of some moves on the other person.

7 months, 1 week

Introducing new dances to gender free dancing

by Michael Fuerst

Several months ago someone posted on a thread here her/his excellent approach to this. Does anyone know in which thread this was?

7 months, 1 week

Larks, Robins, Gents, Ladies and "X, formerly known as Twitter"

by Michael Fuerst

Which do you speculate will come first? a) The press will regularly refer to "X" rather than "X, formerly known as Twitter" OR b) The contra dance world will agree to one of larks/robins or gents/ladies

7 months, 1 week

Teaching 'contra' to adults with various developmental disabilities

by Bree Kalb

I've been asked if I will teach/lead a one hour long 'contra dance' at a day program for young adults with a variety of physical and cognitive disabilities. (The staff probably would be happy for me to do more than one session, but I'm not willing to commit to that. At Least not now.) My usual repertoire for a wedding or party of non-dancers seems tricky for many of the clients--especially those who are uncomfortable being touched. I did a similar event about 10 years ago--at a different program-- and it didn't seem many of them had a good time. I'd like to figure out a way to make it fun for this group. I have a couple of ideas and am looking for more. Have you ever led a dance/music event with a similar population? I'd appreciate any advice/suggestions. Bree Kalb Carrboro NC

7 months, 1 week

When Was the 12-Beat Swing Introduced?

by John Sweeney

Hi all, Does anyone know when the Balance & Swing as we know it today become popular with a 12-beat Swing instead of the more standard 8-beat or 16-beat Swing? Thanks. Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

7 months, 2 weeks

Ear protection that works for callers?

by Emily Addison

Hi Folks :) This summer, I called for a week long event. Near the end of the week, I found my ears were really tired and the level of sound coming from the speakers was hurting my ears. I did talk to the sound person a bit but they needed to accommodate the dancers of course and so turning down the main speakers was not an option. While I call from the stage some of the time, it often worked better if I was calling from the floor. Has anyone had similar experiences? Have you found solutions? Thanks! :) Emily in Ottawa

7 months, 2 weeks

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Contra Callers October 2023