Renowned NH caller Mary DesRosiers died on 11/3/2024. There will be an informal gathering in the Nelson NH Monday dance on 11/11. I’ll post again when we hear of an official memorial.
Lisa Sieverts
603-762-0235
lisa(a)lisasieverts.com
Hello all-
St. Louis caller, writer of contra and English Country dances, and
long-time leader and organizer of dances Bob Green was in a bad car
accident in late July. After surgery and a month in an ICU, he has been in
a long-term rehab facility since... Here is the difficult message posted
today by his daughter, Sarah...
Most of you are aware that 2 months ago my Dad (Bob Green) was in a serious
car accident. While we had been hopeful that he would have a meaningful
recovery, it has become clear during the last 2 weeks that the damage was
too great. Dad continues to lose strength and is alert less and less. This
past weekend, his grandchildren were able to see him to say their goodbyes.
I am back in St. Louis and will be with him in his final days. My sisters
arrive this weekend. The medical staff are keeping him comfortable. Please
keep his family in your prayers.
I will let you know of his passing, and anything else I can share at that
time. I can give you his and wife Martha Edwards' mailing address, if you'd
like to contact that way, now or later.
Martha Edwards
433 Marford Dr.
St. Louis MO 63141
Keith Tuxhorn
Springfield IL
Hello all,
I recently got to drop in on the Charlotte dance in North Carolina, and had
a chance to chat with Dean Snipes. Dean (and independently, Linda Leslie)
wrote my favorite contra dance, Tika Tika Timing
<https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=11680>.
Judging from the 100 videos of it on Caller's Box, I think I'm not alone in
enjoying this dance.
Dean said he was inspired to write the dance after hearing the hit *Good
Timin'* by Jimmy Jones <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmRG0Y5N8lg>, and
felt the B1 petronella's did a nice job of conveying the rhythm. He also
mentioned that Mr. Jones had another hit "Handy Man
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKpbNvDg6zY>" (later covered and turned
into another more sedate hit by James Taylor).
So with a recent bout of insomnia, instead of re-writing Tika Tika Timing
as I have done numerous times, I put together a new dance. Jimmy Jones
seemed to like twirls, he does several in his live performance of Handy
Man. I hope he'd be amused by this.
Handy Man
Contra/Becket-CCW
A1 -----------
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
Turn away and face new neighbors
(8) Neighbor swing
A2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Larks’ Chain across
B1 -----------
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
B2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing
Hope you're all doing well and finding fun connections.
Luke
Burlington, VT
It's fun to see the creative ideas for dances with odd numbers.
In my experience, awkwardly small groups often occur at the beginning
or end of a regular evening (or at the mid-afternoon contra session
on a hot summer day).
In such circumstances, it's nice to have material that requires
minimal teaching, and gets people moving to music quickly. Bonus
points if it can accommodate dancers showing up late and adding-in.
Consistently successful for me is Steve Zakon-Anderson's well-known
contra 3-33-33. The opening is a continuous loop that works just fine
with 4 couples [you're never "out" -- just treat partner as next
neighbor and keep rolling-- get a rest in the Bs]. It's also workable
with 3 couples, or 5 (really,any number). In these circumstances, I
replace the final do-si-do with a chain --- a much more reliable transition ...
https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=3259
We discovered the felicity of this dance about 20 years ago -- in a
hot afternoon class at Buffalo Gap. Dancers liked it so much they
requested repeats at subsequent sessions. In the intervening years, I
have turned to it whenever it feels 'right' for a small, but fairly
experienced group. Feedback has been consistently positive.
My hunch is that more than a few familiar contras can be pleasing in
a very short line -- especially when there is lively action outside
the minor set. The advantage of minimal teaching is significant when
people are tired, overheated, or feeling discouraged that there are
not more dancers. A brisk transition to music and movement gets good
endorphins flowing !
As with any suggestions, your mileage may vary. I know some people
who love to collect novelty dances -- and enjoy the
excuse/opportunity to teach unusual figures and formations. That's
not what floats my boat, but our Diversity is a Strength.
Happy Dancing !
Scott
