I've just had a second running of my Positional Squares workshop and I've now put up a large page of notes,
so if you're interested in calling or dancing squares positionally, please browse to
https://colinhume.com/dtpositional.htm
and I'll be pleased to receive your feedback, good or bad!
Colin Hume
tldr: those of you who are anti-Petronella claps (in general, not just in
specific cases where they interrupt flow from the spin into the next move),
I want to understand why!
Clapping on Petronella turns has been the overwhelming norm ever since I
started dancing, but I know that it wasn't always this way, and that some
folks vehemently dislike it. Well recently I've noted the (baffling??
inexplicable??) rise of clapping after the spin on Rory O'Moore's, which
makes my blood boil (it's so satisfying to catch hands in the new wave out
of the spin, why would you ever NOT do that??), and it's making me think
more about Petronella claps.
Clapping on a Rory bugs me so much because it interrupts the momentum of
spin-and-catch-hands. I'll admit that I don't understand the objection to
Petronella claps, at least through that lens. Like certainly, in a
specifically Cure for the Claps-type* dance (with e.g. Petronella spin into
allemande left, Petronella spin into swing, etc.), clapping interrupts the
momentum, and it's way more satisfying to spin directly into the next move.
But given a bog standard "Petronella, Petronella, balance and swing" or
similar, I don't feel like the claps interrupt the momentum or disrupt
transitions, and in fact are a nice fun way to fill space.
To be clear, the above isn't an argument in favor of Petronella claps, just
me explaining where I'm coming from. So now we come to my question:
1. *those of you who are anti-Petronella claps, can you explain why?* I
want to understand! Is it a satisfying momentum thing that I've just never
experienced because I'm so used to clapping? Dedication to historical
accuracy? Something else entirely?
2. *what dance(s) would you use to make your case to a contemporary contra
hall, that aren't explicitly written as Cure for the Claps dances?* Petronella
spin to a swing feels great, and of *course* you shouldn't clap there
(although some folks inexplicably do, sigh)—but if you'd prefer that we
didn't clap even in a dance like Tica Tica Timing, then a CftC dance isn't
the whole story. If you had the infinite good will of a contemporary contra
hall, and were able to say to the dancers "don't clap on the Petronellas in
this one and just pay attention to how nice it feels to X and how
satisfying it is to Y", what dance would you use, what things would you
tell the dancers to clue into, etc. to make your case? (And what would you
ask the band for?)
Thanks as always for your expertise!
Cheers,
Maia
* Cure for the Claps contra: a dance that discourages clapping during the
Petronella turn, often by putting moves directly after the Petronella that
flow nicely from a spin. May be intentional or incidental. See e.g.: The
Cure for the Claps
<https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=10364> (Bob
Isaacs), Becket in the Kitchen
<https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=17> (Becky
Hill)
--
Maia McCormick (she/her)
917.279.8194
This title and concept for a dance burst into my head during the recent
auroras.
It ought to have shifting wavy lines, of course, and is there a way to have
an orbit around a star? Ooh! A hands across star where a pair spits out
and goes outward and into orbit…
Anyway, I don’t have the compositional chops to develop it in a timely way,
but I would love to see it exist. If my notion inspires anyone to write it,
hooray.
-Joseph
I call several of Becky's dances, they're still among my favorites. Sandy Bradley and Kate Charles were two women callers that I remember hearing & wanting to emulate back when I started calling in 1978. They mostly called squares, with a very musical, fun style. Sandy lives up in the PNW, I don't think she calls much these days. Kate we lost way too early.~ Masha Goodman Crawford ~ 209.402.1943 ~ facebook.com/oldsoles..... Amanda wrote:"...Bob Isaacs told us, during his calling workshop at CDH, that Becky paved the way for women to get into calling. Apparently there were few (or none?) women callers before her. ..."
Hi folks,
Over the past year, I'm realizing how many dances written by Becky Hill I
absolutely adore. So, naively, I wrote to Becky Hill (this one!
<https://www.rebeccahill.org/>) whom I admire thinking that it was her who
wrote dances. Turns out that flatfooter and old time square dance leader
Becky Hill is not the same Becky Hill who wrote the contras and square that
I have in my dance box.
So... I naturally became curious ... who is the other Becky Hill???
And this is all I've been able to find
<https://www.heritagecremationsociety.com/obituaries/rebecca-ellen-becky-hill>
.
Did any of you know Becky? Any further information on her?
I know that many of her dances are super popular and called by so many folk.
Thanks,
Emily Addison in Ottawa ON
A secret contra/ECD dance that can't be shared. That's too bad. Maybe the
author could share it?
Patricia. our local dancers do "The Source" which is a dance I learned at
Pourparler (when it was in Vermont before the most recent Vermont PP.) If
I recall correctly it's a Navajo dance but I learned it to a Loreena
McKennit rendition of the tune "The Mummer's Dance." We've done it at a
couple of folk dance memorial services. Quite spiritual. A circle dance
though, not a contra.
Lissa Bengtson
San Antonio
On Thu, May 9, 2024 at 11:00 PM <
contracallers-request(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> Send Contra Callers mailing list submissions to
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> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of Contra Callers digest..."Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Re: Tony Parkes 1949-2024 (Neal Schlein)
> 2. Re: Tony Parkes 1949-2024 (Tina Fields)
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Neal Schlein <nschlein(a)gmail.com>
> To: Patricia Campbell <countrydancecaller(a)gmail.com>
> Cc: Claire Takemori <cht(a)mac.com>, Shared Weight Contra Callers <
> contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
> Bcc:
> Date: Wed, 8 May 2024 23:00:00 -0600
> Subject: [Callers] Re: Tony Parkes 1949-2024
> Actually, I don’t think I can give details. Sorry.
>
> I’m not the author of Empty Shoes and can’t claim I have permission to
> share the full choreography widely. It was written by a musician/caller
> (Rodney Barnes?) after his father died, and I first learned it from him at
> one of the last Folk Fellowship dance camps. Those were invitation-only
> groups and the notes were printed in the syllabus/yearbook, which is what I
> refer to every time we need it. (Which I regretfully have to do soon, as we
> just lost one of our longest-term dancers. I’ve only taught it five or six
> times in the last 15 years.)
>
> While I assume it would probably be fine for me to share the details, I’ve
> never seen the dance posted online anywhere and I don’t know the author
> that well. I would prefer not to violate his copyrights on something that
> could still be sensitive.
>
> However, I will say that it require a fairly large number of people,
> because it is a circular contra with a definite ECD feel and rather more
> intricate than the typical contra dance. If I recall correctly, it has a
> setting-type balance and a 2-hand turn in it.
>
> Neal Schlein
> Librarian, MSLIS
>
>
> On Wed, May 8, 2024 at 4:21 PM Patricia Campbell @gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Would you please describe the dance Empty Shoes?
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Patricia
>>
>> Patricia Campbell
>> southern Maine
>>
>>
>> *Celebrating Community Through Traditional Dance and Music*
>>
>>
>>
>> On Wed, May 8, 2024 at 5:23 PM Neal Schlein via Contra Callers <
>> contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>>
>>> One of the rather idiosyncratic dance groups that I belong to has a
>>> specific dance that we do in memory of a recently deceased member, as well
>>> as all the other dancers who came and left before. We also do it at camps
>>> to remember anyone who can’t join us for whatever reason. The dance is
>>> named Empty Shoes.
>>>
>>> At a more open dance, if it is recent and the person is locally known I
>>> might post a note at the front table with a brief obituary and let the
>>> volunteers know that a dance will be dedicated at some point in the night.
>>>
>>> From the microphone, I would make the announcement one dance ahead so
>>> people have the chance to step out. Then keep it brief, basically to the
>>> extent of, “Some of you may not have heard, but XYZ person passed away
>>> recently. They were a valuable part of our/the national dance community
>>> for many years and will be missed. The next dance is one that they
>>> wrote/particularly enjoyed, and I want to share it with you in their
>>> memory.”
>>>
>>> Neal Schlein
>>> Librarian, MSLIS
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>>> To unsubscribe send an email to
>>> contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>>>
>>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Tina Fields <tfields8(a)yahoo.com>
> To: "contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net" <
> contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
> Cc:
> Bcc:
> Date: Thu, 9 May 2024 16:48:14 +0000 (UTC)
> Subject: [Callers] Re: Tony Parkes 1949-2024
> Hi everyone,
>
> I, too, will join in calling a dance in Tony's honor this weekend, one he
> wrote or possibly a medley of them. I appreciate Neil Schlein's way of
> introducing a memorial dance - thanks for that. Can you also please share
> the dance Empty Shoes here?
>
> I only got to meet Tony once, at RPDLW, and thought his reputation well
> deserved: he was one of the finest callers I'd ever heard to date, and a
> truly nice person to boot. My condolences to all who loved him. Hail the
> Goer!
>
> warmly,
> Tina Fields
>
> _______________________________________________
> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>
Hi everyone,
I, too, will join in calling a dance in Tony's honor this weekend, one he wrote or possibly a medley of them. I appreciate Neil Schlein's way of introducing a memorial dance - thanks for that. Can you also please share the dance Empty Shoes here?
I only got to meet Tony once, at RPDLW, and thought his reputation well deserved: he was one of the finest callers I'd ever heard to date, and a truly nice person to boot. My condolences to all who loved him. Hail the Goer!
warmly,
Tina Fields
Hello dear callers.
I have a question about when a caller brings up a recent passing during a public dance.
When Kim Yerton passed, I heard about it the day before and grieved. The next day the caller dedicated a dance to her and I almost had to leave the dance. Left the line to get away from listening to the words about Kim. I realize this is my own reaction and sensitivity.
Wondering what y’all say on mic about a recent passing and dedication, as it could be a surprise to some dancers?
At a recent ECD weekend, the caller dedicated a dance to Christine Robb and said to dance it with appreciation and joy as that is what she would’ve wanted instead of grief and sorrow.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Claire Takemori (Asheville NC)
> On May 8, 2024, at 1:00 AM, contracallers-request(a)lists.sharedweight.net wrote:
>
> Send Contra Callers mailing list submissions to
> contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>
> To subscribe or unsubscribe via email, send a message with subject or
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>
> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of Contra Callers digest..."
>
> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Tony Parkes 1949-2024 (Greenleaf)
> 2. Re: Tony Parkes 1949-2024 (Mary Collins)
> 3. Re: Tony Parkes 1949-2024 (Angela DeCarlis)
> 4. Re: Tony Parkes 1949-2024 (Lisa Greenleaf)
> 5. Re: Tony Parkes 1949-2024 (Andrew Stout)
> 6. Re: Tony Parkes 1949-2024 (Luke Donforth)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Tue, 7 May 2024 13:26:02 -0400
> From: Greenleaf <laleaf(a)gmail.com>
> Subject: [Callers] Tony Parkes 1949-2024
> To: Trad Callers <tradcallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>,
> callers(a)sharedweight.net
> Message-ID: <C8230451-0C50-4187-9911-786FD26405F0(a)gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
> Caller Tony Parkes passed away yesterday with his wife, Beth, at his side. He will be missed.
>
> At the lovely Tony Parkes tribute at this year’s Neffa Festival, Beth spoke of how Tony was touched and surprised that so many people were telling him about his impact on their lives. Well, yes, Tony! He was a true treasure.
>
> Lisa Greenleaf
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Tue, 7 May 2024 14:00:35 -0400
> From: Mary Collins <nativedae(a)gmail.com>
> Subject: [Callers] Re: Tony Parkes 1949-2024
> To: Greenleaf <laleaf(a)gmail.com>
> Cc: Trad Callers <tradcallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>,
> callers(a)sharedweight.net
> Message-ID:
> <CAB0qS-zEJJOfuc8-D=A4ucoBCkMH1RVHu5uBaUWoCqRoRH=KPQ(a)mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
> boundary="000000000000f5d6830617e0f7e5"
>
> Lisa,
>
> Thanks for sharing this. I am calling Friday and will certainly add a Tony
> aspect to the evening. His insights, support & dance writing will be
> sorely missed.
>
> Mary Collins
>
> "And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who
> couldn't hear the music." - Nietzsche
>
> “Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass ... it's about learning
> to dance in the rain!” ~ unknown
>
>
> On Tue, May 7, 2024 at 1:27 PM Greenleaf via Contra Callers <
> contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
>> Caller Tony Parkes passed away yesterday with his wife, Beth, at his side.
>> He will be missed.
>>
>> At the lovely Tony Parkes tribute at this year’s Neffa Festival, Beth
>> spoke of how Tony was touched and surprised that so many people were
>> telling him about his impact on their lives. Well, yes, Tony! He was a true
>> treasure.
>>
>> Lisa Greenleaf
>> _______________________________________________
>> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>> To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>>
>
A reminder to everyone to please sign your last name to any initial email. It may eventually show up in the reply email address, but it’s nice not to have to hunt for it.
Thanks,
Lisa Greenleaf
> On May 8, 2024, at 1:09 PM, Cindy Harris via Trad Callers <tradcallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
> So sorry to hear this. Although I didn't know Tony more than to recognize him and say hi, I always loved those moment at NEFFA when I got to dance to his calling.
>
> As it happens, I'll be calling the Pittsburgh dance next Friday night. That inspired me to go spelunking in my dance collection and online to see what dances I might include. For those of you who are calling gender free and particularly for those interested in positional (aka relational) calling, I was intrigued to notice that most of the dances Tony choreographed make no reference whatsoever to roles. And even for those that do, only minor changes to wording are required to call them completely role-free. So if you haven't yet dipped your toes into the world of role-free positional/relational calling, Tony's dances are a good place to start.
>
> Cindy
>
> Director, Small Harmonies <http://bridgeofvoices.org/>
>
> 2023 International Autoharp Champion
>
> Have you experienced GrayScale ContraBand <https://grayscalecontraband.com/>?
>
> ==============
>
>
> On Wed, May 8, 2024 at 12:28 PM Jonathan Sivier via Trad Callers <tradcallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:tradcallers@lists.sharedweight.net>> wrote:
>> I won't be calling at our local contra dance until early June, but I intend to include some of Tony's dances then.
>>
>> Jonathan
>>
>> P.S. - How are you doing Andrew? I see your mom regularly at our English and Scottish dances. JES
>>
>> On 5/8/2024 8:21 AM, Joseph Erhard-Hudson via Contra Callers wrote:
>> > Add me to the list of callers honoring Tony this weekend (and next) in our programs.
>> >
>> > -Joseph
>> >
>> > On Tue, May 7, 2024 at 5:08 PM Andrew Stout via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net><mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>>> wrote:
>> >
>> > I wasn't able to be at NEFFA for the tribute, but I called a week and a half ago and said a few words about Tony. I called May Day Mixer, Monday Night Fever, and Shadrack's Delight.
>> >
>> > --Andrew
>> >
>> > On Tue, May 7, 2024 at 6:18 PM Lisa Greenleaf via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net><mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>>> wrote:
>> >
>> > Tony was diagnosed with a stage 4 glio blastoma late last fall. He did an initial round of chemo and radiation before entering hospice in early spring.
>> >
>> > He was never in pain, and indeed, he and Beth were able to let his community know what was going on, so he received lots of love and support. He had many visitors and messages these last few weeks.
>> >
>> > Tony was the first to incorporate a square through into a contra dance. Friday Night Fever initially had just one balance, followed by four pull bys, but it is now widely danced with the two partner balances.
>> >
>> > Check out Callers Box database for more ideas.
>> >
>> > Lisa
>> >
>> > On Tue, May 7, 2024 at 6:06 PM Angela DeCarlis <aedecarlis(a)gmail.com <mailto:aedecarlis@gmail.com> <mailto:aedecarlis@gmail.com <mailto:aedecarlis@gmail.com>>> wrote:
>> >
>> > Thank you Lisa for sharing. Sending love out to those who knew Tony better than I did — the few interactions I had with him were entirely lovely.
>> >
>> > Like Mary, I'm also calling a dance on Friday. I'd love to call one of Tony's dances — what are y'all's favorites?
>> >
>> > Best,
>> > Angela
>> >
>> > On Tue, May 7, 2024 at 2:01 PM Mary Collins via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net><mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>>> wrote:
>> >
>> > Lisa,
>> >
>> > Thanks for sharing this. I am calling Friday and will certainly add a Tony aspect to the evening. His insights, support & dance writing will be sorely missed.
>> >
>> > Mary Collins
>> >
>> > "And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who couldn't hear the music." - Nietzsche
>> >
>> > “Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass ... it's about learning to dance in the rain!” ~ unknown
>> >
>> >
>> > On Tue, May 7, 2024 at 1:27 PM Greenleaf via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net><mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>>> wrote:
>> >
>> > Caller Tony Parkes passed away yesterday with his wife, Beth, at his side. He will be missed.
>> >
>> > At the lovely Tony Parkes tribute at this year’s Neffa Festival, Beth spoke of how Tony was touched and surprised that so many people were telling him about his impact on their lives. Well, yes, Tony! He was a true treasure.
>> >
>> > Lisa Greenleaf
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> <mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>>
>> > To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers-leave@lists.sharedweight.net> <mailto:contracallers-leave@lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers-leave@lists.sharedweight.net>>
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> <mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>>
>> > To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers-leave@lists.sharedweight.net> <mailto:contracallers-leave@lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers-leave@lists.sharedweight.net>>
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> <mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>>
>> > To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers-leave@lists.sharedweight.net> <mailto:contracallers-leave@lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers-leave@lists.sharedweight.net>>
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> <mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>>
>> > To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers-leave@lists.sharedweight.net> <mailto:contracallers-leave@lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers-leave@lists.sharedweight.net>>
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
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Caller Tony Parkes passed away yesterday with his wife, Beth, at his side. He will be missed.
At the lovely Tony Parkes tribute at this year’s Neffa Festival, Beth spoke of how Tony was touched and surprised that so many people were telling him about his impact on their lives. Well, yes, Tony! He was a true treasure.
Lisa Greenleaf
