Hi, Emily - besides the great info from Seth, Jonathon & David - I
would add picking dances that you yourself are very comfortable with, and
look at the transitions.
(A good starting place is looking at a 16 count neighbor interaction for
the A1 for a less experienced group to have time to adjust. Not much to
adjust from do-si-do & swing to balance & swing...)
Call a little early.
Give directional hints that you might not have needed if you had done a
walkthrough (ex. - "look across" before the next action if appropriate,
or "end facing down the hall" after a swing that precedes "down the hall
four in line")
Say something like "listen up" as you transition into the new dance.
They are not that varied, but I have often used Simplicity Swing (Becky
Hill) and The Nice Combination (Gene Huber) as a 2 dance no-walk-through
medley toward the end of the evening. It is nice to end with a down the
hall.
Airpants is another nice simple dance.
For a first time, two dances might be enough to have fun with; go with what
you feel.
As suggested, think about what figures or combinations of figures have
already been danced that night and will seem familiar.
If transitioning to a dance that requires having to find a new same role
dancer across the set to start (maybe not recommended when trying it for
the first time with less experienced dancers...) think about how to cue
that
ex: "NEW Robins allemand"
Have fun and best of luck,
Valerie
Hi David, Jonathan, and Seth,
Thanks so much for jumping in on this question about medleys and giving me
some ideas to chew on! I've danced some medleys but not since before the
pandemic and as mentioned, have never tried calling one. I definitely want
it to be a success.... no flops! Great point about having all the
choreography be familiar and the dances not be a challenge. That was on
my radar. Hadn't thought about putting a dance from earlier in the
evening in - cool idea Seth!
Thank you :)
Emily
Hi David, Jonathan, and Seth,
Thanks so much for jumping in on this question about medleys and giving me
some ideas to chew on! I've danced some medleys but not since before the
pandemic and as mentioned, have never tried calling one. I definitely want
it to be a success.... no flops! Great point about having all the
choreography be familiar and the dances not be a challenge. That was on
my radar. Hadn't thought about putting a dance from earlier in the
evening in - cool idea Seth!
Thank you :)
Emily
On Wed, May 1, 2024 at 1:00 AM <contracallers-request(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
wrote:
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> than "Re: Contents of Contra Callers digest..."Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Help with figuring out a suuuuuuper simple medley? (Emily Addison)
> 2. Re: [External] Help with figuring out a suuuuuuper simple medley?
> (Tepfer, Seth)
> 3. Re: Help with figuring out a suuuuuuper simple medley?
> (Jonathan Sivier)
> 4. Re: Help with figuring out a suuuuuuper simple medley?
> (David Bridgman-Packer)
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Emily Addison <emilyladdison(a)gmail.com>
> To: Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
> Cc:
> Bcc:
> Date: Tue, 30 Apr 2024 10:57:05 -0400
> Subject: [Callers] Help with figuring out a suuuuuuper simple medley?
> Hi fellow contra callers :)
>
> Given the situations I usually call in, I've never done a medley.
>
> However, in a few weeks I'm calling in a situation where a medley would
> work really well. It's not an overly experienced group of contra dancers.
> However, they are really keen and want to try new stuff. I'd love to have
> a no-fail super simple contra medley.
>
> Might you have any suggestions on medleys that you've used that have been
> safe/no fail in a situation with mixed experienced levels?
>
> Much thanks :)
> Emily in Ottawa ON
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: "Tepfer, Seth" <labst(a)emory.edu>
> To: Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>,
> Emily Addison <emilyladdison(a)gmail.com>
> Cc:
> Bcc:
> Date: Tue, 30 Apr 2024 15:12:56 +0000
> Subject: [Callers] Re: [External] Help with figuring out a suuuuuuper
> simple medley?
> Emily
>
> It all depends upon what you have taught earlier in the evening?
>
> One of my favorite medleys is:
> Forgotten Treasure
> <https://www.grantgoodyear.org/dance/programs/20081122.html#forgotten-treasu…>,
> Beth Parkes -> Roll in the Hey
> <http://www.quiteapair.us/calling/acdol/dance/acd_131.html>, Roger Diggle
> -> Hey in the Barn
> <https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=10482>,
> Chart Guthrie
>
> Partner interaction increases and builds up over the 3 dances. Requires
> they are comfortable with a hey. However, if your group doesn't do heys,
> perhaps something like:
>
> Forgotten Treasure
> <https://www.grantgoodyear.org/dance/programs/20081122.html#forgotten-treasu…>,
> Beth Parkes -> Push the Button
> <https://cdss.org/wp-content/uploads/resources/CDSS-The-Basics-of-Calling-Co…>,
> Gene Hubert -> Airpants
> <https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=4577>,
> Lisa Greenleaf
>
> The point is to have fun and validate what the dancers have learned over
> the course of the evening. The point is NOT to challenge them. You expect
> the dancers will be able to execute all the choreography comfortably. You
> might even consider putting in one of the dances you had done earlier in
> the evening, as part of the medley, kind of as a joke.
>
> Seth
>
>
> Seth Tepfer, MBA, CSM, PMP (he, him, his)
> Senior IT Manager, Emory Primate Center
>
> <https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/fcd3f5d71da848759228584d1a49babd…> Book
> time to meet with me
> <https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/SethTepfer@mscloud.emory.net/boo…>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* Emily Addison via Contra Callers <
> contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, April 30, 2024 10:57 AM
> *To:* Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
> *Subject:* [External] [Callers] Help with figuring out a suuuuuuper
> simple medley?
>
> Hi fellow contra callers :)
>
> Given the situations I usually call in, I've never done a medley.
>
> However, in a few weeks I'm calling in a situation where a medley would
> work really well. It's not an overly experienced group of contra dancers.
> However, they are really keen and want to try new stuff. I'd love to have
> a no-fail super simple contra medley.
>
> Might you have any suggestions on medleys that you've used that have been
> safe/no fail in a situation with mixed experienced levels?
>
> Much thanks :)
> Emily in Ottawa ON
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Jonathan Sivier <jsivier(a)illinois.edu>
> To: Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
> Cc:
> Bcc:
> Date: Tue, 30 Apr 2024 13:54:44 -0500
> Subject: [Callers] Re: Help with figuring out a suuuuuuper simple medley?
> Here is a medley I have used with some success. I don't think any of the
> figures are especially difficult. I wrote this down several years ago and
> haven't yet updated the terminology, so translate it to whatever terms you
> are currently using.
>
> Jonathan
>
> Contra Medley
> Arranged by Jonathan Sivier
>
> Cascades
> Orace Johnson
> duple improper
>
> 1-2 Neighbor gypsy and swing
> 3 - Gents allemande left 1 1/2
> 4 - Partner swing on the other side
> 5 - Down the hall 4 in line, turn as couples
> 6 - Return, bend the line to a circle
> 7 - Circle left 3/4
> 8 - Balance the circle, california twirl with your
> partner to face the next couple
>
>
> Salmon Chanted Evening
> Steve Zakon-Anderson
> duple improper
>
> 1 - Neighbor allemande right 1 1/2
> 2 - Gents allemande left 1 1/2
> 3-4 Partners gypsy and swing (on ladies' side)
> 5-6 Ladies chain over and back
> 7 - Right and left through across
> 8 - Circle left 3/4, pass through along the set
>
>
> The Casbah Queens
> David McMullen
> duple improper
>
> 1 - Neighbor do-si-do
> 2 - Neighbor swing
> 3 - Gents allemande left 1 1/2
> 4 - Partner allemande right 1 1/2
> 5 - Ladies left-shoulder gypsy
> 6 - Partner swing
> 7 - Promenade across set
> 8 - Circle left 3/4 and pass through
>
>
> Cascades (reprise)
>
> 1-2 gypsy and swing your neighbor
> 3 - men allemande left 1 1/2
> 4 - swing your partner on the other side
> 5 - down the hall 4 in line, turn as couples
> 6 - return, bend the line to a circle
> 7 - circle left 3/4
> 8 - balance the circle, california twirl with your
> partner to face the next couple
>
> Last time:
> (7 - circle left 1 time)
> (8 - swing your partner on the side)
>
>
> On 4/30/2024 9:57 AM, Emily Addison via Contra Callers wrote:
> > Hi fellow contra callers :)
> >
> > Given the situations I usually call in, I've never done a medley.
> >
> > However, in a few weeks I'm calling in a situation where a medley would
> work really well. It's not an overly experienced group of contra dancers.
> However, they are really keen and want to try new stuff. I'd love to have
> a no-fail super simple contra medley.
> >
> > Might you have any suggestions on medleys that you've used that have
> been safe/no fail in a situation with mixed experienced levels?
> >
> > Much thanks :)
> > Emily in Ottawa ON
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> > To unsubscribe send an email to
> contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: David Bridgman-Packer <davidskybp(a)gmail.com>
> To: Jonathan Sivier <jsivier(a)illinois.edu>
> Cc: Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
> Bcc:
> Date: Tue, 30 Apr 2024 16:05:06 -0800
> Subject: [Callers] Re: Help with figuring out a suuuuuuper simple medley?
> Maybe not technically a medley, but we've had success with new dancers at
> our local dance with Sun Dance and Moon Dance
> <https://contradb.com/dances/2277> by Robert Cromartie. It's two dances
> with inverted choreography. We usually walk through each version once.
> We've had two callers share the dance and switch back and forth, usually
> two rounds each.
> - David
>
> On Tue, Apr 30, 2024 at 10:55 AM Jonathan Sivier via Contra Callers <
> contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
>> Here is a medley I have used with some success. I don't think any of the
>> figures are especially difficult. I wrote this down several years ago and
>> haven't yet updated the terminology, so translate it to whatever terms you
>> are currently using.
>>
>> Jonathan
>>
>> Contra Medley
>> Arranged by Jonathan Sivier
>>
>> Cascades
>> Orace Johnson
>> duple improper
>>
>> 1-2 Neighbor gypsy and swing
>> 3 - Gents allemande left 1 1/2
>> 4 - Partner swing on the other side
>> 5 - Down the hall 4 in line, turn as couples
>> 6 - Return, bend the line to a circle
>> 7 - Circle left 3/4
>> 8 - Balance the circle, california twirl with your
>> partner to face the next couple
>>
>>
>> Salmon Chanted Evening
>> Steve Zakon-Anderson
>> duple improper
>>
>> 1 - Neighbor allemande right 1 1/2
>> 2 - Gents allemande left 1 1/2
>> 3-4 Partners gypsy and swing (on ladies' side)
>> 5-6 Ladies chain over and back
>> 7 - Right and left through across
>> 8 - Circle left 3/4, pass through along the set
>>
>>
>> The Casbah Queens
>> David McMullen
>> duple improper
>>
>> 1 - Neighbor do-si-do
>> 2 - Neighbor swing
>> 3 - Gents allemande left 1 1/2
>> 4 - Partner allemande right 1 1/2
>> 5 - Ladies left-shoulder gypsy
>> 6 - Partner swing
>> 7 - Promenade across set
>> 8 - Circle left 3/4 and pass through
>>
>>
>> Cascades (reprise)
>>
>> 1-2 gypsy and swing your neighbor
>> 3 - men allemande left 1 1/2
>> 4 - swing your partner on the other side
>> 5 - down the hall 4 in line, turn as couples
>> 6 - return, bend the line to a circle
>> 7 - circle left 3/4
>> 8 - balance the circle, california twirl with your
>> partner to face the next couple
>>
>> Last time:
>> (7 - circle left 1 time)
>> (8 - swing your partner on the side)
>>
>>
>> On 4/30/2024 9:57 AM, Emily Addison via Contra Callers wrote:
>> > Hi fellow contra callers :)
>> >
>> > Given the situations I usually call in, I've never done a medley.
>> >
>> > However, in a few weeks I'm calling in a situation where a medley would
>> work really well. It's not an overly experienced group of contra dancers.
>> However, they are really keen and want to try new stuff. I'd love to have
>> a no-fail super simple contra medley.
>> >
>> > Might you have any suggestions on medleys that you've used that have
>> been safe/no fail in a situation with mixed experienced levels?
>> >
>> > Much thanks :)
>> > Emily in Ottawa ON
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>> > To unsubscribe send an email to
>> contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>> _______________________________________________
>> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>> To unsubscribe send an email to
>> contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>>
> _______________________________________________
> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>
Hi fellow contra callers :)
Given the situations I usually call in, I've never done a medley.
However, in a few weeks I'm calling in a situation where a medley would
work really well. It's not an overly experienced group of contra dancers.
However, they are really keen and want to try new stuff. I'd love to have
a no-fail super simple contra medley.
Might you have any suggestions on medleys that you've used that have been
safe/no fail in a situation with mixed experienced levels?
Much thanks :)
Emily in Ottawa ON
