What a moment in history we are witnessing! I can't believe that I have done this, but I have created a folder on my computer called Zoom dances (for want of a better name).
If you have composed any dances for the current times, and are happy to share, I would be very pleased to have a copy. I have made baby steps into calling dances over zoom. Another whole level of challenge, and not for the technologically shy! My unending admiration for those of you who are pioneering this new dance form.
I hope you are all well. Being able to dance and witness this from the other side of the world is a little bit of a silver lining for me
CheersJeanette MillCanberra, Australia
Apropos of absolutely nothing, this stanza came to me after reading Ode by O’Shaughnessy:
They are the music makers,
and we the dancers of dreams,
Balancing by the lone ocean waves,
swinging our neighbors supreme,
world-losers and world-forsakers,
robins chaining to the extremes,
Yet we are the movers and shakers,
balancing the rings.
—me, with no apology to O'Shaughnessy
Inspired in a moment of madness from that famous poem...
We are the music makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams,
Wandering by lone sea-breakers,
And sitting by desolate streams;—
World-losers and world-forsakers,
On whom the pale moon gleams:
Yet we are the movers and shakers
Of the world for ever, it seems.
— Stanza 1, Ode by Arthur William Edgar O'Shaughnessy
Improvements and additions welcome!
\Bob Peterson
Billerica, MA
Hello,
I wanted to share some dances I've written over the past few months, in
case they are of use to others. I wrote these dances to call during
Bloomington’s weekly Wednesday night zoom dance. They are written for one
person to dance alone, but they can be adapted or improvised for more
people. I have been walking through the dances twice (while demonstrating
the moves) and calling for the duration of the dance (while also dancing by
myself on camera to continue demonstrating). I am lucky to have musicians
in my small pandemic circle, so I’ve been calling to live music.
The easiest way to view the dances (as far as formatting goes) is with this
google doc link. I will also copy and paste them below as well.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iMRE0YZZZf3nu2cXU5TwThSgF3ooP38jdNSgn6n…
I'm curious for thoughts and feedback, too!
Kyla Wargel
*“Solo Dance #1”*
A1: Do-si-do
Circle left, 1 time
A2: Do-si-do
Balance and swing yourself, end facing down/away from your device
B1: Down the hall, turn alone, come back
B2: Balance, move one spot to the right (Petronella turn)
Balance, move one spot to the left
*“Solo Dance #2”*
A1: Figure eight (start facing your device, figure eight starts as if
you’re doing an allemande right ¾ so that your figure eight moves away from
the device)
A2: Right shoulder round (melt into it as you finish figure eight)
Swing (end facing across with your left side closest to your device)
B1: Short lines forward and back
Balance right then left, slide right (or spin, think Rory O’Moore)
B2: Balance left then right, slide left
Star left
*“Solo Dance #3”*
A1: Balance and swing yourself (end facing device)
A2: Balance right then left, walk back four steps
Balance right then left, walk back for steps
B1: Zig left, zag right, zig left, zag right (8) (sashay forward in a
zig zag pattern)
Freestyle clogging (8)
B2: Freestyle clogging (16)
*Variation: Instead of freestyle clogging, repeat A2 and the first eight
counts of B1.Tips: For the long swing, move slowly or not in a tight circle
to avoid dizziness!*
*“COVID-19 Step”*
A1: Balance the ring, balance again
Circle left, 1 time
A2: Balance the ring, balance again
Circle right, 1 time
B1: Right foot - heal, toe, heal, toe (4); sashay right (4)
Left foot - heal, toe, heal, toe (4); sashay left (4)
B2: Balance, walk back four steps
Zig zag forward (sashay back and forth to your starting place)
*“Progress Alone”*
*Notes: For this dance, encourage dancers to place two objects on the
floor, about a body-length apart. The dance starts by facing the two
objects and “connecting” right hands with the first object. Works well with
music with a bouncy A part and flowy B part.*
A1: Right hand balance, turn halfway (then give your left hand to the
second object)
Left hand balance, turn halfway (keep left hand connected there)
A2: Left hand balance, turn halfway (give right hand to the first object)
Right hand balance, turn halfway
B1 Melt into a figure eight (follow the same path you just made with the
balance/turn sequence, but flowy this time. 8 counts down, 8 counts back)
B2: Melt into a swing when you get home (end facing your floor objects)
Big circle left halfway (so that you are now in front of your second
object - in “progressed” position; you will progress back and forth, i.e.,
alternate your starting place, throughout the dance)
*“Untitled” (as of now)*
*Note: Start facing your device, with plenty of space for dancing between
you and the device.*
A1: Right hand balance, pull by (6) left hand pull by (2)
Right hand balance, pull by (6) left hand pull by (2) (square through
with RH balances; end back at starting place)
A2: See-saw
Swing yourself (end facing down/away from your device)
B1: Go down the hall, turn alone, come back
B2: Balance side to side (4), walk back (4)
Balance side to side (4), walk forward (4)
Dear Callers,
Hope you can come to this workshop, by Jeffrey Spero on Sun 6/14, from 2-330pm PDT(5-630pmEDT) He is a great dance musician and wonderful teacher/caller too.
RSVP to Jeff. Or share with a caller who might be interested!
Hey callers… ever wonder how to respond when a band asks “Would a jig work well for this dance?” Want to know what the band talks about while you’re teaching the dance? Interested in learning how to communicate better with the other people you share the stage with? Then this is the workshop for you! Led by caller/musician Jeffrey Spero (Syncopaths, Rhythm Raptors), we’ll delve into how the music effects the dance through time signatures (reels and jigs) and modes (major, minor, modal). We’ll talk extensively about on-stage communication - ways the caller and band can work more closely together to enhance the enjoyment for dancers, musicians and callers.
Join us on Zoom on Sunday, June 14th at 5p ET / 2p PT for this informative and fun workshop! Cost for the 90 minute workshop is only $25, and space is limited. For more information or to register, contact Jeff at mail(a)jeffreyspero.com <mailto:mail@jeffreyspero.com>.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1395246570678796/ <https://www.facebook.com/events/1395246570678796/>
Claire Takemori
Dance Caller
(408) 874-6840 <tel:(408)%20874-6840> (VM)
clairedancecaller(a)gmail.com <mailto:clairedancecaller@gmail.com>
https://www.facebook.com/ClaireTakemoriDanceCaller/ <https://www.facebook.com/ClaireTakemoriDanceCaller/>
bacds.org/teen <http://bacds.org/teen>
Hey callers… ever wonder how to respond when a band asks “Would a jig work well for this dance?” Want to know what the band talks about while you’re teaching the dance? Interested in learning how to communicate better with the other people you share the stage with? Then this is the workshop for you! Led by caller/musician Jeffrey Spero (Syncopaths, Rhythm Raptors), we’ll delve into how the music effects the dance through time signatures (reels and jigs) and modes (major, minor, modal). We’ll talk extensively about on-stage communication - ways the caller and band can work more closely together to enhance the enjoyment for dancers, musicians and callers.
Join us on Zoom on Sunday, June 14th at 5p ET / 2p PT for this informative and fun workshop! Cost for the 90 minute workshop is only $25, and space is limited. For more information or to register, contact Jeff at mail(a)jeffreyspero.com.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1395246570678796/ <https://www.facebook.com/events/1395246570678796/>
(Zoom sponsored by BACDS in CA)
Email Jeff directly please !
Claire (BACDS)
Hello all,
As many of you know, I've been working on putting together a guide to Zoom
security based on our experiences with the Toronto dances, and with input
from other organizers/communities.
The security guide is now published - you can find it here:
http://drewdelaware.com/virtual-contra-dance-security-guide/
Feedback and suggestions are very warmly welcomed - you can reach me at
drew(a)delaware.ca or via the Facebook Messenger integration on my website.
I'm also available to volunteer with one or two communities over the next
month if you are starting a Zoom dance and would like support for your
first event. Happy to help where I can.
Many thanks,
Drew
Hi fellow Contra Callers :)
You might be interested in the event below if you work with kids or
families!
The English Folk Dance and Song Society is holding a free online event for
Folk Educators and it's open to those of us in North America. Details and
registration info is below.
I asked the organizer whether it would be relevant to those of us across
the pond. Kerry said
*There will be some practical sessions, as well as presentations, on the
day. And although it will be focused on projects in the North West and
Yorkshire, I should think it would be appealing to folk educators from all
over. It's about the rationale, approach to the material and the positive
impact on the participants/communities, and often the educators too, that
is usually the most interesting. *
Maybe see you at the event?!
:) Emily in Ottawa
*******************************************
*Invitation to the next EFDSS ONLINE: Folk Education Development Day*
Our Folk Educators Group
<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.efdss.org%2flearnin…>
national
network will be holding its first ever online informal conference day.
*Friday 19 June 2020,* 10:30am-4:30pm (10.30am-11am Arrivals in the Zoom
Room)
You are warmly welcomed to attend this free informal conference and CPD
event, organised by EFDSS’ Folk Educators Group. Folk Education Development
Days are typically attended by 30 – 40 people: a mixture of people working
in folk arts education and related sectors such as music, dance, arts,
heritage and education. As ever, this will be an action-packed day of
presentations, practical sessions and discussions, designed to be
thought-provoking, informative and enjoyable, and to encourage
knowledge-sharing, discussion and networking.
The theme for the day is: Celebrating folk education in the North West
We’ll be focusing on folk education initiatives in the Greater Manchester
area and will be presenting the day in partnership with our friends at
English Folk Expo who are based in Rochdale, as well as other friends and
partners in the North West and Yorkshire.
*More details and to book a free place*
<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.efdss.org%2fwhats-o…>
Read on for more details…
*Outline of the Day*
The theme for the day: Celebrating folk education in the North West
Join us for an action-packed day of presentations, practical sessions and
discussions. The day will be thought provoking, informative and enjoyable,
and will encourage knowledge-sharing, discussion and networking.
*Speakers include:*
· Rachel Elliott, Education Director and Sarah Jones, Programme
Manager, National Youth Folk Ensemble - an update from the EFDSS Education
Department on current work and future plans.
· Tom Besford, Chief Executive, English Folk Expo - a presentation
about EFEx, covering their response during COVID 19, an overview of their
Artist Development Programme and their Promoter Training Programme,
including Rochdale Folk Festival.
· Georgia Woodhead, clog dance teacher with Oakenhoof Folk Arts – an
overview of their work, including a practical session.
· Kath Becker and Sorrel Harty, Bolton Music Service - setting up and
running the Greater Manchester Folk Ensemble, and more widely about Bolton
Music Service and the Greater Manchester Music Hub.
· Rebecca Denniff, Flash Company Arts - a presentation of their
Plough Stots project in Yorkshire, including a practical session.
· Bella Hardy, Learning Programme Manager*, *Band on the Wall – an
overview of their work, including a practical session.
Having been enthused by the speakers' presentations, there will
be the opportunity for discussion and sharing of ideas in breakout rooms.
The agenda will be available soon and you can *book your free place here
now!*
<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.efdss.org%2fwhats-o…>
*****************************************
*Here's a bit more information about EFDSS' Folk Educators Group...*
The Folk Educators Group
<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.efdss.org%2flearnin…>
is a national networking group of folk arts educators from across England
and beyond, run by the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS). Our
membership encompasses all forms of the folk arts and we currently have
over 360 members.
Established in March 2011 the Group has become a rapidly growing network
committed to promoting high quality folk arts education and supporting the
practitioners who deliver it.
It exists to provide peer information and support, and to encourage
dialogue with the wider worlds of culture, learning and participation. The
Folk Educators Group also offers other organisations a platform through
which to consult, or inform, a committed group of folk arts educators.
I can only speak with reference to calling at NEFFA, as I have never applied to DownEast. As some of you may know that Linda Leslie is NEFFA's program chair, I will note that the program chair does not select performers for contra sessions.
Regarding NEFFA 2007, the following notice is now posted at http://neffa.org/perf_app.html - The Program Committee is not prepared to take your application at this time, since it is too late to apply for this year's NEFFA Festival. Please note that the application to perform is always available during the month of September, with a deadline in October. If you'd like to get an e-mail notice of application availability, send a blank e-mail to NEFFA_Performers-subscribe(a)yahoogroups.com
So you can note on your calendar that September is a good time to check the NEFFA web site, and also arrange for a notice to pop up in your e-mail.
The NEFFA application invites you to come up with a briefly-described theme for your session, with a title of 20 characters or less. IMO, use your own judgment as to how important the theme is. If you are offering a concept that's really meaningful to you, don't be afraid to describe it. If what you really want to do is just call some hot contras, then IMO I wouldn't go overboard on the theme.
Unlike Northwest Folklife, callers and bands apply SEPARATELY to the New England Folk Festival. And I believe that this is a very good thing for beginning callers who hope to have a chance at getting onstage. This mix-and-match policy gives a fresh perspective for experienced performers, and can be an eye-opening experience for newcomers who may get to work with seasoned veterans. I will never forget calling at NEFFA with Northern Spy, a band that has worked with caller David Millstone for 25 years. And where was David during this session? Out on the floor, happily dancing to the music of his own band. NEFFA's selection process made that wonderful hour possible for me.
For what it's worth, the first year I successfully applied I asked for a "Festival Orchestra" slot, which means that instead of calling a themed, hour-long session I called two dances in the Main Hall with the assembled orchestra and then got off the stage as the next Festival Orchestra caller had a turn. IMO, the key here (as well as in submitting a session proposal) is to choose dances that you know by heart, can teach well, fully believe in, and love to share with a crowd. You don't want to have second thoughts as you approach the microphone.
If you're wondering why performer applications are required so far in advance of a festival, note that NEFFA may have 1700 performers, many of whom perform in multiple sessions (perhaps performing alone, and with a participatory dance group, and also with a concert performance group!). You can't doublebook a performer (or larger groups to which she may belong), you have to give her time to move from one venue to another, plus a bunch of other scheduling etceteras that would drive me loony to contemplate further. How scheduling was done in the days before computers is beyond me.
--
Robert Jon Golder
164 Maxfield St
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 999-2486
Yes Bob Hofkin, they did a medley and the caller in me was delighted for the added variety. Bev Birnbaum also called a square which I LOVED.
Eric Black told me this about Mt Airy contra’s sound tech:
"video conferencing app called source connect now. The Mount airy Contra in Philadelphia used it last Thursday, and the sound quality on zoom was excellent. It’s broadcast quality low latency zero loss compression for audio up to 256K on an adequate Internet link, and it also has video into and much like zoom or Google meet.”
Here’s the software they are using to send band music to caller who sends calling over music to zoom. now.source-elements.com/ <http://now.source-elements.com/>
BACDS will be trying that for a future contra. We will have ours monthly on 4th Sundays 4pm PDT/ 7pm EDT.
Live band and caller.
Email me (claire(a)bacds.org <mailto:claire@bacds.org>) to get on my zoom event email list. Also Wed Waltz & Sun Dance concerts every week.
Claire Takemori
Dance Caller
(408) 874-6840 <tel:(408)%20874-6840> (VM)
clairedancecaller(a)gmail.com <mailto:clairedancecaller@gmail.com>
https://www.facebook.com/ClaireTakemoriDanceCaller/ <https://www.facebook.com/ClaireTakemoriDanceCaller/>
bacds.org/teen <http://bacds.org/teen>
> On May 23, 2020, at 10:00 PM, contracallers-request(a)lists.sharedweight.net wrote:
>
> Date: Sat, 23 May 2020 12:25:26 -0400
> From: Bob Hofkin <bhofkin(a)middleJ.com <mailto:bhofkin@middleJ.com>>
> Subject: [Callers] Re: Virtual (Zoom) Contra Dance this Saturday!
> To: Bob Isaacs <isaacsbob(a)hotmail.com <mailto:isaacsbob@hotmail.com>>, Shared Weight callers list
> <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:callers@lists.sharedweight.net>>, Becky Liddle <beckyliddle(a)bell.net <mailto:beckyliddle@bell.net>>
> Message-ID: <285af40b-a2f9-5735-00de-ee985013bbcb(a)middleJ.com <mailto:285af40b-a2f9-5735-00de-ee985013bbcb@middleJ.com>>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed
>
> Perhaps no walk-thru medleys would work.
>
> On 5/23/2020 11:29, Bob Isaacs via Contra Callers wrote:
>> Hi All:
>>
>> Thanks to Toronto for holding these dances, and for expanding their license to welcome us all. Hope to see you there tonight.
>>
>> Perhaps these dances will proliferate until regular dances resume. If so, what makes a good Zoom dance? I've "been" to a couple held by Philadelphia, and here a some observations.
>>
>> The audience is likely all contra-deprived regulars, so the usual beginner-friendly programming at the start of the night isn't necessary.
>>
>> Just about everyone was dancing by themselves or as couples. As a result, the dances should focus on partner action and avoid multiple neighbors. If the dance doesn't progress, no problem!
>>
>> There's no need to run these the usual length - maybe half length is best. The bands should adjust their tune sets accordingly. Since we're not worried about getting everyone active, this might be time to dust off those older 1s active, 2s watch contras.
>>
>> It's hard to swing by yourself, so minimizing swings helps. This past Thursday Sue Gola called the no-swing chestnut Petronella to good effect.
>>
>> Folks can find "partners" by pinning someone, and if they agree you'll only see each other. It's a bit strange at first, but a chance to dance with someone from far away you don't normally see.
>>
>> Given that the audience is experienced, one walkthrough should do - and let them know up front that's the way it's going to be. If everyone but the caller is muted, no need to worry about people talking during the walkthrough.
>>
>> It's best to call all the way through, but minimize the calls after the first few rounds. Some folks will tune in just to hear the live music they've come to love.
>>
>> Encourage hand-waving after each dance so the band hears that virtual applause.
>>
>> Your thoughts?
>>
>> Good health and happiness to you all -
>>
>> Bob
