Contra Callers

contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net

18 participants
4362 discussions

by Don Veino via Callers

Back in 2008 I wrote a dance to celebrate my first year of contra dancing and Chris Weiler was kind enough to go through it with me. In doing so I heard my first mention of the Who-What-How Much format for dance description. I'm working on a personal project where I'd like to be sure I've identified all the "Who" roles in that model. For my purposes, I'm doing this in the context of contras, traditional squares, triplets, family dances, etc. (but not necessarily English, Ceilidh, Scottish, etc. - though I'm not closed to gathering any that may exist uniquely therein). I've listed below what I've collected so far from my personal cards deck review & research through several published works. Are there any Whos I've missed? Please note: I've deliberately left the primary role designation for last as I wish to avoid rehashing that topic once more. Let's please just accept there's a designation for the primary roles and agree they'll be determined by circumstance and conscience, as fits a given dance community. Thanks! Don ROLE DESIGNATORS - "WHO" Partner Neighbor Corner Opposite Everyone (All) Center/End Shadow/Trail Buddy Couple Top/Middle/Bottom; Ones/Twos, etc.; Heads/Sides; First/Second, etc. (var. of Couple or Primary Role) Travel Buddy (4F4) Active/Inactive (is this distinctly required, or is it always an alternate name for another role var., e.g.: 1s?) Neutrals/Ends (var. of Couple or Primary Role) Ring of N (4,8, etc.) And of course... Primary Role (Lark/Raven, Righty/Lefty, Lady/Gent, Talls/Smalls, etc.), in plural or specific variation (e.g.: Talls, Raven 2, End Lady)

9 years, 7 months

Re: [Callers] Who're all the whos?

by Neal Schlein via Callers

Other identifying terms: Active/inactive couple or person, for certain dances when it is descriptive, or impractical to use numbers. (Often 3 or 5 couple sets, 2+1 mixers, Virginia reel variants, squares, or Scottish dances) Right hand / left hand (lady/gent) for squares 1st corner/2nd corner or right hand/left hand for contra corners (these are not necessarily neighbors, nor shadow/partner at set ends, nor are they precisely previous/current/next neighbors in a double progression) Inside/outside for mixers or couple dances Those who can, those who want, those who did/didn't Leader (for lines) Leads/Follows (squares, mostly) Was top/bottom on the list? Lone person/9 pin (mixers, odd number of dancer sets) A/B for royal (double) squares That's what springs to mind. Neal Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device

9 years, 7 months

Unknown Square/Help Needed

by Rich Sbardella via Callers

Several years ago I enjoyed dancing a square that I believed was written by Roger Whynot, but I cannot remember the square. I think it began with couple one Fwd and Back, then Couple one goes fwd into a three point star with the nearest side couple. As they turn the star, they unwind into two facing lines of three. After that I am lost. Does anyone recall such a square or a similar square? I would appreciate any help> Rich

9 years, 7 months

Re: [Callers] other descriptive titles for ONS's

by John Sweeney via Callers

I am in England. 90% of my bookings are for "Barn Dances" or "Ceilidhs". The ones I run go under the name "Dancing for Fun" with a description of: " Come and learn a wide range of wonderful dances, from 17th Century Jane Austen style to 21st Century Ceilidh, including Square Dances, American Contras, English Barn Dance, Contra Waltzing and the Polka!" And yes, I really do call of those at ONSs ( not ONS's. :-) Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

9 years, 7 months

other descriptive titles for ONS's

by Hulsether Sue via Callers

Greetings all, I know this has been discussed before, but I am gathering a list of descriptive titles for one-night-stand dances. Especially looking titles that work in describing in a way that would be acceptable and understandable to the people organizing these events. (i.e. Do they really want their event to be called a one night stand? ) Here's a start: One-shot-deal Barn Dances Special Event dances One-off. Anyone have any more? sue Sue Hulsether shulsether(a)mac.com www.suehulsether.com 608-632-1267 Cell 608-629-6250 Home P.O. Box 363 Viroqua, WI 54665

9 years, 7 months

Ye ole Does This Exist - Mad Robin 2 Hey dance

by Ron Blechner via Callers

Hi callers, I was hoping this dance, or something very similar, might be identified: Becket A1: Gents Alle L 1.5 (8) 1/2 Hey (8) (NR, LL, PR, GL) A2: N Gypsy R 1/2 (2)* (to face next N) Next N Gypsy + Sw (14) B1: Mad Robin (8)** 1/2 Hey (8) (GL, PR, LL, NR) B2: Gents Pass L (2) P Gypsy + Swing (14) * Been debating teaching / calling this as a gypsy or "loop right". I think either works, but ideas welcome. ** Gents in front, CW Thanks, Ron

9 years, 7 months

Dare to Be Square TN: Last Chance Discount Tix - Schedule - New Poster - Please Fwd!

by T Claw via Callers

[image: Inline image 1] *Dare To Be Square Tennessee - Nashville Edition* An old time music, dance, & square dance calling weekend October 1-4th, 2015 www.daretobesquare.org WEEKEND PASS - $50 until SEP 29th - $60 Regular Price Buy Tickets at http://dtbstn.bpt.me/ Primitive CAMPING is $20 for two nights FOOD is $40 for 4 meals *PLEASE email to signup for MEAL PLAN asap* Weekend Pass includes all workshops + Thur, Fri, and Sun evenings. *Saturday Evening Dance has a separate cover charge *Evening Dances are open to the PUBLIC* $5-$10 at the door Hogslop String Band, Four Prophet String Band, Turnip the Beet, & more Callers: Nancy Mamlin, Will Mentor, T-Claw & more Calling, dancing, and music workshops will be held FRI, SAT, & SUN. RSVP and spread the word https://www.facebook.com/events/1603874016546845/ VOLUNTEERS NEEDED If interested in work-trade or volunteering fill out this online form or email us http://goo.gl/forms/c8UEHuXuos Primitive camping at Bells Bend Outdoor Center (4.5 miles away from main venue) 4187 Old Hickory Blvd Nashville, TN 37218 All dances will be TAUGHT all weekend. No experience is necessary. No one is required to dance, call, or play. It is a SOCIAL event. The focus will be on simple and traditional southern Appalachian figures, partner dancing, and old music. No dress code or partner needed. Anyone can dance with ANYONE regardless of gender. Questions: dtbstn(a)gmail.com or (615) 430-8230 www.facebook.com/groups/DareToBeSquare Thanks to our event sponsors! Pioneer House - http://www.pioneer-house.com/ Bells Bend Farms - http://www.bellsbendfarms.com/ Old School Farm - http://www.oldschoolfarm.org/ Lloyd Shaw Foundation - http://lloydshaw.org/ Country Dance and Song Society - http://www.cdss.org/ The Plant Manager - http://facebook.com/theplantmanagernashville/ Milk & Honey Foods - http://tinyurl.com/ombuovr

9 years, 7 months

Toss the Wench

by Rich Sbardella via Callers

Does anyone know a dance called Toss the Wench, and if there is a piece of music married to the dance? Rich Sbardella Stafford Springs, CT

9 years, 8 months

Re: [Callers] Toss the Wench

by John Sweeney via Callers

Hi Rich, The dance was first published as "Branle de l'Official" in 1589 in Orchésographie. You can see the original wording, under "B. DE L'OFFICIAL." near the bottom of the page at http://www.graner.net/nicolas/arbeau/orcheso22.html And there's the music, running down the left hand side of the page :-) (BTW In the dance just above it you will see the earliest description I know of a three-person Hey (HAYE).) Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

9 years, 8 months

Re: [Callers] contact info for Bob Isaacs?

by Steve Pike via Callers

Thanks, all. No more need to respond. Got him!

9 years, 8 months

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