I like the old (well, from my limited perspective) way of picking up the
call again for the last time through, and sometimes (if the caller and the
dancers are up to it) changing the dance so it ends with a partner swing.
If you don't do this regularly, you may have to alert the dancers with a
"Now hear this" (channeling James Cagney?).
- Roger Hayes
Dear friends,
First, I'd like to thank the over 50 callers who have purchased Caller's Companion in the last three years. It's fun seeing you out there calling and I really appreciate both the support and invaluable feedback that you've given so I can improve this tool. Special thanks to Linda Leslie, Nils Fredland and Bev Bernbaum, my early adopters and beta testers.
Second, I'd like to let those of you who have or are planning to get iPads know that I've finally posted a new version of Caller's Companion that works with the recent Free version of "FileMaker Go for iPad" (which is needed to run CC on the iPad). The previous version of FileMaker Go cost $40 so I know this is a big help. I'll be adding a special iPad page to the website soon.
Finally, for those of you who would like to know more about CC or try it out, just download the current demo at http://callerscompanion.com. You can enter up to 50 dances in demo mode and use it as long as you like. For current CC users, I've also posted a Convertor that will allow you to convert your existing file to the new format at http://callerscompanion.com/ConvertHelp.html
Sincerely,
Will
Will Loving
Callers' Companion - The Dance Callers Assistant
http://callerscompanion.com
Downtown Amherst Contra Dance
http://amherstcontra.org
Some callers end every dance with a partner swing, but I do it at most twice per night. I do feel that it does detract from the band's big finish, but I'll end each half with a partner swing. But I won't call the whole time through.
Perry
Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android
I'm a developing caller, pretty much self-trained (with occasional tips or
short festival classes from more experienced folks). One thing that has
been tricky for me has been always making the right call for the number of
cycles to go out. For a typical dance progressing in the B2 I'm all set.
Others require more thought.
I'm wondering whether someone has developed a simple accurate mnemonic for
the going out call, something like:
"Progress in the B, say 1 or 3.
Progress in the A, then even you say."
(When there's a couple waiting out at the start of the B.)
Googling has revealed nothing easily found...
Thanks!
Hi Folks,
The most basic of questions... does anyone write their dance cards with
pencil and if so, have they found that they smudge???
I'm quite a new caller and am a stage where I am figuring out my dance
organization. Until now, I've been keeping my dances on the computer.
However, I do almost everything on the computer and I really like the idea
of having my dances on physical cards I've written out.
But... I want to use pencil!
Is this a no no????
Thoughts???
Emily
(I'm including some dance leaders from out of the area. Please send this
out to other callers in your area that might be interested!)
I am happy to tell you that registration is now open for the callers
workshop with Carol Ormand. I sent out information about it to a number
of you late last year, but now is the time to register for the weekend
so we know how many people we have. If you are unable to make a
commitment, please go ahead and register and indicate that on the form.
I will let you know when we need a definite answer, or if we get close
to filling up.
Information about the workshop is below. You can register at:
http://www.tcdancers.org/workshop
Please let me know if you have any questions!
Jack Mitchell
A Callers' Workshop with Carol Ormand
Madison, Wisconsin caller Carol Ormand is beloved throughout the dance
community for her smooth and unflappable style, wickedly fun dances, and
penchant for keeping all the dancers on the floor smiling. Carol's
enthusiasm, paired with her clear and efficient teaching, creates a
delightful dancing experience for beginners and veteran dancers alike.
Carol will be in the Chapel Hill, NC area the weekend of April 12-14.
She is calling for the Triangle Country Dancers regular Friday night
dance on April 12th and on Saturday we will have an all day workshop
designed to improve a specific calling related skill. Calling well can
be a great source of pleasure. In the workshop, each participant will
get to focus on improving one calling-related skill. By the end of the
day on Saturday, you will know how to make progress on the skill of your
choice and on all of the other topics covered that day. Anything related
to calling is fair game: creating an inviting atmosphere, programming an
evening, communicating with the band, efficient yet effective
walk-throughs, effective use of a microphone... whatever you most want
to work on next. On Sunday, we'll gather to reflect on what we've
(collectively) learned and to plan our (individual) next steps in that
work. Participants are also invited to join Carol for an informal dinner
(probably at Weaver Street Market) on Friday evening before the dance.
Cost for the workshop is on a sliding scale from $40-90 depending on
what you can afford.
The Saturday workshop and evening dance will be held in a private home
near Chapel Hill, NC. Meals on Saturday are included in the cost of the
workshop. The location of the Sunday wrap-up is still to be announced.
My computer burped as I was trying to send this so I'm not sure whether
it went out. My apologies if it arrives twice. KK
On 1/12/2013 9:38 AM, John Sweeney wrote:
> As you say, pencil could smudge, especially if you perspire! But if you
> like writing in pencil, and don't mind having to do it again when the
> card is past its best, then, of course, you can use pencil!
I've had a few pen-written cards go all smeary from having been tucked
into a pocket or into the neckline of my dress. Ball-point is much less
likely to run than other ink pens, I've learned. Even with ball-point,
though, a sweated-on card will tend to get a bit pruny after a while.
But it's like a cookbook. The recipes you use all the time will develop
a patina of love. All those food smears and wrinkles and fingerprints
will let you know as you leaf through the book which ones are the
favorites. Pencil would never survive continued use, IMO. Even the
process of moving the cards around would tend to lighten it to the point
of illegibility. I have a few side notes I've written in pencil on my
cards and they've mostly faded away.
I'm still wrestling with switching over to a computer database for my
dances. I do think that Caller's Companion is exceptional for contras
now that I've had a chance to mess with the demo version for a bit, but
it lacks the vocabulary I need for ECD. Will L., I've been keeping some
notes about limitations I've run into. Interested in discussing those?
Colin, I think I'd like to try your system again for a bit and see if
it meets my hybrid needs better.
Kalia
Emily said, "I do almost everything on the computer and I really like
the idea of having my dances on physical cards".
As an IT consultant, the concept of writing out data from a computer, a
time-consuming and error-prone activity, is quite frightening. I spent
half of my career trying to stop clients doing that sort of thing! :-)
Like many other callers I have trouble with my eye-sight. My solution
is to print each dance on half a sheet of standard paper. That way it
is big enough to read easily. I also like it on paper as it makes it
easier to roll up and put in my shirt pocket if I join in the dancing (I
use a hands-free, wireless head-mike).
As you say, pencil could smudge, especially if you perspire! But if you
like writing in pencil, and don't mind having to do it again when the
card is past its best, then, of course, you can use pencil! :-)
Happy dancing,
John
John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 &
07802 940 574
http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
I am looking for a dance that alternates diagonal heys betweens 1 and 2 and has contra corners It is like dancing sailors in lots of ways. I thought it was called ALTERNATING HEYS but can't seem to find it on Internet search. Anyone have the correct name and/or the actual calls ?
Cheryl Joyal
630-667-3284
Sent from my iPhone
I find dances where '1s swing, 2s admire' very helpful for summer dances in
hot halls, too.
Meg
On Tue, Jan 8, 2013 at 11:00 AM, <callers-request(a)sharedweight.net> wrote:
> Send Callers mailing list submissions to
> callers(a)sharedweight.net
>
> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
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> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of Callers digest..."
>
>
> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Re: Repertoire... (tavi merrill)
> 2. Re: Repertoire... (Delia Clark)
> 3. Re: Repertoire... (Kalia Kliban)
> 4. Re: Repertoire... (Janet Bertog)
> 5. Re: Inclusivemess & Older Dancers (Michael Fuerst)
> 6. Re: Inclusivemess & Older Dancers (Paul Wilde)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2013 13:50:55 -0500
> From: tavi merrill <melodiouswoodchuck(a)gmail.com>
> To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
> Subject: Re: [Callers] Repertoire...
> Message-ID:
> <
> CA+hGDsWh9-2eAS9yh8C1VEgeD16N2Drz55m1shz0yjgyqB1Yzw(a)mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Chris, indeed, panning for gold, trying not to get distracted by diamonds
> in the rough...
>
> In response to Greg/Yoyo/Kalia/Aahz comments on my choreography question,
> Yoyo is right on with the understanding that down the hall (i was thinking
> 4-in-line) dances at a basic level are quite easy to find, and something
> that i tend not to use more than twice in a night. Re: R&L through
> transitions, i've tried substituting a California twirl, but find that in
> crowds where heavy beginner numbers demand lower piece-count dances,
> California twirls can be befuddling (particularly after the pass-through,
> where experienced dancers may reflexively move to a CT or twirl, confusing
> themselves and newbie partner/neighbors). A friend of mine said (i
> paraphrase) "for a newbie, any kind of twirl early on can be like a
> brain-wipe", and i tend to agree.
>
> In the search for accessible dances, going dancing probably IS the best way
> of finding appropriate material... it requires a little mental
> recalibration for me to go from "whoa, that was a COOL dance" to, "What a
> nice thoroughly user-friendly dance!"
>
> I hope this thread has been useful to someone else out there... Thanks to
> all for your repertoire suggestions!
>
>
> Dance in good health,
> tavi
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2013 14:06:15 -0500
> From: Delia Clark <deliaclark8(a)gmail.com>
> To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] Repertoire...
> Message-ID: <F80EDF3A-D918-4F5E-95DD-AAF0265F1ABC(a)gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> Super helpful, tavi, thanks so much!! This is exactly the kind of thing
> I'm always looking for for my regular dance, which is a community-based
> dance and doesn't tend to draw experienced dancers from farther away.
>
>
> On Jan 7, 2013, at 1:50 PM, tavi merrill wrote:
>
> > I hope this thread has been useful to someone else out there... Thanks to
> > all for your repertoire suggestions!
> >
>
>
> <>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>
>
> Delia Clark
> PO Box 45
> Taftsville, VT 05073
> 802-457-2075
> deliaclark8(a)gmail.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Mon, 07 Jan 2013 11:10:19 -0800
> From: Kalia Kliban <kalia(a)sbcglobal.net>
> To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] Repertoire...
> Message-ID: <50EB1D9B.8030801(a)sbcglobal.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> Helpful for me too. Lots of good suggestions here.
> Kalia
>
> On 1/7/2013 11:06 AM, Delia Clark wrote:
> > Super helpful, tavi, thanks so much!! This is exactly the kind of thing
> I'm always looking for for my regular dance, which is a community-based
> dance and doesn't tend to draw experienced dancers from farther away.
> >
> >
> > On Jan 7, 2013, at 1:50 PM, tavi merrill wrote:
> >
> >> I hope this thread has been useful to someone else out there... Thanks
> to
> >> all for your repertoire suggestions!
> >>
> >
> >
> > <>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>
> >
> > Delia Clark
> > PO Box 45
> > Taftsville, VT 05073
> > 802-457-2075
> > deliaclark8(a)gmail.com
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Callers mailing list
> > Callers(a)sharedweight.net
> > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
> >
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2013 14:57:12 -0500
> From: "Janet Bertog" <janet(a)bertog.com>
> To: "'Caller's discussion list'" <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] Repertoire...
> Message-ID: <00b601cded11$2f2f0510$8d8d0f30$(a)bertog.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
>
> Cary Ravitz has his dances indexed (which is fortunate since he has a lot
> of
> them) at http://www.ravitz.us/dance/#x. I would look at the dances he
> lists
> as easy, no walk through, and last dance of the evening as good starting
> points.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net
> [mailto:callers-bounces@sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of tavi merrill
> Sent: Monday, January 07, 2013 1:51 PM
> To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
> Subject: Re: [Callers] Repertoire...
>
> Chris, indeed, panning for gold, trying not to get distracted by diamonds
> in
> the rough...
>
> In response to Greg/Yoyo/Kalia/Aahz comments on my choreography question,
> Yoyo is right on with the understanding that down the hall (i was thinking
> 4-in-line) dances at a basic level are quite easy to find, and something
> that i tend not to use more than twice in a night. Re: R&L through
> transitions, i've tried substituting a California twirl, but find that in
> crowds where heavy beginner numbers demand lower piece-count dances,
> California twirls can be befuddling (particularly after the pass-through,
> where experienced dancers may reflexively move to a CT or twirl, confusing
> themselves and newbie partner/neighbors). A friend of mine said (i
> paraphrase) "for a newbie, any kind of twirl early on can be like a
> brain-wipe", and i tend to agree.
>
> In the search for accessible dances, going dancing probably IS the best way
> of finding appropriate material... it requires a little mental
> recalibration
> for me to go from "whoa, that was a COOL dance" to, "What a nice thoroughly
> user-friendly dance!"
>
> I hope this thread has been useful to someone else out there... Thanks to
> all for your repertoire suggestions!
>
>
> Dance in good health,
> tavi
> _______________________________________________
> Callers mailing list
> Callers(a)sharedweight.net
> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2013 16:19:01 -0800 (PST)
> From: Michael Fuerst <mjerryfuerst(a)yahoo.com>
> To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] Inclusivemess & Older Dancers
> Message-ID:
> <1357604341.40630.YahooMailNeo(a)web122202.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
> I recently attended a dance event which attracted participants from
> multiple states and provinces and which lasted several days, attended by
> 200+ ?almost exclusively experienced dancers. ??
>
> Several dancers had challenges.
>
> One dancer ?was blind. However this?individual? had excellent mobility and
> dance memory, and knew exactly where and how place her/his hands so other
> dancers could take hold and orient her/him ?as needed. ?S/he?quickly?and
> fluidly responded to any physical direction, whether by taking this
> dancer's hand or by someone placing hands on this dancer's shoulders in
> order to provide proper orientation. ?
>
> Another woman had much difficulty with any lateral movement.
> ?Despite?knowing exactly when to face where and where one should be,
> his/her getting there was almost always a challenge, and nearly all figures
> had to be abbreviated ?
>
> Two other dancers, although physically mobile, had noticeable difficulty
> in orientation. ? ?Seemed like they were having initial signs of mental
> deterioration (more likely I think, especially for the one who usually
> danced with the same person) and/or in need of a hearing aid.
>
> The callers did not make any adjustments for these four individuals, but
> all the other dancers?diligently, graciously and?enthusiastically?ensured
> the challenged dancers enjoyed the dances within their abilities.
> ?
> Michael Fuerst ? ? ?802 N Broadway ? ? ?Urbana IL 61801?????? 217-239-5844
>
> ________________________________
> From: Jonathan Sivier <jsivier(a)illinois.edu>
> To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Sent: Sunday, January 6, 2013 1:39 PM
> Subject: Re: [Callers] Inclusivemess & Older Dancers
>
> On 1/5/2013 5:48 AM, Donald Perley wrote:
> > Different dancers will have different issues.? One elderly dancer I
> > encounter regularly seems to be able to handle all the normal
> > maneuvers except she consistently takes 9 or 10 beats to get once
> > around in a swing.
> >
> > Some adaptation can come from education (that all dancers should get).
> >? Allemande 1 1/2 can turn in to 1/2. Petronella twirl can be just a
> > shift. If you fall behind, you WON'T be able to catch up, so just get
> > to where you need to be for the next thing.
>
> ? These are good ideas and I have used them in my dance class for
> seniors.? Swings can be tricky since there is both the need for a certain
> amount of speed to get around at least once in the allotted time and the
> problem with dizziness that even a little turning can cause. Sometimes the
> dancers may need to skip the swing, if they have trouble getting around
> even once and just prepare for the next figure.? However, most of my
> participants can get around at least once, so a slow walking swing works
> OK.? Since many swings, especially with neighbors, end up with the dancers
> trading places turning half-way and then opening up to face the appropriate
> direction could work in some circumstances.
>
> ? One thing I have run into with a few dancers is problems with
> orientation.? There was one dancer in one of my classes who always seemed
> to end up facing the wrong direction, no matter what figure came before.? I
> learned to say things like, "If your new neighbor (or whomever) isn't right
> in front of you, they are probably right behind you."? This seemed to be
> helpful at least some of the time.? Luckily this wasn't an issue with most
> of the dancers and they were able to help the ones who had some troubles.
>
> Jonathan
> -----
> Jonathan Sivier
> Caller of Contra, English and Early American Dances
> jsivier AT illinois DOT edu
> Dance Page: http://www.sivier.me/dance_leader.html
> -----
> Q: How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?
> A: It depends on what dance you call!
>
> _______________________________________________
> Callers mailing list
> Callers(a)sharedweight.net
> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2013 23:44:23 -0500
> From: Paul Wilde <zenyente(a)gmail.com>
> To: Michael Fuerst <mjerryfuerst(a)yahoo.com>, "Caller's discussion
> list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] Inclusivemess & Older Dancers
> Message-ID:
> <CACyeUsPETV-1EsKX=
> WQVmUHO0uncTifkB+zXQOky9xUJsqfhNw(a)mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Michael,
>
> Hi and thanks for your wonderful post. I regularly call for a new dancer
> (who started within the last yr. or two and who dances once a month or
> less) who is 91 and very deaf. I have also danced at several wknd. &
> festival settings where there were blind and otherwise physically
> challenged dancers. In the first case, I try and call dances that are not
> overly taxing on orientation and quick/complicated progressions across or
> up or down the set. Yes, other dancers are wonderful at helping keep him
> on track, but there is only so far I can take things when he's in line (if
> I'm his partner, it's easier still, knowing exactly what he needs help w/
> at any one instant). In the second case, the blind or physically
> challenged dancers at the festivals and dance weekends were nearly always
> accomplished and were easily helped and oriented by all those he/she danced
> with, much like you described.
>
> What I'm looking for is to build a group of dances that are more aimed at
> older dancers (and perhaps a higher % than we see at most series) who don't
> have the physical capabilities and stamina they once did, but still love
> the dance. I want to provide them w/ enjoyable and not too simple dances
> that will not leave them purple and on the verge of passing out (or worse).
>
>
> I realize we often strive to plan and create the best programs possible for
> the MUC setting. This is a wonderful thing that is happening around this
> and other countries. What I would like to focus on in this particular
> thread is to address the needs of, let's arbitrarily say, a large group of
> 70 y.o. and up who have been dancing a long time and would like to continue
> doing so both comfortably, confidently and, of course, joyfully.
>
> A quick example. 1s swing while 2s admire, etc.
>
> My deck's not at hand, but I'll offer one dance from memory.
>
> Jeff's Gypsy DI
>
> A-1 1s gypsy & swing (or whatever they want to do in the center)
> A-2 Lines of 4 down the hall (1s in center) 2s half cast 1s to swap places
> and come back up
> B-1 Circle L 1X (to original DI)
> Pass N-1 by R (1s D, 2s Up) and gypsy N-2 (by L in orig, but could
> modify and make it a RSh gypsy to simplify)
> B-2 (Back to) N-1 gypsy & swing
>
> This gives the dancers a lot of slack time and they have the freedom to do
> pretty much as they please in either of the gypsy/swing sequences. It also
> has a very pleasing flow. Tunes for this could be very relaxed.
>
> As it turns out, this is also a completely gender neutral dance.
>
> warmest regards,
> Paul
> Prov RI
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> Callers mailing list
> Callers(a)sharedweight.net
> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
>
>
> End of Callers Digest, Vol 101, Issue 27
> ****************************************
>
