Years ago I remember dancing a dance that had a full contra corners
in it. The active dancers had four corners to turn instead of two.
I think the caller called the move sharp corners. Does anyone have
any of these dances they could share? I'm particularly interested
in dances with this move that have been written in the last 40 years
or so.
Tom
As far as helping new people find partners, etc., etc., if I'm sitting at
the table taking money, I'll chat with the new dancers who show up and find
out a little bit about them - did they just move here, what neighborhood
are they living in, how'd they find out about the dance - and that
generally gives me enough to be able to take them over to someone I know
and say something like, "This is Emily and she just moved here from Ohio -
didn't you go to Cincinnati over the holidays?" Then the new person has
something to talk about, and the experienced dancer knows to ask them to
dance. It's not a blanket from-the-mic solution, but it helps fix things in
a small way. Really, it's the same thing a good host would do at a party.
Meg
On Thu, Jan 17, 2013 at 3:33 PM, <callers-request(a)sharedweight.net> wrote:
> Send Callers mailing list submissions to
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>
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> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Re: ideas for callers about sidelines (Laur)
> 2. Re: Booking Ahead - (was ideas for callers about sidelines) (Laur)
> 3. forgetting pencils for the moment... Ralph Page anyone???
> (Emily Addison)
> 4. Re: Booking Ahead - (was ideas for callers about sidelines)
> (Greg McKenzie)
> 5. Re: Booking Ahead - (was ideas for callers about sidelines)
> (Lindsay Morris)
> 6. Re: forgetting pencils for the moment... Ralph Page anyone???
> (Richard Hart)
> 7. Re: Booking Ahead - (was ideas for callers about sidelines)
> (Ron T Blechner)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2013 11:56:36 -0800 (PST)
> From: Laur <lcpgr(a)yahoo.com>
> To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] ideas for callers about sidelines
> Message-ID:
> <1358452596.9895.YahooMailNeo(a)web161003.mail.bf1.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
>
>
> ?Hi Jill.
>
> I'll comment on things others have yet to mention, things observed and
> shared with me in our MI communities.
>
> We often see dancers, or hear dancers comment, that they aren't dancing or
> getting asked to dance. ?These are newer but regular dancers. Typically
> these are women who come from a mindset where they need to be asked to
> dance, even after they understand the culture is anyone can ask anyone.
> ?They tend to wait on the sidelines to see if someone comes to them and by
> the time no one has, it's too late to find a partner. Of course there are
> also those who are very new or very shy.
>
> Callers,of course, mention please find someone that hasn't danced the last
> dance and ask them to join you on the dance floor, or something of that
> nature, reminding all that the fun is dancing with as many people as you
> can, meeting and greeting, etc. ?
>
> I believe the stimulus to change this situation comes from other dancers.
> ?In our case, it's women that have come to know each either at the dance or
> socially sharing their experience, which is safe. ?Although It could be
> uncomfortable. Most explain to the others that they come there to dance and
> frankly don't wait to be asked any longer. ?Or tips like, instead of
> sitting on the sideline, show someone that you are ready to dance, stand up
> or walk near the the dance floor. ?Also that it's easier to stay dancing if
> you are dancing. And, if someone does ask and you need a time out, suggest
> you dance later, or "how about the next one"? ? Some women don't want to
> dance with other women. ?I notice the more they are at a dance the less
> important it becomes. ?Some of them have quickly started learning the other
> role so they can Choose who to dance with and when, because of our gender
> imbalance, although they prefer to have a male partner. ?Some who do
> this now worry they are going to get "stuck" in that role.
>
> In summary, our community is our dancers. ?And they have the power to turn
> the tides. ?
>
> Just like we have "dance angels" who help new dancers (or help distract
> the too helpful ones), we can use our dancer community to support the
> efforts to?acclimate?and educate and encourage.
>
> Laurie Pietravalle
> West Michigan
> ~
> When I dance, I cannot judge, I cannot hate, I cannot separate myself from
> life. I can only be joyful and whole, that is why I dance. ~Hans Bos~
> ~
>
>
> >________________________________
> > From: jill allen <jillallen3(a)att.net>
> >To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
> >Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 9:22 AM
> >Subject: [Callers] ideas for callers about sidelines
> >
> >Have you as a caller or organizer had particular success in helping
> people to find partners, especially when there is gender imbalance?? I
> welcome comments about the issue of making sure all are having equal
> opportunity to dance. I recently received a message from our contra dance
> board asking callers for suggestions on this issue.? I believe that the
> organizers are addressing this issue because we have had dancers leave
> after not being able to find partners.? I will be sharing your comments
> with our board and they will share these thoughts with callers as they are
> hired to call a dance.
> >
> >Thank you!
> >Jill Allen
> >Lawrence, KS
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >_______________________________________________
> >Callers mailing list
> >Callers(a)sharedweight.net
> >http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
> >
> >
> >
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:04:21 -0800 (PST)
> From: Laur <lcpgr(a)yahoo.com>
> To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] Booking Ahead - (was ideas for callers about
> sidelines)
> Message-ID:
> <1358453061.6432.YahooMailNeo(a)web161005.mail.bf1.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
> I agree, Dave.
>
> It's interesting, I have seen the REALLY cool hip male dancers dance
> together when there is a gender imbalance just for that reason. ?I'm
> talking about too many females dancers. ?yes. ?the really cool hip dancers
> are those that get community as well as good dance?etiquette?along with
> good technique, style, rhythm and timing.
>
> Laurie P
> West MI
> ?
> ~
> When I dance, I cannot judge, I cannot hate, I cannot separate myself from
> life. I can only be joyful and whole, that is why I dance. ~Hans Bos~
> ~
>
>
> >________________________________
> > From: Dave Casserly <david.j.casserly(a)gmail.com>
> >To: kalia(a)sbcglobal.net; Caller's discussion list <
> callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> >Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2013 1:56 PM
> >Subject: Re: [Callers] Booking Ahead - (was ideas for callers about
> sidelines)
> >
> >Could be true!? But in any event, that doesn't undermine my point-- those
> >dancers, whether they book ahead or are just superb partners who get asked
> >to dance very quickly, should shoulder some of the load of gender
> >disparities by dancing with people of the same gender or sitting a dance
> or
> >two out on those nights.
> >
> >On Thu, Jan 17, 2013 at 2:41 PM, Kalia Kliban <kalia(a)sbcglobal.net>
> wrote:
> >
> >> On 1/17/2013 11:34 AM, Dave Casserly wrote:
> >>
> >>> Instead, I think we should aim any solutions at the people
> >>> who dance with those of the opposite gender every single dance, and do
> not
> >>> sit out the entire night.? Those are the people who are most
> competitive
> >>> about partnering and book ahead the most.
> >>>
> >>
> >> Not necessarily.? They could equally well be known to be superb dancers
> >> and enjoyable partners who simply get asked to dance very quickly, and
> >> never feel a need to book ahead.
> >>
> >> Kalia
> >>
> >> ______________________________**_________________
> >> Callers mailing list
> >> Callers(a)sharedweight.net
> >> http://www.sharedweight.net/**mailman/listinfo/callers<
> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> >--
> >David Casserly
> >(cell) 781 258-2761
> >_______________________________________________
> >Callers mailing list
> >Callers(a)sharedweight.net
> >http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
> >
> >
> >
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2013 15:51:17 -0500
> From: Emily Addison <emilyladdison(a)gmail.com>
> To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
> Subject: [Callers] forgetting pencils for the moment... Ralph Page
> anyone???
> Message-ID:
> <
> CAD7WKUX55pujY3hbw4xqbf9e1zeVPXug1p6izez2fsbDjmj7nw(a)mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Hi Folks,
>
> Thanks so much for the feedback re whether to use pencil or not! I've been
> wanting to respond other business has been keeping me away from the
> computer. Will respond shortly though. :)
>
> In the meantime, is anyone from the list going to Ralph Page and would they
> like to get together over Saturday lunch or something of the kind???
>
> I won't be on email as of tonight but I am volunteering on the registration
> door from 830-930pm so maybe we could connect then???
>
> Hope to see a few of you!
> Emily
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:52:43 -0800
> From: Greg McKenzie <grekenzie(a)gmail.com>
> To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] Booking Ahead - (was ideas for callers about
> sidelines)
> Message-ID:
> <CAFqkWLtTN4j2vXhd8cQaSBLSxWzc_ENh8nLr=
> aqc4i3gvcqtrA(a)mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Ron wrote:
>
> > Simply put: Booking ahead is a big threat to including new and/or
> > infrequent dancers.
> >
>
> No, actually. Booking ahead is not inherently a destructive thing. It
> depends upon the purpose of the booker. Booking ahead can be a way of
> securing a dance with a first-timer who might, otherwise, be preyed upon by
> "icky" guys who favor young, innocent first-timers who are attractive...for
> various reasons. For example: A young woman may have learned to swing
> incorrectly which brings her into particularly intimate contact with every
> gent who swings her. This woman may be "descended upon" by a few "icky"
> guys who perceive this intimate contact as something the newcomer actually
> enjoys when, really, she would love to learn that there are other ways to
> swing that are less intrusive.
>
> Booking ahead may be the only way to get a dance with this woman to show
> her a more comfortable swing position. Yes, I have done this, and the
> women always seem relieved to learn that this is not a "normal" sort of
> contact at a contra dance. If I did not book a dance with such a woman she
> might leave the dance early deciding that the dance is "much too intimate
> and familiar" for her tastes.
>
> There are other valid reasons to book ahead and they can be in support of a
> generous and wonderful dance community. It might be true to say that
> "excessive booking ahead" should be avoided. I book ahead only rarely, but
> when I do most of the time it is with newcomers I want to encourage.
>
> It is good to see that many folks book ahead so rarely. It is worth noting
> that someone who *always *books ahead will probably *never *have the
> pleasure of dancing with these folks. The dedicated bookers and dedicated
> non-bookers occupy different partnering dimensions and almost *never *dance
> together.
>
> - Greg McKenzie
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2013 15:55:26 -0500
> From: Lindsay Morris <lindsay(a)tsmworks.com>
> To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] Booking Ahead - (was ideas for callers about
> sidelines)
> Message-ID:
> <
> CAGNhc2K_MHN02kHHhJ0_Lsc0odxcmbPgtpCG1vt59hUA1k5uJQ(a)mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> There's magic in not knowing who you're going to be dancing with next.
>
> --------------------
> Lindsay Morris
> CEO, TSMworks
> Tel. 1-859-539-9900
> lindsay(a)tsmworks.com
>
>
> On Thu, Jan 17, 2013 at 3:52 PM, Greg McKenzie <grekenzie(a)gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > Ron wrote:
> >
> > > Simply put: Booking ahead is a big threat to including new and/or
> > > infrequent dancers.
> > >
> >
> > No, actually. Booking ahead is not inherently a destructive thing. It
> > depends upon the purpose of the booker. Booking ahead can be a way of
> > securing a dance with a first-timer who might, otherwise, be preyed upon
> by
> > "icky" guys who favor young, innocent first-timers who are
> attractive...for
> > various reasons. For example: A young woman may have learned to swing
> > incorrectly which brings her into particularly intimate contact with
> every
> > gent who swings her. This woman may be "descended upon" by a few "icky"
> > guys who perceive this intimate contact as something the newcomer
> actually
> > enjoys when, really, she would love to learn that there are other ways to
> > swing that are less intrusive.
> >
> > Booking ahead may be the only way to get a dance with this woman to show
> > her a more comfortable swing position. Yes, I have done this, and the
> > women always seem relieved to learn that this is not a "normal" sort of
> > contact at a contra dance. If I did not book a dance with such a woman
> she
> > might leave the dance early deciding that the dance is "much too intimate
> > and familiar" for her tastes.
> >
> > There are other valid reasons to book ahead and they can be in support
> of a
> > generous and wonderful dance community. It might be true to say that
> > "excessive booking ahead" should be avoided. I book ahead only rarely,
> but
> > when I do most of the time it is with newcomers I want to encourage.
> >
> > It is good to see that many folks book ahead so rarely. It is worth
> noting
> > that someone who *always *books ahead will probably *never *have the
> > pleasure of dancing with these folks. The dedicated bookers and
> dedicated
> > non-bookers occupy different partnering dimensions and almost *never
> *dance
> > together.
> >
> > - Greg McKenzie
> > _______________________________________________
> > Callers mailing list
> > Callers(a)sharedweight.net
> > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
> >
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2013 15:57:53 -0500
> From: Richard Hart <richhart49(a)gmail.com>
> To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] forgetting pencils for the moment... Ralph Page
> anyone???
> Message-ID:
> <CAB16f6BqU7Mvh4gJyN+seV33YrQXZbL1TDS3OoBkQJVJ-P1=
> 7g(a)mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> I'll be there. I'll make a callers' table sign if I can remember.
>
> Rich Hart,
> RPDLW Committee member.
>
> On Thu, Jan 17, 2013 at 3:51 PM, Emily Addison <emilyladdison(a)gmail.com>
> wrote:
> > Hi Folks,
> >
> > Thanks so much for the feedback re whether to use pencil or not! I've
> been
> > wanting to respond other business has been keeping me away from the
> > computer. Will respond shortly though. :)
> >
> > In the meantime, is anyone from the list going to Ralph Page and would
> they
> > like to get together over Saturday lunch or something of the kind???
> >
> > I won't be on email as of tonight but I am volunteering on the
> registration
> > door from 830-930pm so maybe we could connect then???
> >
> > Hope to see a few of you!
> > Emily
> > _______________________________________________
> > Callers mailing list
> > Callers(a)sharedweight.net
> > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:33:10 -0500
> From: Ron T Blechner <contraron(a)gmail.com>
> To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] Booking Ahead - (was ideas for callers about
> sidelines)
> Message-ID:
> <CAKRus=
> VLQLQcy3ST5JHODXyfD1z5RdueiGkZbYQF+TPt7H87Yw(a)mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Kalia: Not necessarily, but ... in my experience, seriously ... yeah, it's
> mostly booking ahead.
>
> Dave: The coolest, hippest dancers I know are the ones who enjoy dancing
> either role with either gender - at least sometimes. (Not to mention that
> dancing both roles makes you better at both.)
>
> Linda: I have the pleasure of calling BIDA this Sunday, for the first time.
> When I got an e-mail from my contact regarding BIDA's community values, I
> was *very* excited.
>
> Greg: That's an interesting argument, regarding saving the dancer from an
> "icky" partner. I would retort, however, that is just a band-aid for a
> larger problem that the dance community should be addressing. I think
> introducing the concept of booking ahead to new dancers is a *bad* idea,
> because it gives them the impression early on that it's okay. I'd rather
> solve the challenge of on-boarding new people through encouraging
> experienced dancers to look for them, rather than falling back on booking
> them in advance. I've also noticed new people often sit out a lot, because
> they're shy/tired/unsure of protocol. There's often lots of opportunities
> to sit out, walk up to the person while they're sitting out, then invite
> them to dance the next one. (I think there's an implicit difference between
> booking the next dance with someone already dancing versus someone sitting
> out.)
>
> Lindsay: YES.
>
> -Ron Blechner
>
> contradances.tumblr.com
>
> On Thu, Jan 17, 2013 at 3:55 PM, Lindsay Morris <lindsay(a)tsmworks.com
> >wrote:
>
> > There's magic in not knowing who you're going to be dancing with next.
> >
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> Callers mailing list
> Callers(a)sharedweight.net
> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
>
>
> End of Callers Digest, Vol 101, Issue 40
> ****************************************
>
Hello everyone!
This weekend is the Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend at the University of
New Hampshire in Durham. As usual, it will be a wonderful gathering of
dancers, callers and musicians to celebrate the history our wonderful
tradition and those who continue to make it live. We have a blast and
you won't find a group of dancers that is more elegant, fun, warm and
friendly out there.
As usual, on both Saturday and Sunday, SW has encouraged list
participants (and those of a like mind) to push some tables together in
the dining area and discuss matters related to dancing, calling,
organizing or playing music for dances. We just geek right out for an
hour or so! You're all welcome to join in and participate. It's a
wonderful opportunity to meet and hang out with some fantastic people
who provide such sage advice on our lists.
My wife, Anne Obelnicki, and I will be there this year after sadly
missing last year's. I look forward to meeting many new people from the
list and greeting many old friends.
Happy Dancing!
Chris Weiler
SharedWeight moderator, co-founder
Craftsbury, VT
P.S. If you don't know about the Ralph Page Weekend, here's the link. A
highly recommended festival for those interested in the history of our
tradition and meeting many of the people who made it possible for us to
do this.
http://ralphpage.neffa.org/
Hi Folks,
Thanks so much for the feedback re whether to use pencil or not! I've been
wanting to respond other business has been keeping me away from the
computer. Will respond shortly though. :)
In the meantime, is anyone from the list going to Ralph Page and would they
like to get together over Saturday lunch or something of the kind???
I won't be on email as of tonight but I am volunteering on the registration
door from 830-930pm so maybe we could connect then???
Hope to see a few of you!
Emily
Have you as a caller or organizer had particular success in helping people to find partners, especially when there is gender imbalance? I welcome comments about the issue of making sure all are having equal opportunity to dance. I recently received a message from our contra dance board asking callers for suggestions on this issue. I believe that the organizers are addressing this issue because we have had dancers leave after not being able to find partners. I will be sharing your comments with our board and they will share these thoughts with callers as they are hired to call a dance.
Thank you!
Jill Allen
Lawrence, KS
Is there anyone out there who would be willing to give me a ride from
Cambridge to the Ralph Page Weekend, and then back to the Boston Airport
on Sunday? I would need to leave on Sunday relatively quickly after the
dancing, since I have a 7:30 flight. If so, please email me off list.
Thanks!
Jack
Jeff Kaufman <jeff(a)alum.swarthmore.edu>:
>As a musician and a caller, I have mixed feelings on callers jumping
>back in for the last time through. Changing the dance to end with a
>partner swing ("this time, long lines, swing your partner") can be
>nice, but mostly I don't think bringing the calls back in adds very
>little and detracts from the music.
If the dance has a satisfying ending as it is, it stays. But I can't think of a worse way to end a dance than with "Dosido next neighbor" or "Pass Through along the Line". So I plead guilty as charged!
There are other ways to handle the situation. If it is the end of a set and there is a partner swing at B1, then I'll use B2 to ask the dancers to thank the band, and they do. Also, in very rare cases I'll ask the band to play an extra B (for the A1 partner swing in Batja's Breakdown) and then go out.
As far as the question of where you go out in Becket dances that progress in the middle of the phrase, it seems to matter less than DI, but I prefer to have the dancers "in" at the top at the end ('cuz most Becket dances these days end with a partner swing). If you screw it up, don't worry about out. There are *lots* more important things to worry about.
Dan
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
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