Contra Callers

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18 participants
4362 discussions

by Keith Cornett Eustis

"Whitewater", "Roadkill", or "Sealed with a Keith" all by Cary Ravitz...and many of his others that flow so wonderfully. Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE DROID Michael Fuerst <mjerryfuerst(a)yahoo.com> wrote: >Mac: > > > >So why did you suggest Roll in the Hey, as opposed to some other? What others by Roger or Gene would you consider equal or better candidates? > >(Others are still encouraged to submit other authors' dances as suggestions for the best contra ever written.) > >Roll in the Hey, Improper by Roger Diggle >A1 Circle left; sw N >A2 Circle left 3/4; sw P >B1 Long lines F&B; W ch >B2 Hey, W start with Rt shoulders > >Michael Fuerst 802 N Broadway Urbana IL 61801 217-239-5844 > >________________________________ > From: Richard Mckeever <macmck(a)ymail.com> >To: Michael Fuerst <mjerryfuerst(a)yahoo.com>; Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> >Sent: Saturday, December 1, 2012 6:10 PM >Subject: Re: [Callers] Favorite Dances > > >given that hint - I will submit Roger Diggle's Roll in the Hey (but many others from Roger might also qualify as candidates - and the same could be said for Gene Hubert - lots of great dances from the Midwest). > >Mac > > > > >________________________________ > From: Michael Fuerst <mjerryfuerst(a)yahoo.com> >To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> >Sent: Saturday, December 1, 2012 4:56 PM >Subject: Re: [Callers] Favorite Dances > >I did have one specific dance in mind when I started this thread. >I'm surprised no one has mentioned it yet. >It almost always gets called at dance weekends with open calling--at least in the Midwest, where such weekends are popular >Of course that could be because its author is from the Midwest. (hint! hint!) >But other suggestions can still be offered. > >Also Donna Hunt wrote: >"The Wizard's Walk tune is often played without the Wizard's Walk dance in dance halls these days. So why aren't some of the Chestnut tunes played without the corresponding dance?" > >The answer lurks in these lyrics from Fiddler on the Roof: "Tradition, tradition! Tradition!" > > >Michael Fuerst 802 N Broadway Urbana IL 61801 217-239-5844 > > >________________________________ >From: Paul Wilde <zenyente(a)gmail.com> >To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> >Sent: Saturday, December 1, 2012 3:36 PM >Subject: [Callers] Favorite Dances > >Hey everyone, > >I'd like to return to Michael's original thread, before it is forgotten. >The idea of posting our favorite 2 or 3 dances seems like a wonderful >chance to share resources and enrich our dance communities. > >Thanks, >Paul > >On Thu, Nov 29, 2012 at 10:19 PM, Michael Fuerst <mjerryfuerst(a)yahoo.com> >wrote: > >> If you had to choose one or two or at most three > ... >_______________________________________________ >Callers mailing list >Callers(a)sharedweight.net >http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >_______________________________________________ >Callers mailing list >Callers(a)sharedweight.net >http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers

12 years, 5 months

Fw: Favorite Dances

by Michael Fuerst

Mac: So why did you suggest Roll in the Hey, as opposed to some other? What others by Roger or Gene would you consider equal or better candidates? (Others are still encouraged to submit other authors' dances as suggestions for the best contra ever written.) Roll in the Hey, Improper by Roger Diggle A1 Circle left; sw N A2 Circle left 3/4; sw P B1 Long lines F&B; W ch B2 Hey, W start with Rt shoulders Michael Fuerst 802 N Broadway Urbana IL 61801 217-239-5844 ________________________________ From: Richard Mckeever <macmck(a)ymail.com> To: Michael Fuerst <mjerryfuerst(a)yahoo.com>; Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> Sent: Saturday, December 1, 2012 6:10 PM Subject: Re: [Callers] Favorite Dances given that hint - I will submit Roger Diggle's Roll in the Hey (but many others from Roger might also qualify as candidates - and the same could be said for Gene Hubert - lots of great dances from the Midwest). Mac ________________________________ From: Michael Fuerst <mjerryfuerst(a)yahoo.com> To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> Sent: Saturday, December 1, 2012 4:56 PM Subject: Re: [Callers] Favorite Dances I did have one specific dance in mind when I started this thread. I'm surprised no one has mentioned it yet. It almost always gets called at dance weekends with open calling--at least in the Midwest, where such weekends are popular Of course that could be because its author is from the Midwest. (hint! hint!) But other suggestions can still be offered. Also Donna Hunt wrote: "The Wizard's Walk tune is often played without the Wizard's Walk dance in dance halls these days. So why aren't some of the Chestnut tunes played without the corresponding dance?" The answer lurks in these lyrics from Fiddler on the Roof: "Tradition, tradition! Tradition!" Michael Fuerst 802 N Broadway Urbana IL 61801 217-239-5844 ________________________________ From: Paul Wilde <zenyente(a)gmail.com> To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> Sent: Saturday, December 1, 2012 3:36 PM Subject: [Callers] Favorite Dances Hey everyone, I'd like to return to Michael's original thread, before it is forgotten. The idea of posting our favorite 2 or 3 dances seems like a wonderful chance to share resources and enrich our dance communities. Thanks, Paul On Thu, Nov 29, 2012 at 10:19 PM, Michael Fuerst <mjerryfuerst(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > If you had to choose one or two or at most three ... _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers

12 years, 5 months

best dance ever

by JoLaine Jones-Pokorney

I keep waiting to see "Delphiniums and Daisies" show up on the list and can't believe it hasn't yet so here it is. LOVE this dance - great for beginners as well as advanced dancers. As for Chorus Jig, I also don't like it. I remember one time when I was dancing the lead with a newbie partner and we started the dance at the very bottom of the set as 2s. While I understood that this was a chestnut, my newbie kept saying - "Why don't we get to do anything?" And while I could swing her while the 1s go down the outside, that's about it and I typically don't throw "extras" at newcomers. I appreciate the reports of those of you who love this dance and spoke glowingly about what you like about it - but it seems to me that those things (perfect timing, part of the bigger whole, etc) is true of most any good contra dance. As someone who plays early music on instruments that are obsolete - I respect that things typically fall out of fashion for good reason. I love to play a crumhorn, but I understand why there are none in the symphony orchestra (or anywhere else for that matter). While I appreciate keeping alive the older dances, Chorus Jig is my least favorite even of the chestnuts. -- JoLaine Jones-Pokorney "We are as gods and might as well get good at it!" - Stewart Brand

12 years, 5 months

Re: [Callers] Wizard's Walk

by John Sweeney

Roger Hayes said "Mention must be made of "Wizard's Walk". (Was it written, or found?)" It was written by Ruth Ungar. The tune was written by her father Jay Ungar. Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk <http://www.contrafusion.co.uk/> for Dancing in Kent

12 years, 5 months

Re: [Callers] Bowl of Cherries

by John Sweeney

I think there is a Roll Away missing at the end of the Circle Left in the description provided a few posts back. Bowl of Cherries by Sue Rosen Improper A1 N Dsd & swing A2 Promenade across; W ch to P B1 W gypsy each other; sw P B2 Circle left 3/4, Men Roll Neighbour Lady alone the line with a Half Sashay; Cross Trails (pass thru across, pass N by left shoulder to face new N) Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

12 years, 5 months

Re: [Callers] What is the best contra dance(s) ever written?

by Allen Ortep

Hello All: I don't have a favorite dance, but my least favorite dance (and dance move) is Petronella. Always seems a bit backwards to me. Allen Ortep

12 years, 5 months

Why do you (or don't you) like Chorus Jig?

by Mark Widmer

Dale, Chorus Jig offers a lot of opportunities to embellish the moves beyond what dancers are instructed in the walkthrough. The most popular one is for the 2's to swing while the 1's are going down the outside. Besides that, it can be fun to: -- At the end of a swing, give a gentle "push off" with your partner to either launch yourselves into the down-the-outside (if you're active), or to get yourselves promptly to the side before the 1's start walking down the middle (if you're an inactive). -- Do that extra spin out of the allemandes (if time permits), as either an active or inactive. Mark Widmer Dale Wilson <dale.wilson(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2012 18:26:55 -0600 > Subject: Re: [Callers] What is the best contra dance(s) ever written? > > . > . > . > > And slightly more seriously. > > I don't want to start religious war but I have always wondered about A > Chorus Jig. I just don't see why anyone likes it other than those who > cherish it as a relic of a bygone era. The few times I have danced it my > primary impression was that the inactive couples stood still for the entire > dance -- offering admiration an occasional helping hand to the actives, and > even the actives spent a great deal of time walking up and down the set. > What am I missing? Why do people like it? > > Dale > >

12 years, 5 months

Re: [Callers] What is the best contra dance(s) ever written?

by John Sweeney

The one I get most requests for is Devil's Dream http://www.cambridgefolk.org.uk/contra/dances/devils_dream.html I also get a lot of requests for Feet in Flight by Dale Rempert http://austinbarndancers.org/dances/ftflight.shtml Especially when we dance it to Wild Asparagus playing Taliban. The dance I have called most is probably Flirtation Reel by Tony Parkes - great for beginners, but the experienced dancers love it as well. Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

12 years, 5 months

Re: [Callers] What is the best contra dance(s) ever written?

by JohnFreem＠aol.com

Dale, When did you start dancing? If you began during the "MUC" era, then you likely never had a chance to appreciate some of the chestnuts and unequal dances of the pre-MUC era. Some dances are comfortable, like an old pair of dancing shoes. I remember dancing to some of these dances that began on their own while the bend was "noodling" the tune, before the caller was ready. John B. Freeman, SFTPOCTJ Calling and dancing for only 30+ years

12 years, 5 months

Re: [Callers] Right & Left Through

by John Sweeney

Kalia said, "a right and left through over and back (4 changes of rights and lefts for you English dancers)". Q1: Why for English dancers? Dancers in England do R&L Throughs, and I am pretty sure that ECD dancers in the USA do them as well. Q2: "Four changes" does NOT (to the best of my knowledge) have any courtesy turns in it, whereas wherever I have danced in the UK or the USA (extensively in both countries) R&L Throughs DO. How do you do a R&L Through? Q3: When the dance is proper like this, then the two men are courtesy turning each other - is that what makes the difference? In my experience the men turn shoulder to shoulder, possibly with arms around each other, but they still do a turn which wouldn't happen in "four changes". (And the ladies likewise of course.) Q4: Does anyone know how a R&L Through was done, and with what styling, back when this dance was written? Thanks. Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

12 years, 5 months

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Contra Callers