Prompted by some recent conversations, I’m curious how folks here feel
about shadow swings!
1. As a caller, do you:
A) not have an issue with shadow swings, and program them freely
B) not tend to program them just bc they don’t come up in your repertoire,
but have no issue with them
C) not program shadow swings as a matter of principle
D) some secret fourth thing (feel free to elaborate!)?
2. How do you feel about shadow swings as a dancer?
Will weigh in with my thoughts later, both to avoid biasing the
conversation from the outset, and also because I’m currently in transit 😅
Thanks for participating in the data gathering!
Cheers,
Maia
--
Maia McCormick (she/her)
917.279.8194
He hasn’t been active for many years, but I just learned that John Bradford
passed away on July 27, 2024.
John learned to call as a young child in Oklahoma, even before attending
one of Lloyd Shaw’s earliest caller workshops in Colorado Springs with his
parents. At the time he was not yet able to waltz (a prerequisite for
atending), and was trying to squeak by with a two-step. According to John,
Shaw caught him at it immediately—and set his best students to rectifying
the issue post-haste.
John would go on to perform with the Cheyenne Mountain Dancers, was a
founding member and driving force behind the Lloyd Shaw Foundation (LSF),
and was the caller for their recordings of Shaw’s 5-part singing quadrille
and the Broadmoor Promenade. According one report, he was deemed to have
perfectly picked up Shaw’s cadence and could call entirely without
affectation.
John was instrumental in getting the LSF’s recordings created, packaged,
marketed, and distributed to schools across the country. A deep well of
knowledge, John was a true old-time caller and knew patter that I have
never heard anywhere else.
In addition to being a superb and versatile caller and dancer (with one of
the best swings of anyone around), John was a self taught guitarist,
singer, and pianist, a professional educator, and an all-around gentleman
and excellent human being. As an added bonus, kids and adults both just did
what he told them to do.
He has left behind a family full of musicians, dancers, and callers, as
well as a legacy of teaching and inspiring everyone who danced with him—not
to mention the teachers and children touched by his efforts to have quality
dance exposure incorporated into school curriculums.
Neal Schlein
Librarian, MSLIS
Hi Folks,
Greg from Winnipeg - As customary, I just wrote a new dance and wondering if it's already been penned. It has two versions, below, one is easier, as I introduce many people to contra dancing in my group and it's nice to have a low stress option, the second is more standard. I also really like dances where it doesn't matter what side you're on, but it's hard to find variety without any corner figures.
In Action (standard) - duple proper/improper doesn't matter what side you're on
A1 - P DsD; Circle L
A2 - P B+Sw (end facing neighbours, doesn't matter what side but good to end on the side you started on)
B1 - N DsD; LH Star
B2 - LL F+B, neighbour roll away on the return; new neighbour LH turn
(Or, if I was Rick Mohr: B2 - LL F+B (7), Neighbour Roll Away (3), new Neighbour LH Turn (6)) LOL
Notes: Holding hands in long lines may not be necessary, as you're dropping them on the return to do the roll away, so if you're late you'll only get a 2 beat hand hold with your previous neighbour. It should only be required to pick up your current neighbour for the F+B.
In Action (easy) - duple proper/improper
A1 - P DsD; Circle L
A2 - P Swing
B1 - N DsD; LH Star
B2 - F+B across, with your neighbour (8); roll away your neighbour (4) and the last 4 beats is flex/catch up (because I usually find it's hard for people to orient themselves in the new minor set; I may say "Wave to your neighbour, then face your partner" or something like that).
Notes: I took out the balance because it's only satisfying if you get it right on the beat and my beginners are rarely ever there. The 16 beat swing can be catch-up time.
Greg
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Sent with [Proton Mail](https://proton.me/) secure email.
*my "**Vote Blue No Matter Who,**" tweaked for this election cycle:*
*(let me know how it goes if you call this one!)*
*Vote Blue No Matter Who, Version 2.024 *(5-2-24) *by Elizabeth Bloom
Albert *
Becket formation; start one-quarter turn to left of Improper; this dance
progresses clockwise.
A1* (2) Slide Left to new neighbors:
(6) Ladies Do-Si-Do 1 x
(8) Swing Partner
A2 (4) Ladies: R-hand Balance
(4) Ladies: Pull-by R to switch [places] {Drop hands}
(4) Gents: R-hand Balance
(4) Gents: Pull-by R to switch [places] {Don’t drop hands}
B1 (8) [Hands Across] Star Right
[End in Wavy Lines up/down hall with Gents facing in]
(4) Balance the [Blue!] wave
(4) Balance the wave again
B2 (8) Gents cross Left, for Half a Hey
(8) Swing Partner (again)
NOTES:
A1: CALLER: During walk thru and 1st time thru, couples do not shift left,
dancing instead with couple across.
Hi everyone,
I apologize - email to the list has been held up for a few days as there was a corruption in the mail database. Everything should be fine now. I don't yet know if any emails sent during the down time will come through.
Seth
I’ve been asked to call a dance at a church camp for middle schoolers at the end of July. Two of the campers have cerebral palsy - one is fairly mobile but the other is on crutches. I’m looking for dance ideas that could be used as is or modified for a dancer on crutches. About 40 people are anticipated (middle school aged campers and high school and adult staff).
Thanks,
Dianne
Hello!
I remember seeing a video of a contra dance a few years back, perhaps
during some kind of workshop, where one of the moves involved dancers
pumping their fists into the air and saying something. I think they were
saying "hey," but I'm not completely sure. I remember that the dance seemed
like it was at a typical contra dance level of difficulty and was a duple
minor, not a simple family dance.
Does anyone know what dance this might be?
Thanks!
Kyla Wargel
Bloomington, IN
Hi fellow callers :)
I'm looking for feedback on summer camp workshop descriptions!
*Backstory:* I'm heading into my second year as the caller for a trad music
& dance camp up here in Canada. Last year I offered two daily classes --
one was a daily discussion on various subjects relating to calling. The
other was a learning lab where folks could call dances and receive
feedback. I'm offering those two workshops again this year and I'm
adding a dancer skills session. I'm particularly excited about the skill
building workshop as the dancers at this camp are SUPER enthusiastic camp
but some haven't had much exposure to skills/knowledge building (e.g.,
there's some fun-loving younguns that really whip their partners around and
execute flourishes with little/no notion of consent or safety).
Anyway, I REALLLLLLLLY want to have great 'sell' on the skill-building
session. It's going to be a super fun session focus on play/actually
dancing. I just need to convince dancers that they want to sign up! (Note
-- while this camp is a trad music & dance camp, recent camp years have
been heavily focused on instrument learning workshops.)
I've included draft descriptions for all three workshops below.* Might you
have feedback on how I could make them more enticing????*
Also - I'm wondering if it's appropriate to say 'caller curious' as a term
for folks who haven't called but may be curious in trying it out.
Thank you!
Emily in Ottawa, ON
JOIN THE CONTRA PLAYSHOP!
Are you into contra dancing? Then you’ve GOT to sign up for this
session!!!! We are going to spend the whole week working on building our
dancing skills and knowledge in a SUPER playful and engaging way. Even
very experienced dancers will find that there’s lots of surprising fun that
can happen in this session as well further learning to finness your dance
style. Plus… we’ll do some flourishes you’ve likely never tried before.
Are you new to contra dancing? This is also a great session for you. You
will learn lots of skills that make your dancing that much more fun and
we’ll focus on some details that we can’t get into during an evening of
dance.
ARE YOU A CALLER or ARE CALLER CURIOUS?
This session is for anyone who wants to build their calling practice
whether you are an experienced caller or haven’t even yet called your first
dance. We’ll be spending a lot of time looking at repertoire and
programming this year — how to choose dances for different crowds, how to
craft an evening of programming, and much more. (I’ll also be sharing some
of my favourite dances for different levels and contexts.)
CALLER LEARNING LAB
Callers of any level are invited to participate in this open mic time -
it's a perfect chance to try calling for the first time OR try teaching
dances new to you and receive feedback in a supportive environment. If you
are interested in this session, register early and email Emily (
EmilyLAddison(a)gmail.com). Emily will work with you to identify a few dances
to focus on and will help set you up for success so you get the most out of
the open mic opportunity. Dancers: You are most welcome at this daily
session as well! We'd love to have your participation … the more the
merrier on the dance floor!
