Hi fellow shared weight callesr
I just put this message out on the organizers list-serve but I know some of
us callers are also organizers so I wanted to share here with you. Plus
you know lots of organizers! (I'll also share with the musician group.)
============================================
Some of you may have heard about this but I wanted to share some exciting
organizer information from CDSS.
*Please share it with other organizers in your area! *This information is
for ANY traditional dance, music or song organizers (e.g., contra dance;
old time jam sessions; scandinavian dance; trad song circles; etc).
*SURVEY of TRADITIONAL DANCE, MUSIC and SONG ORGANIZERS in the US:*
CDSS wants to hear from you in order to inform their work in supporting
local organizers throughout the US! What you are organizing? What
challenges do you face? What support/connections would help you in the work
you do?
CDSS recently conducted a study of Canadian organizers (article here
<https://www.cdss.org/images/newsletter_archives/columns/CDSS_News_Spring_20…>)
and has taken the findings to further improve their support of local
organizers.
The US survey available until April 13th:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DCSRMZG
Note that multiple individuals from the same organization can fill out the
survey.
Please share widely with organizers in many traditions!
*NEW CDSS E-MAIL BLASTS for ORGANIZERS*
CDSS has just launched a new organizer email newsletter to support local
organizers of traditional dance music and song. The e-news will be emailed
out four times a year. Expect notifications about new resources, upcoming
training opportunities, inspiring success stories and more.
To join the email list, click here:
https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001l2jBILRzRVh_qG9X8…
Again - please spread widely!
Emily Addison
CDSS Canadian Initiative+
I am curious how much time you all plan programming a dance before arriving
at a venue. If you do not preprogram, what is your approach for on the fly
programming?
Rich Sbardella
Stafford, CT
I appreciate the point that several have made that a term that sounds
just like gypsy isn't a reasonable substitute. Fair enough. The search
continues...
Kalia in Sebastopol
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Chris Page <chriscpage(a)gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Mar 14, 2018 at 1:51 PM
Subject: Re: [Callers] More substitute terms for the g-word
To: Michael Barraclough <michael(a)michaelbarraclough.com>
And could we please do this under a separate thread so it doesn’t drown out
the original question?
-Chris Page
San Diego
On Wed, Mar 14, 2018 at 1:44 PM Michael Barraclough via Callers <
callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> Could someone please explain to me why the word gyp*** is considered a
> racial slur. I note that the body that represents gyp***s in the USA calls
> itself the Gypsy Council USA and in the UK it is the Gypsy Council. This is
> the term they have chosen to represent their ethnicity and they seem to be
> proud of it. Who are we to disagree?
>
> Michael Barraclough
> http://michaelbarraclough.com
>
>
> On 03/14/2018 01:33 PM, Rich Sbardella via Callers wrote:
>
> I think having a word that sounds similar is an asset, not a liability. I
> have used look-see quite successfully. In years, few will know that a
> "look-see" used to be called as a G... I have also used Walk 'round with
> no problem.
>
> My initial attempt was Hipsy, but Linda Leslie quickly, and prudently
> discouraged such usage.
>
> Rich
>
> On Wed, Mar 14, 2018 at 4:25 PM, Martha Wild via Callers <
> callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
>> I don’t see that if you substitute a term that ends with a long e it
>> should be nixed just for that reason. OK, maybe kipsy might be considered
>> just a euphemism. But "Look-see", as described by Susan Michaels, has the
>> virtue of involving the fact that you are looking at the other person, and
>> seeing them. Why shouldn’t we choose a term that’s easier to substitute and
>> remember to use like “Look-see” instead of the bland, cold, bulky,
>> impossible to shorten, “right shoulder round” (or left shoulder round).
>> Martha
>>
>> > On Mar 14, 2018, at 1:11 PM, Kalia Kliban via Callers <
>> callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>> >
>> > I appreciate the point that several have made that a term that sounds
>> just like gypsy isn't a reasonable substitute. Fair enough. The search
>> continues...
>> >
>> > Kalia in Sebastopol
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > List Name: Callers mailing list
>> > List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>> > Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> List Name: Callers mailing list
>> List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
>>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> List Name: Callers mailing list
> List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> List Name: Callers mailing list
> List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
>
Re: More substitute terms for the g-word
I have used the term "Romanesque" for the move - its a sloppy miss-use of
the word "Roman" but it has the Roma kernel in it. And most people
recognise that it is a word for something.
Cheers,
Eric Limbach
Pocatello, ID
On Wed, Mar 14, 2018 at 2:11 PM, <callers-request(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
wrote:
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> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Re: More substitute terms for the g-word (Martha Wild)
> 2. Re: More substitute terms for the g-word (Chip Hedler)
> 3. Re: Programming a Dance (Jean Gibson-Gorrindo)
> 4. Re: More substitute terms for the g-word (Donna Hunt)
> 5. Re: More substitute terms for the g-word (Yoyo Zhou)
> 6. Re: Programming a Dance (Dugan Murphy)
> 7. Re: More substitute terms for the g-word (Russell Frank)
> 8. Re: More substitute terms for the g-word (Elizabeth Szekeres)
> 9. Re: Programming a Dance (Bob Peterson)
> 10. Re: Programming a Dance (Mary Collins)
> 11. Re: Programming a Dance (Mary Collins)
> 12. Re: Programming a Dance (Linda S. Mrosko)
> 13. Re: More substitute terms for the g-word (Linda S. Mrosko)
> 14. Re: More substitute terms for the g-word (Cara Sawyer)
> 15. Re: More substitute terms for the g-word (Andrea Nettleton)
> 16. Re: More substitute terms for the g-word (Bob Hofkin)
> 17. Re: More substitute terms for the g-word (Angela DeCarlis)
> 18. Re: More substitute terms for the g-word (Don Veino)
> 19. Re: More substitute terms for the g-word (Cheryl Joyal)
> 20. Re: More substitute terms for the g-word (Amy Wimmer)
> 21. Re: More substitute terms for the g-word (Linda S. Mrosko)
> 22. More substitute terms for the g-word (Kalia Kliban)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Tue, 13 Mar 2018 13:07:54 -0700
> From: Martha Wild <mawild(a)sbcglobal.net>
> To: John W Gintell <john(a)gintell.org>
> Cc: Perry Shafran <pshaf(a)yahoo.com>, Caller's discussion list
> <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] More substitute terms for the g-word
> Message-ID: <8BC4AEB3-D1F9-45AC-AC8F-E27E00719F80(a)sbcglobal.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> I don?t think right shoulder round is going to make the grade. It?s
> descriptive, certainly, but it is long and unwieldy and can?t be easily
> shortened to anything recognizable as you eliminate calls in the dance. So,
> I?m sorry, but I?m not going to be using it.
> Martha
>
> > On Mar 13, 2018, at 12:53 PM, John W Gintell via Callers <
> callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> >
> > I think it would be best if only one term is used by callers at all
> dances. I think this quite important for beginners (not necessarily just
> the first time) who face enough confusion learning the terminology. One of
> the reasons why beginners don?t return is that it is too confusing.
> >
> > And I too like hearing right shoulder round because it is descriptive.
> >
> >> On Mar 13, 2018, at 3:41 PM, Perry Shafran via Callers <
> callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:callers@lists.sharedweight.net>>
> wrote:
> >>
> >> I happen to *like* right shoulder round and have liked it ever since
> three callers at a dance event used it and it went rather flawlessly. I
> like the fact that it is actually descriptive in what you're doing. I
> think that the more we try to invent made-up words to try to make it sound
> fun and whimsey, the more we are likely to upset dancers who don't like
> that we're changing terms as it is. It may *sound* like a boring
> descriptor, but I feel my job as a caller is to describe the move and let
> the dancer decide what the mood is going to be for that individual dancer,
> based on their own feelings and their own connection to the music. So I
> plan to stick with "right shoulder round".
> >>
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > List Name: Callers mailing list
> > List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> > Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
>
>
I should addend my previous response to say I approach a dance preparation
as I do a horse show. That's how my mind works. There is a plan and steps
to it.
Mary
On Mar 13, 2018 6:15 PM, "Mary Collins" <nativedae(a)gmail.com> wrote:
I usually start thinking about the program as soon as I book. Then as far
out as two weeks I pull and practice dances, determine suitable music,
refine a day or two before and then once at the dance change the whole
program. Lol. Not really but once I get there I end up changing order or
some dances. I've been pulling my similar yet substituting dances itn
advance lately too.
On Mar 13, 2018 6:04 PM, "Bob Peterson via Callers" <
callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> As a new caller I spend way too many hours preparing. I used to start
> weeks in advance, just so I could read all the choreography books I have.
> Now I’m down to 1 or 2 weeks. LOL. Where I’m spending most of my time
> nowadays is developing a sense of “story” and “biorhythm” to the program,
> and not just a logical progression of complexity. I look forward to getting
> it down to an hour!
>
> By now I have been through my library enough and called enough that I have
> a couple special folders of fallback easy/fun/low-turnout dances to rely on
> when I need them. Having fallbacks makes programming simpler (thus faster)
> so I don’t need an absurd flowchart. (Yes, I tried that once.)
>
> On Mar 13, 2018, at 17:28, Jean Gibson-Gorrindo via Callers <
> callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
> My calling took a big leap forward when I started paying more attention to
> what I would say during the walk-thru, and practicing saying it out loud as
> concisely as possible (Lisa Greenleaf influence!).
>
>
> I do this as well. Saying the teaching aloud, alone, helps me test and
> pare the words down. Walking a couple positions as well helps me aware of
> the dancer perspectives as well.
>
> \Bob Peterson
> http://contracorner.com/caller/
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> List Name: Callers mailing list
> List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
>
>
Hi, Rich,
I come to almost all of my gigs with a program prepared in advance. For
each dance slot, I have multiple choices of dance compositions that all
fulfill the same purpose (same key figure, same type of progression, same
type of orientation, etc.), from which I choose depending on what I think
the crowd will enjoy most. I usually leave two slots open for on-the-fly
choices of glossary dances that I can call without a walk-through.
When I come to an event without a program already prepared, it is usually
because I anticipate moments when my choices of dance compositions may be
influenced by an insufficient number dancers for a contra line.
Dugan Murphy
Portland, Maine
dugan at duganmurphy.comwww.DuganMurphy.comwww.PortlandIntownContraDance.comwww.NufSed.consulting
> From: Rich Sbardella <richsbardella(a)gmail.com>
> To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Subject: [Callers] Programming a Dance
>
> I am curious how much time you all plan programming a dance before arriving
> at a venue. If you do not preprogram, what is your approach for on the fly
> programming?
> Rich Sbardella
> Stafford, CT
>
When was the last time you got a tan at an *indoor* contradance?
No, this is not a joke. I got sunburned while calling this past Saturday
(March 3rd, in Pennsylvania).
How is this possible? Probably a damaged metal halide bulb in the community
center gym where the dance was held. Apparently this is a problem that
occurs sporadically in gyms all over the country, as I found out after a
google search:
https://news.vanderbilt.edu/2004/05/19/damaged-metal-halide-
lamps-can-cause-indoor-sunburns-56964/
https://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationSafe
ty/AlertsandNotices/ucm116540.htm
I'm very fair-skinned and burn easily, but I'm not the only one who was
affected — the musicians got sunburns as well, and two of them have (mild)
eye irritation symptoms. It's only when we compared notes yesterday that we
realized what had happened.
We will all be ok, and thankfully there haven't been any reports of dancers
being affected — it was a large and lively crowd, and we kept them moving!
Other than the burns, it was an absolutely wonderful dance.
The problem had not occurred before at this monthly event because the bank
of lights that we now think the culprit bulb is a part of is not usually
on. It was needed that night because some of the other lights had burned
out.
I would like to commend the dance organizers for taking the problem very
seriously. Once informed, they immediately contacted the community center
management, who in turn promised to address the issue right away.
I don't mean to alarm anyone, but next time you call in a gym, you may want
to wear sunscreen!
Anne Lutun
Philadelphia, PA
As I sit out this Nor'easter, I am doing some house cleaning. I have
collected many dances without titles and perhaps someone can provide names.
Thanks in advance!
Rich Sbardella
Stafford, CT
#1
Untitled Contra Star Thru
Inside Hands - Neighbor Balance
Star Thru
Ladies Chain
Ladies Allemande Right 1-1/2
Neighbor Swing
Gents Allemande Left 1-1/2
Partner Swing
Balance The Ring
Spin Right
Balance The Ring
California Twirl
Inside Hands - Neighbor Balance
#2
Newer Untitled Early Stars
Contra D/I
(Good for Pre-Dance Workshop?)
Neighbor Dosido
Neighbor Swing
Circle left 3/4
Partner Swing
Long Lines Forward & Back
Right Hand Star
Ladies Chain
Left Hand Star
New Neighbor Dosido
#3
Untitled 2 Half Heys
Neighbor Balance & Swing
- - - -
Circle Left 3/4
Gents Pass Left in Center to start Hey
Partner Rollaway to Half a Hey
Partner Balance & Swing
- - - -
Ladies Pass Right in Center to start Hey
Ladies Chain
Half Hey
New Neighbor Balance & Swing
#4
Untitled 2 Half Heys
Neighbor Balance & Swing
- - - -
Circle Left 3/4
Gents Pass Left in Center to start Hey
Partner Rollaway to Half a Hey
Partner Balance & Swing
- - - -
Ladies Pass Right in Center to start Hey
Ladies Chain
Half Hey
New Neighbor Balance & Swing
#5
Untitled PTO
BECKET
Pass Thru to a Wave
(Recommend L then R) Balance Wave
Ladies Alle L 1-1/2 - Gents Orbit
Partner Balance & Swing
- - - -
Gents Pass Left
Walk Around Neighbor
Neighbor Swing
Ladies Pass Right
LEFT Walkaround Partner
Promenade
Hook to the Left
Pass Thru to a Wave
#6
Untiltled w/ Gents Chain
Untitled
Balance the Ring
Spin to the Right
Balance the Ring
Spin to the Right
Hands Across - Left Hand Star
(to Partner) Gents Chain Across
Gents pull Left Hand and end up on left side after Chain.
Mad Robin
Face Partner & Partner Swing
Circle Left 3/4
Pass Thru - New Neighbor Swing
Form a Ring & Balance Now
Dance logs, a cumulative record for a series of which dances have been
called on any given evening, are very common in the English dance
community but vanishingly rare in the contra community. Why is that?
They're really helpful for incoming callers, and it's probably nice for
the dancers not to keep getting the same dances week after week.
I've only ever known of one contra series that kept a log, and it's
probably because I suggested it when they started out (the Queer Contra
series in Oakland, CA). Are there any contra organizers out there who
maintain a dance log? Those of you who do, how do you get the dance
lists from the callers? The Oakland series had a little book on the
stage and the callers would write their programs down as they went or at
the end of the night.
Part of it comes down to record-keeping on the part of the callers. I
keep a personal log of all the dances I've called so I can avoid
repeating myself when I return to a given venue. That makes it easy for
me to produce a set list after the fact if an organizer wants to fill in
a gap in the log. Fellow contra callers, do you all keep records of
what you call, and if you don't, how do you avoid repeating yourself or
remember what worked well (or not) the last time you called at a
particular place?
If you work with something like Caller's Companion, do you update the
program list with what you actually danced as opposed to what you
programmed?
Just curious about other people's process on this.
Kalia in Sebastopol, CA
