Contra Callers

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4380 discussions

by Seth Seeger

Hello callers, I’m sorry it’s taken me so long, but at last we have a new archive system: http://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/ <http://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/> The old archives should be imported this weekend. For power users, there are some interesting search options and keyboard shortcuts: https://www.mail-archive.com/faq.html#search <https://www.mail-archive.com/faq.html#search> https://www.mail-archive.com/faq.html#accesskeys <https://www.mail-archive.com/faq.html#accesskeys> I welcome any feedback! Seth

7 years, 11 months

Re: [Callers] Waltz-Time Contra Choreography

by Don Veino via Callers

Here's one I'm fond of. One could argue whether this is a Contra, ECD, or... Linda’s Gifts (of Time) – Longways Duple Proper in Waltz Time – Don Veino 20160818 *Type:* Longways Contra or English Dance, Duple Proper *Status:* Public, Proven In grateful recognition of Linda Leslie’s investments of time in the folk dance community and in particular her consultation and mentoring given me as I hone my dance calling and composition. *A1* (6,6) First Corners Set to each other (small steps to the Right-2-3, Left-2-3), Hole in the Wall (forward 3 beats/steps, pass rights and pivot 1 step, fall back 2 steps into each other’s places) (12) Second Corners, same thing *A2* (12) Partner Two-Hand Turn 1x (12) Circle Left 1x *B1* (12) Ones Half Figure 8 up and around Twos to finish below (12) Twos do similar below, to finish above *B2* (12) Partner Back to Back/Dosido (6) Ring Balance with current Neighbors (6) Cloverleaf Turn Single over outside shoulder to face new Neighbors http://veino.com/blog/?p=1464 On Aug 8, 2017 2:03 PM, "Dugan Murphy via Callers" < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: Do you have a favorite contra dance written to fit a waltz tune?

7 years, 11 months

Re: [Callers] Waltz-Time Contra Choreography

by John Sweeney via Callers

Hi, Dugan asked about waltz contra choreographies. The music in the Allison Wonderland video is much faster than I would use for a contra waltz. Many of the dancers seem to end up almost running to keep up. The waltz at the beginning or end of an evening at a contra dance is usually significantly slower, and more the sort of speed that I would use to get the feel of a waltz. (Yes, I know the Irish like to waltz 50% faster, but that is a very different style!) Here are some contras that were written specifically for waltz music: = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Tulsa Tribute (by Keith Tuxhorn) Contra; Becket - Waltz A1: Circle Left Half Way (2); Balance the Ring (2) Circle Left* Half Way (2); Balance the Ring (2) A2: Open Ladies' Chain x2 B1: Full Hey with hands - Ladies start with Right Hand B2: Partner Waltz in Place (4), Waltz Left** to face a New Neighbours (4) An Open Ladies' Chain is an old form in which you do NOT do a Courtesy Turn. I always teach it and call it as "Ladies Pull By Right, Allemande Left the Man you meet" * I go Right to make it easier for inexperienced dancers ** I go Right because my brain tells me that is the direction in which I should waltz around the room Easy B2: Ladies Gypsy (4); Yearn Left (2); Step Right & Honour (2) = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = A Waltz for Terry (by Don Armstrong) Contra; Improper - Waltz A1: #1s with #2 Man: Balance the Ring twice; Circle Left A2: #1s with #2 Lady: Balance the Ring twice; Circle Right to a Line of Four facing Down the Hall (#1 Lady lets go with Right Hand; #1 Man raises Left Hand to left #2 Lady through) B1: Down the Hall in Lines of Four (2) bars, Balance Forwards (1), Turn Alone (1) Up the Hall in Lines of Four (2), #2s Gate the #1s Up to progressed positions with a wide hand-cast (2) B2: Open Ladies' Chain (the Men can do a Turn Single to the Left while the Ladies cross) Open Ladies' Chain back An Open Ladies' Chain is an old form in which you do NOT do a Courtesy Turn. I always teach it and call it as "Ladies Pull By Right, Allemande Left the Man you meet" = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Equal Opportunity Waltz Contra (by Becky Hill) Contra; Improper - Waltz A1: Star Left; Star Right A2: Neighbour Allemande Right; Partner Allemande Left B1: Ladies Cross (2); Men Cross (2) Balance the Ring; Partner Roll Away with a Half Sashay B2: Partner: Take Right Hand: Balance & Box the Gnat Partner: Take Left Hand: Balance & Swat the Flea = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = If I was going to use a standard contra then I would choose a smooth, flowing one like: The Mad Gypsy (by John Sweeney) Contra; Becket A1: Ladies' Chain Mad Robin - AC - Ladies through the Middle A2: Full Hey - Ladies start Right Shoulder B1: Ladies Gypsy (slow & wide) Neighbour Two-Hand Turn (or Waltz) B2: Balance the Ring; Ladies Cross Yearn on the Left Diagonal = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

7 years, 11 months

Re: [Callers] Callers Digest, Vol 40, Issue 10

by Gretchen Caldwell via Callers

Tulsa Tribute is a simple, lovely "contra waltz" that works well as a cool-down on a hot night. I sometimes use it as the next-to-last dance of the evening. The band needs to choose a waltz in AABB, rather than ABAB as many are usually played. If I teach it in tempo, they usually figure it out. Tulsa Tribute - Keith ?Juxhorn? (can't read my own writing)**Becket**A1: Circle left 1/2, balance the ring Circle left 1/2, balance the ringA2: Ladies chain over and back (it really helps to call this in tempo - the ladies tend to pick up the loveliness of the waltz tempo with the chain)B1: Full hey for four (ladies start by passing right shoulders)B2: With your partner, waltz in place, end by sliding left to a new couple. Gretchen Caldwell, Charlotte NC gretchendance(a)yahoo.com

7 years, 11 months

Luthier on Long Island?

by Louise Siddons via Callers

Hi all, I know there is a musicians' list, but as a caller I'm not on it — and I thought some of you multitalented folk might still be able to answer this question. We have (it's not mine, so please forgive all inaccuracies in this description) a 50-yr-old Gibson acoustic guitar in need of repair: the nut broke, and it could use some new frets. The instrument in question has significant sentimental value as well as other sorts of value and so we're looking for a trustworthy person to repair it -- someone not too terribly far from the North Fork of Long Island, if possible (anywhere in Suffolk County would be good; either of the Forks or Riverheadish would be great). Thanks, Louise Siddons Temporarily of Cutchogue, NY! But usually from Stillwater, OK.

7 years, 11 months

Re: [Callers] Waltz-Time Contra Choreography

by Claire Takemori via Callers

Now that Bob pointed out that waltz tunes would be 32 bars = 96 beats, I might add more to this dance one day, so it could be danced to AABB waltzes. Alan Winston wrote and helped me understand that this dance should be written like this instead: Google Waltz by Claire Takemori * DI couples in Sicilian circle * Waltz tune AB A1 ————— Dancing 1 step per waltz beat. (6) Hole in wall R-sh w/ N to swap places * (6) Hole in wall R-sh w/ N back to place (12) LH Star 1x B1 ----------- (6) bal ring in, move 1 place left on way out ** (6) bal ring in, move 1 place left on way out (6) Ca Twirl w/ P (6) P 1-hand Fwd/back w/ new N?s *Hole in the wall is crossing to swap places, but connecting gaze in the middle as your pass Right shoulders & back up. **This is from Susan Kevra's 2015 "Trip to Provence”, it ends up equating to CL1/2 Claire Takemori (Campbell CA) Dance Caller South Bay Contra Organizer (408) 874-6840 <tel:(408)%20874-6840> clairedancecaller(a)gmail.com <mailto:clairedancecaller@gmail.com> <mailto:clairedancecaller@gmail.com <mailto:clairedancecaller@gmail.com>> https://www.facebook.com/ClaireTakemoriDanceCaller/ <https://www.facebook.com/ClaireTakemoriDanceCaller/> <https://www.facebook.com/ClaireTakemoriDanceCaller/ <https://www.facebook.com/ClaireTakemoriDanceCaller/>> On Aug 9, 2017, at 1:02 PM, via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: I wrote this for a small (beginner heavy) contra dance that I call frequently. When we ended with a waltz, many didn?t know how. I tried to teach them a simple ?movie waltz? for couples, but it didn?t seem satisfying. I wanted something simple that they could move to the waltz time and enjoy dancing without knowing how to couple dance. It has been tested a few times and folks say they like it. Let me know if you call it? Google Waltz by Claire Takemori * DI couples in Sicilian circle * A1 ----------- (6) Hole in wall R-sh w/ N to swap places * (6) Hole in wall R-sh w/ N A2 ----------- (12) LH Star 1x B1 ----------- (6) bal ring in, move 1 place left on way out ** (6) bal ring in, move 1 place left on way out B2 ----------- (6) Ca Twirl w/ P (6) P 1-hand Fwd/back w/ new N?s *Hole in the wall is crossing to swap places, but connecting gaze in the middle as your pass Right shoulders & back up. **This is from an ECD, I?m not sure if the move has a name. It ends up equating to CL1/2 Claire Takemori (Campbell CA) Dance Caller South Bay Contra Organizer (408) 874-6840 <tel:(408)%20874-6840> clairedancecaller(a)gmail.com <mailto:clairedancecaller@gmail.com> <mailto:clairedancecaller@gmail.com <mailto:clairedancecaller@gmail.com>> https://www.facebook.com/ClaireTakemoriDanceCaller/ <https://www.facebook.com/ClaireTakemoriDanceCaller/> <https://www.facebook.com/ClaireTakemoriDanceCaller/ <https://www.facebook.com/ClaireTakemoriDanceCaller/>>

7 years, 11 months

Waltz-Time Contra Choreography

by Dugan Murphy via Callers

Do you have a favorite contra dance written to fit a waltz tune? I danced one once many years ago and haven't thought much about it since, though it was pretty special. Thank you in advance for sharing some choreography! Dugan Murphy Portland, Maine dugan at duganmurphy.com www.DuganMurphy.com www.PortlandIntownContraDance.com www.NufSed.consulting

7 years, 11 months

Re: [Callers] Waltz-Time Contra Choreography

by Claire Takemori via Callers

Hi Dugan, I wrote this for a small (beginner heavy) contra dance that I call frequently. When we ended with a waltz, many didn’t know how. I tried to teach them a simple “movie waltz” for couples, but it didn’t seem satisfying. I wanted something simple that they could move to the waltz time and enjoy dancing without knowing how to couple dance. It has been tested a few times and folks say they like it. Let me know if you call it? Google Waltz by Claire Takemori * DI couples in Sicilian circle * A1 ----------- (6) Hole in wall R-sh w/ N to swap places * (6) Hole in wall R-sh w/ N A2 ----------- (12) LH Star 1x B1 ----------- (6) bal ring in, move 1 place left on way out ** (6) bal ring in, move 1 place left on way out B2 ----------- (6) Ca Twirl w/ P (6) P 1-hand Fwd/back w/ new N’s *Hole in the wall is crossing to swap places, but connecting gaze in the middle as your pass Right shoulders & back up. **This is from an ECD, I’m not sure if the move has a name. It ends up equating to CL1/2 Claire Takemori (Campbell CA) Dance Caller South Bay Contra Organizer (408) 874-6840 <tel:(408)%20874-6840> clairedancecaller(a)gmail.com <mailto:clairedancecaller@gmail.com> https://www.facebook.com/ClaireTakemoriDanceCaller/ <https://www.facebook.com/ClaireTakemoriDanceCaller/> Message: 2 Date: Tue, 8 Aug 2017 14:02:07 -0400 From: Dugan Murphy via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> To: Callers List Serve <callers(a)sharedweight.net> Subject: [Callers] Waltz-Time Contra Choreography Message-ID: <CAAwnfF6Py6btLQ8CB6USFs9HHus5oj-bcWRTNhfAjtjwsJtq2g(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" Do you have a favorite contra dance written to fit a waltz tune? I danced one once many years ago and haven't thought much about it since, though it was pretty special. Thank you in advance for sharing some choreography! Dugan Murphy Portland, Maine dugan at duganmurphy.com www.DuganMurphy.com www.PortlandIntownContraDance.com www.NufSed.consulting

7 years, 11 months

Does this dance exist?

by Maia McCormick via Callers

Dear Weight-Sharers, I came up with dance looking for flirty eye-contact dances, hey-like figures up and down the set, and satisfying promenade -> circle R transitions. Does it exist? (If it's original enough for me to claim as my own... whelp, I don't have a title yet.) ???, improper A1: neighbor gypsy (r sh.) and swing A2: gents alle. L 1 1/2 half hey (pass partner by R sh.) B1: partner gypsy (r sh.) and swing B2: promenade across circle R 3/4 and pass thru by L sh.

7 years, 12 months

Super easy dances - do they exist?

by Linda S. Mrosko via Callers

I lead an annual dance for 200+ 18-year olds in a hall with terrible acoustics. Been doing it for 15+ years. If they all whispered at the same time, it would sound like a roar in that room. I can only do the most basic stuff most of the time...simple circles, longways with lots of sashaying, an easy folk dance. But I experiment every now and then, which lead me to come up with the following dances which, for the most part, worked. Am I stealing them from somebody? (I like to give credit where credit is due.) They call their dance "Swat the Flea". I searched for a long time for a very easy dance that had a Swat the Flea and finally wrote this one -- BOX'NSWAT (Circle) A1 Women into the middle and back; Gents into the middle & back A2 All make a quarter turn to the right and walk single file to the right B1 Women turn back to face partner -- all shake R hands with Partner & Box the Gnat; change hands, Balance & Swat the Flea B2 DSD Partner; Allemande R w/partner 1-1/2 to progress (women end facing into the center ready to go F&B) Since contra dances are almost impossible to teach to a loud, boisterous, energetic bunch of 18-year olds who have never heard of or seen a contra dance, I decided to give this a whirl -- and it worked -- mostly! It would probably be better with a smaller more sedate crowd. GREASE & GLUE (Contra formation -- Gender free -- all you need is a partner) A1 Couple 1 split Couple 2, return to places; Couple 1 DSD A2 Couple 2 split Couple 1, return to places; Couple 2 DSD B1 Star R; Star L (w/hands) B2 Couples face each other -- Couples DSD 1-1/2 ending back-to-back, facing next couple As an aside -- how do you quiet a room with terrible acoustics full of loud people? Thanks! -- *Looking forward,Linda S. Mrosko* *102 Mitchell Drive* *Temple, Texas 76501* *(903) 292-3713 (Cell)* *(903) 603-9955 (Skype)* *contradancetx.com <http://www.contradancetx.com>* *www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy* <http://www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy*> (Dance buttons, t-shirts, & more)*

7 years, 12 months

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