Contra Callers

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4380 discussions

by Jim Williams via Callers

Hi, Let me try again ... Coal Country Contra by Ron Buchanan Women pull across by Rh, neighbor by L 1.5, men Alm R 1.5 Partner balance and swing R&L thru, partner rollaway out of courtesy turn (W rollsL), Men Dosado (and stand still back in place) Women Dosado and walk behind Ptr from his L side to his R side (progression), lines Fwd and back and adjust to next cpl across (CCW progression) Jim Williams Lawrence, KS Each Day Is a Gift, it's called the present

8 years, 1 month

2017 Pourparler Gathering

by J L Korr via Callers

On behalf of the Pourparler steering committee, I encourage Sharedweight's callers to consider attending the 20th annual Pourparler gathering. Pourparler is sponsored by the National Folk Organization (NFO) with additional support from the Country Dance & Song Society (CDSS) and New England Dancing Masters (NEDM). From the Pourparler website: The name Pourparler comes from the French word “to speak,” and connotes a get-together, a chat. Since its inception in 1997, Pourparler has taken place in Illinois, Utah, California, Massachusetts, Oregon, Texas, Washington State, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, among other states; and counts many Sharedweighters among its veterans. It moves around the country every year. This year's edition will be September 14-17 in Galesville, Maryland, hosted by the fabulous Mid-Atlantic team of Ann Fallon, Busy Graham, DeLaura Padovan, Eric Maring, Janine Smith, and Kappy Laning. The event's program is coordinated by the national steering committee of Sanna Longden (IL), Margaret Bary (NY), Karlene Kjersten (UT), Mady Newfield (IL), and Jeremy Korr (CA). You'll find lots more information, including registration information, at Pourparler's website: http://www.nfo-usa.org/pourparler.htm. Here is a brief description pulled from the website: "If you want to meet and enjoy wonderful callers, teachers, and dance and music enthusiasts while singing, dancing, sharing teaching techniques, discussing important dance or music-related issues, and creating enduring friendships, you should register NOW for Pourparler. This is one of the best community dance experiences in the United States! It is warm, lively, and supportive, and you will dance and sing your way home with more new material that you thought one weekend could possibly produce! Pourparler is a yearly gathering of dance and music educators from North America who are dedicated to teaching folk/ethnic/world/traditional dance in schools and/or community events. The brainchild of Sanna Longden, internationally respected dance educator from Evanston, Illinois, this weekend is a unique blend of dance sharing, discussion and networking. Experts in the field, teachers and musicians known across the continent, join with relative newcomers to share their best dances and tips for successful school residencies, family dances and other events that build community through cross-cultural dancing. Pourparler is gathering of colleagues, where we are all leaders and participants, and there are no hired “experts.” The content each year is different, reflecting the needs and skills of the people who attend. In the past we have learned dances from many traditions including Balkan, Scandinavian, Israeli, French, square dancing, contra dancing, Maypoles, old-time couple dancing, singing games, and many others. We discuss teaching techniques, repertoire, costuming, music, school curricula and self-employment." Jeremy Korr jeremykorr(a)hotmail.com

8 years, 1 month

Re: [Callers] 24th of June

by via Callers

April, I got it from you and called it on June 18, at the Watermen's Museum in Yorktown - that was as close as I could get! (I also called "Smooth Sailing, just as a three-masted ship sailed by!) Ben A ---- April Blum via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Did anyone else call this excellent dance on Saturday? I called it in Richmond, Virginia. > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

8 years, 1 month

24th of June

by April Blum via Callers

Did anyone else call this excellent dance on Saturday? I called it in Richmond, Virginia.

8 years, 1 month

Similar list for musicians?

by Bree Kalb via Callers

A brand new baby contra band is eager to learn more. Is there a list like this one for musicians? Bree Kalb Carrboro, NC

8 years, 1 month

Re: [Callers] Similar list for musicians?

by April Blum via Callers

April Blum here. I will happily join the organizers group if you can point me in the right direction. On Jun 24, 2017 4:13 PM, Chris Weiler via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > > Hi Everyone, > > > > The other SharedWeight lists are fairly low traffic, but there is something that people can do about that. The more people ask questions, the more the members of the list remember that it’s there as a resource and the more questions that are posted. The Caller’s list got started because I was a new caller and had lots of questions and got the ball rolling. The other lists (Musicians, Organizers & Web Content) need people to get the ball rolling. Once the momentum gets started, more people join and the more information gets shared. I hope that some of you will take it upon yourselves to join those lists and get things going. > > > > All the best, > > Chris Weiler > > Co-founder SharedWeight > > > > > > From: Callers [mailto:callers-bounces@lists.sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of Meg Dedolph via Callers > Sent: Saturday, June 24, 2017 2:32 PM > To: Bree Kalb <breekalb(a)gmail.com>; callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > Subject: Re: [Callers] Similar list for musicians? > > > > There is, though it's low-traffic. But people are generally responsive when someone asks a question. I think this is the link that takes you to a page that tells you about it. > > http://www.sharedweight.net/index.php?pagestate=music_about > > > > meg > > > > On Sat, Jun 24, 2017 at 1:03 PM Bree Kalb via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: >> >> A brand new baby contra band is eager to learn more. Is there a list like this one for musicians? >> >> Bree Kalb >> >> Carrboro, NC >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Callers mailing list >> Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net >> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

8 years, 1 month

The Dancing Master of Canterbury fundraising

by Lisa Sieverts via Callers

Do you love traditional dance and music? Contribute now to support this exciting project. https://www.hatchfund.org/project/the_dancingmaster The Dancingmaster is a whimsical musical portrait of the legendary contra dance caller, Dudley Laufman. Dudley almost single-handedly provided the link between the old days of rural contradancing in the hamlets of New England, and the vibrant network of dances taking place every week throughout the United States and beyond. The Dancingmaster tells his story in his own words, adapted by composer Lawrence Siegel from his interview with Dudley in 2011. The character “Dudley” is played by the great traditional musician, Keith Murphy. Becky Tracy and Larry Siegel provide the musical accompaniment. Mary DesRosiers, a dancingmaster in her own right, creates original choreography performed by a group of traditional dancers from the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire. These premiere performances are jointly sponsored by the Monadnock Folklore Society, Next Stage, and the Brattleboro Music Center. They will appeal to fans of traditional music and dance and at the same time to audiences for musical theater and classical music. Note that we are fundraising now ... tickets will be on sale later in the summer for September 23/24 performances in Peterborough NH and Putney VT.

8 years, 1 month

Quiet (was: Super easy dances - do they exist?)

by Jacob or Nancy Bloom via Callers

It isn't necessary to hire a person who can do a loud whistle - you can buy a loud whistle for a few dollars, and hang it from a lanyard. Here's another technique for calling for quiet which I have seen work, although I haven't used it myself. "If you can hear my voice clap once. <clap> If you can hear my voice clap twice. <clap clap> If you can hear my voice clap three times. <clap clap clap> ... " The few people who hear you the first time clap, and that attracts the attention of people near them, so more people hear you calling for them to clap twice, which attracts more attention. Repeat until you have the attention of the room. It won't solve the problem of keeping them quiet, but it doesn't hurt to have more than one technique to draw on. And it's easier on the ears than that loud whistle. Jacob On Sat, Jun 17, 2017 at 12:50 PM, Linda S. Mrosko via Callers < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Oh how I wish that would work. I've tried that technique over the years. > They just ignore me. Shushing works, but I have to repeat the shhhhh into > the mic lots of times. A big part of the challenge is the acoustics -- > it's worse than being in a gym. For instance, I get them quiet and then > teach them the first move -- there is a roar -- I get them quiet again -- > teach the next move -- there is a roar -- I get them quiet again -- teach > the third move -- there is a roar -- ad nauseam. The musicians crank up > their music to the max for the dance, but even I can barely hear it over > the din from the dancers. Short of hiring a person who can do that loud > whistle, I'm at a loss. I've sort of grown used to it, but my temper is > short and I really have to watch myself. > > On Sat, Jun 17, 2017 at 7:42 AM, Jeremy Child <jeremy.m.child(a)gmail.com> > wrote: > >> To quiet a room I use the Girl Guides technique: >> >> I raise my hand, and anyone who sees me knows to stop talking and raise >> their hand too. More notice this (other peoples hands up and slightly >> diminished volume). This snowballs quite quickly as peer pressure kicks >> in, and is a very effective technique. You have to teach it to them first, >> of course, but they pick it up quite quickly. >> >> Jeremy >> www.barndancecaller.net >> >> On 16 June 2017 at 20:10, Linda S. Mrosko via Callers < >> callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: >> >>> 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 <(903)%20292-3713> (Cell)* >>> *(903) 603-9955 <(903)%20603-9955> (Skype)* >>> *contradancetx.com <http://www.contradancetx.com>* >>> >>> *www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy* <http://www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy*> (Dance >>> buttons, t-shirts, & more)* >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Callers mailing list >>> Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net >>> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net >>> >>> >> > > > -- > > > > *Looking forward,Linda S. Mrosko* > > *102 Mitchell Drive* > > *Temple, Texas 76501* > > *(903) 292-3713 <(903)%20292-3713> (Cell)* > *(903) 603-9955 <(903)%20603-9955> (Skype)* > *contradancetx.com <http://www.contradancetx.com>* > > *www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy* <http://www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy*> (Dance > buttons, t-shirts, & more)* > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net > > -- jandnbloom(a)gmail.com http://jacobbloom.net/ View my Arlington Food Pantry fundraiser at https://www.youcaring.com/arlington-food-pantry-621657

8 years, 1 month

Allen Ortep's First Contra

by Mark Hillegonds via Callers

Hi all, Allen Ortep's First Contra was shared with this group in November, 2012. Just wondering if anyone has successfully called this dance. I ask because I've tried a few times with some adventurous and skilled dancers and have never gotten it to work. So I'm wondering if I have the instructions right. I tried searching the SharedWeight archives and am not getting any results. (In fact, I get no results even if I search for Contra. So now I'm feeling very technologically challenged!) Below are the instructions as I copied then and then double-checked them.at the time. Does anyone see any mistakes or have any other thoughts? Thanks. Allen Ortep’s First Contra by Michael Fuerst Contra/Improper/Int-Adv A1 ----------- (8) LH star (8) R diag R & L thru A2 ----------- (4,4) LL F & B, On way back, Gents roll Partner R to L (6,2) Circle R 3/4, Pass thru (along) B1 ----------- (16) New Neighbor B & S B2 ----------- (4,4) Rings balance, Spin to L (8) Partner swing -- *Mark Hillegonds* Cell: 734-756-8441 Email: mark.hillegonds(a)gmail.com

8 years, 1 month

Make them laugh!

by Richard Hart via Callers

In the recent "easy dances" thread there was a brief discussion about attracting attention and keeping dancers quiet enough to hear the walk through, using humor. what tricks/words do you use to get people laughing (and therefore paying attention)? Here are a couple of things that I use. I find that as soon as they are laughing with me, they are also paying attention. 1. Men (or everyone, or ladies), Identify your right hand. (Then use it for a star or allemainde) 2. Take hands in a ring. Look at the person in your right hand. They don't know you are looking at them, because they are looking at someone else.... (Before a petronella turn) It's often just enough to make them smile, and pay attention, too. What are some other possibilities? Rich Hart.

8 years, 1 month

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