Contra Callers

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4407 discussions

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

8 years, 2 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.

8 years, 2 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/>>

8 years, 3 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

8 years, 3 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

8 years, 3 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.

8 years, 3 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)*

8 years, 3 months

Re: [Callers] New Dance?

by Ric Goldman - Letsdance via Callers

Hi John, My dictionary describes "A chevron is an inverted V-shaped mark. The word is usually used in reference to a kind of fret in architecture, or to a badge or insignia...". I think of it as an upside down V movement (^). (All examples here for a longways duple.) I assume you're referring to the use in English Country Dance, such as for Companions (see http://archives.mvfolkdancers.com/2013-11-23%20MVFD%20English%20Country%20D…). In this case it's only the 1st corner (1M & 2W) people doing the chevron movement, and in fact they actually only turn left 1/8 because they are backing up "straight across the set" instead of at the angle in the beginning of the movement. Often this "half chevron" uses 8 counts. 4 on the diagonal, 4 backing up. As I read it, the 2nd corners are not doing a chevon, just a wait-and-cast. I've also seen the term "full chevron" used when *all* dancers come forward toward opposite corner (end almost nose-to-nose) then *all* turn 1/4 (90 degrees) left and back up along the other diagonal (also used in ECD, also usually an 8-count movement). In another case, the movement of the a circle set balancing-in-and-out while rotating CW (left), was described by the caller teaching it as a "ring chevon". I'll admit that that case didn't make much sense to me, but that's just me. The "chevron" movement in this dance is closer to the full chevron, but only has 4 counts, with everyone holding hands, using balance steps, and rotating the entire time. To me, the phrase "Balance the Ring, Spin the Ring" sounds like the rotate doesn't happen until beat 3, but I think it would work as a call if the dancers know what's expected of them. Here's sort've the stop-motion in Fried Rice (all begin on their opposite side than their initial duple improper position): M2 W2 W1 M1 After the 2-count balance in (women face up/dn the set, men face across): W2 M2 M1 W1 After the 2-count balance out (every has rotated one place CCW around the set): W2 M1 M2 W1 After the 4-count petronella (all are progressed, but now facing new/next neighbors): M1 W1 W2 M2 On a personal note, once the dancers associate the movement with the term "chevron", it makes it easy for me to call the last sequence as "Chevron, Petronella 1-1/2", or perhaps "Ring Chevron Right, Petronella". I suppose we could call it a Foobar or anything else and demo it. Whatever gets the idea across. When I've used the "chevron" term, dancers seem to get it faster. Go figure. 😊 Your mileage may vary, but the fun should be constant, Ric Goldman -----Original Message----- From: Callers [mailto:callers-bounces@lists.sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of via Callers Sent: Friday, August 04, 2017 2:44 PM To: callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net Subject: Re: [Callers] New Dance? Hi Ric, A Chevron is already defined as: First Corners cross diagonally by the right shoulder, turn left 1/4 to face out, then back up across the set to the opposite place WHILE Second Corners wait, then cast into their neighbour's place Is your Chevron something that has been used before to mean what you mean? I call your move, "balance the ring in-and-out while rotating the ring 1 place CCW (i.e. to the R)", Balance the Ring, Spin the Ring. Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

8 years, 3 months

Re: [Callers] New Dance?

by via Callers

Hi Ric, A Chevron is already defined as: First Corners cross diagonally by the right shoulder, turn left 1/4 to face out, then back up across the set to the opposite place WHILE Second Corners wait, then cast into their neighbour's place Is your Chevron something that has been used before to mean what you mean? I call your move, "balance the ring in-and-out while rotating the ring 1 place CCW (i.e. to the R)", Balance the Ring, Spin the Ring. Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

8 years, 3 months

New Dance?

by Bob Isaacs via Callers

Hive Mind: I wrote the following solid little contra on a recent flight when I had too much time on my hands, and it went well on its initial test. It didn't show up in my database, but do you know if it has been written previously? Improper A1. Neighbor balance, swing A2. Gents allemande L 1 1/2, partner swing B1. Long lines, circle L 3/4 B2. Neighbor allemande R 1 1/2, 1/2 hey (GL, PR, LL, -) Bob

8 years, 3 months

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