Carosel Conra (author unknow)
Not to be confused with Carosel by Tom Hinds
A1 balance ring 2Xs Circle Left 1x
A2 balance ring 2xs Circle Right 1x
B1 Neighbor Do si Do/ Swing
B2 Lines Forward and Back, Ones swing
This has the advantage of being a "real" 2 swing contra
Robert Forsyth in Brasstown NC said this was the best first contra ever
-----Original Message-----
From: Mac Mckeever <macmck(a)ymail.com>
Sent: Sep 25, 2023 2:41 PM
To: contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Callers] Re: Most-Easiest Duple Minors in existence
One I like to do:
A1 Circle Left 1X / Neighbor do-si-do
A2 Ladies do-si-do / gents / do-si-do
B1 Long Lines / 1s swing (or do-si-do)
B2 Face down 1s in center - down the hall / back up 1s arch shoot 2s thru to new N
On Monday, September 25, 2023 at 01:32:40 PM CDT, Michael Barraclough via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
It doesn't have a name, but the very first dance I do in a contra lesson (after a few basics in a big circle) is:A1 1-4 Circle leftA1 5-8 Circle rightA2 1-4 Balance the ring twiceA2 5-8 All move forwards (couples facing the band arching over)Michael Barraclough (Manchester, UK)On 25/09/2023 09:13, Tepfer, Seth via Contra Callers wrote:
Hello hive mind.
What are the absolute easiest duple minor dances you know? I know:
Title: Family Contra
Author: Sherry Nevins
A1: Balance 2x; Circle left (8)
A2: Balance 2x; Circle right (8)
B1: Neighbor DSD (8); Partner DSD (8)
B2: As couple, neighbor DSD 1.5 (16)
What other dances do you have that are duple minor and just as easy to teach to people who have never danced before? No swing needed!
Thanks
Seth Tepfer, MBA, CSM, PMP (he, him, his)
Senior IT Manager, Emory Primate Center
(https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/fcd3f5d71da848759228584d1a49babd…)
Book time to meet with me (https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/fcd3f5d71da848759228584d1a49babd…)
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I called community dances regularly in North Florida for almost 30 years (1990-2018), mostly in Tallahassee but also in Gainesville, Jacksonville, and Melrose, and at the Florida Folk Festival.
It probably won’t be news to you that it gets hot in Florida, and stays hot for a long time. Some of my favorite dance venues were not outdoors, or not air conditioned, or not strongly so. Desired dance tempo interacts strongly with how hot and humid the dance space is and how long you run the dances. My own preferred tempo for contras is always in the range of 115 to 118, but in addition to the other factors mentioned here (agility and age of dancers, mix of experience levels, etc) the temperature of the hall modifies that desired tempo.
Some of these same dance venues were not heated in the cool months either, and keeping up the tempo and keeping the teaching succinct are welcomed by the dancers under those conditions.
Sorry if this is belaboring the obvious.
RSH
Richard Hopkins
hopkinsrs(a)comcast.net
850-544-7614
Cross-posting to Callers and Trad Callers lists, please excuse the duplicates.
Friends and Colleagues,
I am seeking wisdom from U.S. callers who’ve recently crossed the border into Canada to do a gig. Words to say or not say? Documentation of gig needed? Problems or ease you have had?
thanks in advance,
sue
Sue Hulsether
www.suehulsether.com
shulsether (at) mac (dot) com
Cell: 608/632-1267
Home: 608/629-6250
P.O. Box 363, Viroqua, WI. 54665
Hi Mo,
Yes, as with Petronella, the move used by contra dancers is very different from the move in the dance Mad Robin!
Happy dancing,
John
From: mjw(a)mowaddington.plus.com <mailto:mjw@mowaddington.plus.com> <mjw(a)mowaddington.plus.com <mailto:mjw@mowaddington.plus.com> >
Sent: 17 September 2023 20:23
To: John Sweeney <john(a)modernjive.com <mailto:john@modernjive.com> >
Subject: RE: [Callers] Re: New Terminology Question
I partly agree, having contorted my brain listening to a well known caller (“sh!”) describe a move then realise that he was describing a ladies chain.
But I always wonder about mad Robin because that wasn’t how we did the move when I first learned the dance. Colin, did you learn it sideways?
Does anyone slip in a ceilidh style dance at a contra? Some of the mixers work well at contra dances. Also, it’s an opportunity to give new dancers brains a break. I suspect this practice is more common in the UK. Colin, feel free to chime in.
Rich
ah yes that is very good too, Ben, thanks!
I think your suggestion merits copying to the list....
Sep 17, 2023 11:51:03 AM Ben Werner <benknobi89(a)gmail.com>:
> What about “facing do si do”?
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Sep 17, 2023, at 8:12 AM, Katherine Kitching via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>>
>> ok good point re it not being quite a mirror reflection... hmmm...
>>
>> maybe i'll try "side-slide do-si-do"
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My first response may have just gone to Katherine. Forwarding to list.
> From: Rich Goss <rich(a)richgoss.com>
> Date: September 17, 2023 at 7:00:06 AM PDT
> To: Katherine Kitching <kat(a)outdooractive.ca>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] Re: New Terminology Question
>
> I might add that I never use the terms petronella or Rory O’More. I will always say “balance the ring and spin to the right” or “balance and slide right/left past this neighbor.” More descriptive and less confusing to new dancers. I can use fewer words after teaching and calling it two of three times, like “balance, spin right” or “balance, slide”.
>
> Regarding Petronella, it sort of bugs me that it’s sometimes called as the the name of a move instead of “as in the dance Petronella.” Same with Rory O’More. Since those dances are rarely called and generally unknown, it makes more sense to me to just call and teach it like the previous paragraph. I do occasionally call the actual dance Petronella so folks know where the move came from. I’m pretty sure those dances get called more frequently in New England.
>
> I’ll continue using California Twirl. Seems to be universally understood and easy to teach. Kudos to the “facing star” term. I love it.
>
> Rich
>
>> On Sep 17, 2023, at 5:41 AM, Katherine Kitching via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>>
>> What interesting timing for Michael to write "Some terms, such as Rory O'More, petronella and California twirl should be banished for more descriptive phrases--in this case "balance and slide/shift". "
>>
A few weeks ago I called some squares and simple old longways sets for an
equine group I am a member of. This was their yearly 3 day camp out and
trail ride their horses. A big event.
I make it a practice to set up and call for free for groups I am a member
of outside of dance groups.
Today I received a notice that one of the members had such a good time she
is going to the Meadville dance with Toppish and Gaye Fifer, and is looking
for others to join her!!
A new recruit, looking to recruit others! Yeah!!!!
It's not often we get actually mentioned that we have such influence. Just
had to brag a wee bit, I knew you all would understand.
Smiles,
Mary Collins
