Contra Callers

contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net

17 participants
4383 discussions

by Luke Donforth via Callers

Hello all. It's been a while since I've had enough folks at a house party to really walk through a 4x4 dance, so I'm sending this out for comment: I'm trying to increase my repertoire of accessible and entertaining 4x4s (my double reverse progression 4x4, etc, not qualifying) This one is in the "Midwestern Folklore" and "Will You Mary Me?" tradition of being two nearly identical halves. Plow and Cross Stitch by Luke Donforth Contra/Four Facing Four A1 ----------- (8) Lines of four, forward and back (8) Women's Chain up & down to facing neighbor A2 ----------- (8) 1/2 Hey up & down, women passing right shoulders (8) Neighbor swing (end facing partner, Women's line of direction; men opposite initial facing.) B1 ----------- (8) Women's Chain up and down to partner, power turn to face trail buddy couple (8) 1/2 Hey across, women passing right shoulders B2 ----------- (16) Partner balance and swing It could go lines of four again in B1, then the chain and power turn, with B2 being half hey and just a swing; but I figured try for the partner balance and longer swing. I'd appreciate hearing folks thoughts (too repetitive? too disorienting? basically X's dance Y), as well as your own favorite 4x4s; and why. My personal favorite is Rick Mohr's "Dance All Night", because you get a grand right and left in a contra. Take care, -- Luke Donforth Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>

8 years, 6 months

looking for Palm Springs CA area band(s) and sound people

by Andy Shore via Callers

I know this isn't the exact best forum, but ... I'm looking for leads on contra bands and sound people who might be available for a dance in Palm Springs California on Saturday, July 1, 2017 as part of the IAGSDC annual MWSD square dance convention. ( http://palmsprings2017.org/main/index.php ) Anyone with info please contact me directly at andyshore(a)gmail.com Thanks, /Andy

8 years, 6 months

Favorite NWT dances

by Kalia Kliban via Callers

Hi all There's often a long announcement segment toward the end of the first half at many of our local dances, and I've been figuring that after all that talk, folks just want to dance. The first time I tried doing a NWT in that slot, it got a great response. So for those of you who call no-walk-through dances, do you have any particular favorites? I'd love to add a few more good candidates to my collection. Kalia Kliban

8 years, 6 months

Re: [Callers] Favorite NWT dances

by K Panton via Callers

Kalia: I usually reserve my NWT til the end of the night but I can see the value in calling one after announcements. I might do that next time. I agree that announcements often are long and dancers wanna dance! I like the Nils Fredland approach to the NWT "walk-through". "Face your N. Do we need to walk that through a second time?" My NWT choices are simply those that have clean and clear starts and finishes for each figure that require very little brain power even for first-timers. All the figures have occurred at least twice in earlier dances that evening. Low piece count. Kiss the bride Delphiniums & Daisies Al's Safeway Produce A(nother) nice combo Rendezvous Simplicity Swing Streetsboro daisies Jubilation The boys from Urbana - if you're truly confident. Ken

8 years, 6 months

Circle Shuffle- author?

by Claire Takemori via Callers

8 years, 7 months

Catapult 2017 looking for callers

by Rob Harper via Callers

Any rising star callers out there ready for a chance to get out on the national circuit? Catapult is built to help you along the way. A stage. A mic. A fantastic collection of breakout bands. A hall full of dancers and organizers excited to find the best ready-to-be-discovered contra talent. A spotlight. Memorial Day 2017. For all the details check out www.catapultshowcase.com. ciao, rah -- Rob Harper thatrobharper(a)gmail.com (404) 307-3444

8 years, 7 months

Does this dance exist?

by Maia McCormick via Callers

Whipped this one up looking for a double-chain dance to get beginners accustomed to the figure*. Has it been written before? (If not, tentatively titling this one "Chain of Fools".) (Uhh, unless there's another dance of that name already... which I can't imagine there isn't... in which case I'll come up with something else.) becket L A1: slice L ladies chain to N A2: ladies chain to P ladies alle. R 1 1/2 B1: N b&s (Or perhaps the same dance, starting at B1, with "long lines forward and back" in place of the slice.) Cheers, Maia * currently my go-to dance for this purpose is currently Erik Hoffman's Made Up Tonight <https://www.cambridgefolk.org.uk/contra/dances/erik_hoffman/made_up_tonight…>, but I like to have options (and I like to have glossary dances that don't start with "N b&s").

8 years, 7 months

Re: [Callers] Slice vs Yearn

by John Sweeney via Callers

Richard Hopkins asked, "What is 'slice'? And is it different from 'yearn'?" I think most people use Slice and Yearn to mean the same thing: As a couple move forward diagonally to face the next couple (default is usually to the left); high-five them with your spare hands (not the one you are using to hold your partner's hand) while turning to face them across the set; fall back (push away) to your progressed positions facing them. There is also a Double Slice, i.e. forward to the left diagonal couple and continue moving to the left as you back out to face the next couple (double progression) And Bob Isaacs introduced Half a Slice (in the dance of the same name): "As a couple, go forward towards each other on the diagonal. The top two dancers join hands; the bottom two push off to make a line of four facing down. This is an efficient way to get everyone progressed and facing down in 8 beats, so there is time for creative or dramatic push-offs." Some people sometimes use one term to mean single progression and the other to mean double progression, but I don't believe there is any universal agreement, so it is always best to write or teach exactly which one you mean. I like Yearn as it implies more interaction with the couple you are approaching. Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

8 years, 7 months

Does this dance exist?

by Richard Hopkins via Callers

What is ‘slice’? And is it different from ‘yearn’? Richard `````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` Richard Hopkins 850-544-7614 hopkinsrs(a)comcast.net

8 years, 7 months

2018 New Zealand Contra Dance Tour

by Susan Rudder via Callers

Any Musicians, Callers, Dancers want to spend the month of February 2018 traveling around New Zealand? The Allemande Joy Contra Dance Bus is now accepting applications. We hike, bike, paddle, visit glaciers, beaches, gorges, spend a night on Milford Sound and much more. Evenings we have dances with the local communities. For information, contact Julie: 2018AJ(a)gmail.com <2018AJ(a)gmail.com> <2018AJ(a)gmail.com>

8 years, 7 months

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Contra Callers