Contra Callers

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Digest

by Kathryn Bowman

Can I get a digest instead of individual emails? Kathryn Bowman

1 year

Looking for contra dances that are more difficult .......

by Michael Fuerst

... to teach to reasonably experienced dancers than they are for them to dance.

1 year

Re: April Fools fun

by steve Pike

As mentioned earlier, know your crowd. With some I can say with a grin “What did you expect what you booked me to call on April 1?” and we can all have a good time. With others, not so much, so use “Fool-ish” dances sparingly. Some of my usual, easy enough for most crowds, Foolish tricks, include: Left hand chain: Any dance with a full chain (e.g Summer Sunshine <https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=49>), alternate full left hand chain (formerly Gent’s chain, from the usual side), with the standard full right hand chain.) I’ll often use this early if I have a left hand chain later in the program, teaching the LH chain first, demo-ing if necessary. Swing the wrong way: Morning Star <https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=3498> or here <https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=3498> (Actives Balance Swing CW as usual, then Bal and Swing CCW, “Ideally with the 'other hands joined’ in waltz position, with the left foot in front for the buzz step --- or some other way you can work it out!”) Amazing how hard it is for even many experienced dancers - think about how new dancers must feel! Can alternate 1s 2s as the actives, and dance proper or not. What, no progression? Teach (1 or no walkthrough) and call a Becket A1 Slide left and Circle L dance without the slide left the first 2 or 3 times through…”same 4, circle left 3/4…” before, as some dancers catch on and start to murmur, “April Fools! This time, slide left and circle…” An Alternating Dance, esp Sun Dance and Moon Dance. Robert Cromartie. Alternates A2 Larks BS in middle with A2 Robins BS in middle, with some alternating tweaks to A1 and B2 to make it work. Or other two similar dances, maybe 1 version 4X, then spring the other version 4X then 2/2, then 1/1 e.g Hey Man <https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=12333>, or a Jed’s Reel/Edna’s Reel medley A real dance (not much foolish except for the A2 which give those that only dance that lefthand/Larks/Gents role a chance to experience the lovely chain to hey combination): Chain of Fools, Steve Pike A1 BSN A2 Left hand chain to P, 1/2 hey (those who chained - Larks - pass left shoulder to start, NR, they pass L in middle) B1 P BS (or RSR/Swing) B2 Cir L 3/4, PT, next N DsD ( alt: Cir L 3/4, Bal, PT…) Steve Pike Mequon, WI

1 year

April Fools fun

by Timothy Klein

I have the pleasure this year of calling the Knoxville contra dance on Monday, April 1st ... occasionally remembered as April Fools Day. I'm taking the approach of exploring the spirit of the Fool -- challenging our assumptions and traditions and reminding us to smile, in spite of ourselves if necessary. In choosing/crafting my program, I'm looking for a balance of different and fun, of course. What foolish dances have you done in the past? Timothy Knoxville, TN P.S. Here's my "concept" list: * Reverse progression ("which way is up?") * Contra mixer ("who needs a partner?") * Left/Lark chain ("why do Robins chain and Larks allemand?") * 3 face 3 formations ("what's a partner?") * Crooked tunes ("why is everything 64 beats?) * No swing ("how far can I go before the dancers burn me at the stake?")

1 year

Favorite Dances by or for David Kaynor?

by Don Veino

Hi, I'm calling a session at NEFFA next month where we're honoring David Kaynor's contribution in music and dance. The band has a relationship with David and will be playing his music. I've searched for David's dances and have several I've called before. What I'm seeking are recommendations for DK dances that are particular favorites of yours. Harder to search for are dances written to honor David. For instance, David's Guiding Star by Steve Zakon-Anderson - should you have any such favorites I'd be happy to hear of those too! Our slot is the penultimate contra session of the weekend, so solid sequences without significant complications will rule. Thanks! Don Among those classics and others I already have are: The Baby Rose, Young Adult Rose, Excretion Reel, Terror on Takeoff, Cherokee Shuffle, The Dog's Breakfast, Paul's Line, Hands of Brass, Mary Cay's Reel plus Steve Z-A's dance above and one I wrote for David too (Fiddler's Fling).

1 year

Re: "Assigning" roles in the beginners' lesson?

by K P

John, <Perhaps, “the roles were originally (completely and utterly) based on gender”! Ya think? :) I had what I assume is a similar response when I read that, John. Aside to John: In this entire, ongoing discussion, it seems to me that there is an active conspiracy of pretense (along the lines of 'the emperor's new clothes') that the elephant sitting squarely in the middle of the room is actually a blueberry muffin. Open and honest questions: Am I the only living person who has a preference for dancing with the opposite cisgender (realizing that any particular, such opposite, cisgendered individual may, in fact, have a different preference)? If the above is a reasonable question, what is wrong with saying "If you have a preference to dance primarily with women, I recommend dancing the left role. If you have a preference to dance with men, I'd recommend dancing the right-side role; if you have no preference, it doesn't matter"? What is the surveyed percentage of dancers in your community who have such a preference vs those who don't?

1 year

Re: Modified ballroom swing position: seeking more conversation and info

by Katherine Kitching

Sorry everyone - I am clearly not the global authority on this hold, just yet!! :D I just tested this out at home with my (life) partner and realized something unexpected- In the case of me and my partner dancing, it was actually better for both of us if his arm went below mine even though he is taller- I guess because he is taller, his upper arm is also longer, so somehow it still made sense for my arm to go on top. (If anyone thinks they can better explain the physics/physiology of this, be my guest!) Anyhow we got a photo - he is camera-shy and made me crop out his face, but I think you can view it here - let me know if any issues. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ebotfe2jksbr3dqbjyiuf/Modified-Ballroom-Swin… Let's call this hold a "work in progress" from us at Halifax Contra Dances- seems we are still sorting out some details!! :) Kat K > Katherine Kitching <mailto:kat@outdooractive.ca> > Wednesday, March 13, 2024 6:09 PM > whoops whoops!! sorry, correction on that. > > the photo on Jeff's page shows the arms that are closest to the > viewer, in the photo, in a similar position to what my group has been > using. > > But I just noticed the dancer's other arms are not hand-in-hand, like > my group does it. > Darn :) > > We would still have Lark's Left hand in Raven's Right hand. > > KK > >

1 year

"Assigning" roles in the beginners' lesson?

by Maia McCormick

Hey there, hive mind, When you're calling larks and robins, during the lesson, how do you a. explain the roles to the new folks, and b. put the beginners into roles for the duration of the lesson? I've seen "try swinging in both roles and see which feels better", I've seen "unless you have a preference, whoever is standing on the right of your partnership is the robin for now", I've seen "pick whichever bird you like better", I've seen "the robin's role is a little easier so do that if you feel less confident"... I'm curious what folks here do and in what kind of distribution, and how you find it works for you in practice. (Please please please let's not relitigate gender-free contra or the bird terms in this thread. If you really must, please make a separate thread.) Swingingly, Maia -- Maia McCormick (she/her) 917.279.8194

1 year

Re: "Assigning" roles in the beginners' lesson?

by K P

John Sweeney wrote, in response: "“Some dances have been around since George Washington's time”! Oh! So, you only do the recent stuff :-)" John, have you got some good chestnuts with "hides and hairbones" roles? :) Cheers, Ken Panton

1 year

simple 4-face-4 dances

by Allison Jonjak

Hi all, My barn dance series has been doing well with an occasional contra dance added in, and progressions are working. I feel "safer" including contra style progressions as 4-face-4 dances, though, especially when I have a wide age range of dancers. I know "trail buddies" can help the kids point in the right direction each time. Coconut Cream Pie ( https://contradb.com/dances/1548 ) is getting a lot of play lately, but I'd like to have a few more of that style in my deck. It would be nice to have a 4-face-4 both before and after the break, without it being literally the same dance. Any simple favorites? Bonus points if they are a california twirl progression to feel "familiar". Thanks everyone! Allison -- Allison Jonjak allisonjonjak(a)gmail.com allisonjonjak.com

1 year

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