Dear Shared Weighters,
I wanted to call "3-33" by Steve Zakon-Anderson recently, but with a
different B2 progression that would be easier for dancers to execute and
for me to teach. Does this dance already exist under another title? If
not, I'd like to call it "4-44" to present it in clear homage to Steve's
creation.
4-44 by Dugan Murphy
A1 Neighbor one right hand balance (4); pull by right (2); neighbor two
pull by left (2); Neighbor three right hand balance (4); box the gnat (4)
A2 Neighbor three pull by right (2); Neighbor 2 pull by left (2); Neighbor
one swing (12)
B1 Circle left three places (8); Partner swing (8)
B2 Ladies chain (8); Left hand star (8)
Please let me know if this sequence already has a name.
I am already aware of "334" by Diane Silver
A1 Neighbor one right hand balance (4); pull by right (2); neighbor two
pull by left (2); Neighbor three right hand balance (4); box the gnat (4)
A2 Neighbor three pull by right (2); Neighbor 2 pull by left (2); Neighbor
one swing (12)
B1 Gents left hand allemande 1.5 (8); Partner swing (8)
B2 Circle left three places (8); Balance the ring (4); Partner California
twirl (4)
Question two: are there other 3-33-inspired dances out there you know about?
Dugan Murphy
Portland, Maine
dugan at duganmurphy.comwww.PortlandIntownContraDance.comwww.NufSed.consulting
Hi everyone.
I just picked up a couple contra dances on Sunday and the caller didn’t know the titles or callers.
I hope you can help to ID these 2 dances?
BECKET
A1 CL3
N Sw, face down
A2 DTH, TA
Ret, bend to ring
B1 CL 1/2 , across from P
as couple slide out Left & slide R until Gents meet
Gents allem L 1x
B2 P R-sh round & Sw
Improper
A1 N B &Sw
A2. Gents Allem 1.5
P sw
B1. LLFB
L CH to N
B2 bal ring
P Roll lady across with 1/2 sashay
Bal ring
N rolls lady along
Thanks for your help!
Claire (Campbell CA)
Hi All,
I'm going to lead an English dance in early February. I've led English once or twice, and mostly stuck with The Playford Collection, and some Pat Shaw dances. I wouldn't mind collecting a few more modern dances.
Please feel free to either post them to the list, or send to me directly:
erik(a)erikhoffman.com<mailto:erik@erikhoffman.com>
And, of course, please include the music.
Thanks,
~Erik Hoffman
Oakland, CA
Hi Erik,
It all depends on how you, or the group you are working with, define
ECD. The definition of country dancing in England is much wider. We'll
dance anything the caller calls as long as it is fun.
You can find some 50 year old dances at
http://contrafusion.co.uk/DancesEDS.html
And some of mine at http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances.html
If you need more, then the archives of the ECD list would be a good
place to look: http://www.bacds.org/mailman/listinfo/ecd
Happy dancing,
John
John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
I've been thinking about dances with distinctive figures recently. Here's
one that people have enjoyed; I think it may be the minimal improper dance
with contra corners, as it avoids the half figure eight which, while fun,
causes confusion for beginners.
------
Cassoulet
Duple minor improper contra dance
Roger Hayes, August 2016
A1 Circle left ½,
Ladies roll away L to R with neighbor
Circle left ½,
Gents roll away L to R with neighbor
A2 Demi pousette,
Long lines forward and back
B1 Contra corners
B2 Actives balance and swing
Demi pousette: 1’s do a ½ draw pousette starting above improper, ending
below proper, while 2’s do a normal ½ pousette to move up. So the 1 gent
pulls partner out of the set and back in, moving in an arc with the gent
always in the forefront, while the 2 gent pulls partner out of the set then
2 lady pulls partner back in, describing a V shape.
This dance benefits from spacious circles.
Hi all,
Following on the recent inquiries about favorite dances that [INSERT
CRITERIA HERE], I'll post my request.
I'm finding that when I put programs together, I'll have a string (or at
least several) dances that have a LL F&B or a Ladies Chain and sometimes
both.
I'd be interested to know your favorite dances (of any experience level)
that use neither of these figures.
Thanks and Happy Holidays to all!
--
*Mark Hillegonds*
Cell: 734-756-8441
Email: mark.hillegonds(a)gmail.com
Anyone have some favorites to share? Especially interested in dances that
are simple enough to be part of a medley (they don't need to be dead
simple, just not absurdly complex).
Cheers,
Maia
The year I called the No Snow Ball in the SF Bay Area, Hillbillies from Mars agreed to include I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus as one tune in a set. I sang it after dancers got their flow going, and it went great.
I like Alan's idea of including not only holiday tunes but bad holiday puns as alt dance titles. That way, you can choose excellent dances and still get your holiday theme on.
I also look forward to hearing more ideas here. Have fun!
Tina
>
> On Saturday, December 3, 2016 David Harding via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> I'm interested in familiar holiday tunes that work for contras. I know
> I've danced to Jingle Bells a couple of times (as Alan suggested), and
> think I remember doing a mixer to Gloria in Excelsis Deo. Any other ideas?
>
> David
>
>
>> On 12/2/2016 6:10 PM, Winston, Alan P. via Callers wrote:
>> Claire --
>>
>> In my experience, choosing dances because their titles fit a
>> particular theme isn't the best way to make programs.
>>
>> For Christmas holiday dances I'm used to bands slipping familiar
>> holiday tunes into their regular sets. (Jingle Bells fits in nicely as
>> a bouncy tune. Several carols can be played as waltzes.) You can also
>> playfully alter the names of dances you'd want to call anyway to make
>> them fit the theme.
Hi everyone! Wishing you all fabulous holidays. I’m so grateful for this resource.
I’m calling a small contra on 12/20 and would like to have some Beg/Easy modern contras with fun holiday theme titles. There is usually several new dancers and 1/3-1/2 beg to very experienced dancers.
I appreciate any choreography that you can share. I’ve searched all the dances I already have in Caller’s Companion.
Thank you So much!
Claire Takemori (SF Bay Area)
Hello Shared Weight,
Just feeling particularly grateful to the community of callers and
organizers out there. Thank you to all of you for the work that you do. I
believe it helps build stronger, more connected communities, and a better
world.
I personally lose sight of that sometimes, especially at year's end when
things get hectic. But whatever you're celebrating this weekend and holiday
season, my thanks go to you.
Take care,
--
Luke Donforth
Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>
