Contra Callers

contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net

35 participants
4386 discussions

by Rich Sbardella via Callers

Here I am with another question. I learn so much from these threads. What are some easy, but good, novelty, or gimmick contras. To elaborate, I mean contras that have unusual moves, or contras that use basic moves in unusual ways. Maybe Ovals, Wholeset Promenades, Old-Timey square dance moves? Two of my favorites are "Hot Buttered Rolls" and "Roll Over Johannes" Rich Sbardella Stafford, CT

9 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] Novelty & Gimmick Contras

by tavi merrill via Callers

I take issue with the term "gimmick." Using familiar moves in new ways is IMO called "good choreography." If one defines using existing moves in novel ways as "gimmick," basically every use of petronella turns and waves after "Petronella" and "Rory O'Moore" is a gimmick. Originally had a long list of dances, but then i saw "easy" in Rich's original ask, so pared down: "Anthem to a Pet Ferret" by Sargon de Jesus may be of interest "A Sure Thing" by Chris Page is challenging to teach but not actually challenging to dance also do si do and swing the one behind offers a simple but fun twist. U can find it in Tom Hinds' "Python Reel" and Rick Mohr's "Leave the Wine"

9 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] Novelty & Gimmick Contras

by Bree Kalb via Callers

9 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] Multiple Swings

by tavi merrill via Callers

Didn't see these mentioned yet (pardon if i missed them) Ted and Lynn - Rick Mohr Naked in California - Nils Fredland Belgian Chocolate - Sargon de Jesus All Swings Considered - Tom Hinds

9 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] Novelty & Gimmick Contras

by Tina Fields via Callers

Another great whole-oval dance, along with Gang of Four, is the ever-popular Fairport Harbour by Paul Balliet. Advanced dancers can add in a cool trick in that one: suggest that in the B, gents have time to rollaway your partner before passing through the set (with lady on the left - scandalous!) because it's a piece of cake to correct that with the next move, swing your partner on that other side. My favorite "can only get away with calling it once every few years" dance is Carmen's Contra or variations, which features a truly goofy and fun "clap-clap-bump-bump" figure a la Carmen Miranda. Remind those dancing the gents' role to empty their pockets first. Tina > On Mar 16, 2016, at 2:01 PM, via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > > Re: [Callers] Novelty & Gimmick Contras

9 years, 4 months

Mountain Dance – Calling, Feet & Figures – From Scratch - Scholarships Due April 1st.

by T Claw via Callers

I'll be co-teaching a week long Appalachian Dance and Calling class with Becky Hill this summer. So if you don't have post Clifftop plans that make you feel like living and you're not going to Galax, come hang with us. SCHOLARSHIP Applications due APRIL 1st. Save yourself $450. I think we are taking over William Mentor's slot. Staff Musicians include Aaron Olwell and Jess McIntosh. You can take all sorts of other dance and music classes too. https://augustaheritagecenter.org/about-augusta/scholarships/ https://augustaheritagecenter.org/augusta-schedule/dance/ "Mountain Dance – Calling, Feet & Figures – From Scratch: This class focuses on Appalachian Dance Traditions. As a major facet of community dance is inclusion, no prior experience is necessary and all ages are welcome. T-Claw <https://youtu.be/uNTu_WbWdas> and Becky Hill will be joined throughout the week by West Virginia square dance callers Mack Samples, Ellen and Eugene Ratcliffe and Lou Maiuri, who will share dance figures unique to this region. We’ll present the basics of square dance calling, choreography, patter and teaching. Becky will cover the fundamentals of flatfooting and clogging. Look forward to the Tennessee Walking Step and creating your own steps through improvisation." Take Care, T-Claw Square Dance Caller calling.t.claw(a)gmail.com 615-430-8230 www.tclawcalling.com www.facebook.com/tclawcalling

9 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] Dances with multiple swings

by via Callers

Illegal in Most States by Robert Cromartie. A1 B/S N; face across. A2 Ladies chain to P, Out of the courtesy turn, circle RIGHT halfway (all are standing between P and Shadow -- except at the ends of course) Pass through straight across, turn to Shadow. B1 (NO Bal either swing). Swing Shadow (8), roll out and swing P (8) B2 LL F/B. Circle 0.75, pass thru There's a video on YouTube _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

9 years, 5 months

Recognize this dance?

by Bree Kalb via Callers

This emerged as I was driving home Wednesday night listening to a Latter Day Lizards CD and thinking about needing some fairly simple, but interesting dances to call at an upcoming dance. I can’t find it in my collection of dances, but it’s so generic, I think someone else must have composed it and I was merely remembering. A 1 N DoSiDo; Swg A 2 LLF&B; Pass thru to an ocean wave (women take left hands); Balance the Wave B1 Women allmd Left 1/2; Ptr Swg B2 Circle L 3/4; Balance the ring, California Twirl Thanks! Bree Kalb Carrboro NC

9 years, 5 months

Dances with multiple swings- Trinity?

by Lindsey Dono via Callers

Hi all, I'm in the process of sorting through old dance notes, and found this: "Trinity? triple swing, double progression, Al Olson." If this is an existing dance, does anyone have the choreography? I'm also interested in finding other dances with more than two swings, especially swing-to-swing transitions.I have:Back from VermontString of SwingsCDS ReelMeg's a Dancing FoolTen Strings AttachedGang of FourNaked in CaliforniaAlexander's Swingtime Many thanks in advance!Lindsey(Tacoma, WA)

9 years, 5 months

Re: [Callers] Dances with multiple swings- Swingaround

by jwcontrahands4 via Callers

I'm aware of one called Swingaround by Gene Hubert. It has an 8 beat neighbor swing at the beginning followed by the number two couples swinging in the middle followed by a same-sex swing followed by the ones swinging in the middle which leads to a line of four down the hall with the ones in the center. That's three swing-swing transitions. The dance is published online. Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S™ III, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone <div>-------- Original message --------</div><div>From: Lindsey Dono via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> </div><div>Date:03/11/2016 2:56 PM (GMT-06:00) </div><div>To: Callers List <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> </div><div>Subject: [Callers] Dances with multiple swings- Trinity? </div><div> </div>Hi all, I'm in the process of sorting through old dance notes, and found this: "Trinity? triple swing, double progression, Al Olson." If this is an existing dance, does anyone have the choreography? I'm also interested in finding other dances with more than two swings, especially swing-to-swing transitions. I have: Back from Vermont String of Swings CDS Reel Meg's a Dancing Fool Ten Strings Attached Gang of Four Naked in California Alexander's Swingtime Many thanks in advance! Lindsey (Tacoma, WA)

9 years, 5 months

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Contra Callers