Contra Callers

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4346 discussions

Larks, Robins, Gents, Ladies and "X, formerly known as Twitter"

by Michael Fuerst

Which do you speculate will come first? a) The press will regularly refer to "X" rather than "X, formerly known as Twitter" OR b) The contra dance world will agree to one of larks/robins or gents/ladies

1 year, 5 months

Teaching 'contra' to adults with various developmental disabilities

by Bree Kalb

I've been asked if I will teach/lead a one hour long 'contra dance' at a day program for young adults with a variety of physical and cognitive disabilities. (The staff probably would be happy for me to do more than one session, but I'm not willing to commit to that. At Least not now.) My usual repertoire for a wedding or party of non-dancers seems tricky for many of the clients--especially those who are uncomfortable being touched. I did a similar event about 10 years ago--at a different program-- and it didn't seem many of them had a good time. I'd like to figure out a way to make it fun for this group. I have a couple of ideas and am looking for more. Have you ever led a dance/music event with a similar population? I'd appreciate any advice/suggestions. Bree Kalb Carrboro NC

1 year, 5 months

When Was the 12-Beat Swing Introduced?

by John Sweeney

Hi all, Does anyone know when the Balance & Swing as we know it today become popular with a 12-beat Swing instead of the more standard 8-beat or 16-beat Swing? Thanks. Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

1 year, 5 months

Ear protection that works for callers?

by Emily Addison

Hi Folks :) This summer, I called for a week long event. Near the end of the week, I found my ears were really tired and the level of sound coming from the speakers was hurting my ears. I did talk to the sound person a bit but they needed to accommodate the dancers of course and so turning down the main speakers was not an option. While I call from the stage some of the time, it often worked better if I was calling from the floor. Has anyone had similar experiences? Have you found solutions? Thanks! :) Emily in Ottawa

1 year, 6 months

Signed calls?

by Allison and Hunt Smith

I recently had a conversation with a dear friend in NH, a long-time contra dancer, who has an adult daughter who is deaf (who lives in SF, CA if that helps). Daughter doesn't dance, because she can't hear the calls and gets confused on the dance floor. She wishes that, during walk-throughs, the calls could be signed as well as spoken. I'm writing to ask if any of you have encountered this request? AFAIK there are no deaf dancers in my community in the Maine highlands, but I'd be willing to learn some basic signs to go along with my teaching. I think it would be challenging to sign as I call once the dance gets started, though. Thoughts? Allison Aldrich Smith -- www.huntandallison.net www.info@thsmaritime.com www.centralhallcommons.org

1 year, 6 months

Difficult Contras

by barrie bullimore

Seth Tepfer asked me what Contras I considered to be difficult. Two immediately sprang to mind:- Double Back by Mark Elvins (a double progression backwards) Henry and Jacqui by Scott Higgs There are several others including Irish Stars. Barrie Bullimore Gosport, UK

1 year, 6 months

New Terminology Question

by Helle Hill

With all the changes to the "old" terminology, I am wondering what a "Gypsy Star" is now called. Thank you. Helle Hill

1 year, 6 months

Re: Most-Easiest Duple Minors in existence

by Tony Parkes

I’m not saying this phrasing should be outlawed. But it’s enough of a challenge to get new folks to do a balance on 1-2-3-4 without giving them an exception early on. Tony Parkes Billerica, Mass. www.hands4.com<http://www.hands4.com/> New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century (available now) From: Katherine Kitching <kat(a)outdooractive.ca> Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 10:03 AM To: Tony Parkes <tony(a)hands4.com> Subject: Re: [Callers] Re: Most-Easiest Duple Minors in existence aw, really? I say, don't knock it till you try it :) - I had a mix of beginner and more experienced dancers - I didn't explain it any detail, I just demo'd it once, and then they all did it easily and with gusto. :D Sep 27, 2023 10:50:10 AM Tony Parkes <tony(a)hands4.com<mailto:tony@hands4.com>>: Ah, thanks. Different strokes for different folks. I don’t think I could bring myself to ask for a balance on 3-4-5-6 of an 8-count phrase. Tony Parkes Billerica, Mass. www.hands4.com<http://www.hands4.com/> New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century (available now) From: Katherine Kitching <kat(a)outdooractive.ca<mailto:kat@outdooractive.ca>> Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:46 AM To: Tony Parkes <tony(a)hands4.com<mailto:tony@hands4.com>> Cc: Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>> Subject: Re: [Callers] Re: Most-Easiest Duple Minors in existence haha I was unsure it would work when I called it for the first time the other night - but it worked great!! Previously I had done LLFB, LLF and pull by, LLFB, LLF and pull by-- but my dancers did it so fast and energetically there was a super long and awkward pause after they pulled by and turned to face their partner again. the secret is, it only takes them 2 counts to get close enough to rt-hand balance. so it's 1-2 (walk), 1-2-3-4 (balance), and 1-2 pass by and turn - that part is admittedly fast, but they enjoyed the challenge of it and it really livened up this beginner-oriented dance. Sep 27, 2023 10:40:00 AM Tony Parkes via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>>: “- LLFB, LLF, balance pull by:, LLFB, LLF, balance pull by again” Will someone please explain the timing of this sequence? I get 8 steps for LLFB, 4 for LLF, 4 for a balance, and 4 for a pull by, adding up to 20; but I assume it’s intended to be done in 16. (I’m assuming that “turn to face in” is done as part of the pull by – no problem there.) Is there actually no LLF apart from the balance? Tony Parkes Billerica, Mass. www.hands4.com<http://www.hands4.com/> New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century (available now) From: Katherine Kitching via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>> Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:33 AM To: Joe Harrington <contradancerjoe(a)gmail.com<mailto:contradancerjoe@gmail.com>> Cc: contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> Subject: [Callers] Re: Most-Easiest Duple Minors in existence lol "full washing machine" - I hadn't heard that before! I agree on avoiding the full one as much as possible - but I quite like just a circle-left-circle-right - brings the group together for some smiles and allows for fancy footwork for those who want to throw in a little something extra. But it may be interesting to ask the group to compile a list of beginner-friendly figures, beyond the very basic ones like allemandes and do si dos, that could be used to put together some dances of the type that you (and I, always!!) are seeking? My criteria would be: - does not take anyone out of home place (or takes them out temporarily but puts them back again, such as pulling by your partner across the set, but then pulling by again within the next 1 or 2 moves). - doesn't involve anything that is known to cause confusion for total beginners, such as courtesy turns or heys. Here are some that I like: - do si do as couples - LLFB, LLF, balance pull by:, LLFB, LLF, balance pull by again - take 4 steps left then 4 steps right, around the oval - turn and walk individually around the oval for 8, then back for 8 - balance and spin the star (as per Louise S) - balance the ring, then 2 hand balance your partner - holding hands, veer right then left with your partner to progress - what else?? :) Sep 27, 2023 12:44:51 AM Joe Harrington <contradancerjoe(a)gmail.com<mailto:contradancerjoe@gmail.com>>: Thanks for this thread! My group is tired of me bailing out to a small collection of trivial contras (Airpants, Midwest Folklore...). How about the easiest dance *that experienced dancers don't mind dancing*? I have always disliked the "full washing machine" of circle left, circle right, star right, star left. Even a half-wash makes my shoulders sag, inwardly. Of course, I will try to do them with a smile and encourage both the new dancers and the caller. But, surely we can make it a little more interesting without losing the newbies. Airpants and Midwest Folklore do, though they involve swings. Elbow or crossed-hand swings are fine for this and don't need to be taught outside of a walkthrough. If I'm using these dances in a workshop, I do tell the experienced dancers not to teach the ballroom swing, we'll get to that in a minute. Otherwise, they all try. --jh-- On Mon, Sep 25, 2023 at 7:27 PM Katherine Kitching via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>> wrote: Here are a couple more that I wrote, that I called the other night and went very well. (again, I haven't searched to see if they exist already) these all build on the skills we did in my "very simple contra" in the sicilian formation, that I outlined in a previous message. 1. "Off they go" - Circle left - Circle right - LLFB - (still holding hands) - walk 4 steps left then 4 steps right (or call it a giant oval left then right if you prefer) - partner do si do - neighbour left hand turn (allemande) - partner 2 hand balance twice (I suggest the convention of veering slightly to the left the first balance, and slightly to the right on the second, for interest) - holding inside hands with your partner facing the other couple, veer on a forward right diagonal to pass the other couple, then on a forward left diagonal to meet the next couple 2. "first out of place dance" (at a brisk pace) people found this very fun!! - circle left - circle right - partner do si do - neighbour 2 hand balance once, and baby turn (ie switch places, by circling while holding 2 hands in the same direction you would in a 2 hand turn or swing - can also say - switch places with your neighbour, with the ravens going on the inside) - LLFB - LLF, balance partner by the right one time and pull by (to switch places w partner) - LLFB - LLF, just pull by the right (no balance) - give a little nod and stomp to your old group, turn to face the new 3. " first down the hall dance" -1's split the 2's and all walk down the hall in line of 4, turn alone - come on back, bend line - circle left - circle right - partner left shoulder round - neighbour right hand turn (allemande) - all circle left again - left hand star to new group 4. "first swing (or 2 hand turn) dance" - N bal and 2 hand turn (or swing, depending on level of dancers), for 16 - LLFB - Partner left shoulder round - Neighbour right shoulder round - circle left - circle right - balance the circle one time, 2 hand balance your partner one time, turn to face new group There were 2 more dances in my sequence after this, but they wouldn't qualify as super easy. (though probably still easier than most of you call!! :) ) - Kat k in Hfx, NS, CA _______________________________________________ Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:contracallers-leave@lists.sharedweight.net>

1 year, 6 months

Re: Most-Easiest Duple Minors in existence

by sdavis＠mindspring.com

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…) _______________________________________________Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net (mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net)To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net (mailto:contracallers-leave@lists.sharedweight.net) _______________________________________________Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net (mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net)To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net (mailto:contracallers-leave@lists.sharedweight.net)

1 year, 6 months

Dance Tempos

by Richard Hopkins

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

1 year, 6 months

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