Contra Callers

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20 participants
4374 discussions

by Donna Hunt via Callers

Hi I'm doing a workshop on dances "outside the box" (ie, no squares or contras). Anyone have any interesting dances for contra dancers that fit the criteria? I have Tom Hinds "Hexitation" and several triplets, a Zia and a Tempest, and have looked through the Ralph Page weekend glossary, but I'm wondering if you were doing a workshop like this, what would be your top pick of a dance? Thanks Donna Hunt

9 years, 7 months

Itty-bitty dances, triplets, odd numbers

by Kalia Kliban via Callers

I just called a tiny dance last night, and went through several of my triplets along with a big pile of English 3-couple dances that we did to old-time tunes (that was a little weird for me but the dancers enjoyed them, so what the heck). I was grateful to have the few triplets I had, and I'd like to expand my collection. The ones I used were Microchasmic, David's Triplet #7 and Ted's Triplet #24, which all have distinctive bits in them (contra corners, round two/drop through, and a cast to invert then 1s lead up, respectively). I like triplets that have some choreographic substance to them, something for the dancers to chew on. Do you have favorites you enjoy dancing as well as calling? I get the impression sometimes that triplets are "that thing you do to fill time until the real dancing starts," but 3-couple sets can be a whole lot of fun. And sometimes they can save your butt as a caller. We had lots of odd numbers last night, so in addition to the triplets and 3-couple English dances I used dances like Domino 5 (5 dancers) and Pride of Dingle (for 9). For a short while we had 4 couples and did contras but most of the evening was "other." Got any good dances for odd numbers? Kalia

9 years, 7 months

Itty-bitty dances, triplets, Timing Correction for David's Triplet #5

by Paul Wilde via Callers

Quick correction on timing: David's Triplet #5 David Smuckler A-1 1s cast down own side to bottom, Back up ctr to cast w/ 2s A-2 All do si do P 1 1/4 into way line of 6, balance Balance & Al R w/ P 1/2 into new wave & B-1 Bal, Pul by P by R into hey for 6 B-2 P Gypsy & Swing, face up Thanks to Tom for pointing this out. And Levi Jackson Rag is by Pat Shaw Thanks to all for the great dance suggestions. Paul

9 years, 7 months

Gypsy Wrap-Up

by Amy Wimmer via Callers

Hi All, I finally composed a response to the original complainant. Here it is, followed by an almost instant reply from him (yes, it is a male): Hello Mr.__________, Thank you for letting us know about your experience at our dance. I am glad our community was so welcoming and friendly to you. I hope you remember that in the future. As for the term "gypsy," it has been used in contra dancing for decades, and is not my invention. I am sorry you were offended by my use and description of it. It is my habit to let dancers know the name and author of each dance I call, and "gypsy" is in the title of that dance. I regret my description of the move as "flirty." I thank you for reminding me that some people are uncomfortable with that, and I will no longer suggest it. As for the name of the move itself, you are correct in that it has never been meant as a pejorative. I cannot, however, change it on my own. Contra is a folk dance and the folk process takes time. There is no governing body in charge of naming the terms used in contra dancing. When someone invents a new move they give it a name and it gradually works its way into the vernacular. I can assure you that callers nationwide are discussing this and other terms we use which we are learning are offensive to others. We are endeavoring to change what we can, but you might imagine that coming to a consensus between many hundreds of callers is neither swift nor sure. This is especially true, given the lack of a governing body. For my part, I have decided to remove the term "gypsy" from my calling and am searching for a substitute. It is not in my power to rename dances. At Emerald City Contra Dance we book approximately 25 different callers every year, from across the United States and beyond. I am just one. Please understand that if you return to our dance you may hear that term used again, until such time as awareness has spread as far and wide as the callers themselves. Sincerely, Amy Wimmer Caller and ECCD Organizer His response: Thank you for your very thoughtful and informative response. I feel much better about continuing to attend, hearing that there is an awareness of this issue and conversations happening about it.

9 years, 7 months

by David Kaynor via Callers

Sent from my edseeeesea

9 years, 7 months

The ongoing gypsy discussion

by Kalia Kliban via Callers

Just out of curiosity, since I had a gig scheduled while this discussion was going on, I tried substituting the phrase "right/left shoulders around" for "gypsy." I had not taught the move in the beginners session. The first dance this came up in had a neighbors gypsy 1-1/2. I said "neighbors right shoulders around once and a half," the dancers all did it, easy peasy. It's not too hard to remember to substitute the term, and will get easier as it goes along. I called 2 dances today, the Sebastopol English dance and the Petaluma contra. I had a few "gypsy halfway" moments at the English but no full gypsies. Several at the contra and I found the different terminology to cause not the tiniest ripple on the floor. It was seamless. Kalia

9 years, 7 months

Re: [Callers] Gypsy / "Redneck"

by Ron Blechner via Callers

"who on this list believe that contra dancers have a negative view of the Romani people because of the word gypsy?" Over the last few days, as this conversation has spilled out onto a few forms of social media, I have now heard specific stories about people who are Roma and/or have Roma heritage who are folk dancers in dance forms that use "gypsy" as a term, and are offended directly. As to your question, do you consider "negative" to include "reinforcing stereotypes"? Maybe? What if we had a dance move called "redneck". Sure, there's plenty of find country folks in America who proudly self-describe as a "redneck". There are songs written about them. There are people who dress up for Halloween as them. etc. Does that mean that there aren't also plenty of people who have been called "redneck" as a slur against the stereotype of "dumb, rural, ignorant yokels"? I find the parallels compelling enough where I'm now seriously leaning off the fence... -Ron Blechner On Sat, Oct 31, 2015 at 10:37 AM, Tom Hinds via Callers < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > In my opinion the offended women actually helped spread a stereotype she > didn't like. Who on this list knew that Romani women had a reputation for > being (I can't remember, was it) sexual? Not me. Okay, it was the caller > she complained to who put it out there, but she started it. Should the > caller feel defensive or should the caller turn the issue around if it's > appropriate? > > I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY WANT TO KNOW, who on this list believe that > contra dancers have a negative view of the Romani people because of the > word gypsy? Anyone? > > For me the more important issue is education. I learned another tidbit > about the Romani people. Yes I understand how people can be sensitive, but > perhaps this woman needs to learn something about us before jumping to > conclusions. > > Tom > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net >

9 years, 7 months

Re: [Callers] Gypsy

by John Sweeney via Callers

Hi Janet, I agree entirely re "gypsy"! But, please, not "Homo Sapien"! "Homo Sapiens" is the singular. The "s" on the end does not indicate plural. You can't take it off to make it singular. The plural is "Homines Sapientes". It hurts when I hear someone say it without the "s". :-( Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

9 years, 7 months

Re: [Callers] dances in unusual formations

by April Blum via Callers

Brief Encounters for 5 couples longways proper. A total hoot. On Nov 1, 2015 8:12 AM, Donna Hunt via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > > Thanks everyone for great ideas. > It was late when I posted my request and I should mention that this is an English/Contra crossover weekend (Princeton Country Dancers Head for the Hills). > > I'm definitely looking for dances that don't fit a genre and appeal to contra dancers (ie swings and not too much inactivity). Am open to "barn" dances if there's something unusual (but not too much sashaying). > > > > Donna > Web Site: donnahuntcaller.com > Email: dhuntdancer(a)aol.com > Cell: 215-565-6050 > > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Bree Kalb <bree(a)mindspring.com> > To: Donna Hunt <dhuntdancer(a)aol.com>; callers <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Sent: Sun, Nov 1, 2015 7:18 am > Subject: Re: [Callers] dances in unusual formations > > Levi Jackson Rag is a favorite of mine but not all bands know the tune. > >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Donna Hunt via Callers >> Sent: Nov 1, 2015 12:10 AM >> To: callers(a)sharedweight.net >> Subject: [Callers] dances in unusual formations >> >> >> >> Hi >> I'm doing a workshop on dances "outside the box" (ie, no squares or contras). >> Anyone have any interesting dances for contra dancers that fit the criteria? >>

9 years, 7 months

Re: [Callers] dances in unusual formations

by Bree Kalb via Callers

9 years, 7 months

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