Contra Callers

contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net

38 participants
4387 discussions

by Maia McCormick via Callers

I think that rolling starts (seamless transition from walkthrough into the dance, as the band just starts playing music during the walkthrough) are super neat if done properly! But I'm still not quite sure how to do them properly. So I ask you all: 1) tips on how to execute a rolling start well, making sure all the dancers are on board etc.? 2) thoughts on what dances/tunes will/won't work well with a rolling start? Cheers, Maia

9 years, 10 months

Seeking contras for a crowded hall

by James Saxe via Callers

In a couple weeks, I'm scheduled to call at a contra dance series whose usual hall is unavailable for that evening. The alternative hall where I'll be calling is smaller than the usual one, so may be rather crowded. I'd like to have anyone's suggestions of contras suitable for a crowded hall. Being more crowded than usual might also mean that it will be hotter than usual, especially in the later part of the evening, when we'll need to close windows on account of noise restrictions. So I'd like to the program to include some dances that give people a chance to relax a little, and that can be done at moderate tempo without feeling draggy. The series is well established series of the "modern urban contra" sort. While I don't want to have people crashing into each other if it's crowded, and I don't want to wear them out if it's hot, I also don't want to stray too far from dancers' expectations of most dances having both partner and neighbor swings, etc. [In case anyone's wondering, I do have a copy of the CDSS booklet "Dances for a Crowded Hall"m which talks about stuff like avoiding expansive figures. The specific dances listed in that book, however, are English Country Dances.] Thanks in advance for any ideas. --Jim

9 years, 10 months

Shadow Swing Disclaimers?

by Maia McCormick via Callers

Hey all, First, a disclaimer: Some people on this listserv thing shadow swings are problematic. Some don't see any issue with them. This is NOT the conversation I want to have in this thread; *I ask that you respond to the question I'm asking and do not debate my premise--at least not in this particular thread. *This should help keep this thread on track and hopefully reduce excess noise and go-nowhere discussions on this listserv. Thanks! Anyway, the actual question I wanted to ask (whew!)-- There do exist some really fabulous shadow-swing dances that I would love to be able to call, as long as I could do so without putting anyone in an uncomfortable position. Do folks have ideas for ways to mitigate the potential harms of shadow swing dances? I was considering, at the beginning of the dance, having dancers identify their shadow and mentioning, "this will be a shadow swing dance, so if you need to make any changes, do so now" (or something like that)--haven't gotten the wording down-pat, but the idea is giving dancers advance warning of a shadow swing so they can move (thereby changing their shadow) if they need to. Any thoughts on this method? Suggestions of others? Cheers. Maia

9 years, 10 months

One caller slot remaining for 2016 New Zealand tour

by Vicki Morrison via Callers

Hello! The Allemande Joy Contra Dance Tour is a group of 32 dancers, musicians, and callers from the US who spend a month every other year touring New Zealand, mostly the south island. We stop in cities along the way to conduct and/or participate in local contra dances. The trip also includes a dance weekend. The next trip is January 29-February 29, 2016. The 2016 trip is sold out except we are saving a slot for one more caller. Price is $4,050 for a single, which includes round trip air fare from LAX, lodging, meals, tour bus, and dances. If you or a caller you may know is interested in joining us, please contact Julie, 2016NZContra(a)gmail.com. You can also find more information on our Facebook page. Search for Allemande Joy 2016 New Zealand Contra Dance Tour. Please feel free to share this information. Thanks! Vicki MorrisonTallahassee, FLtallygal007(a)yahoo.com

9 years, 10 months

Dick Henschel

by Rich Sbardella via Callers

I am relaying this information to any concerned. Dick Henschel was the voice of Hilton Sound Equipment, and was always a helpful voice to callers. He will be missed. It is with the greatest of sadness, to inform you of the sudden passing of Dick Henschel on Saturday evening. > > Eight months ago, Dick discovered that he had cancer...specifically Mantle Cell Lymphoma, which originates in the lymphatic system. This particular form is a very rare form of non-Hodgkinâ€™s lymphoma. There are only 11,000 cases of this in the US. > > Dick entered treatment at Walnut Creek Hospital six months ago and recently symptoms showed up which led to the suspension of that treatment and the investigation of other therapies. Saturday he became very ill and he was rushed to the hospital. Doctors discovered he had a massive abdominal infection resulting in sepsis, a life-threatening response which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death. Sadly he passed very quickly and peacefully with Vicky holding his hand. > > Funeral arrangements have not yet been finalized, but will be shared as soon as they are available. > > Sympathies my be extended to Vicky by emailing her at RHandVH24 at gmail.com or by mail at: > 1631 Rio Blanco Drive > Concord, CA 94521 > > In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the CALLERLAB Foundation for the Preservation of Square Dancing at: > CALLERLAB Foundation > Dana Schirmer, Executive Director > 200 SW 30th Street, Suite 104 > Topeka, KS 66611 > > Phone: (785) 783-3665 > Email: info at callerlab.org > > Please share this sad news with your square dance friends. > > > Bill Heyman > P.O. Box 550 > Marlborough, NH 03455-0550 >

9 years, 10 months

Who're all the whos?

by Don Veino via Callers

Back in 2008 I wrote a dance to celebrate my first year of contra dancing and Chris Weiler was kind enough to go through it with me. In doing so I heard my first mention of the Who-What-How Much format for dance description. I'm working on a personal project where I'd like to be sure I've identified all the "Who" roles in that model. For my purposes, I'm doing this in the context of contras, traditional squares, triplets, family dances, etc. (but not necessarily English, Ceilidh, Scottish, etc. - though I'm not closed to gathering any that may exist uniquely therein). I've listed below what I've collected so far from my personal cards deck review & research through several published works. Are there any Whos I've missed? Please note: I've deliberately left the primary role designation for last as I wish to avoid rehashing that topic once more. Let's please just accept there's a designation for the primary roles and agree they'll be determined by circumstance and conscience, as fits a given dance community. Thanks! Don ROLE DESIGNATORS - "WHO" Partner Neighbor Corner Opposite Everyone (All) Center/End Shadow/Trail Buddy Couple Top/Middle/Bottom; Ones/Twos, etc.; Heads/Sides; First/Second, etc. (var. of Couple or Primary Role) Travel Buddy (4F4) Active/Inactive (is this distinctly required, or is it always an alternate name for another role var., e.g.: 1s?) Neutrals/Ends (var. of Couple or Primary Role) Ring of N (4,8, etc.) And of course... Primary Role (Lark/Raven, Righty/Lefty, Lady/Gent, Talls/Smalls, etc.), in plural or specific variation (e.g.: Talls, Raven 2, End Lady)

9 years, 10 months

Re: [Callers] Who're all the whos?

by Neal Schlein via Callers

Other identifying terms: Active/inactive couple or person, for certain dances when it is descriptive, or impractical to use numbers. (Often 3 or 5 couple sets, 2+1 mixers, Virginia reel variants, squares, or Scottish dances) Right hand / left hand (lady/gent) for squares 1st corner/2nd corner or right hand/left hand for contra corners (these are not necessarily neighbors, nor shadow/partner at set ends, nor are they precisely previous/current/next neighbors in a double progression) Inside/outside for mixers or couple dances Those who can, those who want, those who did/didn't Leader (for lines) Leads/Follows (squares, mostly) Was top/bottom on the list? Lone person/9 pin (mixers, odd number of dancer sets) A/B for royal (double) squares That's what springs to mind. Neal Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device

9 years, 10 months

Unknown Square/Help Needed

by Rich Sbardella via Callers

Several years ago I enjoyed dancing a square that I believed was written by Roger Whynot, but I cannot remember the square. I think it began with couple one Fwd and Back, then Couple one goes fwd into a three point star with the nearest side couple. As they turn the star, they unwind into two facing lines of three. After that I am lost. Does anyone recall such a square or a similar square? I would appreciate any help> Rich

9 years, 10 months

Re: [Callers] other descriptive titles for ONS's

by John Sweeney via Callers

I am in England. 90% of my bookings are for "Barn Dances" or "Ceilidhs". The ones I run go under the name "Dancing for Fun" with a description of: " Come and learn a wide range of wonderful dances, from 17th Century Jane Austen style to 21st Century Ceilidh, including Square Dances, American Contras, English Barn Dance, Contra Waltzing and the Polka!" And yes, I really do call of those at ONSs ( not ONS'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, 10 months

other descriptive titles for ONS's

by Hulsether Sue via Callers

Greetings all, I know this has been discussed before, but I am gathering a list of descriptive titles for one-night-stand dances. Especially looking titles that work in describing in a way that would be acceptable and understandable to the people organizing these events. (i.e. Do they really want their event to be called a one night stand? ) Here's a start: One-shot-deal Barn Dances Special Event dances One-off. Anyone have any more? sue Sue Hulsether shulsether(a)mac.com www.suehulsether.com 608-632-1267 Cell 608-629-6250 Home P.O. Box 363 Viroqua, WI 54665

9 years, 10 months

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