Contra Callers

contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net

20 participants
4374 discussions

by John Sweeney via Callers

Hi Rich, The dance was first published as "Branle de l'Official" in 1589 in Orchésographie. You can see the original wording, under "B. DE L'OFFICIAL." near the bottom of the page at http://www.graner.net/nicolas/arbeau/orcheso22.html And there's the music, running down the left hand side of the page :-) (BTW In the dance just above it you will see the earliest description I know of a three-person Hey (HAYE).) 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, 9 months

Re: [Callers] contact info for Bob Isaacs?

by Steve Pike via Callers

Thanks, all. No more need to respond. Got him!

9 years, 9 months

contact info for Bob Isaacs?

by Steve Pike via Callers

I’m trying to get in touch with Bob Isaacs — we’re calling together in November — but my internet skills are not yielding info that’s producing a response. Bob (or someone with his current contact info), could you please contact me off list at steve dot pike dot madison at gmail dot com? Thanks!! Steve Pike Madison, WI

9 years, 9 months

Does this dance exist? / Beginner dances with chain, without star-L prog

by Maia McCormick via Callers

Wanted a beginners' dance with a chain but without a star-L progression. Jotted down this one. I find it quite likely that someone has written it before: [untitled], imp. A1: N b&s A2: long lines forward & back ladies chain B1: ladies alle. R 1x P swing B2: circle L 3/4 bal. ring and pass through So a) has this been written? And b) can folks recommend already-written dances that meet my criteria? Cheers, Maia

9 years, 9 months

Problem dancers / Crying Wolf

by Lindsay Morris via Callers

Chris Weiler's Positive Solutions <http://www.puttinonthedance.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Positive-Solutio…> on dealing with problem dancers, and the CDU Policy <http://www.puttinonthedance.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/09-12-16-CDU-pol…> are thoughtful and useful documents. We have a different problem here. One woman often complains to board members about men she sees as creepers or sexual predators. She reports their misbehavior on behalf of their victims. The victims don't initiate these reports.* Many others *don't* see these men as creepy or inappropriate. Recently one of the "victims" clarified that her discomfort with the man was a year ago and she'd long ago dealt with it to her satisfaction. The man in question had heard only rumors that some nameless woman was unhappy about some nameless thing he'd done. This woman also publicly asked that young women who feel harassed should talk to her about it. We feel that's the Board's job, not hers. It seems that this woman is fishing for - or even inventing - "naughty-dancer" problems. When a married man gets accused of being a sexual predator, his wife has to wonder if it's true. This adds to any marital tensions they may already have. So, while this woman is not actually punching anybody in the face, it seems to me that she's committing violence. How should we handle this? - I think we need a "No proxy complaints" policy - i.e., the victim has to speak up (and then our process will usually fix simple miscommunication issues). - We need to clearly identify board members, so genuine victims know who to talk to. But does anybody have other ideas about preventing one person's issues from poisoning the atmosphere of a mostly friendly dance? ____ * I know, victims often have a hard time stepping up and complaining, so advocacy may be a good thing. But that's a different discussion. In these situations, there's no victim; there's no predator; there's just an accusation with little to back it up.

9 years, 9 months

Differences in Terminology - Contra v Becket

by Jeremy Child via Callers

Hi Everyone In a normal (1s improper) contra, you start with your partner across from you and your neighbour next to you. Anyone outside the minor set is a new neighbour / shadow / something else. In a Becket formation, you start with your partner next to you. Who's opposite you - your neighbour or your opposite? If it's your opposite, who's your neighbour? Is it the person next to you who isn't your partner? (I have seen it used this way.) Jeremy Child Exeter, UK

9 years, 9 months

counterclockwise momentum?

by Lindsey Dono via Callers

Hi Callers, There are a number of dances that have significant clockwise momentum; I try to label such dances so I don't call them back to back. However, I'd like to identify a collection of dances with the *least* clockwise movement (beyond swinging in the other direction). Which moves are CCW? I realize that this depends somewhat on how the move is danced. Have you IDed any dances as particularly good to call after a very clockwise one? Thanks!Lindsey

9 years, 9 months

Text size problem

by Michael Fuerst via Callers

Two persons have lamented privately to me that my posts are reaching the group with almost unreadably small text.No where else I send email or post has reported this problem Which, if any of these lines better? 1. Garamond small 2. Garamond medium3. Garamond large 4 Modern small5 Modern Medium6 Modern wide Michael Fuerst 802 N Broadway Urbana IL 61801 217 239 5844

9 years, 9 months

Rollaway sans sashay?

by Maia McCormick via Callers

Recently there was some discussion of the difference between a "rollaway with a half-sashay" and a plain ol' rollaway. Jim Saxe presented the dance Roll Away <http://contradances.blogspot.com/2012/03/roll-away.html> as an example of a contra with a rollaway without a half-sashay. Can anyone else name/post choreography for any CONTRAS (or 4-face-4s, I suppose... not looking for squares at the moment, though) that include a rollaway *without* a half-sashay? Cheers, Maia

9 years, 9 months

Important - WHY WE ARE HERE

by Seth Seeger via Callers

Hello everyone, Seth and Chris here, the lists founders and (currently) silent members. The discussions from yesterday and today have generated a lot of traffic and a lot of emotions. So I'd like to take this opportunity to remind us all why we are here. Chris and I started this list to SUPPORT each other and other callers. Please remember that when writing and responding here. Everyone should be treated with kindness. When you write an email, please consider this before you press send: If you were face to face, would you say the same thing? Does what you are writing add to the SUPPORT of the community? And finally, remember that humor and sarcasm are not easily communicated through email. Please leave sarcasm and jokes out, as the other people reading your email may not know if you are being serious or not. Thank you, Seth & Chris

9 years, 9 months

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Contra Callers