Contra Callers

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4374 discussions

Re: [Callers] Before the First Walk-Through (Was:"Don't teach proper formation unless...")

by David.Millstone＠valley.net

Several typos in last post. Fingers moving without brain being fully engaged. Here's what I meant to say: The old hands (old feet?) are more comfortable being the center of attention than would be the case if I asked all the newcomers to raise their hands. David

13 years, 1 month

Re: [Callers] Don't teach proper formation unless you need it

by David.Millstone＠VALLEY.NET

--- Martha wrote: This is probably a regional or specific community thing. In our village, St Louis, Missouri, we just line up improper --- end of quote --- I'd agree that what Martha describes is increasingly the norm, especially in relatively new series and outside of New England. There are still dance series and callers where dancers enjoy a wider variety of dances in an evening than duple improper or Becket, including a mix of contras, squares and other formations. And even within the contras-only format, one might encounter proper dances or-- gasp!-- triple minors, both old favorites or new compositions in that "hands six" formation. /entering soapbox mode/ Myself, with a strong curmudgeonly streak, I think that such variety adds richness to a program as well as helping dancers become more experienced by exposing them to more choreographic possibilities. (Take, for example, dip and dive; that's a common square dance move and there are triplets and triple minor contras that use it, but only one contra that I know of, David Smukler's Frog in the Well.) As as a long-time New England caller, I admit to a special fondness for the so-called chestnuts, most of which are in proper formation; I think that dancers can appreciate having these in their repertoire as a connection to the long traditions of music and dance we inherit, and a community does well to foster those connections. /stepping off soapbox/ David Millstone

13 years, 1 month

Re: [Callers] Line Formation (Proper, Improper)

by Maura Volante

I started dancing 22 years ago in Vancouver and continue in Ottawa. In both of these communities we line up proper, take hands four and cross over when we are told to do so by the caller. Many these days do cross over in advance of being told, and almost all our dances are improper. But I have heard it said over the years (and have said it myself, sort of jokingly) "wait to be told because it might be a proper dance." Occasionally we do a proper dance (I have called a few myself), and I do like them for the variety. In response to another comment about same-gender right and left through, I also had a hard time calling a dance with that move the one time I called it, and would now only do that one if I felt that the hall could handle a moment of confusion. Gender-bending always throws some of even the most experienced dancers, but it is interesting that this same gender move is actually from a very old dance, not from a new choreographer trying to be gender free. I like what Greg said about the caller pausing to do the instructions to allow for socializing. I haven't made this a conscious choice but I think I naturally do that as well, if only because I want to make sure everyone who wants to dance is in the line and that can take awhile, especially for shy newcomers, and it is so important not to start before they are ready. I also like what he says about specifying the number of sets. When I am dancing and we are not sure how many sets to make, I have sometimes wished the caller would say something. Different dances can require different lengths of sets. Happy dancing! Maura Volante Ottawa Ontario Canada

13 years, 1 month

Re: [Callers] Before the First Walk-Through (Was:"Don't teach proper formation unless...")

by Greg McKenzie

Martha wrote: > This is probably a regional or specific community thing. In our village, St > Louis, Missouri, we just line up improper, and there's a bit of a confused > scuffle if a caller decides (rarely) to call a proper dance. Even though we > do that, our callers usually say, just for tradition's sake, "Line up for a > contra dance, ones cross over" or, if the caller has been calling for 20-30 > years, "actives change places", but it's usually irrelevant, since the > whole hall is already in that formation. > I do specify the number of lines, and I tell the dancers to "cross over," but it's not "...just for tradition's sake." After lines have formed the caller has lost influence over the partnering process. Consequently I try to intervene before lines have formed for three reasons: 1. It allows me to influence partnering decisions at this critical point when the integration of first-timers is so important. I get the attention of the hall and say: "If you are new to this kind of dancing please find a partner who has danced for at least one night. I will tell you everything you need to know and your more experienced partner will show you all of the moves. Please form ___ contra dance lines." This re-affirms what I told the first-timers in the orientation but, more important, it sends a clear signal to the regulars that they have a role to play in partnering with first-timers. It also lets everyone know that I have a plan for integrating newcomers into the hall. 2. It makes it clear that I will take responsibility for set formation, relieving the dancers of this responsibility. 3. I then allow time for socializing in the lines. This is important because it makes it easier for me to earn the attention of the hall when I begin the walk-through. The instructions: "Please take hands four from the top," and, moments later, "Ones cross over," are important signals to the regulars. They establish a routine that the regulars quickly recognize. This empowers the regulars because they know what is going to happen next and they can plan a dignified ending to the story they are telling their new friend. This routine "announces" that I am about to begin the walk through and sets an example of courtesy and consideration because the caller is not interrupting the socializing in the sets by "shouting down" people over the mike. (I often see the regulars "shushing" their partner and directing their partners attention to my voice when I begin the walk-through.) By informing the regulars the caller gives them power, authority, and a sense of investment in the tradition. I believe that on-time starts are critical to this process. If you see lines and sets forming for the first dance of the evening, without any instructions, it may be that your orientation session has run over time. The caller needs to maintain control over the process of line formation and if the lines are formed too late the partnering process is probably well under way. It is better to facilitate this process from the get go. Just a thought, Greg McKenzie

13 years, 1 month

Re: [Callers] Before the First Walk-Through (Was:"Don't teach proper formation unless...")

by David.Millstone＠valley.net

--- Greg wrote: "I get the attention of the hall and say: "If you are new to this kind of dancing please find a partner who has danced for at least one night..." I certainly agree with Greg that having experienced dancers partner with newcomers can be really helpful. I'd suggest that the instructions be changed, however, so that the experienced dancers are encouraged to seek out a newcomer. Newbies have no way of knowing if someone is experienced or not, whereas the regulars at a given series will probably be able to spot new faces. Similarly, in some situations I'll ask experienced dancers to raise their hands and to wait, and will request newer dancers to ask one of those people as a partner for the next dance. The old hands (old feet?) are more being the center of attention that would be the case if I asked all the newcomers to raise their hands. Just another thought, David Millstone

13 years, 1 month

New England Contra Dance History - Old Timers Talk

by Michael Barraclough

There was a wonderful session at this year's NEFFA hosted by David Millstone. It featured a panel consisting of Bob McQuillan, Ralph Sweet, Dudley Laufman, Bill Spence and Andy Spence with David Millstone in the chair. Fortunately, it was captured in 6 videos which are available on You Tube. I have provided links to them in the Contra Resources section of my web site. I hope that this will make it easier to find them and let you watch them in the correct sequence. The links can be found at http://www.michaelbarraclough.com/web-links/contra-dance. Michael Barraclough www.michaelbarraclough.com

13 years, 1 month

Settlement Swing Balance Question

by Nancy Turner

Hi All, I have Settlement Swing by Penn Fix as this: A1 Neighbor dosido to long wavy line G face out, Ladies face in, rt hand to N Bal the wave, alle right 1x, re-form the wave A2 Balance wave, Neighbor swing B1 Ladies chain, over and back B2 One’s balance and swing I'm wondering what your instructions would be for the Balance at the start of A2? Balance right, then left again, Or for this second long wave, Balance left, then right? Thanks! Nancy Turner Waitsfield VT

13 years, 1 month

Don't teach proper formation unless you need it

by Jeff Kaufman

Contra dancing has almost entirely lost the 'proper' formation, with gents in one line and ladies in another. For most of contra dancing's history, however, that was the standard formation and many people, especially callers, still think of it that way. I was at a dance recently where the caller noticed that there were many new dancers and that it probably wouldn't work to just wait for people to get into position. They told all the couples to stand with the ladies in one line and the gents in another, to take hands for from the top, and that this was proper formation. Then they introduced 1s and 2s and had all the ones cross over. But they didn't call any proper or assymetric dances all night! Which is fine; I think they chose good dances for the crowd. But why introduce the terminology? Especially when there's so many other terms we want them to be absorbing? Jeff PS: I also posted this on my blog, and there are some comments there: http://www.jefftk.com/news/2012-05-04.html

13 years, 1 month

Re: [Callers] Settlement Swing Balance Question

by Nancy Turner

Thanks everyone. I'm going to give it a go this weekend and appreciate the correction Linda. Best, Nancy

13 years, 1 month

Re: [Callers] New Dance: The Raeden Reel

by tavi merrill

Rumor had it her first words were "hands four from the top"... Sue Rosen also called it at the LCFD spring camp last weekend : )

13 years, 1 month

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