Contra Callers

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4374 discussions

Re: [Callers] Steps to "Winter in Summerland"? | Seek caller videos

by Brian Hamshar

Hey Jonathan, I've been working gradually for the past year or so on a project related to yours. Many folks all around VA, NC, etc. have noticed that I tend to tote around a videocam to nearly every contra dance I attend lately. I'm working on a collection of video clips of dances (especially the trickier ones) taught and called - by top callers when available - with each video clip typically containing the teaching plus twice through with music. I expect to get some of them on my YouTube channel over the next year or so, but since it's merely a hobby by an enthusiastic and increasingly busy caller/musician, we shall see. Right now I'm also working on switching over from my cards to Will Loving's "Caller's Companion." If anything, this new level of organization will hopefully lead to more as I seek to properly harness the video link feature of that database software. Brian Hamshar Contra dance caller/producer (trad & crossover) Based in Charlottesville, VA -----Original Message----- Date: Sunday, November 13, 2011 2:01:12 pm To: "Post to Callers" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> From: "Jonathan LF King" <squash(a)ufl.edu> Subject: [Callers] Steps to "Winter in Summerland"? | Seek caller videos I'm a "cub caller" from Gainesville, FL, and seek the choreography for "Winter in Summerland" by Jeff Spero and James Hutson. I'm aware of several online videos of the dance, e.g, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlisHB8G8GQ and can glean the steps from the video, but wonder if someone could provide the official choreography? ================================================================ For my own reference, I assembled a few well-known dances with steps and video-links of the dances. Another "cub caller" told me the page was useful to her, so I've put it online at http://www.math.ufl.edu/~squash/contradance.dances-tunes.html Errors in the dance-steps are mine, as I've re-written some for my own edification. I'm looking to add to this collection. If you know of an online video of a good dance, please email me [eddress below]. Useful are videos where the caller can be clearly heard [a plus if the teaching is included], and where the video shows, uncut, at least one full cycle, together with the transition to the next cycle. Another plus: Videos that show the end-effect, for complicated dances. I currently only have one video of a 4-facing-4, and would like especially to expand that section. Sincerely, -Jonathan King ================ PS: My eddress is squash at ufl dot edu PPS: I thank "ccpage19143", Chris Page (whom I've not yet met) for taking the time and having the expertise to label /many/ YouTube contras with the title and author. My "dance-tunes" page would be half its size without his public-service work. _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers

13 years, 7 months

Steps to "Winter in Summerland"? | Seek caller videos

by squash＠ufl.edu

I'm a "cub caller" from Gainesville, FL, and seek the choreography for "Winter in Summerland" by Jeff Spero and James Hutson. I'm aware of several online videos of the dance, e.g, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlisHB8G8GQ and can glean the steps from the video, but wonder if someone could provide the official choreography? ================================================================ For my own reference, I assembled a few well-known dances with steps and video-links of the dances. Another "cub caller" told me the page was useful to her, so I've put it online at http://www.math.ufl.edu/~squash/contradance.dances-tunes.html Errors in the dance-steps are mine, as I've re-written some for my own edification. I'm looking to add to this collection. If you know of an online video of a good dance, please email me [eddress below]. Useful are videos where the caller can be clearly heard [a plus if the teaching is included], and where the video shows, uncut, at least one full cycle, together with the transition to the next cycle. Another plus: Videos that show the end-effect, for complicated dances. I currently only have one video of a 4-facing-4, and would like especially to expand that section. Sincerely, -Jonathan King ================ PS: My eddress is squash at ufl dot edu PPS: I thank "ccpage19143", Chris Page (whom I've not yet met) for taking the time and having the expertise to label /many/ YouTube contras with the title and author. My "dance-tunes" page would be half its size without his public-service work.

13 years, 7 months

(no subject)

by Martha Edwards

Three days ago we learned that the good ladies of the Monday Club (who own the building where we dance) don't like the word "Whiskey" in our English/American dance weekend (High Tea & Whiskey), so we're changing the name to wait for it High Tea & Sasparilla M E

13 years, 7 months

(no subject)

by Mary Collins

Great ideas guys, I'll check out the CDSS information, most of this is stuff we've heard before and holding a dance on campus is a bit more than we can handle. the sites are great and so are the suggestions, but I really am looking for a "hook" on a poster...like Michale Ludgate's "Support Live Music, Go Contra Dancing"...but I'm not sure that will work either. I've seen "turn off the TV...dance!" A night of aerobics... and some other things, that's really what I'm looking for. Trying to hold dances on campus is great, but you need to have a person or group on campus that will sponsor the dance etc, and that's almost like starting a whole new dance series (dont' really have time or resources to do this), our dance is readily excessible to almost all the campuses that have dorms, most of the colleges are "comuter" colleges with day campuses and some of them (mostly in the city or what is considered the city) have campus housing. All are on bus routes and our dance is in the heart of the "cool" section of town. Most young adults know about our area and the shops restaurants and bars. So, as you see, it's not so much getting individuals to view contra dancing or host a dance but just to get the option out there, visible, so that some might try it and help spread the word. And then, I need an artist to create the poster..... Thanks again guys! Mary Collins QCCD

13 years, 8 months

posting on relevant lists

by Chrissy Fowler

Hi all, As much as I've enjoyed the recent "marketing-to-college-students" thread on the SW Callers list, I would have much preferred to see it happening on the SW Organizers list instead. It's not necessarily* relevant for people who are callers, but it's definitely relevant to organizers, and folks on the SW organizers list might themselves enjoy the brainstorming/solutions offered by this particular thread. (*Meaning, yes, some callers are involved in organizing, but not all of us are.) I acknowledge that many of us wear multiple hats in the traditional dance world - caller/organizer/musician/sound/webmaster/dancer - but since we have these thoughtfully-created separate lists for each little hat we wear, I'm requesting that my fellow posters please consider which lists are appropriate for their topic of concern, and post on that list instead. If people on SW Callers list want it to be something less-defined, then I guess that's a separate question, but it seems to me it would make each list more useful if the content was specific to the name of the list. So, can you please post only caller concerns here? Thanks! Chrissy Fowler P.S. Unless anyone objects, I'm going to cut/paste these most recent organizer-related exchanges, sans contact info/addresses, and send to the SW organizer list. You can email me directly (ktaadn_me(a)hotmail.com) to voice your objection.)

13 years, 8 months

dance posters

by David.Millstone＠valley.net

Dear Mary, I'll just add that I don't think the poster is what will bring students to an unfamiliar activity off campus. Ultimately, it's people who bring other people to a dance, friends bringing friends. When some dance organizers have surveyed newcomers to find out what brought them to the dance, the overwhelming reason was, "A friend brought me." One of the points made somewhere-- sorry, can't find the source-- is that when trying to attract young people in particular, you do best to think in terms of groups rather than individuals. Broad generalization: they'll go if others are going. So, the effort needs to be to get a group. Case in point: our monthly dance is a mile from a good-sized college, 4,000 undergraduates and 2,000 more grad students. That mile is a vast distance. In fact, business located three blocks from the edge of the campus have folded because students are reluctant to go that far. We have a handful of regular dancers from among the college population. Several times a year that number grows dramatically when someone from the Outing Club organizes a trip, complete with van, to bring students over, in a group. In November, we're expecting 30+ grad students coming to the dance. (One of our regular dancers spoke with another student who happens to chair the grad student social committee; she in turn got excited by the idea and is promoting it.) Again, they're coming as a group. Setting aside the regular younger dancers at our event, most of whom have grown up in the music/dance community, when high school students come to the dance they come as a group. Or perhaps "pack" is a more accurate word. ;-) Posters are great reminders that something is happening, and jog the memory of those who are already thinking of coming. But just think of all the posters you've passed by for some event and they didn't get you to go. My 2 cents... let us know what you end up trying and with what degree of success. David Millstone Lebanon, NH

13 years, 8 months

The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

by D Bar

Howdy, I am going to be calling one of my first gigged contra dances in a week! I have a half-hour to introduce newbies on what's what in the dance prior and I am wondering what do other callers find has been the most effective use of that half hour? I imagine going over improper formation [ladies on the right etc.], and a few of the base moves are good. But I'd like to see if anyone else has some good hints I can work with! Thanks, Davey

13 years, 8 months

posters etc for colleges

by Mary Collins

I know that there have been threads regarding this but I do need some help so forgive the revisit. I'm looking for ideas for posters that will "grab" the interest of college students and get them to come to our dance. We are in Buffalo NY that has an incredible number of colleges and universities either in Buffalo or in the immediate outlying areas. Our college age attendance is pretty small and mostly the net result of one initial college age dancer. (we love her!) I'd like to get some posters up at the local campuses and wondered what had worked for others, and what did not. Thanks in advance! Mary Collins QCCD.org

13 years, 8 months

Re: [Callers] posters etc for colleges

by David.Millstone＠valley.net

You might look at a series of articles on the CDSS website addressing the question of how to attract young people to dances: http://www.cdss.org/recruit-young-people.html David Millstone Lebanon, NH

13 years, 8 months

Wanted: Aspiring festival callers

by Rob Harper

Think you're ready to call dance weekends around the country? Here's your chance to get noticed. Announcing Catapult! The National Contra Showcase. A dance weekend like you've never seen before. Six up and coming callers. Six emerging bands. 24 hours of contra dancing. One weekend. One place. And we need you. Callers (and musicians), see if you fit the bill and apply now. Dancers and organizers, save the date and sign up for registration notifications. All, spread the word far and wide and recommend your favorite rising bands and callers. Atlanta. Memorial Day Weekend 2012 (May 25-28). Get all the details you need at www.catapultshowcase.com. Grab your card box and the mic, and maybe we'll see you on the Catapult stage in May. ciao, rah Rob Harper (404) 307-3444 rah(a)mindspring.com

13 years, 8 months

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