On hands four and crossing over:
Ron,
I've had the same experience - I'm not sure if I forgot to tell
people in the beginner session (when I usually do it, like Chris)
that when they became ones or twos at the top or bottom, that they
should wait out and cross over, or whether I had some newcomers that
missed the instruction, but I remember a couple popping out at the
top and then racing to the bottom of the set to start over. Quite fun
to watch. So I definitely try to make sure if I can that newcomers
aren't clueless.
And Richard, I'm certainly not going to stop saying "Hands four from
the top", especially since in a lot of places I've called, even if
the dancers start to line up crossed over, it just doesn't seem to
propagate all the way down the line, and the people at the bottom
have no idea what group they are in. The fact that some partners are
running around getting a drink or whatever and leaving gaps in the
line makes it particularly difficult for people to figure out what
group they're in if hands four (or three (or two!) plus ghost(s))
isn't done. Sometimes if people are being particularly slow I just
say "do-si-do your neighbor (whatever the dance) and everyone
suddenly rushes about trying to figure out who their neighbor should
be - then I say - OK, that was just to identify your neighbor, now
this is the dance.
Oh, and Chris, I suspect that the dancers line up proper here in San
Diego because over the years the callers here have called proper
dances frequently enough that our dancers wait to find out what we
are up to. I do try to make sure mine are fun ones with double
progressions or both ones and twos swinging their partners, for
example. Hey, and you've called a number of 2's crossed over recently
- which is easier to instruct if they haven't crossed over yet.
Martha
On Dec 1, 2010, at 5:51 PM, callers-request(a)sharedweight.net wrote:
> Send Callers mailing list submissions to
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> than "Re: Contents of Callers digest..."
>
>
> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Telling couples to switch at the end of a contra set (Mark
> Widmer)
> 2. Re: Telling couples to switch at the end of a contra set
> (Ron Nelson)
> 3. Re: Telling couples to switch at the end of a contra set
(Richard Fischer)
>
> 7. Re: Telling couples to switch at the end of a contra set
> (Chris Page)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Wed, 1 Dec 2010 16:37:08 -0800 (PST)
> From: Mark Widmer <widmermt(a)yahoo.com>
> To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
> Subject: [Callers] Telling couples to switch at the end of a contra
> set
> Message-ID: <677169.39393.qm(a)web62103.mail.re1.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> Hey, I was wondering what other callers thought about the
> following: often, during the walkthrough of the 1st contra dance of
> the evening, the caller explains that dancers should trade places
> with their partner whenever they reach the end of the set
>
> However, I never do this, and have never had a problem as a result
> -- the experienced dancers in the set, apparently, are able to get
> the new dancers to do this, and nobody has ever complained to me
> that I didn't instruct dancers to switch
>
> I have wondered what others thought about this -- my own thinking
> is why take time to explain something when it isn't necessary?
>
> Regards,
>
> Mark Widmer / central NJ
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Thu, 2 Dec 2010 00:43:18 +0000
> From: Ron Nelson <callerman(a)hotmail.com>
> To: <widmermt(a)yahoo.com>, <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] Telling couples to switch at the end of a
> contra set
> Message-ID: <BAY158-w2261ACA1E925FA2F591D62B8270(a)phx.gbl>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
>
> Hi Mark,
>
> One unintended consequence of not covering the end effect on the
> walk through that happened when I was calling was to have the top
> couple dash to the bottom of the set to get back into the action.
>
> Ron Nelson
> Chula Vista, CA
>
>>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Wed, 01 Dec 2010 19:55:32 -0500
> From: Richard Fischer <richardallenfischer(a)verizon.net>
> To: widmermt(a)yahoo.com, Caller's discussion list
> <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] Telling couples to switch at the end of a
> contra set
> Message-ID: <E60F6985-7603-4072-B807-E01E498E5055(a)verizon.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> And a related question: when will callers stop saying "Hands four
> from the top, number ones cross over"--in acknowledgement that
> improper formation is the default for modern contras? I'm curious
> how many callers have already stopped saying that. Or to put the
> question another way, in how many dance communities do dancers line
> up inproper and not expect a reminder to "cross over" and be in
> improper formation?
>
> Richard
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
>
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Wed, 1 Dec 2010 20:41:04 -0500
> From: Donald Primrose <limerickfarm(a)gmail.com>
> To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] Telling couples to switch at the end of a
> contra set
> Message-ID:
> <AANLkTin7x_1-bKjjSMMH8X+2yezV3iXFgsx9eXKpoEeC(a)mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> The prompt "hands four from the top" should always be said, I would
> never assume, nor do the dances I call on a regular basis make that
> assumption. The instruction.. Cross over when at the foot of the set..
> I leave out of my walkthroughs.. and they have always figured it out.
>
> On occasion when calling in a new venue and I see dancers
> automatically lining up improper.. I call hand six, it keeps them
> focused. I call many proper dances (chestnuts) in any given night
> keeping the dancers connected to the music the dance and our shared
> history.
>
> Don Primrose / Nelson NH
>
>>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Wed, 1 Dec 2010 17:51:28 -0800
> From: Chris Page <chriscpage(a)gmail.com>
> To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] Telling couples to switch at the end of a
> contra set
> Message-ID:
> <AANLkTi=ovxezNWSiOoF1tsCqkkPxVxwjninX5ziDWrTz(a)mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
>
>
> I dunno. I'm happy to encourage them to automatically take
> hands four -- it saves me the hardest part of my job if they
> can organize without my prompting. When I do call triple
> minors I just remember to start announcing hands six
> early in the line-up phase.
>
> Interestingly enough in San Diego, the dancer default
> is to line up proper, even though it's unusual for a
> proper dance to be called.
>
> As for the original question, adding "ones cross over"
> while they take hands four isn't time you could be saying
> anything else, as people are still getting organized and
> aren't in place for the first move of the dance.
>
> I tend to talk about crossing over at the ends during the
> beginner's session, rather than the first dance. Though if
> they've heard it, they have some context as experienced
> dancers are waving to them to trade sides.
>
> -Chris Page
> San Diego
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> Callers mailing list
> Callers(a)sharedweight.net
> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
>
>
> End of Callers Digest, Vol 76, Issue 1
> **************************************
Hey, I was wondering what other callers thought about the following: often, during the walkthrough of the 1st contra dance of the evening, the caller explains that dancers should trade places with their partner whenever they reach the end of the set
However, I never do this, and have never had a problem as a result -- the experienced dancers in the set, apparently, are able to get the new dancers to do this, and nobody has ever complained to me that I didn't instruct dancers to switch
I have wondered what others thought about this -- my own thinking is why take time to explain something when it isn't necessary?
Regards,
Mark Widmer / central NJ
I've used it at to teach Mary Cay's Reel at a dance which had quite a few
beginners -- it was particularly useful in that context because in MC's R,
after the circle left, you pass your current N by the right, Allem. L the
NEXT, and come back and swing your original N. I found that having the
dancers line up in regular duple improper formation permitted me to introduce
them to that "next Neighbor" before they needed to find him/her, which I
think made the teaching more effective and made the "go out of your set and
come back" aspect less difficult.
April Blum
In a message dated 11/8/2010 12:00:15 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
callers-request(a)sharedweight.net writes:
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When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
than "Re: Contents of Callers digest..."
Today's Topics:
1. Contra Dance Calling: A Basic Text (Chrissy Fowler)
2. clever Becket walk-through technique... (Andy Shore)
3. Re: clever Becket walk-through technique... (Mortland, Jo)
4. Re: clever Becket walk-through technique... (Jack Mitchell)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2010 07:14:57 -0500
From: Chrissy Fowler <ktaadn_me(a)hotmail.com>
To: shared weight <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Callers] Contra Dance Calling: A Basic Text
Message-ID: <col113-w22415767818307FE3356918D4F0(a)phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Advertisement?!? Hardly! More like a public service announcement, if
you ask me.
I recently was given a dear friend's copy (Patrick Stevens, for those who
knew him) and it's been such a boon. Excellent writing; thoughtful and
on-target explanations of contra dance calling mechanics and philosophy both;
inspirational, entertaining, provocative, etc. etc. etc.
This past month's "Tip of the Month" at our local dance series consisted
of several excerpts from the book which illuminated our tip "Move with
Poise." This very morning I planned to write to Tony to thank him again for
writing the book.
I'm utterly delighted that it's now out in a second printing. I encourage
all callers to check it out, from curmudgeonly old hands to shiny brand
newbies. There's something there for us all.
Cheers,
Chrissy Fowler
Belfast, ME
------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2010 08:07:01 -0700
> From: "beth(a)hands4.com" <beth(a)hands4.com>
> To: "Caller's discussion list (callers(a)sharedweight.net)"
> <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Subject: [Callers] Contra Dance Calling: A Basic Text
> Please forgive the blatant advertisement, but I feel that members of
this list would like to know that Tony's book, Contra Dance Calling: A Basic
Text has just been released in its second printing. Most of the content has
not changed, but the reference section has been updated with internet
addresses (hard to believe we didn't have them in 1992 when the first edition
was published) and several other sections (such as sound) have been updated
to reflect changes in technology.
>
> Available directly from the author at http://www.hands4.com
>
> Beth Parkes
>
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2010 11:35:39 -0500
From: Andy Shore <square.a.shore(a)gmail.com>
To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
Subject: [Callers] clever Becket walk-through technique...
Message-ID: <C734DC91-E8B7-4238-A690-5C292C940B6A(a)gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Halloween weekend, my partner and I attended the Fire Ant Frolic in Austin
with Nils Fredland calling and Elixer playing. Great dances, great music,
nice people - what a wonderful weekend!
Nils did something on several walkthroughs that I don't think I'd ever
noticed before and I thought it was very clever and effective. I asked him
during a break if he had thought it up or where he had learned it and he kind
of avoided answering the question directly... but I thought I'd share it
here and see what people think.
On Becket dances that begin with a Circle Left 3/4, he did not have the
sets "becketize" themselves before the walk through... he'd say "hands 4,
ones cross over" and begin the walk through with a "Join Hands Circle Left All
the Way" (which is the same a becketizing by circling left 1/4 and then
beginning the walk through with a circle left 3/4).
I often notice that many dancers aren't listening when you ask them to
"becketize" by circling left 1/4, which leads to initial confusion down the
line, so Nils' solution avoids that common problem. It was obvious (at least
to me) that the dances were, in fact, Becket dances based on how they
ended and his description of the progression, and he'd actually have us begin
to the music from the "backed up" becket formation and Circle 3/4.
I just thought it was a really neat way to do walk throughs for those
Becket dances that start with a Circle Left 3/4. Note that it won't be correct
to use for Becket dances that begin with other moves.
Has anyone else ever seen or used this walk-through technique?
What do you think of it?
I tried it on one dance I called in Cocoa Beach on Saturday and it worked
very well.
/Andy Shore
http://andyshore.com
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2010 10:44:33 -0600
From: "Mortland, Jo" <j-mortland(a)neiu.edu>
To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Subject: Re: [Callers] clever Becket walk-through technique...
Message-ID:
<9B0B0B8FF2328E48930D4B6273C1B2611A357505(a)EXNODE2.univ.neiu.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Beth Molaro did this in Chicago last April, and it was novel. A very
neat trick, IMHO.
Jo Mortland
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Mon, 08 Nov 2010 11:48:19 -0500
From: Jack Mitchell <jamitch3(a)mindspring.com>
To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Subject: Re: [Callers] clever Becket walk-through technique...
Message-ID: <4CD829D3.6080405(a)mindspring.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
With a becket that begins circle left 3/4 and swing your current/next
neighbor, I will frequently walk it through just starting from the
neighbor swing. If it's a pass through and swing a new neighbor, I'll
walk it through the second time with the pass thru, and then dance from
there so that the folks who just got sent out of the set will come in at
the beginning of the dance. Generally I do point out to dancers after
the walk thru that the dance is becket and that it will start from here
with you on the side of the set with your partner. This doesn't work
(or just isn't effective) for dances that do something other than just
take you back to improper at the beginning of the dance. If the dance
starts with long lines or with other stuff with your partner, then you
do still have to get becket first (or walk the dance through starting
somewhere in the middle, which, while it can work, can be chancy if you
have any newer dancers.
Jack
On 11/8/2010 11:35 AM, Andy Shore wrote:
> Halloween weekend, my partner and I attended the Fire Ant Frolic in
Austin with Nils Fredland calling and Elixer playing. Great dances, great
music, nice people - what a wonderful weekend!
>
> Nils did something on several walkthroughs that I don't think I'd ever
noticed before and I thought it was very clever and effective. I asked him
during a break if he had thought it up or where he had learned it and he
kind of avoided answering the question directly... but I thought I'd share it
here and see what people think.
>
> On Becket dances that begin with a Circle Left 3/4, he did not have the
sets "becketize" themselves before the walk through... he'd say "hands 4,
ones cross over" and begin the walk through with a "Join Hands Circle Left
All the Way" (which is the same a becketizing by circling left 1/4 and then
beginning the walk through with a circle left 3/4).
>
> I often notice that many dancers aren't listening when you ask them to
"becketize" by circling left 1/4, which leads to initial confusion down the
line, so Nils' solution avoids that common problem. It was obvious (at
least to me) that the dances were, in fact, Becket dances based on how they
ended and his description of the progression, and he'd actually have us begin
to the music from the "backed up" becket formation and Circle 3/4.
>
> I just thought it was a really neat way to do walk throughs for those
Becket dances that start with a Circle Left 3/4. Note that it won't be
correct to use for Becket dances that begin with other moves.
>
> Has anyone else ever seen or used this walk-through technique?
> What do you think of it?
>
> I tried it on one dance I called in Cocoa Beach on Saturday and it
worked very well.
>
> /Andy Shore
> http://andyshore.com
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Callers mailing list
> Callers(a)sharedweight.net
> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
>
------------------------------
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
End of Callers Digest, Vol 75, Issue 2
**************************************
Halloween weekend, my partner and I attended the Fire Ant Frolic in Austin with Nils Fredland calling and Elixer playing. Great dances, great music, nice people - what a wonderful weekend!
Nils did something on several walkthroughs that I don't think I'd ever noticed before and I thought it was very clever and effective. I asked him during a break if he had thought it up or where he had learned it and he kind of avoided answering the question directly... but I thought I'd share it here and see what people think.
On Becket dances that begin with a Circle Left 3/4, he did not have the sets "becketize" themselves before the walk through... he'd say "hands 4, ones cross over" and begin the walk through with a "Join Hands Circle Left All the Way" (which is the same a becketizing by circling left 1/4 and then beginning the walk through with a circle left 3/4).
I often notice that many dancers aren't listening when you ask them to "becketize" by circling left 1/4, which leads to initial confusion down the line, so Nils' solution avoids that common problem. It was obvious (at least to me) that the dances were, in fact, Becket dances based on how they ended and his description of the progression, and he'd actually have us begin to the music from the "backed up" becket formation and Circle 3/4.
I just thought it was a really neat way to do walk throughs for those Becket dances that start with a Circle Left 3/4. Note that it won't be correct to use for Becket dances that begin with other moves.
Has anyone else ever seen or used this walk-through technique?
What do you think of it?
I tried it on one dance I called in Cocoa Beach on Saturday and it worked very well.
/Andy Shore
http://andyshore.com
Inspired by dancing to Rick Mohr's satisfying and efficient use of this same sort of technique over the years (my earliest specific recollection is 2003 in Greenfield MA), I've done it a few times myself, w similar success. (As Andy notes, only for those sorts of Beckets starting w circle L 3/4.)
Chrissy Fowler
Belfast, ME
> he'd say "hands 4, ones cross over" and begin the walk through with a "Join Hands Circle Left All the Way"
>
>
> Has anyone else ever seen or used this walk-through technique?
> What do you think of it?
>
> Andy Shore
> http://andyshore.com
>
Advertisement?!? Hardly! More like a public service announcement, if you ask me.
I recently was given a dear friend's copy (Patrick Stevens, for those who knew him) and it's been such a boon. Excellent writing; thoughtful and on-target explanations of contra dance calling mechanics and philosophy both; inspirational, entertaining, provocative, etc. etc. etc.
This past month's "Tip of the Month" at our local dance series consisted of several excerpts from the book which illuminated our tip "Move with Poise." This very morning I planned to write to Tony to thank him again for writing the book.
I'm utterly delighted that it's now out in a second printing. I encourage all callers to check it out, from curmudgeonly old hands to shiny brand newbies. There's something there for us all.
Cheers,
Chrissy Fowler
Belfast, ME
------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2010 08:07:01 -0700
> From: "beth(a)hands4.com" <beth(a)hands4.com>
> To: "Caller's discussion list (callers(a)sharedweight.net)"
> <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Subject: [Callers] Contra Dance Calling: A Basic Text
> Please forgive the blatant advertisement, but I feel that members of this list would like to know that Tony's book, Contra Dance Calling: A Basic Text has just been released in its second printing. Most of the content has not changed, but the reference section has been updated with internet addresses (hard to believe we didn't have them in 1992 when the first edition was published) and several other sections (such as sound) have been updated to reflect changes in technology.
>
> Available directly from the author at http://www.hands4.com
>
> Beth Parkes
>
Please forgive the blatant advertisement, but I feel that members of this list would like to know that Tony's book, Contra Dance Calling: A Basic Text has just been released in its second printing. Most of the content has not changed, but the reference section has been updated with internet addresses (hard to believe we didn't have them in 1992 when the first edition was published) and several other sections (such as sound) have been updated to reflect changes in technology.
Available directly from the author at http://www.hands4.com
Beth Parkes
Came to me via Will Mentor...no name or author. Anyone recognize it?
Type: Contra
Formation: Duple-Improper
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Right 1X
(8) Neighbor See-saw (left shoulder Do-Si-Do)
A2 -----------
(16) Neighbor balance and swing
B1 -----------
(16) Give and Take (women draw partner to their side)
B2 -----------
(10) Circle Left 1-1/4X (to original position facing up or down the set)
(6) As couples, zig left to pass current neighbors, zag right to join hands
with next
Hey folks,
I¹ve been getting lots of inquires about running Caller's Companion on an
iPad. I do not yet own an iPad - I¹m kind of waiting for Rev 2 that will
hopefully have a camera built in but based on everything I have read,
Caller's Companion should run unmodified on an iPad with the use of the
FileMaker Go app. FileMaker Go has a few limitations so I really need to
test it with CC to make sure there aren¹t any showstoppers, and I would want
to see what I could do to optimize CC for the iPad.
I¹m looking for someone who would be willing to loan me their iPad for about
a week, so I can test CC on it. I would be willing to trade a Caller's
Companion license for the loan of your iPad.
I will need to sync your iPad with my computer and iTunes, so you would need
to make sure you had everything backed up from your iPad particularly any
files that you might have created or been editing on it. When I send the
iPad back to you, you will need to resync to your computer again to restore
your music, apps and settings.
Please contact me directly off-list if you are interested. Time frame is
flexible.
Will Loving
will(a)dedicationtechnologies.com
I can't wait to try the alternate Wood Phoenix, sounds fun. And with
the right group Wood Duck. You're probably looking for more complex
dances but for an Easy Waltz Circle for non-dancers I like:
Even number of dancers in a circle (gender doesn't matter and they
don't have to know how to waltz)
Count off 1, 2 around Circle
Waltz step In; Back; In; Back
1s turn/roll across 2s to right (2 waltz steps)
All waltz in place (2 waltz steps)
Continue until back to original place (if a smallish circle) OR
caller calls changes
Then 2s cross over and 1s stay in place (alternating back and
forth between 1s and 2s)
Sue R.
PS - Has anyone danced/called Pat Shaw's "Margaret's Waltz"? Love
the tune (particularly the original version as in Pinewoods Collection)
but I've never seen it danced.
--
Sue Robishaw ~ [1]sue(a)manytracks.com
References
1. mailto:sue@manytracks.com
