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
Great question!
The Circle Waltz that Alan mentions is my all-time favorite as well, but I know
it by the name of "Oslo Waltz Mixer." I like it because, along with the reasons
Alan gave, it's complex enough for experienced dancers to really enjoy it while
being simple enough for beginners to succeed if it's taught well.
For ONS, I also like La Escoba (the Broom Dance), which has a funny show-off
component as well as long waltzing portions.
(Line up facing P. Begin w/ one extra gent, who waltzes/cavorts with the broom
between the lines while everyone watches. Suddenly he drops the broom & grabs a
partner. Everyone rushes for a P, all waltz. When phrase ends, line up again w/
new man out dancing w/ broom.)
I wamt to try Valse Cadena (the Chain Waltz mixer) soon. Anyone had experience
with it?
Tina
Alan Winston said,
<<"Circle Waltz" (Big circle, balance and roll-away 4x, with this one balance
in and out, roll in, repeat going out, chassee in, chassee out, waltz around)
or some variation, because it's so accessible, connects the whole room
repeatedly, lets you see most of the opposite-sex people in the room if only
for a fleeting moment, and works with many flavors of waltz.)>>
I tell them to imagine a pole where their joined hands are; one person
is moving forwards around the pole, the other is moving backwards. Then
I tell them they are now pole-dancing :-)
It is important to keep the joined arms in a strong "W" to get a good
sharing of energy.
It is also known as a Hand Cast and a Wheel Around in various dance
forms.
Happy dancing,
John
John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 &
07802 940 574
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Contra Dancing in Kent
Looks like fun.
When actives move forward, does that mean they go between the new
neighbor, or stay with the old neighbor? I.e., is it double progression?
Thanks,
Walter
On 10/9/2010 12:00 PM, callers-request(a)sharedweight.net wrote:
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> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Name of a dance. (Tom Hinds)
> 2. Re: Name of a dance. (Luke Donev)
> 3. Re: Name of a dance. (Andrea Nettleton)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Fri, 8 Oct 2010 22:57:21 -0400
> From: Tom Hinds<twhinds(a)earthlink.net>
> To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
> Subject: [Callers] Name of a dance.
> Message-ID:<9E008F98-EA3C-424D-A7D5-C864E25CDF7E(a)earthlink.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed
>
>
> Does anybody know the name and author of this dance?
>
> Improper
>
> A1 Long lines go forward and back.
> Gate once and a quarter with the actives moving forward.
> (The caller I learned this from probably used the term cast off).
>
> A2 Line of four down the hall, turn alone...........
>
> B1 Circle left three-quarters and swing partner
>
> B2 Circle left three-quarters and swing neighbor.
>
>
> Thanks for your help.
> Tom
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Fri, 8 Oct 2010 23:16:58 -0500
> From: Luke Donev<luke.donev(a)gmail.com>
> To: "Caller's discussion list"<callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] Name of a dance.
> Message-ID:
> <AANLkTineUEU++Ognw_YQuqhiWVtgnHFzZwqcmQ+Oy8dK(a)mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> I've got that as Kinematic Vorticity by Carol Orman.
>
> On Fri, Oct 8, 2010 at 9:57 PM, Tom Hinds<twhinds(a)earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>> Does anybody know the name and author of this dance?
>>
>> Improper
>>
>> A1 Long lines go forward and back.
>> Gate once and a quarter with the actives moving forward.
>> (The caller I learned this from probably used the term cast off).
>>
>> A2 Line of four down the hall, turn alone...........
>>
>> B1 Circle left three-quarters and swing partner
>>
>> B2 Circle left three-quarters and swing neighbor.
>>
>>
>> Thanks for your help.
>> Tom
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Callers mailing list
>> Callers(a)sharedweight.net
>> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
>>
>
>
Does anybody know the name and author of this dance?
Improper
A1 Long lines go forward and back.
Gate once and a quarter with the actives moving forward.
(The caller I learned this from probably used the term cast off).
A2 Line of four down the hall, turn alone...........
B1 Circle left three-quarters and swing partner
B2 Circle left three-quarters and swing neighbor.
Thanks for your help.
Tom
Tony Parkes has been running a square series in Belmont that's starting up
again tonight. He calls, I anchor the band. I've had a great time doing this
and have learned TONS, partly because the whole evening is squares (New
England and southern, plus Kentucky running sets/circles/Fr.Can longways, a
huge mix) so I can get out of the contra groove for a whole evening, really
sink into a different way of playing/responding to the caller/dancers.
The other reason I've learned so much is because of the dancers - there's a
small but loyal core of dancers who are old enough to have been dancing
since before the big split - they were doing evenings of mixed contras and
squares back in the days when that was still the norm. Just watching them,
cueing in to their body language and phrasing, has taught me more than I can
explain in words.
I've heard contra callers say that they'd like more time with squares - that
it's hard to improve when you can only call one or two per night at the
usual contracentric dances. Tony and I have been talking about opening up
the evening to other callers - letting this dance be a venue where other
folks can come in and share the mike. Any interest out there? Anyone
Boston/New England callers who'd like the chance to call a whole bunch of
squares in an evening, practice communicating with a supportive/seasoned
band, observe how Tony does it, get feedback etc? Is this an idea we should
pursue?
I'd be interested in your feedback - thanks!
Cheers,
Amy
Another way of using hash calls -- At a dance I attended, after a
difficult time with several new and rather nippy callers calling
complicated dances they couldn't call, the main caller got everyone on
the floor promenading in couples around the floor in no pattern then
proceeded to hash call various combinations, coupling up four randomly,
doing a few figures, heading out with maybe a neighbor instead of
partner, connecting up with another couple, and so on. Nothing too
hard, everyone could do it, the band was lively, it got the dancers
back in good spirits and it ended lining us up in contra lines where he
went immediately into a fairly easy dance. Confidence and fun came back
for all (experienced and new) and the evening ended on a high note. A
good memory that crowded out the unhappy part.
Cheers, Sue R.
--
* * * * * * * * * *
Sue Robishaw ~ [1]sue(a)manytracks.com
906-644-2598 ~ 770N Fox Rd, Cooks MI 49817
Check out our Website ~ [2]www.ManyTracks.com ~ Gardening /
Homesteading / Artwork / Books / and more
* * * * * * * * * *
References
1. mailto:sue@manytracks.com
2. http://www.ManyTracks.com/
I don't necessarily mix up the calling as much as the hash approach
below - but I do sometimes change an easy beginner dance with two
ladies chains into two right and left throughs midway through the
dance, with a warning that I might do something like that before I
begin the dance, just for variety (and if I want to teach both of
those for some later dances). In dances later in the evening, I'll
occasionally have the men do-si-do instead of the women if it's just
once, though there's at least one dance where it's one-and-a half
that I can do a reciprocal crossing move at the end to make it all
work out OK. Or switch other similar figures, or switch around and
have the twos swing and face up every other time instead of the one's
swing and face down if I want to do an unequal dance but give
everyone a chance to swing their partners.
Martha
On Sep 24, 2010, at 9:00 AM, callers-request(a)sharedweight.net wrote:
> Send Callers mailing list submissions to
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> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Re: Hash Call (John Sweeney)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 23 Sep 2010 17:27:15 +0100
> From: "John Sweeney" <info(a)contrafusion.co.uk>
> To: <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] Hash Call
> Message-ID: <E95A66998AE749C78576F0ACE6D438A4@JohnT400>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Hi Jeanette,
> Sorry, hash is a term used by square dancers to mean a dance
> where there are no initial walk-through and no fixed pattern to the
> dance - the caller calls whatever they want and the dancers respond
> immediately (with the extra challenge in Modern Western Square Dancing
> that the name of the move also defines exactly which way you face
> at the
> end of the move!).
>
> They often do a "tip" of two dances one after another with the
> same partner (and indeed the same other six people in your square).
> The
> hash call comes first, and then (brain now thoroughly melted away) you
> are rewarded by a second dance which follow a simple repetitive
> pattern
> (often referred to as a "singing call" since it is often done to a
> popular song and everyone joins in the chorus).
>
> So, in the example below, where it says "hash" against A1 and
> A2, I call a different set of moves each time through the dance.
>
> I usually choose three or four of the examples listed below that
> I want to work on (let's call them Ax, Ay and Az. First I walk them
> through any new moves, and B1/2. Then I call something like:
> Ax, B1/2, Ax, B1/2, Ay, B1/2, Ay, B1/2, Az, B1/B2, Az, B1/B2, Ax,
> B1/B2,
> Ax, B1/B2.
>
> It makes new dancers learn how to listen and respond quickly to
> a call, and allows you to focus on moves that are causing them a
> problem
> (doing it within a much more controlled environment). Then we do a
> normal contra (probably using some of the moves I just made them do
> over
> and over again) and they usually find the contra really easy - gives
> them confidence.
>
> Of course all the above is aimed primarily at a workshop
> environment for a group of (mainly) beginners, but our experienced
> dancers seem to enjoy it as well.
>
> I was also interested in whether anyone ever does a hash call in
> a contra, i.e. get the dancers formed up, start the music, and just
> start calling, but calling a different set of moves each time through
> the music (maybe with some repetition to give some sort of anchor).
>
> Hope that helps.
> Happy dancing,
> John
> John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 &
> 07802 940 574
> http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Contra Dancing in Kent
>
> -----Original Message-----
>
> Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2010 17:49:02 +0100
> From: "John Sweeney" <info(a)contrafusion.co.uk>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] Medleys
>
> Hi,
> Do you include hash calls as a subset of medleys?
>
> I often do hash calls with beginners to help them practice lots
> of different moves. I make them into four couple sets and do
> something
> like:
>
> "Anything Goes" by John Sweeney
> Four Couple Becket
> A1: Hash
> A2: Hash
> B1: On the Left Diagonal: R & L Through; Straight Across: R & L
> Through
> B2: Gypsy Meltdown with your partner
>
> Using a four couple set and a progression like the one in B1 means
> that
> there are no end effects and the dancers get to practice their
> diagonal
> movements in a controlled manner.
>
> Then for A1/A2 I can call anything I like that is a null transform
> (i.e.
> they end up where they started).
>
> Examples:
> Circle Left 3/4, Neighbour Swing on the side; Circle Left 3/4, Partner
> Swing on the side
> Balance the Circle, first corners cross; Balance the Circle, second
> corners cross; Repeat
> Balance the Circle, Petronella turn x 4
> Circle Left; Circle Right; Star Right; Star Left
> Circle Left; Star Right; Circle Right; Star Left
> Circle Left; Star Left; Circle Right; Star Right
> Balance the Circle; Ladies Roll Away with a Half Sashay (swap places
> with Neighbour) x 4
> R & L Through Across & Back; Ladies' Chain Across & Back
> Ladies' Chain Across; R & L Through Back x 2
> Ladies Chain Across; Full Hey (Ladies start with R Shoulder); Ladies
> Chain Back
> Half Poussette; Dosido x 2
> Draw Poussette; Gypsy x 2
>
> I haven't tried this for longways-for-as-many-as-will. They do
> it all the time in squares, does anyone do it in contras?
>
> Happy dancing,
> John
>
> John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 &
> 07802 940 574
> http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Contra Dancing in Kent
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Thu, 23 Sep 2010 06:43:30 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Jeanette Mill <jeanette_mill(a)yahoo.com.au>
> To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] Medleys
> Message-ID: <679985.90554.qm(a)web30703.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
> Thanks for your great replies everyone.
>
> Now I have another question - what is a hash call?
>
> cheers
> Jeanette
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
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>
>
> End of Callers Digest, Vol 73, Issue 17
> ***************************************
I had a bout of laryngitis (completely lost my voice) and then had to
call a dance (really, really wanted to call it, too) as my voice was
barely back. I had heard on my Lord of the Rings extra discs that
Andy Serkis had a hard time with Gollum's voice and had been given a
concoction called "Gollum Juice" that he found helped to keep his
voice together. I found a couple of recipes online - the best seemed
to be:
A LOT of raw ginger - peeled and sliced up or grated - I used about a
cup sliced. Add 4 cups of water and simmer for a while (10-15
minutes). Crush and add two to four whole cloves (turn heat off). Add
the juice of one or two lemons (I have a Meyer lemon tree - it's the
best). Add a lot of honey, essentially to taste. Pour it into a
thermos to keep it warm.
Sip on this while you are calling. It feels really good on a bad
throat. But after that - rest, rest, rest.
I find honey lemon lozenges useful while I'm calling if necessary.
Also, sometimes if you change the pitch of your voice - for example,
I'll say some words a little higher pitched than usual - it can ease
up on the vocal burden. At least it helps a little for me.
Martha
On Sep 21, 2010, at 9:00 AM, callers-request(a)sharedweight.net wrote:
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> than "Re: Contents of Callers digest..."
>
>
> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Re: Medleys (Dan Pearl)
> 2. Re: Medleys (Mortland, Jo)
> 3. Re: Medleys (Andrea Nettleton)
> 4. Re: Taking care of your Voice (was Medleys) (Martha Edwards)
>
>
>
>
> On another note, and while I have your "ears", I have a question. As
> callers, if you feel you are losing your voice, or you have a cold, is
> there anything you have found that can help clear your throat?
>
> Thanks.
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2010 16:56:02 -0400
> From: Andrea Nettleton <twirly-girl(a)bellsouth.net>
> To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] Medleys
> Message-ID: <4C97CA62.6020908(a)bellsouth.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> On the subject of vocal inflammation, which is the reason you lose
> your voice, I have more experience as a singer than as a caller.
> If you
> are truly very ill and the bug is in the tissues perpetually renewing
> the inflammatory response, there isn't a whole lot you can do in the
> short term, but I have had success with: ice (cold takes down the
> inflammation quickly, but it doesn't last long, so count on keeping it
> up), cooled ginger tea, cooled mint tea, ginger and mint both have
> antinflammatory properties, honey, thai coconut soup, slippery elm
> lozenges, salt gargle, or if you are out and can't do a home remedy
> eat
> salty food that is a little oily (like a salad with fish or chicken
> and
> vinaigrette, or a good soup or stew), drink icy drinks and get some
> halls or something to get you through till you can really take
> care. It
> goes without saying, that rest is the preferred remedy.
> Yours,
> Andrea
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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>
> End of Callers Digest, Vol 73, Issue 14
> ***************************************
