Contra Callers

contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net

26 participants
4346 discussions

by K P

Hi Linda, I'm not understanding, really, the 8 beats of shaking hands thing cuz, as I read it, just about any danceable tune in 4/4 or 2/4 would do the trick. A reel, a jig, Billy Jean, Calling Elvis, etc. ??? I think I'm missing something. Ken Panton Ottawa > > > > On Wed, Mar 23, 2022 at 8:06 PM Linda S. Mrosko via Contra Callers < > contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > >> Can anyone think of a recorded danceable tune that would fit the >> following A1 opening? >> >> Shake R hands with P 1 _ 2 _ 1-2-3-4 (8 beats) >> >> I've listened to so many tunes that my brain is fried. >> Many thanks. >> >> >> -- >> >> >> >> *Looking forward,Linda S. Mrosko* >> > >

3 years

The Weaving Way

by Louise Siddons

Hello, all, Some time ago someone on this list mentioned the square-in-a-square dance “The Weaving Way.” Would anyone be willing to share directions for it? I have had no luck in my searches (online and on paper!). While we’re at it, if you have other dances in this formation that you enjoy, I’d love to know about them. Thanks very much, Louise.

3 years

collecting memorable easy dances for newbies

by Alison Murphy Maderas

Contra dancing rolling out again in Redding, California on March 13th. Collecting easy and intermediate dances for a mostly newbie crowd. Your favorite evening starters and teaching tips appreciated!

3 years, 1 month

May Heydays Festival, 29 April ? 2 May 2022

by Colin Hume

Weekend tickets for May Heydays Festival (formerly Eastbourne International Folk Festival) are now on sale. Top bands and callers bring you a 3-day programme of English, American and International workshops and dances. Read all about the performers, the programme and the excellent new venue at http://mayheydays.org.uk/ Colin Hume Email colin(a)colinhume.com Web site http://colinhume.com

3 years, 2 months

teaching Naked in California

by Ted Sims

Hi everyoneThis is kind of a newbie question. I've never called Naked In California [Nils Fredland] before and I'm thinking about how to teach it. I think I've mostly figured it out, but I welcome your comments on my thoughts below:(1) I would like for everyone to identify their shadows straight away. I think the best way is to have everyone take hands in long lines then "If you are on the end and your left hand is free, your shadow is the person in your right hand (introduce yourselves). Everyone else, your shadow is the person across and two to the left of you". Is there a better way? (2) After the partner allemande, if the dancers on the ends have no one in the right hand, it seems to me that they have to stay put (there is no wrap around etc.). Is that correct?(3) It looks like people out on the ends need to swap in the usual way.Thanks for any help you can provide.Ted

3 years, 3 months

Fwd: Re: Trying to put together a program from a limited repertoire

by Bree Kalb

Opps. I sent this only to Michael. Resending to the list. ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Bree Kalb <breekalb(a)gmail.com> Date: Wed, Dec 1, 2021 at 9:23 AM Subject: Re: [Callers] Re: Trying to put together a program from a limited repertoire To: Michael Dyck <jmdyck(a)ibiblio.org> You probably don’t have permission to show the figures for Becky’s Brouhaha because the author is too busy having a stunning career. If folks reading this don’t know who Rhiannon Giddens is, I encourage you to check her out. She used to dance and call and play music in the Greensboro and Chapel Hill, NC area and got distracted from her training in Opera by the music we all love. She recently replaced YoYo Ma as the Artistic Director for Silk Road and was nominated (again) for two Grammys. On Wed, Dec 1, 2021 at 9:00 AM Michael Dyck via Contra Callers < contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > On 2021-11-30 9:46 p.m., Cheryl Joyal via Contra Callers wrote: > > Could you share the cards for > > > > Apples and chocolate > > That one's visible in The Caller's Box: > https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=10266 > > > Becky’s Brouhaha > > For that one, we don't have permission to show the figures: > https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=12095 > but we do have links to where it does appear, e.g. about 9 years ago on > this > mailing list: > > > https://lists.sharedweight.net/hyperkitty/list/contracallers@lists.sharedwe… > > -Michael > > _______________________________________________ > Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net >

3 years, 4 months

Trying to put together a program from a limited repertoire

by Ted Sims

Wow, I just got asked to call the first half (of a two hour) tonight, which means there is no one else to do it. I call occasionally on open calling nights and I think it will go ok, but no one would say I am a skilled caller, and I have a small repertoire I call from, which are: Becky's Brouhaha Apples and Chocolate The Nice Combination Becket in the Kitchen Roll in the Hey Butter Old Time Elixir#2 Flying Flamingos So, I'm humbly soliciting advice for putting together a first half out of the possibilities above, with many thanks. Also, there is a tune the band likes to play, a pretty smooth one by Tom Turino called "Nighthawk 750". I'm looking for a dance that works well with this one.

3 years, 4 months

New non-discriminatory Northern California contra dance forming

by Alison Murphy Maderas

Given that the vaccines do not stop the spread, only mute symptoms, and that natural immunity isn't always documented, we will be hosting live in person dances with a minimum of paperwork and a maximum of privacy in the coming year. We are also considering prohibiting masks, as a)no peer-reviewed studies published prior to 2020 show that they are effective in preventing the spread of respiratory diseases b)many published studies show they provide repositories for bacteria to breed, and increase reuptake of both bacteria and CO2 and c) dancing with someone who covers their face with a dirty hanky impairs communication and connection. We don't want to discriminate needlessly, but we do believe that having everyone on the same page with regards to their own personal responsibility to manage their heath matters. The choice to attend an event where others will be holding hands, touching each other, have visible faces and expect to see theirs, and the vulnerability that comes with having a face that can be seen and known, will be appreciated by those in attendance, and will provide a strong unifying factor in community building. If any of this echoes positively with you, and you reside in the Jefferson State area, please contact us at crunchycontradance(a)pm.me for further updates. Current counties of interest include Humboldt, Trinity, Shasta, Tehama, and Siskiyou. Looking for dance space, media contacts, musicians primarily in these areas. Cognitive dissonance between what I have written and your COVID beliefs? Feel free to block emails from the above address and write me off. This list is for contra dancing, not to debate misinformation and who is right or wrong- it is my desire to start a dance, not a debate. I think we can agree that the definition of science and the definition of policy are not synonymous, and hope we may all dance together, both freely and safely, in unity someday. Namaste, Alison

3 years, 4 months

Squares from Northern Junket

by Colin Hume

Northern Junket was a magazine which Ralph Page edited from 1949 to 1984. I've now started copying out the Squares he published there, sometimes with my own comments and suggestions - I've finished Volume 1. I know some of you dance and call Squares as well as Contras. If you're interested, please read my page at: https://colinhume.com/instnj.htm and let me have any corrections and comments either through the list or by email. Colin Hume

3 years, 4 months

dances resuming

by Jane Ewing

NACDS - North Alabama Country Dance Society in Huntsville, Al see Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/5561454053 Starting with a Nov 13th dance at our regular venue with proof of vaccination, photo ID, contact information and signature on waiver that covers venue and NACDS. The church in which we hold our dances has a capacity limit of 100 people in the gym. Jane Ewing Producer,, NACDS

3 years, 4 months

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Contra Callers