I'm wondering if anyone has any squares that work well for house
parties?
Background: I've called contras a good bit, primarily at swarthmore
college, and sometimes find myself in a situation where there are
people who want to dance, good music, and space for a square but not a
contra. Generally the dancers are more familiar with contra dance
than square dance, perhaps even people who sit out squares when
they're called at the weekly dances.
When this has happened to me, I've ended up just trying to call
something, making it up as I go, which has worked ok, but not really
very well. I can generally keep them dancing and keep calling at the
right times, but the resulting dance isn't usually very interesting.
So I was thinking that the best solution would be to memorize a few
suitable square dances.
Thinking about what suitable means. Any standard contra figure is ok.
Nothing that I would have to walk through (simple is better than
boring). Nothing that is too picky about the music (singing squares).
Does anyone have suggestions?
Jeff
Hi Folks,
Wanted to post one last reminder about callers and musicians
workshops In Gilmanton NH. 12/13 4:00-5:30 PM.........
pot luck dinner following the workshops
Members of SWALLOWTAIL will be conducting the workshops
Callers: Begginer Caller and Advanced Teaching Techniques
Musicians: Taking toons to the next level/ playing for the dance!
Than stick around to dance to Swallowtail!
(sponcered in part by the Country Dance and Song Society)
Details at: www.worldpath.net/~gtwood
PHONE:
603-679-5448
Day of Dance
Gale: 603-817-9879
Lynn: 603-926-9700
Directions:
Gilmanton NH Town Offices
RT 107 (corner of RT 107 and RT 140)
(across from the Gilmanton Corners Store)
Hope to see you there!
Thanks
Gale
I¹m looking into getting a wireless microphone or headset for calling and
while the past discussions have been helpful, the database programmer in me
longs for more organized and detailed information. With that in mind, I¹m
thinking about making an online survey for individuals to report the
experiences with various makes and models. My plan would be to summarize the
results so we can get a sense what makes and models people like and dislike
and why.
Before I create the survey, I¹d like to get feedback on the questions as
follows below. Please feel free to comment on the following and to suggest
revisions or additions.
Will Loving
Amherst, MA
--
Wireless Microphone/Headset Survey Sample Questions
(Again, these are suggested survey questions, please don¹t answer them now)
1. Microphone Type: __Handheld __Headset
2. Microphone Brand:_______ Model:________ Year Purchased:_________
3. Base Station: Brand:_______ Model:________ Year Purchased:_________
4. Transmitter (if sep) Brand:_______ Model:________ Year
Purchased:_________
5. Battery Type/Size: __Built-in __AAA __AA __C __D __Other
6. Does this unit use rechargeable batteries or have built-in rechargeable
pack: __Yes
7. Do you use rechargeable batteries: __Yes
8. Preferred Battery Brand: ___________
9. Battery capacity (If you know it) in MilliAmp Hours (mAh) printed on the
battery: ____mAh
10. Battery life on a full charge or fresh set of batteries (approx):____hrs
11. Does unit (mic or battery pack) have a battery-charge-remaining
indicator: __Yes
12. Sound Quality 1 (poor) <-> 9 (superb)
13. Construction/Quality: 1 (poor) <-> 5 (Avg) <-> 10 (superb)
14. Durability/Reliability: 1 (poor) <-> 5 (Avg) <-> 10 (superb)
15. Range: 1 (poor) <-> 5 (Avg) <-> 10 (superb)
16. Interference Rejection (resistance to interference from other radio
sources): 1 (poor) <-> 5 (Avg) <-> 10 (superb)
17. List up to three things you LIKE about this unit:
> * __________________
> * __________________
> * __________________
18. List up to three things you DON¹T LIKE about this unit:
> * __________________
> * __________________
> * __________________
19. What kinds of calling/instruction do you use this for (check all that
apply):
> * Contra Dance
> * Square Dance
> * Family/Community Dance
> * English Country Dance
> * Waltz
> * Ballroom
> * International/Folk
> * Aerobics
> * Other ______________
20. What size group do you use this for: Average Size ___ Largest Size ___
21. Questions for Headset users: When you need to speak off mike, do:
> * Switch the unit off
> * Cover the mike with your hand
> * Move it out of the way
> * Other_____________
22. Would you recommend this system to other callers: __Yes __No __Maybe
Sean,
Someday in future I'd love to call in Montreal. In the meantime, I just want to extend hearty congratulations on getting a new dance going - and wish the best of fortune to you!
Tina
We have recently started a regular contra dance (see www.contramontreal.org/
<http://www.contramontreal.org/> ), held on the second Sunday of each month,
in Montreal where we have lots of great musicians, quite a few
enthusiastic dancers, but, as yet, no callers.
We are looking for a caller for our dance on Sunday evening, Feb 8, 2009.
Tidal Wave/Raz de Marée are playing, so the music will be great. (Rachel
Aucoin! Sabin Jacques!)
We offer modest payment (a minimum of Can $125), and a place to stay
overnight, if needed.
Any callers out there interested in a trip to Montreal?
Onwards
Sean McCutcheon
info(a)contramontreal.org <mailto:info@contramontreal.org>
514.842.3011
Internal Virus Database is out-of-date.
Checked by AVG.
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8:53 AM
In case you have no plans, this is a great way to work off that extra turkey:
ROCHESTER DANCE WEEKEND
http://www.rochestercontra.com/thanksgiving.html
Rochester Thanksgiving Festival
Contra / English / Scandinavian Couples Dances
11/26 8-11pm, 11/27 10:30am-11pm
$44 Full Weekend, Student discount and individual session pricing
available
Great Music! Great Calling!
• Kathy Anderson
Known for her flowing contras and fast-moving, exciting squares, Kathy
has brought her enthusiastic style to dancers across the US, Canada,
and Europe. Her repertoire of quirky contras and high-energy squares
make for a fun, challenging dance experience.
• Notorious (Larry Unger, Eden MacAdam-Somer, & Mark Hellenberg)
Wild and sparkling music — everything from folk, to Eastern European,
to original tunes, with Larry Unger on guitar, banjo, and bass; Eden
MacAdam-Somer on fiddle; and Mark Hellenberg on percussion.
• TuneScape
An innovative band from western NY and PA, TuneScape nudges the border
between traditional music and modern groove. Inspired by the tunes of
Ireland, New England, Quebec, and Appalachia, TuneScape creates an
unmistakeable sound of power and beauty.
http://www.rochestercontra.com/thanksgiving.html
Hello Dancers, Callers and Musicians,
Just a quick reminder about the upcoming Swallowtail dance
Dec 13th 2008
in Gilmanton NH
Dance 8:00 -11:00
Begginers Wkshp at 7:30
Dance----- $12.00
Musicians and Callers Workshops prior to the dance:
4:00 - 5:30 PM $20.00
Workshops have been underwritten through a generous grant from the: The Contry Dance and Song Society
www.cdss.org . Please do not let cost deter you from attending!
Further details at our website! : www.worldpath.net/~gtwood
or:
Gale Wood 603-679-5448
Lynn Durham 603-926-9700
Jon Hall 603-267-8983
"This event is funded in part by the Country Dance
and Song Society."
See ya Dancing!
Gale
http://tierneylab.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/20/dancing-with-the-scientists/
--
"Not that anything had really been settled. All of the questions that
had been open when my head had hit the pillow were still pending. But
in the intervening hours, my brain had been changing to fit the new
shape of my world. I guess that's why we can't do anything else while
we're sleeping: it's when we work hardest."
--Neal Stephenson, _Anathem_
B & Sw option duly noted, Joyce. Also it seems like this is a dance that's far better run short; sort of an intermezzo.
I've noticed that due to its very novelty (goofiness), Carmen's Contra can really perk up a hall full of dancers who are getting tired or who've been thinking too much (following a couple of complex dances), reviving their spirits for a few more.
Thanks for the joyful dance, Lisa (and Kathy)!
Tina
> Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:48:00 -0500
> From: Lisa Greenleaf <laleaf(a)verizon.net>
> Subject: Re: [Callers] Carmen's Garments
> To: Caller's discussion list
>
> I agree, Joyce! it's a novelty dance, and I
> wouldn't call it more
> than once in a three year period at this point, and not for
> a hall
> full of experienced dancers.
>
> The original idea was Kathy Anderson's Carmen's
> Hat, and then I wrote
> Carmen's Contra.
>
> Lisa
>
