Contra Callers

contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net

6 participants
4371 discussions

by Martha Wild

I also have a short wide foot - I can't even try on shoes, dance or otherwise, at a retail store outlet; - 7/7.5 or 37/38 European depending on the brand. Nobody carries wide anymore, or if they do it's nurses shoes. I've had no luck with children's shoes - my foot's not quite small enough. The TicTacToes come in varying widths, and have fit well. What I do from mail-order catalogs is make sure that I can ship them back if they don't fit for little or no shipping cost, then I buy seven or eight pair that look interesting, try them on when they come, keep the ones I want, and ship the others back. It's a pain, but I get shoes that fit. And once I find a pair that works well for dancing, I buy it in another color, or sometimes even just buy another pair to keep for a few years until the first pair wears out, so I don't have to worry about it not being made any more! Martha On Jul 5, 2008, at 9:00 AM, callers-request(a)sharedweight.net wrote: > Send Callers mailing list submissions to > callers(a)sharedweight.net > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > callers-request(a)sharedweight.net > > You can reach the person managing the list at > callers-owner(a)sharedweight.net > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Callers digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: TicTacToe (Hgrastorf(a)aol.com) > 2. Re: Callers Digest, Vol 47, Issue 2 (Martha Wild) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2008 12:35:31 EDT > From: Hgrastorf(a)aol.com > Subject: Re: [Callers] TicTacToe > To: callers(a)sharedweight.net > Message-ID: <c5f.36a6d927.359fab53(a)aol.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" > > If, like me, you often reject shoes because they pinch at the toes, > be sure > to look in TicTacToe's catalog for a pair that specifies that it is > based on > a "Classic" last (the "last" is the wooden form upon which the shoe > is based > -- cobblers used to make a last for each individual, and some very > expensive > shoes are advertised today as "hand-lasted.") > > This is one of the reasons it is often a good idea to visit a > retail dance > shoe outlet for that first pair. > > For women with short wide feet (like me) -- try a CHILD's size 4 or > 4.5 (the > single-digit sizes above 13). Those shoes are roughly the same > length as a > woman's 6, but because the standard last is wider with a much > deeper toe box > (than the last for a standard woman's size 6), you may find those > shoes fit > your feet. I have several pair of shoes that I wear for English > Country dance > that came straight off the rack at PayLess, in size 4.5. Even my > running > shoes are from the children's section -- and most children's shoes > are 25% or > more cheaper -- even for the same brand, style and material -- > than the adult > size shoe. > > April Blum > > > > **************Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for > fuel-efficient used cars. (http://autos.aol.com/used? > ncid=aolaut00050000000007) > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2008 09:53:09 -0700 > From: Martha Wild <mawild(a)sbcglobal.net> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Callers Digest, Vol 47, Issue 2 > To: callers(a)sharedweight.net > Message-ID: <513789C9-7BCC-45FC-86F2-4F51C437D001(a)sbcglobal.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed > > Stacy, > Depends what you like - I tend to like flatter shoes with little heel > (the 1/2" heel), other women like more of a heel (say 1 1/4"). Both > sorts can be found in the Square and Round Dance category, quite > contra apropos. I have a whole raft of the Mary Janes because you can > special order them in multiple colors and in WIDE widths!!!! And you > can get the Mary Jane's either as dance shoes, with the leather sole, > or as street shoes with a hard sole, and I have a bunch of those for > non-dance as well. On the other hand, if you want a Ginger Rogers- > esque shoe for that New Year's Eve contra, you can check out the > ballroom group, or get funky with the mint-colored or two-tone Lindy > Hop series, or go country with boots. Oh, and did I say that they are > comfortable? It's a smorgasbord of terpsichorean delight. And a > variety of nice and comfy shoes for men, too. > Martha > > On Jul 4, 2008, at 9:00 AM, callers-request(a)sharedweight.net wrote: > >> Send Callers mailing list submissions to >> callers(a)sharedweight.net >> >> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit >> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to >> callers-request(a)sharedweight.net >> >> You can reach the person managing the list at >> callers-owner(a)sharedweight.net >> >> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific >> than "Re: Contents of Callers digest..." >> >> >> Today's Topics: >> >> 1. Re: Callers Digest, Vol 46, Issue 12 (Stacy Rose) >> 2. Re: Any Whipperstompers out there? (Jack Mitchell) >> 3. Re: Any Whipperstompers out there? (Chris Page) >> >> >> --------------------------------------------------------------------- >> - >> >> Message: 1 >> Date: Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:40:50 -0700 >> From: "Stacy Rose" <stacyrose12(a)verizon.net> >> Subject: Re: [Callers] Callers Digest, Vol 46, Issue 12 >> To: "'Caller's discussion list'" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> >> Message-ID: <0K3G00B4N6FSR0XE(a)vms173005.mailsrvcs.net> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii >> >> Martha - this looks like a great resource. Of the different styles, >> which >> are conducive for contra dancing? >> >> Thanks, >> Stacy Rose >> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net [mailto:callers- >>> bounces(a)sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of Martha Wild >>> Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 10:28 PM >>> To: callers(a)sharedweight.net >>> Subject: Re: [Callers] Callers Digest, Vol 46, Issue 12 >>> >>> I recommend TicTacToes - check out all the dancing shoes they have >>> available at TicTacToes.com - I've bought quite a few pair from >>> them, >>> and they are comfortable and have great suede/leather soles and all >>> sorts of styles and colors and widths. They have shoes for men and >>> women - they have them for all kinds of dancing, from ballroom to >>> tap >>> to country Western. I can't dance in tennis shoes because since they >>> don't slip well I end up tweaking my right knee when doing buzz step >>> swings. And the prices are about usual for shoes. >>> Martha >>> >>> On Jun 25, 2008, at 9:00 AM, callers-request(a)sharedweight.net wrote: >>> >>>> Send Callers mailing list submissions to >>>> callers(a)sharedweight.net >>>> >>>> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit >>>> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >>>> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to >>>> callers-request(a)sharedweight.net >>>> >>>> You can reach the person managing the list at >>>> callers-owner(a)sharedweight.net >>>> >>>> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific >>>> than "Re: Contents of Callers digest..." >>>> >>>> >>>> Today's Topics: >>>> >>>> 1. Shoes (Rickey) >>>> 2. Re: Shoes (Mortland, Jo) >>>> 3. Re: Shoes (Laur) >>>> >>>> >>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------- >>>> - >>>> -- >>>> >>>> Message: 1 >>>> Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:01:58 -0400 >>>> From: "Rickey" <holt.e(a)comcast.net> >>>> Subject: [Callers] Shoes >>>> To: <callers(a)sharedweight.net> >>>> Message-ID: <000901c8d635$28ac7260$020fa8c0@maxx> >>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" >>>> >>>> Hi, >>>> >>>> I am considering buying my first pair of shoes bought expressly for >>>> contra >>>> dancing. What do you recommend? What do you think of suede >>>> soles? I need >>>> good arch support. Whatever I buy would also need to be acceptable >>>> to dance >>>> organizers in need of protecting their venue's floors. >>>> >>>> Thanks, >>>> >>>> Rickey Holt. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> ------------------------------ >>>> >>>> Message: 2 >>>> Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:10:20 -0500 >>>> From: "Mortland, Jo" <j-mortland(a)neiu.edu> >>>> Subject: Re: [Callers] Shoes >>>> To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> >>>> Message-ID: >>>> <9B0B0B8FF2328E48930D4B6273C1B2610CBD1CFE(a)EXNODE1.univ.neiu.edu> >>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> I need to wear orthotics in my every day shoes for arch support. >>>> >>>> So when I buy new shoes, I take the old pair, one that accommodates >>>> the >>>> orthotics, to a shoe clinic. I ask for "dance leather" (suede) >>>> to be >>>> affixed to the bottoms of the shoes, but only from the toe to the >>>> arch >>>> (not the heel). This way I have support and a great surface for >>>> swinging. Costs me about $30.00. and I keep updating my dance >>>> shoes as >>>> I purchase new regular wear ones. (I wear SAS shoes. I used to >>>> have a >>>> pair of Rockports with which I did the same thing.) >>>> >>>> Jo Mortland >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> ------------------------------ >>>> >>>> Message: 3 >>>> Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:05:24 -0700 (PDT) >>>> From: Laur <lcpgr(a)yahoo.com> >>>> Subject: Re: [Callers] Shoes >>>> To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> >>>> Message-ID: <173165.55101.qm(a)web52907.mail.re2.yahoo.com> >>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii >>>> >>>> >>>> I sent an earlier message off list - >>>> >>>> Same goes for me. >>>> >>>> In my case I buy a good supportive tennis shoe, but I have swede >>>> put on the bottom of the whole shoe. It just works for me. And it >>>> also costs about 30-40 depending on who you go to. >>>> >>>> I have in the past put leather on a vinyl bottomed shoe. >>>> >>>> Of course, if you have a pair of shoes that work for you - old >>>> sneakers, just put duct tape on them. I did that for nine years. >>>> It worked just fine. >>>> >>>> Laurie >>>> GR >>>> >>>> --- On Tue, 6/24/08, Mortland, Jo <j-mortland(a)neiu.edu> wrote: >>>> >>>>> From: Mortland, Jo <j-mortland(a)neiu.edu> >>>>> Subject: Re: [Callers] Shoes >>>>> To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> >>>>> Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 4:10 PM >>>>> I need to wear orthotics in my every day shoes for arch >>>>> support. >>>>> >>>>> So when I buy new shoes, I take the old pair, one that >>>>> accommodates the >>>>> orthotics, to a shoe clinic. I ask for "dance >>>>> leather" (suede) to be >>>>> affixed to the bottoms of the shoes, but only from the toe >>>>> to the arch >>>>> (not the heel). This way I have support and a great >>>>> surface for >>>>> swinging. Costs me about $30.00. and I keep updating my >>>>> dance shoes as >>>>> I purchase new regular wear ones. (I wear SAS shoes. I >>>>> used to have a >>>>> pair of Rockports with which I did the same thing.) >>>>> >>>>> Jo Mortland >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> 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 46, Issue 12 >>>> *************************************** >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Callers mailing list >>> Callers(a)sharedweight.net >>> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >> >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> Message: 2 >> Date: Thu, 03 Jul 2008 19:38:07 -0400 >> From: Jack Mitchell <jamitch3(a)mindspring.com> >> Subject: Re: [Callers] Any Whipperstompers out there? >> To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> >> Message-ID: <E1KEYNA-0000jp-Rl(a)elasmtp-kukur.atl.sa.earthlink.net> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed >> >> There's a great video online from the weekend at >> http://whipperstompers.org/ That and Adina's description of the >> weekend makes me wish that I had been able to make it (though I'm not >> sure I would have survived the heat....) Definitely interested in >> going next year though if they have it again. From a callers >> perspective it sounds like just what I would have hoped it would be >> and none of what I had worried it might be. >> >> That being said, the dance that Charlotte is calling in the video >> looked like a good one, and is one that I don't have. Anyone >> recognize it? What I got from the video is: >> >> Becket >> >> A1 P Gypsy and Sw >> A2 L Chain >> LHS 1x >> B1 New N B&S >> B2 Gents chain >> 1/2 Hey (gents start by left shoulder) >> >> >> Thanks! >> >> Jack >> At 02:20 AM 7/3/2008, you wrote: >>> Hi Chris, >>> >>> Sorry it took me a week to respond about the >>> Whipperstomper. Lindsay, thanks! I'm so glad you enjoyed it that >>> much! It was great to see you there. >>> >>> I went into the weekend with some reservations. Who would >>> come? What would the general attitude be? Would there be trouble >>> with 100 teens and 20-somethings in a state park for the >>> weekend? Were people open to learning? Would groups mix? Was it >>> going to be pro-youth, or anti-age? >>> >>> Short answers: Everybody. Positive. Almost >>> none. Yes! Yes. Pro-youth. I'm so impressed by what happened >>> there I almost can't describe it. >>> >>> The general attitude of the weekend, coming from the organizers and >>> effectively transmitted to the dancers, was that young dancers can >>> be a positive force in their communities. We talked about and >>> worked on style, dance-floor safety, encouraging and helping each >>> other, calling, playing for dances, and community >>> involvement. There was more intentional learning and discussion >>> than at other weekends I've been at -- the purpose wasn't only to >>> dance and have fun, but to build community, both with other young >>> dancers and with the wider community. >>> >>> Dancers came from all over -- the majority from North and South >>> Carolina, but also from Virginia, Maryland, New York, Massachusetts, >>> Vermont, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and I think a couple other >>> states. New England was well-represented. As Lindsay mentioned, >>> especially on Friday night folks danced mainly with people they >>> already knew, but by Sunday it was a typical dance weekend >>> love-fest. I was looking at the leaders of tomorrow's dance >>> community meeting each other, making connections, and becoming >>> friends, and I left feeling really good about the future of >>> Anglo-American folk dance. >>> >>> Lindsay mentioned both the heat & lack of fans, and the passion he >>> saw. Those are interrelated. >>> >>> There were supposed to be huge box fans for the dance hall, borrowed >>> from the Old Farmers Ball in Asheville, NC. Unfortunately, 2 weeks >>> before the Whipperstomper the ceiling collapsed in Bryson Hall at >>> Warren Wilson College, where the OFB weekly dance is held and the >>> fans are stored. (http://www.oldfarmersball.com/bryson_update.htm >>> for more information.) Truly miraculously, no-one was injured in >>> what could have been a devastating catastrophe; school had ended a >>> week earlier and the collapse happened a few hours before a >>> dance. Bryson was quarantined, so there was no way to get the fans >>> out. Hence the passion Linsay mentioned: In the sweltering >>> heat -- it was an uncooled hall in 90-some degree weather, without >>> fans -- there were no complaints or early check-outs, and the >>> dancers danced nonstop for hours. >>> >>> And -- holy cow! What dancing! I've never seen such great dancing >>> in one place, and I say that as a dance gypsy and itinerant dance >>> caller. I've never called to a better group, anywhere. These kids >>> can DANCE! (--and do it safely, and on time!) >>> >>> Watching the organizers through the process, from last fall til now, >>> was exciting. They did a great job, really matured in the process, >>> and became even better leaders. They came to see that their >>> responsibility within the dance community doesn't end with age x; >>> we're all in this together. I'm enormously proud of them! Keep in >>> mind that the main organizer, who drove the entire process, turned >>> 21 that weekend. He showed incredible initiative and drive to make >>> it happen, learned much more than he had anticipated in the process, >>> and did a better job than most people probably would have >>> expected. For the future of the entire dance community, that >>> experience was priceless. >>> >>> Having Ethan Hazzard-Watkins, the CDSS Youth Projects Intern, at the >>> weekend was a real boon. Some of the young dancers hadn't heard of >>> CDSS, and Ethan added a lot in outreach, information, and helping >>> make connections. Hopefully it will translate both to more CDSS >>> memberships and more participation in CDSS programs in the future. >>> >>> I call the Whipperstomper was a huge success, in numerous ways. It >>> was terrific fun, a new generation got immersed in organizing, the >>> future leaders of our community made connections they'll have for >>> the rest of their lives, and quite a few of those southern dancers >>> will be making the trip to Vermont for the Youth Dance Weekend in >>> September. We started something good, and round 2 is sure to be >>> even better! >>> >>> Please note that though the Youth Dance Weekend Sept. 12-14 >>> (http://youthdanceweekend.org/) is targeted at dancers under 35, it >>> is not age-restricted. Those over 35 are welcome to attend, with >>> higher pricing. The goal is to encourage younger dancers, and as >>> younger people often have lower (or no) earnings, one suggestion is >>> that older and more financially stable dancers consider paying the >>> admission of a younger dancer. If you're over 35 and still want to >>> attend the weekend there are options available for you. >>> >>> Lindsay also mentioned the wonderful facilities at Table Rock State >>> Park, in South Carolina. Harvest Moon's annual dance weekend, >>> Moondance, is also held there, Sept 5-7 2008. A wonderful >>> weekend! http://www.harvestmoonfolk.org/moondanc.htm for more >>> information. Space is still available. >>> >>> Thanks for asking about the weekend, Chris. I should add one more >>> thing -- I'm reporting this from the perspective of one of 8 or 10 >>> people there over the age of 35, not one of the under-35 >>> in-crowd. It was a real honor to call there. >>> >>> - Adina >>> --------- >>> Adina Gordon >>> http://www.adinagordon.com/ >>> >>> >>> --- On Fri, 6/27/08, callers-request(a)sharedweight.net >>> <callers-request(a)sharedweight.net> wrote: >>> >>>> Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:08:56 -0400 >>>> From: "Chris Weiler (home)" >>>> <chris.weiler(a)weirdtable.org> >>>> Subject: [Callers] Any Whipperstompers out there? >>>> >>>> Hello everyone, >>>> >>>> Anybody attend the Whipperstompers weekend a couple >>>> of weeks ago in South Carolina? I talked with Adina >>>> Gordon last night about it and she had some good things >>>> to say. Adina, that's your cue to let us know how it went >>>> and your impressions about what the organizers and >>>> attendees took away from it. ;) >>>> >>>> Anyone else attend and want to share their experiences? >>>> >>>> Adina and I found out that we're both planning on >>>> attending the Youth Dance Weekend in Vermont in >>>> September. Anyone else going to be there? >>>> >>>> Happy Dancing, >>>> Chris Weiler >>>> Goffstown, NH >>>> >>>> ------------------------------ >>>> >>>> Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:28:46 -0400 >>>> From: Lindsay Morris <lindsay(a)TSMworks.com> >>>> Subject: Re: [Callers] Any Whipperstompers out there? >>>> >>>> Whipperstompers was great! >>>> >>>> Adina was great - dance games were esp cool! - the band was >>>> excellent, and the people were very fun. >>>> A lot of Brasstown kids hung together; a couple of people >>>> felt a little excluded by them, but when you've got all >>>> that history, yeah, it's hard not to bond even more.... >>>> >>>> Hot - some big box fans would have been great... >>>> >>>> I wish I had camped - beautiful campsites close together. >>>> Table Rock is a great facility. >>>> >>>> <rant> >>>> Groups that meet for primarily social reasons die (or might >>>> as well). Groups that share a passion for something grow. >>>> </rant> >>>> >>>> When I sat out and just watched the dancers at >>>> Whipperstompers, wow! Lots of passion there. Big >>>> buckets of gotta-dance just overflowing. >>>> >>>> Our contra-dance language continues to morph and grow, >>>> beautifully. Lots of contact-improv and swing creeping in. >>>> Outright theatrics, ending just in time to meet the next... >>>> >>>> Many of these kids youngsters dancers grew up sleeping on >>>> the corner of the stage, reels seeping into their >>>> motion-fibers from age 1. So it's no wonder they move >>>> at such a high level. Beautiful to watch. >>>> >>>> We ARE part of a golden age, as someone said recently. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Callers mailing list >>> Callers(a)sharedweight.net >>> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >> >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> Message: 3 >> Date: Thu, 3 Jul 2008 18:31:42 -0700 >> From: "Chris Page" <chriscpage(a)gmail.com> >> Subject: Re: [Callers] Any Whipperstompers out there? >> To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> >> Message-ID: >> <9469896c0807031831l50f79d9bp25ae134c7afac634(a)mail.gmail.com> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 >> >> On 7/3/08, Jack Mitchell <jamitch3(a)mindspring.com> wrote: >>> That being said, the dance that Charlotte is calling in the video >>> looked >>> like a good one, and is one that I don't have. Anyone recognize it? >> >> The Broken Mirror by Bill Olson. >> >> http://full.pamweeks.com/mirror.html >> >> >> -Chris Page >> San Diego >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Callers mailing list >> Callers(a)sharedweight.net >> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >> >> >> End of Callers Digest, Vol 47, Issue 2 >> ************************************** > > > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > > End of Callers Digest, Vol 47, Issue 3 > **************************************

16 years, 11 months

Re: [Callers] TicTacToe

by Hgrastorf＠aol.com

If, like me, you often reject shoes because they pinch at the toes, be sure to look in TicTacToe's catalog for a pair that specifies that it is based on a "Classic" last (the "last" is the wooden form upon which the shoe is based -- cobblers used to make a last for each individual, and some very expensive shoes are advertised today as "hand-lasted.") This is one of the reasons it is often a good idea to visit a retail dance shoe outlet for that first pair. For women with short wide feet (like me) -- try a CHILD's size 4 or 4.5 (the single-digit sizes above 13). Those shoes are roughly the same length as a woman's 6, but because the standard last is wider with a much deeper toe box (than the last for a standard woman's size 6), you may find those shoes fit your feet. I have several pair of shoes that I wear for English Country dance that came straight off the rack at PayLess, in size 4.5. Even my running shoes are from the children's section -- and most children's shoes are 25% or more cheaper -- even for the same brand, style and material -- than the adult size shoe. April Blum **************Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars. (http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007)

16 years, 11 months

Re: [Callers] Any Whipperstompers out there?

by Adina Gordon

Hi Chris, Sorry it took me a week to respond about the Whipperstomper. Lindsay, thanks! I'm so glad you enjoyed it that much! It was great to see you there. I went into the weekend with some reservations. Who would come? What would the general attitude be? Would there be trouble with 100 teens and 20-somethings in a state park for the weekend? Were people open to learning? Would groups mix? Was it going to be pro-youth, or anti-age? Short answers: Everybody. Positive. Almost none. Yes! Yes. Pro-youth. I'm so impressed by what happened there I almost can't describe it. The general attitude of the weekend, coming from the organizers and effectively transmitted to the dancers, was that young dancers can be a positive force in their communities. We talked about and worked on style, dance-floor safety, encouraging and helping each other, calling, playing for dances, and community involvement. There was more intentional learning and discussion than at other weekends I've been at -- the purpose wasn't only to dance and have fun, but to build community, both with other young dancers and with the wider community. Dancers came from all over -- the majority from North and South Carolina, but also from Virginia, Maryland, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and I think a couple other states. New England was well-represented. As Lindsay mentioned, especially on Friday night folks danced mainly with people they already knew, but by Sunday it was a typical dance weekend love-fest. I was looking at the leaders of tomorrow's dance community meeting each other, making connections, and becoming friends, and I left feeling really good about the future of Anglo-American folk dance. Lindsay mentioned both the heat & lack of fans, and the passion he saw. Those are interrelated. There were supposed to be huge box fans for the dance hall, borrowed from the Old Farmers Ball in Asheville, NC. Unfortunately, 2 weeks before the Whipperstomper the ceiling collapsed in Bryson Hall at Warren Wilson College, where the OFB weekly dance is held and the fans are stored. (http://www.oldfarmersball.com/bryson_update.htm for more information.) Truly miraculously, no-one was injured in what could have been a devastating catastrophe; school had ended a week earlier and the collapse happened a few hours before a dance. Bryson was quarantined, so there was no way to get the fans out. Hence the passion Linsay mentioned: In the sweltering heat -- it was an uncooled hall in 90-some degree weather, without fans -- there were no complaints or early check-outs, and the dancers danced nonstop for hours. And -- holy cow! What dancing! I've never seen such great dancing in one place, and I say that as a dance gypsy and itinerant dance caller. I've never called to a better group, anywhere. These kids can DANCE! (--and do it safely, and on time!) Watching the organizers through the process, from last fall til now, was exciting. They did a great job, really matured in the process, and became even better leaders. They came to see that their responsibility within the dance community doesn't end with age x; we're all in this together. I'm enormously proud of them! Keep in mind that the main organizer, who drove the entire process, turned 21 that weekend. He showed incredible initiative and drive to make it happen, learned much more than he had anticipated in the process, and did a better job than most people probably would have expected. For the future of the entire dance community, that experience was priceless. Having Ethan Hazzard-Watkins, the CDSS Youth Projects Intern, at the weekend was a real boon. Some of the young dancers hadn't heard of CDSS, and Ethan added a lot in outreach, information, and helping make connections. Hopefully it will translate both to more CDSS memberships and more participation in CDSS programs in the future. I call the Whipperstomper was a huge success, in numerous ways. It was terrific fun, a new generation got immersed in organizing, the future leaders of our community made connections they'll have for the rest of their lives, and quite a few of those southern dancers will be making the trip to Vermont for the Youth Dance Weekend in September. We started something good, and round 2 is sure to be even better! Please note that though the Youth Dance Weekend Sept. 12-14 (http://youthdanceweekend.org/) is targeted at dancers under 35, it is not age-restricted. Those over 35 are welcome to attend, with higher pricing. The goal is to encourage younger dancers, and as younger people often have lower (or no) earnings, one suggestion is that older and more financially stable dancers consider paying the admission of a younger dancer. If you're over 35 and still want to attend the weekend there are options available for you. Lindsay also mentioned the wonderful facilities at Table Rock State Park, in South Carolina. Harvest Moon's annual dance weekend, Moondance, is also held there, Sept 5-7 2008. A wonderful weekend! http://www.harvestmoonfolk.org/moondanc.htm for more information. Space is still available. Thanks for asking about the weekend, Chris. I should add one more thing -- I'm reporting this from the perspective of one of 8 or 10 people there over the age of 35, not one of the under-35 in-crowd. It was a real honor to call there. - Adina --------- Adina Gordon http://www.adinagordon.com/ --- On Fri, 6/27/08, callers-request(a)sharedweight.net <callers-request(a)sharedweight.net> wrote: > Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:08:56 -0400 > From: "Chris Weiler (home)" > <chris.weiler(a)weirdtable.org> > Subject: [Callers] Any Whipperstompers out there? > > Hello everyone, > > Anybody attend the Whipperstompers weekend a couple > of weeks ago in South Carolina? I talked with Adina > Gordon last night about it and she had some good things > to say. Adina, that's your cue to let us know how it went > and your impressions about what the organizers and > attendees took away from it. ;) > > Anyone else attend and want to share their experiences? > > Adina and I found out that we're both planning on > attending the Youth Dance Weekend in Vermont in > September. Anyone else going to be there? > > Happy Dancing, > Chris Weiler > Goffstown, NH > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:28:46 -0400 > From: Lindsay Morris <lindsay(a)TSMworks.com> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Any Whipperstompers out there? > > Whipperstompers was great! > > Adina was great - dance games were esp cool! - the band was > excellent, and the people were very fun. > A lot of Brasstown kids hung together; a couple of people > felt a little excluded by them, but when you've got all > that history, yeah, it's hard not to bond even more.... > > Hot - some big box fans would have been great... > > I wish I had camped - beautiful campsites close together. > Table Rock is a great facility. > > <rant> > Groups that meet for primarily social reasons die (or might > as well). Groups that share a passion for something grow. > </rant> > > When I sat out and just watched the dancers at > Whipperstompers, wow! Lots of passion there. Big > buckets of gotta-dance just overflowing. > > Our contra-dance language continues to morph and grow, > beautifully. Lots of contact-improv and swing creeping in. > Outright theatrics, ending just in time to meet the next... > > Many of these kids youngsters dancers grew up sleeping on > the corner of the stage, reels seeping into their > motion-fibers from age 1. So it's no wonder they move > at such a high level. Beautiful to watch. > > We ARE part of a golden age, as someone said recently.

16 years, 11 months

Re: [Callers] Callers Digest, Vol 46, Issue 12

by Martha Wild

I recommend TicTacToes - check out all the dancing shoes they have available at TicTacToes.com - I've bought quite a few pair from them, and they are comfortable and have great suede/leather soles and all sorts of styles and colors and widths. They have shoes for men and women - they have them for all kinds of dancing, from ballroom to tap to country Western. I can't dance in tennis shoes because since they don't slip well I end up tweaking my right knee when doing buzz step swings. And the prices are about usual for shoes. Martha On Jun 25, 2008, at 9:00 AM, callers-request(a)sharedweight.net wrote: > Send Callers mailing list submissions to > callers(a)sharedweight.net > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > callers-request(a)sharedweight.net > > You can reach the person managing the list at > callers-owner(a)sharedweight.net > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Callers digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Shoes (Rickey) > 2. Re: Shoes (Mortland, Jo) > 3. Re: Shoes (Laur) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:01:58 -0400 > From: "Rickey" <holt.e(a)comcast.net> > Subject: [Callers] Shoes > To: <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Message-ID: <000901c8d635$28ac7260$020fa8c0@maxx> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Hi, > > I am considering buying my first pair of shoes bought expressly for > contra > dancing. What do you recommend? What do you think of suede > soles? I need > good arch support. Whatever I buy would also need to be acceptable > to dance > organizers in need of protecting their venue's floors. > > Thanks, > > Rickey Holt. > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:10:20 -0500 > From: "Mortland, Jo" <j-mortland(a)neiu.edu> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Shoes > To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Message-ID: > <9B0B0B8FF2328E48930D4B6273C1B2610CBD1CFE(a)EXNODE1.univ.neiu.edu> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" > > > > I need to wear orthotics in my every day shoes for arch support. > > So when I buy new shoes, I take the old pair, one that accommodates > the > orthotics, to a shoe clinic. I ask for "dance leather" (suede) to be > affixed to the bottoms of the shoes, but only from the toe to the arch > (not the heel). This way I have support and a great surface for > swinging. Costs me about $30.00. and I keep updating my dance > shoes as > I purchase new regular wear ones. (I wear SAS shoes. I used to > have a > pair of Rockports with which I did the same thing.) > > Jo Mortland > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:05:24 -0700 (PDT) > From: Laur <lcpgr(a)yahoo.com> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Shoes > To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Message-ID: <173165.55101.qm(a)web52907.mail.re2.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > > I sent an earlier message off list - > > Same goes for me. > > In my case I buy a good supportive tennis shoe, but I have swede > put on the bottom of the whole shoe. It just works for me. And it > also costs about 30-40 depending on who you go to. > > I have in the past put leather on a vinyl bottomed shoe. > > Of course, if you have a pair of shoes that work for you - old > sneakers, just put duct tape on them. I did that for nine years. > It worked just fine. > > Laurie > GR > > --- On Tue, 6/24/08, Mortland, Jo <j-mortland(a)neiu.edu> wrote: > >> From: Mortland, Jo <j-mortland(a)neiu.edu> >> Subject: Re: [Callers] Shoes >> To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> >> Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 4:10 PM >> I need to wear orthotics in my every day shoes for arch >> support. >> >> So when I buy new shoes, I take the old pair, one that >> accommodates the >> orthotics, to a shoe clinic. I ask for "dance >> leather" (suede) to be >> affixed to the bottoms of the shoes, but only from the toe >> to the arch >> (not the heel). This way I have support and a great >> surface for >> swinging. Costs me about $30.00. and I keep updating my >> dance shoes as >> I purchase new regular wear ones. (I wear SAS shoes. I >> used to have a >> pair of Rockports with which I did the same thing.) >> >> Jo Mortland >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 46, Issue 12 > ***************************************

16 years, 11 months

Any Whipperstompers out there?

by Chris Weiler (home)

Hello everyone, Anybody attend the Whipperstompers weekend a couple of weeks ago in South Carolina? I talked with Adina Gordon last night about it and she had some good things to say. Adina, that's your cue to let us know how it went and your impressions about what the organizers and attendees took away from it. ;) Anyone else attend and want to share their experiences? Adina and I found out that we're both planning on attending the Youth Dance Weekend in Vermont in September. Anyone else going to be there? Happy Dancing, Chris Weiler Goffstown, NH

16 years, 11 months

Re: [Callers] Shoes

by Hgrastorf＠aol.com

If your ankles are the least bit liable to "turn" if you wear what costumers call "character shoes" -- a classic woman's dance shoe which has 2" or 2.5" heels that taper considerably toward the bottom -- then you might want to look for a character shoe with what is called a "Cuban" heel. They resemble tap shoe heels in that they are "squared off" and do not taper. I wear a Capezio style (now discontinued, alas) with a 1" Cuban heel, which I actually find less fatiguing than flats, and which gives terrific support. They have a strap which fastens to a buckle which is on a fold of elastic, which allows for a certain amount of "give." They are lightweight, but sturdy. If there's a dance supply store in your area, you should consider getting properly fitted for your first pair -- many dance shoes run a size or half a size smaller than "street" shoes. A store which also sells pointe shoes usually has expert fitters, carries more than one brand, and also has a range of useful accoutrements -- moleskin, etc. But once you've found a style and size that work for you, look online to get replacement pairs. Discountdance.com, for instance, usually runs about 25% less, although there's the shipping charge. If, like me, you wear orthotics, then it's crucial to make sure that the shoes accommodate the orthotics comfortably, and that the heel is not so high that it compromises the insert. If (like an acquaintance of mine at Glen Echo) you absotively posolutely insist on dancing contra and waltz in 2" heels and you wear orthotics, ask your podiatrist to fit a custom pair of orthotics which will accommodate the "lift" at the heel. Your insurance probably won't cover it, but they can be ordered that way. (Your podiatrist will have a thing or three to say about that, mind you.) The leather soles on my Capezios give me just enough spin for the floor at Glen Echo. I wear them only for dance, and I check the soles carefully and remove any build-up of floor product residue. I have two pair (one black, one taupe), which I try to use alternately. I have tried a wide range of other dance shoes (split-sole dance/jazz sneakers, leather jazz shoes, etc.) but I always come back to the Cuban-heel character shoes. April Blum **************Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars. (http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007)

16 years, 11 months

Shoes

by Rickey

Hi, I am considering buying my first pair of shoes bought expressly for contra dancing. What do you recommend? What do you think of suede soles? I need good arch support. Whatever I buy would also need to be acceptable to dance organizers in need of protecting their venue's floors. Thanks, Rickey Holt.

16 years, 11 months

Re: [Callers] suggestions for dancing on lawns, name calling and accidental gender reassignment... !

by The Witful Turnip

Date: Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:19:57 -0400 The Witful Turnip wrote: >I have insurance for just about everything else car, condo, life, you name >it. I wholeheartedly believe in getting insurance if it's available. But I >couldn't seem to find out if I could actually get it. And then it just >slipped off the radar and I forgot about it. Ultimately, I believe that >Canucks are less litigious than you 'Mericans, so I hadn't gone back to >follow up. But every time someone mentions it, I wonder about it... I just wanted to formally and publicly apologize to all you Merkins. Jerome was kind enough to privately point out my error in name calling. So I thought I'd fess up. And since he's happy to listen to CBC <who wouldn't?!?> you can all witness my dubbing him an honourary Canuck! Bev ---------------------------- Date: Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:56:38 -0700 JD Erskine wrote: >>The Witful Turnip wrote about insurance: >>snip > >Hi Bev et al > >Ben hope you don't mind I modified the subject line for this topic fork. No, not at all Jane. >I'm not in that position, yet (may never be) however had exactly the >same questions. I just deleted a bunch of guess work lines here to avoid >muddying the waters so will also see what response there is before >following it up more (other lists, CDSS directly, ..). Nice to see another Canadian posting on this list. Although I've been here since it's inception, I must confess to typically lurking. I just can't keep up with the volume. But do let me know if you find out anything and I'll do the same for you. You may be in the position of needing insurance soon. >Cheers, John > >J.D. Erskine >Victoria, BC Bev <not Ben> Toronto, ON ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 18 Jun 2008 21:40:10 -0400 Amy wrote: > >and I agree with whoever suggested waiting on the cake: people think their >job as a guest is done once they eat it. I agree with both Beth and Amy on this. Dance before cake. Let them work up an appetite. In my experience, once they sit and have cake, you'll be hard pressed to get most people back up on the dance floor. >I like to lead from a toast, with everyone gathered round standing, to >taking hands in a circle for the first dance, and then having the cake >after the third or fourth dance. >Background music during the cake eating, then a few more dances for the >die-hards. I really like the toast idea! I have a wedding to call in July. I'll have to try that. Though, I try to go 4 - 5 dances before cake. Depends on the crowd. I typically start with what I call the Snake Dance, which is a simple single line of people holding hands weaving in and around tables adding people to the line as we go, like a conga line. I encourage people that they only need to walk to the beat of the music, one step for every beat, and they can dance. And I have the band play some really hot tunes. It's an easy way to get people who are reluctant and sitting in their chairs, up on their feet and participating. If they can walk, they can dance, and they all walked into the wedding. I eventually wind them into a big circle, stop the music and then teach a simple circle mixer like La Bastringue. I can usually keep them on the dance floor after that. >just my 1/50 of a buck. Worth the same amount of a Canadian loonie these days. Woo hoo! Bev

16 years, 11 months

Re: [Callers] suggestions for dancing on lawns...

by David.Millstone＠valley.net

> I may toss it out as a suggestion to the bride and groom who really want to have their guests up having a good time. I know that when Dudley Laufman does a wedding gig, he insists as part of the pre-party negotiations that he be given 45 minutes or so for dancing before there's cake cutting or some other intermission. He knows from long experience that this may be all the dancing that happens in the course of the evening, and he wants to get in more than one or two dances. If after the cake / break folks come back for more, great! By the way, when I'm discussing a dance with the happy couple, before the event, I remind them that the single biggest factor in whether folks will dance and will have a good time is whether the wedding couple is out there on the dance floor. If they're there, it's MUCH easier to get others to join in. If they're saying goodby to great-aunt Tillie, somewhere off in a corner, forget it. It's going to be really hard to entice others onto the floor. (or lawn, as the case may be...) David Millstone

16 years, 12 months

suggestions for dancing on lawns...

by Laur

Hell all, looking for support and any suggestions for calling an outside wedding dance. Since I am dealing with a wedding dance I don't have to worry about fast dancing. Although I keep thinking about that unsteady dancing thing that is already present with non-dancers, and their over exuberance. I also think about letting that caller insurance lag this year. I'm open to anything anyone can offer. Wedding is Sunday. Trying to rethink today and tomorrow. Thanks - Laurie, Grand Rapids, MI ~ What the heart has once owned.....it shall never lose. ~ ~ Henry Ward Beecher~ ~~

16 years, 12 months

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