Contra Callers

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4387 discussions

Re: [Callers] need help with Rory O'More

by David.Millstone＠valley.net

I'll just add to Rich Hart's meticulous description that during the final part of A1, the cast-off, the active couples each walk forward as the inactive pivots them around. It's a lovely dance, and can be a significant challenge for folks accustomed to the current spate of duple improper and Becket dances. Fully three quarters of the dance (A1, A2, and B1) have pieces that are not part of the contemporary norm. A1: As Rich notes, actives-- and yes, this is a dance where the terms "actives" and "inactives" are really relevant-- go straight across the set, not diagonally. Duke Miller, famed called in upstate New York and the Monadnock region of NH, used to call this as "Cross... down the outside, then cross... up the middle." In A2, it's just the active couples who form the long wave. Inactives simply watching. With the proliferation of dances these days with "Rory O'More balances," dancers are more accustomed to the balance and slide motion, but newbies will need to be reminded to face the same wall during this figure. For example, the active gent is facing the wall behind the women's line. He forms the wave, balances right and left, slides to his right, reforms the line, all still facing that same wall. Similarly for the active woman. B1 Contra corners: Again, depending on your local customs, dances may have encountered this already (Chorus Jig is the best-known classic contra with the figure, though some people encounter it in a more modern dance such as Alternating Corners.) Since you've already introduced contra corners to your regular dancers, this will go more smoothly. Finally, a key point, at the end of the active balance and swing in B2, they must finish facing UP the set, on their proper set. Most dancers today are accustomed to finishing a swing improper, and that will leave them on the incorrect side. I've seen many hot-shot dancers familiar only with modern choreography get through the dance fine until that final end of swing, and then they're on the wrong side for all else that follows. Not a pretty sight... Have fun with it. David Millstone

17 years, 5 months

dance in transition

by Gale T. Wood

To: organizers(a)sharedweight.net. CC: BCC: Subject:Dance in transition Hi Dance venue in transition Qs? Just curious as to longevity of dance series. How do you handle organizer burnout? I know an organizer who has been at it for 12 years and wishes to turn the series over to a new 'generation'. How do you generate support and bring new people in to the organization of dances? (dancers scatter when there is mention of organizing!) There is a small loyal group of dancers. The problem is no one wishes to take up the duties of organizer. This is compounded by the fact that the main organizer needs to be a resident of the town where the dance is held. (I do what I can. I organized a dance and found it was not my calling. esp. as the sole organizer, dancers want to dance not organize!) History: Dance started in 1996 In a beautiful medium size hall. First 2 years averaged 65-70 dancers In the third year there was a problem with parking at the hall. Number of dancers dropped off. Parking problem was resolved but the numbers did not rebound. Year 3 A "Flashier" dance series, 50 miles away, was created for the same wknd. This siphoned off more dancers. Over the next 8 years attendance fluctuated between 20-40. which is the sustaining level for this dance. In the past year attendance levels have dropped to 10-30 The dance is having problems hiring the "Name" talent that brings in dancers from more than an hour away (Though Randy Miller from western NH is a fan of this dance and plays for the take of the door)callers and musicians ask for guarantee sums The organizer just does not want the hassle of it anymore. There are several of us who help when we can. Some of the reasons the dance is struggling (along with the above) Very few local dancers. Lack of flashy talent (dance can not provide the pay out) It's a community dance that welcomes beginners/families At one time there was a rowdy teenage group who frequented the dance, they were very energetic, too much for some dancers. (they do not attend the dance anymore, but the stigma is still there) It's to far off the beaten path (Where is ----------- anyway?) [ I choose not to include the name of the dance without permission of the organizer] Its to long of a drive! There are better dances closer by... Is that dance still happening? It is a shame to see the demise of this dance series due to lack of interest, attrition gas prices, an aging dance community, apathy. Perhaps it is time for this 'community' dance to close it's doors. I wonder how many other smaller dances are experiencing the same problems. Here is in southern NH dance venues (new dance halls) are becoming increasingly hard to find and it would be a shame to see this one fall from use. Hope to start a dialogue and get some ideas for keeping this series viable Thanks in advance Gale Wood -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web.com - Microsoft(r) Exchange solutions from a leading provider - http://link.mail2web.com/Business/Exchange

17 years, 5 months

dance in transition

by Gale T. Wood

Oooops ment to go to Organizers.... Oh well thoughts from here!

17 years, 5 months

Naked In California

by Rickey

Hi, Do you know the dance by Nils Fredland currently called Naked in California? I have the ending as Swing your old neighbor a second time. Is this correct? The entire dance as I have it is (A1) Long Lines Forward and Back/ Swing your (new) neighbor (A2) Women allemande Right (1/2) to Partner/ Partner Allemande Left (3/4) to Shadow/ Shadow Allemande Right (1 ½) to ling wavy lines up and down the set. (B1) Balance that wave/ Slide (or twirl) Right (as in Rory OMore), into your partners arms/ Swing Partner (B2) Circle Left (3/4) / Swing your old neighbor again Thanks again for your help. Rickey Holt

17 years, 5 months

ricochet or push-back heys

by jean francis

I am looking for some dances with push-back or ricochet heys. I have only found one, by Adam Carlson: A1 N B+S; A2 Ricochet hey B1wave balance, partner swing B2 Circle 3/4 pass thru, new N DSD Heard of another called Tapsalterrie, but can't find. Also would appreciate instructions or web site for Levi Jackson Rose. Many Thanks! --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

17 years, 5 months

My own Down East session

by Chris Weiler

Hello everyone, I have the opposite problem from Richard at the Down East Festival in March. My session, titled "Unbalanced Contras", was intended to feature smooth, flowing dances. The session has been scheduled opposite the dance medley. I'm concerned about the mix of the crowd that I will get in my session. Will I only get beginner dancers? Or are there experienced dancers that will come? I know that there are several veterans of the Down East Festival on this list, so maybe they can share their experiences if they called during this slot. I'd also like to hear from anyone who has ideas about dances that I could call. What are your favorite flowing dances? Maybe you think that I should only call wild, wacky and crazy dances to use another meaning of "unbalanced". 8^) Thanks for you help, Chris Weiler Goffstown, NH

17 years, 5 months

Re: [Callers] Waiting for Lefty

by crunchymama＠juno.com

Ha! Yes I'm right handed, so kept quiet. My mother is left handed, and my oldest boy. But I have been known to nurse a kidlet while calling. :o) -Alison Murphy "If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy." ~ James Madison HTTP://WWW.RONPAUL2008.COM -- "Chris Page" <chriscpage(a)gmail.com> wrote: On 2/6/08, Tepfer, Seth <LABST(a)emory.edu> wrote: > What about all the righties? Are all the people not speaking up right handed or left handed and not chiming in? > > I'm really curious about this now. This is fascinating. Probably because the group that feels they're in the majority doesn't bother responding because they feel it's a less interesting answer. I'd assume you'd get the same thing if you asked how many callers called while trying to manage a young child at the same time. Cheers, -Chris Page San Diego (off on the right) _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers _____________________________________________________________ Live your dreams. Click here to find information on becoming a lawyer. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2111/fc/Ioyw6iigeohZ7i6YDZO1JvhVMp47zm3…

17 years, 5 months

Re: [Callers] downeast

by gtwood＠worldpath.net

Hi Chris I'll be at Downeast. If your going aginst the medly, sorry I'll be in the other room... that's the tough thing about festivals there is always to much to do and conflicting venues. Good luck with the workshop! See ya there. Gale -------------------------------------------------------------------- myhosting.com - Premium Microsoft® Windows® and Linux web and application hosting - http://link.myhosting.com/myhosting

17 years, 5 months

Re: [Callers] A Question About Nantucket Sleigh Ride

by David.Millstone＠valley.net

Gale's right that "ride the waves" is a common shortcut for the figure, but I also like to get into a rhythmic chant: Actives arch and the inactives under, Inactives arch and the actives under, Actives arch and the inactives under, One more time, and dosi do... (or "Ones arch and the Twos under" if that works for your crowd. The name "Nantucket Sleigh Ride" refers to whaling. After the sailors harpooned a whale, it often would swim off at great speed, pulling the small whaleboat behind it. David Millstone

17 years, 5 months

Re: [Callers] A Question About Nantucket Sleigh Ride

by gtwood＠worldpath.net

clicked out to soon (darn computer) Nantucket Sleighride is one of my favorite dances to dance and call! The "Ride the Waves" looks great from a high stage. (The arches resemble ocean waves thus the name) Beginners as well as experianced dancers seem to really enjoy the dance. (nuf said) Original Message: ----------------- From: Rickey holt.e(a)comcast.net Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:47:04 -0500 To: callers(a)sharedweight.net Subject: [Callers] A Question About Nantucket Sleigh Ride Hi All, In B1 of Kirstin Koths' dance Nantucket Sleigh Ride there is a figure I will call "Arches". In this figure everyone is facing up and the ones, who are now below the twos, join inside hands, make an arch and walk forward, while the twos duck and back under that arch. Then the twos arch and walk forward while the ones duck under to place. My notes say to do arches twice. It would appear from the timing that that entire sequence - ones over twos under and twos over, ones under - is repeated twice. Is that what you remember? Rickey Holt Fremont, NH _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers -------------------------------------------------------------------- myhosting.com - Premium Microsoft® Windows® and Linux web and application hosting - http://link.myhosting.com/myhosting

17 years, 5 months

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