Hi all,
I have posted eight videos (37 minutes) on YouTube covering
all the basics of how to Swing, plus twenty Swing variations plus some fun
entries and exits. Please spread the word to anyone you know who might be
interested. "Likes" on YouTube are always appreciated!
Twenty Swing Variations - Video Workshop
Learn the basics plus lots of fun variations:
http://contrafusion.co.uk/SwingWorkshop.html
I have also written a new article:
Swings & Two-Hand Turns - History and Evolution:
http://contrafusion.co.uk/SwingTwoHandTurn.html
As always, I would love to hear from you if you have any
corrections, comments or additions.
Thanks.
Happy dancing,
John
John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802
940 574
http://contrafusion.co.uk/KentCeilidhs.html for Live Music Ceilidhs
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive DVDs
The National Folk Organization has liability insurance coverage for all
members. Members can be individuals or folk organizations and you pay
nothing additional to your membership fee. Here's what their website says:
The National Folk Organization and its members are covered by a general
liability insurance policy. This coverage is a benefit of being a member
and no application is necessary. Members wanting a certificate to show
proof of coverage, or to extend coverage required of a venue, must complete
a form and submit it to the NFO broker, Mercer Consumer, a subsidiary of
Marsh & McLennan Companies.
Several years ago I switched my caller's insurance to NFO as well as our
local Folklore Society (contra and English dances). Member fees are $30
individuals and $50 recreation/folk groups. I asked the president of NFO
why the insurance was so inexpensive and he said it was because they rarely
have any claims.
I do not believe this would cover BMI/ASCAP.
Bev Young, caller
Missoula, MT
Hello all,
In a regular year, this is about when I'd be signing up for my annual
caller's insurance through CDSS.
This year, the policy is running for the same time-frame, May to May. Given
that there's no in-person dancing now or for months, that seemed
sub-optimal, since they won't pro-rate it for later in the year.
The policy through CDSS is apparently also explicitly NOT covering anything
covid related. Apparently the insurance companies don't want to open up
their liability. I can't say their policy is that inspiring if they won't
cover the first thing I've ever actually worried about at a dance. I can
see not starting it now, but it seemed odd that it's the blanket no-go for
the foreseeable future.
So I'm wondering if there are other options or policies that folks are
using? Something that starts on a different calendar and/or covers for
covid possibilities?
Looking forward to safely getting back together for community dancing again.
Luke
Hi all,
I'm finally organizing my dance collection, cleaning up cards and paper scraps while entering into a newly acquired Caller's Companion program.
I have a 5 contras and one Triplet that have no name, or attribution. I've tried checking Caller's Box and CallerDB, and maybe I am just bad at it, but had no luck. All I know is that I wrote them down because I enjoyed dancing them. Any errors are my transcription, no intention to impugn Unknown's integrity as a caller.
Anyway, Louise Siddons suggested this group is good at this game, so, here goes:(The program is set to use gender neutral terms, and copying and pasting is DANGEROUSLY easy!)
Any help is appreciated - even if it is "That dance doesn't work!!!"
Unknown #1
by Unknown person
Contra / Improper / Easy-Int
A1 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Robins allemande Right 1 1/2
Pass partner by Right
A2 -----------
(8) Larks allemande Left 1x
(8) Partner swing
B1 -----------
(4) Shift Left to new neighbors
(6) Circle Left 3/4
(4) Pass Thru to next
B2 -----------
(8) Neighbor allemande Right 1x
(8) Neighbor swing
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Unknown #2
by Unknown person
Contra / Improper
A1 -----------
(4) Balance the Wave
(4) Slide Right
(4) Balance the Wave
(4) Slide Left
A2 -----------
(4) Balance
(8) Neighbor swing
(4) Long Lines Forward
B1 -----------
(4) Larks take partner back to your side
(12) Partner Swing
B2 -----------
(8) On Left Diagonal, Circle Left 3/4
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do
(0) Step to short wave
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Unknown #3
by Unknown person
Contra / Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
(4) Balance the ring
(4) Pass Thru along set
A2 -----------
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
(4) Balance the ring
(4) Pass Thru Across
B1 -----------
(8) single file to right around this ring 1x, Robins turn around
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
(8) Return and Bend the line
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Unknown #4
by Unknown person
Contra / Improper
A1 -----------
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
A2 -----------
(4) Balance the ring
(8) Neighbor swing
(2) Larks pull by Left
(2) Partner pull by Right
B1 -----------
(8) Robins allemande Right 1x
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Circle Left 3/4
(4) Balance the ring
(4) Pass Thru
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Unknown #5
by Unknown person
Contra / Becket-CCW(I wrote that I copied it from Bob Nicholson, but the card for this one
was really smudged, I *think* I have it right...)
A1 -----------
(8) Promenade across, face left diagonal
(8) Robins Chain to shadow #1
A2 -----------
(8) Circle Left 3/4 and pass through along the set
(8) Right shoulder around 1 1/2
B1 -----------
(8) Next Neighbor allemande Left 1-3/4 (shadow #2)
(8) 1/2 Hey, Robins passing right shoulders
B2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Unknown Triplet #1
by Unknown person
Contra / Triplet
A1 -----------
(8) Ones down the center, turn alone
(8) return and cast off
A2 -----------
(16) Contra Corners
B1 -----------
(16) Ones Balance and swing, face up
B2 -----------
(8) Ones cast to bottom
(8) Long lines, forward and back
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Hi Bob,
I get this list once a day in digest form, so you might already have this answer.
The triplet is by Linda Leslie, and she just called it Corner Triplet. It’s also mine (called David’s Triplet #1.5), but Linda wrote it first.
David Smukler
> On Apr 23, 2021, at 1:00 AM, contracallers-request(a)lists.sharedweight.net wrote:
>
> Send Contra Callers mailing list submissions to
> contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>
> To subscribe or unsubscribe via email, send a message with subject or
> body 'help' to
> contracallers-request(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>
> You can reach the person managing the list at
> contracallers-owner(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>
> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of Contra Callers digest..."Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Help with Naming and Attributing dances (ROBERT FABINSKI)
> 2. Re: Help with Naming and Attributing dances (QuiAnn2)
>
> From: ROBERT FABINSKI <bobfab(a)aol.com>
> Subject: [Callers] Help with Naming and Attributing dances
> Date: April 22, 2021 at 8:31:16 PM EDT
> To: "callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net" <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
> Reply-To: ROBERT FABINSKI <bobfab(a)aol.com>
>
>
> Hi all,
> I'm finally organizing my dance collection, cleaning up cards and paper scraps while entering into a newly acquired Caller's Companion program.
>
> I have a 5 contras and one Triplet that have no name, or attribution. I've tried checking Caller's Box and CallerDB, and maybe I am just bad at it, but had no luck. All I know is that I wrote them down because I enjoyed dancing them. Any errors are my transcription, no intention to impugn Unknown's integrity as a caller.
>
> Anyway, Louise Siddons suggested this group is good at this game, so, here goes:
> (The program is set to use gender neutral terms, and copying and pasting is DANGEROUSLY easy!)
>
> Any help is appreciated - even if it is "That dance doesn't work!!!"
>
> Unknown #1
> by Unknown person
> Contra / Improper / Easy-Int
>
> A1 -----------
> (8) Long lines, forward and back
> (8) Robins allemande Right 1 1/2
> Pass partner by Right
> A2 -----------
> (8) Larks allemande Left 1x
> (8) Partner swing
> B1 -----------
> (4) Shift Left to new neighbors
> (6) Circle Left 3/4
> (4) Pass Thru to next
> B2 -----------
> (8) Neighbor allemande Right 1x
> (8) Neighbor swing
>
> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> Unknown #2
> by Unknown person
> Contra / Improper
>
> A1 -----------
> (4) Balance the Wave
> (4) Slide Right
> (4) Balance the Wave
> (4) Slide Left
> A2 -----------
> (4) Balance
> (8) Neighbor swing
> (4) Long Lines Forward
> B1 -----------
> (4) Larks take partner back to your side
> (12) Partner Swing
> B2 -----------
> (8) On Left Diagonal, Circle Left 3/4
> (8) Neighbor Do-si-do
> (0) Step to short wave
>
> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
> Unknown #3
> by Unknown person
> Contra / Becket-CW
>
> A1 -----------
> (8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
> (4) Balance the ring
> (4) Pass Thru along set
> A2 -----------
> (8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
> (4) Balance the ring
> (4) Pass Thru Across
> B1 -----------
> (8) single file to right around this ring 1x, Robins turn around
> (8) Partner swing
> B2 -----------
> (8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
> (8) Return and Bend the line
>
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
> Unknown #4
> by Unknown person
> Contra / Improper
>
> A1 -----------
> (8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
> (8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
> A2 -----------
> (4) Balance the ring
> (8) Neighbor swing
> (2) Larks pull by Left
> (2) Partner pull by Right
> B1 -----------
> (8) Robins allemande Right 1x
> (8) Partner swing
> B2 -----------
> (8) Circle Left 3/4
> (4) Balance the ring
> (4) Pass Thru
>
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
> Unknown #5
> by Unknown person
> Contra / Becket-CCW
> (I wrote that I copied it from Bob Nicholson, but the card for this one
> was really smudged, I *think* I have it right...)
>
> A1 -----------
> (8) Promenade across, face left diagonal
> (8) Robins Chain to shadow #1
> A2 -----------
> (8) Circle Left 3/4 and pass through along the set
> (8) Right shoulder around 1 1/2
> B1 -----------
> (8) Next Neighbor allemande Left 1-3/4 (shadow #2)
> (8) 1/2 Hey, Robins passing right shoulders
> B2 -----------
> (16) Partner balance and swing
>
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
> Unknown Triplet #1
> by Unknown person
> Contra / Triplet
>
> A1 -----------
> (8) Ones down the center, turn alone
> (8) return and cast off
> A2 -----------
> (16) Contra Corners
> B1 -----------
> (16) Ones Balance and swing, face up
> B2 -----------
> (8) Ones cast to bottom
> (8) Long lines, forward and back
>
> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
>
>
> From: QuiAnn2 <quiann2(a)gmail.com>
> Subject: [Callers] Re: Help with Naming and Attributing dances
> Date: April 22, 2021 at 8:36:33 PM EDT
> To: ROBERT FABINSKI <bobfab(a)aol.com>
> Cc: "callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net" <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
>
>
> Ring of Fire (Paper Plate #8) - Wendy Graham et.al.
>
>
>> On Apr 22, 2021, at 5:31 PM, ROBERT FABINSKI via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>> wrote:
>>
>> Unknown #3
>> by Unknown person
>> Contra / Becket-CW
>>
>> A1 -----------
>> (8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
>> (4) Balance the ring
>> (4) Pass Thru along set
>> A2 -----------
>> (8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
>> (4) Balance the ring
>> (4) Pass Thru Across
>> B1 -----------
>> (8) single file to right around this ring 1x, Robins turn around
>> (8) Partner swing
>> B2 -----------
>> (8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
>> (8) Return and Bend the line
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
I went to the NFO Exploring the Return to Live Events session on Wednesday and the NFO insurance person and the CDSS insurance person both said their policies would not include COVID-19 coverage.
John
> On Apr 12, 2021, at 1:00 AM, contracallers-request(a)lists.sharedweight.net wrote:
>
> Send Contra Callers mailing list submissions to
> contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
>
> To subscribe or unsubscribe via email, send a message with subject or
> body 'help' to
> contracallers-request(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers-request@lists.sharedweight.net>
>
> You can reach the person managing the list at
> contracallers-owner(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers-owner@lists.sharedweight.net>
>
> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of Contra Callers digest..."Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Caller's Insurance? (Luke Donforth)
> 2. Re: Caller's Insurance? (Amy Wimmer)
> 3. Re: Caller's Insurance? (Luke Donforth)
> 4. Re: Caller's Insurance? (Don Veino)
> 5. Re: Caller's Insurance? (Lissa Bengtson)
> 6. Re: Caller's Insurance? (Winston, Alan P.)
> 7. Re: Caller's Insurance? (Susan English)
> 8. Re: Caller's Insurance? (Winston, Alan P.)
Hi All: (sorry if some of you receive this multiple times)
On March 25, Tony Parkes presented "Diversity in Square Dancing" for Mt Airy Contra (Philadelphia).
If you missed the presentation, no worries, we recorded it so you can watch it.. There are two opportunities in the website below, the .mp4 from zoom or the FB live stream.
https://thursdaycontra.com/speakers/Tony-Parkes-03-25-2021.html
Enjoy!
Donna
Web Site: donnahuntcaller.com
Email: dhuntdancer(a)aol.com
Cell: 215-565-6050
Hello all,
As I mentioned in my other thread, when I ran a kickstarter for the ABCs of
Contra, some folks picked the book+choreography tier. These are some of the
dances that came out of that:
*Hand and Glove*Type: Contra
Formation: Duple-Improper
A1 -----------
(8) Right Hands across star 1x
(8) Single file, in interdigitated columns with the ladies on the inside,
1s go down and the 2s come up four steps, turn alone, and come back
A2 -----------
(8) Ladies allemande Left 1-1/2
(8) Partner swing
B1 -----------
(6) Circle Left 3/4
(10) Swing neighbor
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Left Hands across star
Notes: For Thom Peterson and his wife, who live, call, and organize dances
in Michigan.
*Adrienne & Carol go to Alaska*Type: Contra
Formation: Duple-Improper
Progression: Double
A1 -----------
(8) Gyre current Neighbor Left shoulder 1x
(8) Passed Neighbor(from Mad Robin) swing
A2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Current Neighbor (from gyre) swing
B1 -----------
(6) Circle Left 3/4
(10) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Ladies' Chain across
(8) Around NEXT neighbors: Clockwise Mad Robin (lady in front first, and
moving RIGHT) 1 1/2 around; end facing the one past them.
Notes: Written for Adrienne Osborne, who dedicated it to her friend Carol
whom she met in Alaska.
*To Mike, from Jennifer*Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(Turn away from partner, take hands four with neighbor across and trail
buddy next to you)
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
A2 -----------
(10) Left hand Star 1 & 1/4
(6) Neighbor allemande Left 1
B1 -----------
(8) RIGHT Diagonal Ladies' Chain to partner
(8) Ladies Do-si-do 1x (or ladies swing) in the middle
B2 -----------
(16) Partner gyre (or balance) and swing
Turn away from partner, join ring with trail buddy
Notes:
You trail buddy is on the same side of the set as you on your becket home
side, your neighbor is across from you.
You can hi-five your partner as you pass them in the star
Written for a wedding gift from Jennifer Crawford to her now husband Mike;
who travelled extensively for school/jobs before finally landing in the
same place.
*Spellbound Betsy*Contra/Becket-CCW/Int
A1 -----------
ID Next Neighbor on right diagonal
(8) Larks allemande Left 1-1/2 (straight across, Ravens stay put)
(8) New Neighbor swing
A2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Neighbors Right Hands across star 1x
(Star includes the one you swung, partner, and the one they swung)
B1 -----------
MEANWHILE
(5) Larks wide cast back (staying on same side of set)
while Ravens allemande right 3/8x (just under half)
(7) 1/2 Poussette cw with partner, starts Ravens pushing Larks
(4) Larks weave across, passing left shoulders
B2 -----------
(16) Partner gyre and swing
Written for Betsy Keith in Colorado
*Feels This Good Being Used*Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(4) In lines, balance toward partner (beside) and away
(4) California Twirl with Partner, turn extra to face back in
A2 -----------
(4) Balance the Ring
(4) Ladies trade places, gents assisting with a roll-away (gents stay put)
(4) Balance the Ring
(4) Pass through to new neighbors, land in a wavy line of four
B1 -----------
(8) Balance and slide to the right (as in Rory O’More)
(8) Balance and slide to the left (as in Rory O’More)
Ladies slide further, over to partner
B2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing
Written for Trevyn Hey, a swing dancer in PA.
*Quena’s Ocean Circulation*Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(4) Pass through to an ocean wave (ladies catch left & 1/4 allemande,
partners catch right)
(4) Balance the short Wavy line
(4) Walk forward to your shadow, allemande right 1/4 to long waves (ladies
facing out, gents facing in)
(4) Balance the long Wavy line
A2 -----------
(4) Box circulate: gents walk across while ladies loop by the right
(12) Neighbor swing
B1 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) LEFT DIAGONAL Ladies' Chain to partner
B2 -----------
(8) Ladies Do-si-do 1x
(8) Partner swing
*Dark Matter*Contra/Improper/Dbl-Prog/Adv
A1 -----------
(4) Gents walk forward to a long wavy line of gents
(4) Balance the long wavy line
(4) Gents allemande left 1/2 WHILE ladies walk forward to a long wavy line
(4) Balance both long wavy lines (ladies balance right, gents balance left)
A2 -----------
(4) Gents back out four steps WHILE ladies allemande right 1/2 to long wavy
line
(4) Ladies balance the long wavy line
(4) Ladies take four steps out
(4) on RIGHT DIAGONAL, gents pass new gent left shoulder, swoop over to
partner
B1 -----------
(16) Partner gyre and swing
B2 -----------
(6) Circle Left 3/4
(10) Swing neighbor
Written for Greg Sherman, to go with the tune of the matching name written
by Marc Danielson. Greg and Marc are in Northern Contraband together.
Looking forward to dancing and calling again! There's a light at the end of
the tunnel, lets stay safe and get there :-)
Luke
Hello all,
We can't dance right now, but I'm still writing dances :-)
Specifically, when I ran a Kickstarter for the ABCs of Contra Board book,
some folks pledged at a book+choreography tier, and requested family
dances. (I'm also cross-posting this on the growing up trad list.) I'll
have a separate thread about the non-family dances that came out of the
ABCs of Contra.
The first one is called *Rima's Railway Adventure on the Karana Ava Line*.
Written for Rima Dael, her daughter Karana, and her niece Ava.
It's a scatter keeper. So young children get to keep their familiar
partners, but still interact with lots of folks.
In groups of 2~5, make a train (conga line style). The person in the front
is the engine.
All the different trains are dancing around the floor, interacting with
other trains. Trains heading toward each other can make right hand or left
hand stars when they pass. Trains could become tunnels for other trains;
and you can circle in just your train and pick a new engine leader.
Once folks have the moves, you could even do singing-square style patter
calls:
*Here comes a train, on this dark night*
*Charge headlong but pass on the right*
*Reach out your hands and make a star*
*Turn it around but not too far*
*On to the next and look for more*
*pass on the left around the floor*
*With your left hands out star again*
*back around to where you began*
*Now find a tunnel you can go through*
*Make one for them so they're not blue*
*Through the tunnels and don't be slow*
*Find some more as away you go*
*Circle your train in your own group*
*Is your engine starting to droop?*
*Pick a new engine if you need*
*Then set off with a burst of speed*
The second dance was written for Sarah Spence Lee
(of Sarah's Silks: https://www.sarahssilks.com/)
It has variations where you can do it as a mixer or a keeper; and you can
either have partners use silks/hankies, or just take hands. But the hook
part is the Rainbow run:
*You and your partner join hands/silks, and make an arch. Your goal to
runaround the room with your partner, and get as many different people to
gothrough your rainbow, and run through as many different rainbows as you
can.*
And here's some dances using that move:
*Rainbow Stars Keeper*Scatter dance, all start with partner on the floor
A1 -----------
(8) Partner allemande Left
(8) Partner allemande Right
A2 -----------
(16) Rainbow Run
B1 -----------
go half-way through an arch, and make a hands across star
(8) Right Hands across star
(8) Left Hands across star
B2 -----------
(4) Balance Star
(4) Couple with hands below in star pull through to same side, form circle
(8) Circle Left
Or the mixer version, but with silks instead of direct hand-holds. Everyone
can have their silk in their right hand:
*Rainbow Silk Stars Mixer*
A1 -----------
(8) Partner two silk turn
(8) Partner two silk turn other way
A2 -----------
(16) Rainbow Run
B1 -----------
duck halfway through an arch to make a star:
(8) Silks across star (clockwise)
(8) Silks across star the other way
B2 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do, that’s your new partner
Here's hoping we can dance and call family dances with kids again soon :-)
Luke
