Contra Callers

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4414 discussions

Workshop for Callers and Musicians in Belfast, ME in November

by Chrissy Fowler

Hi all, Been meaning to mention this. Four of us are putting on an interactive workshop here in Belfast, in conjunction with the 1st Friday Belfast Flying Shoes Dance Series. Callers and Musicians: Making Connections! Open to 25 intermediate level callers and musicians, and facilitated by Amy Richardson Larkin, Shirley White, Linda Henry and Chrissy Fowler. We're all very excited about it, as it's an unusual opportunity for BOTH callers and musicians to join in an extended workshop about band-caller collaboration, communication and cooperation (and some of the various ways we do that for the benefit of all of our community -- musicians callers and perhaps most importantly, dancers!) We're very committed to making this an experiential workshop, meaning that we plan to do a lot of experimenting, dancing, playing and hearing tunes, sharing ideas, testing theories, taking some risks, and so forth. There will be some sitting in a circle and talking as well, but we hope to do more doing than talking. (If we were putting this in a college course catalog it would be described as some lecture, with a substantial lab component.) If out-of-state folks want to come, we would heartily welcome you and I could help you track down hotel rooms, b&bs, or even local hospitality! :-) Belfast is pretty groovy, and in November most of the tourists have gone home. If you have any more questions, let me know. I'll also post a .pdf flyer in the next few days. Thanks! :-) Chrissy Here are some of the details: Fri, November 3rd evening dance Sat, November 4th daytime sessions To register, contact Chrissy Fowler 207-338-0979 or ktaadn_me(a)hotmail.com Cost $50 Scholarships available Workshop presented by North Twin Education Programs with support from The Country Dance and Song Society (CDSS) ** IMPORTANT FYI ** My email use is sporadic. If time-sensitive, please call: home 207-338-0979 cell 603-498-3506 thanks!! :-) chf

19 years, 2 months

Re: [Callers] A funny incident, TANGENT

by robertgolder＠comcast.net

Karen, I knew from meeting you last spring at NEFFA that you were a very nice person. Now, after learning how you deal with this dancer, I'm sure that you're a saint! With sensitivity and maturity, you are able to change your methods at the events that are her home dances. I assume (perhaps incorrectly) that this dancer just wants attention, and so I might get frustrated, and then confrontational, if I had to deal with her issues. Your way is the better way: to just change mikes and move on to bringing joy to all the dancers. ... Bob -- Robert Jon Golder 164 Maxfield St New Bedford, MA 02740 (508) 999-2486 -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: Karen Fontana <karen_fontana(a)yahoo.com> > Hi Bob, > > In a county where I manage one dance and also call in neighboring communities > (three other dances), we have one dancer who has made it known (very loudly) > that she gets headaches if wireless technology is used. She gives out all sorts > of handouts and research findings on the topic. > > Heres how Ive dealt with it.. As a caller, if Im calling in any of the > four dances in her community, I figure these are her home area dances. I ask > the sound guy to set up both my wireless mic AND one corded mic and so were > ready to go with either. If she shows up, I use the corded mic. She usually > comes up and asks the caller and sound person what were using. At first, I > kind of struggled with this, as my preference is to use my own wireless mic (not > only for the convenience of wireless but for the convenience of keeping my germs > to myself on my own mic). But after thinking it over, I mainly think about > these local dances being closest to her home. So, I adapt my teaching a bit and > deal with it. At the dance I manage, that one is the closest of the four to her > home. So, we (the sound engineer) use a corded mic. > > I suppose this could lead to an entire discussion in itself.. > > As for myself, I live in Mountain View, California, and our entire city now > has free wireless for notebook pcs, due to Googles donation to the city > (Googles corporate headquarters are in Mountain View). > > If anyone is interested in any of these articles or research, Im sure shed > be more than happy to share some of it, and I can put you in contact with her > directly, or I can share it broadly. > > Thanks, > > Karen Fontana > > > robertgolder(a)comcast.net wrote: -------------- Original message > ---------------------- > From: Karen Fontana > > ....I couldn't get down to the floor quick enough (wasn't using my wireless > mic > > due to one dancer's sensitivity to wireless equipment).... > > Curiosity has gotten the best of me.... what was the dancer's problem with or > objection to a wireless mike? .... Bob > -- > Robert Jon Golder > 164 Maxfield St > New Bedford, MA 02740 > (508) 999-2486 > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > > > <>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<> > > > Karen Fontana > www.karenscontracorner.com > karen_fontana(a)yahoo.com > (H) 650-691-9663 > > <>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<> > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers

19 years, 2 months

Wireless Mic Intolerance

by Dan Pearl

There seems to be resources regarding "electrosmog" and "electric pollution" along with a long list of symptoms at http://www.lifeenergies.com/index.htm The resources that I glanced at cited studies of electomagnetic energy more in the microwave range and cellphone transmitter range, which is much higher than wireless mic range. I would imagine that the energy issued from a wireless mic would pale in comparision to the energy emitted from the 50 cellphones in the dance hall. It would be interesting if this sensitive person could detect when the wireless was on. TEST: 5 batteries: one charged, others dead, each with hidden labels (A-E). Wireless mic with all displays and indicators concealed. One by one, put a battery in mic for 20 minutes and record all reported symptoms. See if there is a corelation.

19 years, 2 months

Re: [Callers] A funny incident, TANGENT

by robertgolder＠comcast.net

-------------- Original message ---------------------- From: Karen Fontana <karen_fontana(a)yahoo.com> > ....I couldn't get down to the floor quick enough (wasn't using my wireless mic > due to one dancer's sensitivity to wireless equipment).... Curiosity has gotten the best of me.... what was the dancer's problem with or objection to a wireless mike? .... Bob -- Robert Jon Golder 164 Maxfield St New Bedford, MA 02740 (508) 999-2486

19 years, 2 months

A funny incident

by Cynthia Phinney

Ah, the impacts of technology. I was recently calling for a contradance at the Maine Social Forum. It was a crowd of primarily beginners, with only a smattering of experienced folks. During one of the dances, one young man got a cell phone call. He stepped out of line to take the call! His partner carried on for a moment or two, but then the line started to break down. I had to jump into the line and grab his partner - calling while we danced - to keep it going. It worked. Fortunately I'd had a little practice on this at another dance earlier this summer when an elderly gentleman simply decided to step out and sit down during a - thankfully - very simple dance - and I had done the same thing rather than stop or let the line crumble. Just wanted to "share" :-) -cynthia

19 years, 2 months

Barefooters

by Darrell Webb

Note first that I am not an experienced caller and my comments are only based on my experience as a contra dancer. I love to both provide and hear the foot percussion. I also think it adds to the enjoyment of the other dancers and, possibly, the energy level of the band and hall. Also, with size 14's, I'm always worried about stepping on those bare feet! I can't imagine a barefooter feeling comfortable being told during a dance that they should wear shoes. Some signage at entryways recommending shoes for safety might not be bad. Another idea that might help is to discuss the positive effects of wearing shoes and providing foot percussion during the dance. Maybe the barefooters would want to join in with the music and wear shoes so they could. Darrell On 9/4/06, callers-request(a)sharedweight.net < 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: A funny incident (Barbara Groh) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Sun, 3 Sep 2006 21:46:20 -0400 > From: "Barbara Groh" <barbaragroh(a)bellsouth.net> > Subject: Re: [Callers] A funny incident > To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Message-ID: <005b01c6cfc3$ebf08a60$6400a8c0@Babs> > Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; > reply-type=original > > I appreciate your sharing, Cynthia---this gave me a good laugh. With many > dances attracting a large percentage of high school and college kids these > days, I see more and more youthful antics while I'm calling....the young > men > holding onto their oversized baggy pants with one hand while they dance; > the > "Grateful Dead" dance moves or the breakdance or hiphop moves thrown in; > and > the leaping, hopping, cartwheeling, and rolling around on the floor at the > break (or perhaps during the walkthroughs and the dances as well). > > One thing I noticed while calling in Charleston, SC, recently (where 90% > of > the crowd was under 21) was that most of the dancers were barefoot. This > seems to be the trend for younger dancers. I think their timing would > improve if they wore shoes, because they'd be able to hear the rhythm > better. There was very little foot percussion at that dance. (personally, > I > think it's also aesthetically more pleasing to hear the feet, but I'm old > school) It's also a safety issue when there are shoed and shoeless people > dancing in the same room. > But I was wondering what, if anything, I should say about it. I didn't > want > to come across as bossy, preachy, old-fashioned, or whatever. Any ideas > on > this? > ~Barbara > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Cynthia Phinney" <cynth(a)gwi.net> > To: "Callers Shared Weight" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2006 12:07 PM > Subject: [Callers] A funny incident > > > > Ah, the impacts of technology. I was recently calling for a contradance > at > > the Maine Social Forum. It was a crowd of primarily beginners, with only > a > > smattering of experienced folks. During one of the dances, one young man > > got > > a cell phone call. He stepped out of line to take the call! His partner > > carried on for a moment or two, but then the line started to break down. > I > > had to jump into the line and grab his partner - calling while we danced > - > > to keep it going. It worked. Fortunately I'd had a little practice on > this > > at another dance earlier this summer when an elderly gentleman simply > > decided to step out and sit down during a - thankfully - very simple > > dance - > > and I had done the same thing rather than stop or let the line crumble. > > > > Just wanted to "share" > > :-) > > > > -cynthia > > _______________________________________________ > > 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 25, Issue 3 > ************************************** >

19 years, 2 months

Bare Feet at dances

by laleslierjg＠comcast.net

Dear Barbara, I, too, am a bit concerned about bare feet at dances, and am very glad that no one has been hurt, at least at the dances that I have attended or called! But I must also admit that I don't feel firmly enough about the issue to have done much about it....prefering instead to think about this as "freedom of choice for the individual", etc., etc. One suggestion that I do have for this particular problem comes from the Public Health realm....you might want to check with the local Board of Health. There may be regulations that prohibit bare feet in public venues (such as restaurants, etc.), in an attempt to reduce the risks of transmission of fungus, etc. In this way, the dance organizers/callers can avoid the whole issue of right/wrong, good taste/bad taste discussions, and instead promote the need to be in compliance with the local regs. Another thought on the issue: Although I have no idea how insurance companies might interpret "no shoes" as putting a dance organizer at risk, one could argue that the wearing of shoes does help reduce the risk of injury. So once again, if a dance committee decides to institute a "no bare feet" rule, reducing liability risk is a defensible reason for instituting such a rule. Looking forward to the thoughts of others! Linda Leslie

19 years, 2 months

A funny incident

by Gale Wood

Hi Barbara, I think bare-footing is a generational thing. When I first started dancing 20+ years ago (back in the hippy days) all my friends were dancing barefoot, as was I. Now with foot problems showing up, sensible dance shoes are my choice. These lessons we learn in the course of time! ( I still dance shoeless on hot summer nights) another aside: the best rhythm makers are shoes with hard leather bottoms and they are becoming hard to find. (at least in my area) :-) Thanks Gale

19 years, 2 months

Re: [Callers] A funny incident

by Jerome Grisanti

Cynthia, I've had people drop out, or sometimes just confused as to which minor set they were in, leaving a lump of people not knowing whom to interact with. Sometimes I've been able to physically go to the group and take their hands and say "let's just pop down to the bottom (or top) of the set and jump in from there." Unfortunately, if the dance has "out of minor set" interaction, such as a shadow, this fix may not be available. That's where the humor comes in: how do I, as the caller, own the confusion and make it OK to be a dancer who got confused. So, anyone heard any good "attention shifting" humor lately? Or a non-humorous response that still makes it OK. --Jerome Grisanti On 9/1/06, callers-request(a)sharedweight.net <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. A funny incident (Cynthia Phinney) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Thu, 31 Aug 2006 12:07:43 -0400 > From: "Cynthia Phinney" <cynth(a)gwi.net> > Subject: [Callers] A funny incident > To: "Callers Shared Weight" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Message-ID: <GCEOLNPEKAIPGAOIBCPFEEKCDHAA.cynth(a)gwi.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Ah, the impacts of technology. I was recently calling for a contradance at > the Maine Social Forum. It was a crowd of primarily beginners, with only a > smattering of experienced folks. During one of the dances, one young man got > a cell phone call. He stepped out of line to take the call! His partner > carried on for a moment or two, but then the line started to break down. I > had to jump into the line and grab his partner - calling while we danced - > to keep it going. It worked. Fortunately I'd had a little practice on this > at another dance earlier this summer when an elderly gentleman simply > decided to step out and sit down during a - thankfully - very simple dance - > and I had done the same thing rather than stop or let the line crumble. > > Just wanted to "share" > :-) > > -cynthia > > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > > End of Callers Digest, Vol 25, Issue 1 > ************************************** > -- Jerome Grisanti 660-528-0714 502-876-4280

19 years, 3 months

Server trouble

by Seth Seeger

Hello everyone, I apologize for the outage. In case you hadn't noticed, the server that hosts SharedWeight had a power supply failure yesterday afternoon. I scrambled to put a replacement together, and I'm nearly there. Mail should now be working again, but the websites won't be back up until tonight at the earliest. Any mail sent over the past 24 hours will probably be automatically resent by your mail server. If you did get a bounce, simply resend it. (If it continues to error, it may take another hour or two for the DNS change to fully propagate.) -Seth

19 years, 3 months

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