Contra Callers

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40 participants
4414 discussions

by Harris Lapiroff

I wrote this up as a blog post <https://chromamine.com/2024/11/set-and-link-contras/>, but I also thought this list would appreciate it and have interesting thoughts to share. It occurred to me recently that I don’t think there are any contra dances that feature a set and link figure. This is a figure from Scottish Country Dancing which follows this sequence (assuming becket formation for this write up): 1. Couples face the other couple across the set, taking convenient hands with their partner along the side 2. All balance right and left (4 beats) 3. All turn over their right shoulder as they trade places along the side of the set with the robins going through the middle and larks going round the outside (4 beats) It could be thought of as a petronella twirl for two or, perhaps, as a mad robin halfway with twirling. If none of those descriptions work for you, there’s also a video of the figure in action <https://youtu.be/hI-ebAspZzY?si=gkIDl8WmCzFc5HO4&t=16>. (Note the video is to a leisurely Scottish strathspey, but it can be done to a jig or reel at contra tempo just fine.) I decided to write a couple: *Set And Link Contra* Harris Lapiroff Becket CCW A1 Set and link (trading with partner) Balance the ring Petronella twirl A2 Neighbor balance and swing B1 Set and link (trading with neighbor) Balance the ring Petronella twirl B2 Partner balance and swing Note A1: Each time through after the first, the set and link should start with a big balance to the right to progress to new neighbors And a slightly more complex, but still accessible, one: *Broken Link* Harris Lapiroff Duple Improper A1 Neighbor balance and swing A2 Set and link (trading with neighbor) Robins alle L 1½ B1 Partner right shoulder round Partner swing B2 Circle left 3 Pass through up and down Next neighbor DSD Note: Can also be done in becket by starting with B2, skipping the pass through, and changing to a slide left progression at the end. I danced these through with a few dancers in a living room and they worked. I was worried the “Set And Link Contra” wasn’t appropriate for any crowd, being too simple and repetitive for an experienced dance but too tricky for beginners. Some of my test dancers agreed, but others thought that it was satisfying enough to dance to work – which I could see maybe working for a late evening brain-off-dance-trance vibe. A few open questions I have about these dances: - In “Set And Link Contra,” is the big balance right to progress satisfying or awkward? We didn’t have enough dancers to test the progression. A different option might be to make it Becket CW and slide left, then balance back to the right. (I suspect slide right, balance right would feel too muddy.) - The balance right and then left sequence isn’t natural to contra dancers. Is there a way to lead into it that makes it more natural? (Notably: a couple of my test dancers had done at least a little Scottish and they both liked it, but one dancer who had only done contra found it awkward.) - Alternatively is there a different way of doing that balances that would be more at home in a contra? I think balancing together and away wouldn’t give good momentum into turning over the right shoulder, but perhaps balancing in and out in a ring would work? - In “Broken Link,” I’m still not sure if the set and link into a robins left hand allemande sequence feels good. When I tested it myself it felt flowy in a weaving sort of way, but some of my test dancers reported it was awkward. We didn’t take time to workshop it to see if the flow felt better once the set and link was more familiar.

7 months, 3 weeks

New dance feedback

by Sam Whited

Hi all, I've got a dance in my sketchbook that I think is ready for a bit of feedback after trying it with a small group of dancers last night, and I'm hoping to solicit some from more experienced choreographers before I call it again. I'm also open to name suggestions if you have any (I hate naming things)! Untitled, Duple becket A1. Neighbors balance across & pull by right, partner pull by; shadows balance and box the gnat [1] A2. Pull by and partner swing B1. Balance and petronella; neighbor swing B2. Ring balance, pass partner by right [2], neighbor pull by right; next neighbor balance and petronella left [1]: The shadow _balance_ in A1 is outside of your minor set along the lines. [2]: On the _pass by_ in B2 give a little tug on your outside hands to get momentum. This is really another "pull by", but "pull by right with outside hands" is a mouthful and confused the experienced dancers. A up-to-date version can be found here: https://contradb.com/dances/2682 Any thoughts, critiques, etc. that I can learn from would be appreciated. Thank you! —Sam P.S. I originally had a balance before the neighbor swing too, so the swing was effectively just switching sides. Maybe I should have called it a roll away and just had no neighbor swing, but the experienced dancers were not pleased and wanted a full neighbor swing so I caved even though the petronella into a swing feels a bit "smooth" compared to the rest of the dance; I could still go either way on that one. P.P.S. I'm also aware that the petronella left is not common to say the least. I've seen it once or twice and always enjoyed it, but maybe it's best to steer clear? I originally had that as a circle right 3 and figured that if the experienced dancers were already going to be confused I might as well swap it for something where I can fit a balance like the rest of the dance. I'm not sure if this logic actually makes sense, but it felt fun to me. Last night I called it with the circle right, so that's the only part of the dance that hasn't been tried on real dancers. -- Sam Whited sam(a)samwhited.com

7 months, 3 weeks

Seeking Attribution/Name for a Sequence

by Don Veino

Hi, Sometime in recent history I captured the following sequence under the title "Double Trouble" and Bob Isaacs' name. This would have either been from a called dance or a random YouTube video. In searching, it appears this isn't the true attribution - does anyone have the correct information? There's a couple of dances under this name in C's Box but none by Bob. Thanks, Don *Double Trouble? - DI - Bob Isaacs?* A1 GNT/LRK ALM LT 1+1/2x; PNR SW A2 CIR LT 3/4x, NBR SW B1 LDY/RBN CHAIN to PNR; H-Across LH STAR B2 GNT/LRK LH CHAIN to NBR; RH STAR

7 months, 3 weeks

Re: The next hot new thing!

by Mo Waddington

English Festivals tend to embrace various dance forms. As well as the usual 'Playford' and 'American' threads Whitby has had workshops for Cajun, Irish Set Dance, and back in the 80s we learnt 'French' (can't remember calling it Bal) with a band calling themselves Rosbif. Now there is an unofficial 'fringe' session every day of Whitby week, playing and dancing. People play what they want, those who know the tune join in, those who recognise the dance might get onto the floor. Bit different from our callers and walkthroughs. As for the John Cage ECD, there are bands who give us a 30 second sample already On 01/04/2025 23:03, Colin Hume via Contra Callers wrote: > You'll also find Bal at May Heydays in England: > https://mayheydays.org.uk/programme.html > along with an amazing variety of other dance forms, and more. > > Colin Hume > > _______________________________________________ > Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net

7 months, 4 weeks

Re: The next hot new thing!

by Claire Takemori

I agree the video is a sweet local balfolk ! What got me excited about French Balfolk is Gennetines Le Grand Bal d’Europe in July/August 2024 in France! Check out this video montage from 2024, it starts at 0:36 with Rap en Francais! https://youtu.be/0jjp32OtTTw?t=36 I’ve been teaching a few easy French Balfolk after the break at contra dances (instead of the old hambo slot) when the band can play the tunes. I’m hoping to host a few balfolk events in Asheville, as there will be a big workshop at the LEAF in October (with Annie Fain and Geraud from Brasstown, John C Campbell Folkschool) and we’d like to get folks excited about it. I’m going back to Gennetines this summer to dance more French Balfolk (as well as International folk dances- Israeli, English, Irish, Tango. Etc) Let me know if you’re interested in meeting at camp! Claire Takemori, Dance Caller website <https://clairetakemoridanceteacher.godaddysites.com/> email <mailto:clairedancecaller@gmail.com> Follow on Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/clairedancecaller/> Like my Facbeook page <https://www.facebook.com/ClaireTakemoriDanceCaller/> 408 874-6840 “To live is to dance, to dance is to live” ~Charles M. Schulz Date: Tue, 1 Apr 2025 16:01:38 -0400 From: Luke Donforth <calling.luke(a)gmail.com <mailto:calling.luke@gmail.com>> Subject: [Callers] Re: The next hot new thing! Cc: Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>> Message-ID: <CAP-w4kLZDdVxzo7adzhBqqgt+YumDYhouQJ2GNcU8zUVS_E_ng(a)mail.gmail.com <mailto:CAP-w4kLZDdVxzo7adzhBqqgt+YumDYhouQJ2GNcU8zUVS_E_ng@mail.gmail.com>> Content-Type: multipart/related; boundary="000000000000f7302c0631bd01b8" I think this video is a good depiction of what balfolk can be: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8OUy5JM6Jw As I understand it, balfolk (or bal folk) means a folk ball. The wikipedia article gives a more in-depth description: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balfolk but as a folk activity, there's a lot of variation and places where it has its own flavor. As for the John Cage link, yes, sorry. I debated between linking to the pertinent wikipedia article <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4%E2%80%B233%E2%80%B3>or this other one <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYBUbBu4W08&t=8s>and apparently in my indecision broke the link. So Balfolk is a real thing, but Bubblefolk is just for April Fools.

7 months, 4 weeks

Re: The next hot new thing!

by Luke Donforth

I think this video is a good depiction of what balfolk can be: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8OUy5JM6Jw As I understand it, balfolk (or bal folk) means a folk ball. The wikipedia article gives a more in-depth description: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balfolk but as a folk activity, there's a lot of variation and places where it has its own flavor. As for the John Cage link, yes, sorry. I debated between linking to the pertinent wikipedia article <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4%E2%80%B233%E2%80%B3>or this other one <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYBUbBu4W08&t=8s>and apparently in my indecision broke the link. So Balfolk is a real thing, but Bubblefolk is just for April Fools. On Tue, Apr 1, 2025 at 1:36 PM Luke Donforth <luke.donforth(a)gmail.com> wrote: > I think this video is a good depiction of what balfolk can be: > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8OUy5JM6Jw > > As I understand it, balfolk (or bal folk) means a folk ball. The wikipedia > article gives a more in-depth description: > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balfolk > but as a folk activity, there's a lot of variation and places where it has > its own flavor. > > As for the John Cage link, yes, sorry. I debated between linking to the pertinent > wikipedia article <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4%E2%80%B233%E2%80%B3>or > this other one <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYBUbBu4W08&t=8s>and > apparently in my indecision broke the link. > > On Tue, Apr 1, 2025 at 12:53 PM Gregory <glibguide(a)protonmail.com> wrote: > >> To make matters more confusing for me, I've found an unlisted youtuve >> video on a Bal Folk playlist which has an italian name and film maker >> (Produzioni Clandestine), with people dancing Bal Folk who are all speaking >> Spanish, to French music, and the title of the video is "Bal Folk Scottish" >> >> ....help me out? >> >> Greg >> >> >> >> Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod >> tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim >> veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea >> commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate >> velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat >> cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id >> est laborum. *This is filler text that changes the size of the messages >> I send - an added layer of security * >> *for detection and identification of encrypted information using >> metadata.* >> Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod >> tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim >> veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea >> commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate >> velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat >> cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id >> est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed >> do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad >> minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex >> ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate >> velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat >> cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id >> est laborum. *This is filler text that changes the size of the messages >> I send - an added layer of security * >> *for detection and identification of encrypted information using >> metadata.* >> Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod >> tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim >> veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea >> commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate >> velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat >> cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id >> est laborum. >> >> Sent with Proton Mail <https://proton.me/mail/home> secure email. >> >> On Tuesday, April 1st, 2025 at 11:39 AM, Gregory via Contra Callers < >> contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: >> >> Im trying to understand this. What is Bal Folk? I gather from preliminary >> research >> >> >> - bal is short for ballroom? because it's primarily partner dances? >> kind of like what old time waltzing and polka is? some sort of mixture of >> partner dances with structure patterns sort of like squares or English >> major dances >> >> >> >> - why is it done to french music? is it french? At first I assumed >> Bal was short for Balkan and envisioned people in lines holding hands >> (which would be fun to 60's pop for sure) >> >> >> Luke - you were missing a link for "John Cage Classics". >> >> Thanks >> >> Greg >> >> >> >> Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod >> tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim >> veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea >> commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate >> velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat >> cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id >> est laborum. *This is filler text that changes the size of the messages >> I send - an added layer of security * >> *for detection and identification of encrypted information using >> metadata.* >> Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod >> tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim >> veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea >> commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate >> velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat >> cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id >> est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed >> do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad >> minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex >> ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate >> velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat >> cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id >> est laborum. *This is filler text that changes the size of the messages >> I send - an added layer of security * >> *for detection and identification of encrypted information using >> metadata.* >> Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod >> tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim >> veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea >> commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate >> velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat >> cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id >> est laborum. >> >> Sent with Proton Mail <https://proton.me/mail/home> secure email. >> >> On Tuesday, April 1st, 2025 at 5:02 AM, Luke Donforth via Contra Callers < >> contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: >> >> Hi all, >> >> I'm not sure if you've experienced it where you are, but up here in >> Vermont, the big hot thing lately has been Bal Folk dancing. Driven by the >> beautiful music, it seems to be popping up like mushrooms after a >> thunderstorm. Bal Folk is happening in southern Vermont, with a monthly >> dance in Brattleboro <https://www.rachelbellmusic.com/calendar>, as well >> as occasional ones in Burlington >> <https://www.marywesley.com/gig/burlington-balfolk-party/>. >> >> But the real sign that Bal Folk has come into the mainstream is that >> there's now a splinter style. Just as contra beget techno contra, Bal Folk >> has spawned Bubble Folk. Yes, that's right, it's Bal Folk dances but >> instead of traditional French tunes it's done to Bubblegum Pop from the >> 1960s like Sugar, Sugar by the Archies >> <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7T4aQMxTTM>. These rocking classics >> increase the intergenerational appeal, as does the fact that everyone can >> chew gum while dancing; popping bubbles in time with the music of course. >> >> Stay tuned for next year, as the smart money is on ECD; with trendsetters >> now embarking on writing dances for John Cage classics <http:///>. >> >> Happy dancing! >> Luke Donforth >> calling.luke(a)gmail.com >> Click here for publicity information. >> <https://www.uvm.edu/~ldonfort/ContraPublicity/> >> >> >> >> -- -- Luke Donforth calling.luke(a)gmail.com 802-448-4533 Click here for publicity information. <https://www.uvm.edu/~ldonfort/ContraPublicity/>

7 months, 4 weeks

The next hot new thing!

by Luke Donforth

Hi all, I'm not sure if you've experienced it where you are, but up here in Vermont, the big hot thing lately has been Bal Folk dancing. Driven by the beautiful music, it seems to be popping up like mushrooms after a thunderstorm. Bal Folk is happening in southern Vermont, with a monthly dance in Brattleboro <https://www.rachelbellmusic.com/calendar>, as well as occasional ones in Burlington <https://www.marywesley.com/gig/burlington-balfolk-party/>. But the real sign that Bal Folk has come into the mainstream is that there's now a splinter style. Just as contra beget techno contra, Bal Folk has spawned Bubble Folk. Yes, that's right, it's Bal Folk dances but instead of traditional French tunes it's done to Bubblegum Pop from the 1960s like Sugar, Sugar by the Archies <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7T4aQMxTTM>. These rocking classics increase the intergenerational appeal, as does the fact that everyone can chew gum while dancing; popping bubbles in time with the music of course. Stay tuned for next year, as the smart money is on ECD; with trendsetters now embarking on writing dances for John Cage classics </>. Happy dancing! Luke Donforth calling.luke(a)gmail.com Click here for publicity information. <https://www.uvm.edu/~ldonfort/ContraPublicity/>

7 months, 4 weeks

Most Perfect Holiday

by Joe Harrington

From the notes: This is an Officially Compliant Contra DanceTM. It has two swings, one with the same person each time and one with someone else... Most Perfect Holiday (written April 1, 2025) Joe Harrington <contradancerjoe(a)gmail.com> Contra Becket CW A 8 Long lines backward and forth (1) 16 Swing shadow (2,3) 8 w/ neighbor across, balance right & square through two, find your partner B1 8 Balance the original ring & spin to the right 8 Balance the ring & Arky twirl (4) B2 4 Larks swat the flea (5) while robins balance anyone but your neighbor robin (6) 12 Swing this one (7) Notes: 1. Loud, whooping, "WOO!" on four. Don't knock into the people behind you! 2. Yeah? So? (*sigh*...if you don't like it, then do-si-do twice or two-hand turn. Sheesh.) 3. Recommend twirl at end, so lark's right hand is free. 4. Like California twirl. Take inside hands with partner, trade places and directions, taller person ducks under shorter person's raised hand. 5. No balance. You figure out who ducks. Maybe the taller one. 6. Recommend the robin behind you in the next line, or next to you if in a side or only line. No limit on the number of dancers. Best to flout quickly over your left shoulder and ignore the lark antics. 7. Larks' setup is for wedding-cake swing, but hey, be creative. I told 'em not to look... This is an Officially Compliant Contra DanceTM. It has two swings, one with the same person each time and one with someone else. Source: Posted to Shared Weight callers email list April 1, 2025. Without testing, of course. --jh--

7 months, 4 weeks

📣POTD registration now open to those outside our catchment area!

by Puttin' on the Dance Team

Hi Fellow Dance Organizers! Wow - it's already April first - hoping that many of you are enjoying some early spring flowers. 🪻🪻🪻 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 *Puttin' On The Dance 3 registration is now officially open to those outside our catchment area!* 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 All details about the conference are here. <https://www.puttinonthedance.org/potd-3/> There are even still a few scholarships available. *Heads up that registration CLOSES April 15th.* Our team is in the midst of program planning and it's looking pretty darn exciting! So thankful that many of you will be joining us for this co-created weekend of learning, connection, and inspiration for dance organizers. ♥️♥️♥️ The POTD3 organizing team Chrissy Fowler, Patty Giavara, and Emily Addison -- puttinonthedance.org facebook.com/PuttinOnTheDance *You're on the POTD email list because we think you're interested in conferences for dance organizers. Let us know if you want your address removed. *

7 months, 4 weeks

New Names for Ladies' Chains

by John Sweeney

Hi all, Please could you let me know what the new gender-free names for Ladies' Chains are? Has anything evolved as the definitive new name? Thanks. Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

7 months, 4 weeks

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