I call a small monthly dance for teenagers, a blast and interesting in many
ways.
My easiest “regular evening” contras are a good challenge for the group, so
I’m looking for some varied easy contras to lead up to those. (Also
interesting barn dances -- asking about those in a separate thread.)
The teens are fine with swings but aren’t hooked on them like most contra
dancers. So contras with no partner swing, no neighbor swing, or no swings
at all are just fine, and good for variety. And our lines are fairly short,
so unequal dances are OK.
Here are some favorites. Have other good ones to add? The group is all
about having fun, so it’s fine to have chases, basket swings, sashaying,
and other goofiness.
Family Contra (Sherry Nevins)
A1: Bal ring x2, circle R
A2: Bal ring x2, circle L
B1: Dosido P, dosido N
B2: Dosido as couples 1.5
Andy White's (Amy Cann)
A1: Circle L, dosido P
A2: As couples dosido Ns, 2 hand turn N
B1: Clap both/R/both/L with P, same with N; repeat all
B2: 2s arch, 1s duck; 1s arch, 2s duck BACK; 2s arch, 1s duck
Jefferson & Liberty
A1: Circle L/R
A2: Star R/L
B1: 1s balance & swing
B2: Down center, 1's arch, 2's duck; return (1s backing up)
Monterey Detour (Bob Dalsemer)
A1: Down center (turn alone) & back
A2: Circle R/L
B1: Dosido N, sw N
B2: F&b, 1s sw
Thanks!
Rick
I call a small monthly dance for teenagers, a blast and interesting in many
ways.
We always do a few barn dances -- great fun, and a nice break from worrying
about progressing the wrong way and ending swings on the wrong side. But
the kids are smart and game, so most of the family dances in my box are too
easy.
Here are some favorites. Have other good ones to add?
Bottoms Up - https://www.barndances.org.uk/detail.php?Title=Bottoms_Up
Country Bumpkin -
https://www.barndances.org.uk/detail.php?Title=Country_Bumpkin
Falling Masonry - http://www.ceilidhcalling.co.uk/danceviewpage.php?id=33
Firehose Reel
Intersection Reel
Roll the Arches
Sashay the Donut
Waves of Tory
Dances that can include everybody are best (longways, circles) rather than
fixed-size sets (squares, triplets) where some people have to sit out.
Thanks!
Rick
Following up on Rick's request for dances for a monthly group of teenagers,
I was trying to put a basket swing in a becket dance; and I'd appreciate
folks thoughts and suggestions on flow and timing.
Basket swings are not something I'd run in a regular dance, but this sounds
like the same group of teens getting together regularly, and I was
intrigued on what you might be able to do in a class where all the students
know each other.
Couple of options:
Contra/Becket-CCW
A1
Long lines yearn to the RIGHT
Left Hands Across Star
A2
Right Hands Across Star
Gents Do Si Do 1x
B1
Ladies Two Hand turn 1x
Gents take two hands above ladies, lift over heads and behind back of ladies
ladies lift hands over and behind backs of gents
Basket Swing (crosses over into B2)
B2
Basket swing continues,
on home side, partner swing
This seems a little odd to me in that it breaks up the two stars into
different musical phrases, whereas often (in beginner dances) those occupy
once section of the tune together.
It could be that you make it a long lines yearn left, and then make the
stars right and left, and the gents sea saw; not sure it's worth it.
Alternatively, make it only one star, get the basket swing nominally
contained to B1, and leave all of B2 for partner swing; for a clearer split
with the tune.
Contra/Becket-CCW
A1
Long lines yearn to the LEFT
Right Hands Across Star
A2
Gents Do Si Do 1x
Ladies Two Hand turn 1x
B1
Gents take two hands above ladies, lift over heads and behind back of ladies
ladies lift hands over and behind backs of gents
Basket Swing
B2
on home side, partner swing
That's probably ~24+ beats of cw swinging between the basket->partner,
which seems excessive. Trying to cut that a little shorter, possibly moving
the basket and partner swing to just B2, leads to something like
B1
(4) Gents take two hands, balance,
(4) Gents lift hands over ladies heads and behind backs
(4) Ladies take two hands, balance
(4) Ladies lift hands over gents heads and behind backs
B2
(8) Basket Swing
(8) On home side with partner, swing
Where you could put the A1&A2 of either of the previous versions on top of
it.
Anyway, if you have thoughts or experiences, I'd like to hear them.
Happy Dancing.
--
Luke Donforth
Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>
In 2019 I'll be touring North America from around Thursday May 30 to Wednesday June 19. If you'd like to book me to call English
or American please see http://colinhume.com/tour for more information.
Colin Hume
Hi all,
Linda Leslie's website has been down for days. Does anybody know if this is
permanent, or just a glitch? In the former case, is there any chance
another website — such as CDSS's for instance — might host her dances?
Thanks,
Anne Lutun
Philadelphia
Fellow Callers,
Deborah Denenfeld of Dancing Well confirms that this is indeed Bottoms Up.
And if I might put in a plug here: Dancing Well does wonderful and worthy
work, and while gifts are always welcome, TODAY is a special fundraising
opportunity, as all gifts on Sept. 13, 2018 (before 11:59 EST) will be
matched, essentially doubling your gift. I just made a gift this morning,
as a matter of fact.
https://www.giveforgoodlouisville.org/organizations/dancing-well-
the-soldier-project
Read more about the organization and its work here:
http://www.dancingwell.org/
--Jerome
Jerome Grisanti
660-528-0858
http://www.jeromegrisanti.com
"Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power
and magic in it." --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
On Wed, Sep 12, 2018 at 11:58 PM Linda S. Mrosko via Callers <
callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> I saw this photo on Dancing Well and wondered if anyone knew which
> dance(s) this could be.
>
> [image: 26.JPG]
> --
>
>
>
> *Looking forward,Linda S. Mrosko*
>
> *102 Mitchell Drive*
>
> *Temple, Texas 76501*
> *(903) 292-3713 (Cell)*
> *contradancetx.com <http://www.contradancetx.com>*
>
> *www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy* <http://www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy*> (Dance
> buttons, t-shirts, & more)*
> _______________________________________________
> List Name: Callers mailing list
> List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
>
--
Jerome Grisanti
660-528-0858
http://www.jeromegrisanti.com
"Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power
and magic in it." --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
I saw this photo on Dancing Well and wondered if anyone knew which dance(s)
this could be.
[image: 26.JPG]
--
*Looking forward,Linda S. Mrosko*
*102 Mitchell Drive*
*Temple, Texas 76501*
*(903) 292-3713 (Cell)*
*contradancetx.com <http://www.contradancetx.com>*
*www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy* <http://www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy*> (Dance
buttons, t-shirts, & more)*
Morning,
Please see attached and confirm.
Amy Carroll
amy(a)calleramy.com
206-330-7408
http://www.calleramy.com/https://youtu.be/mTd_iyi3IcI
From: callers-request(a)lists.sharedweight.net
Sent: Mon, 20 Aug 2018 20:07:45 +0000
To: callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
Subject: Callers Digest, Vol 52, Issue 12
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Today's Topics:
1. Re: dances for Halloween (Luke Donforth)
2. Re: dances for Halloween (Donna Hunt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2018 22:59:20 -0400
From: Luke Donforth
To: kanara(a)triton.net
Cc: "Callers(a)Lists.Sharedweight.net"
Subject: Re: [Callers] dances for Halloween
Message-ID:
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Well, there's what the kids go for: "All You Can Eat"; possibly of
something tasty for the season, like "Apples and Chocolate".
If you're not on the food part, there's "Black Cat Mixer", "Dancing In My
Bones", or "Witches Star".
Having danced at themed dancing where the theme overran programmatic
considerations; I'd say a holiday theme can be well used like a spice: just
a little to keep it interesting.
But if one of these fits you program, enjoy.
All You Can Eat
by Ted Crane
Contra/Improper/Easy
A1 -----------
(8) Gypsy Neighbor R 1x
(8) Women allemande Left 1-1/2
A2 -----------
(16) Partner gypsy R and swing
B1 -----------
(8) Circle Left 3/4
(8) Neighbor swing
B2 -----------
(8) Left hand Star 1x
(8) SAME Neighbor Gypsy Left 1x
Apples and Chocolate
by Sue Rosen
Contra/Improper
A1 -----------
(8) Balance and slide to the right (as in Rory O?More)
(8) Balance and slide to the left (as in Rory O?More)
A2 -----------
(4) Neighbor allemande Right 1/2
(4) Men allemande Left 1/2
(8) Partner swing
B1 -----------
(8) Circle Left 1X
(8) Women's Chain to neighbor
B2 -----------
(8) 1/2 Hey, women passing right shoulders
(8) New Neighbor Do-si-do to a wave of 4 (N R, W L)
Black Cat Mixer
by Martha Wild
Circle Mixer/Improper
A1 -----------
(8) All forward and back
(8) All forward and back
A2 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Single file Prom Back to Right
Women tap Man in front of them on shoulder, who turns (new P)
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(16) Promenade in line of direction, form a circle
Witch?s Star
by Linda Leslie
Contra/Improper
A1 -----------
(8) Right Hands across star
(8) Left Hands across star back, gents drop out
A2 -----------
(8) Women allemande Left 1-1/2
(8) Partner swing
B1 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Women's Chain across
B2 -----------
(16) Hey, women passing right shoulders
On Sun, Aug 19, 2018 at 3:33 PM Karin Neils via Callers wrote:
> Witches' Cauldron by Kirsten Koths is a favorite of mine - Becket Sicilian
> Mixer - easy moves for the inclusion of beginners, and a very unusual
> progression (see Notes at
>
> ) to keep the
> experienced dancers entertained. I do *not* recommend it if you have more
> than 20% beginners on the floor.The tune *OLD GREY CAT*?s a VERY GOOD
> MATCH in rhythm and mood. I've had fun introducing it with a witchy
> chant:
>
> *Double, double, toil and trouble; fire burn, and cauldron bubble!*
>
> *Come and stir my pot with me. Bring a partner; come and see!*
>
> When we dance *Witches? Cauldron*, we?ll be stirring the pot this way and
> that; things will bubble up; there?ll be eddies and lumps.
> Karin
>
>
>
>
> On 8/19/2018 1:22 PM, Maia McCormick via Callers wrote:
>
> The ones that come to mind are:
> - Wizard's Walk
> - The Zombies of Sugar Hill
>
> Happy calling!
>
> On Fri, Aug 17, 2018 at 11:12 AM barbara153--- via Callers callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
>> Hi everyone!
>>
>> I will be calling a dance on Halloween and would like to know if anyone
>> can share some Halloween themed dances with choreography if possible.
>>
>> I do have :
>> Halloween Twist
>> Chainsaw
>>
>> Thanks and keep on calling...
>> Barbara G
>> _______________________________________________
>> List Name: Callers mailing list
>> List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> List Name: Callers mailing list
> List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> List Name: Callers mailing list
> List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
>
--
Luke Donforth
Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com
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Message: 2
Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2018 09:02:21 -0400
From: Donna Hunt
To: barbara153(a)aol.com
Cc: callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
Subject: Re: [Callers] dances for Halloween
Message-ID:
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Barbara et al:
There's a lot of Halloween postings in the archives. Check this out:
https://www.mail-archive.com/search?q=halloween&l=callers%40lists.sharedwei…
Donna
Web Site: donnahuntcaller.com
Email: dhuntdancer(a)aol.com
Cell: 215-565-6050
-----Original Message-----
From: Maia McCormick via Callers
To: barbara153
Cc: Shared Weight Callers' Listserv
Sent: Sun, Aug 19, 2018 1:23 pm
Subject: Re: [Callers] dances for Halloween
The ones that come to mind are:
- Wizard's Walk
- The Zombies of Sugar Hill
Happy calling!
On Fri, Aug 17, 2018 at 11:12 AM barbara153--- via Callers wrote:
Hi everyone!
I will be calling a dance on Halloween and would like to know if anyone can share some Halloween themed dances with choreography if possible.
I do have :
Halloween Twist
Chainsaw
Thanks and keep on calling...
Barbara G
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List Name: Callers mailing list
List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
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Subject: Digest Footer
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------------------------------
End of Callers Digest, Vol 52, Issue 12
***************************************
Hello fellow Shared Weight callers,
The info below is primarily for organizers but I wanted to share it with
you as well given that many of you are organizers and/or you are also
connected to so many organizers.
CDSS has just made a number of exciting announcements regarding new
resources that will support local organizers of traditional dance music and
song. If you are willing, please share this info with local organizers in
your network. We'd like to let as many people know about these resources
as possible and word-of-mouth is so powerful in the trad dance, music, and
song world.
- *US organizers survey report out now! *CDSS has just released a report
outlining the results the US organizers survey conducted this past spring.
Here's the link: https://www.cdss.org/community/us-organizers-survey
- *New e-blast for traditional dance music and song organizers: *The
goal of this free quarterly e-blast is to support, inspire, and connect
organizers.
Check out the first Shop Talk e-blast here: https://conta.cc/2PlKAEr
You can sign up to receive the e-blast at the bottom of the first Shop
Talk.
- *Online Organizer Resources Portal:* This is a very exciting initiative
that will hopefully add to the set of tools available to us all. The goal
of the Portal is to hold as many of the best resources as can be found
which will support local traditional dance, music, and song organizers in
their planning and decision making. For instance, visit this link to see
specific resources organized by topic:
https://www.cdss.org/resources/how-to/organizers-resources#resources-by-top…
BTW - As one of the individuals working on the Portal, I know that the
resource collection will only be as good as the resources it holds. ANNNND
I alos know that local organizers have so many of the best practices and
ideas already figured out. Thus, CDSS will be reaching out to local
organizers over the next number of months to collect resources that folks
want to share. If you're super excited about the initiative and want to
start sharing your local resources now, you can fill out this easy form:
https://www.cdss.org/share-your-resource
- *CDSS's next online web chat - "Creating a Thriving Open Band": *CDSS
held it's first web chat back in June which had to be capped because of the
high number of people wanting to register! The next web chat is September
20th and is focused on Creating a Thriving Open Band. More information on
the workshop and the registration form is located in the e-blast:
https://conta.cc/2PlKAEr
Note: I am sending this from my personal email account as I'm yet not
connect to shared weight through my CDSS account. However, if you'd like
to discuss Shop Talk (the eblast) or the Portal, please email me at
emily(a)cdss.org. If you have specific requests or want advice from CDSS,
please contact Linda Henry at linda(a)cdss.org.
With thanks!
Emily
Consultant @ CDSS working on organizer supports
PS - I have posted this on the Shared Weight organizers list and I will
also be posting it on the musician list as well as the ECD and Pourparler
lists as I'm guessing there will likely be interest there as well. Thus, if
you're on more than one list, apologies!
