A secret contra/ECD dance that can't be shared.  That's too bad.  Maybe the author could share it?

Patricia. our local dancers do "The Source" which is a dance I learned at Pourparler (when it was in Vermont before the most recent Vermont PP.)  If I recall correctly it's a Navajo dance but I learned it to a Loreena McKennit rendition of the tune "The Mummer's Dance."  We've done it at a couple of folk dance memorial services.  Quite spiritual.  A circle dance though, not a contra.

Lissa Bengtson
San Antonio

On Thu, May 9, 2024 at 11:00 PM <contracallers-request@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
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   1. Re: Tony Parkes 1949-2024 (Neal Schlein)
   2. Re: Tony Parkes 1949-2024 (Tina Fields)



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Neal Schlein <nschlein@gmail.com>
To: Patricia Campbell <countrydancecaller@gmail.com>
Cc: Claire Takemori <cht@mac.com>, Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Bcc: 
Date: Wed, 8 May 2024 23:00:00 -0600
Subject: [Callers] Re: Tony Parkes 1949-2024
Actually, I don’t think I can give details.  Sorry. 

I’m not the author of Empty Shoes and can’t claim I have permission to share the full choreography widely. It was written by a musician/caller (Rodney Barnes?) after his father died, and I first learned it from him at one of the last Folk Fellowship dance camps. Those were invitation-only groups and the notes were printed in the syllabus/yearbook, which is what I refer to every time we need it. (Which I regretfully have to do soon, as we just lost one of our longest-term dancers. I’ve only taught it five or six times in the last 15 years.)

While I assume it would probably be fine for me to share the details, I’ve never seen the dance posted online anywhere and I don’t know the author that well. I would prefer not to violate his copyrights on something that could still be sensitive. 

However, I will say that it require a fairly large number of people, because it is a circular contra with a definite ECD feel and rather more intricate than the typical contra dance.  If I recall correctly, it has a setting-type balance and a 2-hand turn in it. 

Neal Schlein
Librarian, MSLIS


On Wed, May 8, 2024 at 4:21 PM Patricia Campbell @gmail.com> wrote:
Would you please describe the dance Empty Shoes?

Thanks!

Patricia

Patricia Campbell
southern Maine


Celebrating Community Through Traditional Dance and Music
 


On Wed, May 8, 2024 at 5:23 PM Neal Schlein via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
One of the rather idiosyncratic dance groups that I belong to has a specific dance that we do in memory of a recently deceased member, as well as all the other dancers who came and left before. We also do it at camps to remember anyone who can’t join us for whatever reason. The dance is named Empty Shoes.

At a more open dance, if it is recent and the person is locally known I might post a note at the front table with a brief obituary and let the volunteers know that a dance will be dedicated at some point in the night.

From the microphone, I would make the announcement one dance ahead so people have the chance to step out. Then keep it brief, basically to the extent of, “Some of you may not have heard, but XYZ person passed away recently.  They were a valuable part of our/the national dance community for many years and will be missed. The next dance is one that they wrote/particularly enjoyed, and I want to share it with you in their memory.”

Neal Schlein
Librarian, MSLIS

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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Tina Fields <tfields8@yahoo.com>
To: "contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net" <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Cc: 
Bcc: 
Date: Thu, 9 May 2024 16:48:14 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: [Callers] Re: Tony Parkes 1949-2024
Hi everyone,

I, too, will join in calling a dance in Tony's honor this weekend, one he wrote or possibly a medley of them. I appreciate Neil Schlein's way of introducing a memorial dance - thanks for that. Can you also please share the dance Empty Shoes here?

I only got to meet Tony once, at RPDLW, and thought his reputation well deserved: he was one of the finest callers I'd ever heard to date, and a truly nice person to boot. My condolences to all who loved him. Hail the Goer!

warmly,
Tina Fields

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