19 Mar
2023
19 Mar
'23
2:28 p.m.
Bill,
I have been using singing squares at contra dances in southern New England
for about 10 years. I must admit that many of these are the smaller dances
in CT and on Cape Cod, but I have also done some at the Scout House.
Generally, the singing squares are received well, especially on Cape Cod.
My singing square method is a mix of modern and traditional. I often ask
the band what singing tune they are comfortable with, and even if I do not
know the "traditional" dance, I can prompt most traditional NE squares to
fit the tune. Two of my favorites are Tony Parke's Malden Square set to
Yankee Doodle Dandy (or any 32 Bar Tune) and Ted Sannella's Dosido and Face
the Sides to Hurry, Hurry, Hurry (or any 16 Bar Tune repeated 3 times for
each figure).
Here is an example of Tony's Malden Square that was recorded at a club
dance. I have called to contra bands many times, bothe with this tune or
to a generic reel. I particularly love this square because I can call it
almost anywhere. I often replace the Grand Square with Circle Left and
then Circle Right.
https://youtu.be/bB16Q348CWA
Rich
(Stafford, CT)
On Sun, Mar 19, 2023 at 10:54 AM Bill Olson via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hard to know where to jump in here, but I am thrilled
we are having this
conversation. First of all, many years ago I always used to (incorrectly)
quote Tony as having said "when in doubt, call Texas Star". I find that
dance accessible for almost any experience level and it's pretty easy to
stay on the phrase. It turns out Tony never said that hah hah, but I still
love the dance and use it often.. BUT,..
I've been more interested in calling singing squares lately and, though my
last experience doing so to a "contra dance crowd" was at Ralph Page in
2020 (just prior to the Covid shutdown) and that's not a typical
"contradance crowd' to say the least!! BUT it does bring up the issue of
having to coordinate with the band ahead of time because they need to know
or learn the tune. (Though I do remember one time at the little Kingston,
NH dance when the band was Vince O'Donnell, David Kaynor and Debby Knight
and throwing On the Trail of the lonesome Pine and Smoke on the Water at
them with no warning and "no problem let's go"! woo hoo..
Anyway I wonder how many are trying singing squares with their 'reluctant'
contra dance crowds.
bill
(Oh yeah,.. Tony's book, Ralph's book, Ted's book, David's project...
YES!!!!!)
------------------------------
*From:* Tony Parkes via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
*Sent:* Saturday, March 18, 2023 5:48 PM
*To:* Maia McCormick <maia.mcc(a)gmail.com>om>; Shared Weight Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
*Subject:* [Callers] Re: Starting to call squares at contra dances
A resource definitely worth exploring is David Millstone’s Square Dance
History Project. I didn’t mention it in my first response because it may
not be the easiest place to find specific types of dance video quickly, but
it’s a must for anyone who loves squares and has a bit of free time to
peruse.
www.squaredancehistory.org
<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.squaredancehistory.org%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7C050c623fcbd5464298bd08db27d905a4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638147585267717449%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=hMGAzaNY8q9Lw13dZrkOptYDjbVzJStcMdTJoeThN9M%3D&reserved=0>
Tony Parkes
Billerica, Mass.
www.hands4.com
<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hands4.com%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7C050c623fcbd5464298bd08db27d905a4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638147585267873973%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=0maNTKoX2UESnq4gPGqunsVJpCSRmqR6LD0fTz2zcsw%3D&reserved=0>
New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century
(available now)
*From:* Maia McCormick via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
*Sent:* Saturday, March 18, 2023 12:21 PM
*To:* Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
*Subject:* [Callers] Starting to call squares at contra dances
After dancing to some of Lisa's Greenleaf's 🔥 squares at Beantown Stomp
last weekend, I'm feeling inspired to add some to my repertoire. (To be
clear, I'm looking for squares-for-contra-dancers, not MWSD squares.)
1. Any resources to recommend for someone learning to call squares?
2. Any advice to share, techniques to look into, things you wish you'd
known when starting out / wish contra callers knew about squares?
3. Suggestions for callers to look up on YouTube (besides Lisa ofc) /
fave videos?
4. Favorite dances that I should add to my box?
Thanks in advance,
Maia
--
Maia McCormick (she/her)
917.279.8194
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