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than "Re: Contents of Contra Callers digest..."Today's Topics:
1. Re: Gentlespoons/Ladles (from Rompin' Stompin') (Julian Blechner)
2. The Spiral Dance (Hannah Chamberlain)
3. Re: The Spiral Dance (frannie)
4. Re: The Spiral Dance (Casey Carr)
5. Re: The Spiral Dance (Meg Dedolph)
6. Re: The Spiral Dance (Jessica Atkinson)
7. Re: The Spiral Dance (Jerome Grisanti)
8. Re: Gentlespoons/Ladles (from Rompin' Stompin') (Bree Kalb)
9. Re: Gentlespoons/Ladles (from Rompin' Stompin') (Jon Greene)
10. Re: The Spiral Dance (Stein, Robert)
11. Re: The Spiral Dance (Luke Donforth)
12. Re: The Spiral Dance (Mary Collins)
13. Re: Gentlespoons/Ladles (from Rompin' Stompin') (Julian Blechner)
14. Re: The Spiral Dance (Katherine Kitching)
15. Antivaxx stuff (Julian Blechner)
16. Re: The Spiral Dance (Louise Siddons)
17. Re: The Spiral Dance (Erik Hoffman)
18. Re: Gentlespoons/Ladles (from Rompin' Stompin') (Erik Hoffman)
19. Re: The Spiral Dance (Rich Goss)
20. Re: Gentlespoons/Ladles (from Rompin' Stompin') (Jeff Kaufman)
21. Re: Gentlespoons/Ladles (from Rompin' Stompin') (Dan Kappus)
22. Re: The Spiral Dance (Jacob or Nancy Bloom)
23. Re: The Spiral Dance (Helle Hill)
24. Re: The Spiral Dance (Jimmy Akin)
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Julian Blechner <juliancallsdances@gmail.com>
To: Jeff Kaufman <jeff@alum.swarthmore.edu>
Cc: Michael Fuerst <sjapartments@gmail.com>, Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Bcc:
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2023 01:47:44 -0500
Subject: [Callers] Re: Gentlespoons/Ladles (from Rompin' Stompin')2 items.1. Jets/RubiesA story I'm unsure how many have heard:Ultimately, what sunk "jets/rubies" wasn't so much "airplane" or "black/red" (ships and planes are traditionally named after women, so, I never got the whole "a jet is masculine" thing, but, I digress).
A dance I called in Brooklyn with Bob Isaacs was a tipping point - before Brooklyn's contra dance had settled on terms.
The orgs got a few complaints that "jets" sounded _too_ much like "gents" in a "who are we kidding?" sort of way.This came as a surprise to me, as the going assumption was that "sounds like gents, but isn't actually gents" was a feature, not a bug (coming from Hampshire College's tests that Jets/Rubies had initially became the initial non-bands/bares popular set of genderfreee terms to try out). Jets/Rubies was also my favorite, but my experience isn't a transgender one, and being queer isn't a uniform viewpoint.2. Maia's email:Amen.I had reached out to Jon in a private email, asking about whether the tone of the email was joking or not; I've received no reply.At a face value read of that email, it wasn't especially tactful or sensitive to anyone that's not cisgender and straight on this email list.Jon's email could be an attempt at humor, so, I'll leave that there, but, the email bothered me as well and I'm happy Maia spoke up rather than letting that be without any response.in dance,JulianOn Mon, Feb 13, 2023, 11:07 PM Jeff Kaufman via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:Unfortunately Jets/Rubies sounds gendered to a lot of people: while "Jet" is a jemstone, it's also an engine, a plane, sports team, and a fictional gang, all more male-ish than female-ish. And "Ruby" is a commonish female name and gemstones are more associated with women than men.There's also a lot of benefit in having terms with "L" and "R" to tie the role names to the roles.It's definitely harder for experienced dancers and callers to switch from Ladies/Gents to Larks/Robins than to Jets/Rubies, but as someone who helped their dance switch over (and who considered Jets/Rubies at the time) people got the new terms pretty quickly. It's a total non-issue at our dance now.Jeff_______________________________________________On Mon, Feb 13, 2023 at 10:47 PM Amy Cann via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:I LIKE THIS!
I hereby nominate "jets and rubies" as the likeliest contender, far
outshining my own personal fallback, suns-and-moons.
And btw, I'm absolutely seeing "jets" in my mind as black shiny beads,
not flying machines.
On 2/13/23, Michael Fuerst via Contra Callers
<contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> jets/rubies might be the best solution several reasons:
> (1) no relation to gender roles,
> (2) sound like gents and ladies, satisfying those who cognitively have
> difficulty associating larks and robins with the corresponding roles.
> (3) easier and faster to say. Jets, unlike larks, has no hard consonant.
> Rubies has a hard consonant "b", but the sound of the "u" leaves one's lips
> and tongue positioned perfectly to utter the "b". (This is a benefit to new
> callers, who often have difficulty prompting on time.)
> -----
> _______________________________________________
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Hannah Chamberlain <hannahchamb@gmail.com>
To: contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
Cc:
Bcc:
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2023 07:42:45 -0500
Subject: [Callers] The Spiral DanceGreeting callers!I am calling a friend's wedding this weekend and she requested "the spiral dance," a circle dance where at some point one person leads everyone into a spiral (or, optionally, anywhere around the hall?). I think I've danced it before, but I'm having a hard time finding a name or notes on how to call it. Can anyone share a version with me?Thanks in advance,Hannah Chamberlain(outside of) Portland, ME
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: frannie <dancingfrannie@gmail.com>
To: Hannah Chamberlain <hannahchamb@gmail.com>
Cc: contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
Bcc:
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2023 08:54:06 -0400
Subject: [Callers] Re: The Spiral DanceLisa Greenleaf lead a spiral waltz at my wedding. If you are friends with me or Dan Vilter on Facebook he took a video and you could watch it. One of us shares it every January 5th or so. It's a great video. Lisa had everyone form a circle around us (bride and groom) she let us start waltzing in the middle before leading all the guests around us in a circle/spiral left, with her only holding one person's hand. As the circle got smaller and closer to us she inverted the circle and spiraled everyone back out from the center. Then she told everyone to waltz with their partners. It was a wonderful moment, it makes a great video and it's really easy to do. Also since it's just walking in a circle it's easy to get everyone up to do it.Good luck!~Frannie MarrOn Tue, Feb 14, 2023, 8:43 AM Hannah Chamberlain via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:Greeting callers!_______________________________________________I am calling a friend's wedding this weekend and she requested "the spiral dance," a circle dance where at some point one person leads everyone into a spiral (or, optionally, anywhere around the hall?). I think I've danced it before, but I'm having a hard time finding a name or notes on how to call it. Can anyone share a version with me?Thanks in advance,Hannah Chamberlain(outside of) Portland, ME
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Casey Carr <casey@stmktg.com>
To: contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
Cc:
Bcc:
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2023 08:10:17 -0500
Subject: [Callers] Re: The Spiral Dance
Frannie, what a great use of the spiral! I think of this move as an add on (as Lisa used it) vs a dance. I will often use a spiral at a community dance and attach it to the end of a circle dance or a big Southern Circle Mixer... also great at weddings, private parties, etc.
I start it by having everyone circle left and then I hop off the stage and lead the spiral as Frannie described. The tricky part is at the end of unwinding the spiral you have to lead the group slowly in order to leave enough time for the end of the spiral to unwind before you get them back into a big circle left. Once they are circling left again at the end I have them go into the middle twice with big shouts. Sometimes I'll also have the whole circle rip and snort before the spiral. It's always a hit!
Casey Carr
On 2/14/2023 7:54 AM, frannie via Contra Callers wrote:
Lisa Greenleaf lead a spiral waltz at my wedding. If you are friends with me or Dan Vilter on Facebook he took a video and you could watch it. One of us shares it every January 5th or so. It's a great video. Lisa had everyone form a circle around us (bride and groom) she let us start waltzing in the middle before leading all the guests around us in a circle/spiral left, with her only holding one person's hand. As the circle got smaller and closer to us she inverted the circle and spiraled everyone back out from the center. Then she told everyone to waltz with their partners. It was a wonderful moment, it makes a great video and it's really easy to do. Also since it's just walking in a circle it's easy to get everyone up to do it.Good luck!~Frannie Marr
On Tue, Feb 14, 2023, 8:43 AM Hannah Chamberlain via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Greeting callers!_______________________________________________I am calling a friend's wedding this weekend and she requested "the spiral dance," a circle dance where at some point one person leads everyone into a spiral (or, optionally, anywhere around the hall?). I think I've danced it before, but I'm having a hard time finding a name or notes on how to call it. Can anyone share a version with me?Thanks in advance,Hannah Chamberlain(outside of) Portland, ME
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Meg Dedolph <meg.dedolph@gmail.com>
To: Casey Carr <casey@stmktg.com>
Cc: contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
Bcc:
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2023 07:20:31 -0600
Subject: [Callers] Re: The Spiral DanceThe thing I learned from doing this is that the person leading the front has to take *very small* steps - smaller than a full step - or else things get stretched out and uncomfortable at the end.Good luck! It's a fun dance and people really seem to get a kick out of it.On Tue, Feb 14, 2023 at 7:10 AM Casey Carr via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:_______________________________________________Frannie, what a great use of the spiral! I think of this move as an add on (as Lisa used it) vs a dance. I will often use a spiral at a community dance and attach it to the end of a circle dance or a big Southern Circle Mixer... also great at weddings, private parties, etc.
I start it by having everyone circle left and then I hop off the stage and lead the spiral as Frannie described. The tricky part is at the end of unwinding the spiral you have to lead the group slowly in order to leave enough time for the end of the spiral to unwind before you get them back into a big circle left. Once they are circling left again at the end I have them go into the middle twice with big shouts. Sometimes I'll also have the whole circle rip and snort before the spiral. It's always a hit!
Casey Carr
On 2/14/2023 7:54 AM, frannie via Contra Callers wrote:
Lisa Greenleaf lead a spiral waltz at my wedding. If you are friends with me or Dan Vilter on Facebook he took a video and you could watch it. One of us shares it every January 5th or so. It's a great video. Lisa had everyone form a circle around us (bride and groom) she let us start waltzing in the middle before leading all the guests around us in a circle/spiral left, with her only holding one person's hand. As the circle got smaller and closer to us she inverted the circle and spiraled everyone back out from the center. Then she told everyone to waltz with their partners. It was a wonderful moment, it makes a great video and it's really easy to do. Also since it's just walking in a circle it's easy to get everyone up to do it.Good luck!~Frannie Marr
On Tue, Feb 14, 2023, 8:43 AM Hannah Chamberlain via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Greeting callers!_______________________________________________I am calling a friend's wedding this weekend and she requested "the spiral dance," a circle dance where at some point one person leads everyone into a spiral (or, optionally, anywhere around the hall?). I think I've danced it before, but I'm having a hard time finding a name or notes on how to call it. Can anyone share a version with me?Thanks in advance,Hannah Chamberlain(outside of) Portland, ME
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jessica Atkinson <thesewingmaiden@gmail.com>
To: Hannah Chamberlain <hannahchamb@gmail.com>
Cc: contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
Bcc:
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2023 09:04:01 -0500
Subject: [Callers] Re: The Spiral Dance
I’ve done this often as part of the Grand March, I do it as the first “dance” of the evening. The only people who really need to know what will happen is the first few people - I typically lead the group, and either prompt the next couple of people as necessary or give them a heads up before the dance. I don’t often do it as a partner dance just so that everyone of all ages can join in, and let everyone know it’s a “follow the leader” dance. I turn on the music, start walking around and have people join onto the end of the line as I weave around room. Once everyone interested has joined, I lead the line in a circle around the edge of the room. Gradually I tighten the circle in a spiral formation until there’s just a small space in the middle - you do have to slow down as the spiral tightens to avoid too much pulling on arms. Once there’s just a bit of space in the middle, it’s a sharp u-turn for the leader, then spiral out. It is everyone’s favorite moment when it happens, especially if they didn’t realize it was coming! From there, as the spiral unwinds I lead around in a circle again until the next set of figures. I will weave in and out of the line without dropping hands as one move. Another is making arches - the first two make an arch, the line travels under and the next two make an arch and so on everyone has travelled under the arches and then formed one. At the point the arches “collapse” - the lead two people drop their arch and then travel under the arch themselves. Once out on the other side, can either transition to a move with everyone paired up or form up the line/ring of joined hands. When done with live music, once I’ve completed all the figures I drop hands and everyone gathers around where the band is and claps along until the music stops. Hopefully that makes sense! I can’t remember which book, but either Sashay the Donut or Listen to the Mockingbird describes some of the different possible moves. Google may bring up some different ideas and videos as well. 🙂
-Jessica
> On Feb 14, 2023, at 7:43 AM, Hannah Chamberlain via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
>
> Greeting callers!
> I am calling a friend's wedding this weekend and she requested "the spiral dance," a circle dance where at some point one person leads everyone into a spiral (or, optionally, anywhere around the hall?). I think I've danced it before, but I'm having a hard time finding a name or notes on how to call it. Can anyone share a version with me?
> Thanks in advance,
> Hannah Chamberlain
> (outside of) Portland, ME
> _______________________________________________
> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
> To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave@lists.sharedweight.net
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jerome Grisanti <jerome.grisanti@gmail.com>
To: Jessica Atkinson <thesewingmaiden@gmail.com>
Cc: Hannah Chamberlain <hannahchamb@gmail.com>, Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Bcc:
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2023 09:17:49 -0500
Subject: [Callers] Re: The Spiral DanceI would add this it's important for the dancers to know to keep holding on during the spiral.Also, I often quip as the ball is nearing its tightest that "planning ahead wasn't always my strongest skill."Adds a bit of drama as people wonder, "how's this going to end?"JeromeOn Tue, Feb 14, 2023, 9:04 AM Jessica Atkinson via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:I’ve done this often as part of the Grand March, I do it as the first “dance” of the evening. The only people who really need to know what will happen is the first few people - I typically lead the group, and either prompt the next couple of people as necessary or give them a heads up before the dance. I don’t often do it as a partner dance just so that everyone of all ages can join in, and let everyone know it’s a “follow the leader” dance. I turn on the music, start walking around and have people join onto the end of the line as I weave around room. Once everyone interested has joined, I lead the line in a circle around the edge of the room. Gradually I tighten the circle in a spiral formation until there’s just a small space in the middle - you do have to slow down as the spiral tightens to avoid too much pulling on arms. Once there’s just a bit of space in the middle, it’s a sharp u-turn for the leader, then spiral out. It is everyone’s favorite moment when it happens, especially if they didn’t realize it was coming! From there, as the spiral unwinds I lead around in a circle again until the next set of figures. I will weave in and out of the line without dropping hands as one move. Another is making arches - the first two make an arch, the line travels under and the next two make an arch and so on everyone has travelled under the arches and then formed one. At the point the arches “collapse” - the lead two people drop their arch and then travel under the arch themselves. Once out on the other side, can either transition to a move with everyone paired up or form up the line/ring of joined hands. When done with live music, once I’ve completed all the figures I drop hands and everyone gathers around where the band is and claps along until the music stops. Hopefully that makes sense! I can’t remember which book, but either Sashay the Donut or Listen to the Mockingbird describes some of the different possible moves. Google may bring up some different ideas and videos as well. 🙂
-Jessica
> On Feb 14, 2023, at 7:43 AM, Hannah Chamberlain via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
>
> Greeting callers!
> I am calling a friend's wedding this weekend and she requested "the spiral dance," a circle dance where at some point one person leads everyone into a spiral (or, optionally, anywhere around the hall?). I think I've danced it before, but I'm having a hard time finding a name or notes on how to call it. Can anyone share a version with me?
> Thanks in advance,
> Hannah Chamberlain
> (outside of) Portland, ME
> _______________________________________________
> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
> To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave@lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Bree Kalb <breekalb@gmail.com>
To: Maia McCormick <maia.mcc@gmail.com>
Cc: Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Bcc:
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2023 09:55:53 -0500
Subject: [Callers] Re: Gentlespoons/Ladles (from Rompin' Stompin')Thanks for this Maia; you said it better than I can.And as I’ve said elsewhere, learning to teach/call positionally and adapting to dancing to Larks/Ravens has, for me, the bonus of creating new brain cells and possibly delaying cognitive decline.On Mon, Feb 13, 2023 at 9:47 PM Maia McCormick via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:Happier days for some, but a lot of us, those "haylcon days" were really not all that. Transgender people and gays and lesbians having to hide who they were, or not able to dance with (let alone marry) their partners for fear of retaliation, or having to go to their own separate dances to feel safe and accepted; women with no recourse if they were touched inappropriately or made to feel unsafe; and more that I don't have a gut sense for, not being part of those groups. For myself, I much prefer the current time.I'm sure it must feel jarring to experience this sort of contention and discomfort, but I promise this is only a fraction of what minorities and vulnerable groups have experienced in the dance scene over the years. I hope that folks who have mostly coasted through a dance world built for them are willing to endure a little proximal discomfort and change for the sake of the people only just finding safety and community here.I know email and especially large group discussions are a pretty lousy way to have discussions and convey nuance; if Jon or anyone else yearning for these "simpler times" is interested in having a one-on-one conversation about this, drop me a line off-list.Take care,Maia--Maia McCormick (she/her)917.279.8194_______________________________________________On Sat, Feb 11, 2023 at 5:37 PM Jon Greene via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:Oh those halcyon days when gents were men, ladies were women, birds were birds, gypsies melted down, nobody cared how many jabs you had and you never had to guess whether someone was smiling or frowning at you._______________________________________________Sent from my iPhoneOn Feb 10, 2023, at 9:23 PM, ROBERT FABINSKI via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:I look forward to a day in the future when the "quaintness" of the gendered terms will be used as a quirky theme for a dance evening, and people will think it's so old fashioned that no one will take offense; gendered terms will just be "the way it was a long time ago" and not the contentious topic it has been for the last few years.If that ever happens, the "Push Pa, Pull Ma" type dances with original will be pure gold!_______________________________________________
On Fri, Feb 10, 2023 at 3:03 PM, Rich Sbardella via Contra Callers<contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:_______________________________________________
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jon Greene <greeneneerg@gmail.com>
To: Maia McCormick <maia.mcc@gmail.com>
Cc: Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Bcc:
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2023 10:32:20 -0500
Subject: [Callers] Re: Gentlespoons/Ladles (from Rompin' Stompin')Hi Maia,The part of my post referencing role names was meant to be ironic ("when men were men ...") and was triggered by Robert's post about some future nostalgia. I'm sorry if I offended you or anyone else. I have no problem with any of the gender free names. Nor do I have a problem with "right shoulder round" apart from it being a mouthful and that callers no longer emphasize eye contact. But that's fine. I get that not everyone is comfortable with making eye contact with everyone else. Those who want to, do. Neither of these changes has in any way detracted from my dance experience.But the Covid part was not ironic. I definitely miss not being able to simply go to a dance without restrictions. And I miss seeing people's faces. But at least requirements like pre-registration, testing and mask wearing impose reasonable requirements on all dancers, even though I personally have chosen not to go to a dance that requires masking. But I believe that vaccination requirements are out and out exclusionary and that the data is at best mixed as to whether asymptomatic unvaccinated or partially vaccinated dancers pose any greater risk of transmitting Covid than asymptomatic fully vaccinated and boosted dancers, especially as the virus continues to mutate. Requiring that a person puts a synthesized chemical into their body is not equivalent to requiring that they wear a mask. And that's why virtually all vaccination mandates have been dropped, even by organizations like the Metropolitan Opera that caters to older, more vulnerable populations. It's ironic that this thread is all about making dances as inclusive as possible while some of the largest dances in New England exclude over 80% of the population (those who have not gotten the bivalent booster). It doesn't much matter what the role names are when you're not allowed to go to a dance in the first place.- JonOn Mon, Feb 13, 2023 at 9:47 PM Maia McCormick via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:Happier days for some, but a lot of us, those "haylcon days" were really not all that. Transgender people and gays and lesbians having to hide who they were, or not able to dance with (let alone marry) their partners for fear of retaliation, or having to go to their own separate dances to feel safe and accepted; women with no recourse if they were touched inappropriately or made to feel unsafe; and more that I don't have a gut sense for, not being part of those groups. For myself, I much prefer the current time.I'm sure it must feel jarring to experience this sort of contention and discomfort, but I promise this is only a fraction of what minorities and vulnerable groups have experienced in the dance scene over the years. I hope that folks who have mostly coasted through a dance world built for them are willing to endure a little proximal discomfort and change for the sake of the people only just finding safety and community here.I know email and especially large group discussions are a pretty lousy way to have discussions and convey nuance; if Jon or anyone else yearning for these "simpler times" is interested in having a one-on-one conversation about this, drop me a line off-list.Take care,Maia--Maia McCormick (she/her)917.279.8194_______________________________________________On Sat, Feb 11, 2023 at 5:37 PM Jon Greene via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:Oh those halcyon days when gents were men, ladies were women, birds were birds, gypsies melted down, nobody cared how many jabs you had and you never had to guess whether someone was smiling or frowning at you._______________________________________________Sent from my iPhoneOn Feb 10, 2023, at 9:23 PM, ROBERT FABINSKI via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:I look forward to a day in the future when the "quaintness" of the gendered terms will be used as a quirky theme for a dance evening, and people will think it's so old fashioned that no one will take offense; gendered terms will just be "the way it was a long time ago" and not the contentious topic it has been for the last few years.If that ever happens, the "Push Pa, Pull Ma" type dances with original will be pure gold!_______________________________________________
On Fri, Feb 10, 2023 at 3:03 PM, Rich Sbardella via Contra Callers<contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:_______________________________________________
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Stein, Robert" <steinr@msu.edu>
To: Jerome Grisanti <jerome.grisanti@gmail.com>
Cc: Hannah Chamberlain <hannahchamb@gmail.com>, Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Bcc:
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2023 15:58:25 +0000
Subject: [Callers] Re: The Spiral Dance
We have done this for decades and called it winding up the ball of yarn
Bob
On Feb 14, 2023, at 07:18, Jerome Grisanti via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
I would add this it's important for the dancers to know to keep holding on during the spiral.
Also, I often quip as the ball is nearing its tightest that "planning ahead wasn't always my strongest skill."
Adds a bit of drama as people wonder, "how's this going to end?"
Jerome
_______________________________________________On Tue, Feb 14, 2023, 9:04 AM Jessica Atkinson via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
I’ve done this often as part of the Grand March, I do it as the first “dance” of the evening. The only people who really need to know what will happen is the first few people - I typically lead the group, and either prompt the next couple of people as necessary or give them a heads up before the dance. I don’t often do it as a partner dance just so that everyone of all ages can join in, and let everyone know it’s a “follow the leader” dance. I turn on the music, start walking around and have people join onto the end of the line as I weave around room. Once everyone interested has joined, I lead the line in a circle around the edge of the room. Gradually I tighten the circle in a spiral formation until there’s just a small space in the middle - you do have to slow down as the spiral tightens to avoid too much pulling on arms. Once there’s just a bit of space in the middle, it’s a sharp u-turn for the leader, then spiral out. It is everyone’s favorite moment when it happens, especially if they didn’t realize it was coming! From there, as the spiral unwinds I lead around in a circle again until the next set of figures. I will weave in and out of the line without dropping hands as one move. Another is making arches - the first two make an arch, the line travels under and the next two make an arch and so on everyone has travelled under the arches and then formed one. At the point the arches “collapse” - the lead two people drop their arch and then travel under the arch themselves. Once out on the other side, can either transition to a move with everyone paired up or form up the line/ring of joined hands. When done with live music, once I’ve completed all the figures I drop hands and everyone gathers around where the band is and claps along until the music stops. Hopefully that makes sense! I can’t remember which book, but either Sashay the Donut or Listen to the Mockingbird describes some of the different possible moves. Google may bring up some different ideas and videos as well. 🙂
-Jessica
> On Feb 14, 2023, at 7:43 AM, Hannah Chamberlain via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
>
> Greeting callers!
> I am calling a friend's wedding this weekend and she requested "the spiral dance," a circle dance where at some point one person leads everyone into a spiral (or, optionally, anywhere around the hall?). I think I've danced it before, but I'm having a hard time finding a name or notes on how to call it. Can anyone share a version with me?
> Thanks in advance,
> Hannah Chamberlain
> (outside of) Portland, ME
> _______________________________________________
> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
> To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave@lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Luke Donforth <luke.donev@gmail.com>
To: "Stein, Robert" <steinr@msu.edu>
Cc: Hannah Chamberlain <hannahchamb@gmail.com>, Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Bcc:
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2023 12:13:13 -0500
Subject: [Callers] Re: The Spiral DanceGoes by lots of names, spiral, ball of yarn, cinnamon bun. Here's a video of one tacked onto the end of a dance (spiral at about 1 minute in)I'll note, you can go into it either by drawing the spiral tighter - everyone keeps moving the same direction (say clockwise) but you on the inside overtake folks by going faster. This is probably the easiest entry, and is what's shown in the video.You can, however, get in a slightly different way. Rather than drawing the spiral tighter, have the line leader make a u-turn so that they're facing back out as they draw the line. This means you don't have to go faster than the outside line to start winding it up, you can move at the same pace. You have folks immediately start passing each other face-to-face on that outside ring, and make a spiral of outward facing folks. When you exit, your outward bound line is facing in. The advantage is that it can help prevent the end of the line from having to really hustle along (crack the whip style).Either way: for a wedding, if you have the couple right behind you in the line, they'll be the first to the center. Jerome has his quip, I often say something like "this is your community, surrounding and supporting you" right before leading them out.Have fun.On Tue, Feb 14, 2023 at 10:58 AM Stein, Robert via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:We have done this for decades and called it winding up the ball of yarn_______________________________________________
Bob
On Feb 14, 2023, at 07:18, Jerome Grisanti via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
I would add this it's important for the dancers to know to keep holding on during the spiral.
Also, I often quip as the ball is nearing its tightest that "planning ahead wasn't always my strongest skill."
Adds a bit of drama as people wonder, "how's this going to end?"
Jerome
_______________________________________________On Tue, Feb 14, 2023, 9:04 AM Jessica Atkinson via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
I’ve done this often as part of the Grand March, I do it as the first “dance” of the evening. The only people who really need to know what will happen is the first few people - I typically lead the group, and either prompt the next couple of people as necessary or give them a heads up before the dance. I don’t often do it as a partner dance just so that everyone of all ages can join in, and let everyone know it’s a “follow the leader” dance. I turn on the music, start walking around and have people join onto the end of the line as I weave around room. Once everyone interested has joined, I lead the line in a circle around the edge of the room. Gradually I tighten the circle in a spiral formation until there’s just a small space in the middle - you do have to slow down as the spiral tightens to avoid too much pulling on arms. Once there’s just a bit of space in the middle, it’s a sharp u-turn for the leader, then spiral out. It is everyone’s favorite moment when it happens, especially if they didn’t realize it was coming! From there, as the spiral unwinds I lead around in a circle again until the next set of figures. I will weave in and out of the line without dropping hands as one move. Another is making arches - the first two make an arch, the line travels under and the next two make an arch and so on everyone has travelled under the arches and then formed one. At the point the arches “collapse” - the lead two people drop their arch and then travel under the arch themselves. Once out on the other side, can either transition to a move with everyone paired up or form up the line/ring of joined hands. When done with live music, once I’ve completed all the figures I drop hands and everyone gathers around where the band is and claps along until the music stops. Hopefully that makes sense! I can’t remember which book, but either Sashay the Donut or Listen to the Mockingbird describes some of the different possible moves. Google may bring up some different ideas and videos as well. 🙂
-Jessica
> On Feb 14, 2023, at 7:43 AM, Hannah Chamberlain via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
>
> Greeting callers!
> I am calling a friend's wedding this weekend and she requested "the spiral dance," a circle dance where at some point one person leads everyone into a spiral (or, optionally, anywhere around the hall?). I think I've danced it before, but I'm having a hard time finding a name or notes on how to call it. Can anyone share a version with me?
> Thanks in advance,
> Hannah Chamberlain
> (outside of) Portland, ME
> _______________________________________________
> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
> To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave@lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
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--
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Mary Collins <nativedae@gmail.com>
To: Hannah Chamberlain <hannahchamb@gmail.com>
Cc: contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
Bcc:
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2023 12:20:27 -0500
Subject: [Callers] Re: The Spiral DanceI do this with the basic circle dance, let the band know what you are going to do though and be clear when you break the ring to lead the spiral that all others hold hands. Kids esp love this. I do a weave though arched hands and loop around several times before I take it to the very center and then loop back out into that big circle again. you can end the dance there or resume your original dance.Mary"And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who couldn't hear the music." - Nietzsche“Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass ... it's about learning to dance in the rain!” ~ unknownOn Tue, Feb 14, 2023 at 7:43 AM Hannah Chamberlain via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:Greeting callers!_______________________________________________I am calling a friend's wedding this weekend and she requested "the spiral dance," a circle dance where at some point one person leads everyone into a spiral (or, optionally, anywhere around the hall?). I think I've danced it before, but I'm having a hard time finding a name or notes on how to call it. Can anyone share a version with me?Thanks in advance,Hannah Chamberlain(outside of) Portland, ME
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Julian Blechner <juliancallsdances@gmail.com>
To: Jon Greene <greeneneerg@gmail.com>
Cc: Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Bcc:
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2023 12:20:51 -0500
Subject: [Callers] Re: Gentlespoons/Ladles (from Rompin' Stompin')Hi Jon,I really appreciate you clarifying your email's intent and which parts were facetious and which weren't!Best,JulianOn Tue, Feb 14, 2023, 10:32 AM Jon Greene via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:Hi Maia,The part of my post referencing role names was meant to be ironic ("when men were men ...") and was triggered by Robert's post about some future nostalgia. I'm sorry if I offended you or anyone else. I have no problem with any of the gender free names. Nor do I have a problem with "right shoulder round" apart from it being a mouthful and that callers no longer emphasize eye contact. But that's fine. I get that not everyone is comfortable with making eye contact with everyone else. Those who want to, do. Neither of these changes has in any way detracted from my dance experience.But the Covid part was not ironic. I definitely miss not being able to simply go to a dance without restrictions. And I miss seeing people's faces. But at least requirements like pre-registration, testing and mask wearing impose reasonable requirements on all dancers, even though I personally have chosen not to go to a dance that requires masking. But I believe that vaccination requirements are out and out exclusionary and that the data is at best mixed as to whether asymptomatic unvaccinated or partially vaccinated dancers pose any greater risk of transmitting Covid than asymptomatic fully vaccinated and boosted dancers, especially as the virus continues to mutate. Requiring that a person puts a synthesized chemical into their body is not equivalent to requiring that they wear a mask. And that's why virtually all vaccination mandates have been dropped, even by organizations like the Metropolitan Opera that caters to older, more vulnerable populations. It's ironic that this thread is all about making dances as inclusive as possible while some of the largest dances in New England exclude over 80% of the population (those who have not gotten the bivalent booster). It doesn't much matter what the role names are when you're not allowed to go to a dance in the first place.- Jon_______________________________________________On Mon, Feb 13, 2023 at 9:47 PM Maia McCormick via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:Happier days for some, but a lot of us, those "haylcon days" were really not all that. Transgender people and gays and lesbians having to hide who they were, or not able to dance with (let alone marry) their partners for fear of retaliation, or having to go to their own separate dances to feel safe and accepted; women with no recourse if they were touched inappropriately or made to feel unsafe; and more that I don't have a gut sense for, not being part of those groups. For myself, I much prefer the current time.I'm sure it must feel jarring to experience this sort of contention and discomfort, but I promise this is only a fraction of what minorities and vulnerable groups have experienced in the dance scene over the years. I hope that folks who have mostly coasted through a dance world built for them are willing to endure a little proximal discomfort and change for the sake of the people only just finding safety and community here.I know email and especially large group discussions are a pretty lousy way to have discussions and convey nuance; if Jon or anyone else yearning for these "simpler times" is interested in having a one-on-one conversation about this, drop me a line off-list.Take care,Maia--Maia McCormick (she/her)917.279.8194_______________________________________________On Sat, Feb 11, 2023 at 5:37 PM Jon Greene via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:Oh those halcyon days when gents were men, ladies were women, birds were birds, gypsies melted down, nobody cared how many jabs you had and you never had to guess whether someone was smiling or frowning at you._______________________________________________Sent from my iPhoneOn Feb 10, 2023, at 9:23 PM, ROBERT FABINSKI via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:I look forward to a day in the future when the "quaintness" of the gendered terms will be used as a quirky theme for a dance evening, and people will think it's so old fashioned that no one will take offense; gendered terms will just be "the way it was a long time ago" and not the contentious topic it has been for the last few years.If that ever happens, the "Push Pa, Pull Ma" type dances with original will be pure gold!_______________________________________________
On Fri, Feb 10, 2023 at 3:03 PM, Rich Sbardella via Contra Callers<contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:_______________________________________________
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Katherine Kitching <kat@outdooractive.ca>
To: contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
Cc:
Bcc:
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2023 13:30:52 -0400 (AST)
Subject: [Callers] Re: The Spiral Dance
Can anyone suggest a video where the caller does lead the line under another part of the line? And then plays around with arches?
I was once lucky to dance it this way with Sue Hulsether (thanks Sue!) but didn't feel confident enough to replicate it, even after reading written descriptions.
We *love* doing the spiral at the start of our dances since learning it from Sue, but I haven't been brave enough to do anything fancier than the basic wind-unwind, for fear of messing up with a large group of ppl on the very first dance of the evening :)
Kat K
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Julian Blechner <juliancallsdances@gmail.com>
To: Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Cc:
Bcc:
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2023 12:31:07 -0500
Subject: [Callers] Antivaxx stuffJust want to let folks on this list know:I'm entirely for choosing what you want to put in your body if it doesn't harm others.I also support (and help run) dances who understand that immunology _is_ about harm reduction to the public.It's a complicated issue, absolutely. I don't think there is one universal solution for each dance series.However.I'm autistic, so are many callers, and so are many dancers. The Anti-vaxx movement in the US is heavily funded and tied to efforts that do not respect, patronize, harm, and ignore the wishes of autistic people.If your science isn't peer-reviewed and air-tight:1. Autistic folks and their allies will likely regard this as a signal that you don't care about them, whether that was your intention or not.2. It has previously been asked not to be in Shared Weight.So, can we please not?Julian Blechner
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Louise Siddons <lesiddons@gmail.com>
To: contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
Cc:
Bcc:
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2023 17:53:35 +0000
Subject: [Callers] Re: The Spiral Dance
I’ve come to know this dance as the Farandole — a term that comes from trad French dance (as per here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb74ey_LVeg). For people in search of videos, the more specific term might help!
Louise
(Winchester, UK)
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Erik Hoffman <erik@erikhoffman.com>
To: Louise Siddons <lesiddons@gmail.com>, "contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net" <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Cc:
Bcc:
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2023 18:23:42 +0000
Subject: [Callers] Re: The Spiral Dance
I have led the “winding a ball of yarn,” for years at barn dances. Used to do it occasionally at a contra dance—though not since square and other form fell out of favor.
Then I think it was at a Quaker Yearly Meeting in Wisconsin when they asked a local Native American Tribe to share their culture. There their participatory part included “The Snake Shedding Its Skin.” The same as Winding a Ball of Yarn.
Here’s a video of another Tribe doing a Snake dance ending with the leader saying, “The snake has to coil up.” I think the song for the dance is beautiful.
Cheers,
~Erik Hoffman
Oakland, CA
From: Louise Siddons via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2023 9:54 AM
To: contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
Subject: [Callers] Re: The Spiral Dance
I’ve come to know this dance as the Farandole — a term that comes from trad French dance (as per here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb74ey_LVeg). For people in search of videos, the more specific term might help!
Louise
(Winchester, UK)
_______________________________________________
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Erik Hoffman <erik@erikhoffman.com>
To: Gabrielle Taylor <gabrielletaylor@vivissi.com>, Jim Thaxter <jathaxter47@gmail.com>
Cc: Peghesley <peghesley@cox.net>, Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Bcc:
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2023 19:00:21 +0000
Subject: [Callers] Re: Gentlespoons/Ladles (from Rompin' Stompin')
I don’t recall when I turned the Berkeley dance into a series that used non-gendered terms, but we accepted it was early in the rage. Prior to hearing about using these terms I used Men and Women. I didn’t use ladies and gents as I didn’t want to use terms that were historically class based. A dancer caught me in a private moment and after asking me why told me for him and friends men and women were seen as a gender, ladies and gents were roles, thus more comfortable to hear. I switched back to ladies and gents, realizing they had lost much of the class meaning.
When I searching for non-gendered terms I found a list, a survey of non-gendered terms being used. I think from it came from Amherst College. The ones I remember were Jets & Rubies. “Jets,” I thought? Uh, “When you’re a Jet, You’re a Jet?” Or is it a Jet spewing contrails? No. A jet is a gem stone. Never knew that. Jets and Rubies didn’t work for me.
Then there were Trees and Squirrels. I like that one. Used them for a couple months. Too lighthearted.
Finally landed on Larks and Ravens. Lasted a couple years until Ravens lost favor and we went to Larks and Robins.
I am glad it seems Larks and Robins are becoming the standard.
When working in elementary schools, for years I used Red Birds and Blue Birds, so Larks and Robins fit quite well.
I still use Gents and Ladies in communities that prefer those terms.
Cheers,
~Erik Hoffman
Oakland, CA
From: Gabrielle Taylor via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Thursday, February 9, 2023 5:57 AM
To: Jim Thaxter <jathaxter47@gmail.com>
Cc: Peghesley <peghesley@cox.net>; Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Callers] Re: Gentlespoons/Ladles (from Rompin' Stompin')
As a member of the LGBT community, my view (personal, from talking to others, and from votes in local contra dances in Western Massachusetts) is it's very good to have a consistent term that isn't inherently gendered.
After local debate and dance-specific polls, we've been using larks and robins/ravens here since about 2018, and I think it's been a big improvement over ladies/gents. Larks and robins are my personal preference, since it's what everyone here is used to, and I at least don't have enough bird knowledge to get confused about robins or larks having some inherent gendering. I don't have any cultural stance against positional calling, but the confusion of "lefts allemande right" seems a lot worse than learning new terms.
Thanks,
Gabrielle
On Feb 9, 2023, at 13:45, Jim Thaxter via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Just a thought, but has anyone checked with the lgbtq community about what terms they would like to have used?
Another thought, someone mentioned earlier in the thread that the terminology issue had been discussed thoroughly some time ago and the decision had been made to go with the birds. I don’t remember seeing or hearing about a general survey sent out to all the CDSS affiliates or any other general list of dance groups around the country or world vetting that decision
Personally, I’m exploring positional calling. Just my gut feeling, but I think fewer people would be challenged by right/left directional calls than by being called bird names.
Jim Thaxter
Columbia, MO
On Thu, Feb 9, 2023 at 6:31 AM Amy Cann via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Since no one else has mentioned this, I'll just say that my entire
personal difficulty with birds comes from fairy tales and ornithology.
When we say "robin" we are mostly thinking about that bird with the
"red breast", right? Not something kinda reddish-brownish? That's the
male. In my childhood I read any number of books with
anthropomorphised birds, and Mister Robin Redbreast was male. In a
bunch of the stories there was also small, sweet-singing female lark.
Add to that that in the states the robin is a different bird from in
the UK, and much larger, I've got two good reasons to think of the
robin as being the "male" role. My brain weighs the imagery and
memories against that silly little detail of starting with "R" or "L"
and defaults obstinately to the exact wrong conclusion every time.
EVERY time. It's somewhat maddening. But "Ravens" was even worse,
because ravens are black and men in formal clothing dress in black, so
I guess things are better now??
Whew. Change is hard.
On 2/9/23, Peghesley via Contra Callers
<contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> Bree, I’m making the same change as well and am calling without reference to
> role and don’t need bird terms. Louise Siddons’ position is a compelling
> one.
>
> Peg Hesley
> www.peghesley.com
>
> Sent from my iPhone using voice recognition
>
>> On Feb 8, 2023, at 7:04 PM, Bree Kalb via Contra Callers
>> <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>>
>>
>> I made the same changes Chrissy did and for the same reason. I think it
>> was 4-5 years ago when I switched from M and W to Gents and Ladies. And
>> it seems to me that almost all the local callers did the same.
>>
>> ( Now I’m calling without reference to gender or role. Louise Siddons
>> booklet “Dance the Whole Dance” from CDSS describes well what many of us
>> are learning to do.)
>>
>> If it matters, my dance community is in a progressive/liberal area, so
>> calling styles here might be different than in other places.
>>
>> Bree Kalb
>> Carrboro, NC
>>
>> On Wed, Feb 8, 2023 at 8:18 PM Jacob or Nancy Bloom via Contra Callers
>> <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>>>
>>> At the Ralph Page Legacy day last month, Chrissy Fowler did a session in
>>> which she called dances as she called them at different times in her
>>> career. In it, she talked about how, at one point, she and other female
>>> callers were insisting on the term "women" because they weren't ladies,
>>> and then several years later they were insisting on the term "ladies"
>>> because that was understood to be the name of a role.
>>>
>>> I can't give a year when it happened, but I do believe I remember a time
>>> when at least some callers were making it explicitly clear that the terms
>>> Gents and Ladies referred to roles, and anybody could dance either role.
>>>
>>> Jacob
>>>
>>>
>>> On Wed, Feb 8, 2023, 2:29 PM Tony Parkes via Contra Callers
>>> <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I believe it’s in Myrtle Wilhite’s Lullaby of the Swing and other contra
>>>> dances, tunes, waltzes, and essays (Madison, WI, 1993). I can’t lay my
>>>> hand on my copy at the moment, but perhaps someone else has one.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Tony Parkes
>>>>
>>>> Billerica, Mass.
>>>>
>>>> www.hands4.com
>>>>
>>>> New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century
>>>>
>>>> (available now)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> From: Mary Collins <nativedae@gmail.com>
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, February 8, 2023 2:11 PM
>>>> To: Jeff Kaufman <jeff@alum.swarthmore.edu>
>>>> Cc: Tony Parkes <tony@hands4.com>; Joe Harrington
>>>> <contradancerjoe@gmail.com>; contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
>>>> Subject: Re: [Callers] Re: Gentlespoons/Ladles (from Rompin' Stompin')
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Jeff, me too...if you find it, share please.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> mary
>>>>
>>>> "And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who
>>>> couldn't hear the music." - Nietzsche
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> “Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass ... it's about
>>>> learning to dance in the rain!” ~ unknown
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Wed, Feb 8, 2023 at 9:58 AM Jeff Kaufman via Contra Callers
>>>> <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Aside: does anyone have a copy of the "I am not a lady" essay? I'd be
>>>>> interested to read it.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Jeff
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Wed, Feb 8, 2023 at 9:54 AM Tony Parkes via Contra Callers
>>>>> <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Joe Harrington wrote:
>>>