9 May
2024
9 May
'24
1 a.m.
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(a)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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