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
|
|
|
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
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave@lists.sharedweight.net