2 Dec
2012
2 Dec
'12
1:02 p.m.
And can we get a copy of "March of the Coffee Zombies" or contact the
composer.
Rickey
-----Original Message-----
From: callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net
[mailto:callers-bounces@sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of Susan Moffett
Sent: Sunday, December 02, 2012 10:40 AM
To: Michael Fuerst; Caller's discussion list
Subject: Re: [Callers] Music for DuQuoin Races
Hi all,
DuQuoin Races is one of my all time favorite dances. I have called it
numerous times with the Coffee Zombies and their fantastic set "March of the
Coffee Zombies". The march-like precision of the A parts and the flow of the
B parts work wonderfully with this tune set. Two of the three tunes were
written by Tom Cunningham, fiddler extraordinaire of the CZ's.
I also love dances by Becky Hill, especially "Kopp's on the Loose".
best,
Susan
On Dec 2, 2012, at 1:25 AM, Michael Fuerst wrote:
Hello Delia
All the moves take relatively short amounts of time to complete, and the
first
half has several balances on the odd phrases, and the B part starts
with a short swing on an odd phrase.
So either
1) bouncy jigs played at average or a bit faster than average speed
(my personal preference), or
2) reels played a bit faster than average, and which have **well defined
eight
count phrases** (so dancers can tell when to stop the swing).
Tunes played more slowly than average will not likely work well.
The tune Irish Washerwoman will work really well.
Mac, who calls the dance quite often, lives in the St Louis area,
where bands tend to play fast driving tunes and few jigs, so his
preference and
experience might be 2) I'm sure he will correct me on this if
needed.
In either case, the caller should vigilant throughout the dance, ready to
prompt
the dancers as needed to end the swing and start the the first
circle.
I once called DuQuion Races at an open calling weekend, where often the
bands and
callers do not coordinate dances with tunes.
The band played a tune where only the 16 count phrases
were clear. The
ends of the odd 8 count phrases were not. First time through the
dance I
unwittingly let the partners swing for 16 beats.
I had the presence of mind to recover by calling the
rest of the dance
with the music 8 counts ahead of the dance.
Michael Fuerst 802 N Broadway Urbana IL 61801 217-239-5844
________________________________
From: Delia Clark <deliaclark8(a)gmail.com>
To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Sent: Saturday, December 1, 2012 7:20 PM
Subject: Re: [Callers] Fw: What is the best contra dance(s) ever written?
Catching up, Michael,
What kind of music do you feel works best / doesn't work with DuQuoin
Races?
Delia
On Nov 30, 2012, at 5:22 PM, Michael Fuerst wrote:
> Mac:
>
> DuQuoin Races would be in my top five or ten, but certainly not the top
one,
probably because the experience of dancing it varies with the music
more than other dances..
<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>
Delia Clark
PO Box 45
Taftsville, VT 05073
802-457-2075
deliaclark8(a)gmail.com
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