[Callers] Re: Contras for a Crowd that does not Swing

I’ve called contra at two conventions another coming up and led a contra workshop for MWSD at a joint club session. I also dance SD and work with SD beginners.  I’ll go back and check what I’ve done if you want  I interpreted that you are speaking about contra  dances to call at convention.  There’s quite a bit of MWSD terms sneaking into contra choreography these days.  And yes most cannot tolerate longer swings. Others love the energy. And the long timers were taught walking to the music and timing. Not currently sadly.  The orientation and progression can be confusing so I always address it first as I am working with the initial dance. And add to during the sessions.  “Why are those two at the end just standing there?”  Face down the hall. — shrug shift. Er we don’t understand what you mean by that someone whispers  In one convention I did an “initiation” session. They all came back for the second some with buddies and most returned for the third. That time I could really build on the figures.  I hope I’m responding to your question.  Laurie Pietravalle West Michigan  Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, 2:31 PM, Jerome Grisanti via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: Tony (and Rich and others), I'm just learning to call to MWSD dancers, and learning how to gauge what will work out of the box, what will work with a heads-up phrase, and what needs a little teach. With that in mind, how do you think dancers would respond to "trade by" without a preceeding "pass thru," to maintain a single progression. The power of habits. Jerome  On Tue, Mar 14, 2023, 1:57 PM Tony Parkes via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: I’ve led several Intro to Contras sessions at National S/D Conventions. The first dance in the session was typically my Inflation Reel, with a Trade By added after the Pass Thru. (Trade By: If you’re facing someone, pass thru; if not, do a partner trade [like a California Twirl without hands]). This gives a double progression and means I don’t have to explain waiting at the ends or crossing over. I’ve always also used Shadrack’s Delight, which I wrote to appeal to traditional dancers and MWSDers alike.   For the most part, I’ve found that MWSDers quickly get into the groove of dancing to the phrase, as long as they’re in longways formation. (I tell them that contra dancing is “square dance basics with round dance timing.”) But the moment I put them in squares, with the hope of doing some of my favorite Lancers or other quadrille figures, they think they can “relax” and clip the timing.   Tony Parkes Billerica, Mass. www.hands4.com New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century (available now)     From: Rich Sbardella via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2023 12:29 PM To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> Subject: [Callers] Contras for a Crowd that does not Swing   Friends,   I have been asked to lead an intro to contra dance session at a square dance convention.   I will have time to lead 3-4 contras, and I am looking for suggestions.   My main concern is that most modern square dancers do not swing, they simply twirl under.  With that in mind, I need contras which have no more than an eight count swing yet reflect the spirit of the modern contra scene.     One major difference between contra dance and MWSD is square dancers are not trained to dance to the phrase of the music.  I will most likely begin with a circle mixer to encourage a full 8 count swing and to emphasize dancing to the phrase.    I am not looking for contra dances with MWSD basics, but rather typical contra basics.  Any suggestions?  I can certainly find some among my collection, but perhaps there is a gem I might miss.   Thanks, Rich Sbardella Stafford, CT _______________________________________________ Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net _______________________________________________ Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net