23 Jul
2024
23 Jul
'24
6:05 p.m.
"That said, there's abundant evidence that the party that routinely cuts
funding for arts - which directly impacts so much of folk music and dance -
isn't the blue one. How appropriate that is in a dance title? Debatable,
sure. But appropriate in a discussion about folk music and dance?
Absolutely relevant to our collective thriving."
Couldn't agree more, Julian. Vicki and I are here in Florida where arts
funding was just cut altogether
<https://www.npr.org/2024/07/01/nx-s1-5021829/hundreds-of-florida-arts-groups-scramble-for-funding-after-desantis-vetoes-grants>
— people in my universe (visual arts, galleries, public arts programming,
theater, etc) are all panicking.
It is tricky, though, for those of us here who call to politically mixed
crowds. It's easy for some callers on this list to forget that dances like
this exist all over! Part of what I love about contra dancing is that it is
a bipartisan activity that brings people together. As such, I don't think
I'd be comfortable calling a dance with this title in my communities.
Frankly, it's political enough for me to arrive onstage as my nonbinary,
they/them-using self.
I do call Maia McCormick's dance Barack Me, Obamadeus
<https://contra.maiamccormick.com/dances.html#barackmeobamadeus>. Less of a
directive, more neutral, and it makes me laugh every time!
Ang
(they/them)
On Tue, Jul 23, 2024 at 10:47 AM Julian Blechner via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
The "no political stances" isn't really
accurate. 501c3s cannot endorse
candidates.
If the rule was "non-profits can't take a political stand", a huge number
of churches would lose tax-exempt status.
On a personal level, I might encourage caution for any choreographer with
a message about a political party.
But I'd also point out that folk music and dance has a deep tradition of
being political. Guthrie. Dolly. Heck, Jazz and Blues merely existing was
radical at the time. Anti-war 50s/60s folk revival. Anti-slavery gospel and
plantation songs. Pro-labor songs. I'm sure y'all can think of many more
examples.
I would hope and assume any on this list who'd raise a voice of caution
are doing so from the spirit of helping fellow creatives be successful and
express themselves.
That said, there's abundant evidence that the party that routinely cuts
funding for arts - which directly impacts so much of folk music and dance -
isn't the blue one. How appropriate that is in a dance title? Debatable,
sure. But appropriate in a discussion about folk music and dance?
Absolutely relevant to our collective thriving.
In dance,
Julian Blechner
He/him
Western Mass
On Tue, Jul 23, 2024, 8:09 AM Vicki Morrison via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Considering all of the efforts our dance
community makes to be welcoming
and inclusive, the title of this dance does just the opposite by
appearing unwelcoming and exclusive. Plus, as Mac said, non-profit
organizations risk losing their status by taking political stands.
Vicki Morrison
Tallahassee
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
<https://mail.onelink.me/107872968?pid=nativeplacement&c=Global_Acquisition_YMktg_315_Internal_EmailSignature&af_sub1=Acquisition&af_sub2=Global_YMktg&af_sub3=&af_sub4=100000604&af_sub5=EmailSignature__Static_>
On Tuesday, July 23, 2024, 12:47 AM, Mac Mckeever via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
You are aware that not-for-profits can not take any kind of political
stand or they can lose their standing. Just takes one dancer on the red
side to report you.
I'd check with your attorney before doing this.
Mac
On Monday, July 22, 2024 at 05:59:01 PM CDT, Jonathan Sivier via Contra
Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
I have a couple of gigs next month. I'll give it a try.
Jonathan
-----
Jonathan Sivier
Caller of Contra, Square, English and Early American Dances
Dance Page: http://www.sivier.me/dance_leader.html
-----
Q: How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?
A: It depends on what dance you call!
On 7/22/2024 5:00 PM, Elizabeth Bloom Albert via Contra Callers wrote:
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*my "**Vote Blue No Matter Who,**"
tweaked for this election cycle:*
*(let me know how it goes if you call this one!)*
*
*
*Vote Blue No Matter Who, Version 2.024 *(5-2-24) /by Elizabeth Bloom
Albert /**
Becket formation; start one-quarter turn to left of Improper; this
dance
progresses clockwise.
A1* (2) Slide Left to new neighbors:
(6) Ladies Do-Si-Do 1 x
(8) Swing Partner
A2 (4) Ladies: R-hand Balance
(4) Ladies: Pull-by R to switch [places] {Drop hands}
(4) Gents: R-hand Balance
(4) Gents: Pull-by R to switch [places] {Don’t drop hands}
B1 (8) [Hands Across] Star Right
[End in Wavy Lines up/down hall with Gents facing in]
(4) Balance the [Blue!] wave
(4) Balance the wave again
B2 (8) Gents cross Left, for Half a Hey
(8) Swing Partner (again)
NOTES:
A1: CALLER: During walk thru and 1st time thru, couples do not shift
left, dancing
instead with couple across.
/
/
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