25 Feb
2023
25 Feb
'23
6:25 p.m.
Hi Emily,
It's not exactly what you're looking for, but I've started pointing out in the
walkthru where flourishes could ADD to the dance, or take away from it by making the setup
for the next move more awkward (like the clap after petronella when hands are used in the
next move)
For instance, when coming back up the hall in lines of four Lark-Robin-Lark-Robin and then
facing across (preparing for a chain or R&L thru, e.g.) I point out that the line is
asymmetric, and different flourishes work "better" on each end; on one side the
Robin can cast around to get momentum for the next move, while the other side feels
smoother with a simple Robin twirl.
I've also started pointing out good places to switch roles, and where to leave out or
modify moves for dances with mobility issues; doing half an allemand instead of once and a
half, to keep in sync with the music and avoid being late for the next move.
bobfab(a)aol.com
On Sat, Feb 25, 2023 at 10:50 AM, Emily Addison via Contra
Callers<contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: Hi All,
Thanks so much Jacqui, Maia, and Joe for chiming in on playful strategies and dances.
I'm sorry I didn't write back sooner but this was JUST the kind of stuff I was
looking for. I love these types of moments as a dancer and would like to bring more of
them to the dance floor as a caller.
Thank you :) :) Emily in Ottawa
On Mon, Feb 6, 2023 at 11:10 PM Joe Harrington <contradancerjoe(a)gmail.com> wrote:
Bob Isaacs calls a contra dance with a fun chase figure at the end of some longer
multisession gigs. The ones chase around the twos with the first going around both twos
and the second going around one, reversing the order of the ones on the return leg of the
chase. They do this twice in 16 beats (I think. That seems short but 32 seems long,
hmmm…), each dancer leading once and following once. It’s pretty fun with high-tempo music
(like 125 bpm). It’s even more fun because after he stops cueing, he goes around the room
and quietly invites those sitting out to run through the set during the chase, and then
for everyone to chase out of the set. Pretty guaranteed chaotic fun!
—jh—
On Sat, Feb 4, 2023 at 3:47 PM Emily Addison via Contra Callers
<contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hey folks,
After a number of relatively quiet caller years (parenting; pandemic), I've started to
dig deep to expand my repertoire and up my skills. It feels like it's time for lots
more dance fun! :)
One dance that I've really enjoyed is Heartbeat Contra (by Don Flaherty - see
below).Tom Calwell called it in Ottawa way back in 2010 and at the top of the B1, he
called Al R 1.5 or ANYTHING (R shoulder round, swing, DSD).
Do any of you throw in a 'do anything' moment in an evening of contra programming?
I'm always looking for fun, playful moments that make dancers smile and this feels
like a lovely one. If you throw in an anything moment, how do you choose when?
And do you have other strategies for adding playfulness to an evening?I've got some
dances which I find super playful and fun (e.g., Three's Company - Altered &
Alternating - Paul Balliet)
Thoughts on this?
Thanks!Emily in Ottawa
-------------------------------Heartbeat Contra (Don Flaherty)A1
BalRing & Petronella Twirl
Bal Ring & Petronella Twirl
A2Bal Ring & N Sw
B1
ROBAl R 1.5 OR ANYTHING! (Al R, Rshoulder round, swing, DSD... original was RH round)
P Sw
B2
Cir L 3/4
BalRing & California Twirl
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