19 Apr
2023
19 Apr
'23
2:21 a.m.
So... it occurred to me that it'd be really easy to do a mixed-role contra
corners from Becket position.
A few weeks ago, I danced Jim Kitch's Equinox, which had a fun setup and
you finish Contra Corners by passing R , but ... do people know any simpler
ways? Like, for example, dance below. I can't possibly have been the first
to figure this out, eh?
(If not written yet: Buttered Corners)
Becket
A1. Circle L 3/4
NS
A2. Robins Chain
LLFB*
B1. Bottom couples Contra Corners**
Same Couples Pass R, to P
B2. P B + S
... slide L to New Ns
* opportunity in the lines for partners to rollaway to swap roles
** and can alternate top couples, bottom couples, doing bottom couples -
who were original 1s - first. This way, the top of the set has corners for
people, always.
Like, literally this gives 16 measures to progress and have a neighbor
swing if you want. If we opened up to the idea of contra corners with a
neighbor from Becket, it opens up immense numbers of dances that can be
written.
In dance,
Julian Blechner
19 Apr
19 Apr
2:31 a.m.
Sorry, crossed wires and hit send before final proofing.
A2 would need to amount to a zero move, so:
Chain + Back, or
LLFB+Rollaway x2 or
R+L Thru + Back
Etc.
On Tue, Apr 18, 2023, 10:21 PM Julian Blechner <juliancallsdances(a)gmail.com>
wrote:
So... it occurred to me that it'd be really easy
to do a mixed-role contra
corners from Becket position.
A few weeks ago, I danced Jim Kitch's Equinox, which had a fun setup and
you finish Contra Corners by passing R , but ... do people know any simpler
ways? Like, for example, dance below. I can't possibly have been the first
to figure this out, eh?
(If not written yet: Buttered Corners)
Becket
A1. Circle L 3/4
NS
A2. Robins Chain
LLFB*
B1. Bottom couples Contra Corners**
Same Couples Pass R, to P
B2. P B + S
... slide L to New Ns
* opportunity in the lines for partners to rollaway to swap roles
** and can alternate top couples, bottom couples, doing bottom couples -
who were original 1s - first. This way, the top of the set has corners for
people, always.
Like, literally this gives 16 measures to progress and have a neighbor
swing if you want. If we opened up to the idea of contra corners with a
neighbor from Becket, it opens up immense numbers of dances that can be
written.
In dance,
Julian Blechner
2:34 a.m.
I'm sorry, maybe it's because I'm doubting that this can be so simple and
I'm triple-guessing myself.
Yeah, original.
Progress and swing neighbor on Lark's home side.
Trade one role to be opposite neighbor.
Top or bottom couple do Contra Corners
Pass Neighbor, swing partner somehow.
On Tue, Apr 18, 2023, 10:31 PM Julian Blechner <juliancallsdances(a)gmail.com>
wrote:
Sorry, crossed wires and hit send before final
proofing.
A2 would need to amount to a zero move, so:
Chain + Back, or
LLFB+Rollaway x2 or
R+L Thru + Back
Etc.
On Tue, Apr 18, 2023, 10:21 PM Julian Blechner <
juliancallsdances(a)gmail.com> wrote:
So... it occurred to me that it'd be really
easy to do a mixed-role
contra corners from Becket position.
A few weeks ago, I danced Jim Kitch's Equinox, which had a fun setup and
you finish Contra Corners by passing R , but ... do people know any simpler
ways? Like, for example, dance below. I can't possibly have been the first
to figure this out, eh?
(If not written yet: Buttered Corners)
Becket
A1. Circle L 3/4
NS
A2. Robins Chain
LLFB*
B1. Bottom couples Contra Corners**
Same Couples Pass R, to P
B2. P B + S
... slide L to New Ns
* opportunity in the lines for partners to rollaway to swap roles
** and can alternate top couples, bottom couples, doing bottom couples -
who were original 1s - first. This way, the top of the set has corners for
people, always.
Like, literally this gives 16 measures to progress and have a neighbor
swing if you want. If we opened up to the idea of contra corners with a
neighbor from Becket, it opens up immense numbers of dances that can be
written.
In dance,
Julian Blechner
5:35 p.m.
See My Hovercraft is Full of Eels by Luke Donforth for another mixed CC. I
have an unpublished riff off that called Alternative Transport (not near
my cards or I'd provide the choreo) which can alternate easily.
And just for another take for swings out of CC, there's this (definitely
not beginner friendly) one:
Contraventional Corners (Rev 2) - Becket RIGHT/CCW - Don Veino, Revised
20190329
Your Shadow is past your PNR if facing up/down from hands 4.
A1 Slice Right 1+1/2x (forward on right diag. until NEW GENTS are face to
face, fall straight back)
Gents Turn 1/2 Reverse Contra Corners (LH w/NBR1 GNT Center, RH with NBR1
LDY)
A2 Gents Turn 1/2 Reverse Contra Corners (LH w/NBR1 GNT Center, RH with
NBR2 LDY)
end facing back along side to NBR1 Swing
B1 NBR1 Promenade Across (Past PNR) and tight Courtesy Turn to face across
(end so Ladies are directly opposite each other like the Gents were)
Ladies Turn 1/2 Contra Corners (RH w/NBR1 LDY, LH with PNR)
B2 Ladies Turn 1/2 Contra Corners (RH w/NBR1 LDY, LH with Shadow)
end facing back along side to PNR Swing
First time through could be on slight right diagonal (Slice 1/2x) so
original foursome gents start the A1 CC, with ghost corners for the 2s.
On Tue, Apr 18, 2023, 10:34 PM Julian Blechner via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
I'm sorry, maybe it's because I'm doubting
that this can be so simple and
I'm triple-guessing myself.
Yeah, original.
Progress and swing neighbor on Lark's home side.
Trade one role to be opposite neighbor.
Top or bottom couple do Contra Corners
Pass Neighbor, swing partner somehow.
On Tue, Apr 18, 2023, 10:31 PM Julian Blechner <
juliancallsdances(a)gmail.com> wrote:
Sorry, crossed wires and hit send before final
proofing.
A2 would need to amount to a zero move, so:
Chain + Back, or
LLFB+Rollaway x2 or
R+L Thru + Back
Etc.
On Tue, Apr 18, 2023, 10:21 PM Julian Blechner <
juliancallsdances(a)gmail.com> wrote:
Contra Callers mailing list
-- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
So... it occurred to me that it'd be really
easy to do a mixed-role
contra corners from Becket position.
A few weeks ago, I danced Jim Kitch's Equinox, which had a fun setup and
you finish Contra Corners by passing R , but ... do people know any simpler
ways? Like, for example, dance below. I can't possibly have been the first
to figure this out, eh?
(If not written yet: Buttered Corners)
Becket
A1. Circle L 3/4
NS
A2. Robins Chain
LLFB*
B1. Bottom couples Contra Corners**
Same Couples Pass R, to P
B2. P B + S
... slide L to New Ns
* opportunity in the lines for partners to rollaway to swap roles
** and can alternate top couples, bottom couples, doing bottom couples -
who were original 1s - first. This way, the top of the set has corners for
people, always.
Like, literally this gives 16 measures to progress and have a neighbor
swing if you want. If we opened up to the idea of contra corners with a
neighbor from Becket, it opens up immense numbers of dances that can be
written.
In dance,
Julian Blechner
_______________________________________________
6:47 p.m.
I like the concept of the "tight courtesy turn" - in effect achieving the
same goal as the half-slice. Neat!
On Wed, Apr 19, 2023, 1:35 PM Don Veino <sharedweight_net(a)veino.com> wrote:
See My Hovercraft is Full of Eels by Luke Donforth for
another mixed CC. I
have an unpublished riff off that called Alternative Transport (not near
my cards or I'd provide the choreo) which can alternate easily.
And just for another take for swings out of CC, there's this (definitely
not beginner friendly) one:
Contraventional Corners (Rev 2) - Becket RIGHT/CCW - Don Veino, Revised
20190329
Your Shadow is past your PNR if facing up/down from hands 4.
A1 Slice Right 1+1/2x (forward on right diag. until NEW GENTS are face to
face, fall straight back)
Gents Turn 1/2 Reverse Contra Corners (LH w/NBR1 GNT Center, RH with NBR1
LDY)
A2 Gents Turn 1/2 Reverse Contra Corners (LH w/NBR1 GNT Center, RH with
NBR2 LDY)
end facing back along side to NBR1 Swing
B1 NBR1 Promenade Across (Past PNR) and tight Courtesy Turn to face across
(end so Ladies are directly opposite each other like the Gents were)
Ladies Turn 1/2 Contra Corners (RH w/NBR1 LDY, LH with PNR)
B2 Ladies Turn 1/2 Contra Corners (RH w/NBR1 LDY, LH with Shadow)
end facing back along side to PNR Swing
First time through could be on slight right diagonal (Slice 1/2x) so
original foursome gents start the A1 CC, with ghost corners for the 2s.
On Tue, Apr 18, 2023, 10:34 PM Julian Blechner via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
I'm sorry, maybe it's because I'm
doubting that this can be so simple and
I'm triple-guessing myself.
Yeah, original.
Progress and swing neighbor on Lark's home side.
Trade one role to be opposite neighbor.
Top or bottom couple do Contra Corners
Pass Neighbor, swing partner somehow.
On Tue, Apr 18, 2023, 10:31 PM Julian Blechner <
juliancallsdances(a)gmail.com> wrote:
Sorry, crossed wires and hit send before final
proofing.
A2 would need to amount to a zero move, so:
Chain + Back, or
LLFB+Rollaway x2 or
R+L Thru + Back
Etc.
On Tue, Apr 18, 2023, 10:21 PM Julian Blechner <
juliancallsdances(a)gmail.com> wrote:
Contra Callers mailing list
-- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
So... it occurred to me that it'd be really
easy to do a mixed-role
contra corners from Becket position.
A few weeks ago, I danced Jim Kitch's Equinox, which had a fun setup
and you finish Contra Corners by passing R , but ... do people know any
simpler ways? Like, for example, dance below. I can't possibly have been
the first to figure this out, eh?
(If not written yet: Buttered Corners)
Becket
A1. Circle L 3/4
NS
A2. Robins Chain
LLFB*
B1. Bottom couples Contra Corners**
Same Couples Pass R, to P
B2. P B + S
... slide L to New Ns
* opportunity in the lines for partners to rollaway to swap roles
** and can alternate top couples, bottom couples, doing bottom couples
- who were original 1s - first. This way, the top of the set has corners
for people, always.
Like, literally this gives 16 measures to progress and have a neighbor
swing if you want. If we opened up to the idea of contra corners with a
neighbor from Becket, it opens up immense numbers of dances that can be
written.
In dance,
Julian Blechner
_______________________________________________
21 Apr
21 Apr
8:19 p.m.
I got to premier this at the pre-NEFFA caller showcase last night.
It seemed to go well!
https://www.facebook.com/juliancalls/videos/614416073608212/
On Tue, Apr 18, 2023 at 10:34 PM Julian Blechner <
juliancallsdances(a)gmail.com> wrote:
I'm sorry, maybe it's because I'm doubting
that this can be so simple and
I'm triple-guessing myself.
Yeah, original.
Progress and swing neighbor on Lark's home side.
Trade one role to be opposite neighbor.
Top or bottom couple do Contra Corners
Pass Neighbor, swing partner somehow.
On Tue, Apr 18, 2023, 10:31 PM Julian Blechner <
juliancallsdances(a)gmail.com> wrote:
> Sorry, crossed wires and hit send before final proofing.
>
> A2 would need to amount to a zero move, so:
>
> Chain + Back, or
> LLFB+Rollaway x2 or
> R+L Thru + Back
>
> Etc.
>
> On Tue, Apr 18, 2023, 10:21 PM Julian Blechner <
> juliancallsdances(a)gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> So... it occurred to me that it'd be really easy to do a mixed-role
>> contra corners from Becket position.
>>
>> A few weeks ago, I danced Jim Kitch's Equinox, which had a fun setup and
>> you finish Contra Corners by passing R , but ... do people know any simpler
>> ways? Like, for example, dance below. I can't possibly have been the first
>> to figure this out, eh?
>>
>> (If not written yet: Buttered Corners)
>> Becket
>>
>> A1. Circle L 3/4
>> NS
>> A2. Robins Chain
>> LLFB*
>> B1. Bottom couples Contra Corners**
>> Same Couples Pass R, to P
>> B2. P B + S
>> ... slide L to New Ns
>>
>> * opportunity in the lines for partners to rollaway to swap roles
>> ** and can alternate top couples, bottom couples, doing bottom couples -
>> who were original 1s - first. This way, the top of the set has corners for
>> people, always.
>>
>> Like, literally this gives 16 measures to progress and have a neighbor
>> swing if you want. If we opened up to the idea of contra corners with a
>> neighbor from Becket, it opens up immense numbers of dances that can be
>> written.
>>
>>
>> In dance,
>> Julian Blechner
>>
>
19 Apr
19 Apr
1:53 p.m.
I heard from Chris Page, on a FB post in a choreo group.
He thought of the contra-corners-from-Becket, with:
Twirly Corners
Becket
A1 Slice left while partner roll away
Top/Bottom pair do-si-do in center
A2 Top/Bottom pair turn contra corners
B1 Top/Bottom pair balance and swing
B2 Partner balance and swing
I'll add this to my box, too, but, what I think is the interesting thing to
play with is integrating Jim Kitch's contra corners exit where you skip the
swing in the middle and swing your partner instead.
This means we can have a contra corners dance which:
- solves the issue of "many dancers don't like it when you only get to
swing your partner half the time" with contra corners dances where partners
are doing the move
- leaves _half_ of a square tune for other choreo. Normally, we spend 3/4
of a dance setting up contra corners, doing them, and having the swing at
the end. I think this is why we all have Alternative Corners and Labor of
Love in our boxes, and anything else is advanced level.
- has the partner as an anchor, mitigating the issue of "new dancers have
trouble with this move and can't recover quickly after it doesn't go well"
I'm going to give my original a whirl at a dance this week. (Buttered
Corners - circle L 3/4, NS, Chain, Lines, CC, P B+S, slide left progression)
I'd love to hear more thoughts and feedback.
In dance,
Julian Blechner
On Tue, Apr 18, 2023, 10:21 PM Julian Blechner <juliancallsdances(a)gmail.com>
wrote:
So... it occurred to me that it'd be really easy
to do a mixed-role contra
corners from Becket position.
A few weeks ago, I danced Jim Kitch's Equinox, which had a fun setup and
you finish Contra Corners by passing R , but ... do people know any simpler
ways? Like, for example, dance below. I can't possibly have been the first
to figure this out, eh?
(If not written yet: Buttered Corners)
Becket
A1. Circle L 3/4
NS
A2. Robins Chain
LLFB*
B1. Bottom couples Contra Corners**
Same Couples Pass R, to P
B2. P B + S
... slide L to New Ns
* opportunity in the lines for partners to rollaway to swap roles
** and can alternate top couples, bottom couples, doing bottom couples -
who were original 1s - first. This way, the top of the set has corners for
people, always.
Like, literally this gives 16 measures to progress and have a neighbor
swing if you want. If we opened up to the idea of contra corners with a
neighbor from Becket, it opens up immense numbers of dances that can be
written.
In dance,
Julian Blechner
3:07 p.m.
New subject: [External] Re: Choreo q - contra corners variations
Julian and Chris,
Seems very similar to "Uncommon Corners" by Don Flaherty
http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=2747
Figures:
A1
(16) Man one and woman two turn contra
corners<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#co…
A2
(4) Man one and woman two
balance<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#ba…
(12) Man one and woman two
swing<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#swin…ng>; face
down<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#down-…
B1
(6) Shadow
mirror<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#mir…
allemande<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#… 1
(Man one and woman two split others)
(10) Partner
swing<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#swin…
B2
(8) Circle
left<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#circl…
1
(8) Slice<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#slic… left
2A1
(16) Woman one and man two turn contra
corners<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#co…
2A2
(4) Woman one and man two
balance<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#ba…
(12) Woman one and man two
swing<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#swin…ng>; face
up<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#down-up…
2B1
(6) Shadow
mirror<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#mir…
allemande<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#… 1
(Woman one and man two split others)
(10) Partner
swing<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#swin…
2B2
(8) Circle
left<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#circl…
1 [with N2]
(8) Slice<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#slic… left
Seth Tepfer, MBA, CSM, PMP (he, him, his)
Senior IT Manager, Emory Primate Center
________________________________
From: Julian Blechner via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2023 9:53 AM
To: Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: [External] [Callers] Re: Choreo q - contra corners variations
I heard from Chris Page, on a FB post in a choreo group.
He thought of the contra-corners-from-Becket, with:
Twirly Corners
Becket
A1 Slice left while partner roll away
Top/Bottom pair do-si-do in center
A2 Top/Bottom pair turn contra corners
B1 Top/Bottom pair balance and swing
B2 Partner balance and swing
I'll add this to my box, too, but, what I think is the interesting thing to play with
is integrating Jim Kitch's contra corners exit where you skip the swing in the middle
and swing your partner instead.
This means we can have a contra corners dance which:
- solves the issue of "many dancers don't like it when you only get to swing your
partner half the time" with contra corners dances where partners are doing the move
- leaves _half_ of a square tune for other choreo. Normally, we spend 3/4 of a dance
setting up contra corners, doing them, and having the swing at the end. I think this is
why we all have Alternative Corners and Labor of Love in our boxes, and anything else is
advanced level.
- has the partner as an anchor, mitigating the issue of "new dancers have trouble
with this move and can't recover quickly after it doesn't go well"
I'm going to give my original a whirl at a dance this week. (Buttered Corners - circle
L 3/4, NS, Chain, Lines, CC, P B+S, slide left progression)
I'd love to hear more thoughts and feedback.
In dance,
Julian Blechner
On Tue, Apr 18, 2023, 10:21 PM Julian Blechner
<juliancallsdances@gmail.com<mailto:juliancallsdances@gmail.com>> wrote:
So... it occurred to me that it'd be really easy to do a mixed-role contra corners
from Becket position.
A few weeks ago, I danced Jim Kitch's Equinox, which had a fun setup and you finish
Contra Corners by passing R , but ... do people know any simpler ways? Like, for example,
dance below. I can't possibly have been the first to figure this out, eh?
(If not written yet: Buttered Corners)
Becket
A1. Circle L 3/4
NS
A2. Robins Chain
LLFB*
B1. Bottom couples Contra Corners**
Same Couples Pass R, to P
B2. P B + S
... slide L to New Ns
* opportunity in the lines for partners to rollaway to swap roles
** and can alternate top couples, bottom couples, doing bottom couples - who were original
1s - first. This way, the top of the set has corners for people, always.
Like, literally this gives 16 measures to progress and have a neighbor swing if you want.
If we opened up to the idea of contra corners with a neighbor from Becket, it opens up
immense numbers of dances that can be written.
In dance,
Julian Blechner
3:14 p.m.
New subject: [External] Re: Choreo q - contra corners variations
Cool. I definitely have danced Uncommon Corners before.
So, people have tried the "Contra Corners with your neighbor from Becket"
before. (Kinda what I assumed).
This one is neat because it also includes the partner swing each time.
I still think the value of adding in Kitch's skipping of the
swing-in-center opens up a lot of choreography freedom.
I'll report in after calling this.
Maybe other callers want to give a shot at filling in the A-part of my
original suggestion, and coming up with cool new CC dances?
Julian
On Wed, Apr 19, 2023, 11:08 AM Tepfer, Seth <labst(a)emory.edu> wrote:
Julian and Chris,
Seems very similar to "Uncommon Corners" by Don Flaherty
http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=2747
Figures:
A1
(16) Man one and woman two turn contra corners
<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#contra-corners>
A2
(4) Man one and woman two balance
<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#balance>
(12) Man one and woman two swing
<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#swing>;
face down
<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#down-up>
B1
(6) Shadow mirror
<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#mirror-split>
allemande
<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#allemande> 1
(Man one and woman two split others)
(10) Partner swing
<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#swing>
B2
(8) Circle left
<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#circle-left-right>
1
(8) Slice
<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#slice> left
2A1
(16) Woman one and man two turn contra corners
<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#contra-corners>
2A2
(4) Woman one and man two balance
<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#balance>
(12) Woman one and man two swing
<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#swing>;
face up
<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#down-up>
2B1
(6) Shadow mirror
<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#mirror-split>
allemande
<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#allemande> 1
(Woman one and man two split others)
(10) Partner swing
<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#swing>
2B2
(8) Circle left
<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#circle-left-right>
1 [with N2]
(8) Slice
<http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#slice> left
Seth Tepfer, MBA, CSM, PMP (he, him, his)
Senior IT Manager, Emory Primate Center
------------------------------
*From:* Julian Blechner via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
*Sent:* Wednesday, April 19, 2023 9:53 AM
*To:* Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
*Subject:* [External] [Callers] Re: Choreo q - contra corners variations
I heard from Chris Page, on a FB post in a choreo group.
He thought of the contra-corners-from-Becket, with:
Twirly Corners
Becket
A1 Slice left while partner roll away
Top/Bottom pair do-si-do in center
A2 Top/Bottom pair turn contra corners
B1 Top/Bottom pair balance and swing
B2 Partner balance and swing
I'll add this to my box, too, but, what I think is the interesting thing
to play with is integrating Jim Kitch's contra corners exit where you skip
the swing in the middle and swing your partner instead.
This means we can have a contra corners dance which:
- solves the issue of "many dancers don't like it when you only get to
swing your partner half the time" with contra corners dances where partners
are doing the move
- leaves _half_ of a square tune for other choreo. Normally, we spend 3/4
of a dance setting up contra corners, doing them, and having the swing at
the end. I think this is why we all have Alternative Corners and Labor of
Love in our boxes, and anything else is advanced level.
- has the partner as an anchor, mitigating the issue of "new dancers have
trouble with this move and can't recover quickly after it doesn't go well"
I'm going to give my original a whirl at a dance this week. (Buttered
Corners - circle L 3/4, NS, Chain, Lines, CC, P B+S, slide left progression)
I'd love to hear more thoughts and feedback.
In dance,
Julian Blechner
On Tue, Apr 18, 2023, 10:21 PM Julian Blechner <
juliancallsdances(a)gmail.com> wrote:
So... it occurred to me that it'd be really easy to do a mixed-role contra
corners from Becket position.
A few weeks ago, I danced Jim Kitch's Equinox, which had a fun setup and
you finish Contra Corners by passing R , but ... do people know any simpler
ways? Like, for example, dance below. I can't possibly have been the first
to figure this out, eh?
(If not written yet: Buttered Corners)
Becket
A1. Circle L 3/4
NS
A2. Robins Chain
LLFB*
B1. Bottom couples Contra Corners**
Same Couples Pass R, to P
B2. P B + S
... slide L to New Ns
* opportunity in the lines for partners to rollaway to swap roles
** and can alternate top couples, bottom couples, doing bottom couples -
who were original 1s - first. This way, the top of the set has corners for
people, always.
Like, literally this gives 16 measures to progress and have a neighbor
swing if you want. If we opened up to the idea of contra corners with a
neighbor from Becket, it opens up immense numbers of dances that can be
written.
In dance,
Julian Blechner
3:23 p.m.
New subject: [External] Re: Choreo q - contra corners variations
Hi all,
“Kitch's skipping of the swing-in-center”. Hmmm…
I think lots of other people thought of that before Kitch! For example, Thomas Wilson in
1815 with his Turn Corners figure!
:-)
Happy dancing,
John
John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
3:51 p.m.
New subject: [External] Re: Choreo q - contra corners variations
I mean, absolutely.
So often, interesting choreography in contra in the last half century has
been integrating moves from adjacent dance styles. Please do presume that
when I attribute things, that it's often a product of this (whether the
move was reinvented or deliberately taken).
I do love the historical context! Thanks!
On Wed, Apr 19, 2023, 11:23 AM John Sweeney via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hi all,
“Kitch's skipping of the swing-in-center”. Hmmm…
I think lots of other people thought of that before Kitch! For example,
Thomas Wilson in 1815 with his Turn Corners figure!
:-)
Happy dancing,
John
John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802
940 574
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
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9:11 p.m.
New subject: [External] Re: Choreo q - contra corners variations
Nobody reading this is actually going to care about this, but just because I so rarely get
a chance to correct John, I will.
See this: https://www.kickery.com/2010/10/swing-corners-vs-turn-corners.html
"Turn corners" is two-hand turns, and it involves actives turning *only* their
corners, passing each other rather than turning.
The thing most like a contra-dance contra corners is actually "Swing corners" -
that's one-hand turns, partner right, corner left, partner right, corner left.
That's confusing talking about contra dances because "Swing" means something
altogether different in contra. (And confusing trying to map from contra back to
Regency-era country dances because 'allemande' means something altogether
different in contra and Regency, but I digress.)
Anyway, it seems to me clear that in contra dancing, the contra corners figure itself
doesn't include anything but those turns with partner and corner. It is very
typically followed by the actives balance and swing, but that is the next figure, rather
than part of contra corners.
John's point that Wilson's "Turn Corners"- again, I think he means
"Swing Corners" - doesn't include a swing at the end is correct, but I would
argue that this is irrelevant; modern contra "contra corners" doesn't
*include* a swing at the end either, it just is usually the setup for that. Chris and
Julian have done something unusual in modern contra context.
-- Alan
________________________________________
From: John Sweeney via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2023 8:23 AM
To: 'Shared Weight Contra Callers'
Subject: [Callers] Re: [External] Re: Choreo q - contra corners variations
Hi all,
“Kitch's skipping of the swing-in-center”. Hmmm…
I think lots of other people thought of that before Kitch! For example, Thomas Wilson in
1815 with his Turn Corners figure!
:-)
Happy dancing,
John
John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
10:43 p.m.
New subject: [External] Re: Choreo q - contra corners variations
Hi Alan,
I would argue, perhaps, that how you rotate with your corner is
styling rather than a different move.
And I must apologise for misunderstanding the original point. I
though the concept being put forward was not interacting with your partner
BETWEEN turning your corners. It was actually about not interacting with
your partner AFTER turning your corners. Whoops!
So, everyone, please ignore this diversion! :-)
P.S. "The Complete System of English Country Dancing" p61: "Turn
corners".
Happy dancing,
John
John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802
940 574
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
20 Apr
20 Apr
2:24 a.m.
New subject: [External] Re: Choreo q - contra corners variations
In the original choreo, for symmetry and styling, I'm looking for something
other than just walking by your neighbor. You could:
chain with your neighbor to your partner - why not, you just did a
mixed-role CC!
allemande-right halfway, which is just a high-five or a high-hands chain,
but that sets up a nice push-off twirl flourish before the partner swing,
and toss the balance, which breaks the beautiful flow of CC anyway (always
disliked it in CC, though I don't dislike every B&S)
do a push-off turn - kind of like the push-back in a hey, but absorbing the
momentum into your bent arms, turning halfway with your neighbor, and
pushing off and turning to swing your partner
wrong-hand California twirl with your neighbor to your partner and swing.
This one puts each role into the swing with the "close" arm first toward
their partner, how we usually catch swings.
Because these moves are with your neighbor, you'd need to make one the
official one. If it were with your partner, partners could negotiate which
to do, but not here. One way would be to put an asterisk in the move at
the pass N, and note these alternatives below the dance.
Also, notationally, I would not use the term "couple" for neighbors. I was
confused when I read it, because the couples were on the sides. Had I
miss-run it in my head? No, he really wants neighbors to CC. It might be
technically correct to call neighbors a couple, but I think just
"neighbors" is clearer.
--jh--
On Wed, Apr 19, 2023 at 6:43 PM John Sweeney via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hi Alan,
I would argue, perhaps, that how you rotate with your corner is
styling rather than a different move.
And I must apologise for misunderstanding the original point. I
though the concept being put forward was not interacting with your partner
BETWEEN turning your corners. It was actually about not interacting with
your partner AFTER turning your corners. Whoops!
So, everyone, please ignore this diversion! :-)
P.S. "The Complete System of English Country Dancing" p61: "Turn
corners".
Happy dancing,
John
John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802
940 574
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
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Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
4:02 a.m.
New subject: [External] Re: Choreo q - contra corners variations
These are interesting suggestions I'd love to hear about trying them out.
My hope is with the setup of half the dance choreography open, people will
compose and share their own versions.
I opted for "most basic but not boring" as a baseline, because one of my
goals is having a more accessible dance for less experienced dancers. But
by all means, nab another version and play with it!
Julian
On Wed, Apr 19, 2023, 10:25 PM Joe Harrington via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
In the original choreo, for symmetry and styling,
I'm looking for
something other than just walking by your neighbor. You could:
chain with your neighbor to your partner - why not, you just did a
mixed-role CC!
allemande-right halfway, which is just a high-five or a high-hands chain,
but that sets up a nice push-off twirl flourish before the partner swing,
and toss the balance, which breaks the beautiful flow of CC anyway (always
disliked it in CC, though I don't dislike every B&S)
do a push-off turn - kind of like the push-back in a hey, but absorbing
the momentum into your bent arms, turning halfway with your neighbor, and
pushing off and turning to swing your partner
wrong-hand California twirl with your neighbor to your partner and swing.
This one puts each role into the swing with the "close" arm first toward
their partner, how we usually catch swings.
Because these moves are with your neighbor, you'd need to make one the
official one. If it were with your partner, partners could negotiate which
to do, but not here. One way would be to put an asterisk in the move at
the pass N, and note these alternatives below the dance.
Also, notationally, I would not use the term "couple" for neighbors. I
was confused when I read it, because the couples were on the sides. Had I
miss-run it in my head? No, he really wants neighbors to CC. It might be
technically correct to call neighbors a couple, but I think just
"neighbors" is clearer.
--jh--
On Wed, Apr 19, 2023 at 6:43 PM John Sweeney via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hi Alan,
I would argue, perhaps, that how you rotate with your corner is
styling rather than a different move.
And I must apologise for misunderstanding the original point. I
though the concept being put forward was not interacting with your partner
BETWEEN turning your corners. It was actually about not interacting with
your partner AFTER turning your corners. Whoops!
So, everyone, please ignore this diversion! :-)
P.S. "The Complete System of English Country Dancing" p61: "Turn
corners".
Happy dancing,
John
John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802
940 574
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
_______________________________________________
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To unsubscribe send an email to
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14 comments
6 participants
participants (6)
-
Don Veino -
Joe Harrington -
John Sweeney -
Julian Blechner -
Tepfer, Seth -
Winston, Alan P.