19 Sep
2018
19 Sep
'18
8:55 p.m.
I call a small monthly dance for teenagers, a blast and interesting in many
ways.
My easiest “regular evening” contras are a good challenge for the group, so
I’m looking for some varied easy contras to lead up to those. (Also
interesting barn dances -- asking about those in a separate thread.)
The teens are fine with swings but aren’t hooked on them like most contra
dancers. So contras with no partner swing, no neighbor swing, or no swings
at all are just fine, and good for variety. And our lines are fairly short,
so unequal dances are OK.
Here are some favorites. Have other good ones to add? The group is all
about having fun, so it’s fine to have chases, basket swings, sashaying,
and other goofiness.
Family Contra (Sherry Nevins)
A1: Bal ring x2, circle R
A2: Bal ring x2, circle L
B1: Dosido P, dosido N
B2: Dosido as couples 1.5
Andy White's (Amy Cann)
A1: Circle L, dosido P
A2: As couples dosido Ns, 2 hand turn N
B1: Clap both/R/both/L with P, same with N; repeat all
B2: 2s arch, 1s duck; 1s arch, 2s duck BACK; 2s arch, 1s duck
Jefferson & Liberty
A1: Circle L/R
A2: Star R/L
B1: 1s balance & swing
B2: Down center, 1's arch, 2's duck; return (1s backing up)
Monterey Detour (Bob Dalsemer)
A1: Down center (turn alone) & back
A2: Circle R/L
B1: Dosido N, sw N
B2: F&b, 1s sw
Thanks!
Rick
20 Sep
20 Sep
4:26 p.m.
Rick -
Lots of good barn dance material on my "other" website,
http://barndances.org.uk/
You might even introduce them to Playford with "Black Nag"!
Colin Hume
21 Sep
21 Sep
5:23 p.m.
There are a couple x2 contras, where it's basically the same dance twice
through. Those tend to have two swings, so may be less pertinent, but (the
similar) "Will you marry me" by Seth Tepher, or "Midwestern Folklore"
by
Oracle Johnson may be pertinent.
Staying in the Becket theme is one I wrote for the wedding of friends
called Frog Stars; and for the couples that insist on having "contra!" at
their weddings instead of just circle and longways dances, I tweaked Family
Contra to Wedding Becket (proper/improper/whatever, role doesn't matter).
Becket can be really friendly for beginners, and if you use circles L&R,
Stars R&L, that fills up to half the dance; use a yearn progression (easy
double progression, so no one is out in a short even set), and fill it out
with whatever else you want them to do. For instance "Pluck It"
These don't have chase figures or basket swing, etc. Most of my "around
two, fall through" dances I'd consider more complex. If you've got time to
work with them it could certainly happen though. But I'll toss the scatter
mixer Basket of Frogs out there. (Written in honor of Fiddling Frog dance
weekend in S. California) It's got a lot of swing time; so I'll propose a
becket version that keeps your partner, but I'll start a separate thread
for that one because I want to get the hive-minds opinion on timing.
~~~~~~Beginner Beckets~~~~~~
Will You Marry Me
by Seth Tepfer
Contra/Becket-CW/Beginner
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left 3/4
ooze into a short wavy line with Women in the middle with L
(4) Balance the short Wavy line
(4) Ladies allemande Left 1
A2 -----------
(16) Neighbor balance and swing
B1 -----------
(8) Circle Left 3/4
ooze into a short wavy line with Women in the middle with L
(4) Balance the short Wavy line
(4) Ladies allemande Left 1
B2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing
slide left
Midwestern Folklore
by Oracle Johnson
Contra/Becket-CW/Beginner
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left 3/4
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do
A2 -----------
(16) Neighbor balance and swing
B1 -----------
(8) Circle Left 3/4
(8) Partner Do-si-do
B2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing
slide left to next
Frog Stars
by Luke Donforth
Contra/Becket-CW/Beginner-Easy
A1 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Right hand Star
A2 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B1 -----------
(8) Circle Left 3/4
(8) Neighbor swing
B2 -----------
(8) Ladies Chain across
(8) Long lines, yearn to the left
Wedding Becket
by Luke Donforth
Contra/Becket-CW/Dbl-Prog/Beginner
A1 -----------
(4) Balance Ring
(4) Balance Ring
(8) Circle Left 1X
A2 -----------
(4) Balance Ring
(4) Balance Ring
(8) Circle Right 1X
B1 -----------
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do, straight across
(8) Partner Do-si-do
B2 -----------
(8) Two hand turn with partner
(8) Long lines, back and forward, shift left, looking at new new couple
Pluck It
by Luke Donforth
Contra/Becket-CW/Beginner
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
A2 -----------
(8) Right hand Star
(8) Left hand Star
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do
(8) Long lines, yearn left
~~~Basket Dances~~~
Basket of Frogs
by Luke Donforth
Scatter Mixer/Improper
A1 -----------
(16) Promenade around the room, find another couple
A2 -----------
(8) Gents Do-si-do 1x
(8) Ladies two-hand turn 1.5x, keep holding hands
B1 -----------
(2) Gents take two hands over women’s, lift over heads and behind back of
women
(2) Ladies lift hands over and behind backs of men
(12) Basket Swing
B2 -----------
(16) Neighbor swing
New partner
On Wed, Sep 19, 2018 at 4:55 PM Rick Mohr via Callers <
callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
I call a small monthly dance for teenagers, a blast
and interesting in
many ways.
My easiest “regular evening” contras are a good challenge for the group,
so I’m looking for some varied easy contras to lead up to those. (Also
interesting barn dances -- asking about those in a separate thread.)
The teens are fine with swings but aren’t hooked on them like most contra
dancers. So contras with no partner swing, no neighbor swing, or no swings
at all are just fine, and good for variety. And our lines are fairly short,
so unequal dances are OK.
Here are some favorites. Have other good ones to add? The group is all
about having fun, so it’s fine to have chases, basket swings, sashaying,
and other goofiness.
Family Contra (Sherry Nevins)
A1: Bal ring x2, circle R
A2: Bal ring x2, circle L
B1: Dosido P, dosido N
B2: Dosido as couples 1.5
Andy White's (Amy Cann)
A1: Circle L, dosido P
A2: As couples dosido Ns, 2 hand turn N
B1: Clap both/R/both/L with P, same with N; repeat all
B2: 2s arch, 1s duck; 1s arch, 2s duck BACK; 2s arch, 1s duck
Jefferson & Liberty
A1: Circle L/R
A2: Star R/L
B1: 1s balance & swing
B2: Down center, 1's arch, 2's duck; return (1s backing up)
Monterey Detour (Bob Dalsemer)
A1: Down center (turn alone) & back
A2: Circle R/L
B1: Dosido N, sw N
B2: F&b, 1s sw
Thanks!
Rick
_______________________________________________
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--
Luke Donforth
Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>
7:28 p.m.
There's *Grease and Glue* by Linda Mrosko:
https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/msg10519.html
At Ogontz Family Camp this year (missed you three!) Steve Z-A wanted to
teach Mad Robin to the 11s & 12s but didn't have a dance that was suitable.
We couldn't find one in my deck either, so I wrote this one. It worked out
well but as you know that group may be at a more advanced level than your
average teens:
*Mad for Ogontz - DI - Don Veino 20180808*
A1 Neighbor Gypsy, Swing
A2 Gents Allemande Left 1+1/2x, Partner Swing
B1 Long Lines Forward & Back, Half Hey (Ladies Right start)
B2 Ladies Chain, Mad Robin CCW (Ladies thru center first) to next
I've also been playing recently with some compositions for a younger and/or
more energetic crowd. For instance, I've noted they tend to enjoy Sashays,
so...
*DANGER HIGH VOLTAGE - Becket - Don Veino 20180914A1 Left diagonal
Neighbors SeeSaw Sashay* w/Partner[Gents back to back to start, can
substitute a diagonal left couple conventional SeeSaw]Gents Allemande Left
1+1/2x, give RH to NeighborA2 Wave/4 across Balance Right & Left,
Slide/Twirl RightWave/4 across Balance Left & Right, Slide/Twirl LeftB1
Neighbor Balance & SwingB2 Gents low LH Balance (L adjust to left), Pull By
& Partner Swing[or Give & Take to Ladies, Partner Swing]*With your Partner
Sashay around your next Neighbors following the path of a SeeSawEnd
effects: Wait out crossed over on left diagonal for SeeSaw*
High Voltage worked well with the target group (mustn't go too far away on
sashay!). The following sibling hasn't been tested and didn't have a name
until your request inspired it... :-) I may be giving this one a go at my
gig tonight.
*(Smells Like) Teen Spirit - Becket - Don Veino 20180914*
A1 Left diagonal Neighbors SeeSaw Sashay w/Partner [to opp these N]
Ring/4 Balance, Twirl/Slide Right
A2 Neighbor Balance & Swing
B1 Long Lines Forward & Back, Star Right 3/4x
[can take right hand with Partner and pull into...]
B2 Partner Dosido & Swing
End effects: Wait out crossed over on left diagonal for SeeSaw
*BTW*, I've found out that "SeeSaw Sashay" is surprisingly hard to say
without practice - sort of a Peter Piper thing. :-)
On Wed, Sep 19, 2018 at 4:55 PM, Rick Mohr via Callers <
callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
I call a small monthly dance for teenagers, a blast
and interesting in
many ways.
My easiest “regular evening” contras are a good challenge for the group,
so I’m looking for some varied easy contras to lead up to those. (Also
interesting barn dances -- asking about those in a separate thread.)
The teens are fine with swings but aren’t hooked on them like most contra
dancers. So contras with no partner swing, no neighbor swing, or no swings
at all are just fine, and good for variety. And our lines are fairly short,
so unequal dances are OK.
Here are some favorites. Have other good ones to add? The group is all
about having fun, so it’s fine to have chases, basket swings, sashaying,
and other goofiness.
Family Contra (Sherry Nevins)
A1: Bal ring x2, circle R
A2: Bal ring x2, circle L
B1: Dosido P, dosido N
B2: Dosido as couples 1.5
Andy White's (Amy Cann)
A1: Circle L, dosido P
A2: As couples dosido Ns, 2 hand turn N
B1: Clap both/R/both/L with P, same with N; repeat all
B2: 2s arch, 1s duck; 1s arch, 2s duck BACK; 2s arch, 1s duck
Jefferson & Liberty
A1: Circle L/R
A2: Star R/L
B1: 1s balance & swing
B2: Down center, 1's arch, 2's duck; return (1s backing up)
Monterey Detour (Bob Dalsemer)
A1: Down center (turn alone) & back
A2: Circle R/L
B1: Dosido N, sw N
B2: F&b, 1s sw
Thanks!
Rick
_______________________________________________
List Name: Callers mailing list
List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
7:47 p.m.
It appears that the formatting on this one may have gone awry, so here's
another try:
DANGER HIGH VOLTAGE - Becket - Don Veino 20180914
A1 Left diagonal Neighbors SeeSaw Sashay* w/Partner
[Gents back to back to start, can substitute a diagonal left couple
conventional SeeSaw]
Gents Allemande Left 1+1/2x, give RH to Neighbor
A2 Wave/4 across Balance Right & Left, Slide/Twirl Right
Wave/4 across Balance Left & Right, Slide/Twirl Left
B1 Neighbor Balance & Swing
B2 Gents low LH Balance (L adjust to left), Pull By & Partner Swing
[or Give & Take to Ladies, Partner Swing]
*With your Partner Sashay around your next Neighbors following the path of
a SeeSaw
End effects: Wait out crossed over on left diagonal for SeeSaw
On Fri, Sep 21, 2018 at 3:28 PM, Don Veino <sharedweight_net(a)veino.com>
wrote:
[snip]
8:09 p.m.
Hi Don,
I get confused when Americans use Sashay in a dance.
Do you mean Sashay as in Roll Away with a Half Sashay – where it just means
step to the side?
Or do you mean Sashay as in the dictionary: “walk in an ostentatious yet
casual manner, typically with exaggerated movements of the hips and shoulders”?
Or do you mean Gallop, where you take your partner in a Ballroom (or Two
Hand) Hold and charge across using Side-Together, Side-Together steps?
I think you mean the last one. We always say Gallop in the UK. It avoids a
lot of confusion and is much more in keeping with the actual move.
(Yes, yes, I know Americans have been using Sashay for a long time, and,
like Humpty Dumpty, you can pay the words extra at the end of the week to make the words
mean anything you want, but Gallop is such a better way of saying it! I can’t imagine
what would happen if I asked a bunch of English teenagers to Sashay across the floor :-)
).
Happy dancing,
John
John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574
http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
From: Callers <callers-bounces(a)lists.sharedweight.net> On Behalf Of Don Veino via
Callers
Sent: 21 September 2018 20:48
To: Shared Weight <Callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Subject: Re: [Callers] Easy contras for teens
It appears that the formatting on this one may have gone awry, so here's another try:
DANGER HIGH VOLTAGE - Becket - Don Veino 20180914
A1 Left diagonal Neighbors SeeSaw Sashay* w/Partner
[Gents back to back to start, can substitute a diagonal left couple conventional SeeSaw]
Gents Allemande Left 1+1/2x, give RH to Neighbor
A2 Wave/4 across Balance Right & Left, Slide/Twirl Right
Wave/4 across Balance Left & Right, Slide/Twirl Left
B1 Neighbor Balance & Swing
B2 Gents low LH Balance (L adjust to left), Pull By & Partner Swing
[or Give & Take to Ladies, Partner Swing]
*With your Partner Sashay around your next Neighbors following the path of a SeeSaw
End effects: Wait out crossed over on left diagonal for SeeSaw
On Fri, Sep 21, 2018 at 3:28 PM, Don Veino <sharedweight_net(a)veino.com
<mailto:sharedweight_net@veino.com> > wrote:
[snip]
8:37 p.m.
Hi John, I mean it as per
http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#sashay .
"SeeSaw Gallop" would definitely avoid the "Peter Piper"-style
diction
challenge. I welcome folks to adjust as you see fit. :-)
One could also do the hammy Tango-style strutting move over & back if
partners are comfortable with that.
https://onceuponascreen.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/gomez-teaches-lurch-the…
On Fri, Sep 21, 2018 at 4:09 PM, John Sweeney via Callers <
callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hi Don,
I get confused when Americans use Sashay in a dance.
[snip]
24 Sep
24 Sep
1:43 a.m.
Just FYI, Teen Spirit worked out fine when called. People *really* like to
travel during the Sashay/Gallop, even after encouraging them in the
walk-through to moderate the pass back (so they would get to the ring/4
balance on time). Settled down after a couple rounds. Worked best when
folks moved to a two-hand hold rather than staying in ballroom position out
of the swing.
-Don
2041
days inactive
2046
days old
contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
7 comments
5 participants
participants (5)
-
Colin Hume -
Don Veino -
John Sweeney -
Luke Donforth -
Rick Mohr