16 Jan
2007
16 Jan
'07
1:32 a.m.
Hi All,
I am calling a dance this coming weekend for a 40th birthday party.
Since the group is mostly non-dancers, I have prepped a number of
simple dances. I am looking for an easy contra that has a smooth and
slow flow... almost English Country dance in the pace/tone. Any ideas
for me? It would also help if you could suggest how you might
describe this dance to the musicians so that they could play tunes to
match.
Thanks very much,
Nancy Turner
Waitsfield VT
16 Jan
16 Jan
5:36 a.m.
Hi All,
I am calling a dance this coming weekend for a 40th birthday party.
Since the group is mostly non-dancers, I have prepped a number of
simple dances. I am looking for an easy contra that has a smooth and
slow flow... almost English Country dance in the pace/tone. Any ideas
for me? It would also help if you could suggest how you might
describe this dance to the musicians so that they could play tunes to
match.
Thanks very much,
Nancy Turner
Waitsfield VT
I love Bob Dalsemer's 'Monterey Detour' which is one of the
easiest contra's I know, but has a lovely flow to it:
A1: #1's split the #2's and go down in lines of four
All turn alone, take hands in lines of four, and return.
A2: Circle R
Circle L
B1: Dosido N
Swing N
B2: F & B
#1's swing.
I, too, am curious how to best describe to musicians playing
a smooth flowing tune.
-P
--
Peter Amidon
peter(a)amidonmusic.com
20 Willow Street
Brattleboro, VT 05301
802-257-1006
cell: 917-922-5462
http://www.amidonmusic.com
http://www.dancingmasters.com
I have never been lost, but I will admit to
being confused for several weeks.
-Daniel Boone
5:44 a.m.
Hmmm. As a musician (also caller/dancer - but musician before either of the
others), I don't think I'd have trouble understanding the phrase "smooth
flowing". Have you found that doesn't get what you want? I'm curious.
-cynthia
-----Original Message-----
From: callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net
[mailto:callers-bounces@sharedweight.net]On Behalf Of Peter Amidon
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 12:36 AM
To: Caller's discussion list
Subject: Re: [Callers] Seeking a contra dance with an smooth and slow
flow
Hi All,
I am calling a dance this coming weekend for a 40th birthday party.
Since the group is mostly non-dancers, I have prepped a number of
simple dances. I am looking for an easy contra that has a smooth and
slow flow... almost English Country dance in the pace/tone. Any ideas
for me? It would also help if you could suggest how you might
describe this dance to the musicians so that they could play tunes to
match.
Thanks very much,
Nancy Turner
Waitsfield VT
I love Bob Dalsemer's 'Monterey Detour' which is one of the
easiest contra's I know, but has a lovely flow to it:
A1: #1's split the #2's and go down in lines of four
All turn alone, take hands in lines of four, and return.
A2: Circle R
Circle L
B1: Dosido N
Swing N
B2: F & B
#1's swing.
I, too, am curious how to best describe to musicians playing
a smooth flowing tune.
-P
--
Peter Amidon
peter(a)amidonmusic.com
20 Willow Street
Brattleboro, VT 05301
802-257-1006
cell: 917-922-5462
http://www.amidonmusic.com
http://www.dancingmasters.com
I have never been lost, but I will admit to
being confused for several weeks.
-Daniel Boone
_______________________________________________
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2:53 p.m.
Again on the question of describing the desired type tune, Beth Parkes
mentioned a great tip this weekend during Carol Ormand's calling
workshop at the Ralph Page Dance Legacy event. In describing jigs, she
says there are basically two rhythms:
"Take one down and pass it around" and
"Ninety nine bottles of beer on the wall",
the first being bouncy, hoppity, and the second (did I get that second
one right, you all who were there?) being more flowing.
And, again from my experience as a musician and dancer more than as a
caller, the tunes that strike me as "flowing" have both a relatively
continuous flow of notes AND notes that are close together as opposed to
a lot of big jumps in the scale.
That wouldn't necessarily help if you wanted a smooth flowing reel for
the tune, but as a musician that clue did put a finger on something I
knew by feel about the different jigs but hadn't previously described so
well in words.
I should say that this is exactly the type of thing we discussed at the
really great workshop for musicians and callers that Chrissy Fowler
pulled together back in November (it was discussed on this list), and I
hope to have an opportunity to do something similar in the future
because I learned a lot and there is lots more to learn!
-cynthia
-----Original Message-----
From: callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net
[mailto:callers-bounces@sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of Peter Amidon
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 12:36 AM
To: Caller's discussion list
Subject: Re: [Callers] Seeking a contra dance with an smooth and slow
flow
Hi All,
I am calling a dance this coming weekend for a 40th birthday party.
Since the group is mostly non-dancers, I have prepped a number of
simple dances. I am looking for an easy contra that has a smooth and
slow flow... almost English Country dance in the pace/tone. Any ideas
for me? It would also help if you could suggest how you might
describe this dance to the musicians so that they could play tunes to
match.
Thanks very much,
Nancy Turner
Waitsfield VT
I love Bob Dalsemer's 'Monterey Detour' which is one of the
easiest contra's I know, but has a lovely flow to it:
A1: #1's split the #2's and go down in lines of four
All turn alone, take hands in lines of four, and return.
A2: Circle R
Circle L
B1: Dosido N
Swing N
B2: F & B
#1's swing.
I, too, am curious how to best describe to musicians playing
a smooth flowing tune.
-P
--
Peter Amidon
peter(a)amidonmusic.com
20 Willow Street
Brattleboro, VT 05301
802-257-1006
cell: 917-922-5462
http://www.amidonmusic.com
http://www.dancingmasters.com
I have never been lost, but I will admit to
being confused for several weeks.
-Daniel Boone
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
6:30 p.m.
On Jan 16, 2007, at 9:53 AM, Cynthia Phinney wrote:
Again on the question of describing the desired type
tune, Beth Parkes
mentioned a great tip this weekend during Carol Ormand's calling
workshop at the Ralph Page Dance Legacy event. In describing jigs, she
says there are basically two rhythms:
"Take one down and pass it around" and
The second is "if one of those bottles should happen to fall"
the first being bouncy, hoppity,
a single jig
and the second (did I get that second
one right, you all who were there?) being more flowing.
a double jig
Tho I could argue each side of the equation, as to which is more
flowing. The musicians can determine a lot just in the way they play
the notes.
I should say that this is exactly the type of thing we
discussed at
the
really great workshop for musicians and callers that Chrissy Fowler
pulled together back in November (it was discussed on this list),
and I
hope to have an opportunity to do something similar in the future
because I learned a lot and there is lots more to learn!
Yes, there's still lots to figure out about this language. I expect
this is part of why no two dance calling gigs are remotely alike.
Lisa S.
17 Jan
17 Jan
10:26 a.m.
Thanks Lisa, for correcting the second part of the tip! I had a feeling
I wasn't remembering that quite right.
-cynthia
-----Original Message-----
From: callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net
[mailto:callers-bounces@sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of Lisa Sieverts
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 1:31 PM
To: Caller's discussion list
Subject: Re: [Callers] Seeking a contra dance with an smooth and slow
flow
On Jan 16, 2007, at 9:53 AM, Cynthia Phinney wrote:
Again on the question of describing the desired type
tune, Beth Parkes
mentioned a great tip this weekend during Carol Ormand's calling
workshop at the Ralph Page Dance Legacy event. In describing jigs, she
says there are basically two rhythms:
"Take one down and pass it around" and
The second is "if one of those bottles should happen to fall"
the first being bouncy, hoppity,
a single jig
and the second (did I get that second
one right, you all who were there?) being more flowing.
a double jig
Tho I could argue each side of the equation, as to which is more
flowing. The musicians can determine a lot just in the way they play
the notes.
I should say that this is exactly the type of thing we
discussed at
the
really great workshop for musicians and callers that Chrissy Fowler
pulled together back in November (it was discussed on this list),
and I
hope to have an opportunity to do something similar in the future
because I learned a lot and there is lots more to learn!
Yes, there's still lots to figure out about this language. I expect
this is part of why no two dance calling gigs are remotely alike.
Lisa S.
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Callers(a)sharedweight.net
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16 Jan
16 Jan
1:07 p.m.
Hi Nancy,
My current favorite may be
Family Contra
Sherry Nevins
(a longways contra that can be danced proper or improper, and gender doesn't
matter either.)
A1 balance ring twice
circle left 1x
A2 balance ring twice
circle right 1x (face your neighbor)
B1 do-si-do neighbor (face your partner)
do-si-do partner
B2 (face neighbor, take inside hands with partner)
do-si-do as a couple 1 1/2x
(to face new neighbors)
If the dancers tend to get through the B2 too soon you could try telling
them to make the couples do-si-do a bit larger. The progression in this
dance is very easy for even inexperienced dancers to understand.
Let us know what works.
Rickey Holt.
-----Original Message-----
From: callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net
[mailto:callers-bounces@sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of Nancy Turner
Sent: Monday, January 15, 2007 8:33 PM
To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
Subject: [Callers] Seeking a contra dance with an smooth and slow flow
Hi All,
I am calling a dance this coming weekend for a 40th birthday party.
Since the group is mostly non-dancers, I have prepped a number of
simple dances. I am looking for an easy contra that has a smooth and
slow flow... almost English Country dance in the pace/tone. Any ideas
for me? It would also help if you could suggest how you might
describe this dance to the musicians so that they could play tunes to
match.
Thanks very much,
Nancy Turner
Waitsfield VT
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Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
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6:19 p.m.
You probably have it, but I love Jefferson and Liberty as a good
intro to contra dancing:
Contra Proper
Jefferson & Liberty
*EASY*
PROPER formation
1. Circle Left
2. Circle Right
3. Star Right
4. Star Left
5. Actives down the outside
6. and back up the outside, step in between the 2s
7. Actives in the center, down the hall 4 steps, then Back up 4
steps, (don't turn around)
8. Actives arch, 2s through arch, on to next
(Timing is a bit indeterminate for 7&8. For beginners, I have them
start walking backwards early so they have lots of time to arch and
pass through.)
I'll also point out my format for dance notation, which I learned
from Larry Jennings. It serves the same purpose as Peter's A1a, A1b
format, but only needs one-third the letters :-).
Lisa
On Jan 15, 2007, at 8:32 PM, Nancy Turner wrote:
Hi All,
I am calling a dance this coming weekend for a 40th birthday party.
Since the group is mostly non-dancers, I have prepped a number of
simple dances. I am looking for an easy contra that has a smooth and
slow flow... almost English Country dance in the pace/tone. Any ideas
for me? It would also help if you could suggest how you might
describe this dance to the musicians so that they could play tunes to
match.
Thanks very much,
Nancy Turner
Waitsfield VT
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
18 Feb
18 Feb
2:16 p.m.
New subject: Help Pronouncing Choreographers' Names Please
Hello all,
Last night I called Paul Balliet's "Summer Sunshine" and when I announced
the name and author, I realized that I have no clue whether his name is
pronounced as it would be in French or whether the pronunciation has been
Americanized (or possibly a third option exists). BAL-ee-ay, Bal-ee-AY,
BAL-ee-ett, BUY-ee-ay.....Can anyone help?
And, while we are at it, if there are other author names that might not be
pronounced as they appear on paper to an Anglo/US caller (me) feel free to
pass along pronunciation tips on those as well.
Thanks!
-cynthia
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2:25 PM
3:54 p.m.
New subject: Help Pronouncing Choreographers' Names Please
The first dance I ever called to a set of dancers (rather than just fellow calling
students) was by Paul Balliet, and being from Montreal and fluent in French, I pronounced
it the "French way" and got IMMEDIATELY corrected by the crowd! :) I have not
checked with the man himself (I think that he lives on the west coast) but the Pinewoods
American Music and Dance Week dancer response is one indicator that it is pronounced in a
"non-French way."
Cynthia Phinney <online(a)starleft.org> wrote: Hello all,
Last night I called Paul Balliet's "Summer Sunshine" and when I announced
the name and author, I realized that I have no clue whether his name is
pronounced as it would be in French or whether the pronunciation has been
Americanized (or possibly a third option exists). BAL-ee-ay, Bal-ee-AY,
BAL-ee-ett, BUY-ee-ay.....Can anyone help?
And, while we are at it, if there are other author names that might not be
pronounced as they appear on paper to an Anglo/US caller (me) feel free to
pass along pronunciation tips on those as well.
Thanks!
-cynthia
--
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_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
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Jillian Hovey
Facilitator of Sustainable Community Planning and Design
The Sustainable Living Network
& Sustainable Living Books
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
416-410-7581; fax 416-654-8917
Draft Web Sites:
www.sustainablelivingnetwork.org
www.sustainablelivingbooks.com
www.jillianhovey.com
email: jillian(a)permaculture.net
8:32 p.m.
New subject: Help Pronouncing Choreographers' Names Please
Well, that makes me glad I raised the question!
-cynthia
-----Original Message-----
From: callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net
[mailto:callers-bounces@sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of Jillian Hovey
Sent: Sunday, February 18, 2007 10:54 AM
To: Caller's discussion list
Subject: Re: [Callers] Help Pronouncing Choreographers' Names Please
The first dance I ever called to a set of dancers (rather than just fellow
calling students) was by Paul Balliet, and being from Montreal and fluent in
French, I pronounced it the "French way" and got IMMEDIATELY corrected by
the crowd! :) I have not checked with the man himself (I think that he
lives on the west coast) but the Pinewoods American Music and Dance Week
dancer response is one indicator that it is pronounced in a "non-French
way."
Cynthia Phinney <online(a)starleft.org> wrote: Hello all,
Last night I called Paul Balliet's "Summer Sunshine" and when I announced
the name and author, I realized that I have no clue whether his name is
pronounced as it would be in French or whether the pronunciation has been
Americanized (or possibly a third option exists). BAL-ee-ay, Bal-ee-AY,
BAL-ee-ett, BUY-ee-ay.....Can anyone help?
And, while we are at it, if there are other author names that might not be
pronounced as they appear on paper to an Anglo/US caller (me) feel free to
pass along pronunciation tips on those as well.
Thanks!
-cynthia
--
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_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
Jillian Hovey
Facilitator of Sustainable Community Planning and Design
The Sustainable Living Network
& Sustainable Living Books
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
416-410-7581; fax 416-654-8917
Draft Web Sites:
www.sustainablelivingnetwork.org
www.sustainablelivingbooks.com
www.jillianhovey.com
email: jillian(a)permaculture.net
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
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10:48 p.m.
New subject: Help Pronouncing Choreographers' Names Please
On Feb 18, 2007, at 3:32 PM, Cynthia Phinney wrote:
Last night I called Paul Balliet's "Summer
Sunshine" and when I
announced
the name and author, I realized that I have no clue whether his
name is
pronounced as it would be in French or whether the pronunciation
has been
Americanized (or possibly a third option exists). BAL-ee-ay, Bal-ee-
AY,
BAL-ee-ett, BUY-ee-ay.....Can anyone help?
It's about as American as you can get: BAL-ee-et
And while we're on the topic, think Cromwell
when you pronounce Robert Cromartie (that's
his own suggestion). Emphasis is on 1st syllable,
and it's Crohm, not chrome: CHROM-ar-tee.
-Lisa
10:56 p.m.
New subject: Help Pronouncing Choreographers' Names Please
And my burning question is: where is the stress on Carol Ormand's
name? ORmund or orMAND?
-Joy
On Feb 18, 2007, at 5:48 PM, Lisa Greenleaf wrote:
On Feb 18, 2007, at 3:32 PM, Cynthia Phinney wrote:
Last night I called Paul Balliet's
"Summer Sunshine" and when I
announced
the name and author, I realized that I have no clue whether his
name is
pronounced as it would be in French or whether the pronunciation
has been
Americanized (or possibly a third option exists). BAL-ee-ay, Bal-ee-
AY,
BAL-ee-ett, BUY-ee-ay.....Can anyone help?
It's about as American as you can get: BAL-ee-et
And while we're on the topic, think Cromwell
when you pronounce Robert Cromartie (that's
his own suggestion). Emphasis is on 1st syllable,
and it's Crohm, not chrome: CHROM-ar-tee.
-Lisa
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12 comments
8 participants
participants (8)
-
Cynthia Phinney -
Jillian Hovey -
Joy Greenwolfe -
Lisa Greenleaf -
Lisa Sieverts -
Nancy Turner -
Peter Amidon -
Rickey