8 Sep
2024
8 Sep
'24
12:50 p.m.
Hello all,
Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and longways set
dances. With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an evening.
But sometimes I get a group that "wants contras" or is looking to grow
their familiarity with the dance form.
I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no neighbor swing
are AN easy option into "hands-four" contras. There are other ways in, but
I'm looking for more Beckets that match that description. For a while I've
had "Pluck It" in my box as a friendly option:
Pluck It
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
A2 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Right hand Star
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
(8) Long lines, yearn left
This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer Scatter Shot
but done as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across the set, which
in a recent thread was listed as a no-no for some callers. While I wouldn't
use that move at a dance weekend, for One Night gigs I think it's
accessible and acceptable). You don't have to teach ballroom swing, and if
folks want to elbow swing and swap roles with their partner it doesn't
really impact the dance (this is a small advantage of Becket over improper
for this type of dance; different position on the side is less disorienting
than different side of the set).
What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on roles? No larks
allemande or robins chain, etc.
On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this one (which may
already exist), written for Naomi who organizes the community dance I was
at:
A Pillar of Weathersfield
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
A2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall
B1 -----------
(8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
(8) Return and face across
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress
(Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left shoulder, and the new
couple on your right, turn to take hands with new couple)
I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for entry-level contras
when you don't have a critical mass of experience for improper dances with
neighbor swings.
Thanks!
Luke Donforth
Burlington, VT
8 Sep
8 Sep
2:12 p.m.
Hi Luke!
Love this topic and I've been in a similar situation where more of a mixed
formation program would be good but folks want to try more contras.
I'm really liking Festival Chains (New World Festival Chains) by Will
Mentor for teaching chains to a group with a high number of beginners.
It's becket
Slice L
LLFB
Robins chain to N
Robins chain to P
Robins DSD
Larks DSD
P B & Swing
Here's Will's Festival Reel 2 ... also a Beckett
Slice L
LLFB
LH star
RH star
Circle R
Circle L
PDSD
PSwing
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 12:50 PM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hello all,
Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and longways set
dances. With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an evening.
But sometimes I get a group that "wants contras" or is looking to grow
their familiarity with the dance form.
I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no neighbor
swing are AN easy option into "hands-four" contras. There are other ways
in, but I'm looking for more Beckets that match that description. For a
while I've had "Pluck It" in my box as a friendly option:
Pluck It
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
A2 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Right hand Star
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
(8) Long lines, yearn left
This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer Scatter Shot
but done as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across the set, which
in a recent thread was listed as a no-no for some callers. While I wouldn't
use that move at a dance weekend, for One Night gigs I think it's
accessible and acceptable). You don't have to teach ballroom swing, and if
folks want to elbow swing and swap roles with their partner it doesn't
really impact the dance (this is a small advantage of Becket over improper
for this type of dance; different position on the side is less disorienting
than different side of the set).
What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on roles? No larks
allemande or robins chain, etc.
On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this one (which
may already exist), written for Naomi who organizes the community dance I
was at:
A Pillar of Weathersfield
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
A2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall
B1 -----------
(8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
(8) Return and face across
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress
(Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left shoulder, and the
new couple on your right, turn to take hands with new couple)
I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for entry-level contras
when you don't have a critical mass of experience for improper dances with
neighbor swings.
Thanks!
Luke Donforth
Burlington, VT
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
2:14 p.m.
Hi Luke,
https://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/FindingYourBalance.html - useful for teaching rights
& lefts with lots of time.
https://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/SlithyDance.html - treat B2 as Grand Petronellas – the
Turn can be a Swing
There are more easy ones at https://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances.html but they
have Ladies’ Chains.
Happy dancing,
John
John Sweeney, Dancer, England <mailto:john@modernjive.com> john(a)modernjive.com
01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574
<http://www.contrafusion.co.uk> http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
2:34 p.m.
Luke, who wrote "Pluck It"?
-Amy Wimmer
Seattle
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024, 9:50 AM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hello all,
Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and longways set
dances. With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an evening.
But sometimes I get a group that "wants contras" or is looking to grow
their familiarity with the dance form.
I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no neighbor
swing are AN easy option into "hands-four" contras. There are other ways
in, but I'm looking for more Beckets that match that description. For a
while I've had "Pluck It" in my box as a friendly option:
Pluck It
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
A2 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Right hand Star
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
(8) Long lines, yearn left
This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer Scatter Shot
but done as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across the set, which
in a recent thread was listed as a no-no for some callers. While I wouldn't
use that move at a dance weekend, for One Night gigs I think it's
accessible and acceptable). You don't have to teach ballroom swing, and if
folks want to elbow swing and swap roles with their partner it doesn't
really impact the dance (this is a small advantage of Becket over improper
for this type of dance; different position on the side is less disorienting
than different side of the set).
What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on roles? No larks
allemande or robins chain, etc.
On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this one (which
may already exist), written for Naomi who organizes the community dance I
was at:
A Pillar of Weathersfield
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
A2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall
B1 -----------
(8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
(8) Return and face across
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress
(Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left shoulder, and the
new couple on your right, turn to take hands with new couple)
I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for entry-level contras
when you don't have a critical mass of experience for improper dances with
neighbor swings.
Thanks!
Luke Donforth
Burlington, VT
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
5:17 p.m.
Apologies, I should have put that in there. I wrote Pluck It a while ago,
but I wouldn't be surprised if it already existed. It's almost the same
moves, in slightly different order, as Will's Festival Reel #2. (I'll
admit, I'm not a fan of the double forward and back of LL and then slice,
hence the DSD across.)
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 2:35 PM Amy Wimmer <amywimmer(a)gmail.com> wrote:
Luke, who wrote "Pluck It"?
-Amy Wimmer
Seattle
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024, 9:50 AM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
--
Luke Donforth
Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>
Hello all,
Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and longways set
dances. With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an evening.
But sometimes I get a group that "wants contras" or is looking to grow
their familiarity with the dance form.
I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no neighbor
swing are AN easy option into "hands-four" contras. There are other ways
in, but I'm looking for more Beckets that match that description. For a
while I've had "Pluck It" in my box as a friendly option:
Pluck It
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
A2 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Right hand Star
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
(8) Long lines, yearn left
This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer Scatter
Shot but done as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across the set,
which in a recent thread was listed as a no-no for some callers. While I
wouldn't use that move at a dance weekend, for One Night gigs I think it's
accessible and acceptable). You don't have to teach ballroom swing, and if
folks want to elbow swing and swap roles with their partner it doesn't
really impact the dance (this is a small advantage of Becket over improper
for this type of dance; different position on the side is less disorienting
than different side of the set).
What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on roles? No larks
allemande or robins chain, etc.
On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this one (which
may already exist), written for Naomi who organizes the community dance I
was at:
A Pillar of Weathersfield
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
A2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall
B1 -----------
(8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
(8) Return and face across
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress
(Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left shoulder, and the
new couple on your right, turn to take hands with new couple)
I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for entry-level contras
when you don't have a critical mass of experience for improper dances with
neighbor swings.
Thanks!
Luke Donforth
Burlington, VT
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
7:55 p.m.
https://aptsg.org/Dance/dances.html#Balter
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 11:50 AM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hello all,
Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and longways set
dances. With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an evening.
But sometimes I get a group that "wants contras" or is looking to grow
their familiarity with the dance form.
I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no neighbor
swing are AN easy option into "hands-four" contras. There are other ways
in, but I'm looking for more Beckets that match that description. For a
while I've had "Pluck It" in my box as a friendly option:
Pluck It
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
A2 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Right hand Star
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
(8) Long lines, yearn left
This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer Scatter Shot
but done as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across the set, which
in a recent thread was listed as a no-no for some callers. While I wouldn't
use that move at a dance weekend, for One Night gigs I think it's
accessible and acceptable). You don't have to teach ballroom swing, and if
folks want to elbow swing and swap roles with their partner it doesn't
really impact the dance (this is a small advantage of Becket over improper
for this type of dance; different position on the side is less disorienting
than different side of the set).
What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on roles? No larks
allemande or robins chain, etc.
On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this one (which
may already exist), written for Naomi who organizes the community dance I
was at:
A Pillar of Weathersfield
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
A2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall
B1 -----------
(8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
(8) Return and face across
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress
(Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left shoulder, and the
new couple on your right, turn to take hands with new couple)
I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for entry-level contras
when you don't have a critical mass of experience for improper dances with
neighbor swings.
Thanks!
Luke Donforth
Burlington, VT
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
9 Sep
9 Sep
8:08 p.m.
Thanks all.
I continue to turn this one over in my head, and I think I've got a new one
(borrowing heavily from Bob Isaac's *To Turn a Phrase* and the star-to-star
transition of Mick Richardson's *Star Trek*)
Star Trek Phraser
by Luke Donforth
Contra/Becket-CCW
A1 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Whole set oval right
A2 -----------
(8) whole set oval Left
(8) Groups of 4 Circle Left 1X
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Left hand Star 1x, walk on to next star
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 7:55 PM <sjapartments(a)gmail.com> wrote:
https://aptsg.org/Dance/dances.html#Balter
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 11:50 AM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
--
Luke Donforth
Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>
Hello all,
Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and longways set
dances. With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an evening.
But sometimes I get a group that "wants contras" or is looking to grow
their familiarity with the dance form.
I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no neighbor
swing are AN easy option into "hands-four" contras. There are other ways
in, but I'm looking for more Beckets that match that description. For a
while I've had "Pluck It" in my box as a friendly option:
Pluck It
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
A2 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Right hand Star
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
(8) Long lines, yearn left
This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer Scatter
Shot but done as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across the set,
which in a recent thread was listed as a no-no for some callers. While I
wouldn't use that move at a dance weekend, for One Night gigs I think it's
accessible and acceptable). You don't have to teach ballroom swing, and if
folks want to elbow swing and swap roles with their partner it doesn't
really impact the dance (this is a small advantage of Becket over improper
for this type of dance; different position on the side is less disorienting
than different side of the set).
What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on roles? No larks
allemande or robins chain, etc.
On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this one (which
may already exist), written for Naomi who organizes the community dance I
was at:
A Pillar of Weathersfield
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
A2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall
B1 -----------
(8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
(8) Return and face across
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress
(Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left shoulder, and the
new couple on your right, turn to take hands with new couple)
I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for entry-level contras
when you don't have a critical mass of experience for improper dances with
neighbor swings.
Thanks!
Luke Donforth
Burlington, VT
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
24 Sep
24 Sep
1:51 a.m.
I called Star Trek Phraser at a beginner-heavy college dance last weekend and it worked
quite well! The only thing I noticed was that I had to keep jumping in to keep the oval on
time (dancers kept trying to shift it to A2) and even still it got pretty messy. But
it's a nice whole-set moment that I think is worth it. (And for attentive beginners I
think it also reveals something to them about the structure of the dance.) I was surprised
and pleased by how well beginners were able to handle the star-to-star transition, quick
though it is!
Thanks for that one, Luke!
Harris Lapiroff
Dance Caller and Organizer
Boston Intergenerational Dance Advocates Board (Cambridge MA)
Pinewoods Camp, Inc Board (Plymouth MA)
https://chromamine.com/contra/
On Mon, Sep 9, 2024, at 8:08 PM, Luke Donforth via Contra Callers wrote:
Thanks all.
I continue to turn this one over in my head, and I think I've got a new one
(borrowing heavily from Bob Isaac's *To Turn a Phrase* and the star-to-star transition
of Mick Richardson's *Star Trek*)
Star Trek Phraser
by Luke Donforth
Contra/Becket-CCW
A1 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Whole set oval right
A2 -----------
(8) whole set oval Left
(8) Groups of 4 Circle Left 1X
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Left hand Star 1x, walk on to next star
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 7:55 PM <sjapartments(a)gmail.com> wrote:
https://aptsg.org/Dance/dances.html#Balter
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 11:50 AM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers
<contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and longways set dances.
With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an evening. But sometimes I get a
group that "wants contras" or is looking to grow their familiarity with the
dance form.
>
> I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no neighbor swing are AN
easy option into "hands-four" contras. There are other ways in, but I'm
looking for more Beckets that match that description. For a while I've had "Pluck
It" in my box as a friendly option:
>
> Pluck It
> Contra/Becket-CW
>
> A1 -----------
> (8) Circle Left
> (8) Circle Right
> A2 -----------
> (8) Left hand Star
> (8) Right hand Star
> B1 -----------
> (8) Partner Do-si-do
> (8) Partner swing
> B2 -----------
> (8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
> (8) Long lines, yearn left
>
> This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer Scatter Shot but done
as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across the set, which in a recent thread was
listed as a no-no for some callers. While I wouldn't use that move at a dance weekend,
for One Night gigs I think it's accessible and acceptable). You don't have to
teach ballroom swing, and if folks want to elbow swing and swap roles with their partner
it doesn't really impact the dance (this is a small advantage of Becket over improper
for this type of dance; different position on the side is less disorienting than different
side of the set).
>
> What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on roles? No larks
allemande or robins chain, etc.
>
> On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this one (which may already
exist), written for Naomi who organizes the community dance I was at:
>
> A Pillar of Weathersfield
> Contra/Becket-CW
>
> A1 -----------
> (8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
> (8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
> A2 -----------
> (16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall
> B1 -----------
> (8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
> (8) Return and face across
> B2 -----------
> (8) Long lines, forward and back
> (8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress
> (Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left shoulder, and the new couple on
your right, turn to take hands with new couple)
>
> I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for entry-level contras when
you don't have a critical mass of experience for improper dances with neighbor
swings.
>
> Thanks!
> Luke Donforth
> Burlington, VT
> _______________________________________________
> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
--
Luke Donforth
Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <mailto:Luke.Donev@gmail.com>
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
3:24 p.m.
Like Harris recently did, we plan to try Star Trek Phaser for our
beginner-heavy college contra next week. Thanks for writing and posting
it, Luke.
We often find that our dancers get off-phrase, especially with flowy
dances, like this one. Is that what causes the challenge with the oval in
this dance?
We have the benefit of choosing our music program at the same time as our
dance program. So, our Plan A for flowy dances is to choose a tune set
with clear differentiation between the 8-bar phrases and some sort of
punctuation at the start or end of each phrase. (Maybe a tune set like
this one. <https://youtu.be/ADQq_nqqHik?si=UX83w43tUtd8pw6x&t=151>)
From the perspective of callers, what would be a few tips that help ensure
flowy dances don't get off-phrase or would help in a case like Harris'?
Thanks,
Rob
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Robert Matson
Cell: (917) 626-2675
On Tue, Sep 24, 2024 at 12:51 AM Harris Lapiroff via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
I called Star Trek Phraser at a beginner-heavy college
dance last weekend
and it worked quite well! The only thing I noticed was that I had to keep
jumping in to keep the oval on time (dancers kept trying to shift it to A2)
and even still it got pretty messy. But it's a nice whole-set moment that I
think is worth it. (And for attentive beginners I think it also reveals
something to them about the structure of the dance.) I was surprised and
pleased by how well beginners were able to handle the star-to-star
transition, quick though it is!
Thanks for that one, Luke!
Harris Lapiroff
Dance Caller and Organizer
Boston Intergenerational Dance Advocates Board (Cambridge MA)
Pinewoods Camp, Inc Board (Plymouth MA)
https://chromamine.com/contra/
On Mon, Sep 9, 2024, at 8:08 PM, Luke Donforth via Contra Callers wrote:
Thanks all.
I continue to turn this one over in my head, and I think I've got a new
one (borrowing heavily from Bob Isaac's *To Turn a Phrase* and the
star-to-star transition of Mick Richardson's *Star Trek*)
Star Trek Phraser
by Luke Donforth
Contra/Becket-CCW
A1 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Whole set oval right
A2 -----------
(8) whole set oval Left
(8) Groups of 4 Circle Left 1X
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Left hand Star 1x, walk on to next star
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 7:55 PM <sjapartments(a)gmail.com> wrote:
https://aptsg.org/Dance/dances.html#Balter
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 11:50 AM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hello all,
Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and longways set
dances. With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an evening.
But sometimes I get a group that "wants contras" or is looking to grow
their familiarity with the dance form.
I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no neighbor
swing are AN easy option into "hands-four" contras. There are other ways
in, but I'm looking for more Beckets that match that description. For a
while I've had "Pluck It" in my box as a friendly option:
Pluck It
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
A2 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Right hand Star
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
(8) Long lines, yearn left
This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer Scatter Shot
but done as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across the set, which
in a recent thread was listed as a no-no for some callers. While I wouldn't
use that move at a dance weekend, for One Night gigs I think it's
accessible and acceptable). You don't have to teach ballroom swing, and if
folks want to elbow swing and swap roles with their partner it doesn't
really impact the dance (this is a small advantage of Becket over improper
for this type of dance; different position on the side is less disorienting
than different side of the set).
What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on roles? No larks
allemande or robins chain, etc.
On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this one (which
may already exist), written for Naomi who organizes the community dance I
was at:
A Pillar of Weathersfield
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
A2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall
B1 -----------
(8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
(8) Return and face across
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress
(Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left shoulder, and the
new couple on your right, turn to take hands with new couple)
I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for entry-level contras
when you don't have a critical mass of experience for improper dances with
neighbor swings.
Thanks!
Luke Donforth
Burlington, VT
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
--
Luke Donforth
Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
8:50 p.m.
Thanks for giving the new dance a spin! I haven't even tried it with people
yet :-)
Robert, I'm reminded of George Wilson's beginner lesson where he talks
explicitly about the connection between the music and the dancing, and
makes the timing explicit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14nxFdcaKWA
Thanks again all,
Luke
On Tue, Sep 24, 2024 at 3:25 PM Robert Matson via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Like Harris recently did, we plan to try Star Trek
Phaser for our
beginner-heavy college contra next week. Thanks for writing and posting
it, Luke.
We often find that our dancers get off-phrase, especially with flowy
dances, like this one. Is that what causes the challenge with the oval in
this dance?
We have the benefit of choosing our music program at the same time as our
dance program. So, our Plan A for flowy dances is to choose a tune set
with clear differentiation between the 8-bar phrases and some sort of
punctuation at the start or end of each phrase. (Maybe a tune set like
this one. <https://youtu.be/ADQq_nqqHik?si=UX83w43tUtd8pw6x&t=151>)
From the perspective of callers, what would be a few tips that help ensure
flowy dances don't get off-phrase or would help in a case like Harris'?
Thanks,
Rob
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Robert Matson
Cell: (917) 626-2675
On Tue, Sep 24, 2024 at 12:51 AM Harris Lapiroff via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
--
Luke Donforth
Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>
I called Star Trek Phraser at a beginner-heavy
college dance last weekend
and it worked quite well! The only thing I noticed was that I had to keep
jumping in to keep the oval on time (dancers kept trying to shift it to A2)
and even still it got pretty messy. But it's a nice whole-set moment that I
think is worth it. (And for attentive beginners I think it also reveals
something to them about the structure of the dance.) I was surprised and
pleased by how well beginners were able to handle the star-to-star
transition, quick though it is!
Thanks for that one, Luke!
Harris Lapiroff
Dance Caller and Organizer
Boston Intergenerational Dance Advocates Board (Cambridge MA)
Pinewoods Camp, Inc Board (Plymouth MA)
https://chromamine.com/contra/
On Mon, Sep 9, 2024, at 8:08 PM, Luke Donforth via Contra Callers wrote:
Thanks all.
I continue to turn this one over in my head, and I think I've got a new
one (borrowing heavily from Bob Isaac's *To Turn a Phrase* and the
star-to-star transition of Mick Richardson's *Star Trek*)
Star Trek Phraser
by Luke Donforth
Contra/Becket-CCW
A1 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Whole set oval right
A2 -----------
(8) whole set oval Left
(8) Groups of 4 Circle Left 1X
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Left hand Star 1x, walk on to next star
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 7:55 PM <sjapartments(a)gmail.com> wrote:
https://aptsg.org/Dance/dances.html#Balter
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 11:50 AM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hello all,
Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and longways set
dances. With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an evening.
But sometimes I get a group that "wants contras" or is looking to grow
their familiarity with the dance form.
I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no neighbor
swing are AN easy option into "hands-four" contras. There are other ways
in, but I'm looking for more Beckets that match that description. For a
while I've had "Pluck It" in my box as a friendly option:
Pluck It
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
A2 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Right hand Star
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
(8) Long lines, yearn left
This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer Scatter
Shot but done as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across the set,
which in a recent thread was listed as a no-no for some callers. While I
wouldn't use that move at a dance weekend, for One Night gigs I think it's
accessible and acceptable). You don't have to teach ballroom swing, and if
folks want to elbow swing and swap roles with their partner it doesn't
really impact the dance (this is a small advantage of Becket over improper
for this type of dance; different position on the side is less disorienting
than different side of the set).
What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on roles? No larks
allemande or robins chain, etc.
On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this one (which
may already exist), written for Naomi who organizes the community dance I
was at:
A Pillar of Weathersfield
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
A2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall
B1 -----------
(8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
(8) Return and face across
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress
(Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left shoulder, and the
new couple on your right, turn to take hands with new couple)
I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for entry-level contras
when you don't have a critical mass of experience for improper dances with
neighbor swings.
Thanks!
Luke Donforth
Burlington, VT
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
--
Luke Donforth
Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
25 Sep
25 Sep
4:43 a.m.
Robert, are you looking for tips beyond the basic “clear, well-phrased,
LONG/well-in-advance calls”? That’s probably the biggest thing, in my
mind—a nice long (3-4 beat) call in advance of the move that often lags, to
give dancers some heads up. (And of course, identifying ahead of time what
parts of the dance that are likely to get smeary.)
You might be able to preempt some of the timing issues in teaching. Eg
“take JUST FOUR STEPS down the hall, it’s shorter than you think” etc, but
honestly that kind of thing flies right out of people’s heads when the
music starts.
Cheers,
Maia in Brooklyn
--
Maia McCormick (she/her)
917.279.8194
On Wed, Sep 25, 2024 at 2:51 AM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Thanks for giving the new dance a spin! I haven't
even tried it with
people yet :-)
Robert, I'm reminded of George Wilson's beginner lesson where he talks
explicitly about the connection between the music and the dancing, and
makes the timing explicit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14nxFdcaKWA
Thanks again all,
Luke
On Tue, Sep 24, 2024 at 3:25 PM Robert Matson via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Like Harris recently did, we plan to try Star
Trek Phaser for our
beginner-heavy college contra next week. Thanks for writing and posting
it, Luke.
We often find that our dancers get off-phrase, especially with flowy
dances, like this one. Is that what causes the challenge with the oval in
this dance?
We have the benefit of choosing our music program at the same time as our
dance program. So, our Plan A for flowy dances is to choose a tune set
with clear differentiation between the 8-bar phrases and some sort of
punctuation at the start or end of each phrase. (Maybe a tune set like
this one. <https://youtu.be/ADQq_nqqHik?si=UX83w43tUtd8pw6x&t=151>)
From the perspective of callers, what would be a few tips that help
ensure flowy dances don't get off-phrase or would help in a case like
Harris'?
Thanks,
Rob
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Robert Matson
Cell: (917) 626-2675
On Tue, Sep 24, 2024 at 12:51 AM Harris Lapiroff via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
--
Luke Donforth
Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
I called Star Trek Phraser at a beginner-heavy
college dance last
weekend and it worked quite well! The only thing I noticed was that I had
to keep jumping in to keep the oval on time (dancers kept trying to shift
it to A2) and even still it got pretty messy. But it's a nice whole-set
moment that I think is worth it. (And for attentive beginners I think it
also reveals something to them about the structure of the dance.) I was
surprised and pleased by how well beginners were able to handle the
star-to-star transition, quick though it is!
Thanks for that one, Luke!
Harris Lapiroff
Dance Caller and Organizer
Boston Intergenerational Dance Advocates Board (Cambridge MA)
Pinewoods Camp, Inc Board (Plymouth MA)
https://chromamine.com/contra/
On Mon, Sep 9, 2024, at 8:08 PM, Luke Donforth via Contra Callers wrote:
Thanks all.
I continue to turn this one over in my head, and I think I've got a new
one (borrowing heavily from Bob Isaac's *To Turn a Phrase* and the
star-to-star transition of Mick Richardson's *Star Trek*)
Star Trek Phraser
by Luke Donforth
Contra/Becket-CCW
A1 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Whole set oval right
A2 -----------
(8) whole set oval Left
(8) Groups of 4 Circle Left 1X
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Left hand Star 1x, walk on to next star
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 7:55 PM <sjapartments(a)gmail.com> wrote:
https://aptsg.org/Dance/dances.html#Balter
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 11:50 AM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hello all,
Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and longways set
dances. With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an evening.
But sometimes I get a group that "wants contras" or is looking to grow
their familiarity with the dance form.
I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no neighbor
swing are AN easy option into "hands-four" contras. There are other ways
in, but I'm looking for more Beckets that match that description. For a
while I've had "Pluck It" in my box as a friendly option:
Pluck It
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
A2 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Right hand Star
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
(8) Long lines, yearn left
This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer Scatter
Shot but done as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across the set,
which in a recent thread was listed as a no-no for some callers. While I
wouldn't use that move at a dance weekend, for One Night gigs I think it's
accessible and acceptable). You don't have to teach ballroom swing, and if
folks want to elbow swing and swap roles with their partner it doesn't
really impact the dance (this is a small advantage of Becket over improper
for this type of dance; different position on the side is less disorienting
than different side of the set).
What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on roles? No
larks allemande or robins chain, etc.
On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this one (which
may already exist), written for Naomi who organizes the community dance I
was at:
A Pillar of Weathersfield
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
A2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall
B1 -----------
(8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
(8) Return and face across
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress
(Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left shoulder, and the
new couple on your right, turn to take hands with new couple)
I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for entry-level
contras when you don't have a critical mass of experience for improper
dances with neighbor swings.
Thanks!
Luke Donforth
Burlington, VT
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
--
Luke Donforth
Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
10:40 a.m.
Robert—
I’m thinking there are three things you may be working to counteract:
1. Rushing to the swing/the “easy bits” of the dance. If the dancers don’t
perceive each part of the sequence as equally important or interesting,
they will often attempt to shorten the distance to the next part; flowing
segments are the natural casualty. This is also trained behavior, learned
from exposure to music and tight choreography that rewards or forces
“clipped” endings for flowing figures like heys or rushed contra corners. I
don’t know how to alter this in a simple, clean way except by repeatedly
not programming such choreography.
2. Driving or low-phrased music. This is regional, and in my opinion the
dance tunes played in different places in our country are getting smooshed
stylistically, but there are differences. When I lived in Illinois, for
example, the music tended toward a hard driven beat with less intra- and
sometimes extra-phrase distinction. I personally felt it was infinitely
better for squares because it made contras became mushy, especially on long
and flowing parts (which is choreography I tend to appreciate…and then
people would rush to the swings). That outcome didn’t seem to bother anyone
other than me, though.
3. Dropping out/style of calling. When we start to drop out, it gives more
latitude to the dancers to make their own decisions about timing—which are
then dictated by the band (music phrasing), their attitude toward the
choreography (rush to the good parts), and their skill (easier to
execute=faster potential execution). You can try to keep calling longer
and provide more direction….which might also result in a riot, depending on
the dancers. (Here in Colorado I have the reverse: a group that threatens
homicide if I ever leave out a single call.)
Neal Schlein
Librarian, MSLIS
Colorado
On Wed, Sep 25, 2024 at 2:44 AM Maia McCormick via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Robert, are you looking for tips beyond the basic
“clear, well-phrased,
LONG/well-in-advance calls”? That’s probably the biggest thing, in my
mind—a nice long (3-4 beat) call in advance of the move that often lags, to
give dancers some heads up. (And of course, identifying ahead of time what
parts of the dance that are likely to get smeary.)
You might be able to preempt some of the timing issues in teaching. Eg
“take JUST FOUR STEPS down the hall, it’s shorter than you think” etc, but
honestly that kind of thing flies right out of people’s heads when the
music starts.
Cheers,
Maia in Brooklyn
--
Maia McCormick (she/her)
917.279.8194
On Wed, Sep 25, 2024 at 2:51 AM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Thanks for giving the new dance a spin! I
haven't even tried it with
people yet :-)
Robert, I'm reminded of George Wilson's beginner lesson where he talks
explicitly about the connection between the music and the dancing, and
makes the timing explicit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14nxFdcaKWA
Thanks again all,
Luke
On Tue, Sep 24, 2024 at 3:25 PM Robert Matson via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
Like Harris recently did, we plan to try Star
Trek Phaser for our
beginner-heavy college contra next week. Thanks for writing and posting
it, Luke.
We often find that our dancers get off-phrase, especially with flowy
dances, like this one. Is that what causes the challenge with the oval in
this dance?
We have the benefit of choosing our music program at the same time as
our dance program. So, our Plan A for flowy dances is to choose a tune set
with clear differentiation between the 8-bar phrases and some sort of
punctuation at the start or end of each phrase. (Maybe a tune set like
this one. <https://youtu.be/ADQq_nqqHik?si=UX83w43tUtd8pw6x&t=151>)
From the perspective of callers, what would be a few tips that help
ensure flowy dances don't get off-phrase or would help in a case like
Harris'?
Thanks,
Rob
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Robert Matson
Cell: (917) 626-2675
On Tue, Sep 24, 2024 at 12:51 AM Harris Lapiroff via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
--
Luke Donforth
Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
I called Star Trek Phraser at a beginner-heavy
college dance last
weekend and it worked quite well! The only thing I noticed was that I had
to keep jumping in to keep the oval on time (dancers kept trying to shift
it to A2) and even still it got pretty messy. But it's a nice whole-set
moment that I think is worth it. (And for attentive beginners I think it
also reveals something to them about the structure of the dance.) I was
surprised and pleased by how well beginners were able to handle the
star-to-star transition, quick though it is!
Thanks for that one, Luke!
Harris Lapiroff
Dance Caller and Organizer
Boston Intergenerational Dance Advocates Board (Cambridge MA)
Pinewoods Camp, Inc Board (Plymouth MA)
https://chromamine.com/contra/
On Mon, Sep 9, 2024, at 8:08 PM, Luke Donforth via Contra Callers wrote:
Thanks all.
I continue to turn this one over in my head, and I think I've got a new
one (borrowing heavily from Bob Isaac's *To Turn a Phrase* and the
star-to-star transition of Mick Richardson's *Star Trek*)
Star Trek Phraser
by Luke Donforth
Contra/Becket-CCW
A1 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Whole set oval right
A2 -----------
(8) whole set oval Left
(8) Groups of 4 Circle Left 1X
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Left hand Star 1x, walk on to next star
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 7:55 PM <sjapartments(a)gmail.com> wrote:
https://aptsg.org/Dance/dances.html#Balter
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 11:50 AM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hello all,
Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and longways set
dances. With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an evening.
But sometimes I get a group that "wants contras" or is looking to grow
their familiarity with the dance form.
I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no neighbor
swing are AN easy option into "hands-four" contras. There are other ways
in, but I'm looking for more Beckets that match that description. For a
while I've had "Pluck It" in my box as a friendly option:
Pluck It
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
A2 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Right hand Star
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
(8) Long lines, yearn left
This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer Scatter
Shot but done as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across the set,
which in a recent thread was listed as a no-no for some callers. While I
wouldn't use that move at a dance weekend, for One Night gigs I think it's
accessible and acceptable). You don't have to teach ballroom swing, and if
folks want to elbow swing and swap roles with their partner it doesn't
really impact the dance (this is a small advantage of Becket over improper
for this type of dance; different position on the side is less disorienting
than different side of the set).
What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on roles? No
larks allemande or robins chain, etc.
On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this one (which
may already exist), written for Naomi who organizes the community dance I
was at:
A Pillar of Weathersfield
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
A2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall
B1 -----------
(8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
(8) Return and face across
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress
(Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left shoulder, and the
new couple on your right, turn to take hands with new couple)
I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for entry-level
contras when you don't have a critical mass of experience for improper
dances with neighbor swings.
Thanks!
Luke Donforth
Burlington, VT
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
--
Luke Donforth
Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
10:57 a.m.
That’s an interesting take—I usually see people swinging for too LONG, and
specifically see swings running over as one of the main culprits of dance
timing muddiness. Probably a combination of: swinging is fun, it’s a
variable number of rotations (ie no clear end point), and it may take
beginners a sec to get the hand/foot position right. So when dance timing
is slipping, my go-to is to start more clearly prompting the first move
after the swing, esp. the partner swing.
For whatever that’s worth!
Cheers,
Maia (Brooklyn, NY)
--
Maia McCormick (she/her)
917.279.8194
On Wed, Sep 25, 2024 at 4:40 PM Neal Schlein <nschlein(a)gmail.com> wrote:
Robert—
I’m thinking there are three things you may be working to counteract:
1. Rushing to the swing/the “easy bits” of the dance. If the dancers
don’t perceive each part of the sequence as equally important or
interesting, they will often attempt to shorten the distance to the next
part; flowing segments are the natural casualty. This is also trained
behavior, learned from exposure to music and tight choreography that
rewards or forces “clipped” endings for flowing figures like heys or rushed
contra corners. I don’t know how to alter this in a simple, clean way
except by repeatedly not programming such choreography.
2. Driving or low-phrased music. This is regional, and in my opinion the
dance tunes played in different places in our country are getting smooshed
stylistically, but there are differences. When I lived in Illinois, for
example, the music tended toward a hard driven beat with less intra- and
sometimes extra-phrase distinction. I personally felt it was infinitely
better for squares because it made contras became mushy, especially on long
and flowing parts (which is choreography I tend to appreciate…and then
people would rush to the swings). That outcome didn’t seem to bother anyone
other than me, though.
3. Dropping out/style of calling. When we start to drop out, it gives
more latitude to the dancers to make their own decisions about timing—which
are then dictated by the band (music phrasing), their attitude toward the
choreography (rush to the good parts), and their skill (easier to
execute=faster potential execution). You can try to keep calling longer
and provide more direction….which might also result in a riot, depending on
the dancers. (Here in Colorado I have the reverse: a group that threatens
homicide if I ever leave out a single call.)
Neal Schlein
Librarian, MSLIS
Colorado
On Wed, Sep 25, 2024 at 2:44 AM Maia McCormick via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Robert, are you looking for tips beyond the basic
“clear, well-phrased,
LONG/well-in-advance calls”? That’s probably the biggest thing, in my
mind—a nice long (3-4 beat) call in advance of the move that often lags, to
give dancers some heads up. (And of course, identifying ahead of time what
parts of the dance that are likely to get smeary.)
You might be able to preempt some of the timing issues in teaching. Eg
“take JUST FOUR STEPS down the hall, it’s shorter than you think” etc, but
honestly that kind of thing flies right out of people’s heads when the
music starts.
Cheers,
Maia in Brooklyn
--
Maia McCormick (she/her)
917.279.8194
On Wed, Sep 25, 2024 at 2:51 AM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Thanks for giving the new dance a spin! I
haven't even tried it with
people yet :-)
Robert, I'm reminded of George Wilson's beginner lesson where he talks
explicitly about the connection between the music and the dancing, and
makes the timing explicit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14nxFdcaKWA
Thanks again all,
Luke
On Tue, Sep 24, 2024 at 3:25 PM Robert Matson via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
Like Harris recently did, we plan to try Star
Trek Phaser for our
beginner-heavy college contra next week. Thanks for writing and posting
it, Luke.
We often find that our dancers get off-phrase, especially with flowy
dances, like this one. Is that what causes the challenge with the oval in
this dance?
We have the benefit of choosing our music program at the same time as
our dance program. So, our Plan A for flowy dances is to choose a tune set
with clear differentiation between the 8-bar phrases and some sort of
punctuation at the start or end of each phrase. (Maybe a tune set
like this one. <https://youtu.be/ADQq_nqqHik?si=UX83w43tUtd8pw6x&t=151>
)
From the perspective of callers, what would be a few tips that help
ensure flowy dances don't get off-phrase or would help in a case like
Harris'?
Thanks,
Rob
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Robert Matson
Cell: (917) 626-2675
On Tue, Sep 24, 2024 at 12:51 AM Harris Lapiroff via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> I called Star Trek Phraser at a beginner-heavy college dance last
> weekend and it worked quite well! The only thing I noticed was that I had
> to keep jumping in to keep the oval on time (dancers kept trying to shift
> it to A2) and even still it got pretty messy. But it's a nice whole-set
> moment that I think is worth it. (And for attentive beginners I think it
> also reveals something to them about the structure of the dance.) I was
> surprised and pleased by how well beginners were able to handle the
> star-to-star transition, quick though it is!
>
> Thanks for that one, Luke!
>
> Harris Lapiroff
>
> Dance Caller and Organizer
> Boston Intergenerational Dance Advocates Board (Cambridge MA)
> Pinewoods Camp, Inc Board (Plymouth MA)
> https://chromamine.com/contra/
>
> On Mon, Sep 9, 2024, at 8:08 PM, Luke Donforth via Contra Callers
> wrote:
>
> Thanks all.
>
> I continue to turn this one over in my head, and I think I've got a
> new one (borrowing heavily from Bob Isaac's *To Turn a Phrase* and
> the star-to-star transition of Mick Richardson's *Star Trek*)
>
> Star Trek Phraser
> by Luke Donforth
> Contra/Becket-CCW
>
> A1 -----------
> (8) Left hand Star
> (8) Whole set oval right
> A2 -----------
> (8) whole set oval Left
> (8) Groups of 4 Circle Left 1X
> B1 -----------
> (8) Partner Do-si-do
> (8) Partner swing
> B2 -----------
> (8) Long lines, forward and back
> (8) Left hand Star 1x, walk on to next star
>
> On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 7:55 PM <sjapartments(a)gmail.com> wrote:
>
> https://aptsg.org/Dance/dances.html#Balter
>
> On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 11:50 AM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers <
> contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
> Hello all,
>
> Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and longways set
> dances. With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an evening.
> But sometimes I get a group that "wants contras" or is looking to grow
> their familiarity with the dance form.
>
> I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no neighbor
> swing are AN easy option into "hands-four" contras. There are other ways
> in, but I'm looking for more Beckets that match that description. For a
> while I've had "Pluck It" in my box as a friendly option:
>
> Pluck It
> Contra/Becket-CW
>
> A1 -----------
> (8) Circle Left
> (8) Circle Right
> A2 -----------
> (8) Left hand Star
> (8) Right hand Star
> B1 -----------
> (8) Partner Do-si-do
> (8) Partner swing
> B2 -----------
> (8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
> (8) Long lines, yearn left
>
> This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer Scatter
> Shot but done as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across the set,
> which in a recent thread was listed as a no-no for some callers. While I
> wouldn't use that move at a dance weekend, for One Night gigs I think it's
> accessible and acceptable). You don't have to teach ballroom swing, and if
> folks want to elbow swing and swap roles with their partner it doesn't
> really impact the dance (this is a small advantage of Becket over improper
> for this type of dance; different position on the side is less disorienting
> than different side of the set).
>
> What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on roles? No
> larks allemande or robins chain, etc.
>
> On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this one
> (which may already exist), written for Naomi who organizes the community
> dance I was at:
>
> A Pillar of Weathersfield
> Contra/Becket-CW
>
> A1 -----------
> (8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
> (8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
> A2 -----------
> (16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall
> B1 -----------
> (8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
> (8) Return and face across
> B2 -----------
> (8) Long lines, forward and back
> (8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress
> (Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left shoulder, and
> the new couple on your right, turn to take hands with new couple)
>
> I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for entry-level
> contras when you don't have a critical mass of experience for improper
> dances with neighbor swings.
>
> Thanks!
> Luke Donforth
> Burlington, VT
> _______________________________________________
> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> To unsubscribe send an email to
> contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>
>
>
> --
> Luke Donforth
> Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>
> _______________________________________________
> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> To unsubscribe send an email to
> contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> To unsubscribe send an email to
> contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
--
Luke Donforth
Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
12:59 p.m.
That’s definitely true as well, Maia, and I think that failure to end is
affected by the same factors: muddy musical phrases don’t particularly
encourage or mark an end to the swing, the (contra) cultural focus on
swings as the “most important” part of the choreography encourages holding
them, and in the absence of calls we are relying on the dancers to know
when and how to end the swing—which requires stopping something that is
fun, easy, and which currently has both physical and mental momentum. That
is technically difficult, and especially for beginners; more experienced
dancers have learned how to compensate and what we can get away with.
Neal Schlein
Librarian, MSLIS
On Wed, Sep 25, 2024 at 8:57 AM Maia McCormick <maia.mcc(a)gmail.com> wrote:
That’s an interesting take—I usually see people
swinging for too LONG, and
specifically see swings running over as one of the main culprits of dance
timing muddiness. Probably a combination of: swinging is fun, it’s a
variable number of rotations (ie no clear end point), and it may take
beginners a sec to get the hand/foot position right. So when dance timing
is slipping, my go-to is to start more clearly prompting the first move
after the swing, esp. the partner swing.
For whatever that’s worth!
Cheers,
Maia (Brooklyn, NY)
--
Maia McCormick (she/her)
917.279.8194
On Wed, Sep 25, 2024 at 4:40 PM Neal Schlein <nschlein(a)gmail.com> wrote:
> Robert—
> I’m thinking there are three things you may be working to counteract:
>
> 1. Rushing to the swing/the “easy bits” of the dance. If the dancers
> don’t perceive each part of the sequence as equally important or
> interesting, they will often attempt to shorten the distance to the next
> part; flowing segments are the natural casualty. This is also trained
> behavior, learned from exposure to music and tight choreography that
> rewards or forces “clipped” endings for flowing figures like heys or rushed
> contra corners. I don’t know how to alter this in a simple, clean way
> except by repeatedly not programming such choreography.
>
> 2. Driving or low-phrased music. This is regional, and in my opinion the
> dance tunes played in different places in our country are getting smooshed
> stylistically, but there are differences. When I lived in Illinois, for
> example, the music tended toward a hard driven beat with less intra- and
> sometimes extra-phrase distinction. I personally felt it was infinitely
> better for squares because it made contras became mushy, especially on long
> and flowing parts (which is choreography I tend to appreciate…and then
> people would rush to the swings). That outcome didn’t seem to bother anyone
> other than me, though.
>
> 3. Dropping out/style of calling. When we start to drop out, it gives
> more latitude to the dancers to make their own decisions about timing—which
> are then dictated by the band (music phrasing), their attitude toward the
> choreography (rush to the good parts), and their skill (easier to
> execute=faster potential execution). You can try to keep calling longer
> and provide more direction….which might also result in a riot, depending on
> the dancers. (Here in Colorado I have the reverse: a group that threatens
> homicide if I ever leave out a single call.)
>
> Neal Schlein
> Librarian, MSLIS
> Colorado
>
> On Wed, Sep 25, 2024 at 2:44 AM Maia McCormick via Contra Callers <
> contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
>> Robert, are you looking for tips beyond the basic “clear, well-phrased,
>> LONG/well-in-advance calls”? That’s probably the biggest thing, in my
>> mind—a nice long (3-4 beat) call in advance of the move that often lags, to
>> give dancers some heads up. (And of course, identifying ahead of time what
>> parts of the dance that are likely to get smeary.)
>>
>> You might be able to preempt some of the timing issues in teaching. Eg
>> “take JUST FOUR STEPS down the hall, it’s shorter than you think” etc, but
>> honestly that kind of thing flies right out of people’s heads when the
>> music starts.
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Maia in Brooklyn
>>
>>
>> --
>> Maia McCormick (she/her)
>> 917.279.8194
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Sep 25, 2024 at 2:51 AM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers <
>> contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>>
>>> Thanks for giving the new dance a spin! I haven't even tried it with
>>> people yet :-)
>>>
>>> Robert, I'm reminded of George Wilson's beginner lesson where he
talks
>>> explicitly about the connection between the music and the dancing, and
>>> makes the timing explicit:
>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14nxFdcaKWA
>>>
>>> Thanks again all,
>>> Luke
>>>
>>> On Tue, Sep 24, 2024 at 3:25 PM Robert Matson via Contra Callers <
>>> contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Like Harris recently did, we plan to try Star Trek Phaser for our
>>>> beginner-heavy college contra next week. Thanks for writing and posting
>>>> it, Luke.
>>>>
>>>> We often find that our dancers get off-phrase, especially with flowy
>>>> dances, like this one. Is that what causes the challenge with the oval
in
>>>> this dance?
>>>>
>>>> We have the benefit of choosing our music program at the same time as
>>>> our dance program. So, our Plan A for flowy dances is to choose a tune
set
>>>> with clear differentiation between the 8-bar phrases and some sort of
>>>> punctuation at the start or end of each phrase. (Maybe a tune set
>>>> like this one.
>>>> <https://youtu.be/ADQq_nqqHik?si=UX83w43tUtd8pw6x&t=151>)
>>>>
>>>> From the perspective of callers, what would be a few tips that help
>>>> ensure flowy dances don't get off-phrase or would help in a case
like
>>>> Harris'?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> Rob
>>>>
>>>> - - - - - - - - - - - -
>>>>
>>>> Robert Matson
>>>> Cell: (917) 626-2675
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Tue, Sep 24, 2024 at 12:51 AM Harris Lapiroff via Contra Callers <
>>>> contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I called Star Trek Phraser at a beginner-heavy college dance last
>>>>> weekend and it worked quite well! The only thing I noticed was that I
had
>>>>> to keep jumping in to keep the oval on time (dancers kept trying to
shift
>>>>> it to A2) and even still it got pretty messy. But it's a nice
whole-set
>>>>> moment that I think is worth it. (And for attentive beginners I think
it
>>>>> also reveals something to them about the structure of the dance.) I
was
>>>>> surprised and pleased by how well beginners were able to handle the
>>>>> star-to-star transition, quick though it is!
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks for that one, Luke!
>>>>>
>>>>> Harris Lapiroff
>>>>>
>>>>> Dance Caller and Organizer
>>>>> Boston Intergenerational Dance Advocates Board (Cambridge MA)
>>>>> Pinewoods Camp, Inc Board (Plymouth MA)
>>>>> https://chromamine.com/contra/
>>>>>
>>>>> On Mon, Sep 9, 2024, at 8:08 PM, Luke Donforth via Contra Callers
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks all.
>>>>>
>>>>> I continue to turn this one over in my head, and I think I've got
a
>>>>> new one (borrowing heavily from Bob Isaac's *To Turn a Phrase*
and
>>>>> the star-to-star transition of Mick Richardson's *Star Trek*)
>>>>>
>>>>> Star Trek Phraser
>>>>> by Luke Donforth
>>>>> Contra/Becket-CCW
>>>>>
>>>>> A1 -----------
>>>>> (8) Left hand Star
>>>>> (8) Whole set oval right
>>>>> A2 -----------
>>>>> (8) whole set oval Left
>>>>> (8) Groups of 4 Circle Left 1X
>>>>> B1 -----------
>>>>> (8) Partner Do-si-do
>>>>> (8) Partner swing
>>>>> B2 -----------
>>>>> (8) Long lines, forward and back
>>>>> (8) Left hand Star 1x, walk on to next star
>>>>>
>>>>> On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 7:55 PM <sjapartments(a)gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> https://aptsg.org/Dance/dances.html#Balter
>>>>>
>>>>> On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 11:50 AM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers
<
>>>>> contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Hello all,
>>>>>
>>>>> Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and
longways
>>>>> set dances. With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an
>>>>> evening. But sometimes I get a group that "wants contras"
or is looking to
>>>>> grow their familiarity with the dance form.
>>>>>
>>>>> I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no
neighbor
>>>>> swing are AN easy option into "hands-four" contras. There
are other ways
>>>>> in, but I'm looking for more Beckets that match that description.
For a
>>>>> while I've had "Pluck It" in my box as a friendly
option:
>>>>>
>>>>> Pluck It
>>>>> Contra/Becket-CW
>>>>>
>>>>> A1 -----------
>>>>> (8) Circle Left
>>>>> (8) Circle Right
>>>>> A2 -----------
>>>>> (8) Left hand Star
>>>>> (8) Right hand Star
>>>>> B1 -----------
>>>>> (8) Partner Do-si-do
>>>>> (8) Partner swing
>>>>> B2 -----------
>>>>> (8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
>>>>> (8) Long lines, yearn left
>>>>>
>>>>> This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer
Scatter
>>>>> Shot but done as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across the
set,
>>>>> which in a recent thread was listed as a no-no for some callers.
While I
>>>>> wouldn't use that move at a dance weekend, for One Night gigs I
think it's
>>>>> accessible and acceptable). You don't have to teach ballroom
swing, and if
>>>>> folks want to elbow swing and swap roles with their partner it
doesn't
>>>>> really impact the dance (this is a small advantage of Becket over
improper
>>>>> for this type of dance; different position on the side is less
disorienting
>>>>> than different side of the set).
>>>>>
>>>>> What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on roles?
No
>>>>> larks allemande or robins chain, etc.
>>>>>
>>>>> On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this one
>>>>> (which may already exist), written for Naomi who organizes the
community
>>>>> dance I was at:
>>>>>
>>>>> A Pillar of Weathersfield
>>>>> Contra/Becket-CW
>>>>>
>>>>> A1 -----------
>>>>> (8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
>>>>> (8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
>>>>> A2 -----------
>>>>> (16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall
>>>>> B1 -----------
>>>>> (8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
>>>>> (8) Return and face across
>>>>> B2 -----------
>>>>> (8) Long lines, forward and back
>>>>> (8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress
>>>>> (Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left shoulder, and
>>>>> the new couple on your right, turn to take hands with new couple)
>>>>>
>>>>> I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for
entry-level
>>>>> contras when you don't have a critical mass of experience for
improper
>>>>> dances with neighbor swings.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks!
>>>>> Luke Donforth
>>>>> Burlington, VT
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>>>>> To unsubscribe send an email to
>>>>> contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Luke Donforth
>>>>> Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>>>>> To unsubscribe send an email to
>>>>> contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>>>>> To unsubscribe send an email to
>>>>> contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>>>> To unsubscribe send an email to
>>>> contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Luke Donforth
>>> Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>>> To unsubscribe send an email to
>>> contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>> To unsubscribe send an email to
>> contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>>
>
1:20 p.m.
Thanks, All.
@Maia: thanks for asking me to be precise in my question. I see I asked
two general questions which, while a mistake, was a happy mistake in that
it led to hearing interesting thoughts.
However, I was hoping to benefit from Harris' experience, or the experience
of others who have encountered the same challenge in a beginner-heavy dance.
My clumsy question was within the context of the original post:
Harris:
"I called Star Trek Phraser at a beginner-heavy college dance last weekend
and it worked quite well! The only thing I noticed was that I had to keep
jumping in to keep the oval on time (dancers kept trying to shift it to A2)
and even still it got pretty messy."
Me:
"Like Harris recently did, we plan to try Star Trek Phaser for our
beginner-heavy college contra next week. Thanks for writing and posting
it, Luke.
"We often find that our dancers get off-phrase, especially with flowy
dances, like this one. Is that what causes the challenge with the oval in
this dance?"
I wish I had asked, using Maia's trademark -- "Hive-mind" or Harris -- how
would you foreshorten the challenge Harris witnessed in Star Trek Phaser,
so, next week, our college group can have at least as much fun as Harris's
college group did?
(@Luke, I agree with you: that video of George Marshall giving a beginner
lesson is a pleasure to study.)
Rob
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Robert Matson
Innovation Media Corp.
The Innovation Works, Inc.
Cell: (917) 626-2675
On Wed, Sep 25, 2024 at 9:57 AM Maia McCormick via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
That’s an interesting take—I usually see people
swinging for too LONG, and
specifically see swings running over as one of the main culprits of dance
timing muddiness. Probably a combination of: swinging is fun, it’s a
variable number of rotations (ie no clear end point), and it may take
beginners a sec to get the hand/foot position right. So when dance timing
is slipping, my go-to is to start more clearly prompting the first move
after the swing, esp. the partner swing.
For whatever that’s worth!
Cheers,
Maia (Brooklyn, NY)
--
Maia McCormick (she/her)
917.279.8194
On Wed, Sep 25, 2024 at 4:40 PM Neal Schlein <nschlein(a)gmail.com> wrote:
Robert—
I’m thinking there are three things you may be working to counteract:
1. Rushing to the swing/the “easy bits” of the dance. If the dancers
don’t perceive each part of the sequence as equally important or
interesting, they will often attempt to shorten the distance to the next
part; flowing segments are the natural casualty. This is also trained
behavior, learned from exposure to music and tight choreography that
rewards or forces “clipped” endings for flowing figures like heys or rushed
contra corners. I don’t know how to alter this in a simple, clean way
except by repeatedly not programming such choreography.
2. Driving or low-phrased music. This is regional, and in my opinion the
dance tunes played in different places in our country are getting smooshed
stylistically, but there are differences. When I lived in Illinois, for
example, the music tended toward a hard driven beat with less intra- and
sometimes extra-phrase distinction. I personally felt it was infinitely
better for squares because it made contras became mushy, especially on long
and flowing parts (which is choreography I tend to appreciate…and then
people would rush to the swings). That outcome didn’t seem to bother anyone
other than me, though.
3. Dropping out/style of calling. When we start to drop out, it gives
more latitude to the dancers to make their own decisions about timing—which
are then dictated by the band (music phrasing), their attitude toward the
choreography (rush to the good parts), and their skill (easier to
execute=faster potential execution). You can try to keep calling longer
and provide more direction….which might also result in a riot, depending on
the dancers. (Here in Colorado I have the reverse: a group that threatens
homicide if I ever leave out a single call.)
Neal Schlein
Librarian, MSLIS
Colorado
On Wed, Sep 25, 2024 at 2:44 AM Maia McCormick via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Contra Callers mailing list
-- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
Robert, are you looking for tips beyond the basic
“clear, well-phrased,
LONG/well-in-advance calls”? That’s probably the biggest thing, in my
mind—a nice long (3-4 beat) call in advance of the move that often lags, to
give dancers some heads up. (And of course, identifying ahead of time what
parts of the dance that are likely to get smeary.)
You might be able to preempt some of the timing issues in teaching. Eg
“take JUST FOUR STEPS down the hall, it’s shorter than you think” etc, but
honestly that kind of thing flies right out of people’s heads when the
music starts.
Cheers,
Maia in Brooklyn
--
Maia McCormick (she/her)
917.279.8194
On Wed, Sep 25, 2024 at 2:51 AM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
_______________________________________________ Thanks for giving the new dance a spin! I
haven't even tried it with
people yet :-)
Robert, I'm reminded of George Wilson's beginner lesson where he talks
explicitly about the connection between the music and the dancing, and
makes the timing explicit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14nxFdcaKWA
Thanks again all,
Luke
On Tue, Sep 24, 2024 at 3:25 PM Robert Matson via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> Like Harris recently did, we plan to try Star Trek Phaser for our
> beginner-heavy college contra next week. Thanks for writing and posting
> it, Luke.
>
> We often find that our dancers get off-phrase, especially with flowy
> dances, like this one. Is that what causes the challenge with the oval in
> this dance?
>
> We have the benefit of choosing our music program at the same time as
> our dance program. So, our Plan A for flowy dances is to choose a tune set
> with clear differentiation between the 8-bar phrases and some sort of
> punctuation at the start or end of each phrase. (Maybe a tune set
> like this one.
> <https://youtu.be/ADQq_nqqHik?si=UX83w43tUtd8pw6x&t=151>)
>
> From the perspective of callers, what would be a few tips that help
> ensure flowy dances don't get off-phrase or would help in a case like
> Harris'?
>
> Thanks,
> Rob
>
> - - - - - - - - - - - -
>
> Robert Matson
> Cell: (917) 626-2675
>
>
>
> On Tue, Sep 24, 2024 at 12:51 AM Harris Lapiroff via Contra Callers <
> contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
>> I called Star Trek Phraser at a beginner-heavy college dance last
>> weekend and it worked quite well! The only thing I noticed was that I had
>> to keep jumping in to keep the oval on time (dancers kept trying to shift
>> it to A2) and even still it got pretty messy. But it's a nice whole-set
>> moment that I think is worth it. (And for attentive beginners I think it
>> also reveals something to them about the structure of the dance.) I was
>> surprised and pleased by how well beginners were able to handle the
>> star-to-star transition, quick though it is!
>>
>> Thanks for that one, Luke!
>>
>> Harris Lapiroff
>>
>> Dance Caller and Organizer
>> Boston Intergenerational Dance Advocates Board (Cambridge MA)
>> Pinewoods Camp, Inc Board (Plymouth MA)
>> https://chromamine.com/contra/
>>
>> On Mon, Sep 9, 2024, at 8:08 PM, Luke Donforth via Contra Callers
>> wrote:
>>
>> Thanks all.
>>
>> I continue to turn this one over in my head, and I think I've got a
>> new one (borrowing heavily from Bob Isaac's *To Turn a Phrase* and
>> the star-to-star transition of Mick Richardson's *Star Trek*)
>>
>> Star Trek Phraser
>> by Luke Donforth
>> Contra/Becket-CCW
>>
>> A1 -----------
>> (8) Left hand Star
>> (8) Whole set oval right
>> A2 -----------
>> (8) whole set oval Left
>> (8) Groups of 4 Circle Left 1X
>> B1 -----------
>> (8) Partner Do-si-do
>> (8) Partner swing
>> B2 -----------
>> (8) Long lines, forward and back
>> (8) Left hand Star 1x, walk on to next star
>>
>> On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 7:55 PM <sjapartments(a)gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> https://aptsg.org/Dance/dances.html#Balter
>>
>> On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 11:50 AM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers <
>> contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>>
>> Hello all,
>>
>> Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and longways
>> set dances. With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an
>> evening. But sometimes I get a group that "wants contras" or is looking
to
>> grow their familiarity with the dance form.
>>
>> I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no neighbor
>> swing are AN easy option into "hands-four" contras. There are other
ways
>> in, but I'm looking for more Beckets that match that description. For a
>> while I've had "Pluck It" in my box as a friendly option:
>>
>> Pluck It
>> Contra/Becket-CW
>>
>> A1 -----------
>> (8) Circle Left
>> (8) Circle Right
>> A2 -----------
>> (8) Left hand Star
>> (8) Right hand Star
>> B1 -----------
>> (8) Partner Do-si-do
>> (8) Partner swing
>> B2 -----------
>> (8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
>> (8) Long lines, yearn left
>>
>> This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer Scatter
>> Shot but done as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across the set,
>> which in a recent thread was listed as a no-no for some callers. While I
>> wouldn't use that move at a dance weekend, for One Night gigs I think
it's
>> accessible and acceptable). You don't have to teach ballroom swing, and if
>> folks want to elbow swing and swap roles with their partner it doesn't
>> really impact the dance (this is a small advantage of Becket over improper
>> for this type of dance; different position on the side is less disorienting
>> than different side of the set).
>>
>> What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on roles? No
>> larks allemande or robins chain, etc.
>>
>> On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this one
>> (which may already exist), written for Naomi who organizes the community
>> dance I was at:
>>
>> A Pillar of Weathersfield
>> Contra/Becket-CW
>>
>> A1 -----------
>> (8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
>> (8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
>> A2 -----------
>> (16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall
>> B1 -----------
>> (8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
>> (8) Return and face across
>> B2 -----------
>> (8) Long lines, forward and back
>> (8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress
>> (Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left shoulder, and
>> the new couple on your right, turn to take hands with new couple)
>>
>> I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for entry-level
>> contras when you don't have a critical mass of experience for improper
>> dances with neighbor swings.
>>
>> Thanks!
>> Luke Donforth
>> Burlington, VT
>> _______________________________________________
>> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>> To unsubscribe send an email to
>> contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Luke Donforth
>> Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>> To unsubscribe send an email to
>> contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>> To unsubscribe send an email to
>> contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>>
> _______________________________________________
> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> To unsubscribe send an email to
> contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>
--
Luke Donforth
Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
4:01 p.m.
I'll add a few more notes on my experience calling it that might be educational!
It was interesting observing the dance because, yes, often the dancers were late to the
oval, but sometimes they were late *and* they stood waiting for the *next* phrase—which I
took as a good sign that they *were* hearing the phrases in the music (and just misplacing
where I wanted the figure)! It's possible they were getting behind during the
star-to-star transition—it looked good from the stage and I was impressed that I saw
minimal fumbling, but I didn't notice if they were especially late or not. Getting
behind is normal for beginner crowds, of course—but it's more obvious someone is
behind when the whole set has to be moving together as in an oval.
I did mention offhand that the momentum from each figure flowed into the next, but
possibly I could have really emphasized that if I wanted to ensure they didn't stand
around. (But it wasn't a problem I foresaw during the walkthrough.)
I was able to somewhat correct it by prompting more than usual mid-dance for timing
"star right NOW, oval left NOW," etc. But it also seemed OK that it was a little
messy! Not everything has to be perfect. Folks had fun :)
Harris Lapiroff
Dance Caller and Organizer
Boston Intergenerational Dance Advocates Board (Cambridge MA)
Pinewoods Camp, Inc Board (Plymouth MA)
https://chromamine.com/contra/
On Wed, Sep 25, 2024, at 1:20 PM, Robert Matson via Contra Callers wrote:
Thanks, All.
@Maia: thanks for asking me to be precise in my question. I see I asked two general
questions which, while a mistake, was a happy mistake in that it led to hearing
interesting thoughts.
However, I was hoping to benefit from Harris' experience, or the experience of others
who have encountered the same challenge in a beginner-heavy dance.
My clumsy question was within the context of the original post:
Harris:
"I called Star Trek Phraser at a beginner-heavy college dance last weekend and it
worked quite well! The only thing I noticed was that I had to keep jumping in to keep the
oval on time (dancers kept trying to shift it to A2) and even still it got pretty
messy."
Me:
"Like Harris recently did, we plan to try Star Trek Phaser for our beginner-heavy
college contra next week. Thanks for writing and posting it, Luke.
"We often find that our dancers get off-phrase, especially with flowy dances, like
this one. Is that what causes the challenge with the oval in this dance?"
I wish I had asked, using Maia's trademark -- "Hive-mind" or Harris -- how
would you foreshorten the challenge Harris witnessed in Star Trek Phaser, so, next week,
our college group can have at least as much fun as Harris's college group did?
(@Luke, I agree with you: that video of George Marshall giving a beginner lesson is a
pleasure to study.)
Rob
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Robert Matson
Innovation Media Corp.
The Innovation Works, Inc.
Cell: (917) 626-2675
On Wed, Sep 25, 2024 at 9:57 AM Maia McCormick via Contra Callers
<contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
That’s an interesting take—I usually see people
swinging for too LONG, and specifically see swings running over as one of the main
culprits of dance timing muddiness. Probably a combination of: swinging is fun, it’s a
variable number of rotations (ie no clear end point), and it may take beginners a sec to
get the hand/foot position right. So when dance timing is slipping, my go-to is to start
more clearly prompting the first move after the swing, esp. the partner swing.
For whatever that’s worth!
Cheers,
Maia (Brooklyn, NY)
--
Maia McCormick (she/her)
917.279.8194
On Wed, Sep 25, 2024 at 4:40 PM Neal Schlein <nschlein(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
Robert—
I’m thinking there are three things you may be working to counteract:
1. Rushing to the swing/the “easy bits” of the dance. If the dancers don’t perceive each
part of the sequence as equally important or interesting, they will often attempt to
shorten the distance to the next part; flowing segments are the natural casualty. This is
also trained behavior, learned from exposure to music and tight choreography that rewards
or forces “clipped” endings for flowing figures like heys or rushed contra corners. I
don’t know how to alter this in a simple, clean way except by repeatedly not programming
such choreography.
2. Driving or low-phrased music. This is regional, and in my opinion the dance tunes
played in different places in our country are getting smooshed stylistically, but there
are differences. When I lived in Illinois, for example, the music tended toward a hard
driven beat with less intra- and sometimes extra-phrase distinction. I personally felt it
was infinitely better for squares because it made contras became mushy, especially on long
and flowing parts (which is choreography I tend to appreciate…and then people would rush
to the swings). That outcome didn’t seem to bother anyone other than me, though.
3. Dropping out/style of calling. When we start to drop out, it gives more latitude to
the dancers to make their own decisions about timing—which are then dictated by the band
(music phrasing), their attitude toward the choreography (rush to the good parts), and
their skill (easier to execute=faster potential execution). You can try to keep calling
longer and provide more direction….which might also result in a riot, depending on the
dancers. (Here in Colorado I have the reverse: a group that threatens homicide if I ever
leave out a single call.)
Neal Schlein
Librarian, MSLIS
Colorado
On Wed, Sep 25, 2024 at 2:44 AM Maia McCormick via Contra Callers
<contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> Robert, are you looking for tips beyond the basic “clear, well-phrased,
LONG/well-in-advance calls”? That’s probably the biggest thing, in my mind—a nice long
(3-4 beat) call in advance of the move that often lags, to give dancers some heads up.
(And of course, identifying ahead of time what parts of the dance that are likely to get
smeary.)
>
> You might be able to preempt some of the timing issues in teaching. Eg “take JUST
FOUR STEPS down the hall, it’s shorter than you think” etc, but honestly that kind of
thing flies right out of people’s heads when the music starts.
>
> Cheers,
> Maia in Brooklyn
>
>
> --
> Maia McCormick (she/her)
> 917.279.8194
>
>
> On Wed, Sep 25, 2024 at 2:51 AM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers
<contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>> Thanks for giving the new dance a spin! I haven't even tried it with people
yet :-)
>>
>> Robert, I'm reminded of George Wilson's beginner lesson where he talks
explicitly about the connection between the music and the dancing, and makes the timing
explicit:
>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14nxFdcaKWA
>>
>> Thanks again all,
>> Luke
>>
>> On Tue, Sep 24, 2024 at 3:25 PM Robert Matson via Contra Callers
<contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>>> Like Harris recently did, we plan to try Star Trek Phaser for our
beginner-heavy college contra next week. Thanks for writing and posting it, Luke.
>>>
>>> We often find that our dancers get off-phrase, especially with flowy dances,
like this one. Is that what causes the challenge with the oval in this dance?
>>>
>>> We have the benefit of choosing our music program at the same time as our
dance program. So, our Plan A for flowy dances is to choose a tune set with clear
differentiation between the 8-bar phrases and some sort of punctuation at the start or end
of each phrase. (Maybe a tune set like this one.
<https://youtu.be/ADQq_nqqHik?si=UX83w43tUtd8pw6x&t=151>)
>>>
>>> From the perspective of callers, what would be a few tips that help ensure
flowy dances don't get off-phrase or would help in a case like Harris'?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Rob
>>> - - - - - - - - - - - -
>>>
>>>
>>> Robert Matson
>>> Cell: (917) 626-2675
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Tue, Sep 24, 2024 at 12:51 AM Harris Lapiroff via Contra Callers
<contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>>>> __
>>>> I called Star Trek Phraser at a beginner-heavy college dance last weekend
and it worked quite well! The only thing I noticed was that I had to keep jumping in to
keep the oval on time (dancers kept trying to shift it to A2) and even still it got pretty
messy. But it's a nice whole-set moment that I think is worth it. (And for attentive
beginners I think it also reveals something to them about the structure of the dance.) I
was surprised and pleased by how well beginners were able to handle the star-to-star
transition, quick though it is!
>>>>
>>>> Thanks for that one, Luke!
>>>>
>>>> Harris Lapiroff
>>>>
>>>> Dance Caller and Organizer
>>>> Boston Intergenerational Dance Advocates Board (Cambridge MA)
>>>> Pinewoods Camp, Inc Board (Plymouth MA)
>>>> https://chromamine.com/contra/
>>>>
>>>> On Mon, Sep 9, 2024, at 8:08 PM, Luke Donforth via Contra Callers wrote:
>>>>> Thanks all.
>>>>>
>>>>> I continue to turn this one over in my head, and I think I've got
a new one (borrowing heavily from Bob Isaac's *To Turn a Phrase* and the star-to-star
transition of Mick Richardson's *Star Trek*)
>>>>>
>>>>> Star Trek Phraser
>>>>> by Luke Donforth
>>>>> Contra/Becket-CCW
>>>>>
>>>>> A1 -----------
>>>>> (8) Left hand Star
>>>>> (8) Whole set oval right
>>>>> A2 -----------
>>>>> (8) whole set oval Left
>>>>> (8) Groups of 4 Circle Left 1X
>>>>> B1 -----------
>>>>> (8) Partner Do-si-do
>>>>> (8) Partner swing
>>>>> B2 -----------
>>>>> (8) Long lines, forward and back
>>>>> (8) Left hand Star 1x, walk on to next star
>>>>>
>>>>> On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 7:55 PM <sjapartments(a)gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>> https://aptsg.org/Dance/dances.html#Balter
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 11:50 AM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers
<contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>>>>>>> Hello all,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and
longways set dances. With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an evening. But
sometimes I get a group that "wants contras" or is looking to grow their
familiarity with the dance form.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no
neighbor swing are AN easy option into "hands-four" contras. There are other
ways in, but I'm looking for more Beckets that match that description. For a while
I've had "Pluck It" in my box as a friendly option:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Pluck It
>>>>>>> Contra/Becket-CW
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> A1 -----------
>>>>>>> (8) Circle Left
>>>>>>> (8) Circle Right
>>>>>>> A2 -----------
>>>>>>> (8) Left hand Star
>>>>>>> (8) Right hand Star
>>>>>>> B1 -----------
>>>>>>> (8) Partner Do-si-do
>>>>>>> (8) Partner swing
>>>>>>> B2 -----------
>>>>>>> (8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
>>>>>>> (8) Long lines, yearn left
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer
Scatter Shot but done as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across the set, which in
a recent thread was listed as a no-no for some callers. While I wouldn't use that move
at a dance weekend, for One Night gigs I think it's accessible and acceptable). You
don't have to teach ballroom swing, and if folks want to elbow swing and swap roles
with their partner it doesn't really impact the dance (this is a small advantage of
Becket over improper for this type of dance; different position on the side is less
disorienting than different side of the set).
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on
roles? No larks allemande or robins chain, etc.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this
one (which may already exist), written for Naomi who organizes the community dance I was
at:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> A Pillar of Weathersfield
>>>>>>> Contra/Becket-CW
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> A1 -----------
>>>>>>> (8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
>>>>>>> (8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
>>>>>>> A2 -----------
>>>>>>> (16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall
>>>>>>> B1 -----------
>>>>>>> (8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
>>>>>>> (8) Return and face across
>>>>>>> B2 -----------
>>>>>>> (8) Long lines, forward and back
>>>>>>> (8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress
>>>>>>> (Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left
shoulder, and the new couple on your right, turn to take hands with new couple)
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for
entry-level contras when you don't have a critical mass of experience for improper
dances with neighbor swings.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thanks!
>>>>>>> Luke Donforth
>>>>>>> Burlington, VT
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> Contra Callers mailing list --
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>>>>>>> To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Luke Donforth
>>>>> Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <mailto:Luke.Donev@gmail.com>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>>>>> To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>>>> To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>>> To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>>
>>
>> --
>> Luke Donforth
>> Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <mailto:Luke.Donev@gmail.com>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>> To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> _______________________________________________
> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net 
30 Sep
30 Sep
4:17 p.m.
New subject: Basic Beckets for Beginners - Star Trek Phraser feedback
Luke,
I called this one and my group of relatively new dancers had some
struggles.
We liked the Star to Star progression!
But getting from the first Star to the Whole Set Oval was more than they
could handle.
And even the line that managed to get into the Oval right and left
struggled to circle Left with the correct neighbors.
The Partner do-si-do and swing on the side was the “fix it” point,
thank you for including this.
Maybe this wasn’t intended for beginners … but figured this feedback
would be interesting to you.
Thank you,
Lisa
Lisa Sieverts
Nelson, NH
On 9 Sep 2024, at 20:08, Luke Donforth via Contra Callers wrote:
Thanks all.
I continue to turn this one over in my head, and I think I've got a
new one
(borrowing heavily from Bob Isaac's *To Turn a Phrase* and the
star-to-star
transition of Mick Richardson's *Star Trek*)
Star Trek Phraser
by Luke Donforth
Contra/Becket-CCW
A1 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Whole set oval right
A2 -----------
(8) whole set oval Left
(8) Groups of 4 Circle Left 1X
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Left hand Star 1x, walk on to next star
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 7:55 PM <sjapartments(a)gmail.com> wrote:
https://aptsg.org/Dance/dances.html#Balter
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 11:50 AM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
--
Luke Donforth
Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>
Hello all,
Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and longways
set
dances. With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an
evening.
But sometimes I get a group that "wants contras" or is looking to
grow
their familiarity with the dance form.
I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no
neighbor
swing are AN easy option into "hands-four" contras. There are other
ways
in, but I'm looking for more Beckets that match that description.
For a
while I've had "Pluck It" in my box as a friendly option:
Pluck It
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
A2 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Right hand Star
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
(8) Long lines, yearn left
This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer
Scatter
Shot but done as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across the
set,
which in a recent thread was listed as a no-no for some callers.
While I
wouldn't use that move at a dance weekend, for One Night gigs I
think it's
accessible and acceptable). You don't have to teach ballroom swing,
and if
folks want to elbow swing and swap roles with their partner it
doesn't
really impact the dance (this is a small advantage of Becket over
improper
for this type of dance; different position on the side is less
disorienting
than different side of the set).
What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on roles? No
larks
allemande or robins chain, etc.
On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this one
(which
may already exist), written for Naomi who organizes the community
dance I
was at:
A Pillar of Weathersfield
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
A2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall
B1 -----------
(8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
(8) Return and face across
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress
(Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left shoulder, and
the
new couple on your right, turn to take hands with new couple)
I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for entry-level
contras
when you don't have a critical mass of experience for improper
dances with
neighbor swings.
Thanks!
Luke Donforth
Burlington, VT
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
12 Oct
12 Oct
9:34 p.m.
New subject: Basic Beckets for Beginners - Star Trek Phraser feedback
In Atlanta we’ve experimented with a few Star Trek type dances, including
spacex (Scott Russell). And spacewalk(Seth) to try to make the star
progression more accessible.
I’ve had good success with Space walk
On Mon, Sep 30, 2024 at 4:18 PM Lisa Sieverts via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Luke,
I called this one and my group of relatively new dancers had some
struggles.
We liked the Star to Star progression!
But getting from the first Star to the Whole Set Oval was more than they
could handle.
And even the line that managed to get into the Oval right and left
struggled to circle Left with the correct neighbors.
The Partner do-si-do and swing on the side was the “fix it” point, thank
you for including this.
Maybe this wasn’t intended for beginners … but figured this feedback would
be interesting to you.
Thank you,
Lisa
Lisa Sieverts
Nelson, NH
On 9 Sep 2024, at 20:08, Luke Donforth via Contra Callers wrote:
Thanks all.
I continue to turn this one over in my head, and I think I've got a new
one (borrowing heavily from Bob Isaac's *To Turn a Phrase* and the
star-to-star transition of Mick Richardson's *Star Trek*)
Star Trek Phraser
by Luke Donforth
Contra/Becket-CCW
A1 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Whole set oval right
A2 -----------
(8) whole set oval Left
(8) Groups of 4 Circle Left 1X
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Left hand Star 1x, walk on to next star
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 7:55 PM <sjapartments(a)gmail.com> wrote:
https://aptsg.org/Dance/dances.html#Balter
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 11:50 AM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
--
Luke Donforth
Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
Hello all,
Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and longways set
dances. With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an evening.
But sometimes I get a group that "wants contras" or is looking to grow
their familiarity with the dance form.
I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no neighbor
swing are AN easy option into "hands-four" contras. There are other ways
in, but I'm looking for more Beckets that match that description. For a
while I've had "Pluck It" in my box as a friendly option:
Pluck It
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
A2 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Right hand Star
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
(8) Long lines, yearn left
This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer Scatter
Shot but done as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across the set,
which in a recent thread was listed as a no-no for some callers. While I
wouldn't use that move at a dance weekend, for One Night gigs I think it's
accessible and acceptable). You don't have to teach ballroom swing, and if
folks want to elbow swing and swap roles with their partner it doesn't
really impact the dance (this is a small advantage of Becket over improper
for this type of dance; different position on the side is less disorienting
than different side of the set).
What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on roles? No
larks allemande or robins chain, etc.
On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this one (which
may already exist), written for Naomi who organizes the community dance I
was at:
A Pillar of Weathersfield
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
A2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall
B1 -----------
(8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
(8) Return and face across
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress
(Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left shoulder, and the
new couple on your right, turn to take hands with new couple)
I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for entry-level
contras when you don't have a critical mass of experience for improper
dances with neighbor swings.
Thanks!
Luke Donforth
Burlington, VT
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
9:37 p.m.
New subject: Basic Beckets for Beginners - Star Trek Phraser feedback
In Atlanta we’ve experimented with a few Star Trek type dances, including
spacex (Scott Russell). And spacewalk(Seth) to try to make the star
progression more accessible.
I’ve had good success with Space walk.
Rob Setili
Space Walk
Seth Tepfer
Type: Contra
Formation: Becket-*CCW*
Level: Easy
A1 -----------
(8) (New 4) Left Hand Star (1) (hnd across & Point RIGHT-Becket)
Ladies Drop out
(8) Larks allem. Left 1-1/2
A2 -----------
(16) Neighbor: Balance and Swing
long sw
B1 -----------
(8) (Hands in ring) Circle Left (3 places)
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Promenade across the Set
(8) Left Hand Star (1) Walk Forward new N’s (CCW-Rt progr)
On Mon, Sep 30, 2024 at 4:18 PM Lisa Sieverts via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Luke,
I called this one and my group of relatively new dancers had some
struggles.
We liked the Star to Star progression!
But getting from the first Star to the Whole Set Oval was more than they
could handle.
And even the line that managed to get into the Oval right and left
struggled to circle Left with the correct neighbors.
The Partner do-si-do and swing on the side was the “fix it” point, thank
you for including this.
Maybe this wasn’t intended for beginners … but figured this feedback would
be interesting to you.
Thank you,
Lisa
Lisa Sieverts
Nelson, NH
On 9 Sep 2024, at 20:08, Luke Donforth via Contra Callers wrote:
Thanks all.
I continue to turn this one over in my head, and I think I've got a new
one (borrowing heavily from Bob Isaac's *To Turn a Phrase* and the
star-to-star transition of Mick Richardson's *Star Trek*)
Star Trek Phraser
by Luke Donforth
Contra/Becket-CCW
A1 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Whole set oval right
A2 -----------
(8) whole set oval Left
(8) Groups of 4 Circle Left 1X
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Left hand Star 1x, walk on to next star
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 7:55 PM <sjapartments(a)gmail.com> wrote:
https://aptsg.org/Dance/dances.html#Balter
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 11:50 AM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
--
Luke Donforth
Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
Hello all,
Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and longways set
dances. With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an evening.
But sometimes I get a group that "wants contras" or is looking to grow
their familiarity with the dance form.
I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no neighbor
swing are AN easy option into "hands-four" contras. There are other ways
in, but I'm looking for more Beckets that match that description. For a
while I've had "Pluck It" in my box as a friendly option:
Pluck It
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
A2 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Right hand Star
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
(8) Long lines, yearn left
This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer Scatter
Shot but done as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across the set,
which in a recent thread was listed as a no-no for some callers. While I
wouldn't use that move at a dance weekend, for One Night gigs I think it's
accessible and acceptable). You don't have to teach ballroom swing, and if
folks want to elbow swing and swap roles with their partner it doesn't
really impact the dance (this is a small advantage of Becket over improper
for this type of dance; different position on the side is less disorienting
than different side of the set).
What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on roles? No
larks allemande or robins chain, etc.
On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this one (which
may already exist), written for Naomi who organizes the community dance I
was at:
A Pillar of Weathersfield
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
A2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall
B1 -----------
(8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
(8) Return and face across
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress
(Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left shoulder, and the
new couple on your right, turn to take hands with new couple)
I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for entry-level
contras when you don't have a critical mass of experience for improper
dances with neighbor swings.
Thanks!
Luke Donforth
Burlington, VT
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
26 Nov
26 Nov
10:41 a.m.
Riffing on Luke’s dance Star Trek Phraser, I’ve written this one.
It’s essentially role-free, in that it doesn’t matter who ends up on
the left or the right after the swing. Yes, there are 3 stars in a row.
Stars are Aligned
by Lisa Sieverts
BECKET, CCW
1. LH Star
2. RH Star
3. P Do Si Do (on side)
4. P Swing
5. Whole Set Oval Left
6. Whole set Oval Right
7. F&B
8. LH Star, on to the next, partners moving along the line
Lisa Sieverts
603-762-0235
lisa(a)lisasieverts.com
On 9 Sep 2024, at 20:08, Luke Donforth via Contra Callers wrote:
Thanks all.
I continue to turn this one over in my head, and I think I've got a
new one
(borrowing heavily from Bob Isaac's *To Turn a Phrase* and the
star-to-star
transition of Mick Richardson's *Star Trek*)
Star Trek Phraser
by Luke Donforth
Contra/Becket-CCW
A1 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Whole set oval right
A2 -----------
(8) whole set oval Left
(8) Groups of 4 Circle Left 1X
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Left hand Star 1x, walk on to next star
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 7:55 PM <sjapartments(a)gmail.com> wrote:
https://aptsg.org/Dance/dances.html#Balter
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 11:50 AM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
--
Luke Donforth
Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>
Hello all,
Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and longways
set
dances. With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an
evening.
But sometimes I get a group that "wants contras" or is looking to
grow
their familiarity with the dance form.
I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no
neighbor
swing are AN easy option into "hands-four" contras. There are other
ways
in, but I'm looking for more Beckets that match that description.
For a
while I've had "Pluck It" in my box as a friendly option:
Pluck It
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
A2 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Right hand Star
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
(8) Long lines, yearn left
This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer
Scatter
Shot but done as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across the
set,
which in a recent thread was listed as a no-no for some callers.
While I
wouldn't use that move at a dance weekend, for One Night gigs I
think it's
accessible and acceptable). You don't have to teach ballroom swing,
and if
folks want to elbow swing and swap roles with their partner it
doesn't
really impact the dance (this is a small advantage of Becket over
improper
for this type of dance; different position on the side is less
disorienting
than different side of the set).
What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on roles? No
larks
allemande or robins chain, etc.
On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this one
(which
may already exist), written for Naomi who organizes the community
dance I
was at:
A Pillar of Weathersfield
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
A2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall
B1 -----------
(8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
(8) Return and face across
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress
(Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left shoulder, and
the
new couple on your right, turn to take hands with new couple)
I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for entry-level
contras
when you don't have a critical mass of experience for improper
dances with
neighbor swings.
Thanks!
Luke Donforth
Burlington, VT
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
9 Sep
9 Sep
9:53 p.m.
Some searching by moves in The Caller's Box turned up nothing like A Pillar
of Weathersfield except possibly some dances that don't allow viewing the
moves. I'm going with you wrote it until told otherwise. Is it Naomi
Morse? I want to attribute it properly in my notes.
--jh--
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 12:50 PM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hello all,
Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and longways set
dances. With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an evening.
But sometimes I get a group that "wants contras" or is looking to grow
their familiarity with the dance form.
I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no neighbor
swing are AN easy option into "hands-four" contras. There are other ways
in, but I'm looking for more Beckets that match that description. For a
while I've had "Pluck It" in my box as a friendly option:
Pluck It
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
A2 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Right hand Star
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
(8) Long lines, yearn left
This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer Scatter Shot
but done as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across the set, which
in a recent thread was listed as a no-no for some callers. While I wouldn't
use that move at a dance weekend, for One Night gigs I think it's
accessible and acceptable). You don't have to teach ballroom swing, and if
folks want to elbow swing and swap roles with their partner it doesn't
really impact the dance (this is a small advantage of Becket over improper
for this type of dance; different position on the side is less disorienting
than different side of the set).
What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on roles? No larks
allemande or robins chain, etc.
On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this one (which
may already exist), written for Naomi who organizes the community dance I
was at:
A Pillar of Weathersfield
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
A2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall
B1 -----------
(8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
(8) Return and face across
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress
(Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left shoulder, and the
new couple on your right, turn to take hands with new couple)
I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for entry-level contras
when you don't have a critical mass of experience for improper dances with
neighbor swings.
Thanks!
Luke Donforth
Burlington, VT
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
10:24 p.m.
Also, for the final move I wrote:
Promenade across the set, as a couple turn right, on to the next
It might otherwise be called like a courtesy turn, and they'd need to slide
past their current neighbors to (reverse) progress at all. Or, you could
call, Robins, courtesy turn your Larks, which should work, pretty much,
since they shifted right a bit already to pass their neighbors, though
purists would insist on shifting left hands.
And, sorry, forgot to put the city in my sig...
--jh--
Joe Harrington
Contra dance caller and DJ
Organizer, Orlando Contra Dance
orlandocontra.org
FB: Orlando Contra Dance Community
Ig: orlandocontradance
contradancerjoe(a)gmail.com
On Mon, Sep 9, 2024 at 9:53 PM Joe Harrington <contradancerjoe(a)gmail.com>
wrote:
Some searching by moves in The Caller's Box turned
up nothing like A
Pillar of Weathersfield except possibly some dances that don't allow
viewing the moves. I'm going with you wrote it until told otherwise. Is
it Naomi Morse? I want to attribute it properly in my notes.
--jh--
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 12:50 PM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hello all,
Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and longways set
dances. With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an evening.
But sometimes I get a group that "wants contras" or is looking to grow
their familiarity with the dance form.
I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no neighbor
swing are AN easy option into "hands-four" contras. There are other ways
in, but I'm looking for more Beckets that match that description. For a
while I've had "Pluck It" in my box as a friendly option:
Pluck It
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
A2 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Right hand Star
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
(8) Long lines, yearn left
This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer Scatter
Shot but done as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across the set,
which in a recent thread was listed as a no-no for some callers. While I
wouldn't use that move at a dance weekend, for One Night gigs I think it's
accessible and acceptable). You don't have to teach ballroom swing, and if
folks want to elbow swing and swap roles with their partner it doesn't
really impact the dance (this is a small advantage of Becket over improper
for this type of dance; different position on the side is less disorienting
than different side of the set).
What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on roles? No larks
allemande or robins chain, etc.
On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this one (which
may already exist), written for Naomi who organizes the community dance I
was at:
A Pillar of Weathersfield
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
A2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall
B1 -----------
(8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
(8) Return and face across
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress
(Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left shoulder, and the
new couple on your right, turn to take hands with new couple)
I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for entry-level contras
when you don't have a critical mass of experience for improper dances with
neighbor swings.
Thanks!
Luke Donforth
Burlington, VT
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
10 Sep
10 Sep
9:18 a.m.
Here's one, which borrows a fair bit from A Pillar of Weathersfield:
(no name yet)
becket, progressing to the right
A1 Star left, star right
A2 pass through and swing partner, finish facing down
B1 Down the hall, turn as a couple, return and face across
B2 Long lines F&B, promenade across and, in the courtesy
turn, progress to the next couple, ready to restart
with the star left
Peter
On 9/09/2024 2:50 am, Luke Donforth via Contra Callers wrote:
Hello all,
Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and longways set
dances. With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an
evening. But sometimes I get a group that "wants contras" or is
looking to grow their familiarity with the dance form.
I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no neighbor
swing are AN easy option into "hands-four" contras. There are other
ways in, but I'm looking for more Beckets that match that description.
For a while I've had "Pluck It" in my box as a friendly option:
Pluck It
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
A2 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Right hand Star
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
(8) Long lines, yearn left
This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer Scatter
Shot but done as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across the
set, which in a recent thread was listed as a no-no for some callers.
While I wouldn't use that move at a dance weekend, for One Night gigs
I think it's accessible and acceptable). You don't have to teach
ballroom swing, and if folks want to elbow swing and swap roles with
their partner it doesn't really impact the dance (this is a small
advantage of Becket over improper for this type of dance; different
position on the side is less disorienting than different side of the
set).
What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on roles? No
larks allemande or robins chain, etc.
On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this one
(which may already exist), written for Naomi who organizes the
community dance I was at:
A Pillar of Weathersfield
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
A2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall
B1 -----------
(8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
(8) Return and face across
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress
(Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left shoulder, and
the new couple on your right, turn to take hands with new couple)
I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for entry-level
contras when you don't have a critical mass of experience for improper
dances with neighbor swings.
Thanks!
Luke Donforth
Burlington, VT
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list --contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email tocontracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
21 Sep
21 Sep
4:18 p.m.
I was thinking about this more and had a go at writing a CW Becket dance
with a connected progression and no role dependency:
Gremlins in the Keyboard (Jeff Kaufman)
Becket
A1
(8) Long lines forward and back while sliding left
(4) Pass through across
(4) Turn alone to face back in
A2
(8) Balance the ring, spin to the right (Petronella)
(8) Balance the ring, spin to the right (Petronella)
B1
(4) Balance neighbor across the set
(4) Pull by right, pull by left with partner along the set
(4) Balance neighbor across the set
(4) Pull by right, pull by left with partner along the set
B2
(2) Turn over your right shoulder
(4) Partner right shoulder round
(10) Partner swing
Jeff
On Tue, Sep 10, 2024 at 9:18 AM Peter Foster via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Here's one, which borrows a fair bit from A Pillar
of Weathersfield:
(no name yet)
becket, progressing to the right
A1 Star left, star right
A2 pass through and swing partner, finish facing down
B1 Down the hall, turn as a couple, return and face across
B2 Long lines F&B, promenade across and, in the courtesy
turn, progress to the next couple, ready to restart
with the star left
Peter
On 9/09/2024 2:50 am, Luke Donforth via Contra Callers wrote:
Hello all,
Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and longways set
dances. With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an evening.
But sometimes I get a group that "wants contras" or is looking to grow
their familiarity with the dance form.
I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no neighbor
swing are AN easy option into "hands-four" contras. There are other ways
in, but I'm looking for more Beckets that match that description. For a
while I've had "Pluck It" in my box as a friendly option:
Pluck It
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
A2 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Right hand Star
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
(8) Long lines, yearn left
This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer Scatter Shot
but done as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across the set, which
in a recent thread was listed as a no-no for some callers. While I wouldn't
use that move at a dance weekend, for One Night gigs I think it's
accessible and acceptable). You don't have to teach ballroom swing, and if
folks want to elbow swing and swap roles with their partner it doesn't
really impact the dance (this is a small advantage of Becket over improper
for this type of dance; different position on the side is less disorienting
than different side of the set).
What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on roles? No larks
allemande or robins chain, etc.
On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this one (which
may already exist), written for Naomi who organizes the community dance I
was at:
A Pillar of Weathersfield
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
A2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall
B1 -----------
(8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
(8) Return and face across
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress
(Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left shoulder, and the
new couple on your right, turn to take hands with new couple)
I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for entry-level contras
when you don't have a critical mass of experience for improper dances with
neighbor swings.
Thanks!
Luke Donforth
Burlington, VT
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
4:51 p.m.
This will sure work but I’m not sure it fulfills the “beginners” niche—the
piece count will be a real struggle for some new dancers. I can imagine it
going in a very specific place in a program though, like if you wanted to
build some timing/moving-fast skills but hadn’t yet introduced role
differentiation.
--
Maia McCormick (she/her)
917.279.8194
On Sat, Sep 21, 2024 at 4:19 PM Jeff Kaufman via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
I was thinking about this more and had a go at writing
a CW Becket dance
with a connected progression and no role dependency:
Gremlins in the Keyboard (Jeff Kaufman)
Becket
A1
(8) Long lines forward and back while sliding left
(4) Pass through across
(4) Turn alone to face back in
A2
(8) Balance the ring, spin to the right (Petronella)
(8) Balance the ring, spin to the right (Petronella)
B1
(4) Balance neighbor across the set
(4) Pull by right, pull by left with partner along the set
(4) Balance neighbor across the set
(4) Pull by right, pull by left with partner along the set
B2
(2) Turn over your right shoulder
(4) Partner right shoulder round
(10) Partner swing
Jeff
On Tue, Sep 10, 2024 at 9:18 AM Peter Foster via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Here's one, which borrows a fair bit from A
Pillar of Weathersfield:
(no name yet)
becket, progressing to the right
A1 Star left, star right
A2 pass through and swing partner, finish facing down
B1 Down the hall, turn as a couple, return and face across
B2 Long lines F&B, promenade across and, in the courtesy
turn, progress to the next couple, ready to restart
with the star left
Peter
On 9/09/2024 2:50 am, Luke Donforth via Contra Callers wrote:
Hello all,
Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and longways set
dances. With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an evening.
But sometimes I get a group that "wants contras" or is looking to grow
their familiarity with the dance form.
I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no neighbor
swing are AN easy option into "hands-four" contras. There are other ways
in, but I'm looking for more Beckets that match that description. For a
while I've had "Pluck It" in my box as a friendly option:
Pluck It
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
A2 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Right hand Star
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
(8) Long lines, yearn left
This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer Scatter
Shot but done as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across the set,
which in a recent thread was listed as a no-no for some callers. While I
wouldn't use that move at a dance weekend, for One Night gigs I think it's
accessible and acceptable). You don't have to teach ballroom swing, and if
folks want to elbow swing and swap roles with their partner it doesn't
really impact the dance (this is a small advantage of Becket over improper
for this type of dance; different position on the side is less disorienting
than different side of the set).
What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on roles? No larks
allemande or robins chain, etc.
On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this one (which
may already exist), written for Naomi who organizes the community dance I
was at:
A Pillar of Weathersfield
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
A2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall
B1 -----------
(8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
(8) Return and face across
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress
(Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left shoulder, and the
new couple on your right, turn to take hands with new couple)
I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for entry-level contras
when you don't have a critical mass of experience for improper dances with
neighbor swings.
Thanks!
Luke Donforth
Burlington, VT
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
22 Sep
22 Sep
1:10 p.m.
Yeah, it wouldn't surprise me if any situation where the crowd would be
ready for this dance you'd already introduced roles and so wouldn't need it.
Separately, I wrote a blog post partly inspired by this discussion (and by
Harris being excited about Will's "Festival Reel"):
https://www.jefftk.com/p/becket-first
Jeff
On Sat, Sep 21, 2024 at 4:52 PM Maia McCormick <maia.mcc(a)gmail.com> wrote:
This will sure work but I’m not sure it fulfills the
“beginners” niche—the
piece count will be a real struggle for some new dancers. I can imagine it
going in a very specific place in a program though, like if you wanted to
build some timing/moving-fast skills but hadn’t yet introduced role
differentiation.
--
Maia McCormick (she/her)
917.279.8194
On Sat, Sep 21, 2024 at 4:19 PM Jeff Kaufman via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
I was thinking about this more and had a go at
writing a CW Becket dance
with a connected progression and no role dependency:
Gremlins in the Keyboard (Jeff Kaufman)
Becket
A1
(8) Long lines forward and back while sliding left
(4) Pass through across
(4) Turn alone to face back in
A2
(8) Balance the ring, spin to the right (Petronella)
(8) Balance the ring, spin to the right (Petronella)
B1
(4) Balance neighbor across the set
(4) Pull by right, pull by left with partner along the set
(4) Balance neighbor across the set
(4) Pull by right, pull by left with partner along the set
B2
(2) Turn over your right shoulder
(4) Partner right shoulder round
(10) Partner swing
Jeff
On Tue, Sep 10, 2024 at 9:18 AM Peter Foster via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Here's one, which borrows a fair bit from A
Pillar of Weathersfield:
(no name yet)
becket, progressing to the right
A1 Star left, star right
A2 pass through and swing partner, finish facing down
B1 Down the hall, turn as a couple, return and face across
B2 Long lines F&B, promenade across and, in the courtesy
turn, progress to the next couple, ready to restart
with the star left
Peter
On 9/09/2024 2:50 am, Luke Donforth via Contra Callers wrote:
Hello all,
Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and longways set
dances. With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an evening.
But sometimes I get a group that "wants contras" or is looking to grow
their familiarity with the dance form.
I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no neighbor
swing are AN easy option into "hands-four" contras. There are other ways
in, but I'm looking for more Beckets that match that description. For a
while I've had "Pluck It" in my box as a friendly option:
Pluck It
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
A2 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Right hand Star
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
(8) Long lines, yearn left
This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer Scatter
Shot but done as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across the set,
which in a recent thread was listed as a no-no for some callers. While I
wouldn't use that move at a dance weekend, for One Night gigs I think it's
accessible and acceptable). You don't have to teach ballroom swing, and if
folks want to elbow swing and swap roles with their partner it doesn't
really impact the dance (this is a small advantage of Becket over improper
for this type of dance; different position on the side is less disorienting
than different side of the set).
What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on roles? No
larks allemande or robins chain, etc.
On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this one (which
may already exist), written for Naomi who organizes the community dance I
was at:
A Pillar of Weathersfield
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
A2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall
B1 -----------
(8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
(8) Return and face across
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress
(Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left shoulder, and the
new couple on your right, turn to take hands with new couple)
I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for entry-level
contras when you don't have a critical mass of experience for improper
dances with neighbor swings.
Thanks!
Luke Donforth
Burlington, VT
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
14 Jan
14 Jan
5:38 p.m.
New subject: Basic Beckets for Beginners, and a question about simple figures across the set
Hi Ketherine,
Re “interactions with partner across the set in improper duple”.
It happened a lot in older dances. Here are a couple of examples from Colonial America:
Boston Assembly (1794) “Partners allemande right and then allemande left” and in many
other dances.
Haste to the Wedding (1777) “Partners dos a dos… Neighbors dos a dos…”
It was even more common in the old English country dances that led to all our current
genres.
It was still common in choreography in England in the twentieth century, for example:
One of the earliest compositions in the UK in the early twentieth century:
https://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/EFDS6408-FaithlessNancyDawson.html - “All do-si-do
partners”
Celebration Special https://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/EFDS7703-CelebrationSpecial.html not
only has a Dosido across the set, but the Neighbour and Partner Swings are across the set
and finish facing up and down the set!
But by then the American contras were evolving to only have one couple active if the
action was across the set, with most of the couple-actions being along the set.
Simultaneous Partner and Neighbour action is very common in Sicilian Circles.
Yes, I suspect that it was mostly about having room to do the moves. I call lots of
dances with across-the-set actions and always get the dancers to spread out up and down
the hall.
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
4:01 p.m.
New subject: Basic Beckets for Beginners, and a question about simple figures across the set
Ooo, Katherine, I love these! I’ve been writing similar dances lately.
I love no-role becket contras for beginners!
And yes, the reason why I avoid moves such as “everyone dosido across
the set” is because of space issues.
Anyway, here’s my latest:
As yet unamed Becket for beginners:
1. Forward and Back
2. Forward and Back
3. Balance the ring "Petronella turn" one place to the right
4. Balance the ring "Petronella turn" one place to the right
5&6. Balance the ring, then Cross to the other side, 2-hand turn or
swing Partner
7&8. Slide left,
Circle left 1x with the next couple
Note that there’s plenty of time for that last move … I find that
with new dancers, having 16 beats to do a 12-beat move is just fine.
Lisa
Nelson, NH
Lisa Sieverts
603-762-0235
lisa(a)lisasieverts.com
On 14 Jan 2025, at 14:47, Katherine Kitching via Contra Callers wrote:
Hi folks, I am always creating simple dances that
minimize confusion
for my heavily-beginner group.
I recently wrote out a few for a guest caller, so am including them
here in case anyone finds them useful.
(Side note-- Recently we made the switch to dancing always in Becket
for the beginner-friendly portion of the evening - it's been a huge
breakthrough for us, (sliding "out" is less confusing than improper
duple ejection; .....and now I can call a "partner two-hand turn" for
beginners but with option to swing for more advanced folks- and
everyone ends up back in home place after the swing!)--it was thanks
to someone's suggestion on this list! I am very grateful :) )
HERE IS MY QUESTION
Because my dances are simple, I call a lot of simple one-on-one
figures, alternating an interaction with one's partner, then an
interaction with one's neighbour, for variety.
This leads to interactions across the set with neighbour (in Becket)
-- interactions with partner across the set in improper duple.
These include do-si-dos, right and left allemandes, and right and left
shoulder rounds.
I was noticing that these calls might be rare or non-existent in the
larger contra world - seems like only Robins or Larks would do an
interaction across the line in most contra dances - not all 4 people
at once?
- Is my instinct correct? You folks don't normally write or call
dances where all 4 people would simultaenously do-si-do or
right-hand-turn across the set to the person they are facing?
- Is this because it's considered too crowded in the lines? And so
you folks avoid it, just like you avoid everyone swinging across the
set?
I've certainly noticed that when our dance hall gets crowded, people
have to squeeze a bit to make these figures work-- but ultimately it
does work. Just wondering how much of a "faux pas" it is :)
You'll see I include such figures in my dances below.
I love dances where everyone is moving all the time (and my dancers
like it too!) which is why I favour these "everyone" moves across the
set, rather than "just the larks" or "just the robins".
nice n' easy becket (no official name)
Circle left
Circle right
Right hand star
Left hand star
P: do si do
N: right hand turn
P: 2 hand turn (or optional swing if you know how/both want to)
Long Lines forward, on way back, slide shift left to new
slightly more interesting variation on nice n easy,
Circle left
Left hand star
Partner do si do (or right hand turn could be called instead)
Neighbour left shoulder 'round
2 Hand balance partner 1 time then two hand turn (or swing if you both
know how/want to) (16)
Long Lines forward and back,
Long lines forward again, give a nod goodbye to current neighbour, on
the way back, slide left to new
------------------
Double SWLs (no official name)-
Bal ring x 2
Do si do P - into short wavy lines*
Bal lines, to the right, to the left, to the right, push off palms of
others, back to home place (walking backwards to your home place for 2
counts)
Left hand turn neighbour
Long Lines forward and back
Do si do P again, into short wavy lines (as above)
Bal lines as before, to the right, to the left, to the right, push off
palms to home (as above)
As a couple advance towards other couple, nod goodbye, and veer left
on way back to new neighbours
*SWLs have partners holding right hands, and people in the middle
holding left hands.
-------------
Dance with petros and short wavy lines! (no official name)
A bit repetitive with all the petros, - but fun for a short-ish
dance for total newbies!
Balance and petronella turn
Balance and petronella turn
Balance and petronella turn
Balance and turn one last time/walk home (if you are lost, just get
home!!)
Neighbour right hand turn
Partner do si do 1.25 times, into short wavy lines -as in the above
dance
Balance the line - right-left-right-- then push off the palms of the
others to walk yourselves backwards to home place (2 counts)
Long lines forward, nod to the old couple, slide left to new to form a
ring....
--------------------
Intermediate with down the hall - total beginners found this confusing
but everyone else had no problem and enjoyed it! (no official name)
Balance and turn w partner, end facing down hall
Down hall, turn as couples
Come back, bend line
----
Circle left
left hand star
Neighbour do si do
Slide left to New N, clasp right hands*, fall back to partner
*Slide left, move towards NEW Neighbour and take their right hand for
a momentto acknowledge they are your new neighbour, then fall back to
your partner to re-start the dance. (basically do a quick right hand
balance with them - but it has to be quick so I just said "take right
hands" - it's like a warm gesture of welcome )
--------
Intermediate + dance down hall (has ravens chains) - a bit similar to
the one above, I would do one of these two, not both!)I can't remember
if I wrote this or found it somewhere...
Partner balance and swing, end facing down hall
Down hall in line of 4, turn as couple
Come back, bend line (you should be home again)
Ravens chain
Chain again (back to home once again!)
Circle RIGHT (show them the flow, of a ravens chain into circle right-
it works well!!)
circle left to new
---------
> barrie bullimore via Contra Callers
> <mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
> Monday, January 13, 2025 7:18 AM
> Peter Foster (Australia!) has a good Becket dance for beginners
> although I'm not sure he's named it.
>
> A1 Star Right; star left
> A2 Pass thru across the set and swing partners to face down
> B1 Down the hall as couples (4 in line) turn as couple and return
> to face across
> B2 Long lines forward and back; half promenade and wheel right to
> face new couple (J-promenade)
>
> Barrie bullimore
>
> On Sun, Jan 12, 2025 at 9:59 AM Michael Fuerst via Contra Callers
> <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> <mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>> wrote:
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> To unsubscribe send an email to
> contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> Luke Donforth via Contra Callers
> <mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
> Monday, September 9, 2024 8:08 PM
> Thanks all.
>
> I continue to turn this one over in my head, and I think I've got a
> new one (borrowing heavily from Bob Isaac's /To Turn a Phrase/ and
> the star-to-star transition of Mick Richardson's /Star Trek/)
>
> Star Trek Phraser
> by Luke Donforth
> Contra/Becket-CCW
>
> A1 -----------
> (8) Left hand Star
> (8) Whole set oval right
> A2 -----------
> (8) whole set oval Left
> (8) Groups of 4 Circle Left 1X
> B1 -----------
> (8) Partner Do-si-do
> (8) Partner swing
> B2 -----------
> (8) Long lines, forward and back
> (8) Left hand Star 1x, walk on to next star
>
>
>
> --
> Luke Donforth
> Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <mailto:Luke.Donev@gmail.com>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> To unsubscribe send an email to
> contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
11 Jan
11 Jan
4:42 p.m.
I love that we're thinking about contra choreography for groups of mostly
newcomers -- so different from writing for experienced or mixed groups. A
contra doesn't need a swing to be fun, or a chain requiring roles, or
caring which side of the set you're on. Great to have some good minds on
the topic!
Here are two reliably good ones from our teen dance:
On the Ball (Rick Mohr) duple improper
A1: Circle left, dosido neighbor
A2: Circle right, see-saw partner
B1: Balance the ring and Petronella turn
Balance the ring and Petronella turn
B2: Balance the ring, two-hand turn partner 1 1/2
Andy White's (Amy Cann) duple improper
A1: Circle left, dosido as couples
A2: Dosido neighbor, two-hand turn neighbor
B1: Clap with neighbor / partner / neighbor / partner – self, rights, self,
lefts
B2: Twos arch and move forward as ones duck through
Ones arch and move backward as twos duck through backward
Twos arch and move forward as ones duck through
See also some others here <https://rickmohr.net/Contra/TeenDance/Dances/>.
Rick
On Tue, Nov 26, 2024 at 10:41 AM Lisa Sieverts via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Riffing on Luke’s dance Star Trek Phraser, I’ve
written this one. It’s
essentially role-free, in that it doesn’t matter who ends up on the left or
the right after the swing. Yes, there are 3 stars in a row.
Stars are Aligned
by Lisa Sieverts
BECKET, CCW
1.
LH Star
2.
RH Star
3.
P Do Si Do (on side)
4.
P Swing
5.
Whole Set Oval Left
6.
Whole set Oval Right
7.
F&B
8.
LH Star, on to the next, partners moving along the line
Lisa Sieverts
603-762-0235
lisa(a)lisasieverts.com
On 9 Sep 2024, at 20:08, Luke Donforth via Contra Callers wrote:
Thanks all.
I continue to turn this one over in my head, and I think I've got a new
one (borrowing heavily from Bob Isaac's *To Turn a Phrase* and the
star-to-star transition of Mick Richardson's *Star Trek*)
Star Trek Phraser
by Luke Donforth
Contra/Becket-CCW
A1 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Whole set oval right
A2 -----------
(8) whole set oval Left
(8) Groups of 4 Circle Left 1X
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Left hand Star 1x, walk on to next star
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 7:55 PM <sjapartments(a)gmail.com> wrote:
https://aptsg.org/Dance/dances.html#Balter
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 11:50 AM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
--
Luke Donforth
Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
Hello all,
Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and longways set
dances. With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an evening.
But sometimes I get a group that "wants contras" or is looking to grow
their familiarity with the dance form.
I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no neighbor
swing are AN easy option into "hands-four" contras. There are other ways
in, but I'm looking for more Beckets that match that description. For a
while I've had "Pluck It" in my box as a friendly option:
Pluck It
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
A2 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Right hand Star
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
(8) Long lines, yearn left
This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer Scatter
Shot but done as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across the set,
which in a recent thread was listed as a no-no for some callers. While I
wouldn't use that move at a dance weekend, for One Night gigs I think it's
accessible and acceptable). You don't have to teach ballroom swing, and if
folks want to elbow swing and swap roles with their partner it doesn't
really impact the dance (this is a small advantage of Becket over improper
for this type of dance; different position on the side is less disorienting
than different side of the set).
What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on roles? No
larks allemande or robins chain, etc.
On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this one (which
may already exist), written for Naomi who organizes the community dance I
was at:
A Pillar of Weathersfield
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
A2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall
B1 -----------
(8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
(8) Return and face across
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress
(Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left shoulder, and the
new couple on your right, turn to take hands with new couple)
I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for entry-level
contras when you don't have a critical mass of experience for improper
dances with neighbor swings.
Thanks!
Luke Donforth
Burlington, VT
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
6:01 p.m.
The move in B2 in Andy White’s is known as Mow the Wheat (& Sow the Clover).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhV1duKhZ_Q
It features in the old English dance Quarndon Hill:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zZdNjyXiG0
I have a similar Sicilian Circle: https://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/DosiMow.html
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
From: Rick Mohr via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: 11 January 2025 21:43
To: Lisa Sieverts <lisa(a)lisasieverts.com>
Cc: Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Callers] Re: Basic Beckets for Beginners
I love that we're thinking about contra choreography for groups of mostly newcomers --
so different from writing for experienced or mixed groups. A contra doesn't need a
swing to be fun, or a chain requiring roles, or caring which side of the set you're
on. Great to have some good minds on the topic!
Here are two reliably good ones from our teen dance:
On the Ball (Rick Mohr) duple improper
A1: Circle left, dosido neighbor
A2: Circle right, see-saw partner
B1: Balance the ring and Petronella turn
Balance the ring and Petronella turn
B2: Balance the ring, two-hand turn partner 1 1/2
Andy White's (Amy Cann) duple improper
A1: Circle left, dosido as couples
A2: Dosido neighbor, two-hand turn neighbor
B1: Clap with neighbor / partner / neighbor / partner – self, rights, self, lefts
B2: Twos arch and move forward as ones duck through
Ones arch and move backward as twos duck through backward
Twos arch and move forward as ones duck through
See also some others here <https://rickmohr.net/Contra/TeenDance/Dances/> .
Rick
12 Jan
12 Jan
4:58 a.m.
Here is a dance of mine that would work with teenagers after several dances
On could replace the partner B&S with partner dsd, then neighbor dsd across
Positional Thinking Becket Left
A1
Balance the ring. Pass to a wave by gents turning right
1/2, ladies crossing set to take partner's left hand
Balance left and right; allemande left 3/4 to long wavy
lines, gents facing in
A2
Balance forward and back, box circulate to long waves,
with gents facing out, current neighbors left and next neighbors right
hands joined.
Balance right and left; ladies cross set while
gents turn over right shoulder to next neighbor's place.
B1
Partners balance and swing, end facing new neighbors across
B2
Long lines forward and back.
Circle right
On Sat, Jan 11, 2025 at 3:51 PM Rick Mohr via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
I love that we're thinking about contra
choreography for groups of mostly
newcomers -- so different from writing for experienced or mixed groups. A
contra doesn't need a swing to be fun, or a chain requiring roles, or
caring which side of the set you're on. Great to have some good minds on
the topic!
Here are two reliably good ones from our teen dance:
On the Ball (Rick Mohr) duple improper
A1: Circle left, dosido neighbor
A2: Circle right, see-saw partner
B1: Balance the ring and Petronella turn
Balance the ring and Petronella turn
B2: Balance the ring, two-hand turn partner 1 1/2
Andy White's (Amy Cann) duple improper
A1: Circle left, dosido as couples
A2: Dosido neighbor, two-hand turn neighbor
B1: Clap with neighbor / partner / neighbor / partner – self, rights,
self, lefts
B2: Twos arch and move forward as ones duck through
Ones arch and move backward as twos duck through backward
Twos arch and move forward as ones duck through
See also some others here <https://rickmohr.net/Contra/TeenDance/Dances/>.
Rick
On Tue, Nov 26, 2024 at 10:41 AM Lisa Sieverts via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Riffing on Luke’s dance Star Trek Phraser, I’ve
written this one. It’s
essentially role-free, in that it doesn’t matter who ends up on the left or
the right after the swing. Yes, there are 3 stars in a row.
Stars are Aligned
by Lisa Sieverts
BECKET, CCW
1.
LH Star
2.
RH Star
3.
P Do Si Do (on side)
4.
P Swing
5.
Whole Set Oval Left
6.
Whole set Oval Right
7.
F&B
8.
LH Star, on to the next, partners moving along the line
Lisa Sieverts
603-762-0235
lisa(a)lisasieverts.com
On 9 Sep 2024, at 20:08, Luke Donforth via Contra Callers wrote:
Thanks all.
I continue to turn this one over in my head, and I think I've got a new
one (borrowing heavily from Bob Isaac's *To Turn a Phrase* and the
star-to-star transition of Mick Richardson's *Star Trek*)
Star Trek Phraser
by Luke Donforth
Contra/Becket-CCW
A1 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Whole set oval right
A2 -----------
(8) whole set oval Left
(8) Groups of 4 Circle Left 1X
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Left hand Star 1x, walk on to next star
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 7:55 PM <sjapartments(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
https://aptsg.org/Dance/dances.html#Balter
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 11:50 AM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
--
Luke Donforth
Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
Hello all,
Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and longways set
dances. With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an evening.
But sometimes I get a group that "wants contras" or is looking to grow
their familiarity with the dance form.
I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no neighbor
swing are AN easy option into "hands-four" contras. There are other ways
in, but I'm looking for more Beckets that match that description. For a
while I've had "Pluck It" in my box as a friendly option:
Pluck It
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
A2 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Right hand Star
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
(8) Long lines, yearn left
This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer Scatter
Shot but done as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across the set,
which in a recent thread was listed as a no-no for some callers. While I
wouldn't use that move at a dance weekend, for One Night gigs I think it's
accessible and acceptable). You don't have to teach ballroom swing, and if
folks want to elbow swing and swap roles with their partner it doesn't
really impact the dance (this is a small advantage of Becket over improper
for this type of dance; different position on the side is less disorienting
than different side of the set).
What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on roles? No
larks allemande or robins chain, etc.
On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this one (which
may already exist), written for Naomi who organizes the community dance I
was at:
A Pillar of Weathersfield
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
A2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall
B1 -----------
(8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
(8) Return and face across
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress
(Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left shoulder, and the
new couple on your right, turn to take hands with new couple)
I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for entry-level
contras when you don't have a critical mass of experience for improper
dances with neighbor swings.
Thanks!
Luke Donforth
Burlington, VT
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
13 Jan
13 Jan
7:18 a.m.
Peter Foster (Australia!) has a good Becket dance for beginners although
I'm not sure he's named it.
A1 Star Right; star left
A2 Pass thru across the set and swing partners to face down
B1 Down the hall as couples (4 in line) turn as couple and return to face
across
B2 Long lines forward and back; half promenade and wheel right to face new
couple (J-promenade)
Barrie bullimore
On Sun, Jan 12, 2025 at 9:59 AM Michael Fuerst via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Here is a dance of mine that would work with teenagers
after several
dances
On could replace the partner B&S with partner dsd, then neighbor dsd across
Positional Thinking Becket Left
A1
Balance the ring. Pass to a wave by gents turning right
1/2, ladies crossing set to take partner's left hand
Balance left and right; allemande left 3/4 to long wavy
lines, gents facing in
A2
Balance forward and back, box circulate to long waves,
with gents facing out, current neighbors left and next neighbors right
hands joined.
Balance right and left; ladies cross set while
gents turn over right shoulder to next neighbor's place.
B1
Partners balance and swing, end facing new neighbors across
B2
Long lines forward and back.
Circle right
On Sat, Jan 11, 2025 at 3:51 PM Rick Mohr via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
I love that we're thinking about contra
choreography for groups of mostly
newcomers -- so different from writing for experienced or mixed groups. A
contra doesn't need a swing to be fun, or a chain requiring roles, or
caring which side of the set you're on. Great to have some good minds on
the topic!
Here are two reliably good ones from our teen dance:
On the Ball (Rick Mohr) duple improper
A1: Circle left, dosido neighbor
A2: Circle right, see-saw partner
B1: Balance the ring and Petronella turn
Balance the ring and Petronella turn
B2: Balance the ring, two-hand turn partner 1 1/2
Andy White's (Amy Cann) duple improper
A1: Circle left, dosido as couples
A2: Dosido neighbor, two-hand turn neighbor
B1: Clap with neighbor / partner / neighbor / partner – self, rights,
self, lefts
B2: Twos arch and move forward as ones duck through
Ones arch and move backward as twos duck through backward
Twos arch and move forward as ones duck through
See also some others here <https://rickmohr.net/Contra/TeenDance/Dances/>
.
Rick
On Tue, Nov 26, 2024 at 10:41 AM Lisa Sieverts via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
Riffing on Luke’s dance Star Trek Phraser, I’ve
written this one. It’s
essentially role-free, in that it doesn’t matter who ends up on the left or
the right after the swing. Yes, there are 3 stars in a row.
Stars are Aligned
by Lisa Sieverts
BECKET, CCW
1.
LH Star
2.
RH Star
3.
P Do Si Do (on side)
4.
P Swing
5.
Whole Set Oval Left
6.
Whole set Oval Right
7.
F&B
8.
LH Star, on to the next, partners moving along the line
Lisa Sieverts
603-762-0235
lisa(a)lisasieverts.com
On 9 Sep 2024, at 20:08, Luke Donforth via Contra Callers wrote:
Thanks all.
I continue to turn this one over in my head, and I think I've got a new
one (borrowing heavily from Bob Isaac's *To Turn a Phrase* and the
star-to-star transition of Mick Richardson's *Star Trek*)
Star Trek Phraser
by Luke Donforth
Contra/Becket-CCW
A1 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Whole set oval right
A2 -----------
(8) whole set oval Left
(8) Groups of 4 Circle Left 1X
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Left hand Star 1x, walk on to next star
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 7:55 PM <sjapartments(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
https://aptsg.org/Dance/dances.html#Balter
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 11:50 AM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and longways set
> dances. With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an evening.
> But sometimes I get a group that "wants contras" or is looking to grow
> their familiarity with the dance form.
>
> I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no neighbor
> swing are AN easy option into "hands-four" contras. There are other ways
> in, but I'm looking for more Beckets that match that description. For a
> while I've had "Pluck It" in my box as a friendly option:
>
> Pluck It
> Contra/Becket-CW
>
> A1 -----------
> (8) Circle Left
> (8) Circle Right
> A2 -----------
> (8) Left hand Star
> (8) Right hand Star
> B1 -----------
> (8) Partner Do-si-do
> (8) Partner swing
> B2 -----------
> (8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
> (8) Long lines, yearn left
>
> This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer Scatter
> Shot but done as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across the set,
> which in a recent thread was listed as a no-no for some callers. While I
> wouldn't use that move at a dance weekend, for One Night gigs I think it's
> accessible and acceptable). You don't have to teach ballroom swing, and if
> folks want to elbow swing and swap roles with their partner it doesn't
> really impact the dance (this is a small advantage of Becket over improper
> for this type of dance; different position on the side is less disorienting
> than different side of the set).
>
> What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on roles? No
> larks allemande or robins chain, etc.
>
> On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this one
> (which may already exist), written for Naomi who organizes the community
> dance I was at:
>
> A Pillar of Weathersfield
> Contra/Becket-CW
>
> A1 -----------
> (8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
> (8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
> A2 -----------
> (16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall
> B1 -----------
> (8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
> (8) Return and face across
> B2 -----------
> (8) Long lines, forward and back
> (8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress
> (Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left shoulder, and
> the new couple on your right, turn to take hands with new couple)
>
> I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for entry-level
> contras when you don't have a critical mass of experience for improper
> dances with neighbor swings.
>
> Thanks!
> Luke Donforth
> Burlington, VT
> _______________________________________________
> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> To unsubscribe send an email to
> contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>
--
Luke Donforth
Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
8:14 a.m.
It actually starts with a left hand star and finishes with a wheel left:
Still No Name
becket, progressing right
A1 Star left, star right
A2 pass through and swing partner, finish facing down
B1 Down the hall 4 in line, turn as a couple, return and face across
B2 Long lines F&B, promenade across and, in the courtesy
turn, progress to the next couple, ready to restart
with the star left
So the final promenade has the men passing left shoulder, then
wheel to the left to face a new couple.
Although the version you posted is also useable, and progresses
in the more usual clockwise direction.
Peter Foster
On 13/01/2025 11:18 pm, barrie bullimore via Contra Callers wrote:
Peter Foster (Australia!) has a good Becket dance for
beginners
although I'm not sure he's named it.
A1 Star Right; star left
A2 Pass thru across the set and swing partners to face down
B1 Down the hall as couples (4 in line) turn as couple and return to
face across
B2 Long lines forward and back; half promenade and wheel right to
face new couple (J-promenade)
Barrie bullimore
On Sun, Jan 12, 2025 at 9:59 AM Michael Fuerst via Contra Callers
<contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Here is a dance of mine that would work with teenagers after
several dances
On could replace the partner B&S with partner dsd, then
neighbor dsd across
Positional Thinking Becket Left
A1
Balance the ring. Pass to a wave by gents turning right
1/2, ladies crossing set to take partner's left hand
Balance left and right; allemande left 3/4 to long wavy
lines, gents facing in
A2
Balance forward and back, box circulate to long waves,
with gents facing out, current neighbors left and next
neighbors right hands joined.
Balance right and left; ladies cross set while
gents turn over right shoulder to next neighbor's place.
B1
Partners balance and swing, end facing new neighbors across
B2
Long lines forward and back.
Circle right
On Sat, Jan 11, 2025 at 3:51 PM Rick Mohr via Contra Callers
<contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
I love that we're thinking about contra choreography for
groups of mostly newcomers -- so different from writing for
experienced or mixed groups. A contra doesn't need a swing to
be fun, or a chain requiring roles, or caring which side of
the set you're on. Great to have some good minds on the topic!
Here are two reliably good ones from our teen dance:
On the Ball (Rick Mohr) duple improper
A1: Circle left, dosido neighbor
A2: Circle right, see-saw partner
B1: Balance the ring and Petronella turn
Balance the ring and Petronella turn
B2: Balance the ring, two-hand turn partner 1 1/2
Andy White's (Amy Cann) duple improper
A1: Circle left, dosido as couples
A2: Dosido neighbor, two-hand turn neighbor
B1: Clap with neighbor / partner / neighbor / partner – self,
rights, self, lefts
B2: Twos arch and move forward as ones duck through
Ones arch and move backward as twos duck through backward
Twos arch and move forward as ones duck through
See also some others here
<https://rickmohr.net/Contra/TeenDance/Dances/>.
Rick
On Tue, Nov 26, 2024 at 10:41 AM Lisa Sieverts via Contra
Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Riffing on Luke’s dance Star Trek Phraser, I’ve written
this one. It’s essentially role-free, in that it doesn’t
matter who ends up on the left or the right after the
swing. Yes, there are 3 stars in a row.
Stars are Aligned
by Lisa Sieverts
BECKET, CCW
1.
LH Star
2.
RH Star
3.
P Do Si Do (on side)
4.
P Swing
5.
Whole Set Oval Left
6.
Whole set Oval Right
7.
F&B
8.
LH Star, on to the next, partners moving along the line
Lisa Sieverts
603-762-0235
lisa(a)lisasieverts.com
On 9 Sep 2024, at 20:08, Luke Donforth via Contra Callers
wrote:
Thanks all.
I continue to turn this one over in my head, and I
think I've got a new one (borrowing heavily from Bob
Isaac's /To Turn a Phrase/ and the star-to-star
transition of Mick Richardson's /Star Trek/)
Star Trek Phraser
by Luke Donforth
Contra/Becket-CCW
A1 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Whole set oval right
A2 -----------
(8) whole set oval Left
(8) Groups of 4 Circle Left 1X
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Left hand Star 1x, walk on to next star
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 7:55 PM
<sjapartments(a)gmail.com> wrote:
https://aptsg.org/Dance/dances.html#Balter
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 11:50 AM Luke Donforth via
Contra Callers
<contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hello all,
Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of
circle and longways set dances. With scatter
mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an
evening. But sometimes I get a group that
"wants contras" or is looking to grow their
familiarity with the dance form.
I think Becket dances without lark/robin
distinctions and no neighbor swing are AN easy
option into "hands-four" contras. There are
other ways in, but I'm looking for more
Beckets that match that description. For a
while I've had "Pluck It" in my box as a
friendly option:
Pluck It
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
A2 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Right hand Star
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
(8) Long lines, yearn left
This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the
traditional mixer Scatter Shot but done as a
keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across
the set, which in a recent thread was listed
as a no-no for some callers. While I wouldn't
use that move at a dance weekend, for One
Night gigs I think it's accessible and
acceptable). You don't have to teach ballroom
swing, and if folks want to elbow swing and
swap roles with their partner it doesn't
really impact the dance (this is a small
advantage of Becket over improper for this
type of dance; different position on the side
is less disorienting than different side of
the set).
What other Becket dances do folks have that
don't rely on roles? No larks allemande or
robins chain, etc.
On the drive home from my gig last night I
came up with this one (which may already
exist), written for Naomi who organizes the
community dance I was at:
A Pillar of Weathersfield
Contra/Becket-CW
A1 -----------
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right
(petronella)
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right
(petronella)
A2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing, end facing
down the hall
B1 -----------
(8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
(8) Return and face across
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple
and progress
(Go between the ones you danced with, passing
by left shoulder, and the new couple on your
right, turn to take hands with new couple)
I'd be curious what else folks have that they
use for entry-level contras when you don't
have a critical mass of experience for
improper dances with neighbor swings.
Thanks!
Luke Donforth
Burlington, VT
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list --
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
--
Luke Donforth
Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <mailto:Luke.Donev@gmail.com>
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list --
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list --
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list --
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list --contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email tocontracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
11:30 a.m.
The name should be "Still No Name"
On Mon, Jan 13, 2025 at 7:23 AM Peter Foster via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
It actually starts with a left hand star and finishes
with a wheel left:
Still No Name
becket, progressing right
A1 Star left, star right
A2 pass through and swing partner, finish facing down
B1 Down the hall 4 in line, turn as a couple, return and face across
B2 Long lines F&B, promenade across and, in the courtesy
turn, progress to the next couple, ready to restart
with the star left
So the final promenade has the men passing left shoulder, then
wheel to the left to face a new couple.
Although the version you posted is also useable, and progresses
in the more usual clockwise direction.
Peter Foster
On 13/01/2025 11:18 pm, barrie bullimore via Contra Callers wrote:
Peter Foster (Australia!) has a good Becket dance for beginners although
I'm not sure he's named it.
A1 Star Right; star left
A2 Pass thru across the set and swing partners to face down
B1 Down the hall as couples (4 in line) turn as couple and return to face
across
B2 Long lines forward and back; half promenade and wheel right to face
new couple (J-promenade)
Barrie bullimore
On Sun, Jan 12, 2025 at 9:59 AM Michael Fuerst via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Here is a dance of mine that would work with
teenagers after several
dances
On could replace the partner B&S with partner dsd, then neighbor dsd
across
Positional Thinking Becket Left
A1
Balance the ring. Pass to a wave by gents turning right
1/2, ladies crossing set to take partner's left hand
Balance left and right; allemande left 3/4 to long wavy
lines, gents facing in
A2
Balance forward and back, box circulate to long waves,
with gents facing out, current neighbors left and next neighbors right
hands joined.
Balance right and left; ladies cross set while
gents turn over right shoulder to next neighbor's place.
B1
Partners balance and swing, end facing new neighbors across
B2
Long lines forward and back.
Circle right
On Sat, Jan 11, 2025 at 3:51 PM Rick Mohr via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
I love that we're thinking about contra
choreography for groups of
mostly newcomers -- so different from writing for experienced or mixed
groups. A contra doesn't need a swing to be fun, or a chain requiring
roles, or caring which side of the set you're on. Great to have some good
minds on the topic!
Here are two reliably good ones from our teen dance:
On the Ball (Rick Mohr) duple improper
A1: Circle left, dosido neighbor
A2: Circle right, see-saw partner
B1: Balance the ring and Petronella turn
Balance the ring and Petronella turn
B2: Balance the ring, two-hand turn partner 1 1/2
Andy White's (Amy Cann) duple improper
A1: Circle left, dosido as couples
A2: Dosido neighbor, two-hand turn neighbor
B1: Clap with neighbor / partner / neighbor / partner – self, rights,
self, lefts
B2: Twos arch and move forward as ones duck through
Ones arch and move backward as twos duck through backward
Twos arch and move forward as ones duck through
See also some others here
<https://rickmohr.net/Contra/TeenDance/Dances/>.
Rick
On Tue, Nov 26, 2024 at 10:41 AM Lisa Sieverts via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
Riffing on Luke’s dance Star Trek Phraser, I’ve
written this one. It’s
essentially role-free, in that it doesn’t matter who ends up on the left or
the right after the swing. Yes, there are 3 stars in a row.
Stars are Aligned
by Lisa Sieverts
BECKET, CCW
1.
LH Star
2.
RH Star
3.
P Do Si Do (on side)
4.
P Swing
5.
Whole Set Oval Left
6.
Whole set Oval Right
7.
F&B
8.
LH Star, on to the next, partners moving along the line
Lisa Sieverts
603-762-0235
lisa(a)lisasieverts.com
On 9 Sep 2024, at 20:08, Luke Donforth via Contra Callers wrote:
Thanks all.
I continue to turn this one over in my head, and I think I've got a new
one (borrowing heavily from Bob Isaac's *To Turn a Phrase* and the
star-to-star transition of Mick Richardson's *Star Trek*)
Star Trek Phraser
by Luke Donforth
Contra/Becket-CCW
A1 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Whole set oval right
A2 -----------
(8) whole set oval Left
(8) Groups of 4 Circle Left 1X
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Left hand Star 1x, walk on to next star
On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 7:55 PM <sjapartments(a)gmail.com> wrote:
> https://aptsg.org/Dance/dances.html#Balter
>
> On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 11:50 AM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers <
> contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
>> Hello all,
>>
>> Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and longways
>> set dances. With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an
>> evening. But sometimes I get a group that "wants contras" or is looking
to
>> grow their familiarity with the dance form.
>>
>> I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no neighbor
>> swing are AN easy option into "hands-four" contras. There are other
ways
>> in, but I'm looking for more Beckets that match that description. For a
>> while I've had "Pluck It" in my box as a friendly option:
>>
>> Pluck It
>> Contra/Becket-CW
>>
>> A1 -----------
>> (8) Circle Left
>> (8) Circle Right
>> A2 -----------
>> (8) Left hand Star
>> (8) Right hand Star
>> B1 -----------
>> (8) Partner Do-si-do
>> (8) Partner swing
>> B2 -----------
>> (8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set
>> (8) Long lines, yearn left
>>
>> This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer Scatter
>> Shot but done as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD across the set,
>> which in a recent thread was listed as a no-no for some callers. While I
>> wouldn't use that move at a dance weekend, for One Night gigs I think
it's
>> accessible and acceptable). You don't have to teach ballroom swing, and if
>> folks want to elbow swing and swap roles with their partner it doesn't
>> really impact the dance (this is a small advantage of Becket over improper
>> for this type of dance; different position on the side is less disorienting
>> than different side of the set).
>>
>> What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on roles? No
>> larks allemande or robins chain, etc.
>>
>> On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this one
>> (which may already exist), written for Naomi who organizes the community
>> dance I was at:
>>
>> A Pillar of Weathersfield
>> Contra/Becket-CW
>>
>> A1 -----------
>> (8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
>> (8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
>> A2 -----------
>> (16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall
>> B1 -----------
>> (8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples)
>> (8) Return and face across
>> B2 -----------
>> (8) Long lines, forward and back
>> (8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress
>> (Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left shoulder, and
>> the new couple on your right, turn to take hands with new couple)
>>
>> I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for entry-level
>> contras when you don't have a critical mass of experience for improper
>> dances with neighbor swings.
>>
>> Thanks!
>> Luke Donforth
>> Burlington, VT
>> _______________________________________________
>> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>> To unsubscribe send an email to
>> contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>>
>
--
Luke Donforth
Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to
contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
14 Jan
14 Jan
2:47 p.m.
New subject: Basic Beckets for Beginners, and a question about simple figures across the set
Hi folks, I am always creating simple dances that minimize confusion for
my heavily-beginner group.
I recently wrote out a few for a guest caller, so am including them here
in case anyone finds them useful.
(Side note-- Recently we made the switch to dancing always in Becket for
the beginner-friendly portion of the evening - it's been a huge
breakthrough for us, (sliding "out" is less confusing than improper
duple ejection; .....and now I can call a "partner two-hand turn" for
beginners but with option to swing for more advanced folks- and everyone
ends up back in home place after the swing!)--it was thanks to someone's
suggestion on this list! I am very grateful :) )
HERE IS MY QUESTION
Because my dances are simple, I call a lot of simple one-on-one figures,
alternating an interaction with one's partner, then an interaction with
one's neighbour, for variety.
This leads to interactions across the set with neighbour (in Becket) --
interactions with partner across the set in improper duple.
These include do-si-dos, right and left allemandes, and right and left
shoulder rounds.
I was noticing that these calls might be rare or non-existent in the
larger contra world - seems like only Robins or Larks would do an
interaction across the line in most contra dances - not all 4 people at
once?
- Is my instinct correct? You folks don't normally write or call dances
where all 4 people would simultaenously do-si-do or right-hand-turn
across the set to the person they are facing?
- Is this because it's considered too crowded in the lines? And so you
folks avoid it, just like you avoid everyone swinging across the set?
I've certainly noticed that when our dance hall gets crowded, people
have to squeeze a bit to make these figures work-- but ultimately it
does work. Just wondering how much of a "faux pas" it is :)
You'll see I include such figures in my dances below.
I love dances where everyone is moving all the time (and my dancers like
it too!) which is why I favour these "everyone" moves across the set,
rather than "just the larks" or "just the robins".
nice n' easy becket (no official name)
Circle left
Circle right
Right hand star
Left hand star
P: do si do
N: right hand turn
P: 2 hand turn (or optional swing if you know how/both want to)
Long Lines forward, on way back, slide shift left to new
slightly more interesting variation on nice n easy,
Circle left
Left hand star
Partner do si do (or right hand turn could be called instead)
Neighbour left shoulder 'round
2 Hand balance partner 1 time then two hand turn (or swing if you both
know how/want to) (16)
Long Lines forward and back,
Long lines forward again, give a nod goodbye to current neighbour, on
the way back, slide left to new
------------------
Double SWLs (no official name)-
Bal ring x 2
Do si do P - into short wavy lines*
Bal lines, to the right, to the left, to the right, push off palms of
others, back to home place (walking backwards to your home place for 2
counts)
Left hand turn neighbour
Long Lines forward and back
Do si do P again, into short wavy lines (as above)
Bal lines as before, to the right, to the left, to the right, push off
palms to home (as above)
As a couple advance towards other couple, nod goodbye, and veer left on
way back to new neighbours
*SWLs have partners holding right hands, and people in the middle
holding left hands.
-------------
Dance with petros and short wavy lines! (no official name)
A bit repetitive with all the petros, - but fun for a short-ish dance
for total newbies!
Balance and petronella turn
Balance and petronella turn
Balance and petronella turn
Balance and turn one last time/walk home (if you are lost, just get home!!)
Neighbour right hand turn
Partner do si do 1.25 times, into short wavy lines -as in the above dance
Balance the line - right-left-right-- then push off the palms of the
others to walk yourselves backwards to home place (2 counts)
Long lines forward, nod to the old couple, slide left to new to form a
ring....
--------------------
Intermediate with down the hall - total beginners found this confusing
but everyone else had no problem and enjoyed it! (no official name)
Balance and turn w partner, end facing down hall
Down hall, turn as couples
Come back, bend line
----
Circle left
left hand star
Neighbour do si do
Slide left to New N, clasp right hands*, fall back to partner
*Slide left, move towards NEW Neighbour and take their right hand for a
momentto acknowledge they are your new neighbour, then fall back to your
partner to re-start the dance. (basically do a quick right hand balance
with them - but it has to be quick so I just said "take right hands" -
it's like a warm gesture of welcome )
--------
Intermediate + dance down hall (has ravens chains) - a bit similar to
the one above, I would do one of these two, not both!)I can't remember
if I wrote this or found it somewhere...
Partner balance and swing, end facing down hall
Down hall in line of 4, turn as couple
Come back, bend line (you should be home again)
Ravens chain
Chain again (back to home once again!)
Circle RIGHT (show them the flow, of a ravens chain into circle right-
it works well!!)
circle left to new
---------
barrie bullimore via Contra Callers
<mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Monday, January 13, 2025 7:18 AM
Peter Foster (Australia!) has a good Becket dance for beginners
although I'm not sure he's named it.
A1 Star Right; star left
A2 Pass thru across the set and swing partners to face down
B1 Down the hall as couples (4 in line) turn as couple and return to
face across
B2 Long lines forward and back; half promenade and wheel right to
face new couple (J-promenade)
Barrie bullimore
On Sun, Jan 12, 2025 at 9:59 AM Michael Fuerst via Contra Callers
<contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
<mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>> wrote:
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
Luke Donforth via Contra Callers
<mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Monday, September 9, 2024 8:08 PM
Thanks all.
I continue to turn this one over in my head, and I think I've got a
new one (borrowing heavily from Bob Isaac's /To Turn a Phrase/ and the
star-to-star transition of Mick Richardson's /Star Trek/)
Star Trek Phraser
by Luke Donforth
Contra/Becket-CCW
A1 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Whole set oval right
A2 -----------
(8) whole set oval Left
(8) Groups of 4 Circle Left 1X
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Left hand Star 1x, walk on to next star
--
Luke Donforth
Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <mailto:Luke.Donev@gmail.com>
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
7
days inactive
135
days old
contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
34 comments
18 participants
participants (18)
-
Amy Wimmer -
barrie bullimore -
Emily Addison -
Harris Lapiroff -
Jeff Kaufman -
Joe Harrington -
John Sweeney -
john＠modernjive.com
-
Katherine Kitching -
Lisa Sieverts -
Luke Donforth -
Maia McCormick -
Neal Schlein -
Peter Foster -
Rick Mohr -
Robert Matson -
Robert Setili -
sjapartments＠gmail.com