27 Sep
2023
27 Sep
'23
2:23 p.m.
I’m not saying this phrasing should be outlawed. But it’s enough of a challenge to get new
folks to do a balance on 1-2-3-4 without giving them an exception early on.
Tony Parkes
Billerica, Mass.
www.hands4.com<http://www.hands4.com/>
New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century
(available now)
From: Katherine Kitching <kat(a)outdooractive.ca>
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 10:03 AM
To: Tony Parkes <tony(a)hands4.com>
Subject: Re: [Callers] Re: Most-Easiest Duple Minors in existence
aw, really?
I say, don't knock it till you try it :)
- I had a mix of beginner and more experienced dancers - I didn't explain it any
detail, I just demo'd it once, and then they all did it easily and with gusto. :D
Sep 27, 2023 10:50:10 AM Tony Parkes
<tony@hands4.com<mailto:tony@hands4.com>>:
Ah, thanks.
Different strokes for different folks. I don’t think I could bring myself to ask for a
balance on 3-4-5-6 of an 8-count phrase.
Tony Parkes
Billerica, Mass.
www.hands4.com<http://www.hands4.com/>
New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century
(available now)
From: Katherine Kitching <kat@outdooractive.ca<mailto:kat@outdooractive.ca>>
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:46 AM
To: Tony Parkes <tony@hands4.com<mailto:tony@hands4.com>>
Cc: Shared Weight Contra Callers
<contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>>
Subject: Re: [Callers] Re: Most-Easiest Duple Minors in existence
haha I was unsure it would work when I called it for the first time the other night - but
it worked great!!
Previously I had done LLFB, LLF and pull by, LLFB, LLF and pull by--
but my dancers did it so fast and energetically there was a super long and awkward pause
after they pulled by and turned to face their partner again.
the secret is, it only takes them 2 counts to get close enough to rt-hand balance.
so it's 1-2 (walk), 1-2-3-4 (balance), and 1-2 pass by and turn - that part is
admittedly fast, but they enjoyed the challenge of it and it really livened up this
beginner-oriented dance.
Sep 27, 2023 10:40:00 AM Tony Parkes via Contra Callers
<contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>>:
“- LLFB, LLF, balance pull by:, LLFB, LLF, balance pull by again”
Will someone please explain the timing of this sequence? I get 8 steps for LLFB, 4 for
LLF, 4 for a balance, and 4 for a pull by, adding up to 20; but I assume it’s intended to
be done in 16. (I’m assuming that “turn to face in” is done as part of the pull by – no
problem there.) Is there actually no LLF apart from the balance?
Tony Parkes
Billerica, Mass.
www.hands4.com<http://www.hands4.com/>
New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century
(available now)
From: Katherine Kitching via Contra Callers
<contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>>
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:33 AM
To: Joe Harrington
<contradancerjoe@gmail.com<mailto:contradancerjoe@gmail.com>>
Cc:
contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Callers] Re: Most-Easiest Duple Minors in existence
lol "full washing machine" - I hadn't heard that before!
I agree on avoiding the full one as much as possible - but I quite like just a
circle-left-circle-right - brings the group together for some smiles and allows for fancy
footwork for those who want to throw in a little something extra.
But it may be interesting to ask the group to compile a list of beginner-friendly figures,
beyond the very basic ones like allemandes and do si dos, that could be used to put
together some dances of the type that you (and I, always!!) are seeking?
My criteria would be:
- does not take anyone out of home place
(or takes them out temporarily but puts them back again, such as pulling by your partner
across the set, but then pulling by again within the next 1 or 2 moves).
- doesn't involve anything that is known to cause confusion for total beginners, such
as courtesy turns or heys.
Here are some that I like:
- do si do as couples
- LLFB, LLF, balance pull by:, LLFB, LLF, balance pull by again
- take 4 steps left then 4 steps right, around the oval
- turn and walk individually around the oval for 8, then back for 8
- balance and spin the star (as per Louise S)
- balance the ring, then 2 hand balance your partner
- holding hands, veer right then left with your partner to progress
- what else?? :)
Sep 27, 2023 12:44:51 AM Joe Harrington
<contradancerjoe@gmail.com<mailto:contradancerjoe@gmail.com>>:
Thanks for this thread! My group is tired of me bailing out to a small collection of
trivial contras (Airpants, Midwest Folklore...).
How about the easiest dance *that experienced dancers don't mind dancing*? I have
always disliked the "full washing machine" of circle left, circle right, star
right, star left. Even a half-wash makes my shoulders sag, inwardly. Of course, I will
try to do them with a smile and encourage both the new dancers and the caller. But,
surely we can make it a little more interesting without losing the newbies. Airpants and
Midwest Folklore do, though they involve swings. Elbow or crossed-hand swings are fine for
this and don't need to be taught outside of a walkthrough. If I'm using these
dances in a workshop, I do tell the experienced dancers not to teach the ballroom swing,
we'll get to that in a minute. Otherwise, they all try.
--jh--
On Mon, Sep 25, 2023 at 7:27 PM Katherine Kitching via Contra Callers
<contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>>
wrote:
Here are a couple more that I wrote, that I called the other night and went very well.
(again, I haven't searched to see if they exist already)
these all build on the skills we did in my "very simple contra" in the sicilian
formation, that I outlined in a previous message.
1. "Off they go"
- Circle left
- Circle right
- LLFB
- (still holding hands) - walk 4 steps left then 4 steps right (or call it a giant oval
left then right if you prefer)
- partner do si do
- neighbour left hand turn (allemande)
- partner 2 hand balance twice (I suggest the convention of veering slightly to the left
the first balance, and slightly to the right on the second, for interest)
- holding inside hands with your partner facing the other couple, veer on a forward right
diagonal to pass the other couple, then on a forward left diagonal to meet the next
couple
2. "first out of place dance" (at a brisk pace)
people found this very fun!!
- circle left
- circle right
- partner do si do
- neighbour 2 hand balance once, and baby turn (ie switch places, by circling while
holding 2 hands in the same direction you would in a 2 hand turn or swing - can also say -
switch places with your neighbour, with the ravens going on the inside)
- LLFB
- LLF, balance partner by the right one time and pull by (to switch places w partner)
- LLFB
- LLF, just pull by the right (no balance) - give a little nod and stomp to your old
group, turn to face the new
3. " first down the hall dance"
-1's split the 2's and all walk down the hall in line of 4, turn alone
- come on back, bend line
- circle left
- circle right
- partner left shoulder round
- neighbour right hand turn (allemande)
- all circle left again
- left hand star to new group
4. "first swing (or 2 hand turn) dance"
- N bal and 2 hand turn (or swing, depending on level of dancers), for 16
- LLFB
- Partner left shoulder round
- Neighbour right shoulder round
- circle left
- circle right
- balance the circle one time, 2 hand balance your partner one time, turn to face new
group
There were 2 more dances in my sequence after this, but they wouldn't qualify as super
easy. (though probably still easier than most of you call!! :) )
- Kat k
in Hfx, NS, CA
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27 Sep
27 Sep
2:38 p.m.
New subject: Most-Easiest Duple Minors in existence
I had never thought of that....
Like I said, I just called it and it went well - no questions, no issues, lots of
enjoyment-- (with a number of beginners and nobody else in the group of 40+ people
terribly advanced) - and it certainly didn't seem to hamper their dancing abilities in
that dance or any future one.
When I dance it here in my house to try it out, I feel there is still a great rhythm to
that combination--maybe it's got a bit of a syncopated feel?
Anyhow, I still say, "don't knock it till you try it" :)
KK
Sep 27, 2023 11:23:18 AM Tony Parkes <tony(a)hands4.com>om>:
I’m not saying this phrasing should be outlawed. But
it’s enough of a challenge to get new folks to do a balance on 1-2-3-4 without giving them
an exception early on.
Tony Parkes
Billerica, Mass.
www.hands4.com[http://www.hands4.com/]
New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century
(available now)
*From:* Katherine Kitching <kat(a)outdooractive.ca>
*Sent:* Wednesday, September 27, 2023 10:03 AM
*To:* Tony Parkes <tony(a)hands4.com>
*Subject:* Re: [Callers] Re: Most-Easiest Duple Minors in existence
aw, really?
I say, don't knock it till you try it :)
- I had a mix of beginner and more experienced dancers - I didn't explain it any
detail, I just demo'd it once, and then they all did it easily and with gusto. :D
Sep 27, 2023 10:50:10 AM Tony Parkes <tony(a)hands4.com>om>:
Ah, thanks.
Different strokes for different folks. I don’t think I could bring myself to ask for a
balance on 3-4-5-6 of an 8-count phrase.
Tony Parkes
Billerica, Mass.
www.hands4.com[http://www.hands4.com/]
New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century
(available now)
*From:* Katherine Kitching <kat(a)outdooractive.ca>
*Sent:* Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:46 AM
*To:* Tony Parkes <tony(a)hands4.com>
*Cc:* Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
*Subject:* Re: [Callers] Re: Most-Easiest Duple Minors in existence
haha I was unsure it would work when I called it for the first time the other night - but
it worked great!!
Previously I had done LLFB, LLF and pull by, LLFB, LLF and pull by--
but my dancers did it so fast and energetically there was a super long and awkward pause
after they pulled by and turned to face their partner again.
the secret is, it only takes them 2 counts to get close enough to rt-hand balance.
so it's 1-2 (walk), 1-2-3-4 (balance), and 1-2 pass by and turn - that part is
admittedly fast, but they enjoyed the challenge of it and it really livened up this
beginner-oriented dance.
Sep 27, 2023 10:40:00 AM Tony Parkes via Contra Callers
<contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>et>:
“- LLFB, LLF, balance pull by:, LLFB, LLF, balance pull by again”
Will someone please explain the timing of this sequence? I get 8 steps for LLFB, 4 for
LLF, 4 for a balance, and 4 for a pull by, adding up to 20; but I assume it’s intended to
be done in 16. (I’m assuming that “turn to face in” is done as part of the pull by – no
problem there.) Is there actually no LLF apart from the balance?
Tony Parkes
Billerica, Mass.
www.hands4.com[http://www.hands4.com/]
New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century
(available now)
*From:* Katherine Kitching via Contra Callers
<contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
*Sent:* Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:33 AM
*To:* Joe Harrington <contradancerjoe(a)gmail.com>
*Cc:* contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
*Subject:* [Callers] Re: Most-Easiest Duple Minors in existence
lol "full washing machine" - I hadn't heard that before!
I agree on avoiding the full one as much as possible - but I quite like just a
circle-left-circle-right - brings the group together for some smiles and allows for fancy
footwork for those who want to throw in a little something extra.
But it may be interesting to ask the group to compile a list of beginner-friendly
figures, beyond the very basic ones like allemandes and do si dos, that could be used to
put together some dances of the type that you (and I, always!!) are seeking?
My criteria would be:
- does not take anyone out of home place
(or takes them out temporarily but puts them back again, such as pulling by your partner
across the set, but then pulling by again within the next 1 or 2 moves).
- doesn't involve anything that is known to cause confusion for total beginners, such
as courtesy turns or heys.
_Here are some that I like:_
- do si do as couples
- LLFB, LLF, balance pull by:, LLFB, LLF, balance pull by again
- take 4 steps left then 4 steps right, around the oval
- turn and walk individually around the oval for 8, then back for 8
- balance and spin the star (as per Louise S)
- balance the ring, then 2 hand balance your partner
- holding hands, veer right then left with your partner to progress
- what else?? :)
Sep 27, 2023 12:44:51 AM Joe Harrington <contradancerjoe(a)gmail.com>om>:
Thanks for this thread! My group is tired of me bailing out to a small collection of
trivial contras (Airpants, Midwest Folklore...).
How about the easiest dance *that experienced dancers don't mind dancing*? I have
always disliked the "full washing machine" of circle left, circle right, star
right, star left. Even a half-wash makes my shoulders sag, inwardly. Of course, I will
try to do them with a smile and encourage both the new dancers and the caller. But,
surely we can make it a little more interesting without losing the newbies. Airpants and
Midwest Folklore do, though they involve swings. Elbow or crossed-hand swings are fine for
this and don't need to be taught outside of a walkthrough. If I'm using these
dances in a workshop, I do tell the experienced dancers not to teach the ballroom swing,
we'll get to that in a minute. Otherwise, they all try.
--jh--
On Mon, Sep 25, 2023 at 7:27 PM Katherine Kitching via Contra Callers
<contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Here are a couple more that I wrote, that I called the other night and went very well.
(again, I haven't searched to see if they exist already)
these all build on the skills we did in my "very simple contra" in the sicilian
formation, that I outlined in a previous message.
1. "Off they go"
- Circle left
- Circle right
- LLFB
- (still holding hands) - walk 4 steps left then 4 steps right (or call it a giant oval
left then right if you prefer)
- partner do si do
- neighbour left hand turn (allemande)
- partner 2 hand balance twice (I suggest the convention of veering slightly to the left
the first balance, and slightly to the right on the second, for interest)
- holding inside hands with your partner facing the other couple, veer on a forward right
diagonal to pass the other couple, then on a forward left diagonal to meet the next
couple
2. "first out of place dance" (at a brisk pace)
people found this very fun!!
- circle left
- circle right
- partner do si do
- neighbour 2 hand balance once, and baby turn (ie switch places, by circling while
holding 2 hands in the same direction you would in a 2 hand turn or swing - can also say -
switch places with your neighbour, with the ravens going on the inside)
- LLFB
- LLF, balance partner by the right one time and pull by (to switch places w partner)
- LLFB
- LLF, just pull by the right (no balance) - give a little nod and stomp to your old
group, turn to face the new
3. " first down the hall dance"
-1's split the 2's and all walk down the hall in line of 4, turn alone
- come on back, bend line
- circle left
- circle right
- partner left shoulder round
- neighbour right hand turn (allemande)
- all circle left again
- left hand star to new group
4. "first swing (or 2 hand turn) dance"
- N bal and 2 hand turn (or swing, depending on level of dancers), for 16
- LLFB
- Partner left shoulder round
- Neighbour right shoulder round
- circle left
- circle right
- balance the circle one time, 2 hand balance your partner one time, turn to face new
group
There were 2 more dances in my sequence after this, but they wouldn't qualify as
super easy. (though probably still easier than most of you call!! :) )
- Kat k
in Hfx, NS, CA
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
3:12 p.m.
New subject: Most-Easiest Duple Minors in existence
ok just one more thought:
I like this figure because (IMHO anyhow), it does fulfill the purpose that was under
discussion...
for a beginner, it is straightforward in that (if the 16 beats are taken as a whole), it
does not move them out of home place.
Maybe they don't get the beat just right (though like I said, my 40 novice dancers all
got it right away) - but they can't really mess up the dance or get lost.
And... apparently based on this discussion - it could provide something novel, and
slightly challenging, for more experienced dancers? :)
KK
Sep 27, 2023 11:39:00 AM Katherine Kitching via Contra Callers
<contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>et>:
I had never thought of that....
Like I said, I just called it and it went well - no questions, no issues, lots of
enjoyment-- (with a number of beginners and nobody else in the group of 40+ people
terribly advanced) - and it certainly didn't seem to hamper their dancing abilities in
that dance or any future one.
When I dance it here in my house to try it out, I feel there is still a great rhythm to
that combination--maybe it's got a bit of a syncopated feel?
Anyhow, I still say, "don't knock it till you try it" :)
KK
Sep 27, 2023 11:23:18 AM Tony Parkes <tony(a)hands4.com>om>:
> I’m not saying this phrasing should be outlawed. But it’s enough of a challenge to
get new folks to do a balance on 1-2-3-4 without giving them an exception early on.
>
> Tony Parkes
> Billerica, Mass.
> www.hands4.com[http://www.hands4.com/]
> New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century
> (available now)
>
>
> *From:* Katherine Kitching <kat(a)outdooractive.ca>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 27, 2023 10:03 AM
> *To:* Tony Parkes <tony(a)hands4.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [Callers] Re: Most-Easiest Duple Minors in existence
>
> aw, really?
>
> I say, don't knock it till you try it :)
>
> - I had a mix of beginner and more experienced dancers - I didn't explain it any
detail, I just demo'd it once, and then they all did it easily and with gusto. :D
>
> Sep 27, 2023 10:50:10 AM Tony Parkes <tony(a)hands4.com>om>:
>
> Ah, thanks.
> Different strokes for different folks. I don’t think I could bring myself to ask for
a balance on 3-4-5-6 of an 8-count phrase.
> Tony Parkes
> Billerica, Mass.
> www.hands4.com[http://www.hands4.com/]
> New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century
> (available now)
> *From:* Katherine Kitching <kat(a)outdooractive.ca>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:46 AM
> *To:* Tony Parkes <tony(a)hands4.com>
> *Cc:* Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
> *Subject:* Re: [Callers] Re: Most-Easiest Duple Minors in existence
> haha I was unsure it would work when I called it for the first time the other night -
but it worked great!!
>
> Previously I had done LLFB, LLF and pull by, LLFB, LLF and pull by--
>
> but my dancers did it so fast and energetically there was a super long and awkward
pause after they pulled by and turned to face their partner again.
>
> the secret is, it only takes them 2 counts to get close enough to rt-hand balance.
>
> so it's 1-2 (walk), 1-2-3-4 (balance), and 1-2 pass by and turn - that part is
admittedly fast, but they enjoyed the challenge of it and it really livened up this
beginner-oriented dance.
>
> Sep 27, 2023 10:40:00 AM Tony Parkes via Contra Callers
<contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>et>:
>
> “- LLFB, LLF, balance pull by:, LLFB, LLF, balance pull by again”
> Will someone please explain the timing of this sequence? I get 8 steps for LLFB, 4
for LLF, 4 for a balance, and 4 for a pull by, adding up to 20; but I assume it’s intended
to be done in 16. (I’m assuming that “turn to face in” is done as part of the pull by – no
problem there.) Is there actually no LLF apart from the balance?
> Tony Parkes
> Billerica, Mass.
> www.hands4.com[http://www.hands4.com/]
> New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century
> (available now)
> *From:* Katherine Kitching via Contra Callers
<contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 27, 2023 9:33 AM
> *To:* Joe Harrington <contradancerjoe(a)gmail.com>
> *Cc:* contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> *Subject:* [Callers] Re: Most-Easiest Duple Minors in existence
> lol "full washing machine" - I hadn't heard that before!
>
> I agree on avoiding the full one as much as possible - but I quite like just a
circle-left-circle-right - brings the group together for some smiles and allows for fancy
footwork for those who want to throw in a little something extra.
>
> But it may be interesting to ask the group to compile a list of beginner-friendly
figures, beyond the very basic ones like allemandes and do si dos, that could be used to
put together some dances of the type that you (and I, always!!) are seeking?
>
> My criteria would be:
>
> - does not take anyone out of home place
> (or takes them out temporarily but puts them back again, such as pulling by your
partner across the set, but then pulling by again within the next 1 or 2 moves).
>
> - doesn't involve anything that is known to cause confusion for total beginners,
such as courtesy turns or heys.
>
> _Here are some that I like:_
>
> - do si do as couples
>
> - LLFB, LLF, balance pull by:, LLFB, LLF, balance pull by again
>
> - take 4 steps left then 4 steps right, around the oval
>
> - turn and walk individually around the oval for 8, then back for 8
>
> - balance and spin the star (as per Louise S)
>
> - balance the ring, then 2 hand balance your partner
>
> - holding hands, veer right then left with your partner to progress
>
> - what else?? :)
>
> Sep 27, 2023 12:44:51 AM Joe Harrington <contradancerjoe(a)gmail.com>om>:
>
> Thanks for this thread! My group is tired of me bailing out to a small collection of
trivial contras (Airpants, Midwest Folklore...).
> How about the easiest dance *that experienced dancers don't mind dancing*? I have
always disliked the "full washing machine" of circle left, circle right, star
right, star left. Even a half-wash makes my shoulders sag, inwardly. Of course, I will
try to do them with a smile and encourage both the new dancers and the caller. But,
surely we can make it a little more interesting without losing the newbies. Airpants and
Midwest Folklore do, though they involve swings. Elbow or crossed-hand swings are fine for
this and don't need to be taught outside of a walkthrough. If I'm using these
dances in a workshop, I do tell the experienced dancers not to teach the ballroom swing,
we'll get to that in a minute. Otherwise, they all try.
> --jh--
> On Mon, Sep 25, 2023 at 7:27 PM Katherine Kitching via Contra Callers
<contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> …
577
days inactive
577
days old
contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
2 comments
2 participants
participants (2)
-
Katherine Kitching -
Tony Parkes