I just did a test circle left with 6' distance = 16 steps. That is convenient if holds
for all choreography; means most moves would take double length time. I suspect down the
hall (4 down, 8 turn as a couple, 4 up) and heys would not necessarily double.
The science says when heavy breathing is involved, 6' rule does not apply; more space
is needed for safe social distancing, even outdoors. For this exercise you might wish to
consider 10' distance.
________________________________
From: Tepfer, Seth via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2020 8:09 AM
To: contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>et>;
Donna Hunt <dhuntdancer(a)aol.com>om>; Trad Callers (formerly trad-dance-callers)
<tradcallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>et>; Robert Livingston <rlivngstn(a)yahoo.com>
Subject: [Callers] Re: [External] Re: [TradCallers] Re: Re: Distance "contra"
dance choreo?
Add this in considerations:
Think about when dancers are doing a hey in a big open gym or space with no lines or
chairs to hem them in - they spread out. When they spread out, they take more time and are
unable to complete a hey in time.
More space - 6' or more - means dancers need more time to complete moves. Choreography
will either need to have fewer moves in 16 bar time frame or use longer tunes - 40 or 48
bar tunes or two tunes back to back (Dutch Crossing style).
It will be interesting and fun to see what is a comfortable amount of steps/bars to
complete the usual moves when the distance is doubled. The timing on everything would be
very different.
________________________________
From: Robert Livingston via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2020 2:52 AM
To: contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>et>;
Donna Hunt <dhuntdancer(a)aol.com>om>; Trad Callers (formerly trad-dance-callers)
<tradcallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: [External] [Callers] Re: [TradCallers] Re: Re: Distance "contra" dance
choreo?
Got tested Friday. (good at the moment[Emoji])
The last dance I called was the 5th Saturday in February.at Sunderland, MA (so long
ago)
The next might be the first Saturday in August for the monthly Cornwall, CT Town Hall
dance. (now dark).
It would be outside either on town property or on private land in front of a barn.
Semi-public, by word of mouth - what would I call...!?
Modified contradance loosely based on the likes of Morning Star and Lady of the Lake..
(Sets no more than 6 couples)
Certain type short whole set longways - a scattered 2 couple formation - a circle -
Patricia's Round (don't ask). Square.
(2 in mind). Dosadoes done face to face (back up, stay away from me...Oh yeah, we live
together) Arm turns (wave).
Keeping Dudley's printout. .
Would expect a smaller group and doing just an hour or so. Folks have asked. Gathering
the movers and shakers - (music)
Bob Livingston
Middletown, CT..
On Monday, July 20, 2020, 4:08:22 PM EDT, Donna Hunt via Trad Callers
<tradcallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Looks like I'm coming a little late to this thread, but I must appreciate Claire's
question and Delia's response to the negativity. Yes, Contra is not now and maybe not
in the foreseeable future be what we "remember", but those of us who enjoy
community events and gathering will try to find other ways.
Several of us across the US (and in England if I remember correctly?) are spending
countless hours in our dance communities preparing Zoom gatherings be it contra, ECD,
couple dances or socials. Others are hosting concerts to support musicians, and having
jams to keep local musicians engaged. Others are challenging the limits of technology to
make the music sound "live" (who knew??). We're giving our community
members just a taste of what we're missing while allowing us to visit with friends
near and faraway from other parts of the country.
So, I appreciate the open inquiry and initiating a discussion of what might the future
bring...because it will be a long time before folks feel comfortable being close again.
With innovation and social distancing we might be able to social dis-dance together
again.
BTW: some of these suggestions sound like sword dancing...together while holding swords
or sticks, morris with hankies?, creating patterns and working together. With the heat
wave this week I'd encourage a swimming pool dance with noodles (and masks of
course). Duck for the Oyster anyone?
Donna Hunt
-----Original Message-----
From: Julia Whiteneck via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
To: Mary Collins <nativedae(a)gmail.com>om>; Lissa Bengtson
<lissabengtson(a)gmail.com>
Cc: contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>et>;
tradcallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <tradcallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Mon, Jul 20, 2020 3:29 pm
Subject: [Callers] Re: Distance "contra" dance choreo?
Could have a baton in one hand and a glove on the other to grasp the other person's
baton "hand" - seems like it could be doable! then cross hand swings might work
too
________________________________
From: Lissa Bengtson via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Monday, July 20, 2020 10:32 AM
To: Mary Collins <nativedae(a)gmail.com>
Cc: contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>et>;
tradcallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <tradcallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Callers] Re: Distance "contra" dance choreo?
I have some experience with pool noodles (teaching aqua aerobics) and the dollar-store
kind are pretty wiggly and would not withstand the weight of a magnet, nor be manageable.
There are stronger noodles available from exercise websites, which are not cheap but are
tougher and would withstand use for longer. If 6 ft is from face-to-face, and the human
arm is about 2 feet long, perhaps you only need a two-foot noodle, which would add up to 8
feet total with arms extended. Maybe a balsa-wood "baton" would also work.
I'll bet there are some Morris dances that could morph into contra dances, using
sticks. Picturing stars and heys with sticks/noodles--the dances would be lovely. Get a
drone and film them from above!
Our town almost opened up for outdoor gatherings of 10, but then the upswing in cases
hit. And we can't be outdoors until October, anyway, in this heat.
Louise Siddons is also working on "out-of-the-box" contra ideas:
https://forms.gle/eR8dbyLz9NV3592h8<https://nam03.safelinks.protection.o…amp;reserved=0>.
Lissa Bengtson
San Antonio
On Mon, Jul 20, 2020 at 8:46 AM Mary Collins via Contra Callers
<contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>>
wrote:
I like John's idea of designated partners and no progressions.
Claire I also am liking the noodle idea. Still making connection which for me is a huge
part of contra and square dance. A thought about that, each person would need 2 noodles
with the opposing polarity magnet in each end. How do you plan for #'s of attendees?
Would you sell "noodle hands" so each dancer can come prepared and with personal
"hands"? (Which I like as a group fundraiser)
Watching this space for more dance ideas for my "covid box". Thanks for posing
these questions.
Mary Collins
On Mon, Jul 20, 2020, 9:02 AM John Sweeney via Contra Callers
<contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>>
wrote:
Hi Claire,
What some groups are planning, possibly, is to start their new dance sessions with
just couple dances. Come with a partner, or choose one person and stay with them.
There are lots of good dances to choose from; but only if your dancers are
prepared to embrace change, new ideas and new skills. Contra, ceilidh, squares, ECD, etc.
are all part of the same spectrum of dance, with common origins.
Here are some ideas (some are usually done as mixers, just stay with the same
partner):
Salty Dog Rag
La Chapelloise
Swedish Masquerade
Teton Mountain Stomp
The Ideal Schottische
The Gay Gordons
Redwing Mixer
Twirl & Go
You can Waltz (obviously) and all the other standard couple dances.
And if your dancers are prepared to work in fours and stay in those fours, you can
add all the Appalachian/Running Set two-couple figures - there are dozens to choose from.
Yes, it is more fun to do them with new couples, but if you have to stay in the same
foursomes you can still have fun.
I hope that helps.
Happy dancing,
John
John Sweeney, Dancer, England john@modernjive.com<mailto:john@modernjive.com>
01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574
http://contrafusion.co.uk/KentCeilidhs.html<https://nam03.safelinks.prot…
for Live Music Ceilidhs
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk<https://nam03.safelinks.protection.outlook…
for Dancing in Kent
http://www.modernjive.com<https://nam03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com…
for Modern Jive DVDs
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