21 Apr
2010
21 Apr
'10
5:34 p.m.
If you're going to start calling squares, Martha, I suggest you do
what is comfortable for you. Unless of course this challenge is
like, "how many beers can you drink", and you're a real risk taker.
I think that if you call contras, New England squares would be the
next logical type of square to call.
No matter what kind of square you call, you should have (or develop)
good skills in watching the dancers. That means no cards. For
example, when you call an allemande left, grand right and left, you
should be able to follow a couple around the set. While you are
calling a square you need to be constantly watching. Your mind will
be working much harder calling a square than when calling a contra.
If you're interested in checking out the various styles of square
dancing, I suggest reading Ralph Sweet's book, Let's Create Old Tyme
Dancing. Don't know if it's still in print.
For many non New England squares, calling in fours is the way to go.
You can start on one or start on 5. But I would suggest to be
prepared to abandon that from time to time as things happen on the
dance floor.
Tom
22 Apr
22 Apr
6:18 a.m.
New subject: calling squares
Hi Martha. Andy and others,
Andy's sharing of his "dolls" seemed to get this discussion going.
It is intriguing to see an interest in MWSD. I enjoy dancing
and calling both contras and MWSD, but they are very different
in many respects.
MWSD is much more of a head thing, being challenged to react
to a large variety of calls with a lead time of only a few beats. One moves to
the beat
of the music, but usually not to the phrasing (lots of recorded
square dance music has little phrasing). The recommended beats
for the moves are not always multiples of 4. For example, Right and left thru,
dosido are usually done in 6 beats. Tom is right that timing of the calls is
best done by watching the dancers. Sometimes when all is going really well
it is possible to get a lot of the moves to be on phrase, and get a groove going.
What often is missing from MWSD is the "dancing," as the dancers are
concentrating too hard. Not that it's not fun, as the satisfaction comes from
everyone
getting through the intricate patterns and ending up at home. Sometimes
it all comes together and it is dancing too!
What is really fun about contra dancing is the interactions, giving
weight etc.
and getting into the groove of the music. Ideally the caller being able to step
back. So I think many contra dancers would not really like MWSD. However,
those who are interested would make great MWSDers.
Seth's weekend should be great fun.
In 2008, I was able to call a square dance for a group of contra dancers
from
the US were touring New Zealand. I think they expected me to "teach" them
a square dance, but I just assumed I could call immediately and make up
a dance for them. It was great fun, as I just used the basic moves that had
been used in the contra dances, but adapted them more to contra dance timing
with the nicely phrased music that the band played.
Here are a few interesting dances
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=1BF7CA1FD973DE14
Cheers, Bill
1:27 p.m.
New subject: calling squares
-----Original Message-----
From: callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net [mailto:callers-bounces@sharedweight.net] On Behalf
Of Liz and Bill
...
MWSD is much more of a head thing, being challenged to react
to a large variety of calls with a lead time of only a few beats. One moves to
the beat
...
So I think many contra dancers would not really like MWSD. However,
those who are interested would make great MWSDers.
Seth's weekend should be great fun.
_______________________________________________
It is true, MWSD is not for all dancers. However, when I did it, I had such a great time.
It was a very similar to no walk thru contras or medleys, but on a magnified scale.
It was a rush! And a weekend of it in a rarified environment (like an 18 person weekend)
is a treat!
This e-mail message (including any attachments) is for the sole use of
the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged
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recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution
or copying of this message (including any attachments) is strictly
prohibited.
If you have received this message in error, please contact
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4 p.m.
New subject: calling squares
Contra dancers (and other humans) seem, in general, not to like anything
they're not familiar with.
Familiarity breeds content.
All the more reason that new dance forms might be best introduced by the
folks who know how to do the one you're familiar with. I'm sick I probably
can't go to Seth's weekend - anyone who likes cool patterns (I'm thinking
that's everyone on this list) would have a blast. Can you imagine it? A big
game of "Simon Says" done to music...
M
E
On Thu, Apr 22, 2010 at 8:27 AM, Tepfer, Seth <labst(a)emory.edu> wrote:
-----Original Message-----
From: callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net [mailto:
callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of Liz and Bill
...
MWSD is much more of a head thing, being challenged to react
to a large variety of calls with a lead time of only a few beats. One moves
to
the beat
...
So I think many contra dancers would not really like MWSD. However,
those who are interested would make great MWSDers.
Seth's weekend should be great fun.
_______________________________________________
It is true, MWSD is not for all dancers. However, when I did it, I had such
a great time.
It was a very similar to no walk thru contras or medleys, but on a
magnified scale.
It was a rush! And a weekend of it in a rarified environment (like an 18
person weekend) is a treat!
This e-mail message (including any attachments) is for the sole use of
the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged
information. If the reader of this message is not the intended
recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution
or copying of this message (including any attachments) is strictly
prohibited.
If you have received this message in error, please contact
the sender by reply e-mail message and destroy all copies of the
original message (including attachments).
_______________________________________________
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--
For the good are always the merry,
Save by an evil chance,
And the merry love the fiddle
And the merry love to dance. ~ William Butler Yeats
11:14 p.m.
New subject: calling squares
I wish I could make it to Seth's weekend too, but alas too far away :-(
But if any of you visit NZ, please come dance at our house.
Cheers, Bill
5358
days inactive
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days old
contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
4 comments
4 participants
participants (4)
-
Liz and Bill -
Martha Edwards -
Tepfer, Seth -
Tom Hinds