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Contras for One Nighters

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Rich Sbardella via Callers

5 Mar 2016 5 Mar '16

6:44 p.m.

I rarely call a contra at a One Night Party Dance, but occasionally I am asked to. I have a few in my cards, but can anyone make some sure fire recommendations. Assume 95%-100% non dancers. Thanks, Rich Stafford, CT

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Jacob or Nancy Bloom via Callers

5 Mar 5 Mar

7 p.m.

Hi Rich, On such occasions, I use what I think of as my House Dance Special, which is just a Sicilian Circle straightened out. Duple, and don't say a word about who is supposed to be on which side of the set Circle left, circle right Right hand star, left hand star Dosido partner, two hand turn Dosido neighbor, pass through and bow to new neighbor Jacob On Sat, Mar 5, 2016 at 1:44 PM, Rich Sbardella via Callers < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

I rarely call a contra at a One Night Party Dance, but occasionally I am asked to. I have a few in my cards, but can anyone make some sure fire recommendations. Assume 95%-100% non dancers. Thanks, Rich Stafford, CT _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

-- jandnbloom(a)gmail.com http://jacobbloom.net/

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Erik Hoffman via Callers

8:14 p.m.

Add the Clap and Rich's House Dance Special turns into the simple version of Haste to the Wedding (for which that tune works great: A1 Circle left, then right A2 Star right, then left B1 Partner DSD; Clap, Partner two hand turn once B2 Neighbor DSD; Clap, Neighbor two hand turn one-and-a-half Or, as below: B2 Neighbor DSD; Clap, Pass Neighbor, bow to next ~erik hoffman oakland, ca On 3/5/2016 11:00 AM, Jacob or Nancy Bloom via Callers wrote:

Hi Rich, On such occasions, I use what I think of as my House Dance Special, which is just a Sicilian Circle straightened out. Duple, and don't say a word about who is supposed to be on which side of the set Circle left, circle right Right hand star, left hand star Dosido partner, two hand turn Dosido neighbor, pass through and bow to new neighbor Jacob On Sat, Mar 5, 2016 at 1:44 PM, Rich Sbardella via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:callers@lists.sharedweight.net>> wrote: I rarely call a contra at a One Night Party Dance, but occasionally I am asked to. I have a few in my cards, but can anyone make some sure fire recommendations. Assume 95%-100% non dancers. Thanks, Rich Stafford, CT _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:Callers@lists.sharedweight.net> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net -- jandnbloom(a)gmail.com <mailto:jandnbloom@gmail.com> http://jacobbloom.net/ _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

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Kalia Kliban via Callers

8:54 p.m.

On 3/5/2016 10:44 AM, Rich Sbardella via Callers wrote:

I rarely call a contra at a One Night Party Dance, but occasionally I am asked to. I have a few in my cards, but can anyone make some sure fire recommendations. Assume 95%-100% non dancers.

Just getting to the duple minor progression can be quite a process. The simplest duple minor I've got is not technically a contra (it's an English ceilidh dance), but works well as a mine-sweeper to see whether more complex duples will work. It's called the Itchington Long Dance (Hugh Rippon, 1990). Star L/R; cnrs dosido; 1s down/bk/cast; 1s swing and look down for new Ns. If your crowd is up for it and you've got room, the B2 can be a general P swing, but I like to do it just for the 1s to make the progression clearer. Washington Quickstep (a contra chestnut) is good too, and if the 1s lose track of who needs to be on the right after the swing, nothing terrible happens. Star R/L, 1s dn/bk/cast; R&L thru over/bk; LLFB, 1s sw. Kalia

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Rich Sbardella via Callers

9:01 p.m.

Kalia, You make a good point. My most successful contra for such applications has been Haste to the Wedding in a proper line. I have had trouble with the cast at Party Dances. Do you demonstrate it? How do you describe it? I like your suggestion of Washington Quickstep. I might try it with 1.s DSD, then 2s DSD instead of R&L Thrus. Rich On Sat, Mar 5, 2016 at 3:54 PM, Kalia Kliban via Callers < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

On 3/5/2016 10:44 AM, Rich Sbardella via Callers wrote:

I rarely call a contra at a One Night Party Dance, but occasionally I am asked to. I have a few in my cards, but can anyone make some sure fire recommendations. Assume 95%-100% non dancers.

Just getting to the duple minor progression can be quite a process. The simplest duple minor I've got is not technically a contra (it's an English ceilidh dance), but works well as a mine-sweeper to see whether more complex duples will work. It's called the Itchington Long Dance (Hugh Rippon, 1990). Star L/R; cnrs dosido; 1s down/bk/cast; 1s swing and look down for new Ns. If your crowd is up for it and you've got room, the B2 can be a general P swing, but I like to do it just for the 1s to make the progression clearer. Washington Quickstep (a contra chestnut) is good too, and if the 1s lose track of who needs to be on the right after the swing, nothing terrible happens. Star R/L, 1s dn/bk/cast; R&L thru over/bk; LLFB, 1s sw. Kalia _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

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Kalia Kliban via Callers

9:09 p.m.

On 3/5/2016 1:01 PM, Rich Sbardella wrote:

Kalia, You make a good point. My most successful contra for such applications has been Haste to the Wedding in a proper line. I have had trouble with the cast at Party Dances. Do you demonstrate it? How do you describe it?

A demonstration is the easiest, and I'll often demo it more than once to be really clear. Do it with the music, too, so folks get an idea of when everything happens and when they need to be done.

I like your suggestion of Washington Quickstep. I might try it with 1.s DSD, then 2s DSD instead of R&L Thrus.

Super smart. R&L through is a tough move for a ONS situation. Anything you can do to simplify it is a good idea. Kalia

On Sat, Mar 5, 2016 at 3:54 PM, Kalia Kliban via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:callers@lists.sharedweight.net>> wrote: On 3/5/2016 10:44 AM, Rich Sbardella via Callers wrote: I rarely call a contra at a One Night Party Dance, but occasionally I am asked to. I have a few in my cards, but can anyone make some sure fire recommendations. Assume 95%-100% non dancers. Just getting to the duple minor progression can be quite a process. The simplest duple minor I've got is not technically a contra (it's an English ceilidh dance), but works well as a mine-sweeper to see whether more complex duples will work. It's called the Itchington Long Dance (Hugh Rippon, 1990). Star L/R; cnrs dosido; 1s down/bk/cast; 1s swing and look down for new Ns. If your crowd is up for it and you've got room, the B2 can be a general P swing, but I like to do it just for the 1s to make the progression clearer. Washington Quickstep (a contra chestnut) is good too, and if the 1s lose track of who needs to be on the right after the swing, nothing terrible happens. Star R/L, 1s dn/bk/cast; R&L thru over/bk; LLFB, 1s sw. Kalia _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:Callers@lists.sharedweight.net> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

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Erik Hoffman via Callers

9:27 p.m.

In looking at Kalia's suggestions, I've put the Itchinton dance in what is more readable to me. Kalia, do I have it correct? Itchington Long Dance Hugh Rippon, 1990 (pretending it's) Improper A1: Star L/R; A2:Wm DSD; Mn DSD B1: Ones down center, turn alone, return, cast B2:1s swing and look down for new Nbrs For beginning dancers, I'd change B2 to Long lines forward and back (good for connection, reduces swing time, which is often better for beginners) ~Erik 510-410-0456 Mobile 510-444-4397 Land-Line On 3/5/2016 12:54 PM, Kalia Kliban via Callers wrote:

On 3/5/2016 10:44 AM, Rich Sbardella via Callers wrote:

I rarely call a contra at a One Night Party Dance, but occasionally I am asked to. I have a few in my cards, but can anyone make some sure fire recommendations. Assume 95%-100% non dancers.

Just getting to the duple minor progression can be quite a process. The simplest duple minor I've got is not technically a contra (it's an English ceilidh dance), but works well as a mine-sweeper to see whether more complex duples will work. It's called the Itchington Long Dance (Hugh Rippon, 1990). Star L/R; cnrs dosido; 1s down/bk/cast; 1s swing and look down for new Ns. If your crowd is up for it and you've got room, the B2 can be a general P swing, but I like to do it just for the 1s to make the progression clearer. Washington Quickstep (a contra chestnut) is good too, and if the 1s lose track of who needs to be on the right after the swing, nothing terrible happens. Star R/L, 1s dn/bk/cast; R&L thru over/bk; LLFB, 1s sw. Kalia _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

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Kalia Kliban via Callers

6 Mar 6 Mar

12:03 a.m.

On 3/5/2016 1:27 PM, Erik Hoffman via Callers wrote:

In looking at Kalia's suggestions, I've put the Itchinton dance in what is more readable to me. Kalia, do I have it correct?

As written, it's proper (or, for a non-dancer crowd, "it doesn't matter which side you're on as long as you're across from your partner'), so I'd avoid using the gendered terms in the A2. And as written, it was RH then LH star but I think it flows better the other way.

Itchington Long Dance Hugh Rippon, 1990 (pretending it's) Improper A1: Star L/R; A2:Wm DSD; Mn DSD B1: Ones down center, turn alone, return, cast B2:1s swing and look down for new Nbrs For beginning dancers, I'd change B2 to Long lines forward and back (good for connection, reduces swing time, which is often better for beginners)

Good suggestion! I'm making a note on the card. Kalia

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Mac Mckeever via Callers

12:32 a.m.

New subject: Fw: Contras for One Nighters

On the rare occasion when I call a contra to new dancers - I use one similar - but with an easier progression A1 Cir Left 1X - Neighbors Do-si-doA2 Women Do-si-do - Mem Do-Si -doB1 Long lines - 1s swing - face downB2 Down hall - do not turn - back up 1s arch and guide 2s thru arch to new neighbors Even this easy - I have strange things happen - like the time that when couples were out at the bottom - they ran back to the top Mac McKeever ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Kalia Kliban via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> To: callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net Sent: Saturday, March 5, 2016 6:03 PM Subject: Re: [Callers] Contras for One Nighters On 3/5/2016 1:27 PM, Erik Hoffman via Callers wrote:

In looking at Kalia's suggestions, I've put the Itchinton dance in what is more readable to me. Kalia, do I have it correct?

As written, it's proper (or, for a non-dancer crowd, "it doesn't matter which side you're on as long as you're across from your partner'), so I'd avoid using the gendered terms in the A2. And as written, it was RH then LH star but I think it flows better the other way.

Itchington Long Dance Hugh Rippon, 1990 (pretending it's) Improper A1: Star L/R; A2:Wm DSD; Mn DSD B1: Ones down center, turn alone, return, cast B2:1s swing and look down for new Nbrs For beginning dancers, I'd change B2 to Long lines forward and back (good for connection, reduces swing time, which is often better for beginners)

Good suggestion! I'm making a note on the card. Kalia _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

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Erik Hoffman via Callers

2:54 a.m.

~Erik 510-410-0456 Mobile 510-444-4397 Land-Line On 3/5/2016 4:03 PM, Kalia Kliban via Callers wrote:

On 3/5/2016 1:27 PM, Erik Hoffman via Callers wrote: As written, it's proper (or, for a non-dancer crowd, "it doesn't matter which side you're on as long as you're across from your partner'), so I'd avoid using the gendered terms in the A2. And as written, it was RH then LH star but I think it flows better the other way.

Of course! That's why I wrote "(pretending it's) Improper." I did suspect that it'd be proper, with first corners & second corners, but I suppose I'm more of an American style caller... And, about those A2 terms, for a beginner group I'd change that to: A2: Partner DSD; Neighbor DSD as anything on the bias -- especially when it's likely to change when you transform from one to two or vice versa--is confusing for the uninitiated... ~erik hoffman oakland, ca

Itchington Long Dance Hugh Rippon, 1990 (pretending it's) Improper A1: Star L/R; A2:Wm DSD; Mn DSD B1: Ones down center, turn alone, return, cast B2:1s swing and look down for new Nbrs For beginning dancers, I'd change B2 to Long lines forward and back (good for connection, reduces swing time, which is often better for beginners)

Good suggestion! I'm making a note on the card. Kalia _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

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Martha Wild via Callers

3:22 a.m.

At one nighters I start with non-contra dances and if there is time work up to Family Contra which is a good one for easy progression, and then to this one: Ellen’s Green Jig by Roy Dommett (doesn’t matter if it’s proper or improper) A1 Do-si-do neighbor Ones do-si-do A2 Ones balance (sometimes I have them do it twice) and swing (if they do it twice I have them 2 hand turn) and face down (and it doesn’t matter which side they end on, it can still work) B1 Circle left with twos, circle right back to where you started the circle (important point, once a foursome ended up facing across instead of up and down and did the B2 part across the set - and that does not work) B2 Keeping hands, Duck for the oyster figure (Ones duck under twos' arch, twos duck under ones' arch, ones pass through twos and face new neighbors This was the dance I went to when I called for about 200 girls at a Catholic girl’s school and wanted dances where gender roles wouldn’t matter. It really doesn’t matter if people end up on the other side of the set after they swing, they’ll just eventually do-si-do whoever they come to so it works.

On Mar 5, 2016, at 10:44 AM, Rich Sbardella via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: I rarely call a contra at a One Night Party Dance, but occasionally I am asked to. I have a few in my cards, but can anyone make some sure fire recommendations. Assume 95%-100% non dancers. Thanks, Rich Stafford, CT _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

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Linda Mrosko via Callers

10 Mar 10 Mar

4:33 a.m.

The closest I usually get to a contra-style is *DoSiThree*. Everybody gets the progression. The hardest part about that dance is getting them into a 3 face 3 position -- more particularly, a set of 3 people can be a challenging concept for some (you need lines of 3 people, you and two partners, etc.). Once they get in position, the rest of the dance works great. I prefer longways dances instead -- *Blobs* is a staple and *Brandy Rump Bump* for a younger crowd. Another contra dance that has worked well for me with a majority of beginners has been *Moonstruck* -- sliding left to progress to the next couple is easy for anybody to understand, you interact with your partner and your neighbor, and all you do is clapping, dosidos, circles, balancing and sliding to the next. One other is *French Wedding* - dosidos, 2-hand turns, circles, dig for the oyster/dive for the clam to the next. If I only have an hour, I don't call a contra. But if I have 2 hours, well...I don't know about you, but I like just a little variety. On Sat, Mar 5, 2016 at 12:44 PM, Rich Sbardella via Callers < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

I rarely call a contra at a One Night Party Dance, but occasionally I am asked to. I have a few in my cards, but can anyone make some sure fire recommendations. Assume 95%-100% non dancers. Thanks, Rich Stafford, CT _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

-- *Looking forward,Linda S. Mrosko* *102 Mitchell Drive* *Temple, Texas 76501* *(903) 292-3713 (Cell)* *(903) 603-9955 (Skype)*

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participants (7)

Erik Hoffman via Callers
Jacob or Nancy Bloom via Callers
Kalia Kliban via Callers
Linda Mrosko via Callers
Mac Mckeever via Callers
Martha Wild via Callers
Rich Sbardella via Callers