27 Jul
2008
27 Jul
'08
9:13 a.m.
Hello All;
Since we are mostly interested in contras and squares, I'd like to share with you what
I've learned about a hybrid formation that combines contras and squares called zia
formation (see the attached). In the past year I've started writing and calling zias,
and have found they can be a fun novelty for those audiences experienced enough to
appreciate them. Compared to another hybrid formation, grid squares, I have found they
are harder to write but easier to dance, as they tend to stay aligned better and thus give
dancers a more clearly defined path. I'd certainly be interested if anyone on this
list knows of other zia dances that have been used.
I hope you enjoy the discussion and the dances, and this gives you another way to bring
fun to your dancers -
Bob Isaacs
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28 Jul
28 Jul
8:58 a.m.
This looks really interesting....but I'm having some trouble
picturing how the multiple square arrangements would work. 2 Squares
I can picture, but I'm a little unsure about how three squares would
be laid out and even less sure what the difference between "Four
Squares" and "Four Squares -- closed box" is. Anyone care to step up
with some clarification?
Jack
At 09:13 AM 7/27/2008, you wrote:
Hello All;
Since we are mostly interested in contras and squares, I'd like to
share with you what I've learned about a hybrid formation that
combines contras and squares called zia formation (see the
attached). In the past year I've started writing and calling zias,
and have found they can be a fun novelty for those audiences
experienced enough to appreciate them. Compared to another hybrid
formation, grid squares, I have found they are harder to write but
easier to dance, as they tend to stay aligned better and thus give
dancers a more clearly defined path. I'd certainly be interested if
anyone on this list knows of other zia dances that have been used.
I hope you enjoy the discussion and the dances, and this gives you
another way to bring fun to your dancers -
Bob Isaacs
_________________________________________________________________
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11:40 p.m.
Jack and SW;
With 3 or more squares, the square can either be in a straight line or in an "L"
shape, depending on the size and shape of the hall. As Seth pointed out, zias take up a
lot of space, so at 4 or more squares enclosing them in a box may be a more practical use
of hall space. When I consider calling a zia, I'm currently using a rule of thumb
that I want twice as much room as a contra for a zia to be danced comfortably.
Bob
Date: Mon, 28 Jul 2008 08:58:42 -0400> To:
callers(a)sharedweight.net> From: jamitch3(a)mindspring.com> Subject: Re: [Callers] Zia
Formation> > This looks really interesting....but I'm having some trouble >
picturing how the multiple square arrangements would work. 2 Squares > I can picture,
but I'm a little unsure about how three squares would > be laid out and even less
sure what the difference between "Four > Squares" and "Four Squares --
closed box" is. Anyone care to step up > with some clarification?> >
Jack> > At 09:13 AM 7/27/2008, you wrote:> > >Hello All;> >>
>Since we are mostly interested in contras and squares, I'd like to > >share
with you what I've learned about a hybrid formation that > >combines contras and
squares called zia formation (see the > >attached). In the past year I've
started writing and calling zias, > >and have found they can be a fun novelty for
those audiences > >experienced enough to appreciate them. Compared to another hybrid
> >formation, grid squares, I have found they are harder to write but >
>easier to dance, as they tend to stay aligned better and thus give > >dancers a
more clearly defined path. I'd certainly be interested if > >anyone on this list
knows of other zia dances that have been used.> >> >I hope you enjoy the
discussion and the dances, and this gives you > >another way to bring fun to your
dancers -> >> >Bob Isaacs> >>
>_________________________________________________________________> >Use video
conversation to talk face-to-face with Windows Live Messenger.>
>http://www.windowslive.com/messenger/connect_your_way.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_messenger_video_072008>
>> >_______________________________________________> >Callers mailing
list> >Callers(a)sharedweight.net>
>http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers> >
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30 Jul
30 Jul
1:58 a.m.
Hi Bob and SW,
I had run across Zia by chance a few weeks
ago. I found http://fam.bmi.net/zia.htm which is
maybe where it started. I'm not sure when I'll
ever get the chance to try one out, as we are just
starting contras here in New Zealand, and numbers
are not very large. At the time I started to
think about how to make up a zia that would not
have swinging in the center, but only at the sides
like in most contras. Your post gave me more
incentive to find one.
Here is an idea - I'd like to know what
people think.
This dance has one requirement for the
dancers. There is a special person to be swung and
who this person is depends on whether you are
dancing in the square or contra part of the zia
formation.
Whose Za One Zia or NZia double progression zia
Couples will progress out of the square as
if they lead to the left and passed thru
The Special One:
In the square, your corner
In the contra, your partner
A1 Circle Left (6 beats), the Special One Swing
A2 Gents Left hand across to the other side , (the
one across) Swing,
B1 (All) Ladies Chain, (All) Ladies Chain back,
B2 Promenade across (8), Star Left (6) Pass thru
(2) with Nbr 2
(if no Nbr 2, California Twirl)
Notes: For square
A1 The circle left is 3/8, and after swinging men
will have moved 180 degrees and have corner on right
A2 Gents star left 1/2, and swing original RH lady
B2 Promenade 1/2 way (8), star left 3/8 (6) and
will be one position to left to pass thru (2) with
new nbr
Notes: For contra
A1 Circle left 3/4 and swing your partner (on
lady's side)
A2 Gents Allemand Left 1 1/2 (or 1/2) and Neighbor
swing
B2 Promenade across (8), star left 1/2 (6 so
turning slow) so facing new neighbor, pass thru (2)
There are other easy variations for B1: LLFB,
Circle Right or Circle Left, Circle Right
I've just started with contras, but am familiar
with squares. The multiple squares with zero
contra connections are a type of 'progressive
square' setup. There are lots of MWSD 'stir the
bucket' routines which can modified. However in
this case the restriction that the calls also work
for the contra line is not there. Also MWSD
doesn't work so much about phrasing. So zias are a
real challange.
Cheers, Bill
12:39 p.m.
Hi Bill and SW; When writing zias, I also first tried putting swings in the contra
sections on the side. It soon became clear it was easier to put them in the middle. The
common progressions used after a swing in a contra didn't easily get dancers into the
square, and vice versa. I'm not sure the promenade/star/pass through progression will
work here, especially since in the square it is an 8 person star that goes 3/8 instead of
1/4 or 1/2 around. The pass through is also followed by a circle L - much like 4 facing
4s, I have found that a forward and back to start is probably necessary to allow dancers
to catch up and establish new groups.
Your idea of a Special One to swing is worth exploring as a way to create more good
solutions. It would have to be carefully taught, and would be different to American
contra dancers who prefer to go on autopilot and not think about whom to swing.
You're right - zias are a real challenge.
Bob
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:58:20 +1200> From:
staf186(a)ext.canterbury.ac.nz> To: callers(a)sharedweight.net> Subject: Re: [Callers]
Zia Formation> > Hi Bob and SW,> > I had run across Zia by chance a few weeks
> ago. I found http://fam.bmi.net/zia.htm which is > maybe where it started. I'm
not sure when I'll > ever get the chance to try one out, as we are just >
starting contras here in New Zealand, and numbers > are not very large. At the time I
started to > think about how to make up a zia that would not > have swinging in the
center, but only at the sides > like in most contras. Your post gave me more >
incentive to find one.> > Here is an idea - I'd like to know what > people
think.> > This dance has one requirement for the > dancers. There is a special
person to be swung and > who this person is depends on whether you are > dancing in
the square or contra part of the zia > formation.> > Whose Za One Zia or NZia
double progression zia> > Couples will progress out of the square as > if they
lead to the left and passed thru> The Special One:> In the square, your corner>
In the contra, your partner> > > A1 Circle Left (6 beats), the Special One
Swing> A2 Gents Left hand across to the other side , (the > one across) Swing,>
B1 (All) Ladies Chain, (All) Ladies Chain back,> B2 Promenade across (8), Star Left (6)
Pass thru > (2) with Nbr 2> (if no Nbr 2, California Twirl)> > Notes: For
square> A1 The circle left is 3/8, and after swinging men > will have moved 180
degrees and have corner on right> A2 Gents star left 1/2, and swing original RH
lady> B2 Promenade 1/2 way (8), star left 3/8 (6) and > will be one position to left
to pass thru (2) with > new nbr> > Notes: For contra> A1 Circle left 3/4 and
swing your partner (on > lady's side)> A2 Gents Allemand Left 1 1/2 (or 1/2) and
Neighbor > swing> B2 Promenade across (8), star left 1/2 (6 so > turning slow) so
facing new neighbor, pass thru (2)> > There are other easy variations for B1: LLFB,
> Circle Right or Circle Left, Circle Right> > I've just started with
contras, but am familiar > with squares. The multiple squares with zero > contra
connections are a type of 'progressive > square' setup. There are lots of MWSD
'stir the > bucket' routines which can modified. However in > this case the
restriction that the calls also work > for the contra line is not there. Also MWSD >
doesn't work so much about phrasing. So zias are a > real challange.> >
Cheers, Bill> > > > > >
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31 Jul
31 Jul
12:18 a.m.
Hi Bob,
Thanks for your comments. I didn't think the
left hand stars would be that hard, because in
both cases they are "star till you see new
neighbors", but maybe in the zia context it could
get confusing.
In your word document you mention the shadow
phenomenon in the squares. In a Sicilian circle
the clockwise and anti-clockwise progressing
couples are separate groups. An similar thing will
happen in a zia with four squares (enclosed in a
box) connected by contra lines. Assuming the
progression out of the squares is to the right,
the #1 couple in the top left square will dance in
each square only once and will be traveling along
the connecting contra lines thru the zia in a
clockwise loop. All couples not in this loop will
dance along the connecting contra lines the other
way to then enter each square a total of 3 times
(with possible excursions along attached contra
branches), thus forming a much longer loop
progressing anti-clockwise.
In your first post you mentioned grid squares.
Does anyone have any references about these, or
related formations?
Cheers, Bill
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5 comments
3 participants
participants (3)
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Bob Isaacs -
Jack Mitchell -
Liz and Bill