Import1 October 2015

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1 participants
70 discussions

by janet via Callers

Aside from the fact that I feel that "political correctness" has gotten out of hand in society in general, I would like to point out that words change their intentions over time as well as within different communities. While it may be true that gypsy was originally meant as a derogatory term against a certain group of people, in the contra community it is quite the opposite. Gypsy in Contra actually has two meanings, the first is the dance move and in fact other moves where you are facing another person (i.e. gypsy star, gypsy heys) and there are dance gypsies who travel frequently to other dances outside their home community. Neither one is at all derogatory. Gypsy moves are fun and moSt people really like them. Dance gypsies are very proud of being one. In no way whatsoever is the term meant to be derogatory in our community. There are many examples of this in society, but I will just point out one .. troll. Troll has an original meaning as a mean mythical creature, who, somewhere along the lines became associated with living under a bridge. In today's society a troll came to mean someone who reads computer forums, usually with malicious intentions. But even that has shifted so people refer to trolling the Internet as reading forums or posts without any intent to post at all. But you know what troll means to me, as someone who grew up in Michigan? I lived in the southern peninsula, or "under the bridge" - referring to the Mackinaw bridge). It is not derogatory, it is funny. I don't think we need to change any term that used to be derogatory, I would encourage people to recognize that in our society, it has a different meaning, and a very positive one at that. Language changes over ten and terms take on all new meanings. If I were to respond to this woman, I would explain to her that while we recognize that gypsy was originally a derogatory term, gypsies are highly regarded in our community and explain why. Janet Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone In response to this person from your dance I would personally reply with something like: "I'm sorry that you were offended and take your input seriously. The "gypsy" move in Contra dancing is shared from English Country Dance, and is a standardized term in this context. As a result of your input I've raised this issue with a group of dance leaders I participate in and there may be an opportunity to rename this move over time. Thanks for coming to our dance and I hope you'll join us again." On Sat, Oct 24, 2015 at 3:12 AM, Amy Wimmer via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: In teaching it I wanted to convey that it is a flirty, eye contact sort of move. This person was obviously offended. I am at a loss for how to respond, except to apologize for offending.

8 years, 5 months

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

by Aahz Maruch via Callers

On Sat, Oct 24, 2015, Lindsay Morris via Callers wrote: > > I don't think of it as a derogatory term. Are you Romani? As with other terms that are slurs against various demographic groups, you don't get to decide what's derogatory or offensive if you're not part of the group. In many cases (e.g. "queer" or "nigger"), terms that are acceptable or reclaimed for in-group usage are still considered derogatory when used by other people. -- Hugs and backrubs -- I break Rule 6 http://rule6.info/ <*> <*> <*> Help a hearing-impaired person: http://rule6.info/hearing.html

8 years, 5 months

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

by Brooks Hart via Callers

Swirl - gentlest, unfortunately similar to "twirl" in soundCyclone - too "violent", encouraging abandon?Vortex - distinct in sound, 2 syllables and short when spelled out. How about "eddy"? Brooks Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2015 10:08:23 -0400 To: amywimmer(a)gmail.com CC: callers(a)sharedweight.net Subject: Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy" From: callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net Before I respond directly, I ask that all of us posting what I expect to be many replies to trim post quotes to just the pertinent bits (particularly those reading the "digest" version). I don't stress flirtation with this move - if so inclined, it appears to develop quite naturally on its own. What I typically say to a first time group of dancers is something along the lines of "lock [tractor beam] eyes with this person, slightly present your right [left] shoulder to them and walk around them [counter-]clockwise without touching - we call this a Gypsy". In response to this person from your dance I would personally reply with something like: "I'm sorry that you were offended and take your input seriously. The "gypsy" move in Contra dancing is shared from English Country Dance, and is a standardized term in this context. As a result of your input I've raised this issue with a group of dance leaders I participate in and there may be an opportunity to rename this move over time. Thanks for coming to our dance and I hope you'll join us again." Curiously enough, I'd raised this naming issue with a group of callers (and dancers glommed on) at a house party recently. An area caller had tried rebranding the Gypsy as an Orbit, which this group rejected due to the existing usage & meaning for that term. One participant was of Romani heritage and expressed pride at the existing term and satisfaction at it being used for such a nice dance move and would feel loss were it to be renamed. I don't mention this to make excuses for anything that might offend but rather to show that there are many possible perspectives. I'd since thought of other possible names and came up with these: Swirl - gentlest, unfortunately similar to "twirl" in soundCyclone - too "violent", encouraging abandon?Vortex - distinct in sound, 2 syllables and short when spelled out.Sorry you find yourself in this situation. We know your actual intent was to bring happiness, not offend. -Don On Sat, Oct 24, 2015 at 3:12 AM, Amy Wimmer via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: In teaching it I wanted to convey that it is a flirty, eye contact sort of move. This person was obviously offended. I am at a loss for how to respond, except to apologize for offending. _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

8 years, 5 months

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

by Rich Sbardella via Callers

In square dance, the call "walk all around your left hand lady" is very close to a right shoulder gypsy, and "See Saw is a left shoulder walk around. A left shoulder Dosido is no longer called a See Saw, but a Left Dosido. Walk all around your nieghbor or partner, and see saw your neighbor or partner, may be able to replace the gypsy without generating any new terms. Rich Stafford, CT On Sat, Oct 24, 2015 at 2:52 PM, Richard Hart via Callers < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > I always describe a gypsy as being just like a dos à dos, but face to > face, instead of back to back. > > As that is the case, why not use French again. As "dos à dos" means > back to back, why not use "face à face" which means face to face? > Pronunciation would probably be difficult for those who don't speak > French, so it would probably become "facey-face" for many. > > On Sat, Oct 24, 2015 at 10:08 AM, Don Veino via Callers > <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > > Before I respond directly, I ask that all of us posting what I expect to > be > > many replies to trim post quotes to just the pertinent bits (particularly > > those reading the "digest" version). > > > .... > > Curiously enough, I'd raised this naming issue with a group of callers > (and > > dancers glommed on) at a house party recently. An area caller had tried > > rebranding the Gypsy as an Orbit, which this group rejected due to the > > existing usage & meaning for that term. One participant was of Romani > > heritage and expressed pride at the existing term and satisfaction at it > > being used for such a nice dance move and would feel loss were it to be > > renamed. I don't mention this to make excuses for anything that might > offend > > but rather to show that there are many possible perspectives. I'd since > > thought of other possible names and came up with these: > > > > Swirl - gentlest, unfortunately similar to "twirl" in sound > > Cyclone - too "violent", encouraging abandon? > > Vortex - distinct in sound, 2 syllables and short when spelled out. > > > > Sorry you find yourself in this situation. We know your actual intent > was to > > bring happiness, not offend. > > > > -Don > > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net >

8 years, 5 months

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

by Ron Blechner via Callers

"Spiral". That said, I've yet to hear a report of a Romani being offended. It's my understanding that this may be a problem, say, in Europe, where the term may be used as a slur. But here in America... we have plenty of racial slurs, and I've yet to hear or hear of gypsy being used in a derogatory manner. But hey, prove me wrong. I'm just one person who hears things. Should Brits stop calling cigarettes "fags" because we Americans have hurtfully turned that into a slur? On Oct 24, 2015 2:52 PM, "Richard Hart via Callers" < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > I always describe a gypsy as being just like a dos à dos, but face to > face, instead of back to back. > > As that is the case, why not use French again. As "dos à dos" means > back to back, why not use "face à face" which means face to face? > Pronunciation would probably be difficult for those who don't speak > French, so it would probably become "facey-face" for many. > > On Sat, Oct 24, 2015 at 10:08 AM, Don Veino via Callers > <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > > Before I respond directly, I ask that all of us posting what I expect to > be > > many replies to trim post quotes to just the pertinent bits (particularly > > those reading the "digest" version). > > > .... > > Curiously enough, I'd raised this naming issue with a group of callers > (and > > dancers glommed on) at a house party recently. An area caller had tried > > rebranding the Gypsy as an Orbit, which this group rejected due to the > > existing usage & meaning for that term. One participant was of Romani > > heritage and expressed pride at the existing term and satisfaction at it > > being used for such a nice dance move and would feel loss were it to be > > renamed. I don't mention this to make excuses for anything that might > offend > > but rather to show that there are many possible perspectives. I'd since > > thought of other possible names and came up with these: > > > > Swirl - gentlest, unfortunately similar to "twirl" in sound > > Cyclone - too "violent", encouraging abandon? > > Vortex - distinct in sound, 2 syllables and short when spelled out. > > > > Sorry you find yourself in this situation. We know your actual intent > was to > > bring happiness, not offend. > > > > -Don > > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net >

8 years, 5 months

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

by Richard Hart via Callers

I always describe a gypsy as being just like a dos à dos, but face to face, instead of back to back. As that is the case, why not use French again. As "dos à dos" means back to back, why not use "face à face" which means face to face? Pronunciation would probably be difficult for those who don't speak French, so it would probably become "facey-face" for many. On Sat, Oct 24, 2015 at 10:08 AM, Don Veino via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Before I respond directly, I ask that all of us posting what I expect to be > many replies to trim post quotes to just the pertinent bits (particularly > those reading the "digest" version). > .... > Curiously enough, I'd raised this naming issue with a group of callers (and > dancers glommed on) at a house party recently. An area caller had tried > rebranding the Gypsy as an Orbit, which this group rejected due to the > existing usage & meaning for that term. One participant was of Romani > heritage and expressed pride at the existing term and satisfaction at it > being used for such a nice dance move and would feel loss were it to be > renamed. I don't mention this to make excuses for anything that might offend > but rather to show that there are many possible perspectives. I'd since > thought of other possible names and came up with these: > > Swirl - gentlest, unfortunately similar to "twirl" in sound > Cyclone - too "violent", encouraging abandon? > Vortex - distinct in sound, 2 syllables and short when spelled out. > > Sorry you find yourself in this situation. We know your actual intent was to > bring happiness, not offend. > > -Don >

8 years, 5 months

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

by Bree Kalb via Callers

8 years, 5 months

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

by Jeff Kaufman via Callers

On Sat, Oct 24, 2015 at 5:17 AM, Chris Page via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > "Gypsy" comes from Cecil Sharp, when he was trying to name a figure that > appeared in the literature of two dancers going around each other. > > My hearsay understanding is that he named it after some Romani dances he > knew of where partners didn't touch each other. > Sharp called the figure "Whole-Gip" in The Country Dance Book Part II, and seems to have taken the name from Morris: The figures which occur in the course of the dances described in "The Dancing Master" are very varied and very numerous. With the exception of the Set, the Side, and the Honour, and others of a like character, all of which are essentially Country dance figures, I have been able to connect nearly all of them with similar evolutions in the Morris or Sword dances. The Whole-Poussette and, of course, the Roll, are sword-dance figures, and I believe that all those Country Dance figures, in which an arch is made by the joining of hands, handkerchiefs, or ribbons, were originally derived from the same source. Other evolutions such as Whole-Gip, Back-to-Back, Cross-over, Foot-up, Corners, etc., are familiar Morris figures. If anyone knows where to look for how Morris dancers got "gip" I'd be very curious. http://www.jefftk.com/p/history-of-the-term-gypsy

8 years, 5 months

[Callers] Musical styles for a Barn Dance question

by Leslie Gotfrit via Callers

I’ve been asked to call a one hour set in a rural heritage hall for a party for about 130 folks. There will be two sets at the end of the evening with a Blues Band. Yep, its a bit odd, but the organizer wants to bring all his various friends together and thought, rightly, that having someone organize some dancing would help that along. Has anyone ever called a community dance (circle mixers, scatter sets, longways, maybe a square) to a blues band? The band seems willing to work with me. Any suggestions about what to say to them so that I could call La Bastringue or Galopede, for example, and it would work? Any suggestions for youtube links for a caller calling to something other than the usual trad tune? I could bring in a fiddler and ask the band to back the fiddler up. Any advice on doing it that way? Is this so ridiculous that you’re all doubled over laughing? People will be there not because they are blues lovers so much as their buddy is throwing a party. In any case, I’d be grateful for advice Leslie Gotfrit

8 years, 6 months

Re: [Callers] Blues for contra dancing

by Keith Wood via Callers

Here's a Blues Contra of mine (http://keith-wood.name/mydances.html#ShortButSweet): Short But Sweet April 2015 Becket formation Beginner/Intermediate 12 bar blues - "Sweet Home Chicago" A Circle left 3/4 Swing neighbour B Balance the ring (4 beats) Nevada twirl with partner (California twirl with other hands) (4 beats) With next couple, balance the ring (4 beats) Petronella turn one place anti-clockwise (4 beats) C Half hey, starting with women passing left shoulders Swing partner End effects: After coming out out the set on the Nevada twirl, wait until the next one to rejoin. Cheers Keith >>> I?ve been asked to call a one hour set in a rural heritage hall for a party for about 130 folks. There will be two sets at the end of the evening with a Blues Band. Yep, its a bit odd, but the organizer wants to bring all his various friends together and thought, rightly, that having someone organize some dancing would help that along. Has anyone ever called a community dance (circle mixers, scatter sets, longways, maybe a square) to a blues band? The band seems willing to work with me. Any suggestions about what to say to them so that I could call La Bastringue or Galopede, for example, and it would work? >>> >>> Any suggestions for youtube links for a caller calling to something other than the usual trad tune? I could bring in a fiddler and ask the band to back the fiddler up. Any advice on doing it that way? >>> >>> Is this so ridiculous that you?re all doubled over laughing? People will be there not because they are blues lovers so much as their buddy is throwing a party. >>> >>> In any case, I?d be grateful for advice >>> Leslie Gotfrit >>> >>>

8 years, 6 months

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Import1 October 2015