Import1 October 2015

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70 discussions

[Callers] One caller slot remaining for 2016 New Zealand tour

by Vicki Morrison via Callers

Hello! The Allemande Joy Contra Dance Tour is a group of 32 dancers, musicians, and callers from the US who spend a month every other year touring New Zealand, mostly the south island. We stop in cities along the way to conduct and/or participate in local contra dances. The trip also includes a dance weekend. The next trip is January 29-February 29, 2016. The 2016 trip is sold out except we are saving a slot for one more caller. Price is $4,050 for a single, which includes round trip air fare from LAX, lodging, meals, tour bus, and dances. If you or a caller you may know is interested in joining us, please contact Julie, 2016NZContra(a)gmail.com. You can also find more information on our Facebook page. Search for Allemande Joy 2016 New Zealand Contra Dance Tour. Please feel free to share this information. Thanks! Vicki MorrisonTallahassee, FLtallygal007(a)yahoo.com

8 years, 6 months

Re: [Callers] Rolling Starts?

by JD Erskine iDance via Callers

On 2015-10-02 0853, Maia McCormick via Callers wrote: > I think that rolling starts (seamless transition from walkthrough into > the dance, as the band just starts playing music during the walkthrough) > are super neat if done properly! But I'm still not quite sure how to do > them properly. So I ask you all: > 1) tips on how to execute a rolling start well, making sure all the > dancers are on board etc.? > 2) thoughts on what dances/tunes will/won't work well with a rolling start? > > Cheers, > Maia My best experience with a rolling start -- one of those heart exploding, happy with the dance thing, moments -- was my first, a spontaneous one that figured itself out. I was doing a barn dance/ceilidh billed as a "Contra" fundraiser. There was a bar, there was a Manifesto (yup, read at the break), there were babes in arms. It was truly a wonderful group, evening, band, moment. During the last dance of the night, I got into calling the figures in a rhythmic, repetitive way as, well it was the last dance, folks had only been half getting the directions for this one (also they'd sold out the keg(s?) and gone for more smaller containers of wobbly pop.) I kept it up, the dancers took it calling the dance with me, the rhythm section (double bass and percussion picked up on the beat) and without a plan in place, in the near dark, I was telepathically signalling my dearest hope the melody section would work it out. The dance had effectively started, we just couldn't really see each other, hadn't anything worked out prior, etc etc etc. One melody player realised it would be cool to do this, the other worked out where the top of the dance was, the first started in, and the whole place went up. I got home shortly after the gig and couldn't get to sleep for an hour and half I was so happy with the whole thing. After that, without really asking around, a couple of musicians in that band and I looked at what had been needed, or used and talked about it. It boiled down to those bits on timing, timing issues, repair work we've talked about on the list. Things such as Lindsey described under Troubleshooting. There have been a few since, none with quite the impact of that first evening, however all with some range of excitement from the dancers. Since, then, with that band, I generally let them know what figure the dance begins (or ends with) with so they may come in if the situation looks like it might work. Occasionally we've considered and discussed whether the situation may allow for a rolling start, effectively planning for one. With other bands we may briefly discuss whether to try one or in general I'll, as Woody puts it, go with it if the band is there or wave them off. It was great to see Woody contribute his approach. I was about to write that one of my memorable moments as a dancer at a Contra dance event was a rolling start at the beginning of their program when Woody called with The Sybaritic Stringband at NW Folklife (Seattle, WA) a couple of years ago. Early, rhythmic instruction of dance directions, Woody starting early with his foot percussion, accompanying himself briefly, then the band coming in. Most fun and effective. The energy and excitement on the floor was happily palpable. The choice of dance or tune needn't be a driving piece or particular energetic dance choice. Several of us have used rolling starts with our house band at our weekly English Country dance evening. Again, lots of satisfaction and enjoyment. (A part of that phrase may make ECD seem staid, however I'm more like to hurt after it than Contra which has much less "moving" than ECD or English Ceilidh.) So, give it a try. Like a first dance called, pick something that stands a chance of otherwise working out well. One needn't load on the work by trying it with a dance new to one. I don't think the dancers need to be "on board" in all instances, in fact in many cases I might suggest not offering that awareness to the dancers that it might be a rolling start. This might lessen any personal concern about having to perhaps excuse a "failure" of it. It would naturally behoove the kind caller to know the make up of the event, the "floor" or "hall" as we call it and judge whether it's worth giving it a try. Confirm the band is happy with the process and the band-caller-band communication is generally effective. Use a simple phrase to keep momentum and communicate what is going on, now, to the dancers ("let's _keep_ going -- _New_ Neighbour, Balance and Swing", etc.) Perhaps have that next direction offered a little earlier than one would throughout the rest of the dance. As to tune, most good bands can make extra rhythm when required and from my experience that is what the rolling start bridge from teaching to dancing tends to be. For example: In a caller/musician workshop I was in with Out of the Wood (Pat and Vickie Marron and Kathy Bowman) one of the comments (not about rolling starts) was how alert musicians may help the learning process for new dancers by providing such a rhythmic emphasis during early dances of an evening by accentuation. (e.g. more left hand or vamping on a piano, beating with a bow on the fiddle strings, etc.) Please share your lessons and reports of success and fun. Cheers, John -- J.D. Erskine Victoria, BC Island Dance - Folk & Country Vancouver Island & BC islands dance info - site & mail list http://members.shaw.ca/island.dance/

8 years, 6 months

Re: [Callers] Rolling Starts?

by Linda Leslie via Callers

Amy Larkin is masterful at this! She also is an incredible dancer, so she really understands what needs to happen. Heavenly! Linda On Oct 6, 2015, at 11:47 AM, Don Veino via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > I experienced a wonderful spontaneous rolling start recently. > > We were in a small private party venue and fortunate to have Amy Richardson-Larkin (fiddle), her husband Jonathan Larkin (guitar, etc.) and Chris Ricciotti (yes - not only a caller, he plays button accordion) playing for us. > > I was teaching a new dance of mine in a fairly rhythmic fashion and noticed the band start slipping in behind me quietly fitting a tune. No verbal or visual communication with them, it was more just a growing awareness of the possibility being offered to me. With it being a new dance, and therefore one I hadn't called before, I was a bit worried about going for it with the one walk-through. So I kept the momentum and matched pace straight into one more round of walk-through-like calls with them playing subtly in the background (offer accepted!) and went for it. It just flowed wonderfully and was rewarded with smiles all around. Great musicians make it look easy. :) > > On Tue, Oct 6, 2015 at 4:07 AM, JD Erskine iDance via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Please share your lessons and reports of success and fun. > > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

8 years, 6 months

Re: [Callers] Rolling Starts?

by Lindsey Dono via Callers

Hi Maia, I agree with everything Jack and Dave wrote! Successful rolling starts have comprised some of my most memorable dancing moments, so I'm always seeking opportunities to work on them as a caller. Some more thoughts: -Preplanned vs spontaneous rolling starts. When I decided to start working on rolling starts, I preplanned with a band that I knew loved them. We discussed: timing, signaling, what to do if things failed to sync or fell apart. To my total delight, both rolling starts worked. My next rolling start was a surprise to me- the band just jumped in behind me! Some bands can and love to do this. Some callers love this, others don't. I've stopped bands from vamping behind me if I knew I had a lot of explaining to do. -Working with a band comfortable with rolling starts and comfortable with you. I've only tried rolling starts with well-established bands; I've never taught a band how to do a rolling start (trying to work on this now, actually). Consider first exploring them with bands that you've seen execute rolling starts. These bands often have a caller in them (ie Dave). Several musicians I've asked have expressed a dislike of rolling starts, so don't take it personally if you're turned down. Also, there are several style of rolling starts, so make sure that you and the band define what you're aiming for. -Picking the right dance. If it's easy enough to call as a no walkthrough, why bother with a rolling start? Conversely, if it's complicated enough to deserve two full walkthroughs with complete attention, probably not a great choice either. I look for a dance that has a clear A1 (for the called potatoes, as Jack suggests, and for clueing the band in), and just one or two "teaching points." This teaching point depends on the crowd; it could be something such as a left diagonal move or a fractional hey. This allows me to start the walkthrough in dance time, with, say, a neighbor balance and swing, pause the action while dancers identify their left diagonal next neighbors, and then resume the walkthrough at dance pace. If needed, I'll wait an extra eight beats for people to complete moves on the first walkthrough. Once the dance is "rolling" at dance tempo, you'll need to make sure that you and the band are synced. This very much depends on the band: -Signaling. There are lots of options here; find out what your band likes. What I've done in the past: I tell them what my B2/A1 moves are, line dancers up, and let the band start vamping. Once there is an established groove, I focus on the dancers and face away from the band vamping behind me. Then, when approaching the A1 at "go time," I turn to the band (making sure I have my mic in my hand, not on the stand- may have forgotten that once!), make eye contact, and with deliberation, bounce on the potatoes while delivering the vocal potatoes to the dancers. Also, a common signal is to tap the top of your head at the A1. Explore this with your band- lots of options! When bands just start vamping behind me, this ignore until I'm ready trick seems to work as well. -Troubleshooting. Things go wrong! I try to hold myself responsible for any hiccups, regardless of whether or not the error was *really* my fault. Easiest fix: stop the band, reset people up for potatoes. Other caller-initiated fixes for syncing: tell the band where A1 needs to be, ask them to play an additional B part, have dancers swing an extra eight beats, cut a long line one time through, etc. Fundamentally, fixing a rolling start error is no different than fixing any timing error made while calling. My worst error was when I found myself eight beats off from the band; they "launched" after I expected. Amazingly, my band figured this out and fixed it before I had the chance to panic! Musicians are amazing. :) Like any caller error, handling the situation with poise, grace, and humor will placate most of the grumbles. I'm sure I'll think of more I forgot to write, but I hope some of this rambling is helpful! Lindsey From: Jack Mitchell via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> To: Dave Casserly <david.j.casserly(a)gmail.com>; Maia McCormick <maia.mcc(a)gmail.com> Cc: "callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net" <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> Sent: Friday, October 2, 2015 9:11 AM Subject: Re: [Callers] Rolling Starts? If the band can play a repeated 8 count chord progression from which they can easily go into the top of the tune, it gives you a phrase to call to, but if you need to slow down, or fix something, you have that option too -- then you can just get yourself back on the phrase. Other than the fact that I flubbed the first call of the dance, I am pretty happy with the one in this video of me with Atlantic Crossing. It wasn't a planned thing (and planning is definitely a good idea the first time you do it. In particular, planning how you will cue the band in, whether you want them to actually do potatoes, or just use your first call (WITH your NEIGHbor BALance NOW, with some good punch) as the potatoes.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lq1tKJb7z-Q At it's best, it gives you a chance to do two walk thrus if needed, without the dancers feeling like you're doing too much teaching. The first time, you can be teaching completely off the phrase, or the band can sneak in halfway through the first time. Then the second time, you move to being more on the phrase. Once you're on the phrase, you have effectively agreed with the band on a tempo and can stick with that as you move into the dance, so there's really not a need for actual potatoes. As long as you have your sign worked out with the band (beating the last 4 beats with your hand, calling with some punch for the first call, patting the top of your head (to indicate that you're coming up on the top of the dance) or whatever.) Please note, that if you don't have things worked out with the band, it can be pretty messy and awkward. Rather similar to the first time I tried to do one -- the band just started playing a bit under the walk through and I had no clue of how to cue them in! J On Fri, Oct 2, 2015 at 12:01 PM Dave Casserly via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: I also like rolling starts. One of my bands has a few sets where we greatly prefer it, and try to work with callers to make it happen. What has worked well for me in the past is having a tune where the start of the dance can happen every two bars or so (in other words, a tune that is not harmonically complicated). Making walkthrough prompts in time with the music, but not giving a particular set amount of time to each call seems to work well. Dances that end with a move that can be extended (allemande, swing, etc) can help sync if you need that extra beat or two. I've found that rolling starts work well with a dance that starts with a balance, as that can make it very clear where the dance starts. Otherwise, asking the band for four soft potatoes at the end of the rolling start can be helpful. Hope that helps!-Dave On Fri, Oct 2, 2015 at 11:53 AM, Maia McCormick via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: I think that rolling starts (seamless transition from walkthrough into the dance, as the band just starts playing music during the walkthrough) are super neat if done properly! But I'm still not quite sure how to do them properly. So I ask you all:1) tips on how to execute a rolling start well, making sure all the dancers are on board etc.?2) thoughts on what dances/tunes will/won't work well with a rolling start? Cheers,Maia _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net -- David Casserly (cell) 781 258-2761_______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net -- Jack Mitchell Durham, NC _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

8 years, 6 months

[Callers] Dick Henschel

by Rich Sbardella via Callers

I am relaying this information to any concerned. Dick Henschel was the voice of Hilton Sound Equipment, and was always a helpful voice to callers. He will be missed. It is with the greatest of sadness, to inform you of the sudden passing of Dick Henschel on Saturday evening. > > Eight months ago, Dick discovered that he had cancer...specifically Mantle Cell Lymphoma, which originates in the lymphatic system. This particular form is a very rare form of non-Hodgkinâ€™s lymphoma. There are only 11,000 cases of this in the US. > > Dick entered treatment at Walnut Creek Hospital six months ago and recently symptoms showed up which led to the suspension of that treatment and the investigation of other therapies. Saturday he became very ill and he was rushed to the hospital. Doctors discovered he had a massive abdominal infection resulting in sepsis, a life-threatening response which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death. Sadly he passed very quickly and peacefully with Vicky holding his hand. > > Funeral arrangements have not yet been finalized, but will be shared as soon as they are available. > > Sympathies my be extended to Vicky by emailing her at RHandVH24 at gmail.com or by mail at: > 1631 Rio Blanco Drive > Concord, CA 94521 > > In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the CALLERLAB Foundation for the Preservation of Square Dancing at: > CALLERLAB Foundation > Dana Schirmer, Executive Director > 200 SW 30th Street, Suite 104 > Topeka, KS 66611 > > Phone: (785) 783-3665 > Email: info at callerlab.org > > Please share this sad news with your square dance friends. > > > Bill Heyman > P.O. Box 550 > Marlborough, NH 03455-0550 >

8 years, 6 months

Re: [Callers] Rolling Starts?

by Woody Lane via Callers

Hi Maia, I may have a slightly different approach than others. When I work with a band that likes to do rolling starts, we enjoy doing it when things "work right" musically. I tell the band that they are free to do a rolling start whenever they want, and it will be up to me to proceed or wave them off. Of course, this is for only once or twice during an evening. We don't want to overdo such a memorable technique. Generally the musicians may be vamping, or they may be just tuning up. Either way, I hear that there is music behind me as I teach. Our default is to continue unless I give a signal to stop. From my role, if I hear the band roll into something that can work as a rolling start, I'll modify the teaching and my voice on the fly, while at the same time (with the hand that is not holding the mic) giving the band the signal to continue or to stop. I watch the dancers, listen to the music, know the dance that I'm teaching, and weigh the pros and cons of continuing. IMO, this works well for the spontaneity and excitement, and I feel comfortable flowing with it and supporting the band, especially when the musicians are really into a tune. It depends on their musicianship and musical preferences. Sometimes the musicians will vamp with the entire band, sometimes only one or two of the musicians will be playing. With at least one band that I work with, the rolling start sometimes consists of a hand-drum or Quebecois feet. Woody On 10/2/2015 8:53 AM, Maia McCormick via Callers wrote: > I think that rolling starts (seamless transition from walkthrough into > the dance, as the band just starts playing music during the > walkthrough) are super neat if done properly! But I'm still not quite > sure how to do them properly. So I ask you all: > 1) tips on how to execute a rolling start well, making sure all the > dancers are on board etc.? > 2) thoughts on what dances/tunes will/won't work well with a rolling > start? > > Cheers, > Maia

8 years, 6 months

Re: [Callers] Rolling Starts?

by Perry Shafran via Callers

I went to a dance weekend where rolling starts was a topic of discussion led by Seth Tepfer. Excellent workshop. I have to admit that I rarely have done them and the one time that I did it didn't go so well - I was ready but the band was still rolling. So definitely what Dave and Jack said. And there are different kinds of rolling starts. There is the hard start where they go through their tune and then they do the potatoes, and then there's the more seamless transition where you go right into the dance. With some bands it can be so seamless and super silky smooth that dancers won't know when the walkthrough ends and when the actual dance begins - they'll just find themselves dancing. I would suggest that you'd use dances that don't have anything majorly difficult about them that you need lengthy teaching. Perry From: Maia McCormick via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> To: "callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net" <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> Sent: Friday, October 2, 2015 11:53 AM Subject: [Callers] Rolling Starts? I think that rolling starts (seamless transition from walkthrough into the dance, as the band just starts playing music during the walkthrough) are super neat if done properly! But I'm still not quite sure how to do them properly. So I ask you all:1) tips on how to execute a rolling start well, making sure all the dancers are on board etc.?2) thoughts on what dances/tunes will/won't work well with a rolling start? Cheers,Maia _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

8 years, 6 months

Re: [Callers] Rolling Starts?

by Jack Mitchell via Callers

If the band can play a repeated 8 count chord progression from which they can easily go into the top of the tune, it gives you a phrase to call to, but if you need to slow down, or fix something, you have that option too -- then you can just get yourself back on the phrase. Other than the fact that I flubbed the first call of the dance, I am pretty happy with the one in this video of me with Atlantic Crossing. It wasn't a planned thing (and planning is definitely a good idea the first time you do it. In particular, planning how you will cue the band in, whether you want them to actually do potatoes, or just use your first call (WITH your NEIGHbor BALance NOW, with some good punch) as the potatoes.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lq1tKJb7z-Q At it's best, it gives you a chance to do two walk thrus if needed, without the dancers feeling like you're doing too much teaching. The first time, you can be teaching completely off the phrase, or the band can sneak in halfway through the first time. Then the second time, you move to being more on the phrase. Once you're on the phrase, you have effectively agreed with the band on a tempo and can stick with that as you move into the dance, so there's really not a need for actual potatoes. As long as you have your sign worked out with the band (beating the last 4 beats with your hand, calling with some punch for the first call, patting the top of your head (to indicate that you're coming up on the top of the dance) or whatever.) Please note, that if you don't have things worked out with the band, it can be pretty messy and awkward. Rather similar to the first time I tried to do one -- the band just started playing a bit under the walk through and I had no clue of how to cue them in! J On Fri, Oct 2, 2015 at 12:01 PM Dave Casserly via Callers < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > I also like rolling starts. One of my bands has a few sets where we > greatly prefer it, and try to work with callers to make it happen. > > What has worked well for me in the past is having a tune where the start > of the dance can happen every two bars or so (in other words, a tune that > is not harmonically complicated). Making walkthrough prompts in time with > the music, but not giving a particular set amount of time to each call > seems to work well. Dances that end with a move that can be extended > (allemande, swing, etc) can help sync if you need that extra beat or two. > I've found that rolling starts work well with a dance that starts with a > balance, as that can make it very clear where the dance starts. Otherwise, > asking the band for four soft potatoes at the end of the rolling start can > be helpful. > > Hope that helps! > -Dave > > On Fri, Oct 2, 2015 at 11:53 AM, Maia McCormick via Callers < > callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > >> I think that rolling starts (seamless transition from walkthrough into >> the dance, as the band just starts playing music during the walkthrough) >> are super neat if done properly! But I'm still not quite sure how to do >> them properly. So I ask you all: >> 1) tips on how to execute a rolling start well, making sure all the >> dancers are on board etc.? >> 2) thoughts on what dances/tunes will/won't work well with a rolling >> start? >> >> Cheers, >> Maia >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Callers mailing list >> Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net >> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net >> >> > > > -- > David Casserly > (cell) 781 258-2761 > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net > -- Jack Mitchell Durham, NC

8 years, 6 months

Re: [Callers] Rolling Starts?

by Dave Casserly via Callers

I also like rolling starts. One of my bands has a few sets where we greatly prefer it, and try to work with callers to make it happen. What has worked well for me in the past is having a tune where the start of the dance can happen every two bars or so (in other words, a tune that is not harmonically complicated). Making walkthrough prompts in time with the music, but not giving a particular set amount of time to each call seems to work well. Dances that end with a move that can be extended (allemande, swing, etc) can help sync if you need that extra beat or two. I've found that rolling starts work well with a dance that starts with a balance, as that can make it very clear where the dance starts. Otherwise, asking the band for four soft potatoes at the end of the rolling start can be helpful. Hope that helps! -Dave On Fri, Oct 2, 2015 at 11:53 AM, Maia McCormick via Callers < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > I think that rolling starts (seamless transition from walkthrough into the > dance, as the band just starts playing music during the walkthrough) are > super neat if done properly! But I'm still not quite sure how to do them > properly. So I ask you all: > 1) tips on how to execute a rolling start well, making sure all the > dancers are on board etc.? > 2) thoughts on what dances/tunes will/won't work well with a rolling start? > > Cheers, > Maia > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net > > -- David Casserly (cell) 781 258-2761

8 years, 6 months

[Callers] Rolling Starts?

by Maia McCormick via Callers

I think that rolling starts (seamless transition from walkthrough into the dance, as the band just starts playing music during the walkthrough) are super neat if done properly! But I'm still not quite sure how to do them properly. So I ask you all: 1) tips on how to execute a rolling start well, making sure all the dancers are on board etc.? 2) thoughts on what dances/tunes will/won't work well with a rolling start? Cheers, Maia

8 years, 6 months

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Import1 October 2015