You could try the contra modified version of Wendy Crouch's Winter Solstice
(square with an extra couple). Renamed Swinging Solstice for the other side
of the Pond. Features a grand square for 5 couples! Progression is
clockwise.
Although they do not feature swings she has Silver Thread ( 3 couples in a
line), which can be prove a challenge even for experienced ECD dancer; and
Sussex Martlets (3 couples in a delta formation).
Graham Knight
Donna,
Here are the figures for the three suggestions I sent.
David's Triplet # 5 (David Smuckler). It has a lovely hey for 6 w/ a P
Gyre & Swing to finish.
A-1 1s cast to bottom, ret up inside and cast around w/ same gender 2s
All face P, dsd 1 1/4 to wavy line of 6, P in RH
A-2 Bal wave, P Al R 1/2 reform (luv it) wave, Bal pull by P by RH into
(Hands may help at first)
B-1 Hey for 6, when next you see your P
B-2 P Gyre & Gimble, end facing up to be proper, new top cpl.
Levi Jackson for 5 cpls. 1 top cpl and 2 pairs of sides, horseshoe shaped.
A-1 Sides R & L across set, ones walk to center slot btw 2 prs of sides
(traffic island)
Sides R & L back, ones finish walking to bottom of set and cast out
back to top
A-2 While top cpl is walking back to place, sides circle left (hands 4) 1X
All face P and Do Si Do 1X
B-1 5 Ladies Star R (Leave 1, pass 1, turn w/ the next, guys NEED to help
out here)
Again, 5 Ladies Star R (leave 1, pass 1, turn the next) Set needs
to tighten up for B-1
B-2 Prom your new P 1 pl CCW & (balance if time) and swing your new P.
New Tops.
Square Line Special Octet by Gary Roodman starts w/ 2 hands 4 DI not too
far apart.
A-1 Lines of 4 at side F & B
Trade places w/ person across in a very leisurely R Sh Gyre (lots of
time on this 1)
A-2 Face same person and RH balance, pull by, pull by L w/ N w/in your
hands 4
Swing the next you meet (now you have broken out of hands 4) end in
a sq.
B-1 Heads F & B
Head Ladies Chain
B-2 Heads go out to R and Circle L 1X w/ Sides, til heads are bk to bk in
ctr.
Sides arch, heads pop thru, go around nearest side to from lines at
side.
With the right group, you can have lots of fun w/ this. If the Sides go
out to R to circle w/ Heads, Heads arch, sides pop, and you have turned the
set 90 degrees (surprise) and lines at head go F-B. You can basically call
whatever you want in the B-1 to make things fun, but use your best
judgment, it can get confusing dancing this the first time. I'm still
looking at ways to get the entire set to mix Ps. As presently written, not
everyone gets to be a P to all 4 dancing the opposite roll. Would love
some insights how to make this happen in a simple fashion (at least at
first).
Paul
Levi Jackson can be done perfectly well to other tunes, though of course it is best with it's own tune. Ragtime Annie (A and B parts only) is a nice compromise that some bands know.
Martha
On Nov 1, 2015, at 4:17 AM, Bree Kalb via Callers wrote:
> Levi Jackson Rag is a favorite of mine but not all bands know the tune.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Donna Hunt via Callers
> Sent: Nov 1, 2015 12:10 AM
> To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
> Subject: [Callers] dances in unusual formations
>
>
>
> Hi
> I'm doing a workshop on dances "outside the box" (ie, no squares or contras).
> Anyone have any interesting dances for contra dancers that fit the criteria?
>
> _______________________________________________
> Callers mailing list
> Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
Thanks everyone for great ideas.
It was late when I posted my request and I should mention that this is an English/Contra crossover weekend (Princeton Country Dancers Head for the Hills).
I'm definitely looking for dances that don't fit a genre and appeal to contra dancers (ie swings and not too much inactivity). Am open to "barn" dances if there's something unusual (but not too much sashaying).
Donna
Web Site: donnahuntcaller.com
Email: dhuntdancer(a)aol.com
Cell: 215-565-6050
-----Original Message-----
From: Bree Kalb <bree(a)mindspring.com>
To: Donna Hunt <dhuntdancer(a)aol.com>; callers <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Sent: Sun, Nov 1, 2015 7:18 am
Subject: Re: [Callers] dances in unusual formations
Levi Jackson Rag is a favorite of mine but not all bands know the tune.
-----Original Message-----
From: Donna Hunt via Callers
Sent: Nov 1, 2015 12:10 AM
To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
Subject: [Callers] dances in unusual formations
Hi
I'm doing a workshop on dances "outside the box" (ie, no squares or contras).
Anyone have any interesting dances for contra dancers that fit the criteria?
Any 32 bar rag will usually do J
From: Callers [mailto:callers-bounces@lists.sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of Bree Kalb via Callers
Sent: 01 November 2015 12:18
To: Donna Hunt; callers(a)sharedweight.net
Subject: Re: [Callers] dances in unusual formations
Levi Jackson Rag is a favorite of mine but not all bands know the tune.
-----Original Message-----
From: Donna Hunt via Callers
Sent: Nov 1, 2015 12:10 AM
To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
Subject: [Callers] dances in unusual formations
Hi
I'm doing a workshop on dances "outside the box" (ie, no squares or contras).
Anyone have any interesting dances for contra dancers that fit the criteria?
I second David's Triplet -- was recently posted on this list, so you should
be able to find it. Would love to see Square Line Special, though.
On Sun, Nov 1, 2015 at 1:00 AM Paul Wilde via Callers <
callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> Donna,
>
> Levi Jackson Rag, for 10. Becoming a local favorite when numbers permit.
> One I really like is David's Triplet #5 by David Smuckler. (It has a hey
> for 6, or do it w/ hands to introduce a grand R & L). Nice dance.
>
> Another quirky one that is a hybrid contra/square is Square Line Special
> by Gary Roodman.
> Lots of ways to mix things up in the B part.
>
> best regards,
> Paul
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Callers mailing list
> Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
>
--
Jack Mitchell
Durham, NC
Jeff's Gyre & Gimble DI
A-1 1s Gyre & Gimble (R Sh)
A-2 Down Hall Line of 4, 2s Hand Cast 1's (or trn as cpl), return
B-1 Circle L 1X (all are back to orig DI)
Pass N-1 by R and Gyre N-2 by L
B-2 N-1 Gire & Gimble (R Sh)
Notes: This dance needs room, so best to keep lines short. Using the hand
cast in A-2 means you will also need space width wise. The effect in the B
part is of sweeping figure 8s along the side of the set. Tunes w/ ECD
feeling work well.
The terms will need defining for the first or second time you use them w/ a
group, but I suspect people might willingly adopt them w/ a smile. Thanks
for suggesting this. Lovely.
This dance was written in honor of Jeff Ratch, a dear friend and dancer who
left us much too soon. Jeff was able to make me howl w/ laughter quicker
than anyone I've met. It was hard to explain to people as we danced back
in at the end of a line why I was so hysterical.
Jeff, if you've been keeping tabs on us, I hope you get a huge belly laugh.
Let us continue to revel in joyfulness, gentleness, and remain respectful
of others.
Paul
PS It felt appropriate to rephrase this dance, written as a memorial, on
the cusp of Halloween & All Souls Day, esp. w/ the extra hr thrown in to
help blur the lines a little more.
If you try it, please let me know how it was received.
This is an excellent example of what I pointed out previously ... different uses of the same word in different contexts, where one may be considered derogatory and another quite the opposite. Homo, as in homosexual, appears to derive from the Greek translation meaning one in the same. However, the genus and species of humans is Homo sapien, and homo refers to a genus with several species that are closely related to humans, including Homo neandrathal. It derives from the Latin meaning mankind. When a person calls someone a homo, as in homosexual, they often mean it as deragatory. But I'm pretty sure no one would take offense to being called human. In the dance community, gypsy is not meant to be offensive, but quite the opposite is viewed as a positive term. Education of other meanings is useful, and goes both ways. It would be equally useful to educate the woman who brought this up that in our community it had a different meaning that generally means to travel.
Janet
Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone
-------- Original message --------
From: Read Weaver via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Date: 10/31/2015 12:09 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: Re: [Callers] Gypsy
I've known at least one person who sincerely thought “homo” was a perfectly acceptable term, carrying no particular negative connotations. Whether or not she held negative views herself, she needed to learn that she was mistaken about the connotations, and if she didn’t want to be offensive, she needed to change the word she used.
Read Weaver
Jamaica Plain, MA
http://lcfd.org
> On Oct 31, 2015, at 10:37 AM, Tom Hinds via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
> In my opinion the offended women actually helped spread a stereotype she didn't like. Who on this list knew that Romani women had a reputation for being (I can't remember, was it) sexual? Not me. Okay, it was the caller she complained to who put it out there, but she started it. Should the caller feel defensive or should the caller turn the issue around if it's appropriate?
>
> I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY WANT TO KNOW, who on this list believe that contra dancers have a negative view of the Romani people because of the word gypsy? Anyone?
>
> For me the more important issue is education. I learned another tidbit about the Romani people. Yes I understand how people can be sensitive, but perhaps this woman needs to learn something about us before jumping to conclusions.
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net