Import1 October 2016

import1@lists2.sharedweight.net

1 participants
123 discussions

Re: [Callers] Calling a Halloween dance tonight? Try this circle mixer...

by Michael Barraclough via Callers

Grrrl Band were playing for me in Tuscon. They used John Kirkpatrick's tune Jump At The Sun. Definitely spooky. Michael Barraclough www.michaelbarraclough.com -- On Sat, 2016-10-29 at 18:10 -0400, Jacob or Nancy Bloom via Callers wrote: > Here's a link to the sheet music for the tune that was used for > Alfred Hitchcock Presents, in case you want to have it for your > musicians. It's called, "Funeral March of a Marionette." > > http://makingmusicfun.net/pdf/sheet_music/march-of-the-marionette-pia > no.pdf > > Jacob > > On Sat, Oct 29, 2016 at 12:53 PM, Amy Cann via Callers > .sharedweight.net> wrote: > > I try and call the dances of Rich Blazej whenever I can and this > > one's a Halloween favorite, re-done as "Werewolves and Zombies". > > > > Garfield's Escape -- circle of couples PLUS ONE EXTRA in the center > > (Garfield) > > > > A1 All into the center EIGHT steps and back, menacing the Garfield > > A2 Circle left, circle right > > > > B1 Women (werewolves) promenade single file to the right, while > > men (zombies) "star" by the right -- each man puts his right hand > > on right shoulder of the man in front - including Garfield. > > > > B2 Caller hollers "Escape!" ("Boo!", or maybe "Braaaiiins") and > > all men run to the outside and swing with a woman in the outer > > circle. A new Garfield remains in the center. > > > > Rich himself named this after Garfield the comic-strip cat, way > > back when he was cynical and funny (the cat, not Rich). > > "The single man remaining at the end of the dance is entitled to a > > pan of lasagna and some fresh kitty litter". > > > > My favorite normal tune for this is the minor jig Coleraine, played > > at a slightly slower lurch-y tempo, but if I'm lucky the band'll do > > the Alfred Hitchcock theme. > > > > Have fun, just thought I'd share -- and I'd love to hear how it > > goes if you do it, and what variations emerge. > > > > Cheers, > > Amy > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Callers mailing list > > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net > > > > > -- > jandnbloom(a)gmail.com > http://jacobbloom.net/ > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

7 years, 12 months

Re: [Callers] Calling a Halloween dance tonight? Try this circle mixer...

by Amy Cann via Callers

Tony, I keep trying to imagine you saying "Braaaaiins" to a bunch of zombies, and I keep getting a fair amount of cognitive dissonance/pushback... On Sat, Oct 29, 2016 at 10:16 PM, Tony Parkes <tony(a)hands4.com> wrote: > Thank you, Amy! I used it tonight at a wild church party, calling it > Zombie Escape. This was a record dance, so I used the track of Brisk Young > Lads that the Canterbury made for CDSS in the 1970s. It’s a jig in A minor > like Coleraine, so it worked perfectly. > > > > Tony > > > > *From:* Callers [mailto:callers-bounces@lists.sharedweight.net] *On > Behalf Of *Amy Cann via Callers > *Sent:* Saturday, October 29, 2016 12:54 PM > *To:* Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>; > pourparler(a)yahoogroups.com; Lisa Sieverts <lisa(a)lisasieverts.com>; Don > Primrose <limerickfarm(a)gmail.com>; Laurie Indenbaum <lri(a)sover.net>; > Carol Compton <carol(a)bitdance.com>; David Kaynor <davidkaynor(a)mac.com>; > Dave Bateman <Dave.Bateman23(a)comcast.net>; Tod Whittemore < > todw(a)stephensmtg.net> > *Subject:* [Callers] Calling a Halloween dance tonight? Try this circle > mixer... > > > > I try and call the dances of Rich Blazej whenever I can and this one's a > Halloween favorite, re-done as "Werewolves and Zombies". > > *Garfield's Escape* -- circle of couples PLUS ONE EXTRA in the center > (Garfield) > > A1 All into the center EIGHT steps and back, menacing the Garfield > > A2 Circle left, circle right > > B1 Women (werewolves) promenade single file to the right, while men > (zombies) "star" by the right -- each man puts his right hand on right > shoulder of the man in front - including Garfield. > > B2 Caller hollers "Escape!" ("Boo!", or maybe "Braaaiiins") and all men > run to the outside and swing with a woman in the outer circle. A new > Garfield remains in the center. > > Rich himself named this after Garfield the comic-strip cat, way back when > he was cynical and funny (the cat, not Rich). > "The single man remaining at the end of the dance is entitled to a pan of > lasagna and some fresh kitty litter". > > My favorite normal tune for this is the minor jig Coleraine, played at a > slightly slower lurch-y tempo, but if I'm lucky the band'll do the Alfred > Hitchcock theme. > > > > Have fun, just thought I'd share -- and I'd love to hear how it goes if > you do it, and what variations emerge. > > Cheers, > > Amy >

7 years, 12 months

Re: [Callers] Calling a Halloween dance tonight? Try this circle mixer...

by Tony Parkes via Callers

Thank you, Amy! I used it tonight at a wild church party, calling it Zombie Escape. This was a record dance, so I used the track of Brisk Young Lads that the Canterbury made for CDSS in the 1970s. It’s a jig in A minor like Coleraine, so it worked perfectly. Tony From: Callers [mailto:callers-bounces@lists.sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of Amy Cann via Callers Sent: Saturday, October 29, 2016 12:54 PM To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>; pourparler(a)yahoogroups.com; Lisa Sieverts <lisa(a)lisasieverts.com>; Don Primrose <limerickfarm(a)gmail.com>; Laurie Indenbaum <lri(a)sover.net>; Carol Compton <carol(a)bitdance.com>; David Kaynor <davidkaynor(a)mac.com>; Dave Bateman <Dave.Bateman23(a)comcast.net>; Tod Whittemore <todw(a)stephensmtg.net> Subject: [Callers] Calling a Halloween dance tonight? Try this circle mixer... I try and call the dances of Rich Blazej whenever I can and this one's a Halloween favorite, re-done as "Werewolves and Zombies". Garfield's Escape -- circle of couples PLUS ONE EXTRA in the center (Garfield) A1 All into the center EIGHT steps and back, menacing the Garfield A2 Circle left, circle right B1 Women (werewolves) promenade single file to the right, while men (zombies) "star" by the right -- each man puts his right hand on right shoulder of the man in front - including Garfield. B2 Caller hollers "Escape!" ("Boo!", or maybe "Braaaiiins") and all men run to the outside and swing with a woman in the outer circle. A new Garfield remains in the center. Rich himself named this after Garfield the comic-strip cat, way back when he was cynical and funny (the cat, not Rich). "The single man remaining at the end of the dance is entitled to a pan of lasagna and some fresh kitty litter". My favorite normal tune for this is the minor jig Coleraine, played at a slightly slower lurch-y tempo, but if I'm lucky the band'll do the Alfred Hitchcock theme. Have fun, just thought I'd share -- and I'd love to hear how it goes if you do it, and what variations emerge. Cheers, Amy

7 years, 12 months

Re: [Callers] Calling a Halloween dance tonight? Try this circle mixer...

by Jacob or Nancy Bloom via Callers

Here's a link to the sheet music for the tune that was used for Alfred Hitchcock Presents, in case you want to have it for your musicians. It's called, "Funeral March of a Marionette." http://makingmusicfun.net/pdf/sheet_music/march-of-the-marionette-piano.pdf Jacob On Sat, Oct 29, 2016 at 12:53 PM, Amy Cann via Callers < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > I try and call the dances of Rich Blazej whenever I can and this one's a > Halloween favorite, re-done as "Werewolves and Zombies". > > *Garfield's Escape* -- circle of couples PLUS ONE EXTRA in the center > (Garfield) > > A1 All into the center EIGHT steps and back, menacing the Garfield > A2 Circle left, circle right > > B1 Women (werewolves) promenade single file to the right, while men > (zombies) "star" by the right -- each man puts his right hand on right > shoulder of the man in front - including Garfield. > > B2 Caller hollers "Escape!" ("Boo!", or maybe "Braaaiiins") and all men > run to the outside and swing with a woman in the outer circle. A new > Garfield remains in the center. > > Rich himself named this after Garfield the comic-strip cat, way back when > he was cynical and funny (the cat, not Rich). > "The single man remaining at the end of the dance is entitled to a pan of > lasagna and some fresh kitty litter". > > My favorite normal tune for this is the minor jig Coleraine, played at a > slightly slower lurch-y tempo, but if I'm lucky the band'll do the Alfred > Hitchcock theme. > > Have fun, just thought I'd share -- and I'd love to hear how it goes if > you do it, and what variations emerge. > > Cheers, > Amy > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net > > -- jandnbloom(a)gmail.com http://jacobbloom.net/

7 years, 12 months

Re: [Callers] Calling a Halloween Dance Tonight?

by Greg Allan via Callers

What a great suggestion! Thanks Amy. Here's another: Haunted Woods of Athlone. As Bridge of Athlone, but with a few Halloween changes: A1 Forward and Back, and Change with Partner* Zombie Style* A2 Repeat back to place B1 Top couple chasse down the center and back 8 steps B2 Top couple casts off, lines follow down to the bottom *Witches Broom (Or Gliding Ghost) style.* Top couple make an arch, everyone under the arch and back to place C1 Top couple back up the outside while everyone else makes the Haunted Woods (instead of the Bridge). Top couple runs through the haunted woods to the bottom. C2....? Not ever sure of the timing of this dance! But it's usually not done in distinct phrases. Enjoy! On Sat, Oct 29, 2016 at 3:01 PM, via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > wrote: > Send Callers mailing list submissions to > callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers- > sharedweight.net > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > callers-request(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > You can reach the person managing the list at > callers-owner(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Callers digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Calling a Halloween dance tonight? Try this circle mixer... > (Amy Cann via Callers) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Sat, 29 Oct 2016 12:53:42 -0400 > From: Amy Cann via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> > To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net>, > pourparler(a)yahoogroups.com, Lisa Sieverts <lisa(a)lisasieverts.com>, > Don > Primrose <limerickfarm(a)gmail.com>, Laurie Indenbaum < > lri(a)sover.net>, > Carol Compton <carol(a)bitdance.com>, David Kaynor > <davidkaynor(a)mac.com>, Dave Bateman <Dave.Bateman23(a)comcast.net>, > Tod > Whittemore <todw(a)stephensmtg.net> > Subject: [Callers] Calling a Halloween dance tonight? Try this circle > mixer... > Message-ID: > <CALZWU+tH+c6FobS2Xa94iedg=FrR-kjR9t41g2R8HzTbYJj5Lg@mail. > gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > I try and call the dances of Rich Blazej whenever I can and this one's a > Halloween favorite, re-done as "Werewolves and Zombies". > > *Garfield's Escape* -- circle of couples PLUS ONE EXTRA in the center > (Garfield) > > A1 All into the center EIGHT steps and back, menacing the Garfield > A2 Circle left, circle right > > B1 Women (werewolves) promenade single file to the right, while men > (zombies) "star" by the right -- each man puts his right hand on right > shoulder of the man in front - including Garfield. > > B2 Caller hollers "Escape!" ("Boo!", or maybe "Braaaiiins") and all men > run to the outside and swing with a woman in the outer circle. A new > Garfield remains in the center. > > Rich himself named this after Garfield the comic-strip cat, way back when > he was cynical and funny (the cat, not Rich). > "The single man remaining at the end of the dance is entitled to a pan of > lasagna and some fresh kitty litter". > > My favorite normal tune for this is the minor jig Coleraine, played at a > slightly slower lurch-y tempo, but if I'm lucky the band'll do the Alfred > Hitchcock theme. > > Have fun, just thought I'd share -- and I'd love to hear how it goes if you > do it, and what variations emerge. > > Cheers, > Amy >

7 years, 12 months

[Callers] Calling a Halloween dance tonight? Try this circle mixer...

by Amy Cann via Callers

I try and call the dances of Rich Blazej whenever I can and this one's a Halloween favorite, re-done as "Werewolves and Zombies". *Garfield's Escape* -- circle of couples PLUS ONE EXTRA in the center (Garfield) A1 All into the center EIGHT steps and back, menacing the Garfield A2 Circle left, circle right B1 Women (werewolves) promenade single file to the right, while men (zombies) "star" by the right -- each man puts his right hand on right shoulder of the man in front - including Garfield. B2 Caller hollers "Escape!" ("Boo!", or maybe "Braaaiiins") and all men run to the outside and swing with a woman in the outer circle. A new Garfield remains in the center. Rich himself named this after Garfield the comic-strip cat, way back when he was cynical and funny (the cat, not Rich). "The single man remaining at the end of the dance is entitled to a pan of lasagna and some fresh kitty litter". My favorite normal tune for this is the minor jig Coleraine, played at a slightly slower lurch-y tempo, but if I'm lucky the band'll do the Alfred Hitchcock theme. Have fun, just thought I'd share -- and I'd love to hear how it goes if you do it, and what variations emerge. Cheers, Amy

7 years, 12 months

Re: [Callers] Square dance calling book - What would you like to see?

by Tony Parkes via Callers

Ron Blechner wrote: > Can the book have a digital version with embedded hyperlinks to relevant videos? It sounds like a great idea, but I’m not sure it’s practical. We’ve been trying to create a digital version of the contra book, but the call charts keep blowing up. If anyone can suggest ways to go digital (not our specialty), feel free. I’m also concerned that the links may go bad, even though YouTube videos have been pretty steadily available so far. I do plan to mention relevant videos by name of dance and/or caller so readers can do their own searches. Tony Parkes Billerica, Mass. www.hands4.com<http://www.hands4.com>

7 years, 12 months

Re: [Callers] Square dance calling book - What would you like to see?

by Ron Blechner via Callers

Can the book have a digital version with embedded hyperlinks to relevant videos? Ron Blechner On Oct 28, 2016 1:51 PM, "Tony Parkes via Callers" < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Richard Hart wrote: > > > > *> *How about an answer to the question, Can contra callers who don't > sing call squares, if so, how? > > > > The answer seems obvious to me, but that’s because I grew up with an > eclectic assortment of squares in various styles, some of which involve no > singing at all. Some square dance communities do singing calls exclusively; > in others, the squares are done to fiddle tunes but in a chanting style in > which every word is pitched to a note of the musical scale. If one’s > background is in such a tradition, it can be hard to imagine calling a > square without singing. > > > > I enjoy playing around with the harmony when I call. But it’s not > necessary at all for effective calling. In fact, if you’re not comfortable > doing it, it can get in the way. > > > > It’s quite possible to use either a patter or prompting style, or a > combination of both, without singing a note. Ted Sannella, as he was the > first to admit, was not a singer. He avoided singing calls for the most > part; when he did one, such as Life on the Ocean Wave, it was obvious that > he was uncomfortable and he had trouble finding the pitches. Yet he was one > of the most successful and influential phrased-square callers of the 20th > century. He simply spoke his calls rather than singing or harmonizing. > > > > If you look at YouTube videos of callers doing traditional squares > (Eastern, Southern or Western), you can see that most of them don’t try to > pitch their voices to the music. Some have a more shouting style, some are > mellower, but nearly all are effective in their own way. > > > > Tony Parkes > > Billerica, Mass. > > www.hands4.com > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net > >

7 years, 12 months

Re: [Callers] Square dance calling book - What would you like to see?

by Tony Parkes via Callers

Richard Hart wrote: > How about an answer to the question, Can contra callers who don't sing call squares, if so, how? The answer seems obvious to me, but that’s because I grew up with an eclectic assortment of squares in various styles, some of which involve no singing at all. Some square dance communities do singing calls exclusively; in others, the squares are done to fiddle tunes but in a chanting style in which every word is pitched to a note of the musical scale. If one’s background is in such a tradition, it can be hard to imagine calling a square without singing. I enjoy playing around with the harmony when I call. But it’s not necessary at all for effective calling. In fact, if you’re not comfortable doing it, it can get in the way. It’s quite possible to use either a patter or prompting style, or a combination of both, without singing a note. Ted Sannella, as he was the first to admit, was not a singer. He avoided singing calls for the most part; when he did one, such as Life on the Ocean Wave, it was obvious that he was uncomfortable and he had trouble finding the pitches. Yet he was one of the most successful and influential phrased-square callers of the 20th century. He simply spoke his calls rather than singing or harmonizing. If you look at YouTube videos of callers doing traditional squares (Eastern, Southern or Western), you can see that most of them don’t try to pitch their voices to the music. Some have a more shouting style, some are mellower, but nearly all are effective in their own way. Tony Parkes Billerica, Mass. www.hands4.com<http://www.hands4.com>

7 years, 12 months

Re: [Callers] Square dance calling book - What would you like to see?

by Tony Parkes via Callers

Luke Donforth wrote: <quote> I often wonder about pairing breaks with figures… there's some meta-level stuff I'd like to hear unpacked. Another meta-level thing; which squares do you want to stay square to phrasing (besides singing), and when does it not matter? A break-out of expected teaching and time it takes: i.e. this is a figure you'll have to walk once, versus this should be walked for heads & sides or everyone... A category of "these squares won't take longer than a contra to teach (but are still engaging)" <end quote> Thanks for your feedback, Luke. Several folks have responded off-list to my book announcement, and I’m grateful for all their thoughts. No one has suggested a broad category that I’d neglected to include, but all have made good points and/or forced me to clarify my thinking about several sub-categories. The more input I can get from a wide variety of callers and prospective callers, the better off I and my readers will be. Turning now to Luke’s requests: On pairing breaks with figures, I’m not sure there’s much to say beyond: (1) Avoid duplication. If the figure is based on stars, avoid them in the break; likewise with chains. There’s a break that alternates “all circle left” with “corner swing” four times; use it with a keeper figure, not one with a corner progression. (1a) Avoid immediate repetition. If the figure begins with heads or sides promenade, don’t call a promenade at the end of the opener and middle break. The same goes for forward and back. (2) Keep the break simpler than the figure in most of the squares you call. If you have a favorite tricky break, pair it with the simplest figure you know, one that barely needs a walkthrough, or save it for a workshop. Strict phrasing vs. loose or no phrasing: If a figure consists mainly of moves similar to contras – moves that position the dancers precisely (e.g. chain, R&L through, certain types of circles) – the moves should be synchronized with the musical phrases and the calls should be prompted. Unphrased dancing and calling is a hallmark of the Southern Mountain tradition, which favors figures in which the dancers describe circular paths around and between one another. Even some of these “swooping” figures can be phrased if desired; e.g. Lady Round the Lady is well-known as a singing or semi-singing call in the Northeast. Grand Square should always be phrased; Grapevine Twist is hard to phrase. But there’s a middle ground of figures where it’s the caller’s choice. All this will be in the book, of course. I’ll also point out which squares are likely to require enough teaching time to relegate them to workshops at camps and festivals, and which can be safely used at mostly-contra evenings. Keep the requests coming! Tony Parkes Billerica, Mass. www.hands4.com<http://www.hands4.com>

7 years, 12 months

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

Import1 October 2016