Import1 February 2016

import1@lists2.sharedweight.net

1 participants
50 discussions

Re: [Callers] Calling to a square dance crowd

by Chris Page via Callers

I'd really recommend talking to the organizers. And possibly watching one of their normal events. Here's some of my thoughts on potential biggies: -You and the band will likely need to supply and run your own sound system. -Many people will likely keep the same partner throughout the evening. -The expected flow of the evening is very different -- typically they're used to doing two dances with the same partner of about 6-10 (?) minutes, and then a rest break. Potentially involving snacks. Rinse and repeat. -Swings are neither expected nor required. Without further instruction, they'll go just once around, twirl, and stop. -Be very careful about too much consecutive clockwise motion. -You may have to adjust for the age level of the group. In general, MWSD groups tend to be older. -They're really not used to hearing the phrase of the music. -Dropping out the calls may be traumatic for some. -Contra is much more aerobic than squares. Good luck, -Chris Page San Diego, CA On Sat, Feb 20, 2016 at 3:28 PM, Joseph Erhard-Hudson via Callers < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Hi Everyone, > > I've been pretty low-key on calling for several years now, just a few > local dances a year. Years ago I did close to one gig a month at home and > around my local region, but cut back due to busy life. Now I've accepted an > invitation for a regular gig that's going to be a bit different, so I'm > back on this email list, and I seek your advice. > > A few people from the nearby Western Square Dance group came to one of our > local contra dances where I was calling, and had such a fun time they have > invited me, and the band from that evening, to come and do a monthly series > in their hall, promoted and sponsored by them. The band and I decided we'd > give it a shot. > > I've had barely any exposure to Western Square Dance, but I know their > education system is formalized, calling is improvised, and the music is > mostly recorded; whereas in contra dancing the education is more by > assimilation, the calling is mostly fixed within a given dance, and the > music is live and improvised. I anticipate we may feel like strange cousins > to each other. Do any of you have any experiences or thoughts about > crossing over into this parallel universe of traditional dancers? I'm > particularly concerned about how I can best help them feel comfortable with > the way Contra Dance is done, and how I can be a gracious presence in their > space. > > Bonus question: they want to know how to split the gate, since they don't > have experience paying bands. Your thoughts? > > Best regards, > Joseph > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net > >

8 years, 10 months

[Callers] Calling to a square dance crowd

by Joseph Erhard-Hudson via Callers

Hi Everyone, I've been pretty low-key on calling for several years now, just a few local dances a year. Years ago I did close to one gig a month at home and around my local region, but cut back due to busy life. Now I've accepted an invitation for a regular gig that's going to be a bit different, so I'm back on this email list, and I seek your advice. A few people from the nearby Western Square Dance group came to one of our local contra dances where I was calling, and had such a fun time they have invited me, and the band from that evening, to come and do a monthly series in their hall, promoted and sponsored by them. The band and I decided we'd give it a shot. I've had barely any exposure to Western Square Dance, but I know their education system is formalized, calling is improvised, and the music is mostly recorded; whereas in contra dancing the education is more by assimilation, the calling is mostly fixed within a given dance, and the music is live and improvised. I anticipate we may feel like strange cousins to each other. Do any of you have any experiences or thoughts about crossing over into this parallel universe of traditional dancers? I'm particularly concerned about how I can best help them feel comfortable with the way Contra Dance is done, and how I can be a gracious presence in their space. Bonus question: they want to know how to split the gate, since they don't have experience paying bands. Your thoughts? Best regards, Joseph

8 years, 10 months

Re: [Callers] Family dance- educational supplements?

by Claire Takemori via Callers

Thanks Rich, Jim, Ben and all! What I’m asking for is Kid-friendly information about music/dance. I’m sure someone has already taught a folk class or found resources online? I’m preparing for infants in carriers to teens dancing with parents and I’ll invite local contra dancers to help me hold the group and coordinate. I’m hoping to do a Grand March near the end if the group is able, and know I will want helpers to get lines to split at the top and join at the bottom. Yes I’ve been attending barn dances for a few months, dancing and learning from a great barn dance caller. I’ve got the Laufman book/CDs, as well as Peel the Banana. And I consulted with Frannie Marr who gave me a lot of great ideas for working with kids. Thanks so much for your time and help! Claire On Feb 2, 2016, at 1:18 PM, Rich Sbardella <richsbardella(a)gmail.com> wrote: My apologies to Dudley and Jacqueline. Their Traditional Barn Dances book, with DVD and CD are also on my shelf. Together they were an early inspiration, as I added community dance to my calling skills. I remember driving to Scout House to observe Dudley's unique calling/teaching style one Sunday afternoon, after purchasing his book, and before I tried to call any such dance programs myself. His simple dances were so effective with the families on hand. Additionally, I stress attending the types of dances that you want to call, as often as you can. Dancing a particular dance, is a great way to learn it, and to place it appropriately in your repertoire. I have many dance cards in my collection that I have not called, but I frequently call the ones that brought me joy as a dancer. Rich Stafford, CT On Tue, Feb 2, 2016 at 3:33 PM, James Saxe via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:callers@lists.sharedweight.net>> wrote: Hi, Claire, I've done only a tiny amount of calling for the family dance crowd, but from what I've seen of the New England Dance Masters material and Marion Rose's material, and from seeing the authors in action either live or on video, I'd second both of Rich's recommendations. Another resource worth looking at is Dudley Laufman's _Traditional Barn Dances and Calling_, which comes packaged with two CD's of music (called and uncalled) and a DVD showing some of the dances. See http://www.humankinetics.com/products/all-products/traditional-barn-dances-… <http://www.humankinetics.com/products/all-products/traditional-barn-dances-…> SF Bay area caller Erik Hoffman has a book called "Old-Time Dance Calling for Weddings, Parties, and One-Night Stands" http://www.erikhoffman.com/otdancebk.html <http://www.erikhoffman.com/otdancebk.html> If you get in touch with him and tell more about the group you're expecting to call for (What age-range of home-schoolers? Will a bunch of their younger siblings be there?), he might advise you as to how much of the material in it would be suitable for you. Cheers, --Jim > On Feb 2, 2016, at 11:44 AM, Rich Sbardella via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:callers@lists.sharedweight.net>> wrote: > > Hello Claire, > > Here are two excellent resources. > > New England Dancing Masters offer many books, Cds, and DVDs for Family/Community Dance. I cannot say enough good about this material. > > www.dancingmasters.com <http://www.dancingmasters.com/> > > Marion Rose also has a series of books Called Step Lively. They have dances and CDs with family friendly dances. > www.communitydance.ca <http://www.communitydance.ca/>. Many, but not all, of the dances in this series, are tune specific. > > Youtube is also an excellent series, and I would recommend Cal Campbell's dancing for busy people blog and the BDPLS (Beginner Dance Party Leaders Seminar) channel on youtube. > > Have fun, > Rich > Stafford, CT > > > > > > On Tue, Feb 2, 2016 at 2:14 PM, Claire Takemori via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:callers@lists.sharedweight.net>> wrote: > I’m a new contra dance caller (took Nils’ workshop at American Week last July). And my goal is to offer calling for Family dances to help spread folk music/dance in our community. (maybe College contras, but that’s a different thread) > I’m calling my first Family dance on March 6th for a home-school community. I was hoping to offer a page of INTERESTING , Kid-friendly, FUN info, activities, links in case someone wants to delve further into the history, dance or music. > > Any great resources out there? I don’t have a ton of time to put this together from scrap. And I don’t know enough yet to figure out the history. I’m learning as I go! > > thanks ! > Claire Takemori > Bay Area California > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:Callers@lists.sharedweight.net> > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net <http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net> > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:Callers@lists.sharedweight.net> > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net <http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net> _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:Callers@lists.sharedweight.net> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net <http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net>

8 years, 10 months

Re: [Callers] Family dances for 3-9 people?

by John Sweeney via Callers

I use The Horse's Branle for small groups http://www.webfeet.org/eceilidh/dances/horses-branle.html Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

8 years, 10 months

[Callers] Family dances for 3-9 people?

by Claire Takemori via Callers

Hi Everyone, In preparation for calling my first family dance on March 6, I’d like to find some family-friendly dances that are for very small groups, like 3-9 people. Ideally NOT proper triplets, or 3x3s (already have a few of those) and NO gender roles. I’ve got a good collection of simple dances for 10++ people, circles, lines, etc. I’m preparing for a crowd of up to 100 but if it dwindles down to 1-2 families or starts slow, I’d like something for small groups too. Thanks! Claire Takemori

8 years, 10 months

Re: [Callers] ONS with a *tiny* inexperienced crowd?

by Don Veino via Callers

OK, sorry for this much delayed report back on the gig. First, I really appreciate all the dance suggestions and helpful tips shared both on and off-list (many). A reminder of just how wonderful this list can be! At first, it was looking like my worries were founded - with just 5 minutes to go there were maybe 8 people from the set up crew in the hall, clustered around the refreshments table... and then the posse of t(w)een girls paraded out of the powder room where they were all making ready, just in time for the start. And then the families appeared, etc. By the end of the early circle -> spiral dance we'd coaxed most out of their chairs and were close to 70 people on the dance floor. :) I used a number of the suggested material, plus a bunch of my existing family dance collection. Modified some dances to suit the theme -- for instance, there's a "Grumpy March" longways in the NEDM "Sashay the Donut" book. I asked the dancers "how does a cowboy walk?" and got a bunch of folks immediately sticking their thumbs in belts and doing a bowlegged strut, just what I wanted! So we did the A1 of that dance with a Cowboy Strut instead of the Grump Across in the original, plus some simplification of the A2/B1. Virginia (no)Reel type stuff, Sasha, two singing squares, bunch of simple longways with a lot of shashays. Taught a basic and rotary waltz - I'd announced a waltz to start the break and then noticed a whole bunch of folks watching my partner and I intently, trying to follow along as we danced, so I stopped the band - gracefully - and then we started it up again after a 5 minute basic lesson (everyone in long lines, leads on one side - partner across, show hold and basic steps then get into formation around the hall). Stopped once more and showed the rotary turn, then we did a second tune. They picked it up pretty darn quickly - last one of the night they did a great job all on their own. Big smiles all around and almost everyone danced most of the night. I don't think more than a few left before the very end (and two tweens begged for one more dance after the last waltz). The fiddler (Paul Lizotte) and pianist (Deborah Gerstein) were wonderful and the live music/flexibility made my job much easier - but I was sure exhausted by the end! Thanks again, Don On Thu, Jan 28, 2016 at 12:07 AM, Don Veino <sharedweight_net(a)veino.com> wrote: > Thanks for all the great input! I've now got quite a few options for the > tiny crowd scenario offered. > > Much appreciated! > -Don > > ps: I've had a chance to meet with the sponsors and see some of the > all-out decorations they've got going for the hall - including hay bales, > old time milk cans, saddles on sawhorses, etc. - may need to pull together > some themed outfit for myself after all. :) >

8 years, 10 months

[Callers] Dances from English Dance & Song

by John Sweeney via Callers

Over the last 100 years the English Folk Dance & Song Society has published many great dances in its magazine "English Dance & Song" and its predecessor "E.F.D.S. News". Having been given a pile of old magazines by Chris Turner, John Sweeney has started a project to make these wonderful dances available to everyone via the Internet at http://www.contrafusion.co.uk/Dances.html#eds. There are over 60 dances presented so far, covering all genres. They are mostly contemporary compositions, but there are also articles about traditional dances and interpretations of much older dances. If you can provide any more information about any of these dances, their composers, their style, their tempo or their history, then please contact John Sweeney at info(a)contrafusion.co.uk so that he can add that information to the Web pages. For each dance John provides both the original page from the magazine and his own interpretation of the dance. Words such as "Balance", "Allemande" and "Swing" have been used by different dancing masters to mean many different things. Styles, tempos and nomenclature vary depending on the century, the country, the dance genre and countless other factors. John has tried to put the dances into words that he uses when he is calling today, and to provide other hints where possible, often using other sources. Of course you are welcome to interpret the dances any way you wish. John hopes you have fun calling and dancing some of these great old dances. The original pages from the magazines are reproduced with kind permission of the English Folk Dance & Song Society. The dances were submitted to the magazine so as to reach as wide an audience as possible. Publishing them in this way will help to further that aim. = = = = = Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

8 years, 10 months

[Callers] Another New Dance?

by Erik Hoffman via Callers

Hi All, I made up another dance last night. Is it new? Becket A1 Petronella Ring Balance; Neighbor Swing A2 Big Oval Promenade--Clockwise (women towards center)--turn as a couple (men now towards center); Return B1 (looking for man with partner) Men Allemande Left 1-1/2; Partner Swing B2 Long Lines Forward & Back; Star Right Half, Single File Prom (men leading partner) to next Couple to form a Ring If it is new, and not out of some misplaced memory, then it's called A Valentine Surprise. ~erik hoffman oakland, ca

8 years, 10 months

Re: [Callers] Is there a searchable archive for this list?

by Seth Seeger via Callers

Unfortunately, not at the moment. I know I said I was in the process of migrating the list a while ago, and it's still happening. I just got stalled on it. Seth On 02/12/2016 09:09 AM, Amy Carroll via Callers wrote: > > I'm not finding one and was just hoping.... > > ****************************************************************************************************** > Amy Carroll > amy(a)calleramy.com > <mailto:amy@calleramy.com>206-330-7408 > http://www.calleramy.com/ > > > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

8 years, 10 months

[Callers] Is there a searchable archive for this list?

by Amy Carroll via Callers

8 years, 10 months

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Import1 February 2016