Import1 April 2016

import1@lists2.sharedweight.net

1 participants
58 discussions

Re: [Callers] Gents doing "ladies" chain

by Rona via Callers

This discussion got me thinking about dances which have both a Gents RH chain and Ladies LH chain. I wasn't sure if any existed, so I wrote a few. I have no idea when I would ever call them, but it was a fun exercise :) On a somewhat related note, I appear to have a thing for writing Becket dances, but I'm proud to say that none of these start with "Circle Left 3 places". In fact, they don't have any circles in them, so they can also help with the "dances without a circle left" campaign. That's Not How We Do ItContra, BECKET, by Rona Wiener, Jan 2016 A1 (4) Balance the Ring (4) Gents Roll away P along set (8) Gents RIGHT HAND chain [To N] A2 (8) Gents [Gypsy] x1 (8) Neighbor Swing B1 (4) Balance the Ring (4) Ladies Roll away N along set (8) Ladies LEFT HAND chain [to P] B2 (8) On Right Diagonal Half a hey [Ladies lead by L] (8) Partner Swing Slightly Less Wrong Contra, BECKET, by Rona Wiener, Jan 2016 A1 (4) Balance the Ring (4) Spin R (as in Petronella), face NN (4) Balance the Ring (4) Spin R A2 (8) Star L x 1 [hands across, gents drop out] (8) Ladies LEFT HAND chain [to N] B1 (8) Star R x 1 [hands across, ladies drop out] (8) Gents RIGHT HAND chain [To P] B2 (4) Pass Through (12) Partner Swing Double NegativeContra, BECKET, by Rona Wiener, Jan 2016 [Starts on side with P, Gents on R] A1 (8) Star R x 1 [hands across, ladies drop out] (8) Gents RIGHT HAND chain [To N] A2 (8) Star L x 1 [hands across, gents drop out] (8) Ladies LEFT HAND chain [to P] B1 (8) Half a hey [Ladies lead by L] (8) Partner Swing B2 (8) Right and Left Through (8) Pass Through, Single File Promenade along the set to NN On Wednesday, January 20, 2016 10:17 PM, Alexandra Deis-Lauby via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: I think I just danced one in CDH which both chains. But I can't remember who was chaining when because I was swapping anyway. But if anyone else was there and remembers... On Sun, Jan 17, 2016 at 7:11 PM, Ron Blechner via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: Anyone know any contras with gents chaining from right-hand position? I have four I wrote on the plane, and I don't think I've ever danced one. And considering the ro swapping I encounter at many of my gigs, maybe it's time I start calling them sometime.I know there's one by Gene Hubert where ladies chain, are rolled away with 1/2 sashay, and gents are right-hand chained from the right. Notes for that appreciated. I'd like dances where gents are doing a regular right hand chain.I'm not talking about "Gents chain", which is from the Left-hand side. For that matter, I want to make it clear that "gents chain" is named poorly. I called "gents, left-hand chain" the other night in Greenfield and it required less explanation than when I've called/taught it as "gents chain". But I digress.Thanks! Ron Blechner _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

8 years, 6 months

Re: [Callers] Triplet Times Through?

by Michael Barraclough via Callers

I believe that the "traditional" method is 3 times fully prompted, 3 times partially prompted and 3 times with no prompt. -- Michael Barraclough michael(a)michaelbarraclough.com www.michaelbarraclough.com -----Original Message----- From: Don Veino via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> Reply-to: Don Veino <sharedweight_net(a)veino.com> To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> Subject: [Callers] Triplet Times Through? Date: Mon, 4 Apr 2016 13:49:16 -0400 I've been adding Triplets into my programs in certain situations and have given some thought about the duration to run them. I'm curious what others have determined - how many times through do *you* run a Triplet? Let's see if we can get a consensus value via a simple poll: http://doodle.com/poll/yz9ubdr5e7fs4tuu It would be helpful to me if you'd focus quantitative responses through the poll. Discussion or qualitative responses which inform your poll input are welcome here in this thread. Thanks, Don _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

8 years, 7 months

[Callers] A balanced view of ECD

by Aahz via Callers

[I'm writing this "to" Kalia because she was calling English at the Queer Contra Dance Camp a couple of weekends ago, but then I figured other people might find it interesting and/or useful] Howdy Kalia, I think I finally figured out part of the reason why I overall dislike English despite its similarity to contra. Part of the figuring out was teaching Postie's Jig at CALLERLAB this year. Basically, I don't have a sense of balance, and something about the way English puts less emphasis on giving weight makes it feel less comfortable for me. (I've got similar issues with certain folk dances, such as Zemjo Makedonska, but that's slow enough and repetitive enough that I can focus on balance.) For anyone not familiar with Postie's Jig: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVYYCx7snk4 I noticed that you did some ECD that was different from the usual turn single, slide across, etc, and I enjoyed that a whole lot more. I don't have problems with e.g. heys because there's enough momentum to carry me around. Note that my balance issues are different from most other people's because I literally have no sense of balance (e.g. can't tell when a hammock is swinging) and I rely on visual/kinesthetic mechanisms to balance -- which actually gives me good functional balance when I'm moving, but much less when I'm standing. If you run across other people with balance issues, this analysis may allow you to do a better job of helping them figure out what works for them. Thanks, Aahz -- Hugs and backrubs -- I break Rule 6 http://rule6.info/ <*> <*> <*> Why is this newsgroup different from all other newsgroups?

8 years, 8 months

Re: [Callers] caller suggestions for beginner handout

by Maia McCormick via Callers

Hi Emily, I recently helped write a set of Contra Etiquette tips for CDNY that might have some useful stuff: http://cdny.org/what-is-contra/contra-etiquette/ A lot of it is geared towards more experienced dancers, but you could pick and choose relevant points (and maybe de-technical-ify the language some) that seem like they apply to beginning dancers. For what it's worth, in my pow-wow with the beginners just after the lesson ends and before the dancing starts, I say the following: - anyone can dance with anyone (that goes for genders and for experience levels). Anyone can ASK anyone to dance (so new folks ask experienced, women ask men, men ask men, etc.). Anyone can decline an offer to dance. - if you mess up, smile and laugh--it's really fine! (Usually I point out that the experienced folks make 10x more mistakes, we're just better at hiding it) - contra is full of figures that are for the most part very simple--the tricky bit is explaining the figures in words, and then matching the calls with the figures, but I promise you can do all these figures. (And it gets easier with practice!) - the rule in contra is "better never than late"--if you mess up one figure, shrug and smile and get in place for the next one, rather than trying to catch up You might consider saying something like, it takes a few dances to start feeling really comfortable with this stuff, so we hope you come back again? And of course, I recommend writing in big letters, "we love you, come dance with us again!" CDNY gives "your second dance free" passes to first-timers--is this something your dance might consider? There are a bunch of rather disorganized thoughts--I hope some of them are helpful! Cheers, Maia On Fri, Apr 22, 2016 at 10:15 PM, Emily Addison via Callers < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Hi Claire, Donna, Andy, and Linda, > > Thanks for the feedback! > > Donna - your link is great... much much thanks for that lead. :) > > And Claire - I totally agree with you regarding about the role of the > dance community. I've heard that from others, and our committee would > agree, that the welcoming/encouraging behaviour of regular dancers can > make/break a beginner's experience! > > The idea of the handout is that it's just one more wee tool as we try to > help retain a few more of our beginners. Some folks don't like reading > material but others are keen to dive in a bit deeper in print format and > right now all they can take home is our schedule. > > Anyway - I've had some other feedback from the organizers list so will > work away on the project for the next few months. > > Much thanks and if anyone else has ideas, I'd love to hear. > > Emily in Ottawa > > On Wed, Apr 20, 2016 at 3:04 PM, Donna Hunt <dhuntdancer(a)aol.com> wrote: > >> http://www.thursdaycontra.com/welcome.html >> >> The Mt. Airy (in Philadelphia) Thursday Night Dance has this on our >> website. We are in the process of revamping it, but feel free to pick and >> choose whatever might work for your group. >> >> >> Donna >> Web Site: donnahuntcaller.com >> Email: dhuntdancer(a)aol.com >> Cell: 215-565-6050 >> >> >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Emily Addison via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> >> To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> >> Sent: Wed, Apr 20, 2016 3:31 pm >> Subject: [Callers] caller suggestions for beginner handout >> >> Hello shared weight callers :) >> >> Knowing that callers do so much to support brand new contra dancers, as a >> dance organizer, I have a question for you! >> >> Ottawa Contra is working on a 1-pg handout to give to first time >> dancers. The goal of the handout is to provide tidbits that will help >> convince first timers to come back, that contra's accessible/they can be >> successful/climb that learning curve, and that contra's a great fit for >> them. Who knows if the handout will actually work but we want to try as >> part of our focus on increasing the retention of all the beginners we get. >> >> I have a few examples of other handouts but they often focus on >> explaining the specific moves. >> >> We're thinking more along things that speak to the spirit of contra/are >> inspiring PLLLUS great technical tips (nuggets!) that can make a huge >> different to their experience as beginners. >> >> If you have any ideas, please pass them along. They may be little >> messages you feel every beginner should know, or even tips you provide in >> the beginner/intro lesson before the actual dance. >> >> With much thanks! >> Emily Addison in Ottawa ON >> _______________________________________________ >> Callers mailing list >> Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net >> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net >> > > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net > >

8 years, 8 months

Re: [Callers] caller suggestions for beginner handout

by Donna Hunt via Callers

http://www.thursdaycontra.com/welcome.html The Mt. Airy (in Philadelphia) Thursday Night Dance has this on our website. We are in the process of revamping it, but feel free to pick and choose whatever might work for your group. Donna Web Site: donnahuntcaller.com Email: dhuntdancer(a)aol.com Cell: 215-565-6050 -----Original Message----- From: Emily Addison via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> Sent: Wed, Apr 20, 2016 3:31 pm Subject: [Callers] caller suggestions for beginner handout Hello shared weight callers :) Knowing that callers do so much to support brand new contra dancers, as a dance organizer, I have a question for you! Ottawa Contra is working on a 1-pg handout to give to first time dancers. The goal of the handout is to provide tidbits that will help convince first timers to come back, that contra's accessible/they can be successful/climb that learning curve, and that contra's a great fit for them. Who knows if the handout will actually work but we want to try as part of our focus on increasing the retention of all the beginners we get. I have a few examples of other handouts but they often focus on explaining the specific moves. We're thinking more along things that speak to the spirit of contra/are inspiring PLLLUS great technical tips (nuggets!) that can make a huge different to their experience as beginners. If you have any ideas, please pass them along. They may be little messages you feel every beginner should know, or even tips you provide in the beginner/intro lesson before the actual dance. With much thanks! Emily Addison in Ottawa ON _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

8 years, 8 months

Re: [Callers] caller suggestions for beginner handout

by Andy Shore via Callers

I don't know how well this can be communicated in a handout, but one thing I always try to say when I lead a beginners session is that my #1 goal is for them to have fun, and that my #2 goal is for them to come back! I say: I hope you will come back and do this again, because it all makes more sense the second time you come dancing. You'll understand the terminology better, the feel of the moves, the pace of the dancing, and it will all start to click into place. So I hope you'll have fun, and I hope you will come back again. I hope that is useful, /Andy Shore http://site.andyshore.com/ On Wed, Apr 20, 2016 at 11:40 AM, Emily Addison via Callers < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Hello shared weight callers :) > > Knowing that callers do so much to support brand new contra dancers, as a > dance organizer, I have a question for you! > > Ottawa Contra is working on a 1-pg handout to give to first time dancers. > The goal of the handout is to provide tidbits that will help convince first > timers to come back, that contra's accessible/they can be successful/climb > that learning curve, and that contra's a great fit for them. Who knows if > the handout will actually work but we want to try as part of our focus on > increasing the retention of all the beginners we get. > > I have a few examples of other handouts but they often focus on explaining > the specific moves. > > We're thinking more along things that speak to the spirit of contra/are > inspiring PLLLUS great technical tips (nuggets!) that can make a huge > different to their experience as beginners. > > If you have any ideas, please pass them along. They may be little messages > you feel every beginner should know, or even tips you provide in the > beginner/intro lesson before the actual dance. > > With much thanks! > Emily Addison in Ottawa ON > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net > > -- /Andy Shore http://andyshore.com/ best email - andyshore(a)gmail.com

8 years, 8 months

Re: [Callers] caller suggestions for beginner handout

by Claire Takemori via Callers

Emily, as a relatively new dancer, I still remember my first dance and what made me want to come back. The music was awesome, Seth Tepfer was the newcomer’s lesson teacher!! We were welcomed and despite it being the Post-American-Week Gala dance, the dancers were kind to new dancers. We only made it to the break and had to get our son to bed, but we all wanted to go back. I don’t think anything written on paper would’ve made a difference if we were shouted at, pushed to get some place on time, or scowled at when we made a mistake. This did happen to me at a recent ECD (not local) and being new to ECD made me very leery of going back. just my 2 cents. Claire Takemori (SF bay area) On Apr 20, 2016, at 1:01 PM, via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2016 13:40:35 -0500 From: Emily Addison via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:callers@lists.sharedweight.net>> To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net <mailto:callers@sharedweight.net>> Subject: [Callers] caller suggestions for beginner handout Message-ID: <CAD7WKUUs4-9AC=2pWHf6MYZDZnEcaNRLkytVS+0vsirtNFZhTQ(a)mail.gmail.com <mailto:CAD7WKUUs4-9AC=2pWHf6MYZDZnEcaNRLkytVS+0vsirtNFZhTQ@mail.gmail.com>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" Hello shared weight callers :) Knowing that callers do so much to support brand new contra dancers, as a dance organizer, I have a question for you! Ottawa Contra is working on a 1-pg handout to give to first time dancers. The goal of the handout is to provide tidbits that will help convince first timers to come back, that contra's accessible/they can be successful/climb that learning curve, and that contra's a great fit for them. Who knows if the handout will actually work but we want to try as part of our focus on increasing the retention of all the beginners we get. I have a few examples of other handouts but they often focus on explaining the specific moves. We're thinking more along things that speak to the spirit of contra/are inspiring PLLLUS great technical tips (nuggets!) that can make a huge different to their experience as beginners. If you have any ideas, please pass them along. They may be little messages you feel every beginner should know, or even tips you provide in the beginner/intro lesson before the actual dance. With much thanks! Emily Addison in Ottawa ON

8 years, 8 months

Re: [Callers] caller suggestions for beginner handout

by Linda Mrosko via Callers

Well, are you talking about things like... -- Dances for non-dancers -- A great way to connect with other friendly, happy people -- No costumes -- wear a smile and comfortable shoes and clothes -- No partner or experience necessary On Wed, Apr 20, 2016 at 1:40 PM, Emily Addison via Callers < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Hello shared weight callers :) > > Knowing that callers do so much to support brand new contra dancers, as a > dance organizer, I have a question for you! > > Ottawa Contra is working on a 1-pg handout to give to first time dancers. > The goal of the handout is to provide tidbits that will help convince first > timers to come back, that contra's accessible/they can be successful/climb > that learning curve, and that contra's a great fit for them. Who knows if > the handout will actually work but we want to try as part of our focus on > increasing the retention of all the beginners we get. > > I have a few examples of other handouts but they often focus on explaining > the specific moves. > > We're thinking more along things that speak to the spirit of contra/are > inspiring PLLLUS great technical tips (nuggets!) that can make a huge > different to their experience as beginners. > > If you have any ideas, please pass them along. They may be little messages > you feel every beginner should know, or even tips you provide in the > beginner/intro lesson before the actual dance. > > With much thanks! > Emily Addison in Ottawa ON > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net > > -- *Looking forward,Linda S. Mrosko* *102 Mitchell Drive* *Temple, Texas 76501* *(903) 292-3713 (Cell)* *(903) 603-9955 (Skype)*

8 years, 8 months

[Callers] caller suggestions for beginner handout

by Emily Addison via Callers

Hello shared weight callers :) Knowing that callers do so much to support brand new contra dancers, as a dance organizer, I have a question for you! Ottawa Contra is working on a 1-pg handout to give to first time dancers. The goal of the handout is to provide tidbits that will help convince first timers to come back, that contra's accessible/they can be successful/climb that learning curve, and that contra's a great fit for them. Who knows if the handout will actually work but we want to try as part of our focus on increasing the retention of all the beginners we get. I have a few examples of other handouts but they often focus on explaining the specific moves. We're thinking more along things that speak to the spirit of contra/are inspiring PLLLUS great technical tips (nuggets!) that can make a huge different to their experience as beginners. If you have any ideas, please pass them along. They may be little messages you feel every beginner should know, or even tips you provide in the beginner/intro lesson before the actual dance. With much thanks! Emily Addison in Ottawa ON

8 years, 8 months

Re: [Callers] does this dance exist?

by Tom Hinds via Callers

Looks new to me. How about a little change: A1 Left gypsy neighbor (or allemande) 1 1/2 Next neighbor right gypsy (or allemande) 1 1/2 A2 Next neighbor left gypsy once Swing second gypsy. T On Apr 18, 2016, at 3:53 PM, Andy Shore via Callers wrote: > from a dance-writing session led by Jeff Spero at a recent dance > camp... > > > This Was Your Idea > by John Kelley, John Bartlett, Sandy Gabucan, Andy Shore > Contra/ Duple Improper > > A1 ----------- > (8) Gypsy Neighbor1 Right 1.5 > (8) Gypsy Neighbor2 Left 1.5 > A2 -----------. > (8) Gypsy Neighbor3 Right 1x come back ... > (8) Neighbor2 swing > B1 ----------- > (4) Give & Take to Lady's Side > (12) Partner swing > B2 ----------- > (8) Right and left through > (8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella) to face N2 > >

8 years, 8 months

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

Import1 April 2016