Import1 April 2017

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39 discussions

Re: [Callers] How do you organize your Dance Card Boxes ? Categories or Other Suggestions ?

by John Sweeney via Callers

Hi all, My categories are a little different: Dances I want to try once I am calling for a group that can handle them Dances for beginners My current set of favourite dances which I will use for most gigs Dances to fall back on when something doesn't work Chestnuts and other traditional dances Contra style dances in other formations (Triple Minor, Double Contra, Hex, etc.) Everything else is in alphabetical order - otherwise how can you find them? - I work out which ones I want from my database Then there are lots more categories for all the other genres I call The stuff in alphabetical order doesn't get used as much. I would rather use great dances. Most dancers are very happy to dance the favourites regularly. I get very bored with dances which go "swing, circle 3/4, swing" or "swing, someone Allemande 1 & 1/2, swing" and very rarely use them now unless the other half of the dance is stunning. April said, "I believe that at some point in every dance, you and your partner are on the same side, usually swinging, so from that perspective all dances can start in Becket". But dances can be: Partner Swing only Neighbour Swing only Partner & Neighbour Swing No Swing And the Partner Swing doesn't have to be on the side - it could be #1s swinging in the middle (or in an old dance everyone swinging in the middle) So, no, they are not all Becket! I use quite a few No Swing dances and everyone seems happy to do them - though attitudes are somewhat different on this side of the pond. Does anyone use No Swing contras at American contra dances? Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

7 years, 8 months

Re: [Callers] How do you organize your Dance Card Boxes ? Categories or Other Suggestions ?

by Dugan Murphy via Callers

Hi, Cheryl, I've reorganized my cards a few times and each time I add new categories. The guiding question for deciding whether or not to create a category, which also helps me decide which category to assign a card that could fit into two or more sections, is this: What about this dance would cause me to include or avoid it at a particular point in my program? For glossary dances, I might be looking for a dance that progresses with a California twirl because the last dance I called progressed with a star. I like to include Petronella- and Rory O'More-inspired dances in most of my programs, so I go looking for dances with those, regardless of how they progress. I recommend asking this question of your own programming choices and let that inform your card organization system. Dugan Murphy Portland, Maine dugan at duganmurphy.com www.DuganMurphy.com www.PortlandIntownContraDance.com www.NufSed.consulting Date: Fri, 7 Apr 2017 20:20:13 -0500 From: Cheryl Joyal via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> To: "callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net" <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> Subject: [Callers] How do you organize your Dance Card Boxes ? Categories or Other Suggestions ? I am at the point that I want to reorganize my dance box to be able to better program an evening. I plan to go to ?categories of dance features?, and have listed what I am thinking for possible categories below. I am wondering how others organize their boxes - if categories, what do you include ? Do you file Becket and/or Double Progression separately from ?dance categories?, or just note on card ? Or do you have another suggestion ? Possible Categories: Easy and ONS Contras California Twirl Full Hey 1/2 Hey Down the Hall Petronella Mad Robin Short Wavy Lines Long Wavy Lines Zig Zag Balance the Ring Box The Gnat ? Four Facing Four ? Becket ? Double Progression ? Unique (e.g. Wizards Walk) Appreciate your suggestions !! Thanks - Cheryl Cheryl Joyal clmjoyal(a)gmail.com clmjoyal(a)aol.com 630-667-3284 (cell)

7 years, 8 months

Re: [Callers] How do you organize your Dance Card Boxes ? Categories or Other Suggestions ?

by Cheryl Joyal via Callers

Thanks Jack ! What a great list ! I like some of the ones I was stuck on where to put - e.g. basics. Appreciate it ! Cheryl Joyal clmjoyal(a)gmail.com clmjoyal(a)aol.com 630-667-3284 (cell) On Apr 7, 2017, at 11:31 PM, Jack Mitchell <jmitchell.nc(a)gmail.com> wrote: My current set (probably due for modification / update soon). In particular, I really need to improve the divisions in "smooth" dances. But it has served me reasonably well for a while now.... You are welcome to what of it is useful. Hope it helps! Basics Smooth (with heys) Smooth (without) Orbits Stars Eyes/Gypsy Ring Balance Rory O'Moore Long to Short Waves Waves Allemande (without waves of any sort) Along the set (pull by's, zig zag, big oval promenade, etc) Down the hall Star Promenade Square Thru Tune Specific Proper 4 face 4 Contra corners Multiple progression Squares Breaks Singing Squares Mixers One Night Stand / Party Dances On Fri, Apr 7, 2017 at 9:20 PM Cheryl Joyal via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:callers@lists.sharedweight.net>> wrote: I am at the point that I want to reorganize my dance box to be able to better program an evening. I plan to go to “categories of dance features”, and have listed what I am thinking for possible categories below. I am wondering how others organize their boxes - if categories, what do you include ? Do you file Becket and/or Double Progression separately from “dance categories”, or just note on card ? Or do you have another suggestion ? Possible Categories: Easy and ONS Contras California Twirl Full Hey 1/2 Hey Down the Hall Petronella Mad Robin Short Wavy Lines Long Wavy Lines Zig Zag Balance the Ring Box The Gnat ? Four Facing Four ? Becket ? Double Progression ? Unique (e.g. Wizards Walk) Appreciate your suggestions !! Thanks - Cheryl Cheryl Joyal clmjoyal(a)gmail.com <mailto:clmjoyal@gmail.com> clmjoyal(a)aol.com <mailto:clmjoyal@aol.com> 630-667-3284 <tel:(630)%20667-3284> (cell) _______________________________________________ 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> -- Jack Mitchell Durham, NC

7 years, 8 months

Re: [Callers] How do you organize your Dance Card Boxes ? Categories or Other Suggestions ?

by Cheryl Joyal via Callers

Thanks Rich - I have a similar category system now and I am trying to be able to find dances with similar elements so that, like you said, it would be easier to find dances with specific elements. I have been using Callers Companion to program and like it, but find that I like to see my dance cards and look through dances with the same “types” of moves… that is why I am trying to decide how to go in that direction… Will let you know what I come up with….. Cheryl Joyal clmjoyal(a)gmail.com clmjoyal(a)aol.com 630-667-3284 (cell) On Apr 7, 2017, at 11:33 PM, Richard Hart via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: I have 4 categorizes for my dances in my card box.: 1. Easy contras 2. Medium difficulty contras 3. Hardest contras. 4. Triplets, circles, scatter mixers, etc. Each dance clearly states the type: proper, improper, becket, etc. at the top of the card. The thing that I can't do, but sometimes might like to do is to search for dances with particular calls such as hey, petronella turn, etc. That might be easier if I kept my dances on a tablet. As I plan for a dance, I will go through each stack and pick out the dances of that type that I might like to call. And depending on the crowd, I can easily adjust the difficulty level up or down during the dance. On Fri, Apr 7, 2017 at 9:20 PM, Cheryl Joyal via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:callers@lists.sharedweight.net>> wrote: I am at the point that I want to reorganize my dance box to be able to better program an evening. I plan to go to “categories of dance features”, and have listed what I am thinking for possible categories below. I am wondering how others organize their boxes - if categories, what do you include ? Do you file Becket and/or Double Progression separately from “dance categories”, or just note on card ? Or do you have another suggestion ? Possible Categories: Easy and ONS Contras California Twirl Full Hey 1/2 Hey Down the Hall Petronella Mad Robin Short Wavy Lines Long Wavy Lines Zig Zag Balance the Ring Box The Gnat ? Four Facing Four ? Becket ? Double Progression ? Unique (e.g. Wizards Walk) Appreciate your suggestions !! Thanks - Cheryl Cheryl Joyal clmjoyal(a)gmail.com <mailto:clmjoyal@gmail.com> clmjoyal(a)aol.com <mailto:clmjoyal@aol.com> 630-667-3284 <tel:(630)%20667-3284> (cell) _______________________________________________ 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 http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

7 years, 8 months

Re: [Callers] Lindy move in a Contra Dance

by Luke Donforth via Callers

Thanks Jack! I thought that seemed familiar. Digging in my box, I think it's also Box the Cat by Lisa Greenleaf. I don't know who wrote it first. The A2 through B2 also overlaps Contracordians by Scott Higgs and James Hutson; and Sneak Preview by Claudio Buckwald. A very popular sequence. On Tue, Apr 4, 2017 at 11:44 PM, Jack Mitchell <jmitchell.nc(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Indeed, the dance with the box the gnat in place of the mini-dip is > written - Becky's Brouhaha by Rhiannon Giddens. > On Mon, Apr 3, 2017 at 3:34 PM Luke Donforth via Callers < > callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > >> Hello folks, >> >> There was a recent call for new dances, but I can't find the thread, so >> here's a fresh post. >> >> Continuing what I think of as a long-standing tradition of contra dance >> choreography stealing moves from other dances; I've written a few with the >> mini-dip, a move from swing dancing. (Despite the name, it's not really a >> dip) >> >> I was recently on a small tour with Chimney Swift, and premiered one at >> the BIDA dance in Boston. >> >> You can check out a video of it here: >> https://goo.gl/photos/qaeUuuSKt9PKBY3v8 >> >> For an explanation of what swing dancers consider a mini dip: >> https://youtu.be/nGI9IfhSCQE?t=6 >> https://youtu.be/LiElJr7YSQA?t=99 >> >> There's different opinions in swing if it's a 6 count or 8 count move, >> but I put it in 8 counts. The break down: >> 1-2: moving forward on balance >> 3-4: moving backwards on balance >> 5: pull past each other >> 6: clap (while low and moving) >> 7: catch hands >> 8: style pause >> >> Functionally, it's like a box the gnat; but folks let go and have an >> opportunity to clap and add style. >> >> The entire dance in that video is ~75% Bob Isaacs' "United We Dance"; >> replacing long wavy Rory O'More's in the A1 with the mini-dip sequence, so >> it's called "United We Mini-Dip". >> >> Improper >> A1 >> (8) Right hand to neighbor, balance, and mini-dip; catch right hands >> (2) Pull by right with current neighbor to previous neighbor >> (6) Previous neighbor allemande Left 1x, back to current neighbor >> A2 >> (16) Current neighbor balance and swing >> B1 >> (6) Circle left 3/4 >> (10) Partner swing >> B2 >> (8) Ladies Chain to neighbor >> (8) Left Hand Star 1x >> >> I know NB&S, CL PSwg, Chain Star, overlaps other dances as well. You >> could do the whole thing with a box the gnat instead of a mini dip in the >> A1 (that may already exist as a choreographed and called dance); but I like >> the clap opportunity the mini-dip provides, especially if the band matches >> it well to a tune (as Chimney Swift did). >> >> Enjoy if you're so inclined. >> >> -- >> Luke Donforth >> Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com> >> _______________________________________________ >> Callers mailing list >> Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net >> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net >> > -- > Jack Mitchell > Durham, NC > -- Luke Donforth Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>

7 years, 8 months

[Callers] Callers workshops

by Jeanette Mill via Callers

I am based in Australia and hoping to travel to the US and attend some contra dance calling workshops in 2018. I would be grateful for any information about upcoming workshops, including workhshops at festivals, to assist with an itinerary. Many thanks in advance for your suggestions Jeanette "We must use time wisely and forever realise that the time is always ripe to do right" Nelson Mandela (18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013)

7 years, 8 months

Re: [Callers] Lindy move in a Contra Dance

by Jack Mitchell via Callers

Indeed, the dance with the box the gnat in place of the mini-dip is written - Becky's Brouhaha by Rhiannon Giddens. On Mon, Apr 3, 2017 at 3:34 PM Luke Donforth via Callers < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Hello folks, > > There was a recent call for new dances, but I can't find the thread, so > here's a fresh post. > > Continuing what I think of as a long-standing tradition of contra dance > choreography stealing moves from other dances; I've written a few with the > mini-dip, a move from swing dancing. (Despite the name, it's not really a > dip) > > I was recently on a small tour with Chimney Swift, and premiered one at > the BIDA dance in Boston. > > You can check out a video of it here: > https://goo.gl/photos/qaeUuuSKt9PKBY3v8 > > For an explanation of what swing dancers consider a mini dip: > https://youtu.be/nGI9IfhSCQE?t=6 > https://youtu.be/LiElJr7YSQA?t=99 > > There's different opinions in swing if it's a 6 count or 8 count move, but > I put it in 8 counts. The break down: > 1-2: moving forward on balance > 3-4: moving backwards on balance > 5: pull past each other > 6: clap (while low and moving) > 7: catch hands > 8: style pause > > Functionally, it's like a box the gnat; but folks let go and have an > opportunity to clap and add style. > > The entire dance in that video is ~75% Bob Isaacs' "United We Dance"; > replacing long wavy Rory O'More's in the A1 with the mini-dip sequence, so > it's called "United We Mini-Dip". > > Improper > A1 > (8) Right hand to neighbor, balance, and mini-dip; catch right hands > (2) Pull by right with current neighbor to previous neighbor > (6) Previous neighbor allemande Left 1x, back to current neighbor > A2 > (16) Current neighbor balance and swing > B1 > (6) Circle left 3/4 > (10) Partner swing > B2 > (8) Ladies Chain to neighbor > (8) Left Hand Star 1x > > I know NB&S, CL PSwg, Chain Star, overlaps other dances as well. You could > do the whole thing with a box the gnat instead of a mini dip in the A1 > (that may already exist as a choreographed and called dance); but I like > the clap opportunity the mini-dip provides, especially if the band matches > it well to a tune (as Chimney Swift did). > > Enjoy if you're so inclined. > > -- > Luke Donforth > Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com> > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net > -- Jack Mitchell Durham, NC

7 years, 8 months

[Callers] Lindy move in a Contra Dance

by Luke Donforth via Callers

Hello folks, There was a recent call for new dances, but I can't find the thread, so here's a fresh post. Continuing what I think of as a long-standing tradition of contra dance choreography stealing moves from other dances; I've written a few with the mini-dip, a move from swing dancing. (Despite the name, it's not really a dip) I was recently on a small tour with Chimney Swift, and premiered one at the BIDA dance in Boston. You can check out a video of it here: https://goo.gl/photos/qaeUuuSKt9PKBY3v8 For an explanation of what swing dancers consider a mini dip: https://youtu.be/nGI9IfhSCQE?t=6 https://youtu.be/LiElJr7YSQA?t=99 There's different opinions in swing if it's a 6 count or 8 count move, but I put it in 8 counts. The break down: 1-2: moving forward on balance 3-4: moving backwards on balance 5: pull past each other 6: clap (while low and moving) 7: catch hands 8: style pause Functionally, it's like a box the gnat; but folks let go and have an opportunity to clap and add style. The entire dance in that video is ~75% Bob Isaacs' "United We Dance"; replacing long wavy Rory O'More's in the A1 with the mini-dip sequence, so it's called "United We Mini-Dip". Improper A1 (8) Right hand to neighbor, balance, and mini-dip; catch right hands (2) Pull by right with current neighbor to previous neighbor (6) Previous neighbor allemande Left 1x, back to current neighbor A2 (16) Current neighbor balance and swing B1 (6) Circle left 3/4 (10) Partner swing B2 (8) Ladies Chain to neighbor (8) Left Hand Star 1x I know NB&S, CL PSwg, Chain Star, overlaps other dances as well. You could do the whole thing with a box the gnat instead of a mini dip in the A1 (that may already exist as a choreographed and called dance); but I like the clap opportunity the mini-dip provides, especially if the band matches it well to a tune (as Chimney Swift did). Enjoy if you're so inclined. -- Luke Donforth Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>

7 years, 8 months

Re: [Callers] In search of un-premiered contras!

by Ric Goldman - Letsdance via Callers

Hi Maia, Here are a few for your consideration: 13ème avenue*, improper, Aug 2016 Start: 2s step up between 1s, then all turn to face down in line-of-4 A1 1-4 Down the hall, California Twirl 5-8 Up the hall, Butterfly whirl (3/4 or 1-1/4) to end facing across A2 1-4 W gypsy R-sh 1-1/2 to Partner 5-8 Partner swing B1 1-4 Long line forward; turn single back R-sh and extend R arm into… 5-8 Star R 1x B2 1-4 With partner, slide L along line (2), circle L 3/4 with new neighbors (6) 5-8 (new) neighbor swing (end facing down) (Note: in B2 it helps if partners face across set, take inside hands for slide) (* - this is French for 13th avenue, where I lived in Montreal – to hear it, go to https://translate.google.com/#auto/fr/13th%20avenue) Allemandery my Dear Watson, improper, Jun 2015 A1 1-4 (new) Neighbors allemande R 1-1/2 5-8" Gents allemande L 1-1/2 (end facing partner in line of 4) A2 1-4 1/2 hey, partners start R-sh (PR, WL, NR, ML, into...) 5-8 Partner swing B1 1-4 Women allemande R 1-1/2 5-8 Neighbor swing B2 1-4 Long lines fwd + back ("half-roll"* the women into...) 5-8 Neighbors allemande L 1-1/2 (onto to new neighbors) * Half-roll - gents roll the ladies to the L with the women ending facing out, while the men transfer the ladies’ L hand from the gent's R to his L to lead into the allemande) Barbara's Cascade, improper, advanced* A1 1-2 Gents allemande L 3/4 to neighbor (4) 3-4 On the diagonal+, allemande neighbor R 1x (4) 5 Gents pull-by L to partner (2) 6-7 On the diagonal+, allemande partner R 1x (4) 8 Gents pull-by L to neighbor (2) A2 1-4 Gents scoop up neighbor and butterfly twirl 2x (if they can) ending on gent's original side facing across 5-8 Women gypsy R-sh 1-1/2 to partner B1 1-8 Partners balance and swing B2 1-4 Pass thru across set, California twirl 5-8 Circle L 1/4 (only) and zig-zag L + R to new cpl (so gents can flow into A1) * A1 has a high piece count and very little recovery time. B2 timing is a bit fuzzy with extra time allowing for those who start B2 5-8 a little slow. + The original concept for A1 was to have the gents to a diagonal contra corners with the women as the “corners”. I found mentioning this up front only confused people, and the dancers tend to “flatten” the diagonals anyway. Since the dancers are always right, that’s what the dance became. 😊 Pinehurst Road, improper, intermediate A1 1-4 Gents allemande L 3/4; balance neighbor 5-8 Neighbor swing A2 1-4 Circle L 3/4 5-8 Partner swing B1 1-4 Long lines fwd + back 5-8 Star R 3/4 B2 1-2 Partners allemande R 3/4 into wavy line up/down the set (women in ctr by L) 3-6 Women allemande L 1-1/2 while gents orbit CW 1/2 7-8 Partners allemande R 3/4 (so that gents face new neighbors) The B2 borrowed a figure from English Country dance Fentalarick. Once they figure out the timing, dancers seem to really enjoy it. Thanx, Ric Goldman letsdance(a)rgoldman.org From: Callers [mailto:callers-bounces@lists.sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of Maia McCormick via Callers Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2017 6:27 PM To: callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net Subject: [Callers] In search of un-premiered contras! Hi choreographer folks, I'm leading a session at NEFFA called "Cutting-Edge Contras", consisting of un-premiered (or very sparsely called) contras. If anyone has any dances they'd like to throw my way for consideration, please do so! Cheers, Maia

7 years, 8 months

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Import1 April 2017