Import1 June 2017

import1@lists2.sharedweight.net

1 participants
68 discussions

Re: [Callers] Quiet (was: Super easy dances - do they exist?)

by Linda S. Mrosko via Callers

Ooooh, that looks like a good one. I'll add it to my list of potential methods. I also thought of using a chant...like, "If I say Quiet, you say Right Now -- Quiet -- Right Now" Can someone think of a better chant? On Sun, Jun 18, 2017 at 11:12 PM, Jacob or Nancy Bloom <jandnbloom(a)gmail.com > wrote: > It isn't necessary to hire a person who can do a loud whistle - you can > buy a loud whistle for a few dollars, and hang it from a lanyard. > > Here's another technique for calling for quiet which I have seen work, > although I haven't used it myself. > > "If you can hear my voice clap once. <clap> If you can hear my voice clap > twice. <clap clap> If you can hear my voice clap three times. <clap clap > clap> ... " > > The few people who hear you the first time clap, and that attracts the > attention of people near them, so more people hear you calling for them to > clap twice, which attracts more attention. Repeat until you have the > attention of the room. It won't solve the problem of keeping them quiet, > but it doesn't hurt to have more than one technique to draw on. > > And it's easier on the ears than that loud whistle. > > Jacob > > > On Sat, Jun 17, 2017 at 12:50 PM, Linda S. Mrosko via Callers < > callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > >> Oh how I wish that would work. I've tried that technique over the >> years. They just ignore me. Shushing works, but I have to repeat the >> shhhhh into the mic lots of times. A big part of the challenge is the >> acoustics -- it's worse than being in a gym. For instance, I get them >> quiet and then teach them the first move -- there is a roar -- I get them >> quiet again -- teach the next move -- there is a roar -- I get them quiet >> again -- teach the third move -- there is a roar -- ad nauseam. The >> musicians crank up their music to the max for the dance, but even I can >> barely hear it over the din from the dancers. Short of hiring a person who >> can do that loud whistle, I'm at a loss. I've sort of grown used to it, >> but my temper is short and I really have to watch myself. >> >> On Sat, Jun 17, 2017 at 7:42 AM, Jeremy Child <jeremy.m.child(a)gmail.com> >> wrote: >> >>> To quiet a room I use the Girl Guides technique: >>> >>> I raise my hand, and anyone who sees me knows to stop talking and raise >>> their hand too. More notice this (other peoples hands up and slightly >>> diminished volume). This snowballs quite quickly as peer pressure kicks >>> in, and is a very effective technique. You have to teach it to them first, >>> of course, but they pick it up quite quickly. >>> >>> Jeremy >>> www.barndancecaller.net >>> >>> On 16 June 2017 at 20:10, Linda S. Mrosko via Callers < >>> callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: >>> >>>> I lead an annual dance for 200+ 18-year olds in a hall with terrible >>>> acoustics. Been doing it for 15+ years. If they all whispered at the same >>>> time, it would sound like a roar in that room. I can only do the most >>>> basic stuff most of the time...simple circles, longways with lots of >>>> sashaying, an easy folk dance. But I experiment every now and then, which >>>> lead me to come up with the following dances which, for the most part, >>>> worked. Am I stealing them from somebody? (I like to give credit where >>>> credit is due.) >>>> >>>> They call their dance "Swat the Flea". I searched for a long time for >>>> a very easy dance that had a Swat the Flea and finally wrote this one -- >>>> >>>> BOX'NSWAT (Circle) >>>> A1 Women into the middle and back; Gents into the middle & back >>>> A2 All make a quarter turn to the right and walk single file to the >>>> right >>>> B1 Women turn back to face partner -- all shake R hands with Partner & >>>> Box the Gnat; change hands, Balance & Swat the Flea >>>> B2 DSD Partner; Allemande R w/partner 1-1/2 to progress (women end >>>> facing into the center ready to go F&B) >>>> >>>> >>>> Since contra dances are almost impossible to teach to a loud, >>>> boisterous, energetic bunch of 18-year olds who have never heard of or seen >>>> a contra dance, I decided to give this a whirl -- and it worked -- mostly! >>>> It would probably be better with a smaller more sedate crowd. >>>> >>>> GREASE & GLUE (Contra formation -- Gender free -- all you need is a >>>> partner) >>>> A1 Couple 1 split Couple 2, return to places; Couple 1 DSD >>>> A2 Couple 2 split Couple 1, return to places; Couple 2 DSD >>>> B1 Star R; Star L (w/hands) >>>> B2 Couples face each other -- Couples DSD 1-1/2 ending back-to-back, >>>> facing next couple >>>> >>>> >>>> As an aside -- how do you quiet a room with terrible acoustics full of >>>> loud people? Thanks! >>>> >>>> -- >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> *Looking forward,Linda S. Mrosko* >>>> >>>> *102 Mitchell Drive* >>>> >>>> *Temple, Texas 76501* >>>> >>>> *(903) 292-3713 <(903)%20292-3713> (Cell)* >>>> *(903) 603-9955 <(903)%20603-9955> (Skype)* >>>> *contradancetx.com <http://www.contradancetx.com>* >>>> >>>> *www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy* <http://www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy*> (Dance >>>> buttons, t-shirts, & more)* >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> 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 <(903)%20292-3713> (Cell)* >> *(903) 603-9955 <(903)%20603-9955> (Skype)* >> *contradancetx.com <http://www.contradancetx.com>* >> >> *www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy* <http://www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy*> (Dance >> buttons, t-shirts, & more)* >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Callers mailing list >> Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net >> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net >> >> > > > -- > jandnbloom(a)gmail.com > http://jacobbloom.net/ > View my Arlington Food Pantry fundraiser at https://www.youcaring.com/ > arlington-food-pantry-621657 > -- *Looking forward,Linda S. Mrosko* *102 Mitchell Drive* *Temple, Texas 76501* *(903) 292-3713 (Cell)* *(903) 603-9955 (Skype)* *contradancetx.com <http://www.contradancetx.com>* *www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy* <http://www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy*> (Dance buttons, t-shirts, & more)*

7 years, 6 months

[Callers] Quiet (was: Super easy dances - do they exist?)

by Jacob or Nancy Bloom via Callers

It isn't necessary to hire a person who can do a loud whistle - you can buy a loud whistle for a few dollars, and hang it from a lanyard. Here's another technique for calling for quiet which I have seen work, although I haven't used it myself. "If you can hear my voice clap once. <clap> If you can hear my voice clap twice. <clap clap> If you can hear my voice clap three times. <clap clap clap> ... " The few people who hear you the first time clap, and that attracts the attention of people near them, so more people hear you calling for them to clap twice, which attracts more attention. Repeat until you have the attention of the room. It won't solve the problem of keeping them quiet, but it doesn't hurt to have more than one technique to draw on. And it's easier on the ears than that loud whistle. Jacob On Sat, Jun 17, 2017 at 12:50 PM, Linda S. Mrosko via Callers < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Oh how I wish that would work. I've tried that technique over the years. > They just ignore me. Shushing works, but I have to repeat the shhhhh into > the mic lots of times. A big part of the challenge is the acoustics -- > it's worse than being in a gym. For instance, I get them quiet and then > teach them the first move -- there is a roar -- I get them quiet again -- > teach the next move -- there is a roar -- I get them quiet again -- teach > the third move -- there is a roar -- ad nauseam. The musicians crank up > their music to the max for the dance, but even I can barely hear it over > the din from the dancers. Short of hiring a person who can do that loud > whistle, I'm at a loss. I've sort of grown used to it, but my temper is > short and I really have to watch myself. > > On Sat, Jun 17, 2017 at 7:42 AM, Jeremy Child <jeremy.m.child(a)gmail.com> > wrote: > >> To quiet a room I use the Girl Guides technique: >> >> I raise my hand, and anyone who sees me knows to stop talking and raise >> their hand too. More notice this (other peoples hands up and slightly >> diminished volume). This snowballs quite quickly as peer pressure kicks >> in, and is a very effective technique. You have to teach it to them first, >> of course, but they pick it up quite quickly. >> >> Jeremy >> www.barndancecaller.net >> >> On 16 June 2017 at 20:10, Linda S. Mrosko via Callers < >> callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: >> >>> I lead an annual dance for 200+ 18-year olds in a hall with terrible >>> acoustics. Been doing it for 15+ years. If they all whispered at the same >>> time, it would sound like a roar in that room. I can only do the most >>> basic stuff most of the time...simple circles, longways with lots of >>> sashaying, an easy folk dance. But I experiment every now and then, which >>> lead me to come up with the following dances which, for the most part, >>> worked. Am I stealing them from somebody? (I like to give credit where >>> credit is due.) >>> >>> They call their dance "Swat the Flea". I searched for a long time for a >>> very easy dance that had a Swat the Flea and finally wrote this one -- >>> >>> BOX'NSWAT (Circle) >>> A1 Women into the middle and back; Gents into the middle & back >>> A2 All make a quarter turn to the right and walk single file to the >>> right >>> B1 Women turn back to face partner -- all shake R hands with Partner & >>> Box the Gnat; change hands, Balance & Swat the Flea >>> B2 DSD Partner; Allemande R w/partner 1-1/2 to progress (women end >>> facing into the center ready to go F&B) >>> >>> >>> Since contra dances are almost impossible to teach to a loud, >>> boisterous, energetic bunch of 18-year olds who have never heard of or seen >>> a contra dance, I decided to give this a whirl -- and it worked -- mostly! >>> It would probably be better with a smaller more sedate crowd. >>> >>> GREASE & GLUE (Contra formation -- Gender free -- all you need is a >>> partner) >>> A1 Couple 1 split Couple 2, return to places; Couple 1 DSD >>> A2 Couple 2 split Couple 1, return to places; Couple 2 DSD >>> B1 Star R; Star L (w/hands) >>> B2 Couples face each other -- Couples DSD 1-1/2 ending back-to-back, >>> facing next couple >>> >>> >>> As an aside -- how do you quiet a room with terrible acoustics full of >>> loud people? Thanks! >>> >>> -- >>> >>> >>> >>> *Looking forward,Linda S. Mrosko* >>> >>> *102 Mitchell Drive* >>> >>> *Temple, Texas 76501* >>> >>> *(903) 292-3713 <(903)%20292-3713> (Cell)* >>> *(903) 603-9955 <(903)%20603-9955> (Skype)* >>> *contradancetx.com <http://www.contradancetx.com>* >>> >>> *www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy* <http://www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy*> (Dance >>> buttons, t-shirts, & more)* >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> 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 <(903)%20292-3713> (Cell)* > *(903) 603-9955 <(903)%20603-9955> (Skype)* > *contradancetx.com <http://www.contradancetx.com>* > > *www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy* <http://www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy*> (Dance > buttons, t-shirts, & more)* > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net > > -- jandnbloom(a)gmail.com http://jacobbloom.net/ View my Arlington Food Pantry fundraiser at https://www.youcaring.com/arlington-food-pantry-621657

7 years, 6 months

Re: [Callers] Allen Ortep's First Contra

by Linda Leslie via Callers

Here is the dance, with notes, as listed on Michael Dyck’s comprehensive web site: http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/index/ As Paul Wilde pointed out, the dance is Becket formation. I have never tried calling it. Linda Allen Ortep's First Contra Top Becket Counter Clockwise Intermediate-Advanced Michael Fuerst February 1998 A1 Star left Right and left through on right diagonal A2 Long lines forward, on the way back, partners roll away with a 1/2 sashe Circle right 3/4, pass through along set by left shoulder to meet couple passed during the right and left of A1 B1 Balance and swing this neighbor. B2 Allen Ortep turn (balance in a circle, then move as an individual to the left one place in the circle while twirling counterclockwise) Partners swing. Alternatives for B2 are Men allemande left 1 1/2, partners swing, or Star left 3/4, men turn back, partners swing Those unfamiliar with the famous dance composer Allen Ortep, should spell his name backwards On Jun 18, 2017, at 10:33 PM, Mark Hillegonds via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Hi all, > > Allen Ortep's First Contra was shared with this group in November, 2012. Just wondering if anyone has successfully called this dance. I ask because I've tried a few times with some adventurous and skilled dancers and have never gotten it to work. So I'm wondering if I have the instructions right. > > I tried searching the SharedWeight archives and am not getting any results. (In fact, I get no results even if I search for Contra. So now I'm feeling very technologically challenged!) > > Below are the instructions as I copied then and then double-checked them.at the time. > > Does anyone see any mistakes or have any other thoughts? Thanks. > > Allen Ortep’s First Contra > by Michael Fuerst > Contra/Improper/Int-Adv > > A1 ----------- > (8) LH star > (8) R diag R & L thru > A2 ----------- > (4,4) LL F & B, On way back, Gents roll Partner R to L > (6,2) Circle R 3/4, Pass thru (along) > B1 ----------- > (16) New Neighbor B & S > B2 ----------- > (4,4) Rings balance, Spin to L > (8) Partner swing > > -- > Mark Hillegonds > > Cell: 734-756-8441 > Email: mark.hillegonds(a)gmail.com > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

7 years, 6 months

Re: [Callers] Allen Ortep's First Contra

by Paul Wilde via Callers

Mark, Hi! It seems the dance should work, but I do notice one quirk. It looks to be a becket R dance (in terms of progressing direction). So starting out in DI means the first star is shorter for the ladies than it would be (one full time around) once you swing your P in the B-2. Michael, does this sound correct? Paul W.

7 years, 6 months

[Callers] Allen Ortep's First Contra

by Mark Hillegonds via Callers

Hi all, Allen Ortep's First Contra was shared with this group in November, 2012. Just wondering if anyone has successfully called this dance. I ask because I've tried a few times with some adventurous and skilled dancers and have never gotten it to work. So I'm wondering if I have the instructions right. I tried searching the SharedWeight archives and am not getting any results. (In fact, I get no results even if I search for Contra. So now I'm feeling very technologically challenged!) Below are the instructions as I copied then and then double-checked them.at the time. Does anyone see any mistakes or have any other thoughts? Thanks. Allen Ortep’s First Contra by Michael Fuerst Contra/Improper/Int-Adv A1 ----------- (8) LH star (8) R diag R & L thru A2 ----------- (4,4) LL F & B, On way back, Gents roll Partner R to L (6,2) Circle R 3/4, Pass thru (along) B1 ----------- (16) New Neighbor B & S B2 ----------- (4,4) Rings balance, Spin to L (8) Partner swing -- *Mark Hillegonds* Cell: 734-756-8441 Email: mark.hillegonds(a)gmail.com

7 years, 6 months

Re: [Callers] Super easy dances - do they exist?

by Read Weaver via Callers

Unless Temple, Texas, is more of a hotbed of gender noncomformity than I’ve been led to believe, I think it unlikely that the phrase “those who are pretending to be ladies” will result in increased eagerness for guys to dance together. There’s been plenty of discussion on this list of other terminology to use; Larks and Ravens (Larks on the Left, Ravens on the Right) seems to be the phrasing that’s increasingly used. (And no need, with a group who’s never done any of this before, to “explain” that the Larks are the traditional Gents and the Ravens the traditional Ladies; just use the terms on their own.) Read Weaver Jamaica Plain, MA http://lcfd.org > On Jun 17, 2017, at 1:07 PM, Linda S. Mrosko via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > ... > Thanks for asking the gender question. I still use ladies and gents when necessary, but I add "those who are pretending to be gents" and "those who are pretending to be ladies". They're just kids and no one seems to mind. > ... > On Sat, Jun 17, 2017 at 11:51 AM, Linda Leslie <laleslierjg(a)comcast.net <mailto:laleslierjg@comcast.net>> wrote: > ... > A question for you, though: if girls are dancing with girls, and boys with boys, how are you approaching the use of language to distinguish positions? > > > On Jun 17, 2017, at 12:31 PM, Linda S. Mrosko via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:callers@lists.sharedweight.net>> wrote: > >> In years passed, I tried to teach them swings -- but I guess everybody still has cooties at 18 years -- never worked -- plus, you have a good number of girls dancing with girls and boys dancing with boys and it makes some of them uncomfortable. >> ... >> >> Linda S. Mrosko >> 102 Mitchell Drive >> Temple, Texas 76501 >> (903) 292-3713 <tel:(903)%20292-3713> (Cell) >> (903) 603-9955 <tel:(903)%20603-9955> (Skype) >> contradancetx.com <http://www.contradancetx.com/> >> www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy* <http://www.zazzle.com/fuzzycozy*> (Dance buttons, t-shirts, & more)

7 years, 6 months

[Callers] Make them laugh!

by Richard Hart via Callers

In the recent "easy dances" thread there was a brief discussion about attracting attention and keeping dancers quiet enough to hear the walk through, using humor. what tricks/words do you use to get people laughing (and therefore paying attention)? Here are a couple of things that I use. I find that as soon as they are laughing with me, they are also paying attention. 1. Men (or everyone, or ladies), Identify your right hand. (Then use it for a star or allemainde) 2. Take hands in a ring. Look at the person in your right hand. They don't know you are looking at them, because they are looking at someone else.... (Before a petronella turn) It's often just enough to make them smile, and pay attention, too. What are some other possibilities? Rich Hart.

7 years, 6 months

Re: [Callers] Super easy dances - do they exist?

by Woody Lane via Callers

I always start my pre-dance workshop with a 2-handed turn. If necessary, I demonstrate it with someone. Then I teach allemande left, allemande right, and dos-i-do. Then I sometimes ask the band to play a tune 2-3 times at a relatively fast tempo, and I make up a silly dance using only those figures, where the partners only dance with each other (no progression, although that would be fun -- just call "move to the next person!"). It doesn't take long before everyone is smiling and laughing, but the main thing is that they are doing the moves and listening to the calls and learning to trust my voice. Woody -- <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Woody Lane Caller, Percussive Dancer Roseburg, Oregon http://www.woodylanecaller.com home: 541-440-1926 cell: 541-556-0054 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ On 6/17/2017 10:07 AM, Linda S. Mrosko via Callers wrote: > 2-hand turns -- one year I was teaching a dance that had a 2-hand > turn -- which I discovered was beyond their comprehension. Lots of > blank faces and a few tried to hold onto each other and turn under > their own arches. I grabbed a young fellow close by and demonstrated > a 2-hand turn and there was a huge "ahhhh" from the group. Who'd have > thought that was a foreign term for 18-year olds. Why don't they > teach this stuff in school anymore? >

7 years, 6 months

Re: [Callers] Super easy dances - do they exist?

by Tom Hinds via Callers

Linda, thanks for bringing this topic up. It sounds like might have a good collection of English village dances in your collection. I think they're perfect for that group. John is correct, get them moving right away. I realize that the thread is super easy dances but I'd like to throw out another idea. Maybe it's time to train them. I don't think you can get them to be as quiet as you want but maybe you can get them to be quiet when you're teaching. Those new to calling might want to think about demos, making sure that there's a payoff for being quite and watching. The payoff/reward could be showing them a cool move or a fun way to dance a particular sequence etc. etc. And if you can get them to laugh during the demo that's even better. Thanks to everyone for the dances. We are fortunate to have so many talented contraographers. T

7 years, 6 months

Re: [Callers] Super easy dances - do they exist?

by John Sweeney via Callers

Hi Linda, Do you try to teach them a Ballroom Hold Swing? I.e. a standard contra swing? I never use that for one night stands. For first-timers I always teach them to put their right forearms together, gently hook their hand around their partner’s elbow, with the thumb below so that they can’t grip, make a hook with their left hands and join them underneath. And don’t lean back! This gives really good connection with space between them. The space means that they can each do any footwork (walk, skip, polka, chassis, buzz) without worrying about stepping on each other. The space also makes it more comfortable from a personal viewpoint. I love the Gypsy into a Swing – I teach them to start the Gypsy, "join right arms, join left hands, swing". I always demonstrate and most of them then make a decent job of swinging. Or you can always do it as a Two-Hand Turn – nice big oval at shoulder level. But no, I wouldn’t do Tony's dance with first-timers. My standard first timer circle mixer is my: Virginia Reel Circle Mixer #24 A1: Partner Arm Right; Partner Arm Left A2: Partner Dosido; Partner Seesaw B1: Partner Gypsy Meltdown B2: Promenade around the circle; Men (those on the inside) move on then face new partner Or Diane Silver’s Kid's Chaos Mixer #3 - Scatter (Mixer) A1: (In fours) Circle Left; Circle right (Slip) A2: Star Right; Star Left B1: Neighbour Two Hand Turn; Partner Two Hand Turn B2: Partner Promenade (Scatter) and find a new couple Make sure some of you promenade in random directions and against the flow. OK to end up as 1, 2, 3, 4 couples together – chaos! Alt B1: Neighbour Dosido; Partner Dosido Alt B1: Partner Swing/Turn; Neighbour Swing/Turn – makes it a Mixer Or Dosido the one you brought, now Dosido someone new - Promenade with this one Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

7 years, 6 months

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Import1 June 2017