Import1 July 2017

import1@lists2.sharedweight.net

1 participants
31 discussions

by Cara Sawyer via Callers

This is THE BEST email strain ever. On Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 6:25 PM, Donald Perley via Callers < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > I think the tags were key. My worst experiences were when gender is > not mentioned, and people have > no reminder of which role they are dancing. > > On Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 12:59 PM, Amy Wimmer via Callers > <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > > Hi All, > > > > I recently had the opportunity to call a contra to a group of rank > beginners > > in a difficult situation: outdoors, on sloping concrete, without > > amplification for either myself or the band, to people not expecting a > > dance, with a band mostly unfamiliar with either contra or fiddle tunes, > who > > had no opportunity to practice or choose tunes. It was a staff party > with a > > barnyard theme. Granted, this particular good of people is accustomed to > > being spontaneous and silly at times, most are in their 20's, and it's a > > liberal, accepting group. > > > > The organizers wanted to use the terms "cows" and "chickens" instead of > any > > other usual terms for dancers. When they arrived at the party each person > > chose a name tag with either a cow or a chicken on it. They didn't know > it, > > but this determined which role they'd play in the dance. I arbitrarily > chose > > to "put the chicken on the right, because the chicken is always right." > (I > > keep chickens, and they ARE always right) > > > > There was not time for much of a lesson, either. It'd have been much > easier > > if everyone had joined the dance at the beginning. All said, just about > > everyone had a really great time, myself included. The band was hyped up > to > > try another dance evening later in the week, though that never > materialized. > > > > I never mentioned gender in any way. That part just seemed to not matter. > > They were dancing with their friends. It didn't matter that they weren't > > experts or even very good. > > > > I was heartened and encouraged to try something like this again, perhaps > > with more widely used dancer terms. > > > > -Amy > > > > _______________________________________________ > > 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 > -- Cara V. Sawyer M.M. French Horn ~~

7 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] Genderless calling

by Donald Perley via Callers

I think the tags were key. My worst experiences were when gender is not mentioned, and people have no reminder of which role they are dancing. On Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 12:59 PM, Amy Wimmer via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Hi All, > > I recently had the opportunity to call a contra to a group of rank beginners > in a difficult situation: outdoors, on sloping concrete, without > amplification for either myself or the band, to people not expecting a > dance, with a band mostly unfamiliar with either contra or fiddle tunes, who > had no opportunity to practice or choose tunes. It was a staff party with a > barnyard theme. Granted, this particular good of people is accustomed to > being spontaneous and silly at times, most are in their 20's, and it's a > liberal, accepting group. > > The organizers wanted to use the terms "cows" and "chickens" instead of any > other usual terms for dancers. When they arrived at the party each person > chose a name tag with either a cow or a chicken on it. They didn't know it, > but this determined which role they'd play in the dance. I arbitrarily chose > to "put the chicken on the right, because the chicken is always right." (I > keep chickens, and they ARE always right) > > There was not time for much of a lesson, either. It'd have been much easier > if everyone had joined the dance at the beginning. All said, just about > everyone had a really great time, myself included. The band was hyped up to > try another dance evening later in the week, though that never materialized. > > I never mentioned gender in any way. That part just seemed to not matter. > They were dancing with their friends. It didn't matter that they weren't > experts or even very good. > > I was heartened and encouraged to try something like this again, perhaps > with more widely used dancer terms. > > -Amy > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net >

7 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] Genderless calling

by Angela DeCarlis via Callers

Wow, I was ready for a horror story; I'm so glad that everyone, including you and the band, ended up having a great time! Good show! Somewhat relevantly: Q: What did the family of cows have for dinner? A: Hay for Four! Nyuck nyuck nyuck, -Angela On Jul 31, 2017 12:59 PM, "Amy Wimmer via Callers" < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Hi All, > > I recently had the opportunity to call a contra to a group of rank > beginners in a difficult situation: outdoors, on sloping concrete, without > amplification for either myself or the band, to people not expecting a > dance, with a band mostly unfamiliar with either contra or fiddle tunes, > who had no opportunity to practice or choose tunes. It was a staff party > with a barnyard theme. Granted, this particular good of people is > accustomed to being spontaneous and silly at times, most are in their 20's, > and it's a liberal, accepting group. > > The organizers wanted to use the terms "cows" and "chickens" instead of > any other usual terms for dancers. When they arrived at the party each > person chose a name tag with either a cow or a chicken on it. They didn't > know it, but this determined which role they'd play in the dance. I > arbitrarily chose to "put the chicken on the right, because the chicken is > always right." (I keep chickens, and they ARE always right) > > There was not time for much of a lesson, either. It'd have been much > easier if everyone had joined the dance at the beginning. All said, just > about everyone had a really great time, myself included. The band was hyped > up to try another dance evening later in the week, though that never > materialized. > > I never mentioned gender in any way. That part just seemed to not matter. > They were dancing with their friends. It didn't matter that they weren't > experts or even very good. > > I was heartened and encouraged to try something like this again, perhaps > with more widely used dancer terms. > > -Amy > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net > >

7 years, 4 months

[Callers] Genderless calling

by Amy Wimmer via Callers

Hi All, I recently had the opportunity to call a contra to a group of rank beginners in a difficult situation: outdoors, on sloping concrete, without amplification for either myself or the band, to people not expecting a dance, with a band mostly unfamiliar with either contra or fiddle tunes, who had no opportunity to practice or choose tunes. It was a staff party with a barnyard theme. Granted, this particular good of people is accustomed to being spontaneous and silly at times, most are in their 20's, and it's a liberal, accepting group. The organizers wanted to use the terms "cows" and "chickens" instead of any other usual terms for dancers. When they arrived at the party each person chose a name tag with either a cow or a chicken on it. They didn't know it, but this determined which role they'd play in the dance. I arbitrarily chose to "put the chicken on the right, because the chicken is always right." (I keep chickens, and they ARE always right) There was not time for much of a lesson, either. It'd have been much easier if everyone had joined the dance at the beginning. All said, just about everyone had a really great time, myself included. The band was hyped up to try another dance evening later in the week, though that never materialized. I never mentioned gender in any way. That part just seemed to not matter. They were dancing with their friends. It didn't matter that they weren't experts or even very good. I was heartened and encouraged to try something like this again, perhaps with more widely used dancer terms. -Amy

7 years, 4 months

[Callers] Phil Jamison: Hoedowns, Reels, and Frolics

by Aahz via Callers

I don't recall seeing this mentioned, passing along to people interested in the history of square dancing, clogging, and other southern Appalachia dances. http://www.philjamison.com/hoedowns-reels-and-frolics/ Picked up from the Facebook group Safety Dance: Building Safe and Empowered Social Dance Communities -- Hugs and backrubs -- I break Rule 6 http://rule6.info/ <*> <*> <*> I'm fond of saying that relationships are a complex dance of dependence, independence, and interdependence, and the rhythm and steps are different for each relationship.

7 years, 4 months

[Callers] Roger Whynot Contras for Modern Square Dancers (Part 1)

by Rich Sbardella via Callers

Hello Judy, I found the Dick Leger album with Roger Whynot contras. I remember dancing many of these at East Hill Farm with Dick Leger. *SW Contra* Alternate Duple/Double Progression, No P Swg A1 N DSD, N Swg A2 Face Across Flutterwheel, Sweep 1/4, Star Thru B1 Circle Left, Circle Right B2 Promenade Across, R&L Thru *Eighteenth of January* Alternate Duple/Double Progression, No P Swg A1 N DSD, N Swg A2 Square Thru, Slide Thru, Meet New Neighbor, Join Hands w/New Neighbor B1 Circle Left, Circle Right B2 Lad Chain, Chain Back *Route 61* Alternate Duple, No P Swg (This is listed as a Double Progression. Is it?) A1 Across the Set RH Balance, Turn Half by Right, R&L Thru & Courtesy Turn 1/4 More A2 Promenade Wholeset, Wheel Around & Comeback B1 Lad Chain, Chain Back B2 New N Swg, LL F&B *Sue's Delight* Alternate Duple Single Progression The Sweep 1/4 are indicated as with vines. A1 Holding your P hand, Balance as Couples R, then L, Sweep 1/4, Lad Chain to N A2 Lad Chain to P, Holding N Hand, Balance as Couples R, the Left, Sweep 1/4 B1 R&L Thru, Star Thru, Circle Half, B2 Pass Thru & Swg, LL F&B These contras are all on the first side of the LP "A Modern Style Contra Dance Party". Each dance would all be a tough sell today, since there are no Partner Swings. More to come, Rich Sbardella Stafford, CT On Wed, Jul 19, 2017 at 9:48 AM, Rich Sbardella <richsbardella(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Judy, > > Dick Leger published an LP of contras written by Roger Whynot. The LP was > aimed at square dancers and included Flutter Wheel and Sweep 1/4 More. > Perhaps I will be able to find it later and post some dances. > > I called contras at the New England Square and Round Dance Convention this > year and the dancers enjoyed contras that I also call at modern contra > dances, Keep the progressions simple, and keep the swings short. > > Peace, > Rich > Stafford, CT > > On Tue, Jul 18, 2017 at 10:28 PM, Judy Greenhill via Callers < > callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > >> Hi everyone, >> >> I have undertaken to teach some modern square dancers how to contra >> dance, and I’m wondering if anyone has experience with this and has any >> dances to recommend? I’m a square dancer myself but most of my contra >> repertoire is for modern contra dancers- 2 swings, lots of Balance and >> swing, etc. I’d like more dances with MWSD moves in them and possibly >> without any, or only 1, swing, and they don’t need to have a partner swing. >> The dancers I am teaching are all either plus or advanced, so they will >> tire pretty quickly of the usual simple glossary contras I would normally >> do in a teaching situation. They can do the moves; it’s the formation that >> is new to them. >> >> >> >> Thanks, >> >> Judy >> >> >> >> >> <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> Virus-free. >> www.avast.com >> <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> >> <#m_-880773143942596016_m_6636786697433527171_DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Callers mailing list >> Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net >> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net >> >> >

7 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] New Dance?

by Ric Goldman - Letsdance via Callers

Hi Bob, It's almost the same as my dance Fried Rice, written in 2012 in a Chinese restaurant while waiting for dinner. The only difference is the B2 5-8: Fried Rice, duple improper A1 1-8 Neighbors balance + swing A2 1-4 Gents allemande L 1-1/2 5-8 Partners swing B1 1-4 Long lines fwd & back 5-8 Circle L 3/4 B2 1-4 Neighbors allemande R 1-1/2 5-6 Balance the ring, petronella 7-8 Balance the ring, petronella with an extra half-turn to face new neighbors Hope this helps. Thanx, Ric Goldman From: Callers [mailto:callers-bounces@lists.sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of Bob Isaacs via Callers Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2017 7:12 PM To: Shared Weight <callers(a)sharedweight.net> Subject: [Callers] New Dance? Hive Mind: I wrote the following solid little contra on a recent flight when I had too much time on my hands, and it went well on its initial test. It didn't show up in my database, but do you know if it has been written previously? Improper A1. Neighbor balance, swing A2. Gents allemande L 1 1/2, partner swing B1. Long lines, circle L 3/4 B2. Neighbor allemande R 1 1/2, 1/2 hey (GL, PR, LL, -) Bob

7 years, 4 months

[Callers] Looking for a particular sort of becket dance

by Kalia Kliban via Callers

Hi all, I'm re-vamping my list of simple contra dances for new callers, and am in search of a very particular sort of becket dance. The list is one of my hand-outs for callers' classes at camps, so the folks who'll be using it are likely to be nervous, brand-new callers. To that end, I'm looking for sturdy, hard-to-break, low-piece-count dances. In a perfect world they'd be composed of simpler glossary figures. I already have a fair collection of simple dances to choose from, but would like to include one more becket dance (I have Tica Tica Timing already on the list). This perfect becket that I'm looking for should _not_ start with circle L 3/4, and should not contain petronella twirls. Bonus points if it doesn't have a whole hey, since I've already got a couple of whole hey dances in the list. I look forward to hearing what you can recommend. Many thanks, Kalia Kliban

7 years, 4 months

[Callers] Two new longways set dances

by Luke Donforth via Callers

Hello all, Lately, my choreography brain has been churning on community dances (longways, circles, etc). I've got two new ones that I haven't gotten to test out yet. I'd be curious to hear folks thoughts on them; both the dance moves and how to succinctly explain it to people not used to dancing (for instance, I use the phrase cross trail in this write-up, which I wouldn't use at a community dance) Each of them have (what I think is) a new figure for the progression; and then could be mixed with the staples of long lines, DSDs, etc. I'm not even pretending to break this up into A's and B's; because they're not that kind of dance ;-) *Long Corners * by Luke Donforth longways set top in left line trade with bottom in right line, giving a high five with the left hand in the middle then next trade and high five, and the next, until both lines have swapped and you're across from partner again the pair at the top of the line (was bottom couple) stays put and swings each other around, while two lines do a cross trail at the top; giving your partner a high five with your right when you pass head of each cross-trailing line leads back down to bottom of their original side of the set and stays there. Everyone else follows in their line long lines forward and back DSD partner straight across Progression 1 2 3 4 5 => 5 1 2 3 4 Here's a link to a series of photos, hopefully illustrating the beginning sequence: https://plus.google.com/u/3/104785381669836716439/posts/ZVTsdkH6fj7 (unmarked peg is the caller) *The Fountain* by Luke Donforth Longways sets Top couple makes an arch and goes over the other two lines The rest move up, and when the reach the top, they make an arch and go down over the rest of the line When the bottom couple reaches the top, the separate (peel the banana style) and lead their line down the outside (no hands). Everyone except the original top couple (now at the bottom) follows. The couple at the bottom swings, and as other folks get back to line; they can swing their partner. Long lines forward and back Allemande your partner Other hand Allemande your partner Progression: 1 2 3 4 5 => 2 3 4 5 1 Pictures at: https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipO8FvLShqqQllbGxe-IQ0fpvQiQhA1SNUiQ0S7…

7 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] 4 couple set Chorus Jig

by Richard Fischer via Callers

Well inspired by this four-couple version I just wrote a Sicilian Circle variation on Chorus Jig and gave it a tentative title. Comments welcome. Did we ever discover who composed the four-couple version? Chorus Reel Sicilian Circle Richard Allen Fischer Formation: Duple Improper Circle. Ones facing CCW, Twos facing CW. Dance begins with Ones joining near hands while Twos stand normal distance apart. A1) Everyone walks forward, Ones passing between Twos, two steps per pass, passing Neighbors 1, 2, 3, & 4; Swing Neighbor 5. End swing facing across to Partner A2) In current group of four, Ladies dosido, Gents dosido B1) All turn modified contra corners. Allemande R with Partner 3/4, allemande Same-Sex Neighbor (one you dosido'd) L 1x, allemande Partner by R 1/2, allemande new Same-Sex Neighbor by L 1x. B2) All balance and swing Partner. End facing in line of direction, Ones with near hands joined, Twos separating a bit from partner. Thanks! Richard Fischer Princeton, NJ > On Jul 16, 2017, at 8:37 PM, Yoyo Zhou via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > > Hi callers, > > I've been looking for a funky dance, a variation on Chorus Jig for 4 couples, alternating, everybody turns contra corners. Does anyone know who to thank for it? > > (I remember dancing it at one of the Monte Toyon camps (Spring Fever or Queer Contra Camp) but I can't remember which! For bonus points, I'd love to figure out whom I learned it from.) > > The dance goes like this: > > A1: top couple down the outside and back > B1: top couple down the middle and back, cast off with 2s > C: all turn contra corners in the middle > (All turn partner right 3/4, 1st corner left 1, parter right 1/2, 2nd corner left 1. > It looks like a wave of 8 down the middle.) > B2: all balance and swing partner; end swing facing up (?) > > (? = Do you alternate facing up/down?) > > Then, every other time, alternate: the bottom couple goes up the set and casts off with the 3s. So the 1s and 2s just change places with each other, and the 3s and 4s change places with each other, and everyone has a turn. > > Thanks, > Yoyo Zhou > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

7 years, 4 months

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Import1 July 2017