Ted's Triplet #7 is my go-to dance for introducing contra corners.
Bob
On Wed, Feb 20, 2019 at 5:10 PM Jacob or Nancy Bloom via Callers <
callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> If you ever do triplets at your dance, you could teach the figure in a
> triplet first. Ted's Triplet #7 uses it, if I recall correctly.
> Jacob
>
> On Wed, Feb 20, 2019, 5:30 PM Richard Hart via Callers <
> callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net wrote:
>
>> I’d make sure that the dancers had already successfully danced every
>> other move in the dance you want to call with contra corners. That way you
>> could focus on the contra corners and the dancers would understand where
>> they would be at the beginning and end of the move.
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> > On Feb 20, 2019, at 4:37 PM, Hannah Chamb via Callers <
>> callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>> >
>> > Hi all, first time posting here!
>> >
>> > I'm new-ish to calling and I've yet to call contra corners. I think I'm
>> up for the challenge and could teach the figure itself, but I still think
>> it's a tricky one for dancers in all but the most experienced crowds. A few
>> callers I know have advised me to build up to a challenging figure like
>> contra corners over the course of an evening by calling dances that echo
>> the skills the dancers will need later.
>> >
>> > With that in mind, what dances would you call early in the evening in a
>> mixed-level group that would help "teach" dancers the skills they need to
>> be successful at contra corners?
>> >
>> > I've been thinking I should include an easy proper-ish dance, and maybe
>> a dance with allemandes outside the minor set... anything else come to mind?
>> >
>> > Thanks in advance,
>> > Hannah Chamberlain
>> > Westbrook, ME
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > List Name: Callers mailing list
>> > List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>> > Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
>> _______________________________________________
>> List Name: Callers mailing list
>> List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
>>
> _______________________________________________
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>
Alexandra Deis-Lauby wrote:
> If the figure is new to your dancers, use a triplet (by David smuckler) or a three facing three (Melanie axel lute wrote one). Contra corners is much easier in that formation.
You can find Melanie Axel-Lute's "Down by the Riverside" here:
http://www.maxellute.net/down.html
In either a triplet or a three-face-three the "inactives" don't have to do double duty being contra corners to two different "active" dancers. Something I like about the 3-face-3 setup is that the center people get to dance with a variety of different opposites, so that unsure dancers might at least occasionally meet someone who can send them in the correct direction.
While the triple-minor setting also avoids having "inactives" do double duty, it could be problematical because most contra dancers these days, except for those who are also English country dancers, are not very familiar with the way progression works in triple minors.
Bob Fabinski wrote:
> I have successfully called "Almost Sackett's Harbor," a triple minor, triple progression dance.
> with the Contra Corners figure in a triplet formation, and there is no waiting out at the top.
For those unfamiliar with Al Olson's dance "Almost Sackett's Harbor," instructions can be found in Larry Jennings's book _Give-and-Take_ and on pages 21=22 of the 1990 Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend syllabus:
https://www.library.unh.edu/special/forms/rpdlw/syllabus1990.pdf
I'd recommend considerable caution about using this dance. The challenging part isn't the contra corners; it's the progression. In the notes on the dance in the RPDLW syllabus cited above, Larry Jennings writes:
If the active couples make a point of letting go of the couple
above them, it may be easier for the #2 and #3 to keep their
roles straight.
This point is not to be taken lightly! The action in phrase 7 of the dance (first half of B2) puts the dancers into new groups of six, and it can be very tempting to think that that's all the regrouping they need to do. Not so! After circling right in phrase 8, the dancers must again regroup into NEW(er) groups of six with the active couples, who were in middle positions in the groups that just circled right, are again in top position. To achieve this the actives must let go of the couple above them (who have been the #2 couple in the round of the dance just completed), and those former #2 dancer must attach themselves to the next couple above so as to become a #3 couple in the round about to commence.
If there's even one place and time where a sufficient number of dancers cone together who don't understand and remember to do the regrouping that I've just described, the likely result will be that in the phrase 2 (second half of A1) of the new round, instead of the dancers all being in circles of six, there will somewhere be a circle of four and a nearby circle of eight. Once that happens, recovery can be practically impossible and the discombobulation can spread along the set at triple-progression speed.
I don't doubt Bob's assertion that he's called the dance successfully, and if he has any specific advice about teaching it, I'd be delighted if he'd share it. But for anyone else who's thinking of calling it, especially to dancers who aren't already familiar with triple minors, I advise you to make sure you understand the dance thoroughly (including end effects) and to think carefully about how to teach it.
--Jim
Like many others, I recommend a triplet or 3-face-3. You're not going
out of your minor set, and not everyone's active all the time.
I recommend:
Corner Triplet (Linda Leslie)
Melanie's Triplet (Melanie Axel-Lute)
Microchasmic Triplet (Ann Fallon)
or
Down by the Riverside (3-face-3 by Melanie Axel-Lute)
I don't recommend Ted's Triplet #7, because it also includes a proper
right-and-left through, which many people these days are more
unfamiliar with than contra corners.
-Chris Page
San Diego, CA
On Wed, Feb 20, 2019 at 1:38 PM Hannah Chamb via Callers
<callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
> Hi all, first time posting here!
>
> I'm new-ish to calling and I've yet to call contra corners. I think I'm up for the challenge and could teach the figure itself, but I still think it's a tricky one for dancers in all but the most experienced crowds. A few callers I know have advised me to build up to a challenging figure like contra corners over the course of an evening by calling dances that echo the skills the dancers will need later.
>
> With that in mind, what dances would you call early in the evening in a mixed-level group that would help "teach" dancers the skills they need to be successful at contra corners?
>
> I've been thinking I should include an easy proper-ish dance, and maybe a dance with allemandes outside the minor set... anything else come to mind?
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Hannah Chamberlain
> Westbrook, ME
> _______________________________________________
> List Name: Callers mailing list
> List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
Hannah,
I whole heatedly double the recommendation for Corner Triplet
by Linda Leslie.
It even works w/ 4 cpls, as the top cpl becomes
the bottom cpl, (then essentially out 1 rd) everyone moving up 1.
Good luck,
Paul
I used this dance again just the other night for a mixed capabilities
crowd. It has so few moving parts that it's easy to focus on the CC
sequence.
-Don
Corner Triplet - Proper - Linda Leslie
A1 1st couple down the center (the lady will be on the left going down
the set)
Turn alone, return
Cast off with same role neighbor #2
A2 Ones Contra corners
B1 Ones Balance & Swing
B2 Ones up the center to the top, separate, go down the outside
Lines of three forward & back
Linda said: "Written to have a dance for teaching contra corners."
On Wed, Feb 20, 2019 at 4:38 PM Hannah Chamb via Callers <
callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> Hi all, first time posting here!
>
> I'm new-ish to calling and I've yet to call contra corners. I think I'm up
> for the challenge and could teach the figure itself, but I still think it's
> a tricky one for dancers in all but the most experienced crowds. A few
> callers I know have advised me to build up to a challenging figure like
> contra corners over the course of an evening by calling dances that echo
> the skills the dancers will need later.
>
> With that in mind, what dances would you call early in the evening in a
> mixed-level group that would help "teach" dancers the skills they need to
> be successful at contra corners?
>
> I've been thinking I should include an easy proper-ish dance, and maybe a
> dance with allemandes outside the minor set... anything else come to mind?
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Hannah Chamberlain
> Westbrook, ME
> _______________________________________________
> List Name: Callers mailing list
> List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
>
I have successfully called "Almost Sackett's Harbor," a triple minor, triple progression dance.with the Contra Corners figure in a triplet formation, and there is no waiting out at the top.
-----Original Message-----
From: Alexandra Deis-Lauby via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
To: Ann Fallon <aefallon(a)verizon.net>
Cc: callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>; hannahchamb <hannahchamb(a)gmail.com>
Sent: Wed, Feb 20, 2019 5:49 pm
Subject: Re: [Callers] Building to Contra Corners
In my dance community a proper dance won’t help because everyone dances all the roles so training folks to look for certain genders isn’t a good idea (and in my opinion never is). Instead, I’d suggest something with short Allemandes (half, 3/4) or diagonal waves (dr Blums delight).
If the figure is new to your dancers, use a triplet (by David smuckler) or a three facing three (Melanie axel lute wrote one). Contra corners is much easier in that formation.
A
Sent from my iPhone
On Feb 20, 2019, at 5:06 PM, Ann Fallon via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hi, Hannah
I like your idea of teaching a proper dance earlier in your program. If you are going to choose a contra corners dance in which the active couple has to do a half-figure eight to get proper, you might want to teach the half-figure eight in an earlier dance, too.
Here's a triplet which I also find useful for teaching/learning contra corners. I am the author, but don't mean to be self-promoting here.
Microchasmic Triplet
Proper Formation, all facing partnerThe middle couple is the "active" couple, so there is no need to get them into position before starting the contra corners.
A1 Forward and Back, DSD PartnerA2 Middle couple turn contra cornersB1 ALL balance and swing Partner, end facing upB2 Top couple lead a cast off to the bottom. When they reach the bottom they make a two-handed arch and the other two couples go below them and come through the arch.
It's a peel the banana, come through the arch figure as in the Virginia Reel. Encourage the dancers to come to the top of their set before casting off to the bottom, or the sets will move too far down the hall.
Here's a link to a video.
Good luck!
Ann
-----Original Message-----
From: Hannah Chamb via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
To: callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Wed, Feb 20, 2019 4:38 pm
Subject: [Callers] Building to Contra Corners
Hi all, first time posting here!
I'm new-ish to calling and I've yet to call contra corners. I think I'm up for the challenge and could teach the figure itself, but I still think it's a tricky one for dancers in all but the most experienced crowds. A few callers I know have advised me to build up to a challenging figure like contra corners over the course of an evening by calling dances that echo the skills the dancers will need later.
With that in mind, what dances would you call early in the evening in a mixed-level group that would help "teach" dancers the skills they need to be successful at contra corners?
I've been thinking I should include an easy proper-ish dance, and maybe a dance with allemandes outside the minor set... anything else come to mind?
Thanks in advance, Hannah ChamberlainWestbrook, ME_______________________________________________
List Name: Callers mailing list
List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
_______________________________________________
List Name: Callers mailing list
List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
_______________________________________________
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Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
I was going to suggest the same thing. I've called Chorus Jig as a triplet. B-2 just has the 1's swing down to the bottom of the set. I've used this dance in a family dance/barn dance type situation with no problems.. It certainly teaches the contra corners figure.
bill
________________________________
From: Callers <callers-bounces(a)lists.sharedweight.net> on behalf of Jacob or Nancy Bloom via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2019 11:09 PM
Cc: callers; hannahchamb(a)gmail.com
Subject: Re: [Callers] Building to Contra Corners
If you ever do triplets at your dance, you could teach the figure in a triplet first. Ted's Triplet #7 uses it, if I recall correctly.
Jacob
On Wed, Feb 20, 2019, 5:30 PM Richard Hart via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
I’d make sure that the dancers had already successfully danced every other move in the dance you want to call with contra corners. That way you could focus on the contra corners and the dancers would understand where they would be at the beginning and end of the move.
Sent from my iPhone
> On Feb 20, 2019, at 4:37 PM, Hannah Chamb via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:callers@lists.sharedweight.net>> wrote:
>
> Hi all, first time posting here!
>
> I'm new-ish to calling and I've yet to call contra corners. I think I'm up for the challenge and could teach the figure itself, but I still think it's a tricky one for dancers in all but the most experienced crowds. A few callers I know have advised me to build up to a challenging figure like contra corners over the course of an evening by calling dances that echo the skills the dancers will need later.
>
> With that in mind, what dances would you call early in the evening in a mixed-level group that would help "teach" dancers the skills they need to be successful at contra corners?
>
> I've been thinking I should include an easy proper-ish dance, and maybe a dance with allemandes outside the minor set... anything else come to mind?
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Hannah Chamberlain
> Westbrook, ME
> _______________________________________________
> List Name: Callers mailing list
> List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:Callers@lists.sharedweight.net>
> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/<https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mail-…>
_______________________________________________
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I’d make sure that the dancers had already successfully danced every other move in the dance you want to call with contra corners. That way you could focus on the contra corners and the dancers would understand where they would be at the beginning and end of the move.
Sent from my iPhone
> On Feb 20, 2019, at 4:37 PM, Hannah Chamb via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
> Hi all, first time posting here!
>
> I'm new-ish to calling and I've yet to call contra corners. I think I'm up for the challenge and could teach the figure itself, but I still think it's a tricky one for dancers in all but the most experienced crowds. A few callers I know have advised me to build up to a challenging figure like contra corners over the course of an evening by calling dances that echo the skills the dancers will need later.
>
> With that in mind, what dances would you call early in the evening in a mixed-level group that would help "teach" dancers the skills they need to be successful at contra corners?
>
> I've been thinking I should include an easy proper-ish dance, and maybe a dance with allemandes outside the minor set... anything else come to mind?
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Hannah Chamberlain
> Westbrook, ME
> _______________________________________________
> List Name: Callers mailing list
> List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
Hi, Hannah
I like your idea of teaching a proper dance earlier in your program. If you are going to choose a contra corners dance in which the active couple has to do a half-figure eight to get proper, you might want to teach the half-figure eight in an earlier dance, too.
Here's a triplet which I also find useful for teaching/learning contra corners. I am the author, but don't mean to be self-promoting here.
Microchasmic Triplet
Proper Formation, all facing partnerThe middle couple is the "active" couple, so there is no need to get them into position before starting the contra corners.
A1 Forward and Back, DSD PartnerA2 Middle couple turn contra cornersB1 ALL balance and swing Partner, end facing upB2 Top couple lead a cast off to the bottom. When they reach the bottom they make a two-handed arch and the other two couples go below them and come through the arch.
It's a peel the banana, come through the arch figure as in the Virginia Reel. Encourage the dancers to come to the top of their set before casting off to the bottom, or the sets will move too far down the hall.
Here's a link to a video.
Good luck!
Ann
-----Original Message-----
From: Hannah Chamb via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
To: callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Wed, Feb 20, 2019 4:38 pm
Subject: [Callers] Building to Contra Corners
Hi all, first time posting here!
I'm new-ish to calling and I've yet to call contra corners. I think I'm up for the challenge and could teach the figure itself, but I still think it's a tricky one for dancers in all but the most experienced crowds. A few callers I know have advised me to build up to a challenging figure like contra corners over the course of an evening by calling dances that echo the skills the dancers will need later.
With that in mind, what dances would you call early in the evening in a mixed-level group that would help "teach" dancers the skills they need to be successful at contra corners?
I've been thinking I should include an easy proper-ish dance, and maybe a dance with allemandes outside the minor set... anything else come to mind?
Thanks in advance, Hannah ChamberlainWestbrook, ME_______________________________________________
List Name: Callers mailing list
List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
Hi all, first time posting here!
I'm new-ish to calling and I've yet to call contra corners. I think I'm up
for the challenge and could teach the figure itself, but I still think it's
a tricky one for dancers in all but the most experienced crowds. A few
callers I know have advised me to build up to a challenging figure like
contra corners over the course of an evening by calling dances that echo
the skills the dancers will need later.
With that in mind, what dances would you call early in the evening in a
mixed-level group that would help "teach" dancers the skills they need to
be successful at contra corners?
I've been thinking I should include an easy proper-ish dance, and maybe a
dance with allemandes outside the minor set... anything else come to mind?
Thanks in advance,
Hannah Chamberlain
Westbrook, ME
