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Re: [Callers] tips for teaching dancing the "other" role?

by Maia McCormick via Callers

I find that a lot of people who have danced mostly the gent's role, when they start dancing the lady's role, think that when they swing, they're supposed to go backwards or sorta sideways... I mean, hell, a lot of people think that's how a lady swings when they first start dancing that role! But, I emphasize that you're both walking (or buzz-stepping) *forward*, roughly aiming at a point over your partner's shoulder. In fact, *the footwork for a swing for both roles is exactly the same!!!* A good way to emphasize this might be to have participants do a gender-neutral swing (e.g. right hand on shoulder blade, left hand clasped with partner above the heads) and then change the hand position into your classic ballroom swing (perhaps even trying out ballroom position with person A leading, then with person B leading) and noting how the footwork stays the same. Ending the swing on the opposite side also takes some getting used to. Instead of emphasizing which role ends where ("gent ends on the left... oh god, am I the gent??"), I find it useful to talk about ending the swing with the "pointy end" pointing in the direction you want to be facing, and releasing from there--works for both roles, so no scrambling to remember what role you're dancing and what side you're supposed to end up on. You might lean towards selecting dances where tricky gendered stuff (e.g. the courtesy turn, which many people will be learning for the first time in their new role) happens with a neighbor. If it happens that you and your partner are both confused about how to do a courtesy turn in your new role and the only courtesy turns happen with your partner, you're not going to get any help. Lastly (and this is something that I urge allllll you folks on the listserv to do, even if you're not calling specifically gender-neutral dances): use gender-neutral language to describe the roles! I find this every effective for breaking down role gender expectations, even if the role names themselves are gendered. So rather than "gents, take that neighbor lady and scoop her around in a courtesy turn", say, "scoop *them* around in a courtesy turn". Good luck! Let us know how it goes, and what did or didn't work well! Cheers, Maia On Tue, Jul 5, 2016 at 4:29 PM, Chris Page via Callers < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > One subtle thing that's different is progression instincts -- typically > men's > role progress on the left, women's on the right. (Like with a final B2 > of circle left 3/4, pass through). > > > The few times I've had everyone do a gender swap, I've gone with the > dance "Bicoastal Contra" by Pete Campbell. > > > http://lists.sharedweight.net/pipermail/callers-sharedweight.net/2008-April… > > Two swings, one courtesy turn, a men's allemande, fairly simple > choreography -- and neither swing need end with the correct person on > the right. > > -Chris Page > San Diego, CA > > > On Tue, Jul 5, 2016 at 11:32 AM, Susan Pleck via Callers > <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > > Hi folks, > > > > I'm to lead a workshop/extended intro lesson at a local dance this > Saturday > > on gender-free dancing/dancing the "other" role/switching roles. Not > having > > done this before, I'd appreciate any thoughts or advice about what this > > should include. For the gender-free aspect, I'm not sure there's much to > > discuss, really; ir'd be more just giving dancers a chance to practice > > responding to different terms. For dancing the other role, though, what > > points of emphasis do you think would be most useful? Two that come to > mind > > are swing positioning/giving weight, and figures such as a chain where > the > > actions of the two roles are different. > > > > thank you! > > Susan Pleck > > Oakland, CA > > > > _______________________________________________ > > 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] Grand Square in a contra?

by John Sweeney via Callers

Of course contra dancers like swinging, so you could try incorporating this version into a contra dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfqC8uVfCUo In “Cowboy Dances” (1939) there was also a version with half a two-hand turn (but they called it a swing!) every time you met someone. Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

8 years, 6 months

[Callers] Come to Pinewoods

by sue rosen via Callers

American Dance and Music Week at Pinewoods still has space to you to join us. It's a wonderful program in the most beautiful setting. Larry Edelman, caller, musician and teacher extraordinaire, will be teaching his very popular Square Dance Callers class. If you are a caller who has ever considered adding squares to your repertoire, you don't want to miss the opportunity to learn from Larry. Even callers with years of experience will benefit from Larry's wisdom. The rest of the program is packed with great calling and teaching. Check it all out at http://www.cdss.org/programs/dance-music-song-camps/camp-weeks/american Hope to see you there! Sue

8 years, 6 months

[Callers] Meetup/BBQ after Colin Hume/Tony Parkes doubleheader in Dummerston tomorrow?

by Amy Cann via Callers

If you're planning on coming to the Caller's Delight English/American mix in VT tomorrow, you are MORE than welcome to stay after and eat/ talk shop. If the weather is good, the Top Of The Hill Grill on the north end of Brattlebore is the most likely candidate; if it's raining (please no..) then Chinese might work better - we can decide just after the last waltz. (Details are on the Dance Gypsy/Monadnock Folklore sites) Cheers, Amy 802-222-7598

8 years, 6 months

Re: [Callers] Grand Square in a contra?

by Bill Olson via Callers

Hi Luke, "Bases Loaded" was the one.. authors: Jim Saxe, Lydee King Scudder, To Thoreau, maybe a few more? As far as I know this was written in a choreography workshop led by Jim Saxe. The "concept" was to put a grand square into a 2x2 contradance, where there obviously aren't enough dancers to do a 'real' grand square.. The result was pretty darn cool. When and where this workshop was held I am not sure.. You there Jim??? I learned this one from Kathy Anderson.. and definitely called it at the DEFFA Festival.. It helps to keep the music "marchy", not too fast and ask the dancers to "look sharp".. hee hee.. Try to keep the dancers on the 45 degree "bias" for the first 5/8 of the dance., that is hard some times.. "forward, two, three, turn, back, two, rollaway" etc.. the whole "Grand Square" part (both A's) I call "on the beat". there ya go.... bill From: luke.donev(a)gmail.com Date: Thu, 30 Jun 2016 22:38:10 -0400 Subject: Re: [Callers] Grand Square in a contra? To: callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net; callbill(a)hotmail.com Thanks all for your help! It seems probably that it was Bases Loaded (based on the write up at http://www.dancerhapsody.com/calling/dances.html); but it's even more likely that it was Bill Olsen calling, so I'd like to hear him weigh in on both probabilities ;-) I found write ups of some of the others mentioned: Fatal Attraction: http://www.dance.ravitz.us/#fa Mini Grand Swing: http://www.childgrove.org/index.php/about-dances/dance-writers/jim-hemphill… and the don't jog my memory. Didn't find the others, but had fun poking around though. The discussion of doing the grand square on the diagonal struck me as something that could be included in a 4x4 as variations of Jacob Bloom's dance ff your 4x4 was "bent". To get into bent 4x4: get into regular 4x4 lines, point out the couple on the diagonal in the other lines of four swing partner, end facing that diagonal couple. It's like a square dance on an x instead of a + Once you're there: Fox Hollow Foibles "bent" 4x4 A1 Grand Square, right side couples starting forward, left side couples starting with split A2 Reverse, right side couples starting with split, left side couples starting forward B1 Corner Balance and Swing, square set B2 Heads pass through Sides pass through Partner swing, face "bent" line of direction Musically, I could see pluses and minus to moving the entire grand square to the A phrases. It's consistent, and allows for a punch on the B1 balance & swing. But the A2->B1 transition signifying the reverse could also add some pizzazz. When I use it as a break in squares, I (usually) have both halves of the grand square in the same half of the tune. I'm curious how other people use grand squares, and what they try to do in terms of phrasing. One apparent advantage of the original Fox Hollow Fancy is setting up clear head couples to start forward in the grand square. I don't know how well dancers would remember "right side couple goes forward" as they swap sides back and forth. Even in the "bent" formation, you could have the heads (who are corners) start the Grand Square forward. You don't see much of your partner in Fox Hollow Fancy though, and the diagonal grand square lets you have more partner interaction. Small factors to weigh. Anyway, thanks again Shared Weight for being a resource. Luke On Thu, Jun 30, 2016 at 7:05 PM, Chris Page <chriscpage(a)gmail.com> wrote: The popular four-face-four is "Grand Square Contra" There's also "McQuillen Fancy" by Tony Saletan "Bloom One" by Al Olson "To Hans T" by Birgit Rasmussen "To Torsten" by Birgit Rasmussen There's a grid square by Bob Isaacs called "Grand Square Grid". There's some contras that try and give the feel of Grand Square: Bases Loaded Fatal Attraction (Ravitz) Mini Grand Swing (Hemphill) Petite Square Contra (Tom Senior) Square Off Reel (Gaudreau) To Mette T (Rasumussen) -Chris Page San Diego -- Luke Donforth Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com

8 years, 6 months

Re: [Callers] Grand Square in a contra?

by Luke Donforth via Callers

Thanks all for your help! It seems probably that it was Bases Loaded (based on the write up at http://www.dancerhapsody.com/calling/dances.html); but it's even more likely that it was Bill Olsen calling, so I'd like to hear him weigh in on both probabilities ;-) I found write ups of some of the others mentioned: Fatal Attraction: http://www.dance.ravitz.us/#fa Mini Grand Swing: http://www.childgrove.org/index.php/about-dances/dance-writers/jim-hemphill… and the don't jog my memory. Didn't find the others, but had fun poking around though. The discussion of doing the grand square on the diagonal struck me as something that could be included in a 4x4 as variations of Jacob Bloom's dance ff your 4x4 was "bent". To get into bent 4x4: get into regular 4x4 lines, point out the couple on the diagonal in the other lines of four swing partner, end facing that diagonal couple. It's like a square dance on an x instead of a + Once you're there: Fox Hollow Foibles "bent" 4x4 A1 Grand Square, right side couples starting forward, left side couples starting with split A2 Reverse, right side couples starting with split, left side couples starting forward B1 Corner Balance and Swing, square set B2 Heads pass through Sides pass through Partner swing, face "bent" line of direction Musically, I could see pluses and minus to moving the entire grand square to the A phrases. It's consistent, and allows for a punch on the B1 balance & swing. But the A2->B1 transition signifying the reverse could also add some pizzazz. When I use it as a break in squares, I (usually) have both halves of the grand square in the same half of the tune. I'm curious how other people use grand squares, and what they try to do in terms of phrasing. One apparent advantage of the original Fox Hollow Fancy is setting up clear head couples to start forward in the grand square. I don't know how well dancers would remember "right side couple goes forward" as they swap sides back and forth. Even in the "bent" formation, you could have the heads (who are corners) start the Grand Square forward. You don't see much of your partner in Fox Hollow Fancy though, and the diagonal grand square lets you have more partner interaction. Small factors to weigh. Anyway, thanks again Shared Weight for being a resource. Luke On Thu, Jun 30, 2016 at 7:05 PM, Chris Page <chriscpage(a)gmail.com> wrote: > The popular four-face-four is "Grand Square Contra" > There's also > "McQuillen Fancy" by Tony Saletan > "Bloom One" by Al Olson > "To Hans T" by Birgit Rasmussen > "To Torsten" by Birgit Rasmussen > > > There's a grid square by Bob Isaacs called "Grand Square Grid". > > There's some contras that try and give the feel of Grand Square: > Bases Loaded > Fatal Attraction (Ravitz) > Mini Grand Swing (Hemphill) > Petite Square Contra (Tom Senior) > Square Off Reel (Gaudreau) > To Mette T (Rasumussen) > > -Chris Page > San Diego > -- Luke Donforth Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>

8 years, 6 months

Re: [Callers] Grand Square in a contra?

by Chris Page via Callers

The popular four-face-four is "Grand Square Contra" There's also "McQuillen Fancy" by Tony Saletan "Bloom One" by Al Olson "To Hans T" by Birgit Rasmussen "To Torsten" by Birgit Rasmussen There's a grid square by Bob Isaacs called "Grand Square Grid". There's some contras that try and give the feel of Grand Square: Bases Loaded Fatal Attraction (Ravitz) Mini Grand Swing (Hemphill) Petite Square Contra (Tom Senior) Square Off Reel (Gaudreau) To Mette T (Rasumussen) -Chris Page San Diego

8 years, 6 months

Re: [Callers] Grand Square in a contra?

by Bob Isaacs via Callers

Hi Luke: You may be thinking of: Grand Square Contra Jacob Bloom 4 x 4 A1. 8 Lines forward and back 8 Corner swing – form square A2. 16 Sides face grand square B1. 16 Reverse grand square B2. 4,4 Heads pass through, sides pass through 8 Partner swing I don't see how you can have a grand square in a contra without it being a 4 x 4. But if you come up with a way, let us know - Bob Date: Thu, 30 Jun 2016 17:05:45 -0400 To: callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net Subject: [Callers] Grand Square in a contra? From: callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net Hi Folks, Several years ago (2013?) while at the fabulous DEFFA festival in Maine, I danced a contra that had a grand square. I think it was on the diagonal. But that's about all I remember about it. Anyone know the dance? Or can give me more of a lead like the caller or such? I don't think it was a 4x4. I'm not sure if it had the full 16 beats one way, then reverse and 16 beats the other way; because that'd be half the dance... Now that I'm thinking about it, as a 4x4 with a full grand square and still following somewhat typical 4x4 conventions: A1 Lines of 4 go forward and back Corner Swing A2 Grand Square: Heads start forward, sides split B1 Reverse: sides start forward, heads split B2 Option 1: Heads pass straight through, sides pass straight through; find partnerOption 2: Pass new corner right, next left; find partnerOption 3: Gents left hand star promenade with corner, ladies go ~1/2, turn back to partner partner swing, face line of direction I'm now really confident it wasn't a 4x4 contra, but I still don't remember what it was. Any help would be appreciated. If I can't find it I may try it as a 4x4, but it seems like you'd be further ahead with a simple square to have a little more variety than just grand square and two swings... Thanks. -- Luke Donforth Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

8 years, 6 months

Re: [Callers] Grand Square in a contra?

by Alexandra Deis-Lauby via Callers

Oooh! Bill Olson called a dance a little like that at Dawn dance last time he called. It was cool. Alex On Thu, Jun 30, 2016 at 5:05 PM, Luke Donforth via Callers < callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Hi Folks, > > Several years ago (2013?) while at the fabulous DEFFA festival in Maine, I > danced a contra that had a grand square. I think it was on the diagonal. > > But that's about all I remember about it. > > Anyone know the dance? Or can give me more of a lead like the caller or > such? > > I don't think it was a 4x4. I'm not sure if it had the full 16 beats one > way, then reverse and 16 beats the other way; because that'd be half the > dance... > > Now that I'm thinking about it, as a 4x4 with a full grand square and > still following somewhat typical 4x4 conventions: > > A1 > Lines of 4 go forward and back > Corner Swing > A2 > Grand Square: Heads start forward, sides split > B1 > Reverse: sides start forward, heads split > B2 > > - Option 1: Heads pass straight through, sides pass straight through; > find partner > - Option 2: Pass new corner right, next left; find partner > - Option 3: Gents left hand star promenade with corner, ladies go > ~1/2, turn back to partner > > partner swing, face line of direction > > I'm now really confident it wasn't a 4x4 contra, but I still don't > remember what it was. Any help would be appreciated. > > If I can't find it I may try it as a 4x4, but it seems like you'd be > further ahead with a simple square to have a little more variety than just > grand square and two swings... > > Thanks. > > -- > 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 > >

8 years, 6 months

[Callers] Grand Square in a contra?

by Luke Donforth via Callers

Hi Folks, Several years ago (2013?) while at the fabulous DEFFA festival in Maine, I danced a contra that had a grand square. I think it was on the diagonal. But that's about all I remember about it. Anyone know the dance? Or can give me more of a lead like the caller or such? I don't think it was a 4x4. I'm not sure if it had the full 16 beats one way, then reverse and 16 beats the other way; because that'd be half the dance... Now that I'm thinking about it, as a 4x4 with a full grand square and still following somewhat typical 4x4 conventions: A1 Lines of 4 go forward and back Corner Swing A2 Grand Square: Heads start forward, sides split B1 Reverse: sides start forward, heads split B2 - Option 1: Heads pass straight through, sides pass straight through; find partner - Option 2: Pass new corner right, next left; find partner - Option 3: Gents left hand star promenade with corner, ladies go ~1/2, turn back to partner partner swing, face line of direction I'm now really confident it wasn't a 4x4 contra, but I still don't remember what it was. Any help would be appreciated. If I can't find it I may try it as a 4x4, but it seems like you'd be further ahead with a simple square to have a little more variety than just grand square and two swings... Thanks. -- Luke Donforth Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com>

8 years, 6 months

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