Organizers

organizers@lists.sharedweight.net

519 discussions

by Chris Weiler

Hello everyone!! Today is the 4th anniversary of the first post to SharedWeight. Seth Seeger and I continue to be thrilled about how SharedWeight has grown and evolved. And it's all due to your thoughtfulness, willingness to help and energy. We now have around 200 members across 3 lists. Thank you for your participation!! It's people like you that help keep American traditional dance going and will carry it into the future. Happy Dancing!! Chris Weiler Goffstown, NH

17 years, 1 month

[Musicians] looking for bands to book - Oregon south coast

by Stacy Rose

The pristine, rugged coastline... fresh air... and down-home hospitality! All these could be yours when you play for the fine folks who attend our 3rd Saturday dance series. We are a small. rural dance community, and pride ourselves on offering a community-oriented activity to all ages focused on -- fun! Check us out at: mysite.verizon.net/reswsqow/southcoastfolksociety Please contact me for booking details: Stacy Rose South Coast ()oregon) Folk Society 541.756.4701 stacyrose12(a)verizon.net

17 years, 2 months

Re: [Musicians] [Callers] NEFFA!

by Chris Weiler

In years past, there has been an unofficial spot in the bleachers of the main hall. In Natick, it was the bleachers to the left of the stage when you were facing them. I'll print out a tasteful SharedWeight sign and tape it to the wall in the High School dance hall as a gathering point in the bleachers. Maybe people can write something on their nametags so we can know each other? (SW?) Otherwise, just introduce yourselves! Best, Chris Amy Cann wrote: > No matter what time we pick SOMEone is going to be doing something vital, > I'll bet - > > what if there was a shared-weight place? > > If we picked a particular spot and used it to meet whoever else was there > at the moment, even if we couldn't make a particular time? > > Or both? A target time, but a weekend-long homebase spot too? > > Someone needs to bring a bunch of balloons or something... > > cheers, > Amy > >

17 years, 6 months

[Musicians] NEFFA!

by Chris Weiler

Hello everyone! I'm looking forward to another great NEFFA this weekend. I hope that I can see and chat with as many of you as possible while still getting some dancing in! I've been going over the schedule looking for a good time for a SharedWeight gathering. I think that at 6:30 on Saturday would be a good time to meet in the cafeteria where the food vendors are. We can grab a couple of tables and sit together. I'm open to other times/places if someone has a better idea. Safe travels! Happy Dancing, Playing and Calling! Chris Weiler Goffstown, NH

17 years, 6 months

[Musicians] response to 'the balance thing'...info request

by Linette Charpentier

Hi everyone, I just subscribed to sharedweight.net last night and was reading through the archived messages. I am a classically trained violinist of almost 30 years, who has been playing fiddle music for the last 12 years or so. (After reading 'the balance thing', I don't think I will dare to call myself a fiddler yet at this point, or if I do, it will definitely have 'beginner' preceding fiddler.) Besides certain songs that have specific dances for them, such as La Bastrange, I did not realize the significance of exactly how a melody line can influence a dance pattern. This concept was actually introduced to me last evening at the Worcester Contra in a conversation with Chris. Then, as mentioned previously, I read through 'the balance thing'. It explained an aspect of fiddlin' that I was completely oblivious to. Input from the caller in the form of adjectives describing the type of character they want in a tune is what I am familiar with in deciding which pair of tunes will be played for an upcoming dance. Once the dance begins, my main focus has been that the pace is where the caller wants it to be according to the proficiency level of the dancers and the difficulty of the dance, and on staying rhythmically steady and energetic while still keeping the tune musical. Coming from a classical background, the things I find the most elusive thing about fiddling definitely fall under the stylistic aspects of playing. Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend much, if any, of NEFFA coming up in a few weeks due to prior commitments, but I was wondering if there were any other such events coming up in the near future. Any advice or recommended resources to help demystify what seem like 'the unspoken rules' of fiddlin'? Thanks, Linette

17 years, 6 months

[Musicians] Glen Echo Open Band Podcast

by Chris Weiler (home)

I just was tipped off to this website: http://www.openbandonline.com/ Sounds like a great way to practice playing for contra dances. You can use this software: http://www.ronimusic.com/ The "Amazing Slow Downer" to turn the podcasts into a slow jam. Enjoy! Chris Weiler Goffstown, NH Too embarrassed to play with real musicians yet.

17 years, 6 months

[Musicians] [Fwd: [trad-dance-callers] Ralph Page Weekend photos]

by Chris Weiler

-------- Original Message -------- All, I've posted photos from this past weekend's Ralph Page Legacy Dance Weekend on my Flickr site. The link is at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dougplummer/sets/72157603786306193/ <http://www.flickr.com/photos/dougplummer/sets/72157603786306193/> Doug Plummer Doug Plummer Doug Plummer, Photographer www.dougplummer.com 206-523-2525 __,_._,___

17 years, 9 months

[Musicians] Ralph Page Legacy Weekend

by Chris Weiler (home)

Hello everyone, Once again, frigid New Hampshire was home to another warm and special Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend. It was great to see people from all over the country who came to dance and learn. The SharedWeight lunch gatherings were a couple of the high points for me. We had fascinating discussions about style, teaching, stubborn minded dancers, stubborn minded callers, psychology, choreography and so much more. Both Beth Parkes and Nils Freidland's caller's workshops made us think and philosophize this year. Beth's on what it means to be a "professional" caller. And Nil's on why we dance, why we call and what virtues we want and need to bring to the stage with us. The retrospective video about Ralph Sweet by David Millstone was great! Fun and funny and informative, David again shows his talent for storytelling. It would be great to hear from other people about their favorite parts. It was great to see everyone who came! Happy Dancing! Chris Weiler

17 years, 9 months

[Musicians] Annual Ralph Page Gathering

by Chris Weiler (home)

Hello everyone, Cynthia beat me to the punch. Yes, it's time for the Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend again. Yes, we shall have a SharedWeight gathering during lunch on Saturday in the dining area. For those who haven't been there before, we push a bunch of tables together for an informal gathering. I always look forward to seeing people from far away and meeting people new to the lists. I try to be there early with a little printed SharedWeight sign on the table at the back of the dining hall. You'll recognize me on the dance floor sporting a tie-dye bandanna. Or you can look at the picture on my website: http://www.chrisweiler.ws/ Safe travels everyone! Chris Weiler Goffstown, NH

17 years, 9 months

[Musicians] Jam sessions

by wendy parham

Hi - We have jazz jam sessions going on here. http://www.myspace.com/2rus. We play mostly coffeehouses. Starbucks loves to have live music and they'll throw in a coffee for everyone on the house. We play out of the Hal Leonard Real Books and have them available for C concert, Bb, and Eb, bass clef and vocals. There is a core of us called In Two but several others who come around and play. I got started by taking the jazz ensemble classes at the local university, University of Central Arkansas. I got to know a few other musicians with whom I am still in contact. I also got playing with a Western Swing band at Senior dances. Between the two, I was meeting quite a few musicians. Finally, about 5 years ago, I joined a community big band through musicians I had previously met. In Two is a jazz combo and the emphasis is on playing jazz standards and improvising. We are playing for dances in community centers, retirement centers and nursing homes. I hope your community is getting their groove on too! Wendy

18 years

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