trad-callers July 2019

trad-callers@lists.sharedweight.net

5 participants
5 discussions

by Ridge Kennedy

Dear All, I'll send something longer and more informative in a while, but this is a heads up. We are planning to make a change with the trad-dance-caller list. It will move away from yahoogroups and over to the "SharedWeight" platform. The general operation of the list will be pretty much the same. All that will be missing will be ads and fussing with a Yahoo ID. the list content will continue in the direction it has followed in recent years. We'll be dealing dances in formations other than contra -- squares in particular, as we have a fair number of folks with strong square dance backgrounds on the list. And we'll be a resource for dance parties -- one night stands, wedding dances, community dances -- and all that sort of thing. When the transition comes -- after it -- I intend to make a little effort at stimulating communication on those topics. I have a few old things that I want to complete -- eg. a checklist for dance party communication. And I'm interested in building and sharing repertoire in the everything but contra world -- especially the things that work for dance parties. I am also interested in locating a few brave individuals who might be interest in becoming moderators and regular contributors to this list. If you think you'd like to be involved in helping in the revitalization effort, contact me off list at mailto:ridgek@gmail.com . Thanks, as ever, for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Ridge -- Ridge Kennedy [Exit 145] www.ridgekennedy.com When you stumble, make it part of the dance.

4 years, 6 months

Films and Book re-issued

by Richard Nevell

Of interest to those interested in the history and evolution of the country dance: A Time To Dance: Country Dancing from Hornpipes to Hot Hash. Originally published by St.Martin's Press in 1977, new paperback edition published by Bauhan Publishing in 2017. 2 Accompanying films Country Corners and Full Of Life A-Dancin' DVD. made with NEA funds. "A well thought-out, carefully put together volume on an important part of Americana." -Library Journal Featured on "Good Morning America" and "Studs Terkel's Almanac" We have a few copies of both the new edition of the book and the DVD available. Inquiries welcome! Discount for callers and dance organizers interested in multiple copies for re-sale at special events Richard at atimetodance2017(a)gmail.com -- Richard Nevell & Ni Wayan Suarni 40 Sugarbush Road, Hancock, NH 03449 www.thepondok.com www.facebook.com/giftsfrombali www.facebook.com/richardnevellATTD/

4 years, 9 months

Double Grand Square

by john＠modernjive.com

Hi all, I've just seen the video of Seth calling a Double Grand Square: https://www.facebook.com/seth.tepfer/videos/10204536010419503 https://www.facebook.com/seth.tepfer/videos/10204536010419503 Looks like the figure was created by Martha Edwards around 2009: http://www.westendweb.com/doublegrandsquare/ http://www.westendweb.com/doublegrandsquare/ http://dancecaller.blogspot.com/2009/06/more-on-double-grand-square.html http://dancecaller.blogspot.com/2009/06/more-on-double-grand-square.html But I found a number of earlier references to "Double Grand Square". Does anyone know whether any other versions of a Double Grand Square exist? 1955 https://newspaperarchive.com/bakersfield-californian-apr-13-1955-p-36/ https://newspaperarchive.com/bakersfield-californian-apr-13-1955-p-36/ "A double grand square, never before presented for a local audience, is being prepared by B Squares under the direction of Bernice Braddon. Precision timing is the keynote of the square..." 1959 http://www.folkdance.com/LDArchive/1959October.pdf http://www.folkdance.com/LDArchive/1959October.pdf Exhibitions Lariat Swingers Director: Ace Smith Dance - DOUBLE GRAND SQUARE - American 1978 http://doczz.net/doc/577224/american-square-dance-marcy-1978 http://doczz.net/doc/577224/american-square-dance-marcy-1978 "Keith does a fine job on his side, but the dancers felt that a double grand square in the opener, middle break and closer were too many. " 1979 American Square Dance Vol. 34 no. 3 (search for ""double grand square" dance") "Bob has used a grand parade in his opener, and a double grand square in his closer." Note: "grand square" is italicized, "double" is not. So it might just mean a Grand Square twice. 2005 http://squaredancehumor.blogspot.com/ http://squaredancehumor.blogspot.com/ "This was one big double square with six side couples and two head couples. The other and even more difficult thing was I could not use my hands. To me square dancing is hands. Every since I started it was right hand this and left hand that. I can’t remember anyone mentioning anything about my feet. Patty was picking everything up just fine while I was slowly starting to get some if it with many gentle pushes and endless pointing by the other Stumblers. And of course there was the caller Ivan patient as ever saying, “George – to the right, the right, the other right . . . very good!” Bill, an experienced dancer, explained carefully how I was to count my steps, especially for the double grand square. Eight steps and turn, repeated eight times, that was the secret for my position." This one may not be serious! :-) Thanks, John

4 years, 9 months

Mexican Star

by john＠modernjive.com

Hi all, Query from a friend: In a pamphlet called "Cutler’s Collection" (Song Dance & Music from South Yorkshire), there is a dance called "Charter Square" in which a Mexican Star is mentioned: “Ladies right hand Mexican Star all the way round”. No further information is provided. Does anyone have any insights into what a Mexican Star might have been? Thanks. John

4 years, 9 months

Helvetia Hoot 2019 - Mountain Music, Dance, Craft, & Culture

by T Claw

Hi Friends, I am excited to announce the dates for Helvetia Hoot 2019! We used to call it Dare to Be Square, but we wanted to make it an event for more than just musicians and dancers (so bring your friends). Food, craft, and mountain culture workshops have been added to the usual gamut of music and dance opportunities. Helvetia, settled by Swiss in 1869, is a sweet mountaintop town with a current population of 59. The community is known for maintaining Swiss cultural traditions in their seasonal gatherings such as Fasnacht and monthly dances. Rustic camping is available in a tree lined field alongside the creek between the town's two dance halls, general store, and Swiss restaurant. It's 1 hour from Elkins and a 3 hour drive from the Pittsburgh airport. I hope you'll put it on your calendar and try to bring the whole family. I'm happy to help coordinate ride-shares and work trade if that makes it easier for you to come. Even if you can't make it this year, we could really use help promoting, so we get enough folks to keep it affordable. Send me your mailing address if you want handbills to distribute. https://www.facebook.com/events/661652307617330/ Hold Fast and Never Let Go, T-Claw ___________________________________________________________ HELVETIA HOOT HELVETIA,WV August 31 – September 2, 2019 Looking for a Labor Day Weekend adventure? This weekend, formally known as Dare to be Square, is designed for aspiring and advanced callers, dancers, musicians, singers and those eager to try something new. Foodways, craft, and mountain culture sessions are also in the works. Workshops will be held Saturday and Sunday. Come up for just a day, or the whole weekend! Come experience a local West Virginia square dance Friday night at the Jackson Mill Jubilee in Weston. Camping will be available Friday – Monday morning. Workshops will be offered by Ginny Hawker, Val Mindel, Jesse Milnes, Mack Samples, Bill Ohse, Lou Maiuri, Becky Hill, T- Claw, Ellen & Eugene Ratcliffe and many others yet to be determined! Workshop highlights include Helvetia Fiddle Tunes with Jesse Milnes, a Gospel Sing with Ginny Hawker, Old Time Helvetia Baking, Calling 101 & 102 with T-Claw, Glenville Style Square Dances with legendary WV Callers, Flatfooting 1 & 2 with Becky Hill & friends, Appalachian Foodways with Mike Costello & Amy Dawson, Old-Time Singing with Val Mindel and so much more! There are two beautiful dance halls and there will be many opportunities to practice calling! Evening dances are open to the public on Saturday & Sunday nights with jam sessions at all hours. EVENT CHECK-IN: will start at 10am on Saturday, August 31 in the Community Hall Please bring CASH or CHECK when registering at the gate. VOLUNTEER: Please let us know if you can't come due to not being able to afford the admission price. There are several volunteer opportunities available for partial and full tuition. There are also several scholarships available to eager beginning callers! calling.t.claw(a)gmail.com for inquiries. SCHEDULE Public Nightly Dances start at 8 p.m. Admission is $10. Friday, August 30 – Jackson Mill Jubilee Square Dance Saturday, August 31 – Jesse Milnes & Friends Sunday, September 1 – Big Possum Stringband More details about workshops and schedule coming soon... SLEEP Rooms are available for rent at the Hutte: 304-924-6435 and Kultur Haus: 304-924-5160. To reserve a room please tell them you are with “Dare to be Square/ Helvetia Hoot”. For more information visit www.helvetiawv.com CAMPING Rustic camping is a $15 – 20 donation for the weekend. No showers are available, there is a small creek to play around in. There are real restrooms within walking distance of camping field. DIRECTIONS! Be warned that GPS to Helvetia doesn’t always work. There have been several hilarious adventures that involve people getting stuck in swamps. Please use these directions from the Hutte. There will be signs posted. Most cell phones will not get reception in Helvetia. >From Elkins: Take Route 219 to 250 South for 16 miles to Mill Creek. In Mill Creek Turn Right on County Route 46 (Helvetia Road) 20 Miles to Helvetia. >From Buckhannon: Take Route 20 South for 12 miles to the West Virginia Wildlife Center. Turn Left onto County Route 11 (Alexander Helvetia Road) 20 Miles to Helvetia. MEALS Saturday August 31st Breakfast: We will have COFFEE available (please bring a mug) Lunch is on your own. Dinner: POTLUCK 6 – 8pm (please bring a dish to pass) Sunday September 1st Breakfast: We will have COFFEE available (please bring a mug) Lunch is on your own. Hutte will be open noon to 7pm. Dinner: TBD Snacks, beer, t-shirts, postcards and other small items are available at the Helvetia General Store. There is no ATM, gas station or large grocery store in Helvetia. http://helvetiawv.com https://mountaindancetrail.org/364-2/ https://www.facebook.com/events/661652307617330/

4 years, 9 months

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trad-callers July 2019