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352 discussions

by Ridge Kennedy

Dear All, I'm including a link to a YouTube video (many thanks to Cindy Harris) that was created on Friday at the Pittsburgh Contra Dance. The dance has been a work in progress for -- well maybe 15 years -- maybe even a bit more. I've done it about five or six times. Friday was the latest iteration. There are a few obvious bobbles, but it's a pretty clean iteration. My question, to anyone who cares to take a look at it is this. Is it: A) Interesting, looks like fun, go ahead and share it with the world B) Blackmail material; delete it and let it not see the light of day You can comment (kindly please) on list or directly to me at mailto: ridgek(a)gmail.com Thanks in advance for your thoughts. Here's the link: https://youtu.be/QDWcR-f5jQU Sincerely, Ridge ps: Same day -- I also attended the annual celebration of Game Seven of the 1960 World Series. The organizers replay the radio broadcast at The Wall -- a portion of the old Forbes Field outfield wall. The game was nip and tuck -- back and forth -- an epic battle and -- The Pirates Won! Mazeroski came through again, hitting the greatest home run in baseball history. What a game! -- Ridge Kennedy [Exit 145] www.ridgekennedy.com When you stumble, make it part of the dance.

7 years, 2 months

Re: Plain Quadrille Music Score Inquiry

by Tony Parkes

Tom Willson wrote: > Would anyone happen to know where I could get the music (sheet) for all 5 figures of the "Plain Quadrille" (AKA the "French Quadrille")? I don't know whether the Plain Quadrille originally had a single musical setting associated with it, but by the mid-19th century there were dozens, probably hundreds, of settings, each one in five figures with the correct number of measures for each. Some were newly written for the purpose, others were arranged from currently popular songs (such as those by Stephen Foster). One group of settings with which I am familiar is derived from the comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan (1875 through 1896). When each new show was produced, their publisher (usually Chappell) issued songs and the complete score for singing and playing at home, plus dance music specially arranged from the songs. There was usually a waltz, polka, quadrille, and lancers, and sometimes others, such as a march or galop. In the pre-Internet days, the G&S dance arrangements were all but impossible to find, because people collected them for their beautiful full-color covers. But someone has kindly scanned the music and made it available online. If you go to the Gilbert and Sullivan Archive (http://www.gsarchive.net/), you'll see a menu of opera titles on the left side of the home page. Clicking on a title will take you to that opera's "home" page, where there are links to the dance music (among many other goodies). Patience Quadrille and Trial by Jury Lancers are particularly well-arranged; both have been recorded. These are piano arrangements. According to old advertisements, band parts were also available, but I don't know of any still in existence. Chappell's London headquarters suffered a notorious fire in 1964, and it is believed that many one-of-a-kind pieces of music were lost. Tony Parkes Billerica, Mass. www.hands4.com<http://www.hands4.com/> New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century (to be published real soon)

7 years, 2 months

Plain Quadrille Music Score Inquiry

by Tom Willson

Would anyone happen to know where I could get the music (sheet) for all 5 figures of the "Plain Quadrille" (AKA the "French Quadrille")? Regards,Tom WillsonSimi Valley, CA

7 years, 2 months

Halloween Theme Dances

by Rich Sbardella

Hello Friends, I need some Halloween themed dances. Any suggestions? Rich Sbardella Stafford, CT

7 years, 2 months

Marie Cassady of Louisville

by Jerome Grisanti

Lovers of traditional dance, > > It is with sadness I announce that Marie Cassady, a dancer and teacher of dance in Louisville Kentucky for many many years, died on Sunday afternoon. She was 104, just two months shy of 105. Marie founded Louisville Country Dancers, which has since become a mostly contra dance group, but in the day featured English dance as well, and even occasional international dances. I first met her in the mid 1970s, when she and husband Frank Cassady taught Italian folk dances to a performance troupe that my siblings were involved in. (I was too young to join the first few years). As it turns out, they also taught performance troupes for many ethnic groups. She was interested in many things besides dance, including national and international travel. She also sang with her church group for many years. As well, she reared several children and was a maternal figure for many others. A few years ago, she related to me her memories of the influenza epidemic of 1919. Imagine that, she had memories of her father from that time, and of Camp Taylor in Louisville! She also talked about the 1937 flood of the Ohio River. She slowed a bit over the years, remaining active in English and international but leaving contra to younger bodies. She also took up hula dancing in her 90s. Gotta keep learning! She remained active and mentally sharp until very recently. I saw her in August, and she immediately called me by name. There will be a memorial service for Marie in early November, but the details are not yet determined. Many thanks to you, Marie Cassady, for introducing so many people to dance and the communities it engenders. I am grateful to have known you. Jerome Grisanti -- Jerome Grisanti 660-528-0858 http://www.jeromegrisanti.com "Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it." --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

7 years, 2 months

Charles Chilton

by Chris J Brady

I am researching Chares Chilton who was a renowned BBC producer of folk and history docudramas. He died a while ago at 93. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Chilton There are precious few recordings of his in the public domain. But he produced Oh! What a Lovely War - about life in the trenches in WW1 - which was an ultimate classic. A few of his programmes are available at https://www.mediafire.com/folder/t9ics9twjofe6/Charles_Chilton And he also wrote and produced a long series of space exploration programmes which were the most popular radio shows ever and surpassed even audiences on the newly fledged t.v. These latter are available from Archive.org https://archive.org/details/JIS04TheReturnFromMars He was also instrumental in producing a number of Goon Show episodes. Indeed his output numbered in the region of at least 150 programmes both for t.v. and radio. In the 1950s he wrote and produced Riders of the Range - a hugely popular radio show depicting life in the US Wild West. Sady none of these episodes have survived. But the series was transcribed to comics such as The Eagle. What I didn't know until today was that he was also a square dance caller!! He was active in the UK (and likely in the US) during the 1950s / 60s. He was based at the Circassian Circle Folk Dance Club in Essex. He worked with Peter Kennedy of the EFDSS to preserve and promote tradiitonal social folk dance. http://www.benfleethistory.org.uk/page_id__494_path__0p23p72p.aspx One of his observations was that whist travelling the country and visiting different folk dance groups was that there were considerable localised variations in style and movements. His attitude was that these variations were to be valued and collected and promoted. He was certainly not a fan of modern main stream square dance, nor of Scottish country dancing!! Does anyone now remember Charles Chilton - BBC producer, writer, researcher, producer - and square dance caller? CJB.

7 years, 2 months

Re: the ol' Square Dance Kit

by Tony Parkes

O. M. G. Be still, my heart. The larger of the two record players (yes, they're both from the 1970s) is the Newcomb XT-250, a model I was led to believe was advertised but never produced. Obviously my source was mistaken. This was Newcomb's top-of-the-line solid state model, made for a very short time. It has three mic inputs, all kinds of filters, full tone controls on all channels, a monitor speaker with separate controls, and a gimmick that lowers the music by a preset amount when you speak or sing. Back in the day, I wanted one so bad I could taste it. Now, of course, it's primarily of historical interest (I love vinyl, and it's the most stable of media, but I don't use it at gigs; I digitize it). And this one is worn enough cosmetically that I'd want a technician to look at it before I'd commit to buying. A Cadillac or a Lexus is worth only what someone is willing to pay, based on condition and the buyer's need. Those column speakers are humungous. According to the brochure, they weigh 50 pounds each. Note the two handles on one side: They weren't intended to be carried with one hand. The smaller player, an AVT-1270V, is a nice size for practicing or calling to one or two squares. It has variable speed and a mic input with volume control. It looks to be in better shape than its big brother (although the tonearm cradle on both units appears to have broken, as this part often does). Tony Parkes Billerica, Mass. www.hands4.com<http://www.hands4.com/> New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century (to be published real soon)

7 years, 2 months

the ol' Square Dance Kit

by Chris Kermiet

Gang -- I know that some of you still use recorded music on ocassion. I have a friend here in Denver who is a wonderful fiddle player, and has inherited here Dad's square dance kit. If anyone on this list may be interested, you may contact her directly. *Vintage Newcomb * *Square Dance calling kit*** *Link to photos of the Newcomb Square Dance calling kit:*** · https://app.box.com/s/pdo8ugdqyshi7i8l6q1iowormrlrlyx9__ _The vintage Newcomb Kit includes:_ · Speakers · 2 record players · Cassette tape player · Amplifier · Lots of 45 dance records · Lots of cards with dance calls corresponding to records · Mixing board/unit And more…. Vintage Newcomb Square Dance Calling kit. I’m guessing maybe 1970-80’s? era. We’re trying to make a match for this square dance kit to a new owner who may be interested. The photos viewable via the link below are posted in my free Box.com account and may be best viewed from a computer. Unless you have your own Box.com account most smart phones seem to require download of each photo to view it which becomes a bit laborious for 80+ photos…..although viewing the photos from a computer is pleasant as Box.com provides a nice photo-viewing-interface if link is viewed via a typical computer browser. A couple photos are pasted below. If you have questions, possible interest or would like to possibly make offer to buy, or receive via donation simply contact me at the phone/email below. * * Thanks so much, ~ Marianne Marianne Gibbs Louisville, CO 303-929-5620 VM/phone, Marianne.gibbs(a)comcast.net <mailto:Marianne.gibbs@comcast.net>

7 years, 2 months

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Gypsies (But Were Afraid to Ask)

by john＠modernjive.com

Important note: This is NOT about whether or not modern callers should use the term. Please don't raise that question in response to this note. This is a historical analysis of the gypsy. If you are interested please look at http://contrafusion.co.uk/Gypsy.html http://contrafusion.co.uk/Gypsy.html where you will find all these subjects covered: Gypsy - Whole Gip - Walk Around: The Move & The Name References & Definitions Through the Ages Gypsy: The Name Warning Backs & Faces Not Turning Your Faces Sharp's Whole Gips The Solo Gypsy Interlocking Gypsies or Double Gyp Conclusion Note on Etymology Other Sources Appendix 1: Walk Around the Corner Appendix 2: Back-Circles Thanks to all the people who provided information and insights. Please let me know if you have anything that will help me to improve this page. Thanks. Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

7 years, 3 months

Re: last waltz

by Claire T

I'm a relatively new dancer of four years and caller of two years and I don't understand how NOT announcing the last waltz would make a new dancer NOT feel left out? There would still be a waltz during which new dancers would feel left out if they are not asked to dance. When I call a contra dance, I usually offer a two minute mini lesson that I learned from Richard Powers and modified. It gets them moving to the music and they are not feeling left out. Claire Takemori , Campbell CA

7 years, 3 months

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