All of this discussion on these two lists reminds me of my two long time goals:

1.  For a few years, I have thought about writing an article for CDSS News about the value of community dancing (for lack of a better term, I refer to community dancing as an evening of longways, circles, squares, and other dances that can be done by anyone with no experience dancing at all, the very first time they try it.  No lessons, workshop, etc).  However, this is such a daunting task, and I keep running into day-to-day tasks that prevent me from sitting down more than once every 3 months or so…..But I truly believe that CDSS would be a great organization to promote community dancing, as part of their mission!   There are a few of you who said you are willing to help to write this article.  How can we get this project underway?  Maybe an in-person meeting among a few of us?

2. My very long term goal is to get a collection of a few hundred great dances for community dance series as well as one nighters.   If I can get someone to help me collect them and put them into a book-like format, I would be willing to fund the start-up of this collection.   Hopefully, CDSS will be interested in funding the publication of this book too!

OK, back to my day-to-day projects……..

Paul Rosenberg

Albany, NY

www.homespun.biz

518-482-9255

On Mar 7, 2016, at 5:14 PM, jdlaufman@comcast.net wrote:

The question of “contras” being called at ONSs has been raised before, and fairly recently, and several of us chimed in quickly with “WHY?” If the gig is a one nighter, and 95% of the folks there have not been exposed to contras before, then no matter what you choose for a dance, it will have to be taught and walked through, which, even if done well, can throw a damper on that kind of a party.  So, why?  There are so many other good dances, whole set, sets, circles.

 

We played for a rowdy barn dance near here once for another caller.  After a few fairly successful whole sets and circles he said “Oh, we haven’t done a duple contra yet.” and proceeded to spend the next half hour trying, unsuccessfully, to do

A-Roving.  Train wreck and end of evening.

 

What happens is that the musicians are having a great time playing the chunes and the dancers appreciate that, and the dancers are having a great foot stomping time, but the poor caller is sometimes not getting much attention and so cooks up a figger too complex so that the dancers have to work too hard to get it which they might not, so they don’t feel successful.....

 

But if you must do a “contra” at an ONS Jefferson & Liberty is the one.  Even ONSers like to swing, so I sometimes leave out the star, just call it A1 circle left & right,/ A2  down the outside and back/ B1 Down the center 4 in line, inside arch, outside under/ B2 All swing partners..  Or, do it with the stars, and do the swing at the end, adding an extra 8 bars of music, making it a 40 bar dance.  You can look around for a 40 bar chune, or just roar into it and have it come out right occasionally.  

 

Dudley

 

 

 

Dudley & Jacqueline Laufman
PO Box 61, 322 Shaker Rd
Canterbury, NH 03224
www.laufman.org
603-783-4719
jdlaufman@comcast.net
Education book & CD at www.humankinetics.com
Performance Calendar at www.laufman.org

 

From: mailto:trad-dance-callers@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Saturday, March 05, 2016 1:44 PM

To: trad-dance-callers@yahoogroups.com ; Caller's discussion list

Subject: [trad-dance-callers] Contras for One Nighters

 

I rarely call a contra at a One Night Party Dance, but occasionally I am asked to.  I have a few in my cards, but can anyone make some sure fire recommendations. 

 

Assume 95%-100% non dancers.

 

Thanks, Rich

Stafford, CT