As Amy and Elizabeth mentioned, I have also experienced 1s and 2s being the CW and CCW couple, progressing along the side like in Becket. The big difference is I'm pretty sure I learned it that the 1s whose backs are to the inside of the circle are sliding L which would be going CCW along the large set (but a Becket contra dance would indicate this to be CW). Probably this is not a big problem. I learned this from square dance "Kentucky Running Sets." A caller would have people arrange themselves in groups of 4 in a large circle, with couples facing in or out together on the same side of the set as their partner. Usually then there would be a variety of square dance figures like swings, allemandes, this one cool boomerang thing I can't remember what it's called, mountain do-si-do, dip and dive, etc. Then 1s would slide left and 2s would stay where they are for new neighbors.
I don't have any thoughts about which contra dances would be good for Sicilian Circles, or whether all are possible or not. I think it's cool to play around and figure it out, though! On Sun, Feb 5, 2023, 12:00 AM <[email protected]> wrote: > Send Contra Callers mailing list submissions to > [email protected] > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via email, send a message with subject or > body 'help' to > [email protected] > > You can reach the person managing the list at > [email protected] > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Contra Callers digest..."Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: Sicilian Circle question (Charles Abell) > 2. Re: Sicilian Circle question (Jonathan Sivier) > 3. Do you add a 'do anything' move into a contra? OR other playful > strategies? :) > (Emily Addison) > 4. Re: Sicilian Circle question (Winston, Alan P.) > 5. Re: Sicilian Circle question (Amy Cann) > 6. Re: Sicilian Circle question (Winston, Alan P.) > 7. Re: Sicilian Circle question (Amy Cann) > 8. Re: Sicilian Circle question (Joe Harrington) > 9. Re: Do you add a 'do anything' move into a contra? OR other playful > strategies? :) > (Qui Ann) > 10. Re: Sicilian Circle question (David Harding) > 11. Rompin' Stompin' (Amy Wimmer) > 12. Re: Sicilian Circle question (Jonathan Sivier) > 13. Re: Rompin' Stompin' (Chris Page) > 14. Re: Sicilian Circle question (Charles Abell) > 15. Re: Sicilian Circle question (Elizabeth Bloom Albert) > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Charles Abell <[email protected]> > To: "[email protected]" < > [email protected]> > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2023 20:06:37 +0000 > Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question > Hello group, It's been a while since I called a Sicilian Circle, but I may > soon - two questions: > > 1. Typically, one couple isn't considered the "ones" and the other > "twos", right? > 2. If there *are* ones and two, which couple would be considered the > "ones" - CW or CCW? > 3. If there *are not *typically ones and twos, has anyone tried > ascribing those roles for a Sicilian circle dance. That is, I had an idea > for a dance that ends with a square dance figure requiring one couple to > arch first, thus the need for separate numbers. > > I did attempt to find an answer online and was not initially successful. > Thoughts? > > Chuck > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Jonathan Sivier <[email protected]> > To: New Contra Callers List <[email protected]> > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2023 14:23:42 -0600 > Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question > I have a Sicilian Circle dance in my collection called Dip for the > Oyster which designates 1's and 2's to determine who ducks or arches > first. In my notes I have 1's facing CCW and 2's facing CW. However, I > imagine this is totally arbitrary and you could do it whichever way you > like. In most of the Sicilian Circles I'm aware of there is no need to > designate 1's and 2's. > > Jonathan > > On 2/4/2023 2:06 PM, Charles Abell via Contra Callers wrote: > > Hello group, It's been a while since I called a Sicilian Circle, but I > may soon - two questions: > > > > 1. Typically, one couple isn't considered the "ones" and the other > "twos", right? > > 2. If there /are/ ones and two, which couple would be considered the > "ones" - CW or CCW? > > 3. If there /are not /typically ones and twos, has anyone tried > ascribing those roles for a Sicilian circle dance. That is, I had an idea > for a dance that ends with a square dance figure requiring one couple to > arch first, thus the need for separate numbers. > > > > I did attempt to find an answer online and was not initially successful. > Thoughts? > > > > Chuck > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] > > To unsubscribe send an email to > [email protected] > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Emily Addison <[email protected]> > To: [email protected] > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2023 15:47:02 -0500 > Subject: [Callers] Do you add a 'do anything' move into a contra? OR other > playful strategies? :) > Hey folks, > > After a number of relatively quiet caller years (parenting; pandemic), > I've started to dig deep to expand my repertoire and up my skills. It > feels like it's time for lots more dance fun! :) > > One dance that I've really enjoyed is Heartbeat Contra (by Don Flaherty - > see below). > Tom Calwell called it in Ottawa way back in 2010 and at the top of the > B1, he called Al R 1.5 or ANYTHING (R shoulder round, swing, DSD). > > *Do any of you throw in a 'do anything' moment in an evening of contra > programming?* I'm always looking for fun, playful moments that make > dancers smile and this feels like a lovely one. If you throw in an > anything moment, how do you choose when? > > *And do you have other strategies for adding playfulness to an evening?* > I've got some dances which I find super playful and fun (e.g., Three's > Company - Altered & Alternating - Paul Balliet) > > Thoughts on this? > > Thanks! > Emily in Ottawa > > ------------------------------- > Heartbeat Contra (Don Flaherty) > A1 > > Bal Ring & Petronella Twirl > Bal Ring & Petronella Twirl > > A2 > Bal Ring & N Sw > > B1 > > ROB Al R 1.5 *OR ANYTHING! *(Al R, Rshoulder round, swing, DSD... > original was RH round) > P Sw > > B2 > > Cir L 3/4 > Bal Ring & California Twirl > > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: "Winston, Alan P." <[email protected]> > To: "[email protected]" < > [email protected]>, Charles Abell < > [email protected]> > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2023 20:47:32 +0000 > Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question > To your questions: > > 1: Right, the vast majority of Sicilians are completely symmetrical. > > 2: Because of this, I don't think there's a default for whether CW or CCW > are the "1s". You can just pick which one you want. > > 3. Yes, there are non-symmetric Sicilians -= I'm looking at notes for > "The Molly Andrew", a waltz Sicilian; it has the 1s ("those facing > clockwise") do the figure through the 2s and then the 2s through the 1., > and it's fine so long as you get across who goes first. Way better to > indicate that visually rather than just say it. > > -- Alan > ________________________________________ > From: Charles Abell via Contra Callers < > [email protected]> > Sent: Saturday, February 4, 2023 12:06 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question > > Hello group, It's been a while since I called a Sicilian Circle, but I may > soon - two questions: > > 1. Typically, one couple isn't considered the "ones" and the other > "twos", right? > 2. If there are ones and two, which couple would be considered the > "ones" - CW or CCW? > 3. If there are not typically ones and twos, has anyone tried ascribing > those roles for a Sicilian circle dance. That is, I had an idea for a dance > that ends with a square dance figure requiring one couple to arch first, > thus the need for separate numbers. > > I did attempt to find an answer online and was not initially successful. > Thoughts? > > Chuck > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Amy Cann <[email protected]> > To: "Winston, Alan P." <[email protected]> > Cc: "[email protected]" < > [email protected]> > Bcc: > Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2023 16:11:52 -0500 > Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question > Here's how I learned: > > "Everybody promenade the usual way, two-by-two around the room - now > stop where you are." > > "Starting from this point right in front of me (gesture to where head > couple of center set usually stands for contras), you're going to > count off in pairs of couples and take hands four in this big ring. > > "Half of you can just stay facing the usual promenade direction - you're > 1s" > > "Half of you will need to turn as a couple and face the 'wrong' > direction - you're 2's". > > It links the role of 1s/2s to the familiar line-of-direction we use > for promenading and coupledancing > > -- who feels most "normal", and who feels as if they're > accommodating/supporting. > > > > On 2/4/23, Winston, Alan P. via Contra Callers > <[email protected]> wrote: > > To your questions: > > > > 1: Right, the vast majority of Sicilians are completely symmetrical. > > > > 2: Because of this, I don't think there's a default for whether CW or CCW > > are the "1s". You can just pick which one you want. > > > > 3. Yes, there are non-symmetric Sicilians -= I'm looking at notes for > "The > > Molly Andrew", a waltz Sicilian; it has the 1s ("those facing > clockwise") do > > the figure through the 2s and then the 2s through the 1., and it's fine > so > > long as you get across who goes first. Way better to indicate that > > visually rather than just say it. > > > > -- Alan > > ________________________________________ > > From: Charles Abell via Contra Callers > > <[email protected]> > > Sent: Saturday, February 4, 2023 12:06 PM > > To: [email protected] > > Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question > > > > Hello group, It's been a while since I called a Sicilian Circle, but I > may > > soon - two questions: > > > > 1. Typically, one couple isn't considered the "ones" and the other > > "twos", right? > > 2. If there are ones and two, which couple would be considered the > "ones" > > - CW or CCW? > > 3. If there are not typically ones and twos, has anyone tried > ascribing > > those roles for a Sicilian circle dance. That is, I had an idea for a > dance > > that ends with a square dance figure requiring one couple to arch first, > > thus the need for separate numbers. > > > > I did attempt to find an answer online and was not initially successful. > > Thoughts? > > > > Chuck > > _______________________________________________ > > Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] > > To unsubscribe send an email to > [email protected] > > > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: "Winston, Alan P." <[email protected]> > To: Amy Cann <[email protected]> > Cc: "[email protected]" < > [email protected]> > Bcc: > Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2023 21:19:50 +0000 > Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question > Any — > > That’s great! I hadn’t encountered that, and I really have to put it in > my toolbox for ONS - way faster/more fun than getting people who have no > idea what a Sicilian *is* to pair up and form one. (The best I had up to > this point was make a big circle, pick a pair and make them face, and then > (in Susan Michael’s words), say “Chain Reaction - pair up like this all the > way around.). So this’ll be good even for symmetric Sicilians. > > — Alan > > ________________________________________ > From: Amy Cann <[email protected]> > Sent: Saturday, February 4, 2023 1:11 PM > To: Winston, Alan P. > Cc: [email protected]; Charles Abell > Subject: Re: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question > > Here's how I learned: > > "Everybody promenade the usual way, two-by-two around the room - now > stop where you are." > > "Starting from this point right in front of me (gesture to where head > couple of center set usually stands for contras), you're going to > count off in pairs of couples and take hands four in this big ring. > > "Half of you can just stay facing the usual promenade direction - you're > 1s" > > "Half of you will need to turn as a couple and face the 'wrong' > direction - you're 2's". > > It links the role of 1s/2s to the familiar line-of-direction we use > for promenading and coupledancing > > -- who feels most "normal", and who feels as if they're > accommodating/supporting. > > > > On 2/4/23, Winston, Alan P. via Contra Callers > <[email protected]> wrote: > > To your questions: > > > > 1: Right, the vast majority of Sicilians are completely symmetrical. > > > > 2: Because of this, I don't think there's a default for whether CW or CCW > > are the "1s". You can just pick which one you want. > > > > 3. Yes, there are non-symmetric Sicilians -= I'm looking at notes for > "The > > Molly Andrew", a waltz Sicilian; it has the 1s ("those facing > clockwise") do > > the figure through the 2s and then the 2s through the 1., and it's fine > so > > long as you get across who goes first. Way better to indicate that > > visually rather than just say it. > > > > -- Alan > > ________________________________________ > > From: Charles Abell via Contra Callers > > <[email protected]> > > Sent: Saturday, February 4, 2023 12:06 PM > > To: [email protected] > > Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question > > > > Hello group, It's been a while since I called a Sicilian Circle, but I > may > > soon - two questions: > > > > 1. Typically, one couple isn't considered the "ones" and the other > > "twos", right? > > 2. If there are ones and two, which couple would be considered the > "ones" > > - CW or CCW? > > 3. If there are not typically ones and twos, has anyone tried > ascribing > > those roles for a Sicilian circle dance. That is, I had an idea for a > dance > > that ends with a square dance figure requiring one couple to arch first, > > thus the need for separate numbers. > > > > I did attempt to find an answer online and was not initially successful. > > Thoughts? > > > > Chuck > > _______________________________________________ > > Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] > > To unsubscribe send an email to > [email protected] > > > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Amy Cann <[email protected]> > To: "Winston, Alan P." <[email protected]> > Cc: "[email protected]" < > [email protected]> > Bcc: > Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2023 16:39:39 -0500 > Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question > Glad you like it! > > For what it's worth, at a ONS I often do a scatter mixer that's > basically half of "Haste to the Wedding" - > > Circle L, circle R > Star R star L > everybody bow, promenade and find someone else > > for a little, then turn the scatter promenade into the big ring and go > from there. > > On 2/4/23, Winston, Alan P. <[email protected]> wrote: > > Any — > > > > That’s great! I hadn’t encountered that, and I really have to put it in > my > > toolbox for ONS - way faster/more fun than getting people who have no > idea > > what a Sicilian *is* to pair up and form one. (The best I had up to this > > point was make a big circle, pick a pair and make them face, and then (in > > Susan Michael’s words), say “Chain Reaction - pair up like this all the > way > > around.). So this’ll be good even for symmetric Sicilians. > > > > — Alan > > > > ________________________________________ > > From: Amy Cann <[email protected]> > > Sent: Saturday, February 4, 2023 1:11 PM > > To: Winston, Alan P. > > Cc: [email protected]; Charles Abell > > Subject: Re: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question > > > > Here's how I learned: > > > > "Everybody promenade the usual way, two-by-two around the room - now > > stop where you are." > > > > "Starting from this point right in front of me (gesture to where head > > couple of center set usually stands for contras), you're going to > > count off in pairs of couples and take hands four in this big ring. > > > > "Half of you can just stay facing the usual promenade direction - you're > 1s" > > > > "Half of you will need to turn as a couple and face the 'wrong' > > direction - you're 2's". > > > > It links the role of 1s/2s to the familiar line-of-direction we use > > for promenading and coupledancing > > > > -- who feels most "normal", and who feels as if they're > > accommodating/supporting. > > > > > > > > On 2/4/23, Winston, Alan P. via Contra Callers > > <[email protected]> wrote: > >> To your questions: > >> > >> 1: Right, the vast majority of Sicilians are completely symmetrical. > >> > >> 2: Because of this, I don't think there's a default for whether CW or > CCW > >> are the "1s". You can just pick which one you want. > >> > >> 3. Yes, there are non-symmetric Sicilians -= I'm looking at notes for > >> "The > >> Molly Andrew", a waltz Sicilian; it has the 1s ("those facing > clockwise") > >> do > >> the figure through the 2s and then the 2s through the 1., and it's fine > so > >> long as you get across who goes first. Way better to indicate that > >> visually rather than just say it. > >> > >> -- Alan > >> ________________________________________ > >> From: Charles Abell via Contra Callers > >> <[email protected]> > >> Sent: Saturday, February 4, 2023 12:06 PM > >> To: [email protected] > >> Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question > >> > >> Hello group, It's been a while since I called a Sicilian Circle, but I > may > >> soon - two questions: > >> > >> 1. Typically, one couple isn't considered the "ones" and the other > >> "twos", right? > >> 2. If there are ones and two, which couple would be considered the > >> "ones" > >> - CW or CCW? > >> 3. If there are not typically ones and twos, has anyone tried > ascribing > >> those roles for a Sicilian circle dance. That is, I had an idea for a > >> dance > >> that ends with a square dance figure requiring one couple to arch first, > >> thus the need for separate numbers. > >> > >> I did attempt to find an answer online and was not initially successful. > >> Thoughts? > >> > >> Chuck > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] > >> To unsubscribe send an email to > [email protected] > >> > > > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Joe Harrington <[email protected]> > To: Amy Cann <[email protected]> > Cc: "[email protected]" < > [email protected]> > Bcc: > Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2023 16:49:36 -0500 > Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question > Newbie question: Why is it called a "Sicilian" circle? > > While certain dances came from long ago with that label, wouldn't > many/most contras work, as long as the circle isn't too small and the 1s > and 2s are comparably active? > > --jh-- > > > On Sat, Feb 4, 2023 at 4:39 PM Amy Cann via Contra Callers < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> Glad you like it! >> >> For what it's worth, at a ONS I often do a scatter mixer that's >> basically half of "Haste to the Wedding" - >> >> Circle L, circle R >> Star R star L >> everybody bow, promenade and find someone else >> >> for a little, then turn the scatter promenade into the big ring and go >> from there. >> >> On 2/4/23, Winston, Alan P. <[email protected]> wrote: >> > Any — >> > >> > That’s great! I hadn’t encountered that, and I really have to put it >> in my >> > toolbox for ONS - way faster/more fun than getting people who have no >> idea >> > what a Sicilian *is* to pair up and form one. (The best I had up to >> this >> > point was make a big circle, pick a pair and make them face, and then >> (in >> > Susan Michael’s words), say “Chain Reaction - pair up like this all the >> way >> > around.). So this’ll be good even for symmetric Sicilians. >> > >> > — Alan >> > >> > ________________________________________ >> > From: Amy Cann <[email protected]> >> > Sent: Saturday, February 4, 2023 1:11 PM >> > To: Winston, Alan P. >> > Cc: [email protected]; Charles Abell >> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question >> > >> > Here's how I learned: >> > >> > "Everybody promenade the usual way, two-by-two around the room - now >> > stop where you are." >> > >> > "Starting from this point right in front of me (gesture to where head >> > couple of center set usually stands for contras), you're going to >> > count off in pairs of couples and take hands four in this big ring. >> > >> > "Half of you can just stay facing the usual promenade direction - >> you're 1s" >> > >> > "Half of you will need to turn as a couple and face the 'wrong' >> > direction - you're 2's". >> > >> > It links the role of 1s/2s to the familiar line-of-direction we use >> > for promenading and coupledancing >> > >> > -- who feels most "normal", and who feels as if they're >> > accommodating/supporting. >> > >> > >> > >> > On 2/4/23, Winston, Alan P. via Contra Callers >> > <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> To your questions: >> >> >> >> 1: Right, the vast majority of Sicilians are completely symmetrical. >> >> >> >> 2: Because of this, I don't think there's a default for whether CW or >> CCW >> >> are the "1s". You can just pick which one you want. >> >> >> >> 3. Yes, there are non-symmetric Sicilians -= I'm looking at notes for >> >> "The >> >> Molly Andrew", a waltz Sicilian; it has the 1s ("those facing >> clockwise") >> >> do >> >> the figure through the 2s and then the 2s through the 1., and it's >> fine so >> >> long as you get across who goes first. Way better to indicate that >> >> visually rather than just say it. >> >> >> >> -- Alan >> >> ________________________________________ >> >> From: Charles Abell via Contra Callers >> >> <[email protected]> >> >> Sent: Saturday, February 4, 2023 12:06 PM >> >> To: [email protected] >> >> Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question >> >> >> >> Hello group, It's been a while since I called a Sicilian Circle, but I >> may >> >> soon - two questions: >> >> >> >> 1. Typically, one couple isn't considered the "ones" and the other >> >> "twos", right? >> >> 2. If there are ones and two, which couple would be considered the >> >> "ones" >> >> - CW or CCW? >> >> 3. If there are not typically ones and twos, has anyone tried >> ascribing >> >> those roles for a Sicilian circle dance. That is, I had an idea for a >> >> dance >> >> that ends with a square dance figure requiring one couple to arch >> first, >> >> thus the need for separate numbers. >> >> >> >> I did attempt to find an answer online and was not initially >> successful. >> >> Thoughts? >> >> >> >> Chuck >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] >> >> To unsubscribe send an email to >> [email protected] >> >> >> > >> _______________________________________________ >> Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] >> To unsubscribe send an email to >> [email protected] >> > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Qui Ann <[email protected]> > To: Emily Addison <[email protected]> > Cc: [email protected] > Bcc: > Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2023 14:29:41 -0800 > Subject: [Callers] Re: Do you add a 'do anything' move into a contra? OR > other playful strategies? :) > I call Hot Buttered Rolls by Perry Shafran and sometimes modify the B1 to > “pass P, shadow DSD” and then invite them to sort out with their shadow as > to what they want to do. > https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=7821 > > Same with "Vote with Your Feet" by Bob Isaacs. > https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=1956 > In this video you can hear me say “do something” when it comes to that > part. > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKP1xR-fjgk&ab_channel=albatrossace101 > > Jacqui > > On Feb 4, 2023, at 12:47, Emily Addison via Contra Callers < > [email protected]> wrote: > > Hey folks, > > After a number of relatively quiet caller years (parenting; pandemic), > I've started to dig deep to expand my repertoire and up my skills. It > feels like it's time for lots more dance fun! :) > > One dance that I've really enjoyed is Heartbeat Contra (by Don Flaherty - > see below). > Tom Calwell called it in Ottawa way back in 2010 and at the top of the > B1, he called Al R 1.5 or ANYTHING (R shoulder round, swing, DSD). > > *Do any of you throw in a 'do anything' moment in an evening of contra > programming?* I'm always looking for fun, playful moments that make > dancers smile and this feels like a lovely one. If you throw in an > anything moment, how do you choose when? > > *And do you have other strategies for adding playfulness to an evening?* > I've got some dances which I find super playful and fun (e.g., Three's > Company - Altered & Alternating - Paul Balliet) > > Thoughts on this? > > Thanks! > Emily in Ottawa > > ------------------------------- > Heartbeat Contra (Don Flaherty) > A1 > Bal Ring & Petronella Twirl > Bal Ring & Petronella Twirl > > A2 > Bal Ring & N Sw > > B1 > ROB Al R 1.5 *OR ANYTHING! *(Al R, Rshoulder round, swing, DSD... > original was RH round) > P Sw > > B2 > Cir L 3/4 > Bal Ring & California Twirl > > _______________________________________________ > Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] > To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] > > > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: David Harding <[email protected]> > To: [email protected] > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2023 16:52:30 -0600 > Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question > There is a specific old dance bearing the name "Sicilian Circle". You > can find it in, for instance, this 1857 instruction book from the > Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/item/musdi.094/ The name has > come to imply the formation and general pattern. > > On 2/4/2023 3:49 PM, Joe Harrington via Contra Callers wrote: > > Newbie question: Why is it called a "Sicilian" circle? > > > > While certain dances came from long ago with that label, wouldn't > > many/most contras work, as long as the circle isn't too small and the > > 1s and 2s are comparably active? > > > > --jh-- > > > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Amy Wimmer <[email protected]> > To: "Caller's discussion list" <[email protected]> > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2023 15:04:59 -0800 > Subject: [Callers] Rompin' Stompin' > Hey All, > > What are your favorite barn burner contras? I have a few, but they get old. > > -Amy > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Jonathan Sivier <[email protected]> > To: New Contra Callers List <[email protected]> > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2023 17:18:12 -0600 > Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question > It appears that in that book the dance formation is given as a > longways, duple, improper set. Not the circle of couple facing couple that > we typically connect to the Sicilian circle formation. The dance just > before it is the Spanish Dance and gives as the formation, "The first > couple at the head of the room, with their backs to the wall; the next > couple facing the first; the third couple with their backs to the second; > the fourth couple facing the third; and all the rest are formed in the same > manner, every two couples facing each other, without regard to numbers." > > Then it says, "As each couple arrives at the end of the room, they > must turn round and wait for the next couple to meet them, the gentlemen > being careful to have their ladies always on the right hand. > > This seems to be describing a longways dance instead of a circle. > Under Sicilian Circle it says, "This dance is formed precisely the same as > the Spanish Dance," so that would seem to be a longways dance as well. > > I think I have read that Spanish Dance was also used in the 19th > century as the generic name for the circle of couples facing each other. > So were these dances described somewhere with the circle formation, or was > that just something that someone did at one point and it stuck? > > Jonathan > > On 2/4/2023 4:52 PM, David Harding via Contra Callers wrote: > > There is a specific old dance bearing the name "Sicilian Circle". You > can find it in, for instance, this 1857 instruction book from the Library > of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/item/musdi.094/ The name has come to > imply the formation and general pattern. > > > > On 2/4/2023 3:49 PM, Joe Harrington via Contra Callers wrote: > >> Newbie question: Why is it called a "Sicilian" circle? > >> > >> While certain dances came from long ago with that label, wouldn't > many/most contras work, as long as the circle isn't too small and the 1s > and 2s are comparably active? > >> > >> --jh-- > >> > > _______________________________________________ > > Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] > > To unsubscribe send an email to > [email protected] > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Chris Page <[email protected]> > To: Amy Wimmer <[email protected]> > Cc: "Caller's discussion list" <[email protected]> > Bcc: > Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2023 16:09:37 -0800 > Subject: [Callers] Re: Rompin' Stompin' > What do you mean by "barn burner contra"? > > Confused, > -Chris Page > Los Angeles, CA > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Charles Abell <[email protected]> > To: New Contra Callers List <[email protected]>, > Jonathan Sivier <[email protected]> > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2023 00:13:28 +0000 > Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question > Thanks for the comments, everyone. Very helpful, especially the tip about > promenading into the proper formation. > > I noticed no one has responded yet to the question about whether a large > number of contra dances could be run as Sicilian circles. I'd be curious to > hear what others say, but my instinct is that it would maybe be > problematic. The curvature of the format would seem to make heys and other > figures more challenging to execute - the spacing between minor sets might > also be impacted in that formation. So, for instance, when doing a sequence > like "alle right N1 1/2x along the side then alle left next N 1x", the > distance between N #1 and N#2 might easily be greater than in a regular > contra. Anyway, this is just an initial gut reaction - let's see what the > hive mind thinks. > > As for "barnburner" dances, that's a broad term, and there are so many to > choose from. How about, as a starting bid, "From Here to Infinity" by Bob > Isaacs... > > Chuck > ------------------------------ > *From:* Jonathan Sivier via Contra Callers < > [email protected]> > *Sent:* Saturday, February 4, 2023 11:18 PM > *To:* New Contra Callers List <[email protected]> > *Subject:* [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question > > It appears that in that book the dance formation is given as a > longways, duple, improper set. Not the circle of couple facing couple that > we typically connect to the Sicilian circle formation. The dance just > before it is the Spanish Dance and gives as the formation, "The first > couple at the head of the room, with their backs to the wall; the next > couple facing the first; the third couple with their backs to the second; > the fourth couple facing the third; and all the rest are formed in the same > manner, every two couples facing each other, without regard to numbers." > > Then it says, "As each couple arrives at the end of the room, they > must turn round and wait for the next couple to meet them, the gentlemen > being careful to have their ladies always on the right hand. > > This seems to be describing a longways dance instead of a circle. > Under Sicilian Circle it says, "This dance is formed precisely the same as > the Spanish Dance," so that would seem to be a longways dance as well. > > I think I have read that Spanish Dance was also used in the 19th > century as the generic name for the circle of couples facing each other. > So were these dances described somewhere with the circle formation, or was > that just something that someone did at one point and it stuck? > > Jonathan > > On 2/4/2023 4:52 PM, David Harding via Contra Callers wrote: > > There is a specific old dance bearing the name "Sicilian Circle". You > can find it in, for instance, this 1857 instruction book from the Library > of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/item/musdi.094/ The name has come to > imply the formation and general pattern. > > > > On 2/4/2023 3:49 PM, Joe Harrington via Contra Callers wrote: > >> Newbie question: Why is it called a "Sicilian" circle? > >> > >> While certain dances came from long ago with that label, wouldn't > many/most contras work, as long as the circle isn't too small and the 1s > and 2s are comparably active? > >> > >> --jh-- > >> > > _______________________________________________ > > Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] > > To unsubscribe send an email to > [email protected] > _______________________________________________ > Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] > To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Elizabeth Bloom Albert <[email protected]> > To: Charles Abell <[email protected]> > Cc: "[email protected]" < > [email protected]> > Bcc: > Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2023 22:01:30 -0600 > Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question > Offering up the following: > > *Burning Ring of Arches **by Elizabeth Bloom Albert* > > Sicilian Circle. QUADRUPLE Progression dance > > > > *Key: 1’s = Couples who are facing CW around circle* > > * 2’s = Couples who are facing CCW around circle* > > > > A1 1’s Arch, 2’s Duck under; > > 2’s Arch, 1’s Duck under; > > 1’s Arch, 2’s Duck under; > > 2’s Arch, 1’s Duck under > > > > A2 Ladies Chain (to Neighbor) > > Ladies Chain (to Partner) > > > > B1 Ladies Alle-R 1 and ½ > > Swing Neighbor > > End swing facing partner. > > > > B2 Circle Left 3/4 > > Swing Partner > > End swing facing original direction. > > > > On Sat, Feb 4, 2023 at 2:06 PM Charles Abell via Contra Callers < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> Hello group, It's been a while since I called a Sicilian Circle, but I >> may soon - two questions: >> >> 1. Typically, one couple isn't considered the "ones" and the other >> "twos", right? >> 2. If there *are* ones and two, which couple would be considered the >> "ones" - CW or CCW? >> 3. If there *are not *typically ones and twos, has anyone tried >> ascribing those roles for a Sicilian circle dance. That is, I had an idea >> for a dance that ends with a square dance figure requiring one couple to >> arch first, thus the need for separate numbers. >> >> I did attempt to find an answer online and was not initially successful. >> Thoughts? >> >> Chuck >> _______________________________________________ >> Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] >> To unsubscribe send an email to >> [email protected] >> > > > -- > > * Elizabeth Bloom Albert * > _______________________________________________ > Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] > To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] >
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