Actually, I don’t think I can give details. Sorry. I’m not the author of Empty Shoes and can’t claim I have permission to share the full choreography widely. It was written by a musician/caller (Rodney Barnes?) after his father died, and I first learned it from him at one of the last Folk Fellowship dance camps. Those were invitation-only groups and the notes were printed in the syllabus/yearbook, which is what I refer to every time we need it. (Which I regretfully have to do soon, as we just lost one of our longest-term dancers. I’ve only taught it five or six times in the last 15 years.)
While I assume it would probably be fine for me to share the details, I’ve never seen the dance posted online anywhere and I don’t know the author that well. I would prefer not to violate his copyrights on something that could still be sensitive. However, I will say that it require a fairly large number of people, because it is a circular contra with a definite ECD feel and rather more intricate than the typical contra dance. If I recall correctly, it has a setting-type balance and a 2-hand turn in it. Neal Schlein Librarian, MSLIS On Wed, May 8, 2024 at 4:21 PM Patricia Campbell @gmail.com> wrote: > Would you please describe the dance Empty Shoes? > > Thanks! > > Patricia > > Patricia Campbell > southern Maine > > > *Celebrating Community Through Traditional Dance and Music* > > > > On Wed, May 8, 2024 at 5:23 PM Neal Schlein via Contra Callers < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> One of the rather idiosyncratic dance groups that I belong to has a >> specific dance that we do in memory of a recently deceased member, as well >> as all the other dancers who came and left before. We also do it at camps >> to remember anyone who can’t join us for whatever reason. The dance is >> named Empty Shoes. >> >> At a more open dance, if it is recent and the person is locally known I >> might post a note at the front table with a brief obituary and let the >> volunteers know that a dance will be dedicated at some point in the night. >> >> From the microphone, I would make the announcement one dance ahead so >> people have the chance to step out. Then keep it brief, basically to the >> extent of, “Some of you may not have heard, but XYZ person passed away >> recently. They were a valuable part of our/the national dance community >> for many years and will be missed. The next dance is one that they >> wrote/particularly enjoyed, and I want to share it with you in their >> memory.” >> >> Neal Schlein >> Librarian, MSLIS >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] >> To unsubscribe send an email to >> [email protected] >> >
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