Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars

[Andrea Nettleton via Callers]

John, 
Somewhere south of Asheville and leading west possibly into the lower Midwest, 
is the land of hands across stars.  They are standard in Atlanta, the heart of 
hands-across-land.
Andrea

Sent from my external brain

> On Oct 10, 2016, at 8:37 AM, Dave Casserly via Callers 
>  wrote:
> 
> Jeff Kaufman wrote a paper on regional variations in contra dance.  Here's 
> what he found for wrist-grip stars (page 31 of the link).  Basically, they're 
> common everywhere in the US except in some parts of the South.  This is based 
> on data from ten or more years ago, so I'm not sure if that's still true.  I 
> would not be surprised if it isn't-- there's enough cross-contamination that 
> wrist-grips could have taken over even in the South.  We do have people from 
> Georgia and North Carolina on the list; hopefully they'll chime in.
> 
> -Dave
> Washington, DC
> 
>> On Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 4:31 AM, John Sweeney via Callers 
>>  wrote:
>> Hi all,
>> I have been to contra dances and festivals all over America and
>> everywhere I have danced everyone automatically uses a wrist-lock star
>> (unless the caller has specified hands-across because of the subsequent
>> choreography).
>> 
>> But I am constantly challenged in England by people claiming that
>> wrist-lock stars are not the standard in America.
>> 
>> When I go to somewhere like The Flurry and see 600 people from all
>> over the country all doing wrist-locks it seems to me that it must be the
>> standard way of doing things.
>> 
>> And obviously it has been common in America for a long time; this
>> video is from 1964 in Northern Vermont and shows wrist-lock stars:
>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZubTju7g_s
>> 
>> So, are there still significant communities that don't use
>> wrist-locks?
>> 
>> Is the wrist-lock the de facto standard?
>> 
>> Thanks.
>> 
>> Happy dancing,
>>John
>> 
>> John Sweeney, Dancer, England   j...@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802
>> 940 574
>> http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs
>> http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
>> 
>> 
>> 
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> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> David Casserly
> (cell) 781 258-2761
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Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars

[Susan McElroy-Marcus via Callers]

Just a bit of Louisville dance community history on this subject—when my 
husband started dancing there in the late 70’s and I came in 1982, the Monday 
night dance was a mix of English and contra.  The default contradance star grip 
was the “wrist lock” not hands across as in English.  We called it a basket 
handhold or wrist grip.  Our influence came from New England because our 
friend, Norb Spencer, who started the group along with Marie and Frank 
(Cassidy?) and who called much of the time—learned in New England.  We then 
taught it that way when we moved to Cincinnati and started that group.  
Louisville only became a “bastion of hands-across-by-default” sometime in the 
late 1990’s or ealy 2000’s during my calling hiatus.  When I re-entered the 
calling scene 6-7 years ago, I was surprised and bemused upon calling in 
Louisville to learn of the high regard held for their ‘traditional’ 
hands-across star style.
Susan McElroy-Marcus

From: Chet Gray via Callers 
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2016 9:44 AM
To: Tim Klein 
Cc: callers@lists.sharedweight.net 
Subject: Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars

I tend to consider my home dance, Louisville, KY, and nearby Lexington, as two 
of the last bastions of hands-across-by-default. Wrist-grip seems to be the 
default (for contra; squares are a different matter) even in relatively nearby 
cities: Indianapolis, Bloomington, IN, Nashville, Cincinnati. Not sure about 
Berea and Somerset, KY, also nearby. 

I'd be hesitant to use weekends, Flurry in particular, as bellwethers of what 
is typical in anything but weekends. I'd wager that the vast majority of contra 
dancers, even habitual dancers, have never been to a dance weekend, perhaps not 
even their "home" weekend. Just as there is a sort of "weekend-style" dance 
program, there is a "weekend-style" of dancing that is a pidgin not necessarily 
representative of any particular regional style.

On Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 9:41 AM, Tim Klein via Callers 
 wrote:

  I call for dances in Knoxville, TN and occasionally in the surrounding area 
(Jonesboro, Chattanooga). I've been dancing here for 30 years. Kaufman was 
correct. I recall hands across stars in Knoxville, Atlanta, Brasstown, 
Asheville and points between, but wrist grip stars in Lexington, Louisville and 
Nashville. I'm certain about Knoxville, but perhaps others can confirm for the 
other cities.



  The wrist star has gradually taken over as the default in the area, but a 
couple of us old-timers are still holding out. I still teach the hands across 
star in the pre-dance lesson because it's quicker, but acknowledge that there 
are variations. When I call and dance, I still prompt and encourage the 
hands-across grip. We've got to hold onto our traditions and fight the 
globalization of contra, right?



  Of course, there are situations where one variety works better than another - 
to/from a move with an adjacent person (star to alemande, courtesy turn to 
star) suggests a wrist star, while moves where the contact is across (star old 
neighbors to star with new, ladies start star then gents join in) suggest the 
hands across. In those cases, I'll explicitly suggest one version in the walk 
through.

  Tim Klein
  Knoxville, TN


--
  From: Dave Casserly via Callers 
  To: John Sweeney  
  Cc: "callers@lists.sharedweight.net" 
  Sent: Monday, October 10, 2016 8:37 AM
  Subject: Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars


  Jeff Kaufman wrote a paper on regional variations in contra dance.  Here's 
what he found for wrist-grip stars (page 31 of the link).  Basically, they're 
common everywhere in the US except in some parts of the South.  This is based 
on data from ten or more years ago, so I'm not sure if that's still true.  I 
would not be surprised if it isn't-- there's enough cross-contamination that 
wrist-grips could have taken over even in the South.  We do have people from 
Georgia and North Carolina on the list; hopefully they'll chime in. 

  -Dave
  Washington, DC

  On Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 4:31 AM, John Sweeney via Callers 
 wrote:

Hi all,
I have been to contra dances and festivals all over America and
everywhere I have danced everyone automatically uses a wrist-lock star
(unless the caller has specified hands-across because of the subsequent
choreography).

But I am constantly challenged in England by people claiming that
wrist-lock stars are not the standard in America.

When I go to somewhere like The Flurry and see 600 people from all
over the country all doing wrist-locks it seems to me that it must be the
standard way of doing things.

And obviously it has been common in America for a long time; this
video is from 1964 in Northern Vermont and shows 

Re: [Callers] Good dances for beginners to safely leave/return to minor set.

[Tom Hinds via Callers]

Cheat or swing in a square.
On Oct 10, 2016, at 12:36 PM, K Panton via Callers wrote:

3-33-33 is not a good choice for introducing beginners to  
extra-4some expeditions. I've also found that a diagonal chain  
followed by a straight-across figure causes confusion.


The Young Adult Rose,and others, have a pass-through to shadow  
allemande which is doable.


Does anyone have some reliable key to unlock this mystery for new  
dancers, thereby opening up a whole new world!


Thanks

Ken

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Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars

[Joy Greenwolfe via Callers]

Central North Carolina here. In this region, wrist-grip or wagon-wheel stars 
are the default. Some dances specify hands-across if the choreography asks for 
it. 

Joy Greenwolfe
Durham, NC

> On Oct 10, 2016, at 4:34 PM, Read Weaver via Callers 
>  wrote:
> 
> When I’m teaching, I make the point that it’s pretty much the only move in 
> contra where you _shouldn’t_ give weight even though you could—human wrists 
> being neither strong nor flexible in that direction. And that if someone 
> behind you is uncomfortably giving weight, you can just let go and turn it 
> into a single file for yourself, since you’re not giving weight to aid the 
> circle's momentum anyway.
> 
> Read Weaver
> Jamaica Plain, MA
> http://lcfd.org 
>> On Oct 10, 2016, at 1:49 PM, Don Veino via Callers 
>> > 
>> wrote:
>> 
>> Not sure how I came by it, but I call them "pack saddle" stars when I teach 
>> beginners ("wrist-lock", no). "Raise your right hand, put it in the center 
>> and now lay it on the wrist of the person in front of you, like a pack 
>> saddle on a horse, to make a star. Notice you don't need to clamp on or even 
>> really use your thumb at all."
>> 
>> And yes, very much the default star form from my experience.
>> 
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Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars

[Neal Schlein via Callers]

Whatever you call it (some of the other terms come from square dances of
particular names, such as Old Mill Wheel or the Wagonwheel Star), today a
wrist star is the US standard for most of the country.

That said, the square dance movement uses a palm-in star (which I
personally prefer for most applications and find prettier). That was the
standard style around Colorado in the 1930s when Lloyd Shaw got started,
and for many years after.  Pretty much, you'll only find it among square
dancers, people who danced with Calico and Boots in Boulder, Colorado, or
folks with an exaggerated respect for history.  Guess I qualify as all
three.

Neal Schlein
Youth Services Librarian, Mahomet Public Library

Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars

[Louise Siddons via Callers]

Here in Oklahoma I call it a wagon-wheel grip, but I think I picked up that 
term in either Michigan or California when I was starting to dance contra circa 
2008. Wagon-wheel stars are the default in OK/TX/KS/MO local dances, and also 
seem standard in the SF Bay Area. 

When I teach a star in a room with a lot of new dancers, I say “our convention 
here is to make a wagon-wheel in the middle — your hand should be on the wrist 
of the person in front of you.” Our intro workshops usually speak to the 
question of grip (nothing the other person can’t get out of wordlessly without 
injury, please), so we don’t generally get people who are gripping tightly.

Incidentally, I enjoy the wagon wheel as a moment when experienced dancers can 
help new dancers have an “ah ha!” moment without disrupting my teaching. It’s a 
neat opportunity to introduce the concept of dancers being able to learn 
details of technique from each other, which I hope then continues throughout 
the evening.

Louise
(Stillwater, OK)

Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars

[Read Weaver via Callers]

When I’m teaching, I make the point that it’s pretty much the only move in 
contra where you _shouldn’t_ give weight even though you could—human wrists 
being neither strong nor flexible in that direction. And that if someone behind 
you is uncomfortably giving weight, you can just let go and turn it into a 
single file for yourself, since you’re not giving weight to aid the circle's 
momentum anyway.

Read Weaver
Jamaica Plain, MA
http://lcfd.org

> On Oct 10, 2016, at 1:49 PM, Don Veino via Callers 
>  wrote:
> 
> Not sure how I came by it, but I call them "pack saddle" stars when I teach 
> beginners ("wrist-lock", no). "Raise your right hand, put it in the center 
> and now lay it on the wrist of the person in front of you, like a pack saddle 
> on a horse, to make a star. Notice you don't need to clamp on or even really 
> use your thumb at all."
> 
> And yes, very much the default star form from my experience.
> 
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[Callers] Mark Widmer's email address is changing

[via Callers]

Please change your address book to use Mark Widmer's new email address:

   widmerm...@gmail.com

The old email address (m...@harbormist.com) will be going away soon.

Re: [Callers] Good dances for beginners to safely leave/return to minor set.

[Kalia Kliban via Callers]

I've had issues with the combination of box the gnat and pull by.  I'd 
be hesitant to use that combination for a group with a lot of beginners.


Kalia Kliban (who also posted about Another Nice Combination but forgot 
to sign it)


On 10/10/2016 10:30 AM, Meg Dedolph via Callers wrote:

I like this one a lot:

/Becky's Brouhaha - Rhiannon (Giddens) Laffan />//>/A1 N Bal and Box
the Gnat, Pull by R, (Previous N) Allemande L />/A2 (Current) N B
/>/B1 Circle L 3/4, P Sw />/B2 Ladies Chain, Left Hand Star/



On Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 11:36 AM K Panton via Callers
> wrote:

3-33-33 is not a good choice for introducing beginners to extra-4some
expeditions. I've also found that a diagonal chain followed by a
straight-across figure causes confusion.

The Young Adult Rose,and others, have a pass-through to shadow
allemande which is doable.

Does anyone have some reliable key to unlock this mystery for new
dancers, thereby opening up a whole new world!

Thanks

Ken

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Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars

[Don Veino via Callers]

Not sure how I came by it, but I call them "pack saddle" stars when I teach
beginners ("wrist-lock", no). "Raise your right hand, put it in the center
and now lay it on the wrist of the person in front of you, like a pack
saddle on a horse, to make a star. Notice you don't need to clamp on or
even really use your thumb at all."

And yes, very much the default star form from my experience.

Re: [Callers] Good dances for beginners to safely leave/return to minor set.

[Maia McCormick via Callers]

Mary Cay's Reel (also by David Kaynor) and Poetry in Motion (Lisa
Greenleaf) have expeditions out of your hands-4 to your future neighbor,
and Little Green Heron (Joseph Pimentel) to the previous ones. Angel's
Flight (Sue Rosen) is a really lovely dance with a jaunt to your future
neighbor and back, but beginners may have trouble doing the gypsy the right
distance, it needs careful teaching. In Cahoots (Rick Mohr) and Train Delay
(one of mine) are some dances with brief shadow interaction that are pretty
hard to mess up--no weird diagonal action or similar. Choreography below.

Mary Cay's Reel by David Kaynor || becket left
A1: circle L 3/4; pass N to alle. L with next N
A2: orig. N b
B1: long lines; ladies alle. R 3/4 (4), new lady by L 3/4 (4)*
B2: P b
*gents slide a little L to meet partner. Also, ladies should locate 2nd
lady before starting (look across, and one lady to the right)

Poetry in Motion by Lisa Greenleaf || improper
A1: RH star; N alle. R 1 1/2
A2: gypsy next N L; swing N*
B1: g to gent's side; P swing
B2: ladies chain (to N); LH star 1x (to new Ns)
* CURRENT N: the one you alle'd, NOT the one you gypsied

Little Green Heron by Joseph Pimentel || improper
A1 with current neighbors star L; with former neighbors star R
A2 with current N b
B1 gents alle L 1.5; P swing
B2 circle L 1.25 (till the ones are looking down, twos looking up); with P
zig left past current neighbors, zag right to greet new neighbors

Angel's Flight by Sue Rosen || improper
A1: N gypsy R 1 1/2*; RH star (ladies follow N) 1x
A2: next N gypsy L 1x; orig. N swing
B1: circle L 3/4; P swing
B2: ladies chain (to N); LH star 1x
* identify next N before starting the star (look away from this N along
 the side)

In Cahoots by Rick Mohr || becket, CW
A1: (slide left to) circle L 3/4 w/ next N swing
A2: ladies alle. R 1 1/2 P alle. L 1 1/2 → short wave (gents R in middle)
B1: bal. wave, walk forward to new wave (gents R, shadows L) bal. wave,
shadow alle. L 3/4
B2: P b

Train Delay by Maia McCormick || becket right
A1: ladies alle. R 1 1/2*; N swing
A2: ladies chain (to P); LH star 1x
B1: w/ shadow, bal. & box the gnat; do-si-do shadow 1 1/2
B2: P b
* look R for a new lady (gents will scooch R here)
In the second half of B1, pull by R at the start of the do-si-do for some
extra momentum (depending on the crowd, may be useful to teach this)


On Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 12:36 PM, K Panton via Callers <
callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> 3-33-33 is not a good choice for introducing beginners to extra-4some
> expeditions. I've also found that a diagonal chain followed by a
> straight-across figure causes confusion.
>
> The Young Adult Rose,and others, have a pass-through to shadow allemande
> which is doable.
>
> Does anyone have some reliable key to unlock this mystery for new dancers,
> thereby opening up a whole new world!
>
> Thanks
>
> Ken
>
> ___
> Callers mailing list
> Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
>
>

Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars

[Meg Dedolph via Callers]

Checking in from Chicago, where wrist-grip stars are the norm and
hands-across stars need to be specified  When I started dancing, 14 or
15 years ago, in Michigan, many dancers reached for a hands-across star
first, though I don't see that so much anymore.
Meg

On Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 12:00 PM Robert Livingston via Callers <
callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> Millstone or  "windmill" - term I've seen used in print for older Canadian
> dances.
>
> Bob Livingston
>
>
> --
> *From:* Angela DeCarlis via Callers 
> *To:* Jacob or Nancy Bloom 
> *Cc:* callers 
> *Sent:* Monday, October 10, 2016 12:45 PM
>
> *Subject:* Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars
> I've never heard "millstone" or "mill" before, but it sounds like it has
> precedence. My guess is that it was (is?) a useful term at dances where
> hands-across stars are default. Since that isn't generally the case in many
> places any longer, it makes sense that "hands-across" has become the more
> useful modifier.
> On Oct 10, 2016 11:37 AM, "Jacob or Nancy Bloom via Callers" <
> callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
> When I attended the Berea Christmas Dance School forty years ago, and put
> my hand on the wrist in front of me during a walk through, someone
> complained, saying, "He said a star, not a mill!"
>
> Is the term "mill", or the term "millstone", commonly used to refer to
> wrist stars in areas where hands-across is the default way of doing a star?
>
> Jacob Bloom
>
> On Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 10:29 AM, Jerome Grisanti via Callers 
>  net > wrote:
>
> I agree with Chet that Louisville's default star is hands-across, although
> weekend festivals in nearby cities tend toward the millstone star. I avoid
> the terms wrist-lock or even wrist-grip star, as I prefer the fingers to
> lay atop the adjoining wrist without using the thumb to "grip" in any way.
>
> The Midwest where I dance/call now is pretty solidly wrist-star territory
> (St. Louis, Columbia MO, Kansas City, Lawrence). When I call one-night
> events (parties, weddings), I dictate hands-across stars, but when calling
> for an established contra community I ask for the default.
>
> --Jerome
>
>
> 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
>
> On Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 3:31 AM, John Sweeney via Callers 
>  t > wrote:
>
> Hi all,
> I have been to contra dances and festivals all over America and
> everywhere I have danced everyone automatically uses a wrist-lock star
> (unless the caller has specified hands-across because of the subsequent
> choreography).
>
> But I am constantly challenged in England by people claiming that
> wrist-lock stars are not the standard in America.
>
> When I go to somewhere like The Flurry and see 600 people from all
> over the country all doing wrist-locks it seems to me that it must be the
> standard way of doing things.
>
> And obviously it has been common in America for a long time; this
> video is from 1964 in Northern Vermont and shows wrist-lock stars:
> https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=pZubTju7g_s
> 
>
> So, are there still significant communities that don't use
> wrist-locks?
>
> Is the wrist-lock the de facto standard?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Happy dancing,
>John
>
> John Sweeney, Dancer, England   j...@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802
> 940 574
> http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs
> http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
>
>
>
> __ _
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> 
>
>
>
> __ _
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> 
>
>
>
>
> --
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> http://jacobbloom.net/
>
>
> __ _
>
>
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>
>
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>
>
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> 

Re: [Callers] Good dances for beginners to safely leave/return to minor set.

[Meg Dedolph via Callers]

I like this one a lot:

*Becky's Brouhaha - Rhiannon (Giddens) Laffan
*>>* A1N Bal and Box the Gnat, Pull by R, (Previous N) Allemande L
*>* A2(Current) N B
*>* B1Circle L 3/4, P Sw
*>* B2Ladies Chain, Left Hand Star*



On Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 11:36 AM K Panton via Callers <
callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> 3-33-33 is not a good choice for introducing beginners to extra-4some
> expeditions. I've also found that a diagonal chain followed by a
> straight-across figure causes confusion.
>
> The Young Adult Rose,and others, have a pass-through to shadow allemande
> which is doable.
>
> Does anyone have some reliable key to unlock this mystery for new dancers,
> thereby opening up a whole new world!
>
> Thanks
>
> Ken
> ___
> Callers mailing list
> Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
>

Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars

[Robert Livingston via Callers]

Millstone or  "windmill" - term I've seen used in print for older Canadian 
dances.
Bob Livingston


  From: Angela DeCarlis via Callers 
 To: Jacob or Nancy Bloom  
Cc: callers 
 Sent: Monday, October 10, 2016 12:45 PM
 Subject: Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars
   
I've never heard "millstone" or "mill" before, but it sounds like it has 
precedence. My guess is that it was (is?) a useful term at dances where 
hands-across stars are default. Since that isn't generally the case in many 
places any longer, it makes sense that "hands-across" has become the more 
useful modifier. 
On Oct 10, 2016 11:37 AM, "Jacob or Nancy Bloom via Callers" 
 wrote:

When I attended the Berea Christmas Dance School forty years ago, and put my 
hand on the wrist in front of me during a walk through, someone complained, 
saying, "He said a star, not a mill!"
Is the term "mill", or the term "millstone", commonly used to refer to wrist 
stars in areas where hands-across is the default way of doing a star?
Jacob Bloom

On Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 10:29 AM, Jerome Grisanti via Callers 
 wrote:

I agree with Chet that Louisville's default star is hands-across, although 
weekend festivals in nearby cities tend toward the millstone star. I avoid the 
terms wrist-lock or even wrist-grip star, as I prefer the fingers to lay atop 
the adjoining wrist without using the thumb to "grip" in any way.
The Midwest where I dance/call now is pretty solidly wrist-star territory (St. 
Louis, Columbia MO, Kansas City, Lawrence). When I call one-night events 
(parties, weddings), I dictate hands-across stars, but when calling for an 
established contra community I ask for the default.
--Jerome

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

On Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 3:31 AM, John Sweeney via Callers 
 wrote:

Hi all,
        I have been to contra dances and festivals all over America and
everywhere I have danced everyone automatically uses a wrist-lock star
(unless the caller has specified hands-across because of the subsequent
choreography).

        But I am constantly challenged in England by people claiming that
wrist-lock stars are not the standard in America.

        When I go to somewhere like The Flurry and see 600 people from all
over the country all doing wrist-locks it seems to me that it must be the
standard way of doing things.

        And obviously it has been common in America for a long time; this
video is from 1964 in Northern Vermont and shows wrist-lock stars:
https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=pZubTju7g_s

        So, are there still significant communities that don't use
wrist-locks?

        Is the wrist-lock the de facto standard?

        Thanks.

    Happy dancing,
   John

John Sweeney, Dancer, England   j...@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802
940 574
http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent



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Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars

[Angela DeCarlis via Callers]

I've never heard "millstone" or "mill" before, but it sounds like it has
precedence. My guess is that it was (is?) a useful term at dances where
hands-across stars are default. Since that isn't generally the case in many
places any longer, it makes sense that "hands-across" has become the more
useful modifier.

On Oct 10, 2016 11:37 AM, "Jacob or Nancy Bloom via Callers" <
callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> When I attended the Berea Christmas Dance School forty years ago, and put
> my hand on the wrist in front of me during a walk through, someone
> complained, saying, "He said a star, not a mill!"
>
> Is the term "mill", or the term "millstone", commonly used to refer to
> wrist stars in areas where hands-across is the default way of doing a star?
>
> Jacob Bloom
>
>
> On Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 10:29 AM, Jerome Grisanti via Callers <
> callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
>> I agree with Chet that Louisville's default star is hands-across,
>> although weekend festivals in nearby cities tend toward the millstone star.
>> I avoid the terms wrist-lock or even wrist-grip star, as I prefer the
>> fingers to lay atop the adjoining wrist without using the thumb to "grip"
>> in any way.
>>
>> The Midwest where I dance/call now is pretty solidly wrist-star territory
>> (St. Louis, Columbia MO, Kansas City, Lawrence). When I call one-night
>> events (parties, weddings), I dictate hands-across stars, but when calling
>> for an established contra community I ask for the default.
>>
>> --Jerome
>>
>>
>> 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
>>
>> On Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 3:31 AM, John Sweeney via Callers <
>> callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi all,
>>> I have been to contra dances and festivals all over America and
>>> everywhere I have danced everyone automatically uses a wrist-lock star
>>> (unless the caller has specified hands-across because of the subsequent
>>> choreography).
>>>
>>> But I am constantly challenged in England by people claiming that
>>> wrist-lock stars are not the standard in America.
>>>
>>> When I go to somewhere like The Flurry and see 600 people from
>>> all
>>> over the country all doing wrist-locks it seems to me that it must be the
>>> standard way of doing things.
>>>
>>> And obviously it has been common in America for a long time; this
>>> video is from 1964 in Northern Vermont and shows wrist-lock stars:
>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZubTju7g_s
>>>
>>> So, are there still significant communities that don't use
>>> wrist-locks?
>>>
>>> Is the wrist-lock the de facto standard?
>>>
>>> Thanks.
>>>
>>> Happy dancing,
>>>John
>>>
>>> John Sweeney, Dancer, England   j...@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 &
>>> 07802
>>> 940 574
>>> http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs
>>> http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ___
>>> Callers mailing list
>>> Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
>>> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
>>>
>>
>>
>> ___
>> Callers mailing list
>> Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
>> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> jandnbl...@gmail.com
> http://jacobbloom.net/
>
> ___
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> Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
>
>

[Callers] Good dances for beginners to safely leave/return to minor set.

[K Panton via Callers]

3-33-33 is not a good choice for introducing beginners to extra-4some
expeditions. I've also found that a diagonal chain followed by a
straight-across figure causes confusion.

The Young Adult Rose,and others, have a pass-through to shadow allemande
which is doable.

Does anyone have some reliable key to unlock this mystery for new dancers,
thereby opening up a whole new world!

Thanks

Ken

Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars

[Jacob or Nancy Bloom via Callers]

When I attended the Berea Christmas Dance School forty years ago, and put
my hand on the wrist in front of me during a walk through, someone
complained, saying, "He said a star, not a mill!"

Is the term "mill", or the term "millstone", commonly used to refer to
wrist stars in areas where hands-across is the default way of doing a star?

Jacob Bloom


On Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 10:29 AM, Jerome Grisanti via Callers <
callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> I agree with Chet that Louisville's default star is hands-across, although
> weekend festivals in nearby cities tend toward the millstone star. I avoid
> the terms wrist-lock or even wrist-grip star, as I prefer the fingers to
> lay atop the adjoining wrist without using the thumb to "grip" in any way.
>
> The Midwest where I dance/call now is pretty solidly wrist-star territory
> (St. Louis, Columbia MO, Kansas City, Lawrence). When I call one-night
> events (parties, weddings), I dictate hands-across stars, but when calling
> for an established contra community I ask for the default.
>
> --Jerome
>
>
> 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
>
> On Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 3:31 AM, John Sweeney via Callers <
> callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
>> Hi all,
>> I have been to contra dances and festivals all over America and
>> everywhere I have danced everyone automatically uses a wrist-lock star
>> (unless the caller has specified hands-across because of the subsequent
>> choreography).
>>
>> But I am constantly challenged in England by people claiming that
>> wrist-lock stars are not the standard in America.
>>
>> When I go to somewhere like The Flurry and see 600 people from all
>> over the country all doing wrist-locks it seems to me that it must be the
>> standard way of doing things.
>>
>> And obviously it has been common in America for a long time; this
>> video is from 1964 in Northern Vermont and shows wrist-lock stars:
>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZubTju7g_s
>>
>> So, are there still significant communities that don't use
>> wrist-locks?
>>
>> Is the wrist-lock the de facto standard?
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> Happy dancing,
>>John
>>
>> John Sweeney, Dancer, England   j...@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802
>> 940 574
>> http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs
>> http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
>>
>>
>>
>> ___
>> Callers mailing list
>> Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
>> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
>>
>
>
> ___
> Callers mailing list
> Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
>
>


-- 
jandnbl...@gmail.com
http://jacobbloom.net/

Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars

[Jerome Grisanti via Callers]

I agree with Chet that Louisville's default star is hands-across, although
weekend festivals in nearby cities tend toward the millstone star. I avoid
the terms wrist-lock or even wrist-grip star, as I prefer the fingers to
lay atop the adjoining wrist without using the thumb to "grip" in any way.

The Midwest where I dance/call now is pretty solidly wrist-star territory
(St. Louis, Columbia MO, Kansas City, Lawrence). When I call one-night
events (parties, weddings), I dictate hands-across stars, but when calling
for an established contra community I ask for the default.

--Jerome


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

On Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 3:31 AM, John Sweeney via Callers <
callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> Hi all,
> I have been to contra dances and festivals all over America and
> everywhere I have danced everyone automatically uses a wrist-lock star
> (unless the caller has specified hands-across because of the subsequent
> choreography).
>
> But I am constantly challenged in England by people claiming that
> wrist-lock stars are not the standard in America.
>
> When I go to somewhere like The Flurry and see 600 people from all
> over the country all doing wrist-locks it seems to me that it must be the
> standard way of doing things.
>
> And obviously it has been common in America for a long time; this
> video is from 1964 in Northern Vermont and shows wrist-lock stars:
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZubTju7g_s
>
> So, are there still significant communities that don't use
> wrist-locks?
>
> Is the wrist-lock the de facto standard?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Happy dancing,
>John
>
> John Sweeney, Dancer, England   j...@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802
> 940 574
> http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs
> http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
>
>
>
> ___
> Callers mailing list
> Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
>

Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars

[Angela DeCarlis via Callers]

Where I've called recently, in the Northeast and in New England, wrist-grip
is definitely the default, and I wasn't aware that parts of the south
default to hands-across. Neat!

Here to comment that Florida, where I'm from originally, holds true to its
role as the Exception to the Rule: despite being in the South, they
definitely default to wrist-grip there, as well.

Angela

On Oct 10, 2016 9:44 AM, "Chet Gray via Callers" <
callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> I tend to consider my home dance, Louisville, KY, and nearby Lexington, as
> two of the last bastions of hands-across-by-default. Wrist-grip seems to be
> the default (for contra; squares are a different matter) even in relatively
> nearby cities: Indianapolis, Bloomington, IN, Nashville, Cincinnati. Not
> sure about Berea and Somerset, KY, also nearby.
>
> I'd be hesitant to use weekends, Flurry in particular, as bellwethers of
> what is typical in anything but weekends. I'd wager that the vast majority
> of contra dancers, even habitual dancers, have never been to a dance
> weekend, perhaps not even their "home" weekend. Just as there is a sort of
> "weekend-style" dance program, there is a "weekend-style" of dancing that
> is a pidgin not necessarily representative of any particular regional style.
>
> On Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 9:41 AM, Tim Klein via Callers <
> callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
>> I call for dances in Knoxville, TN and occasionally in the surrounding
>> area (Jonesboro, Chattanooga). I've been dancing here for 30 years. Kaufman
>> was correct. I recall hands across stars in Knoxville, Atlanta, Brasstown,
>> Asheville and points between, but wrist grip stars in Lexington, Louisville
>> and Nashville. I'm certain about Knoxville, but perhaps others can confirm
>> for the other cities.
>>
>> The wrist star has gradually taken over as the default in the area, but a
>> couple of us old-timers are still holding out. I still teach the hands
>> across star in the pre-dance lesson because it's quicker, but acknowledge
>> that there are variations. When I call and dance, I still prompt and
>> encourage the hands-across grip. We've got to hold onto our traditions and
>> fight the globalization of contra, right?
>>
>> Of course, there are situations where one variety works better than
>> another - to/from a move with an adjacent person (star to alemande,
>> courtesy turn to star) suggests a wrist star, while moves where the contact
>> is across (star old neighbors to star with new, ladies start star then
>> gents join in) suggest the hands across. In those cases, I'll explicitly
>> suggest one version in the walk through.
>>
>> Tim Klein
>> Knoxville, TN
>>
>> --
>> *From:* Dave Casserly via Callers 
>> *To:* John Sweeney 
>> *Cc:* "callers@lists.sharedweight.net" 
>> *Sent:* Monday, October 10, 2016 8:37 AM
>> *Subject:* Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars
>>
>> Jeff Kaufman wrote a paper on regional variations in contra dance.
>> Here's what he found
>> 
>> for wrist-grip stars (page 31 of the link).  Basically, they're common
>> everywhere in the US except in some parts of the South.  This is based on
>> data from ten or more years ago, so I'm not sure if that's still true.  I
>> would not be surprised if it isn't-- there's enough cross-contamination
>> that wrist-grips could have taken over even in the South.  We do have
>> people from Georgia and North Carolina on the list; hopefully they'll chime
>> in.
>>
>> -Dave
>> Washington, DC
>>
>> On Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 4:31 AM, John Sweeney via Callers <
>> callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>>
>> Hi all,
>> I have been to contra dances and festivals all over America and
>> everywhere I have danced everyone automatically uses a wrist-lock star
>> (unless the caller has specified hands-across because of the subsequent
>> choreography).
>>
>> But I am constantly challenged in England by people claiming that
>> wrist-lock stars are not the standard in America.
>>
>> When I go to somewhere like The Flurry and see 600 people from all
>> over the country all doing wrist-locks it seems to me that it must be the
>> standard way of doing things.
>>
>> And obviously it has been common in America for a long time; this
>> video is from 1964 in Northern Vermont and shows wrist-lock stars:
>> https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=pZubTju7g_s
>> 
>>
>> So, are there still significant communities that don't use
>> wrist-locks?
>>
>> Is the wrist-lock the de facto standard?
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> Happy dancing,
>>John
>>
>> John Sweeney, Dancer, England   j...@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802
>> 940 574
>> http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs

Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars

[Jane Thickstun via Callers]

When I was dancing in Michigan, I found it to be a mess, with maybe half
doing wrist grip and half hands-across, and everyone just throwing their
hands in the middle without doing either.  I wish callers would specify for
each dance which kind of star they recommend, to avoid this kind of thing.

Jane Thickstun
currently in Ithaca, NY

On Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 9:41 AM, Tim Klein via Callers <
callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> I call for dances in Knoxville, TN and occasionally in the surrounding
> area (Jonesboro, Chattanooga). I've been dancing here for 30 years. Kaufman
> was correct. I recall hands across stars in Knoxville, Atlanta, Brasstown,
> Asheville and points between, but wrist grip stars in Lexington, Louisville
> and Nashville. I'm certain about Knoxville, but perhaps others can confirm
> for the other cities.
>
> The wrist star has gradually taken over as the default in the area, but a
> couple of us old-timers are still holding out. I still teach the hands
> across star in the pre-dance lesson because it's quicker, but acknowledge
> that there are variations. When I call and dance, I still prompt and
> encourage the hands-across grip. We've got to hold onto our traditions and
> fight the globalization of contra, right?
>
> Of course, there are situations where one variety works better than
> another - to/from a move with an adjacent person (star to alemande,
> courtesy turn to star) suggests a wrist star, while moves where the contact
> is across (star old neighbors to star with new, ladies start star then
> gents join in) suggest the hands across. In those cases, I'll explicitly
> suggest one version in the walk through.
>
> Tim Klein
> Knoxville, TN
>
> --
> *From:* Dave Casserly via Callers 
> *To:* John Sweeney 
> *Cc:* "callers@lists.sharedweight.net" 
> *Sent:* Monday, October 10, 2016 8:37 AM
> *Subject:* Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars
>
> Jeff Kaufman wrote a paper on regional variations in contra dance.  Here's 
> what
> he found
> 
> for wrist-grip stars (page 31 of the link).  Basically, they're common
> everywhere in the US except in some parts of the South.  This is based on
> data from ten or more years ago, so I'm not sure if that's still true.  I
> would not be surprised if it isn't-- there's enough cross-contamination
> that wrist-grips could have taken over even in the South.  We do have
> people from Georgia and North Carolina on the list; hopefully they'll chime
> in.
>
> -Dave
> Washington, DC
>
> On Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 4:31 AM, John Sweeney via Callers <
> callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
> Hi all,
> I have been to contra dances and festivals all over America and
> everywhere I have danced everyone automatically uses a wrist-lock star
> (unless the caller has specified hands-across because of the subsequent
> choreography).
>
> But I am constantly challenged in England by people claiming that
> wrist-lock stars are not the standard in America.
>
> When I go to somewhere like The Flurry and see 600 people from all
> over the country all doing wrist-locks it seems to me that it must be the
> standard way of doing things.
>
> And obviously it has been common in America for a long time; this
> video is from 1964 in Northern Vermont and shows wrist-lock stars:
> https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=pZubTju7g_s
> 
>
> So, are there still significant communities that don't use
> wrist-locks?
>
> Is the wrist-lock the de facto standard?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Happy dancing,
>John
>
> John Sweeney, Dancer, England   j...@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802
> 940 574
> http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs
> http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
>
>
>
> __ _
> Callers mailing list
> Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
> http://lists.sharedweight.net/ listinfo.cgi/callers- sharedweight.net
> 
>
>
>
>
> --
> David Casserly
> (cell) 781 258-2761
>
> ___
> Callers mailing list
> Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
>
>
>
> ___
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> Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
>
>


-- 
Rev. Jane Thickstun
Interim Minister
First Unitarian Society of Ithaca

Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars

[Chet Gray via Callers]

I tend to consider my home dance, Louisville, KY, and nearby Lexington, as
two of the last bastions of hands-across-by-default. Wrist-grip seems to be
the default (for contra; squares are a different matter) even in relatively
nearby cities: Indianapolis, Bloomington, IN, Nashville, Cincinnati. Not
sure about Berea and Somerset, KY, also nearby.

I'd be hesitant to use weekends, Flurry in particular, as bellwethers of
what is typical in anything but weekends. I'd wager that the vast majority
of contra dancers, even habitual dancers, have never been to a dance
weekend, perhaps not even their "home" weekend. Just as there is a sort of
"weekend-style" dance program, there is a "weekend-style" of dancing that
is a pidgin not necessarily representative of any particular regional style.

On Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 9:41 AM, Tim Klein via Callers <
callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> I call for dances in Knoxville, TN and occasionally in the surrounding
> area (Jonesboro, Chattanooga). I've been dancing here for 30 years. Kaufman
> was correct. I recall hands across stars in Knoxville, Atlanta, Brasstown,
> Asheville and points between, but wrist grip stars in Lexington, Louisville
> and Nashville. I'm certain about Knoxville, but perhaps others can confirm
> for the other cities.
>
> The wrist star has gradually taken over as the default in the area, but a
> couple of us old-timers are still holding out. I still teach the hands
> across star in the pre-dance lesson because it's quicker, but acknowledge
> that there are variations. When I call and dance, I still prompt and
> encourage the hands-across grip. We've got to hold onto our traditions and
> fight the globalization of contra, right?
>
> Of course, there are situations where one variety works better than
> another - to/from a move with an adjacent person (star to alemande,
> courtesy turn to star) suggests a wrist star, while moves where the contact
> is across (star old neighbors to star with new, ladies start star then
> gents join in) suggest the hands across. In those cases, I'll explicitly
> suggest one version in the walk through.
>
> Tim Klein
> Knoxville, TN
>
> --
> *From:* Dave Casserly via Callers 
> *To:* John Sweeney 
> *Cc:* "callers@lists.sharedweight.net" 
> *Sent:* Monday, October 10, 2016 8:37 AM
> *Subject:* Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars
>
> Jeff Kaufman wrote a paper on regional variations in contra dance.  Here's 
> what
> he found
> 
> for wrist-grip stars (page 31 of the link).  Basically, they're common
> everywhere in the US except in some parts of the South.  This is based on
> data from ten or more years ago, so I'm not sure if that's still true.  I
> would not be surprised if it isn't-- there's enough cross-contamination
> that wrist-grips could have taken over even in the South.  We do have
> people from Georgia and North Carolina on the list; hopefully they'll chime
> in.
>
> -Dave
> Washington, DC
>
> On Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 4:31 AM, John Sweeney via Callers <
> callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
> Hi all,
> I have been to contra dances and festivals all over America and
> everywhere I have danced everyone automatically uses a wrist-lock star
> (unless the caller has specified hands-across because of the subsequent
> choreography).
>
> But I am constantly challenged in England by people claiming that
> wrist-lock stars are not the standard in America.
>
> When I go to somewhere like The Flurry and see 600 people from all
> over the country all doing wrist-locks it seems to me that it must be the
> standard way of doing things.
>
> And obviously it has been common in America for a long time; this
> video is from 1964 in Northern Vermont and shows wrist-lock stars:
> https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=pZubTju7g_s
> 
>
> So, are there still significant communities that don't use
> wrist-locks?
>
> Is the wrist-lock the de facto standard?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Happy dancing,
>John
>
> John Sweeney, Dancer, England   j...@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802
> 940 574
> http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs
> http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
>
>
>
> __ _
> Callers mailing list
> Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
> http://lists.sharedweight.net/ listinfo.cgi/callers- sharedweight.net
> 
>
>
>
>
> --
> David Casserly
> (cell) 781 258-2761
>
> ___
> Callers mailing list
> Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
>
>
>
> 

Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars

[Tim Klein via Callers]

I call for dances in Knoxville, TN and occasionally in the surrounding area 
(Jonesboro, Chattanooga). I've been dancing here for 30 years. Kaufman was 
correct. I recall hands across stars in Knoxville, Atlanta, Brasstown, 
Asheville and points between, but wrist grip stars in Lexington, Louisville and 
Nashville. I'm certain about Knoxville, but perhaps others can confirm for the 
other cities.

The wrist star has gradually taken over as the default in the area, but a 
couple of us old-timers are still holding out. I still teach the hands across 
star in the pre-dance lesson because it's quicker, but acknowledge that there 
are variations. When I call and dance, I still prompt and encourage the 
hands-across grip. We've got to hold onto our traditions and fight the 
globalization of contra, right?

Of course, there are situations where one variety works better than another - 
to/from a move with an adjacent person (star to alemande, courtesy turn to 
star) suggests a wrist star, while moves where the contact is across (star old 
neighbors to star with new, ladies start star then gents join in) suggest the 
hands across. In those cases, I'll explicitly suggest one version in the walk 
through.
Tim KleinKnoxville, TN
  From: Dave Casserly via Callers 
 To: John Sweeney  
Cc: "callers@lists.sharedweight.net" 
 Sent: Monday, October 10, 2016 8:37 AM
 Subject: Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars
   
Jeff Kaufman wrote a paper on regional variations in contra dance.  Here's what 
he found for wrist-grip stars (page 31 of the link).  Basically, they're common 
everywhere in the US except in some parts of the South.  This is based on data 
from ten or more years ago, so I'm not sure if that's still true.  I would not 
be surprised if it isn't-- there's enough cross-contamination that wrist-grips 
could have taken over even in the South.  We do have people from Georgia and 
North Carolina on the list; hopefully they'll chime in.
-DaveWashington, DC
On Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 4:31 AM, John Sweeney via Callers 
 wrote:

Hi all,
        I have been to contra dances and festivals all over America and
everywhere I have danced everyone automatically uses a wrist-lock star
(unless the caller has specified hands-across because of the subsequent
choreography).

        But I am constantly challenged in England by people claiming that
wrist-lock stars are not the standard in America.

        When I go to somewhere like The Flurry and see 600 people from all
over the country all doing wrist-locks it seems to me that it must be the
standard way of doing things.

        And obviously it has been common in America for a long time; this
video is from 1964 in Northern Vermont and shows wrist-lock stars:
https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=pZubTju7g_s

        So, are there still significant communities that don't use
wrist-locks?

        Is the wrist-lock the de facto standard?

        Thanks.

    Happy dancing,
   John

John Sweeney, Dancer, England   j...@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802
940 574
http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent



__ _
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-- 
David Casserly
(cell) 781 258-2761
___
Callers mailing list
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Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars

[Amy Wimmer via Callers]

The wrist lock is the common star formation in the Northwest, with a hands
across being the exception.
-Amy
Seattle

On Oct 10, 2016 5:37 AM, "Dave Casserly via Callers" <
callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> Jeff Kaufman wrote a paper on regional variations in contra dance.  Here's 
> what
> he found
> 
> for wrist-grip stars (page 31 of the link).  Basically, they're common
> everywhere in the US except in some parts of the South.  This is based on
> data from ten or more years ago, so I'm not sure if that's still true.  I
> would not be surprised if it isn't-- there's enough cross-contamination
> that wrist-grips could have taken over even in the South.  We do have
> people from Georgia and North Carolina on the list; hopefully they'll chime
> in.
>
> -Dave
> Washington, DC
>
> On Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 4:31 AM, John Sweeney via Callers <
> callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
>> Hi all,
>> I have been to contra dances and festivals all over America and
>> everywhere I have danced everyone automatically uses a wrist-lock star
>> (unless the caller has specified hands-across because of the subsequent
>> choreography).
>>
>> But I am constantly challenged in England by people claiming that
>> wrist-lock stars are not the standard in America.
>>
>> When I go to somewhere like The Flurry and see 600 people from all
>> over the country all doing wrist-locks it seems to me that it must be the
>> standard way of doing things.
>>
>> And obviously it has been common in America for a long time; this
>> video is from 1964 in Northern Vermont and shows wrist-lock stars:
>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZubTju7g_s
>>
>> So, are there still significant communities that don't use
>> wrist-locks?
>>
>> Is the wrist-lock the de facto standard?
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> Happy dancing,
>>John
>>
>> John Sweeney, Dancer, England   j...@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802
>> 940 574
>> http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs
>> http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
>>
>>
>>
>> ___
>> Callers mailing list
>> Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
>> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
>>
>
>
>
> --
> David Casserly
> (cell) 781 258-2761
>
> ___
> Callers mailing list
> Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
>
>

Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars

[Dave Casserly via Callers]

Jeff Kaufman wrote a paper on regional variations in contra dance.  Here's what
he found

for wrist-grip stars (page 31 of the link).  Basically, they're common
everywhere in the US except in some parts of the South.  This is based on
data from ten or more years ago, so I'm not sure if that's still true.  I
would not be surprised if it isn't-- there's enough cross-contamination
that wrist-grips could have taken over even in the South.  We do have
people from Georgia and North Carolina on the list; hopefully they'll chime
in.

-Dave
Washington, DC

On Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 4:31 AM, John Sweeney via Callers <
callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> Hi all,
> I have been to contra dances and festivals all over America and
> everywhere I have danced everyone automatically uses a wrist-lock star
> (unless the caller has specified hands-across because of the subsequent
> choreography).
>
> But I am constantly challenged in England by people claiming that
> wrist-lock stars are not the standard in America.
>
> When I go to somewhere like The Flurry and see 600 people from all
> over the country all doing wrist-locks it seems to me that it must be the
> standard way of doing things.
>
> And obviously it has been common in America for a long time; this
> video is from 1964 in Northern Vermont and shows wrist-lock stars:
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZubTju7g_s
>
> So, are there still significant communities that don't use
> wrist-locks?
>
> Is the wrist-lock the de facto standard?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Happy dancing,
>John
>
> John Sweeney, Dancer, England   j...@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802
> 940 574
> http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs
> http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
>
>
>
> ___
> Callers mailing list
> Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
>



-- 
David Casserly
(cell) 781 258-2761

[Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars

[John Sweeney via Callers]

Hi all,
I have been to contra dances and festivals all over America and
everywhere I have danced everyone automatically uses a wrist-lock star
(unless the caller has specified hands-across because of the subsequent
choreography).

But I am constantly challenged in England by people claiming that
wrist-lock stars are not the standard in America.

When I go to somewhere like The Flurry and see 600 people from all
over the country all doing wrist-locks it seems to me that it must be the
standard way of doing things.

And obviously it has been common in America for a long time; this
video is from 1964 in Northern Vermont and shows wrist-lock stars:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZubTju7g_s

So, are there still significant communities that don't use
wrist-locks?

Is the wrist-lock the de facto standard?

Thanks.

    Happy dancing,  
   John 

John Sweeney, Dancer, England   j...@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802
940 574 
http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs 
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent   

[Callers] Ralph Page Style

[John Sweeney via Callers]

Hi all,
I was at a workshop recently where someone asked me if I liked "the
Ralph Page style" of contra dance.  They claimed that they had been told
that he wanted dances to be slower and calmer.

Is there a "Ralph Page style"?  If so what is it?

If he wanted the music slower, what speed did he want?  Did he want
it slower than the 130+bpm that square dancers used to use?  Or slower than
the 120bmp that is common now in contra?

Thanks.

Happy dancing,
John

John Sweeney, Dancer, England j...@modernjive.com 01233 625 362
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent