Re: [Callers] What is the best contra dance(s) ever written?

The "MUC" era??? Mostly Urban Contra? I started dancing in 1973 in the wilds of Amherst MA with Dudley Laufman, definitely not urban but equally definitely a serious piece of the modern contra revival. Those chestnuts allowed Dudley to play and call, and we on the dance floor dressed up the

Re: [Callers] What is the best contra dance(s) ever written?

Beautifully put. One other thing I like is the Sufi dance aspect of dancing in perfect tune with the music and the set, without having to think much about what move is next. Delicious. Dorcas hand -Original Message- From: callers-boun...@sharedweight.net

Re: [Callers] What is the best contra dance(s) ever written?

On 11/30/2012 4:26 PM, Dale Wilson wrote: And slightly more seriously. I don't want to start religious war but I have always wondered about A Chorus Jig. I just don't see why anyone likes it other than those who cherish it as a relic of a bygone era. The few times I have danced it my primary

Re: [Callers] What is the best contra dance(s) ever written?

I suspect contra dancing  was somewhat urban before the so-called "MUC" era. i don't think Ted Sanella  and his contemporaries  would characterize their  regular dances as  non-urban.     Michael Fuerst      802 N Broadway      Urbana IL 61801   217-239-5844 From: "johnfr...@aol.com"

Re: [Callers] What is the best contra dance(s) ever written?

Jonathan, you left out 18 The first time you danced it, you must have been dancing with your favorite partner to music by your favorite band with a world class caller. And slightly more seriously. I don't want to start religious war but I have always wondered about A Chorus Jig. I just don't

Re: [Callers] What is the best contra dance(s) ever written?

On 11/30/2012 3:06 PM, Kalia Kliban wrote: It's hard to single out any particular dance since so much depends on the music and the partners. I could have a massively peak dance experience doing a completely generic dance if my partner and I were really in tune with each other and the room and

Re: [Callers] What is the best contra dance(s) ever written?

A lot of it is very personal -- what you were exposed to, what was your original "tradition," whether that started in 1958 or 2009. There's also context. Favorite for me as a dancer is a bit different than favorite for me as a caller. My favorite is probably 333, with a B2 that varies from year

Re: [Callers] Right & Left Through

On 11/30/2012 1:38 PM, John Sweeney wrote: Kalia said, "a right and left through over and back (4 changes of rights and lefts for you English dancers)". Q1: Why for English dancers? Dancers in England do R Throughs, and I am pretty sure that ECD dancers in the USA do them as well. Q2: "Four

Re: [Callers] Fw: What is the best contra dance(s) ever written?

Mac: DuQuoin Races would be in my top five or ten, but certainly not the top one, probably because the experience of dancing it varies with the music more than other dances.. Du Quoin Races, Becket  by Orace Johnson (1991) A1:  Balance ring, pass through to an ocean wave      Balance again,

Re: [Callers] What is the best contra dance(s) ever written?

Hello Kalia  Best dance experience of course depends upon both partner and music, but a best dance transcends both partner and music   Michael Fuerst      802 N Broadway      Urbana IL 61801   217-239-5844 From: Kalia Kliban To:

Re: [Callers] Fw: What is the best contra dance(s) ever written?

Mention must be made of "Wizards Walk". (Was it written, or found?) - Roger Hayes

Re: [Callers] Right & Left Through

Kalia said, "a right and left through over and back (4 changes of rights and lefts for you English dancers)". Q1: Why for English dancers? Dancers in England do R Throughs, and I am pretty sure that ECD dancers in the USA do them as well. Q2: "Four changes" does NOT (to the best of my

Re: [Callers] What is the best contra dance(s) ever written?

On 11/30/2012 10:04 AM, Robert Golder wrote: Traditional 1) Mony Musk 2) British Sorrow I'm glad to hear somebody mention British Sorrow. To my mind this is one of the best dances ever for introducing folks to triple minor formation. And it's equally appropriate for English and contra

Re: [Callers] What is the best contra dance(s) ever written?

It's hard to single out any particular dance since so much depends on the music and the partners. I could have a massively peak dance experience doing a completely generic dance if my partner and I were really in tune with each other and the room and if the band was cooking. Likewise, the

Re: [Callers] What is the best contra dance(s) ever written?

3 that I am thrilled to dance and also get lots of thanks from dancers when I call them are: Chorus Jig There Is No Way to Peace; Peace is the Way (Eric Hoffman) The Devil's Backbone (William Watson) Although they are not easy/simple dances, they all work well the 2nd half of the night here

Re: [Callers] What is the best contra dance(s) ever written?

Traditional 1) Mony Musk 2) British Sorrow Contemporary (or my idea of "contemporary") 1) King of the Keyboard, Ted Sannella, 1989 2) Flirtation Reel, Tony Parkes, 1985

Re: [Callers] Fw: What is the best contra dance(s) ever written?

Kalia, In Bowl of Cherries, the original calls for the cross trail without hands, which tends to make it part of the amazingly smooth & flowing dance it is. Hands help if you have beginners in the line. You can teach it with hands, and then point out that the actual dance doesn't use hands at

Re: [Callers] Fw: What is the best contra dance(s) ever written?

On 11/30/2012 8:46 AM, Michael Fuerst wrote: Bowl of Cherries, Improper by Sue Rosen A1 N Dsd & swing A2 Promenade across, W ch to P B1 W gypsy each other, then sw P B2 Circle left, Cross Trails (pass thru across, pass N by left shoulder to face new N) I have a question about cross

Re: [Callers] Fw: What is the best contra dance(s) ever written?

To Have & To Hold by Don Flaherty Becket R (CCW) A-1 LL F Ladies Chain R Diagonal (those who can) A-2 Pass Thru (across set) & Swing B-1 Circle L 1X Gents Al R 1X B-2 Gent 2 Al L 1/2, Gent 3 Al R 1/2 P-S Original has the 3 Allemandes happening all in second half of

Re: [Callers] Fw: What is the best contra dance(s) ever written?

Michael - I think you would agree that Du Quion Races would need to be on this list Mac From: Michael Fuerst To: Caller's discussion list Sent: Friday, November 30, 2012 10:46 AM Subject: [Callers] Fw:

[Callers] Fw: What is the best contra dance(s) ever written?

Concerning Paul's suggestions, what is  the sequence for Paul's suggestion "To Have & To Hold" ? I found the sequences for the other two: The second time around, Improper by Jim Kitch  A1   N gypsy & sw A2   M almd left  1 1/2;   1/2 hey B1.  P gyspy & sw B2. Long lines;  Cir left 3/4, pass

Re: [Callers] What is the best contra dance(s) ever written?

My all-around favorite to begin any dance has long been Don Armstrong's "Broken Sixpence". It moves a lot, introduces dancers to each other, is easy for beginners to comprehend, and would look familiar to square dancers. It's all about the fun! John B. Freeman, SFTPOCTJ

Re: [Callers] What is the best contra dance(s) ever written?

My votes: among "modern" contras: 3-33-33 by Steve Zakon-Anderson of the chestnuts: Chorus Jig Joyce Miller Grass Valley, CA On Nov 29, 2012, at 11:19 PM, Paul Wilde wrote: > Hey all, > > Three of my favorite contemporary dances are: > > To Have & to Hold by Don

Re: [Callers] What is the best contra dance(s) ever written?

I often feel the best one ever written is the one I am currently dancing Mac From: Greg McKenzie To: Caller's discussion list Sent: Friday, November 30, 2012 8:49 AM Subject: Re: [Callers] What is the best

Re: [Callers] What is the best contra dance(s) ever written?

Alan asked: "Best" for what purpose? > Thank you Alan. This is the real question. What is the purpose? Maybe that is the only real question. - Greg McKenzie

Re: [Callers] What is the best contra dance(s) ever written?

Hey all, Three of my favorite contemporary dances are: To Have & to Hold by Don Flaherty The Second Time Around (apologies, author temporarily slipped my mind) Bowl of Cherries by Sue Rosen Not intentional, but there isn't a balance in one of them. warmest regards, Paul Wilde