[Callers] Text size problem

Two persons have lamented privately to me that my posts are reaching the group with almost unreadably small text.No where else I send email or post has reported this problem Which, if any  of these lines better? 1. Garamond small 2.  Garamond medium3. Garamond large 4 Modern small5 Modern

Re: [Callers] Rollaway sans sashay?

I happen to know of one by Rachel Fifer, Gaye Fifer's daughter.  I don't recall the title offhand but I can check later on.  But the roll away is not along the line but in a ring.  You balance, and gents roll away a neighbor from their left hand to their right hand, but the gents stay in place.

Re: [Callers] Rollaway sans sashay?

The dance I was alluding to in the other thread was Lisa Greenleaf's "Secret Weapon" which, like a couple of my own compositions, uses a roll to accomplish a ladies swap across a diagonal after a Ring Balance. If the gents Half Sashay, they end up on the wrong side of the set for the next moves.

Re: [Callers] shadow swings

RPDLW tends to have a different set of expectations than most weekends, to say the least. Michael, thanks for putting me on the spot with the "really, would you ever" question, a question that *could have been asked of anyone who replied to Maia's stated query about others' thoughts on how to

[Callers] Rollaway sans sashay?

Recently there was some discussion of the difference between a "rollaway with a half-sashay" and a plain ol' rollaway. Jim Saxe presented the dance Roll Away as an example of a contra with a rollaway without a half-sashay. Can anyone else

Re: [Callers] Problem dancers / Crying Wolf

Taking you at face value: if you have a systemic problem, you need a policy. If you have a problem with one person, you need to come to terms with that person. I'm not sure if it's just the board, or if other dancers also have issues with her. But if you seek mediation, take notes on your

Re: [Callers] Solutions for callers for dealing with problem dancers

Here's a good anti-creep tactic for beginner sessions. Sorry to generalize, the usual suspect is an older unattached man who comes early and makes himself all too available to the prettiest new dancer. Before you know it, he's running his own 1-on-1 workshop. I let him go for a while, but

Re: [Callers] counterclockwise momentum?

Hi Lindsey, In a quick scan of my active cards deck, here's the ones that seem to fit the bill (note that, because of swings, pure CCW dances are scarce but these have significant CCW motion): Tranquility - Linda Leslie Sweet Music - Amy Kahn British Sorrow - Trad. (the big Circle Right being

Re: [Callers] counterclockwise momentum?

I definitely try to identify them, and for the most part, there are very few of them that I call (at least not that I call unmodified). There are exceptions, of course, but even there, I tend to run them short, and avoid calling them early in the evening. I'm not sure that a follow up dance can

Re: [Callers] Fwd: Fw: Shadow Swing Disclaimers?

Hi All: Thanks for the summary, Andrea. I don't have much use for shadow swings, and I'm uneasy calling a dance that needs a disclaimer. But one shadow swing I like is a "corner" swing in 4 facing 4s. This means all swing a neighbor half the time, and a shadow the other half, about 7-8

Re: [Callers] shadow swings

I love Robert Cromartie's "Illegal in Most States" and whenever I call it at least one person comes up afterwards to say it was a wonderful dance. April Blum On Sep 9, 2015 6:34 PM, Chris Page via Callers wrote: > > And yet, they're done. I know Carol Ormand

Re: [Callers] shadow swings

And yet, they're done. I know Carol Ormand writes and calls them. This Saturday at the contra weekend I attended, a national caller called "Head of the Bed." Yes, we've heard your opinion. Avoiding shadow swings be perfect for you, but it may not be for others. And I'd like to hear from the

Re: [Callers] Shadow Swing Disclaimers?

The substitution examples you gave are rarely critical to a dance's flow.   Swings are more likely to be.     If a dance written with a shadow swing flows well with something else, the the dance should always be called with the something else.    Michael Fuerst      802 N Broadway      Urbana

Re: [Callers] Shadow Swing Disclaimers?

You've never substituted a pass through dosido instead of a dosido pass through? Or a gypsy/allemande/dosido change if you had too many of one in a night? Is it that you think dances written are sacrosanct, or that the shadow swing is too key to a dance - and is different from more common moves

Re: [Callers] shadow swings

Sigh. See "Head of the Bed", written by Nils Fredland. http://www.library.unh.edu/special/forms/rpdlw/syllabus2008.pdf#page=49b -Chris Page San Diego On Wed, Sep 9, 2015 at 2:27 PM, Michael Fuerst via Callers < callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > David:Really, would you ever call a

Re: [Callers] Solutions for callers for dealing with problem dancers

As a caller I try to include something in my beginners' sessions that tells people how to quickly refuse a dance without giving a reason. Seattle-area caller, LauraMé Smith often demonstrates how NOT to gypsy (so that the other person is always trying to get away from you), and she does it early

Re: [Callers] shadow swings

David:    Really, would you ever call a dance with a shadow swing?     None of our most respected caller (those who are invited as the featured caller at various weekends)   never (or darned close to never).I don't ever  recall attending a weekend  when the featured caller used a shadow swing. 

Re: [Callers] Shadow Swing Disclaimers?

Richard, My bad. That was suggested (by Luke D?), as a triplet-esque solution, whereby smaller sets, run shorter, limited the potential for problems. If the problem is dancers who are new, or easily confused, short sets can increase the confusion as you get turned around that much faster, with

Re: [Callers] Shadow Swing Disclaimers?

You know, just a few minutes ago Alan posted a very reasonable call for civility on this list. He specifically mentioned not assuming "that your experiences trump their experiences." I've seen prominent callers call dances with shadow swings, and I've seen people enjoy them. Some callers may

[Callers] shadow swings

My only observation to add to the shadow swing melee is that while not completely closed to them, i'm cognizant of the several reasons they are a less than optimal choice. Given these drawbacks of the figure, i would not use a shadow swing in a situation with very long sets. If the choreography of

Re: [Callers] counterclockwise momentum?

Here's a starter list of counterclockwise moves: Circle right Allemande left Star left Seesaw Star promenade when the center person has left hands Gypsy left Counterclockwise roll away Rory o' More spin to the left Swat the flea Also pretty much: Ladies chain Right and left through Promenade Hey

Re: [Callers] Shadow Swing Disclaimers?

Eric:    Not all dancers enjoy dancing or skilled enough to dance both roles.   Dancers should not have to resort to such subterfuge to avoid unpleasantness perpetrated by an insensitive caller. Michael Fuerst      802 N Broadway       Urbana IL 61801  217 239 5844 On Wednesday,

Re: [Callers] Shadow Swing Disclaimers?

On 9/9/2015 2:13 PM, Michael Fuerst via Callers wrote: Richard: Your suggestion is subterfuge to rationalize the caller's doing something (calling a shadow swing dance) that should never be done. Michael Fuerst 802 N Broadway Urbana IL 61801 217 239 5844 Never, Michael? That

Re: [Callers] Shadow Swing Disclaimers?

Richard:   Your suggestion is subterfuge to rationalize the caller's doing something (calling a shadow swing dance) that should never be done. Michael Fuerst      802 N Broadway      Urbana IL 61801  217 239 5844 On Wednesday, September 9, 2015 3:45 PM, Richard Fischer via Callers

Re: [Callers] Shadow Swing Disclaimers?

I like that. A related tactic is to swap roles with your partner (thereby swapping shadows). And you get to dance both roles, which makes you a better and more enjoyable dancer. -Eric On Sep 9, 2015, at 1:45 PM, Richard Fischer via Callers wrote: > Here's

[Callers] Solutions for callers for dealing with problem dancers

OK, I think we have talked at each other for awhile now, arguing whether or not harassment is rampant at our dances.  I think it would be nice if we could now discuss solutions we as CALLERS (remember, this is a callers' list, not an organizers' list) can and should do with respect to this.  If

Re: [Callers] Problem dancers / Crying Wolf

Here's the thing: - There really is harassment, creepy behavior, etc. - There really are cases where third parties see those things and they aren't actually there in the eyes of the perceived victim So organizers have to keep their eyes open and review things on a case by case basis.

Re: [Callers] Problem dancers / Crying Wolf

Well, I don't want to fan the flames in this normally cordial and helpful community. However, I'm here, and seeing what I'm seeing, and asking for perspective. Lindsay Morris CEO, TSMworks Tel. 1-859-539-9900 lind...@tsmworks.com On Wed, Sep 9, 2015 at 4:44 PM, Ron Blechner

Re: [Callers] Shadow Swing Disclaimers?

Here's a suggestion I don't think I've seen in this discussion. If you want to call a dance with a shadow swing, how about save it for time when you can have several shorter sets, and remind couples they can join other sets when they reach the top or the bottom, to get an opportunity to dance

Re: [Callers] Problem dancers / Crying Wolf

Harassment is real. It's widespread, and pretending it isn't hurts people and keeps people away from our dances. Things I have personally witnessed, and when subsequently asked the dancer whether anything was unusual, they confirmed: One dancer has a habit of grabbing hip *just* at the

[Callers] Fwd: Fw: Shadow Swing Disclaimers?

> > Maia, > Did we give you what you needed? If so, could you let us know and put a stop > to the thread? Callers are now more busy calling one another out for getting > off topic or being inappropriate than generating new answers. > Summary of suggestions, as best I remember: > 1) don't

Re: [Callers] Fw: Shadow Swing Disclaimers?

Aahz wrote:  "Regardless of the seriousness with which you view "forcing" a shadow swing, it is clear that many other people disagree, "A better assessment is that a vocal and, in the opinion of many, insensitive minority disagree. Shadow swings are insurmountably problemsome,  because they can

Re: [Callers] Fw: Shadow Swing Disclaimers?

On Tue, Sep 08, 2015, Michael Fuerst via Callers wrote: > On Tuesday, September 8, 2015 1:53 PM, Luke Donforth > wrote: >> On Tue, Sep 8, 2015 at 2:43 PM, Michael Fuerst via Callers >> wrote: >>> >>> Asking about how to appropriately do

Re: [Callers] Shadow Swing Disclaimers?

Interesting. I’ve received multiple direct emails from people saying variously that: - my comment was off-topic because Maia requested responses to be about whether to announce it or not and not about the merits or not of shadow swings - my comment misses the point because some people

[Callers] counterclockwise momentum?

Hi Callers, There are a number of dances that have significant clockwise momentum; I try to label such dances so I don't call them back to back. However, I'd like to identify a collection of dances with the *least* clockwise movement (beyond swinging in the other direction).  Which moves are

Re: [Callers] Shadow Swing Disclaimers?

I've had the experience where my shadow was a creeper. And another time they were an awful swing. They were both awful experiences. But Maia asked specifically this thread not be about the merits of shadow swings or not, but instead about disclaimers. On Sep 9, 2015 11:54 AM, "Martha Wild via

Re: [Callers] Shadow Swing Disclaimers?

Hear, hear, Eric! My sentiments exactly. And for a slightly different perspective: I danced a shadow dance at Glen Echo some years back, and after swinging my shadow a few times, we both suddenly realized we knew each other from way back (my how we change)! Every swing was an opportunity to

Re: [Callers] Problem dancers / Crying Wolf

Maybe. Maybe not. My point was that we should be very, very careful about making a definitive statement about something being "just an accusation", especially when in your example, there was a second problem - even if it was a year earlier. On Sep 9, 2015 10:39 AM, "Lindsay Morris via Callers" <

Re: [Callers] Creating a safe dance space (was Shadow Swing Disclaimers)

Hi Perry, " The problem is, if you are going to say "if you are uncomfortable with your shadow, feel free to move"," That wasn't my suggestion in the shadow swing thread. Thus this really belongs on the other thread, not here. Can we keep to topic, please? I specifically created a new thread to

Re: [Callers] Problem dancers / Crying Wolf

Appreciate that. Don't think the "where there's smoke there's fire" issue applies here, though. It would if there were several *different* women complaining about one man... Lindsay Morris CEO, TSMworks Tel. 1-859-539-9900 lind...@tsmworks.com On Wed, Sep 9, 2015 at 10:34

Re: [Callers] Problem dancers / Crying Wolf

Hi Lindsay, I realize this is a tricky topic, so apologies in advance if my brevity comes off as bruskness. These two suggestions work for Amherst Contra. As a proxy complaint comes in, a board member would seek out the source. Anonymous complaints are permitted, and a high level of ensuring

Re: [Callers] Creating a safe dance space (was Shadow Swing Disclaimers)

I think the real crux of the issue is this.  How far are we willing to go to create a safe dance space?  The problem is, if you are going to say "if you are uncomfortable with your shadow, feel free to move", that could cause a whole new realm of problems for dancers.  How would you feel if,

Re: [Callers] Shadow Swing Disclaimers?

I'm with Eric on this one. Nicely stated. Lindsay Morris CEO, TSMworks Tel. 1-859-539-9900 lind...@tsmworks.com On Wed, Sep 9, 2015 at 9:39 AM, Eric Black via Callers < callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Wow. ISTM [It Seems To Me] that this is far more responsibility

[Callers] Problem dancers / Crying Wolf

Chris Weiler's Positive Solutions on dealing with problem dancers, and the CDU Policy are

[Callers] Creating a safe dance space (was Shadow Swing Disclaimers)

Erik, I'm alarmed at reading your reply in the shadow swing thread. I have seen, as a dancer, caller, and organizer, at a variety of dances, far too many incidents of inappropriate behavior. I refuse to simply wash my hands and say "oh, it's not the caller's place to worry about this." A caller

Re: [Callers] Amy dances

If an English Country Dance is a possibility, then Colin Hume ( www.colinhume.com) has a wonderful, flowy dance named Amy. On Sep 9, 2015 9:44 AM, "Amy Wimmer via Callers" < callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Well, this is fun! I've been collecting these, myself. Maybe some day > there'll

Re: [Callers] Amy dances

Well, this is fun! I've been collecting these, myself. Maybe some day there'll be one written for me that I can add to the list. -Amy Wimmer > On Sep 8, 2015, at 10:43 PM, James Saxe via Callers > wrote: > > Michael Dyck's contra dance index > >

Re: [Callers] Shadow Swing Disclaimers?

Wow. ISTM [It Seems To Me] that this is far more responsibility for controlling social interpersonal interactions than the programmer and/or caller at the mic should have to worry about, even though we do worry about such things. Sorry I don’t have opportunity to participate on this email