Re: [Callers] [Organizers] contra dance gypsy

I'm experimenting with teaching this move as a right shoulder 'round, but describing it as friendly/playful. I will try subbing one of those words for RSR. I think it gets the idea of a face-to-face move without the flirty/slur. I know, I know, there are tons of suggestions out there. None of them

Re: [Callers] Feeling Superstitious 

I enjoy this process, too. I like to toss in an opposite one. For example, I called a first day of spring dance once and had a few spring-themed dances, but I added in a winter-themed one, too, just for the laughs. -Amy On Tue, Sep 10, 2019, 7:01 PM Martha Wild via Callers <

Re: [Callers] Calling a "box circulate"

Hi Lenore, I've heard the phrase, "Gents cross, ladies loop; ladies cross, gents loop," during the dance. I'll let someone else talk through the teaching part. -Amy On Mon, Jan 7, 2019, 12:46 AM Lenore Frigo via Callers < callers@lists.sharedweight.net wrote: > I'm planning to call a dance

Re: [Callers] list of dances called at Warren's Roadhouse

Karen Marshall has been the keeper of the notebook in recent years. She may know. I can send her contact info to you off list. -Amy On Mon, Nov 5, 2018, 5:35 PM Michael Dyck via Callers < callers@lists.sharedweight.net wrote: > In Warren's Roadhouse at Seattle's Northwest Folklife Festival,

Re: [Callers] 2 new contra dance compositions

It was a fun dance, and Doug did a great job with the video, as always. On Thu, Aug 16, 2018 at 1:49 PM, Andy Shore via Callers < callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Both of these have been road tested on tour with Polaris. > > > *Serving REELness* > > Andy Shore > > Type: Contra > >

[Callers] Author! Author!

Hey All, Can someone identify this dance I got from someone who got it from someone else, neither of whom knows the name or author of it? A1 Rings of 4 balance, Nbr SW A2 Whole set "oval" L, oval R B1 Gents allemande L 1.5, Ptr SW B2 Cir L 3 places, rings bal. Ptr Cal. twirl (to face

Re: [Callers] Dance logs and record-keeping

Well, I've danced to a caller who decided that the exact same program, with the exact same memorized patter, would work in the same city if separated by a week and in a different venue. Not so much. -Amy On Wed, Mar 7, 2018, 11:15 PM Yoyo Zhou via Callers < callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

Re: [Callers] Dance logs and record-keeping

Huh! I never thought of that for the dance we run. I keep a file of each gig and the dances I called at each. I also write on each dance card the date and location of each time I've called it, so I don't repeat myself too often. There's a record of contra dances called at Northwest Folklife

Re: [Callers] Looking for "fun" dances

I heartily second Maia's opinion. I know someone who tries that move on women every time there's a LLFB and it really rankles me. It's intrusive, and some people bump too hard, causing bruising. Not fun. -Amy On Jan 31, 2018 12:31 PM, "Maia McCormick via Callers" <

Re: [Callers] Etiquette of refusing an offer to dance

Greetings All, I really like JD's methods. When teaching I do an abbreviated version of that, but I think I'll expand it to include a _kind_ refusal, and universal participation during the lesson. My husband and I are dance organizers, and for several years have been working hard to make the

Re: [Callers] Balancing LEFT in a wave?

In my experience the momentum of an allemande right automatically takes one either to the right or forward. Same goes for an allemande left: momentum takes you to the left or forward. A balance left just doesn't flow after am AR, because if you have a good connection with your allemande you're

Re: [Callers] Pirate Themed Dances!

Nathaniel Jack also wrote "Walk the Plank." On Sep 16, 2017 9:17 AM, "Angela DeCarlis via Callers" < callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > These are all great suggestions, thanks all! Keep em coming! > > After gong through my dances, I've also pulled out Bob Isaacs's "Double > Trouble," my*

[Callers] Genderless calling

Hi All, I recently had the opportunity to call a contra to a group of rank beginners in a difficult situation: outdoors, on sloping concrete, without amplification for either myself or the band, to people not expecting a dance, with a band mostly unfamiliar with either contra or fiddle tunes, who

Re: [Callers] Another vote for "jets" and "rubies"

Donna, I can imagine a scenario in which organizers would be shy to share this information for fear of retaliation or pressure from those who want them to change their practices. Having received such pressure, personally, I am sure it will happen to others. I'm not saying all pressure to change is

Re: [Callers] Another vote for "jets" and "rubies"

My husband keeps attendance records for our weekly dance in Seattle, and has done so for ~16 years. What sort of info do you seek? Just an overall trend, or numbers, or something else? -Amy On Jan 30, 2017 10:07 AM, "Linda Leslie via Callers" < callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > It may be

Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars

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 >

[Callers] Recognize this?

I've had this dance for years and don't know who wrote it or what it's called. Anyone know? Duple, improper A1 ladies chain up/down set to neighbor Partner swing A2 circle L 3 places Neighbor swing B1 long lines F & B Ladies chain B2 circle L 1 1/4 Rings of 4 balance,

Re: [Callers] Another Existential Inquiry

Yeah, I don't understand the whole "must have a neighbor swing!" thing. Half the dances in my collection don't have one and they're some of my favorite dances. I can remember ONE complaint about calling two no-NS dances back-to-back once. A dancer told me that was a horrible no-no. I try not to

[Callers] Name that dance

Hi All, I collected a dance from Lisa Greenleaf. Neither she nor the person from whom she collected it knows the author. I'm hoping you can help me. Here it is: Holiday Daze Becket A1 Cir L 3/4, pass through New neighbor swing A2 Long lines F Ladies chain B1 Left diag. hey for 4 B2 (original)

[Callers] Dance I wrote

Hi All, Remember that I posted a dance I wrote, which I finished at the WA State caucus (called "Feelin' the Bern")? I called it at Northwest Folklife Festival and it went well. There's a 16-count swing at the end. I got several comments here that that was too long and I should shorten it and add

Re: [Callers] Confirming Bookings - Best Practices?

I'm one third of a dance organizing team. The person who does our bookings of bands and callers has frequent brain farts. My husband (3rd part of team) and I have had to make hasty repairs many times. I try to stay in the loop of email transactions, but that isn't always possible, depending on how

Re: [Callers] New dance?

Tom and Erik are quite right about that swing. It lasts FOREVER, which is a little too long. I took Michael's suggestion and started at A2. I also took Michael's suggestion of turning the allemande into a two-eyed turn (an "eye-lemande" as my friend Matthew coined). Thank you for the suggestions

[Callers] New dance?

While preparing to teach the beginners' session for tonight's dance in Olympia, WA, I jotted down several figures I could teach that would be simple enough, flow reasonably well and get them dancing. I looked at my list and said, "Huh! This looks like an actual dance." I was missing one figure to

[Callers] Gypsy Wrap-Up

Hi All, I finally composed a response to the original complainant. Here it is, followed by an almost instant reply from him (yes, it is a male): Hello Mr.__, Thank you for letting us know about your experience at our dance. I am glad our community was so welcoming and friendly to you. I

Re: [Callers] Gypsy Synopsis

I LOVE that word as a replacement for "gypsy." It makes absolute sense and conveys the idea of the move perfectly. -Amy On Oct 29, 2015, at 9:23 AM, bill fischer via Callers < callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: blessings linda having read volumes of only occasionally interesting thoughts

[Callers] Fwd: Advice about "gypsy"

To clarify, when I taught the gypsy I said something very close to: "this is a flirty move." I said nothing about sex, or that the move was imitating or representative of anyone or anything. I regret using that short sentence more than you can imagine. That the writer thought "it became clear

Re: [Callers] Gypsies

I'm not fond of "eddy," "vortex," or "swirl" because they all imply twirling, which is not what the gypsy move wants. That defeats the purpose, in my mind. "Facing" seems most appropriate, useful and descriptive of the terms suggested. -Amy On Oct 25, 2015, at 11:53 AM, Andrea Nettleton via

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

Thank you, everyone, for your thoughtful replies. I have a much better idea how to respond to this person now. I also have some changes to make in my calling. I appreciate the education and elucidation. Ignorance is not bliss. I think that, for now, I will do my best to eliminate the word "gypsy"

[Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

Hello All, I taught a dance this evening that included a ladies' gypsy. I received the email below a few minutes ago. In teaching it I wanted to convey that it is a flirty, eye contact sort of move. This person was obviously offended. I am at a loss for how to respond, except to apologize for

Re: [Callers] Who're all the whos?

Is there ever a designation for doing something alone? -Amy On Sep 23, 2015, at 10:18 PM, Don Veino via Callers < callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: Back in 2008 I wrote a dance to celebrate my first year of contra dancing and Chris Weiler was kind enough to go through it with me. In doing

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] 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] How to teach various steps to beginners?

Hi Claire, A list of what has helped me: I have learned lots just by closely listening to callers I like as they call. Take notes. Ask if you may record them. A very valuable tool is house dances, where a small, supportive group gathers for the purpose of learning together. (We're doing this

Re: [Callers] How to Describe a Ricochet Hey

I concur: a demonstration is usually very helpful for my learning something. I am very visual, and the use of too many words confuses me. I have many "Ah HA!" moments while seeing a demonstration. Phooey on those who poo-poo them. -Amy in Seattle > On Jun 19, 2015, at 4:04 AM, Tom Hinds via

Re: [Callers] Jets / rubies genderfree terms redux: gems?

I kinda like suns and moons better than lots of the other alternatives, for the same reasons Susan lists. Also, there's Sun Dance and Moon Dance, by Robert Cromartie: gents swing in Sun Dance and ladies swing in Moon Dance. A precedence, perhaps? -Amy On May 29, 2015, at 8:00 AM, susanelberger

Re: [Callers] Identify dance

ame up with the variation, but she was the first caller I heard call it this way. The original dance is below for you. Linda On May 5, 2015, at 8:12 PM, Amy Wimmer via Callers < callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: Hive mind, I've been calling this dance but don't know its name or au

[Callers] Identify dance

Hive mind, I've been calling this dance but don't know its name or author. Do you? The link is to the YouTube video where I found it. Improper contra A1 Ring of 4 balance, gents roll away Ladies chain A2 Ladies gypsy once Partner swing B1 Circle left 3/4 Balance, Petronella B2

Re: [Callers] Definition, description

Thanks JD, et al, for your replies. I now know what to do! -Amy > On May 2, 2015, at 10:11 PM, JD Erskine via Callers > <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > >> On 02/May/15 17:47, Amy Wimmer via Callers wrote: >> I collected a dance recommended by someone

[Callers] Definition, description

I collected a dance recommended by someone and do not quite understand part of it. I need a description of what the gents are doing in B2 when they "loop over their left shoulder." Can you 'splain me? Catch a Falling Star, by Melanie Axel-Lute A1 Nbr B A2 Cir L 3/4 Ptr sw B1 LLF Star

Re: [Callers] Dance length/dances per evening

of not working with this band in the future? > > Kalia > >> On 4/27/2015 1:58 PM, Donald Perley via Callers wrote: >> Just a guess.. they have arrangements for each set and feel miffed if >> they get cut short without getting through each variation. >> >>

Re: [Callers] Dance length/dances per evening

My mileage varies considerably in numbers of dances I get through in an evening. The biggest factors are 1) number of beginners, 2) chattiness/inattention of dancers, 3) flexibility of band, 4) length of break. I have tried to pay attention to specific couples and track them in a dance, but

[Callers] Showing Appreciation

I called a dance last night in the town where I grew up (Bellingham, WA). It's always great to go back and see people with whom I learned to dance. Calling there makes me a little nervous, though, because I didn't start calling until I left there about 11 years ago. Anyway, keeping in mind the

Re: [Callers] Yet more unknown dances!

Mve over, boys! > On Jun 2, 2014, at 8:35 AM, Aahz Maruch via Callers > wrote: > >> On Sun, Jun 01, 2014, Maia McCormick via Callers wrote: >> >> A2: ladies bull by right to allemande partner L 3/4; shadow allemande 1 1/2 > > Just wanna say that I'd love