Re: [Callers] Callers Digest, Vol 61, Issue 9

t;> >> 1. Re: Hand Turns & Safety (Richard Fischer) >> 2. Re: Hand Turns & Safety (Rich Sbardella) >> 3. Re: Hand Turns & Safety (Don Veino) >> 4. Re: Hand Turns & Safety (Rich Sbardella) >> 5. Re: Hand Turns & Safety (Erik Hoffman) >>

Re: [Callers] Hand Turns & Safety

I think thumb pressure, even finger “pressure” has to be avoided and it’s avoidance taught thoroughly no matter the hold. I once had nerve pain for weeks after a cupped elbow hold in which that nerve going into the front inside of the elbow was deeply squashed by a zealously gripping digit, I

Re: [Callers] Hand Turns & Safety

Hi all, I think that particular video is a poor example of what forearm turns can be. I can’t deny the potential for sweat, but, confession, my hands sweat like crazy anyway, and I seem to collect plenty of other people’s sweat in swings and courtesy turns, as it is. I disagree about weight.

Re: [Callers] Hand Turns & Safety

Hi all, I’m going to add a controversial note. I also loathe the many poor allemandes I get, unweighted, awkward handed, arm pulled in like a chicken wing, what have you. As a MWSD, I have come to love the forearm allemande for arm turns. Callerlab made the switch some years ago, and at

Re: [Callers] More substitute terms for the g-word

Hi everyone, Here we are once more, sharing our likes and dislikes, our preferred term (I’ve shared and still like whimsy, but look-see got my attention) of the moment. But why are we circling this wagon again? Though everyone is polite, and thankfully we haven’t begun to rehash whether

[Callers] Balancing left in a wave

Hi Maia, A balance, ideally, is first toward, then away from, the dancer with whom one is about to interact, and even better if it is in, then against, the flow of movement. Even better if the choreography does the work for you by flowing into the balance. In this particular dance, you have

[Callers] Self flagellation

I'm sure every caller has been there, just as every dancer was once new and stumbling, and no matter how long we've been doing it, every one of us will make mistakes. You will take stock, and try to note patterns and correct them. But striving for perfect is never going to result in being

[Callers] Preschool dances

Luke, The age range you describe actually has extremely variable abilities. A three year old is just learning to control their body, likely cannot yet skip, or leap from one foot among the many as yet unlearned skills. A five year old is much more in control of both their body, and their

[Callers] Labor Day dances

Hey all, Can someone point me to the thread I imagine already exists with dances for Labor Day? Or, if you have written or know of some good ones, please let me know? Anything about work, workers, labor, and the like. The one I have that came to mind was Labor of Love, by, I think, Kathy

Re: [Callers] Poise points (WAS: Does this dance already exist?)

g up > of a spring that you then unleash in the other direction. Some dances that > look as if they have good flow end up having so much clockwise spin that it > tires people. > > On Apr 10, 2017, at 5:48 PM, Andrea Nettleton via Callers > <callers@lists.sharedweight.n

Re: [Callers] Does this dance already exist?

spin that it > tires people. > >> On Apr 10, 2017, at 5:48 PM, Andrea Nettleton via Callers >> <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: >> >> Hi Esther, >>If anyone has not mentioned it, I feel there is a kink in the flow trying >> to go

Re: [Callers] Does this dance already exist?

Hi Esther, If anyone has not mentioned it, I feel there is a kink in the flow trying to go from a petronella to a chain. As you spin R, it is the left hand which feels available as you face the set because your body has been rotating clockwise, even as it move CCW around the minor set. So

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

of the > dances who don't come because of the terms. > > I call at both genderfree and traditional dances. Seriously, I do not > understand this pushback we are getting for discussion of role terms for > *genderfree* dances. This isn't some existential threat to non-genderfree

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

Really Angela? Huge numbers are offended by "gents/ladies"? I'll happily call with whatever the community uses, though I may avoid a community using lead/follow as I think it perniciously encourages passivity in half the dancers, which I object to. And I was vocal in earlier discussions

Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars

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 >

Re: [Callers] What dance is this?

Sent from my external brain > On Oct 6, 2016, at 2:44 PM, Rich Sbardella via Callers > wrote: > > While we are at this, here is another untitled dance. I am not sure where I > collected it. > > Can anyone name it? > > a1 N B > a2 LL, Ladies Alle R 1 1/2

Re: [Callers] Chains: the other side of the coin

Hi Tavi et al, I have to challenge you on your history. As a lover of chestnuts, in which the vast majority of courtesy turns are same gender as the dances are proper, and a one time historical dancer, I find your conception of the history of courtesy turn flawed. In the 18th and 19th

[Callers] Dolphin Heys

gt; wrote: > > Luke, > > Andrea Nettleton (cc'ed here) also has a dance with a dolphin hey! > > Lindsey > >

Re: [Callers] Role Scramblers dances with balances

Why not post for all? Andrea Sent from my external brain > On Apr 5, 2016, at 1:10 PM, Lindsey Dono via Callers > wrote: > > Thanks! > > Any chance you could send Dancing Frog, Chain the Swain, and Digital Divide > (I have this one in a notebook

[Callers] Slip jigs

Gene Hubert's Fan In The Doorway -Andrea Sent from my iOnlypretendtomultitask

Re: [Callers] looking for zesty Proper dances?

Here's one of mine that has made the rounds in the south and PNW with success: A Proper Cuppa Tea Proper Note: you will have a shadow. Consider them temporary. As a function of the dance, you will get a new shadow when you get out at the end. A1 •In a Ring Bal, Spin R, to a wave (After

Re: [Callers] Walk around, ease around etc.

he moment but, > to be fair, I was just skimming on a work night when it flew by. > > >> On Jan 27, 2016, at 5:57 PM, Andrea Nettleton via Callers >> <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: >> >> What I feel >> Is missing from these expressions is two

[Callers] Walk around, ease around etc.

What I feel Is missing from these expressions is twofold. One is memorability. We remember things better to which we attach emotions of some kind. A name people giggle or oo ah about is going to stick and be pleasurable each time they hear it. I love the name Mad Robin, as an example of a

Re: [Callers] another new word idea

ome raths" as in: > All mimsy were the borogoves, > And the mome raths outgrabe. > > Raths and toves? > > David > >> On Mon, Jan 25, 2016 at 3:32 PM, Andrea Nettleton via Callers >> <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: >> I love this! A

Re: [Callers] another new word idea

I love this! And it has a playful kind of sound, despite its technical origin. :-) reminds me of jabberwocky somehow... Andrea Sent from my iOnlypretendtomultitask > On Jan 25, 2016, at 11:26 AM, Jonathan Sivier via Callers > wrote: > > I've been thinking

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

I've been reading all the historical origins discussion. It's seems to me we are far from concluding that the term 'gypsy' is associated with Romani people. We have that Cecil Sharp probably heard Morris Dancers using whole and half gip, and appropriated the movement and term for broader use

[Callers] Gypsies

I don't like the idea that a term we use might be offensive to someone. I think part of its tenacity is that it can be used for a whole family of similar eye locking moves. The term walk around will not serve in what is now called a gypsy star, or in a traveling gypsy, gypsy chase, or gypsy

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

Yes. In a Down the Hall, far left gent turn alone, center gent do a right hand high left hand low to switch the ladies and turn to face up. For example. You have to say who, either by place alone (left end person), or by place and role, or place and facing direction (in a wave, the person at

Re: [Callers] Ye ole Does This Exist - Mad Robin 2 Hey dance

Meh. I meant gents pass Left in the center. Andrea Sent from my iOnlypretendtomultitask > On Sep 14, 2015, at 1:59 PM, Andrea Nettleton via Callers > <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > > > Hmm. Perry, I wasn't thinking the loop R was part of the hey at all, n

Re: [Callers] Ye ole Does This Exist - Mad Robin 2 Hey dance

eems to be a way to avoid calling it part of > the hey, and since it's the start of a new phrase, I can see why one would > want to differentiate it from the hey. > > Perry > > From: Andrea Nettleton via Callers <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> > To: Ron Blechner <contr

Re: [Callers] Ye ole Does This Exist - Mad Robin 2 Hey dance

Well that was weird! Not sure why my last email came through empty. Trying again. Ron et al, In general I really like this dance. That loop right will snag people at least a few times through though, in that it will make them want to gypsy L with the next, continuing the weave, when they

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

[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] sticky floors

Talc is a mineral, in character like asbestos. Not only is it a hazard for anyone with breathing problems, it's a problem for everyone. Please, do not talc the floor! Andrea Sent from my iOnlypretendtomultitask > On Jul 20, 2015, at 3:05 PM, Jerome Grisanti via Callers >

Re: [Callers] Another approach to Gender Free calling

ho are > standing in first corners at the time of the call? If so that's why this > isn't a substitution of role names. > > Is this what you mean? > > Sent from my iPad > > On Jun 2, 2015, at 12:52 PM, Andrea Nettleton via Callers > <callers@lists.sharedweight.net>

Re: [Callers] Another approach to Gender Free calling

the callers. J > > Thanx, > Ric Goldman > > From: Callers [mailto:callers-boun...@lists.sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of > Perry Shafran via Callers > Sent: Tuesday, June 02, 2015 7:42 AM > To: Andrea Nettleton > Cc: call...@sharedweight.net > Subject: Re: [Callers]

Re: [Callers] Another approach to Gender Free calling

made up names. As a matter of >> fact I'm more likely to remember my corner designation than whether I am a >> lark or a raven. >> >> Perry >> >> From: Ron Blechner <contra...@gmail.com> >> To: Perry Shafran <ps...@yahoo.com> >>

Re: [Callers] Another approach to Gender Free calling

t;> 5. Indication of who crosses, who turns in a box circulate? >> >> 6. Indication any other role/position specific move that I haven't >> mentioned? Turn over right shoulder, as in Fairport Harbour? Rollaways? >> >> None of these fall under the "most unusua

Re: [Callers] Another approach to Gender Free calling

wrote: >> >> >> >> >> >> With regard to Ron's questions >> >> >> >> >> >> 1. Would be easily covered by 1st or 2nd corners walk forward to a wave >> >> >> >> >> >> 2. Again can be done wi

Re: [Callers] Another approach to Gender Free calling

>> 1. Lines of one role/position to the center to a wavy line, as in Trip to > >>> Lambertville, et all? > >>> > >>> 2. Indication of who walks forward / backs up in a gypsy star? > >>> > >>> 3. Indication of who-leads-who, such as

Re: [Callers] Another approach to Gender Free calling

In previous discussions here, on FB, and privately with organizers at Hampshire over the last two years, I have discussed the possible use of global terminology for gender free contra. I would contend that if used, everyone would become more aware of the structure of dances. Only the most

Re: [Callers] New Dance: Dirty Rotten Double Crosser

The timing of the cross trail here is not dissimilar to that in Joel's in the Kitchen by Sue Rosen, (to give an example of a x trail where you pass across, pass up and down to the next) where you Bal, X trail, (8), then Sw a new N (8). Because it's a Sw, there is some fudging. If one is late,

Re: [Callers] question about Disturbed By Insects

If I were dancing it, during the last pushes I would switch to crossed hands, then as the ladies finally go back alone, slide out keeping the right hand. I might have to tread in place for a beat or two, but better that than gap and have to struggle to find a hand. You could simply alter the

Re: [Callers] Subject: Height diffferential

My daughter gives great weight and definitely prefers a regular swing. She feels out of control and in danger in a two hand swing. It flings her closer to the other dancers who are much bigger and heavier than she is, even now at age eleven, and if it gets too fast, threatens to sweep her off

Re: [Callers] Programming on-the-fly

I always have a programs worth it very easy dances in a bundle. If I must, I will use those. But... As you get more experienced, your ability to teach new dancers so they can handle at least your back up program will increase. You will help yourself by thinking of best ways to teach each

Re: [Callers] Fwd: Our House

I tried one this morning to send an amendment to my post but it got rerouted to the moderator. Dean called to remind my that his dance ends in a gypsy meltdown. I had changed my card, but wasn't looking at it when I sent to Deb, and later the group. Our House - the B2 is a gypsy meltdown.

Re: [Callers] Fwd: Our House

PM, Andrea Nettleton <twirly-g...@bellsouth.net> > wrote: > > Hey everyone, > I was talking to dean the other day and mentioned that more than one > person had request edit his excellent dance, and asked whether it was ok to > share it with everyone. So here is Our

[Callers] Fwd: Our House

Hey everyone, I was talking to dean the other day and mentioned that more than one person had request edit his excellent dance, and asked whether it was ok to share it with everyone. So here is Our House, by Dean Snipes. Deb, I know I wrote that the star is 3/4, but it really is 1x.

Re: [Callers] Looking for a dance by Dean Snipes...

Deb, sent privately. I didn't want to publicly share without Dean's permission, but it is a great dance. Andrea Sent from my iOnlypretendtomultitask > On Jan 31, 2014, at 8:38 PM, Deb Comly wrote: > > Could someone share the dance "Our House" with me? > Thanks! > Deb >

Re: [Callers] Caledonian

There is also an Irish set dance called the Caledonian, which, being a four couple set might have morphed in Canada into some kind of barn dance. Sent from my iOnlypretendtomultitask > On Jan 26, 2014, at 6:28 AM, wrote: > > There's definitely something called the

Re: [Callers] Complicated Contras....

Just wanted to make sure you got the name right on one of Bev's suggestions. The very excellent Dean Snipes dance is called George is Rettie Willing and Able. Named for NC dancer George Rettie, famed for being ready, willing and able to twirl or especially dip at a microseconds notice. Lots

Re: [Callers] Square through vs Cross-trail

I don't think a cross trail is an X, but I would say that there is still a difference in foot path between a cross trail and a star through to pass through and that is that unless explicitly told not to, dancers will do a pass thru with the right shoulder, whereas a cross trail, as danced in

Re: [Callers] Fw: Creating a CDSS dance depository

Rather than limit which dances get on the database and how, why not allow reviews of said dances. If it had a clunky moment for one dancer, tends to get saw toothed, or has other issues, it might get fewer stars and an explanation. Choreographers could choose to pull or amend a dance so

Re: [Callers] Dance in Need of a Name

As a matter of nomenclature, it's a box circulate, the box being the hands four. Wave circulate could mean for the wave to circle, but in any case the precedent is to call it a box circulate. Zig zags take way less time than you think, so you could get your dance going CW by circling once and

Re: [Callers] correction

And what are you naming it? -Andrea Sent from my iOnlypretendtomultitask > On Oct 27, 2013, at 1:24 PM, Tom Hinds wrote: > > > For the dance I just sent, the B2 should be women pass left shoulders and > swing partner. > > >

Re: [Callers] Tablet size?

Thank you, Chris, for saying what was on my mind, and in a gracious way. My memory has been ravaged by decades of severe migraines. I've time, I have managed to remember or be able to reconstruct a few dances, but thirty? Probably not. I also have since childhood, been afflicted with a

Re: [Callers] 2 Dances

One solution might be to have one of the rollaways be part of a forward and back, perhaps the second one. I don't have the dance in front of me to know whether the rest of the dance would still time out, but putting more spin in might be a bit too much, and might paradoxically make people

Re: [Callers] Women leading a star promenade?

>> (And in star promenades with the neighbor lady, I find that about half of >> them step ahead. Good star promenade, according to me, is like this >> } >> { >> and what happens half the time is more like this >> Z >> >> I find them pretty fr

Re: [Callers] Women leading a star promenade?

I'll just put this out there, because a ladies allemande to star promenade was called just weeks ago in Atlanta: in a line of 20 couples, only two other ladies gave me the right weight to satisfyingly whirl. All the gents and we three ladies really did not enjoy the lameness of it. And no, it

Re: [Callers] formations VS progressions: battle of the terms

Ihace heard enough commentary about being on the wrong side, wondering about number, and progressing the wrong direction, all wrongs in quotes, that I think many dancers are aware of who is who and what is 'normal' , even in becket dance. Andrea Sent from my iPad > On Sep 20, 2013, at 9:01

Re: [Callers] Code's Compiling

Blackbird Pie by Joseph Pimentel also has a See Saw, and the move is called frequently enough around here, but for the sake of new dancers, it is always taught: "Now Left shoulder Dos a Dos, that's called a See Saw!" In MWSD it amounts to a gypsy, but then so does a dosados which is also

Re: [Callers] Easy dance List

I missed the posts regarding this list of dances, therefore did not request it. I'd like the list if possible. Wondering why you chose to send it by request only instead of putting it on the list, where presumably only the interested parties old bother downloading it. Andrea Sent from my

Re: [Callers] contradance materials and/or calls in Spanish or any non-English language

I just finished calling at Gennetines, a huge international folk festival, largely attended by French folks, but with a strong group of folks from other places. What worked the best was a hybrid. Moves could be called their English name, but directions and hand choices needed to be in both or

Re: [Callers] hambo

Friends in Atlanta who went to Sweden did experience to uphill in wooden shoes tradition, though they said modern hard leather soles were also worn. Sent from my iPad On Jul 10, 2013, at 3:45 AM, Paul Wilde wrote: > Oh boy, there will be some disagreement on this one,

Re: [Callers] Dance in the UK

Thanks, John! Comprehensive list! I won't be in Oxford this weekend, but on a canal boat and in Coventry Saturday. I wish my geography skills for the UK were better, but at least if I put time in, I can get all the information I need. Cheers! Andrea Sent from my iPad On Jul 3, 2013, at

[Callers] Dance in the UK

Due to technical difficulties, I cannot access the information some of my UK friends sent me about dancing in the UK, where I am spending the summer (Oxford). I am going into dance withdrawal and need a fix ASAP. Can any of you help me? I dance MWSD up to Advanced, contras, trad squares,

Re: [Callers] NO-CONES Swings & Hand Placement

Thank you for taking up this position, Jeff. Because there is also a discussion of swing going on on FB, I decided to verify my thoughts with my ten year old daughter, an excellent dancer who dances both roles with equal ease. She barely comes up to my chin. First I danced the gent position

Re: [Callers] Timing & Force

One addendum: I'd like to say a word about where the twirl should happen. At least when the twirler is not experienced, it will help the positioning at the end if by beat six, twirler. And twirler begin to separate approximately where they intend to end so the twirler only has to focus on

[Callers] Regency for newbies

I'm in Oxford with a group of GA Tech undergrads and the Prof who is teaching a Jane Austen class has requested that I teach them a bunch of ECD from that era, things that would really have been danced then. I don't have with me the resources I had available in the states. I need a selection

Re: [Callers] "Full sashay"/"MadRobin" (was Re: Arms Folded in Dosidos)

But Mad Robin is a nickname for a Puck-like character, in literature. Also known as Robin Goodfellow, a player of harmless pranks, random doer of little good deeds, a bit mischievous and secretive, given to pinching a sleeping queen of a night. I think perhaps the author of the ECD thought

Re: [Callers] Arms Folded in Dosidos

I think the thing that makes twirls feel better/easier for those who tolerate rotation well, is the the straight one has at least two changes of direction, and not even easy changes such as a straight reverse. Done at present fast contra speeds, they can be jarring to the knees. Twirls

Re: [Callers] Greenfield Formation

How does the dance go? Andrea Sent from my iOnlypretendtomultitask On May 18, 2013, at 3:45 PM, P E wrote: > To the forum: Here is a formation I used only once, I don't know if it has a > name... anyone familiar with it??? > > Triplet- From proper line up: First

Re: [Callers] Suggestions for particularly flirty contra dances?

For those who complain that in a same sex swing they are unsure who will play the (lord I hate these terms for contra) lead and who the follow, it is dead easy for the caller to control that. Just designate say the number one same gender role person as the "lead" and the two as follow. You

Re: [Callers] Booking Ahead - (was ideas for callers about sidelines)

Leads? This has so many assumptions buried in it, I find it worrisome. First, that implies that anyone leads. And that only those who dance one role will be asking. Did you perhaps mistype? Did you mean that George encourages those who ask to accept that they will sometimes be declined?

Re: [Callers] sharp corners

Share them with us all, Barb! Andrea Sent from my iPad On Jan 18, 2013, at 11:18 AM, barb kirchner wrote: > > perry, the dance you're thinking of is called "contra corners cannon" or > something similar. indeed - a very fun dance! i have the figures around >

Re: [Callers] Lead/Follow in a Swing

Sometimes a dance weekend comes along just in time. So I am at Chattaboogie in TN, and thought very hard about what was going on between me and all the people I danced with, and I think I finally understand why, in my mind, lead/follow are actively bad terms to use in contra, and why when we

Re: [Callers] Lead/Follow in a Swing

I'd like to point out that all twirls, whether entry or exit, are flourishes, added to the basic dance. The basic dance has a symmetrical pull into the swing position. As danced, and taught by most callers, on this side of the pond, both partners have a hand on the other's back, so it is as

Re: [Callers] Alternate Role Terms

I was going to chime I about historical precedent, but that has partly been done. I don't think a swing is ended by just one dancer. It is a mutually decided thing, and from the right side I can time the end, stop, or alter a flourish so it puts me in the right place, control the speed of the

Re: [Callers] Alternate Role Terms

Maia, I think you have to see contra from the point of view of someone who is not so talented and versatile as yourself. What attracts them to contra is that the caller leads the dance, and if they do what they're told, they can be successful at the dance, so they can relax and enjoy the

Re: [Callers] Yearning (was Re: Questioning a sacred cow of contra dancing)

I think we have to simply admit that the folk process has done its work in this case. For years I have danced contras with yearns which went only one couple. So pervasive was it that when I wrote a dance with a variation on the move, I called it 'yearn to a gypsy'. Note, I dance in the SE

Re: [Callers] How to call a Petronella Turn?

I call Balance, and Spin to the right. A spin is executed with no hands held. In Contra, we have a number of moves and flourishes in which twirl means connected by hands and either swapping places or turning one person with the joined hand. So I think it avoids confusion to say spin when we

Re: [Callers] Walk the Plank

gt; Minor point: There are no balances in Sarah's Journey. Neither box the gnat > starts with a balance. It's a smooth dance rather than bouncy. > > -Joy > > On Nov 14, 2012, at 8:55 PM, Andrea Nettleton wrote: > >> There are several dances which begin with a RH bal,

Re: [Callers] Walk the Plank

There are several dances which begin with a RH bal, BTG, then M pull by (as in G. Hubert's Sarah's Journey) or Allenande L 1 1/2 as in J. Hutson's Treasure of Sierra Madre), and I have not noted an urge to orbit. All the spring just gets loaded into the gents' inward motion. So I am sure a

Re: [Callers] Taking hands four

I like to think of it as meaning the dancers are happy, because they are chatting instead of fussing. I say hands four, as you line up, consult the band re tunes, say it again. If they still appear disorganized, I'll pick a random move like N Allemande L , or Cir L all the way. They think

Re: [Callers] Walk the Plank

It works great as long as everyone spins the appropriate way. If you have new dancers in the crowd, it is worth teaching that when spinning R, one points one's chin to the R and follows it around. I have seen even dancers who have danced for awhile spin them selves the other way. When

Re: [Callers] Melanie's-Microchasmic-Star Crazy?

I like the pull out to be from a star R, as the tug then gives you the correct clockwise rotation to swing. Sent from my iPhone On Oct 25, 2012, at 8:57 PM, Sue Robishaw wrote: > Hi, >In trying to organize my dances I have "Melanie's Triplet" and "Star > Crazy" (with

Re: [Callers] Callers Digest, Vol 98, Issue 12

Meg, Since you already know of these families, maybe you could organize and have a sleep over for all the kids or agree to all come and throw bedding down for the kids to sleep on at the dance. That way even if a parent always needs to be there, you only each have to sit out one or

Re: [Callers] childcare at dances

In ATL, the kids hang out in the hallway adjacent to the hall. Only we adults care whether the space is actually a room. For the kids, it will be a spaceship or house or zoo, no matter what it looks like to us. Corralling the younger set might be accomplished with a row of chairs or

Re: [Callers] Increase in Youth Attendance

I didn't note when this spot aired, but am glad contra has gotten some national attention. Atlanta, where I dance and call, has definitely seen a surge of youth in recent years, not due to the media coverage. I wanted to say a quick word about Jonathan's mention that young parents often

Re: [Callers] Quiet or am I no longer getting posts?

I started calling contras well before squares, and aside from MWSD, dance approximately 11 times more contras per year than squares. If I am calling to new dancers, it doesn't seem Like I will serve them well by calling a form I am less familiar with myself. The trap is, that with no squares

Re: [Callers] New choreo list / traffic volume

One method of having one list, but keeping the new dance discussions sorted is the old OT trick, but instead of OT we would use ND (New Dance), or some other designator, as a preface to the name of the dance under discussion. That being the subject of the email, anyone not interested could

Re: [Callers] What is a becket?

Well said Tavi! Andrea Sent from my iPhone On Mar 17, 2012, at 1:43 PM, tavi merrill wrote: > To pick up on John's point from this side of the pond, there are plenty of > duple improper dances that end with a partner swing for the active couples. > > There are

Re: [Callers] Re Allemande Hold (was Analysis of Stars)

I don't know if seasoned dancers who engage in a bad habit are able to hear that they are in error. In a new dancer workshop, I show and tell that the two dancers in an allemande are like two panes in a revolving door and their joined hands are like the post they turn around. Their arms

Re: [Callers] Elementary School Family Dance

I don't know what you are doing for music, but our whole family loves Sasha. We also like un deux trois poussez. I suspect you are familiar with both already. I discovered at one school program that smaller set things worked better than big circles for kids. I called flying scot to hoots

Re: [Callers] Mixers: [was: Request about requests]

I love mixers as a dancer and caller, but just had an instance of how they can go wrong. There was a very large crowd with a huge group of new dancers. People had already begun to line up for a contra, with, as often happens, a bunch of experienced couples at the top of the hall. When we

Re: [Callers] Hope to meet some of you. Visit to San Francisco

Felton on Sunday the 1st is right there in the south Bay area. Perpetual e Motion!! Should be a treat. Andrea On 2/29/2012 12:17 AM, Bill Baritompa wrote: Hi California Bay Area Callers, My wife Liz and I are coming to San Francisco from 16 March till 3 April. We're looking forward

Re: [Callers] Shadow Dances?

I wondered about the timing in the B2. For those who have called it, are those final allemandes too short, or do they time out OK? I'm planning to call The dance this weekend and would value anything useful gleaned about teaching or calling it. Andrea Sent from my iPhone On Jan 25, 2012, at

Re: [Callers] Shadow Dances?

Hey all, In the case of a hall with many same gendered couples, I am not sure how the shadow helps the person playing the opposite gender role, if they even can be said to need the opposite gender interaction. Let us assume a couple made up of two women. A shadow, by definition, is a partner

Re: [Callers] contra dance webmasters unite! (?)

I am interested in this, though I expect to be more of a gawker for the time being. Keep me in the loop. Andrea On 9/15/2011 1:44 PM, Andy Shore wrote: I've been wondering if there would be enough interest (and traffic) to form an email list for contra dance website webmasters and other

Re: [Callers] Re Swinging

I think I mentioned before that it was pointed out to me, by a respected senior caller, that the two hand, and especially crossed hand, way of teaching the sensation of counterweight in swing gave new dancers the wrong impression that the way to accomplish it was to tilt their upper back out.

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