Re: [Callers] What can you do.....?

One thing I included in beginner sessions was an explanation that (for example) "allemande right one time" could have two different meanings. I'd demo it once, beginning facing the dancer I was turning with, and ending exactly in that same position. I'd have everyone try that. Then I'd explain

Re: [Callers] Contra Corners Dance

Okay, here's a dance I wrote. This wouldn't be useful for introducing the standard contra corners figure, as I have a modified version of the figure in the dance. But it does show that you can have a contra corners figure where no one is standing around and waiting. I've called it a couple of

Re: [Callers] Hand Turns & Safety

Andrea, could you describe the forearm allemande? I don't think I've seen it and can't quite picture it. Or maybe send a link to a video that shows it? Of possible interest to some, one of the scenes portrayed on the Shield of Achilles in the Iliad shows youths and maidens dancing, "holding

Re: [Callers] Easy flourishes or other "bonus" movements?

This is tangential to this discussion, but it's caused me to think about how "flourishes" become standard parts of contra over the decades. I'm not a dance historian, so maybe others will chime with corrections or additions. Thinking first about some old traditional contras ("chestnuts"),

Re: [Callers] Glossary dances with promenade, no chain/RL through?

Here's one of mine: Power Promenade Becket Richard Allen Fischer A1 "Power Promenade:" Promenade across with your partner and make a big loop left so you face your next neighbors; ladies chain. A2 Petronella x2 B1 Balance & Swing your Neighbor B2 Give and Take to the Gent's

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

Ah, long ago I suggested "bine" (from binary star) for the same reason. It didn't catch on. Richard > On Mar 14, 2018, at 10:51 PM, Darwin Gregory via Callers > wrote: > > I just heard a scientific term that I think would be a great, and concise, > name to

Re: [Callers] 4 couple set Chorus Jig

Hi Everyone, Just reporting in on a variation on Chorus Jig that I composed inspired by the 4-couple dance below. I got to call it this evening and the dancers seemed to enjoy it. If you try it out, I'd love to hear from you! Here's the dance: Chorus ReelSicilian CircleRichard Allen

Re: [Callers] New Dance to Share

I recently called Pat Shaw’s K & E for the first time. I think of it as a contra dance, in its own unusual formation, though I guess one is more likely to encounter it in an English dance setting. The dance has some challenges, and might be suitable for an advanced session, but I’m happy to say

Re: [Callers] Contras which feature a "Dublin Bay" figure

A couple of people have kindly got in touch with me to alert me to some problems with my early morning creation. I’ll be back in touch if I can revise it and try it out with some dancers. Richard > On Jan 25, 2017, at 6:31 AM, Richard Fischer via Callers > <callers@lists.sharedw

Re: [Callers] Contras which feature a "Dublin Bay" figure ("Pivot the Line", yay)

Well, I don’t write a lot of dances, but I’ve been inspired by all the Dublin Bay dances. In mine I’ve tried to use the figure as I recall dancing it in the English dance of that name. Comments or corrections most welcome! Sheepshead BayImproperRichard Fischer A1 Balance & swing

Re: [Callers] Positive values on the mic

Especially at community dances, but also at contras, I look for was to encourage dancers to say thank you. At community events one of my first dances is usually a kind of Appalachian square dance. Couples do one or two simple figures to my calls with another couple, and then I go, "Everybody,

Re: [Callers] Ralph Page Style

It's good to be reminded that "swing" had various meanings. I'm pretty sure I've seen "Swing all four" in old dance instructions for what we would call "Circle to the left". About Chorus Jig, I seem to remember that Ralph Page wrote in one of his books (around 1950?) that he didn't like the

Re: [Callers] Contra friendly squares

I like The Compost Pile Breakdown by Gene Hubert. (You can find it online.) Richard On Oct 14, 2016, at 11:51 AM, Ron Blechner via Callers wrote: > Hi all, > > I'm looking to expand the number of contra-friendly Squares in my box. > > 1. Keepers preferred unless it's a really good mixer. > 2.

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

The Oxford English Dictionary gives both pronunciations for "gimbal" with the "soft" g first: /ˈdʒɪmbəl/ /ˈɡɪmbəl/ I followed their etymology trail, and it seems to ultimately come from a word meaning "twin." Richard On Jan 27, 2016, at 6:30 PM, Andrea Nettleton via Callers wrote: >

Re: [Callers] 9-person dance?

Thanks for El Capitan! Richard On Jan 23, 2016, at 4:49 PM, Martha Wild via Callers wrote: > I have a version of it though I’m not sure where it came from. It’s more of a > play party dance, and rarely goes along with the music. > > El Capitan > > 2 lines facing, can be 4 or 5 couples, 1

Re: [Callers] 9-person dance?

Thanks a lot! Richard On Jan 23, 2016, at 12:06 AM, Keith Wood via Callers wrote: > I've written a new one recently: The Curse of Scotland. > > See an animation at > http://dancekaleidoscope.org.au/dance.html#TheCurseOfScotland. > > Formation:Longways set for four couples, plus one person

[Callers] 9-person dance?

Can anyone suggest a 9-person dance? I'm aware of the traditional Nine-Pin, and Monkey in the Middle by Sherry Nevins. Thanks! Richard Fischer Princeton, NJ

Re: [Callers] dances in unusual formations

Hi Donna, There's a lively circle mixer (from England, I believe) called Nervous Breakdown, with a balance and swing each time thru. I can send it to you if you're not familiar with it. I think people at HftH would enjoy it. I second the recommendations for Levi Jackson Rag and Walpole

Re: [Callers] Gypsy Synopsis

Alan, thank you so much for posting that link. I've been completely ignorant about the Romani people, and after reading that brief article I plan to learn more. Richard On Oct 30, 2015, at 6:36 PM, Winston, Alan P. via Callers wrote: > > > On 10/30/2015 2:08 PM, John Sweeney via Callers

Re: [Callers] Gypsy Synopsis

For those who may not have access to the online OED, here the beginning of the entry for the noun "gyre." I agree that "gyre" is a good candidate! (OED = Oxford English Dictionary; and the pronunciation given is the "jire" one.) gyre, n. View as: Outline |Full entryKeywords: On

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

I have a suggestion for a new word to replace "gypsy." My word is "bine" and I derive it from "binary stars" which, especially if they are of similar mass, circle each other as in our dance move. I consulted with an astrophysicist friend, who told me that under certain circumstances binary

Re: [Callers] Shadow Swing Disclaimers?

lize 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 > <callers@lists.shar

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