Re: [Callers] joke, and a request

The dance you’re looking for is: KING OF THE KEYBOARD Ted Sannella (for Bob McQuillen; first danced June 18, 1989) Triple Minor; Proper Two Swings, Actives & Neighbor 2’s A1) Actives Swing (end facing down); Swing Neighbor Below (face across) A2) Forward six and back; Actives Allemande Left

Re: [Callers] Linda Leslie's dances

Thanks for pointing it out. I will see whether I can address the site problem. … Robert Golder > On Sep 15, 2018, at 9:25 AM, Anne Lutun via Callers > wrote: > > Hi all, > > Linda Leslie's website has been down for days. Does anybody know if this is > perman

[Callers] Dances written for Linda Leslie

In remembrance of our dear Linda Leslie, and in partial thanks to all who have been so kind to me since her passing, I'd like to share two contra dances that you may not have in your collections, that were written for (not by) Linda Leslie. I wrote "Fun Dance for Linda" fourteen years ago, and

Re: [Callers] Politically Correct?

Thus did Ophelia's suicide become merely an accidental drowning, thanks to Thomas Bowdler, who criticized Shakespeare for exposing his readers to "the danger of being hurt with any indelicacy of expression." On Mar 25, 2018, at 1:39 AM, Alexandra Deis-Lauby via Callers

Re: [Callers] The loss of one of our own

Thank you everyone for your kind words and warm memories of Linda Leslie, and your concern for me and the rest of her family. I am alternating between grieving, setting priorities on behalf of our family, and quickly making many legal, financial, and remembrance decisions. It is an extremely

Re: [Callers] New (?) dance, B1 balance, B2 balance and partner swing

The dance name "Return to Sender" may always now seem a bit ironic to you, but there are worse things in life than to come up with choreography so good that Bob Isaacs got there first. On May 9, 2016, at 3:23 PM, Luke Donforth via Callers wrote: > And it

Re: [Callers] another new word idea

Pity the poor guy named Eddy, new to contra dancing, struggling down there on the dance floor. On Jan 29, 2016, at 1:42 PM, Harold E. Watson via Callers wrote: > I like the word “eddy”. It rolls off the tongue easy, defines a circular > movement, and has a

Re: [Callers] another new word idea

FWIW, "gyre" is pronounced \ˈjī(-ə)r\ Think about pronunciation of words like "gyroscope" and "gyrate," and you'll have it. On Jan 27, 2016, at 1:23 PM, Martha Wild via Callers wrote: > Well, I have changed my opinion. > > I decided to talk to Martha

Re: [Callers] Amy dances

Dancing With Amy by Bill Olson, written for Amy Richardson Larkin. A great dance. For details see: http://www.billolsondance.com/amy.html On Sep 9, 2015, at 1:08 AM, Andrea Nettleton via Callers wrote: > Hi friends, > I'm calling at my home dance this weekend,

Re: [Callers] Anyone seen this dance?

As anyone who has danced with Amy knows, any alternative renderings of Bill's composition ought to collectively entitled: You WISH You Were Dancing With Amy! On Apr 30, 2015, at 1:31 PM, Amy Larkin via Callers wrote: > This makes me feel so special! > :-) >

Re: [Callers] Yet Another "Does this dance already exist?"

Years ago I often called Hillsborough Jig (and a similar contra corners dance called Mica Flats) as an alternating dance, so much so that Rick Mohr told me I should call it "Goldernating Corners." But I borrowed the idea from someone, who had borrowed it from someone else, and so forth. I don't

Re: [Callers] Callers Digest, Vol 114, Issue 26

I agree with Martha about skipping Greg's stuff. I can't tell whether he's trolling or sincere in his outlook. Either way, at this point it doesn't much matter to me. … Bob On Feb 15, 2014, at 1:15 PM, Martha Wild wrote: > I would just like to say that I stopped posting

Re: [Callers] Hichkman's Hey

Some years ago I called an evening of dances, and Steve Hickman was a musician in the band. I asked Steve about the origin of Hickman's Hey. He confirmed that he could not remember where or by whom he had first heard it called, but that he so enjoyed the dance and subsequently made so much use

Re: [Callers] Circle left 3/4

There are many no-circle dances; "Flirtation Reel" by Tony Parkes is a modern classic. A special subset is no-circle Becket dances, which I started collecting a few years ago. It is always handy to have Becket dances that do NOT begin with "Circle left 3/4 to un-Becket…" You will find that

Re: [Callers] is this dance new?

Corner Triplet (Linda Leslie) / David's Triplet 1.5 (David Smukler) On Jan 26, 2013, at 11:38 AM, Michael Fuerst wrote: > How many dances do people know of that were independently written by persons? > I know of two such pairs.

Re: [Callers] Progression and "Going Out"

The caller is responsible not only to the band but to the dancers on the floor and to the dance organizers. Typically the caller "performs" best when least visibly performing. However, in order to facilitate the total experience of music and dance, the caller exercises judgment. Sometimes it's

Re: [Callers] Looking for a contra dance

Hillsborough Jig by Bill Thomas is easily called as an alternating contra corners dance, as are similar compositions. What you are seeking is probably an adaptation of one of these dances. For Hillsborough Jig, in the A2, alternate by having the ones dance down the hall, come back, cast off

Re: [Callers] When Did Gender Role Terms Become a "Problem"

These concerns are expertly addressed by Chris Ricciotti in his marvelous 2006 publication, A Manual and History of Gender-Free Dancing, introduced at http://lcfd.org/Articles/GFManual/ and freely available at: http://lcfd.org/Articles/GFManual/GF-Manual.pdf As Chris writes, there are a number

Re: [Callers] Favorite Dances

Given the geographical emphasis, my thought was Midwest Folklore by Orace Johnson, but we'll see. … Bob On Dec 1, 2012, at 7:10 PM, Richard Mckeever wrote: > given that hint - I will submit Roger Diggle's Roll in the Hey (but many > others from Roger might also qualify as

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] Low Numbers, Slow Starts

Take another look at Ted's Triplet #3. The dip-and-dive figure is very accessible and, if people dip when they should dive, everyone laughs and it becomes part of the fun. Although I can't recall Ted's last triplet, #41, from memory, I do remember it being quite accessible too, so you might

Re: [Callers] Heys for new dancers

If there is a "standard" in hey dances, then Flirtation Reel is the gold standard. It is a perfect blend of aesthetics and ergonomics. It works because the body WANTS to go in the right direction, and the soul follows. I have just returned from calling a little community dance of 1/3

Re: [Callers] on being a beginner

All of a sudden it's 1974. The quote sent me back in time to sophomore illustration class at RISD. The quote is so true. ... Bob On Feb 16, 2012, at 10:14 AM, David Millstone wrote: > The SharedWeight list grew out of a callers' class at Pinewoods. The impetus > for setting up the list was to

Re: [Callers] Groundhog day

... a simple misstatement, as Bill pointed out. ... Bob On Dec 28, 2011, at 9:36 AM, Jack Mitchell wrote: > The only actual mistake in Linda's was that the pass thru is, indeed, across > the set in that version, rather than up and down. > > On 12/28/2011 8:19 AM, Robert

Re: [Callers] Groundhog day

The dance as given by Linda was contributed by Dan Pearl to Larry Jennings for inclusion in Larry's book _Give-and-Take_, published by NEFFA in 2004. ... Bob On Dec 28, 2011, at 8:08 AM, Jack Mitchell wrote: > Actually, there are two versions of P. Promenade, both by Dan Perl. The > version

Re: [Callers] Bands Chain

used to. > > --Read Weaver > Jamaica Plain, MA > lcfd.org > > On Dec 9, 2011, at 12:46 PM, Robert Golder wrote: > >> A "Bands Chain" dance is a better choice as a challenging dance for a venue >> where role-free dance is atypical. In a role-free setti

Re: [Callers] Bands Chain

A "Bands Chain" dance is a better choice as a challenging dance for a venue where role-free dance is atypical. In a role-free setting, men as well as women are comfortable with dancing either role in a chain, so in practice there's really nothing very special about a bands chain. ... Bob On

Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

Dancers who have come to trust a caller's training, taste, and discernment won't worry overly much about mixers "sprung" on the crowd, social engineering, whether there are too many partner-only-swing dances in the program, etc. If David's at the microphone, I'm ready to dance. Period.

Re: [Callers] ID dances for me?

#1 is Heartbeat Contra by Don Flaherty of New Jersey. On Apr 1, 2011, at 12:38 PM, Keith Tuxhorn wrote: > Hi all-- There are several dances I've called, or am about to call, that > I've taken from Youtube videos that did not have the name attached. Hope > this crowd can help. > > 1. Just called

Re: [Callers] What do you do as caller when you're completely failing to reach a dancer?

There's only one thing I can think of to try at that point, and that's to strike up a conversation at the break, ask the guy if he's enjoying the evening, how he heard about the dance, etc., and if conversation indicates he's not compromised in some obvious fashion, then ask him what's up. Had

Re: [Callers] Help with "Coleman's March"

Coleman's March by Ted Crane, as I understand it: A1) N R-hand balance, N box-the-gnat; Gents Alle L 1.5 A2) P B B1) Circle L 1X; P Gypsy R only 1/2; Gents orbit CCW to cross the set while Ladies Gypsy L & back to place B2) N Gypsy & Swing On Feb 15, 2011, at 10:22 AM, JoLaine Jones-Pokorney

Re: [Callers] How much is too much? How little is too little?

Amen to all that Greg said. Be less concerned about the number of times you call, and more concerned that everything you choose to do or not do is supportive of the dance experience, in the manner described by Greg. On Feb 11, 2011, at 8:52 PM, Greg McKenzie wrote: > > Martha, > > This

Re: [Callers] Community Dancing in the Old West (Was "Gender Free Dances")

Once again, I can only recommend Chris Ricciotti's Gender-Free Dancing Callers Manual and History, which among many other things in its 45 pages discusses the cowboy, saloon, and mining camp dances of the Old West. The first known experiments in arm bands for role-free dances were made in

Re: [Callers] (no subject)

The sender's account has probably been hijacked. On Sep 7, 2010, at 5:50 PM, Gary Arthur wrote: > Is this some kind of joke? > not funny. > > On Tue, Sep 7, 2010 at 5:08 PM, cathy jones wrote: > >> http://bit.ly/9pX12M >> >> >> >> >>

Re: [Callers] Dances with tricky end effects

> What recommendations do you have to prepare dancers for end effects when they > are not used to anything more than "cross over and wait?" Make sure they hear and respond positively to special instructions. As an example, the improper duple minor dance "Round the Horn" by Walter Lenk

[Callers] Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend

The *OTHER* NEFFA Festival is coming soon! The 23rd annual Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend (which is sponsored by NEFFA) runs January 15-17 at University of New Hampshire, Durham. Sarah Dawson and the RPLDW Committee have put together a great weekend, with Lisa Greenleaf and Tony Parkes as

Re: [Callers] Gender Swapping - When?

On Sep 11, 2009, at 9:57 AM, Jack Mitchell wrote: One other thing I had thought about doing in a workshop is to have a few people in each line with a red ball cap or a particular shirt or some other identifying mark, Among the several methods of identifying dance roles without

Re: [Callers] Dance ID and corrections anyone?

-2486 On Jun 12, 2009, at 5:48 PM, Dave Colestock wrote: Robert,   It looks like the give and take has the swing on the gents side for a proper progression.    Dave Colestock --- On Fri, 6/12/09, Robert Golder <robertgol...@comcast.net> wrote: From: Robert Golder <robertgol...@co

Re: [Callers] Chestnuts and Money Musk

"Money Musk", called and danced gender-role-free, Boston Gay & Lesbian Contra dancers, First Church of Jamaica Plain (U.U.), J.P., MA. Second dance after the break. About 40 dancers. Caller: Bob Golder, Band: Dogtown (Norb Spencer, Becky Miller, Tom Randall). Well received by all, including

Re: [Callers] Callers Digest, Vol 50, Issue 5

David originally named this dance "In the Pines," but subsequently changed the name to "Pining for You." Another dance of David's, "Fall Back," was originally titled "Never Mind." So if you Fall Back into calling Pining for You In the Pines, Never Mind. ... Bob Robert Jon Golder 164 Maxfield

Re: [Callers] 2 questions

Anyone who wants to call a contra medley would be well served by carefully reading Greg's cautionary statements. Contra dancing, taken as a whole, is meant at its foundation to be an inclusive, community-building activity. On rare occasions we spice up that formula by adding a twist, such as a

Re: [Callers] Valentine's Day Dances

Chris Ricciotti wrote this simple Valentine's Day dance for me, first danced Feb. 14, 2004 at the LCFD contra dance in Jamaica Plain, MA. "Bob's Valentine" by Chris Ricciotti Duple Improper A1) Neighbor Do-Si-Do; Neighbor Swing A2) Four in line down the hall, turn as couples; come back, face

Re: [Callers] Petronella spins

If left to their own devices, the members of the group of four will have to agree whether they will demonstrate the version of Petronella in which only the active couple twirls and balances, or the version in which all dancers twirl and balance, or the updated version in which the dancers

Re: [Callers] found dance - Winter Storm

Linda Leslie wrote the dance, and the sequence of movements, as written, is correct. Bob Robert Jon Golder 164 Maxfield St New Bedford, MA 02740 USA 508-999-2486 On Aug 30, 2007, at 10:59 PM, mavis mcgaugh wrote: I have that dance as well - my card says Linda Leslie is the author. ---

Re: [Callers] How can we improve acoustics in a gym?

One of the most fun days I have ever had. Very effective solution. It's only fun until the fire inspector pays a visit. Perhaps religious institutions are exempt in your state (though not in New Hampshire, where the Star Island center (Unitarian Universalist) was shut down for a month

Re: [Callers] Book or web site?

Alan is right about figuring out your goals and deciding how best to implement them. To produce books in small press runs, print-on-demand seems increasingly to be the way to go. Web site-or-book doesn't have to be an either-or choice. Look at Joseph Pimentel's web site for an example of how

Re: [Callers] Compilation of 'Hey' dances, and further requests

When Tony Parkes re-issues his 1992 book _Contra Dance Calling: A Basic Text_, we'll once again have access to well-thought-out ideas for teaching the hey and many other figures. Until then, search out a used copy of this very useful book. A couple of points that Tony makes about teaching the

[Callers] Chris Ricciotti's Role-Free Dance Instructional Manual

Noted contra dance caller Chris Ricciotti has just published a 45-page "Gender-free Dancing Caller's Manual and History." You can now access the fruit of Chris's hard work, a manual for callers calling gender-free dances, and a fascinating and well-researched history of gender-free and same-sex

Re: [Callers] NEFFA Shared Wt gatherings

> 1. Friday evening: > 9:15 - 9:45pm in the Main Hall; this leaves time to dance 1 - 2 Role Free > contras... I can't actually meet with the group during this time slot, but I can wave... ;-) Bob Robert Jon Golder 164 Maxfield Street

[Callers] Doing the Work (Was: title of dance?)

> There must not be a lot of "gents do all the work > dances" because that "Men in Chains" dance was > memorable because I remember being unusually tired > after that dance! > > Perry My "Fun Dance for Marjorie" (written with Linda Leslie), "Marjorie's Delight", and others were written to assist

[Callers] Open Mike Calling Opportunity, March 4, Medway, MA

The Medway Contra Dance series, at Christ Episcopal Church on School Street in Medway, Massachusetts, will sponsor an Open Mike evening on Saturday, March 4, 2006, 7:30 - 10:30 pm. This is the third of Medway's open mike evenings that I have MC'd. These events have introduced several people to

Re: [Callers] Ralph Page Dance Weekend

> A great resource provided by the RPDLW is the syllabus produced by Tony > Sallatan... In recent years the syllabus has been carefully and painstakingly produced by David Smukler. Go to http://www.izaak.unh.edu/nhltmd/default.htm to find syllabi from past years.

Re: [Callers] Karen/50 dances

"One Hundred Years of Mischief" by Susan Kevra was written to honor the 50th birthdays of TWO people, Mary Lea and Earl Gaddis. Duple improper: A1) Neighbor Right-hand balance, twirl-to-swap w/N Pull past N by right hand; Allemande Left w/ previous N (and back to...) A2) Neighbor Balance &

[Callers] don't miss Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend!

I am very excited about the 19th annual Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend to be held January 13, 14, 15, 2006 at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH. This time around, the callers will be Tod Whittemore (who was a central figure on the New England scene before moving to Arizona years

Re: [Callers] Salute to Larry Jennings

> Who but Larry would change a dance that was written for him by his best > friend? Who but Larry, indeed? I like to call Ted's version and, after doing so in Larry's hearing, he afterwards asked: "You do know that I changed it, don't you...?" (with a sharp-eyed glance from under that shock of

[Callers] Sit-in musicians welcome at 4/30 Cape Cod, MA contra dance

In addition to developing calling skills, some of you may also be developing your dance band instrumental skills. If so, you're invited to bring your instrument and join the band at a fifth Saturday contra dance sponsored by the Falmouth Fiddlers Association. Saturday, April 30, 2005, 8:00 - 11:00

[Callers] magazine article describes a caller's debut

_HomeGallery_ magazine has just published my article "Contra Dancing is Back in Full Swing." The article is part of a continuing series called "Off the Beaten Path" ("designed to take readers to places and activities they might not otherwise know about in our richly diverse region"

Re: [Callers] Ralph Page Legacy weekend

Linda Leslie and I plan to be at RPLW on Saturday and Sunday. We wouldn't dream of missing this very special, annual event. RPLW celebrates the distinctive history of New England contra dancing. Attending RPLW will give the discerning, up-and-coming caller (yeah, you!) a rich, in-depth, historical

Re: [Callers] program

Roll-11 is awesome, and the timing fits like a glove. As for Rockin' Robin, as Lisa says, "The circle L 1-1/4 takes 12 and each veer only takes 2." The real timing challenge in Rockin' Robin occurs at the end of A1. Linda Leslie once pointed out to me that the gents pull-by-the-right must occur

Re: [Callers] Bob Issac's Callers Workshop Materials

Many thanks, Chris, for sharing Bob Isaacs' calling materials. The attachments all came through fine. The only odd thing for me (which may or may not be true for those with other versions of MS Word) is that fractions have been dropped from the descriptions of 50 dances in CDNY Repertoire.doc,