Re: [Callers] What formation is this improper dance?

Is there any benefit to *not* calling it an improper contra with a note that it starts in short waves? (The dance will tend to work better if you get people lined up, have them take hands four, and the actives cross over, so that the 1s and 2s know who they are and which way they expect to be

Re: [Callers] What formation is this improper dance?

I would still call that improper because I would start the walk thru in improper formation at the end of B2. Then do the alle R 3/4 and then start the dance.  Getting into that wave any other way would be very difficult and confusing. Then to start the dance - bring them back to improper -

Re: [Callers] What formation is this improper dance?

I haven't studied the dance, but what you describe would technically be duple minor indecent (ladies on the left) with a reverse progression (bottom couple moving down the hall). On Mon, Feb 27, 2012 at 23:28, Bill Baritompa wrote: > Hi, > > This may seem

[Callers] What formation is this improper dance?

Hi, This may seem like a silly question. It concerns Rick Mohr's improper dance "Chuck the Budgie" (on his webpage and shown on a youtube video there). I thought an improper dance has the #1's facing down the hall, facing their #2's who are facing up the hall. All gents have their

Re: [Callers] Overused figures

On 28/02/2012 4:41 p.m., Michael Fuerst wrote: Ideally, a move done by one gender role should be balanced by some move solely for the other gender role. Hi Michael, In my opinion, gender balance in each dance seems a bit extreme, however it does seem worth balancing gender inactivity

Re: [Callers] Overused figures

Ideally, a move done by one gender role should be  balanced by some move solely for the other gender role.   A ladies' chain balanced by M alm 1 1/2  in the same dance would serve this purpose.    Or consider the following A1      Balance and swing neighbor.A2      Men allemande left 1 1/2 and

Re: [Callers] Overused figures

On Mon, Feb 27, 2012 at 1:53 PM, wrote: > I agree. > Does anyone else think that Men allemande Left 1 1/2 is overused? > How about Circle Left 3/4?  Lately, I've been programming specifically  to > avoid having a circle in each dance.  It's surprisingly  difficult to find >

Re: [Callers] Overused figures

Richard wrote: > I tend to agree with Martha about that. I don't find that English country dance leaders limit their use of set and turn single, or up a double and back, to only once or twice an evening. > Richard > On Feb 27, 2012, at 6:40 PM, Martha Edwards wrote: > > But why wouldn't it be

Re: [Callers] Overused figures

I tend to agree with Martha about that. I don't find that English country dance leaders limit their use of set and turn single, or up a double and back, to only once or twice an evening. Richard On Feb 27, 2012, at 6:40 PM, Martha Edwards wrote: > But why wouldn't it be okay to have lots of

Re: [Callers] Overused figures

otoh, an evening with lots of circles can be an opportunity to remind people to give weight in the circle (and slap around the people grapevining). When I do a beginners' session, I point out that a circle without weight is a really boring figure, but with weight it has some real charm.

Re: [Callers] Overused figures

For me, it's from my dancing and also from a comment I heard from a dancer.  I've been to dances where men AL 1 1/2 was used 5 or more times.  The comment was from a lady who thought waiting for the men so much was  boring.  I think it's a nice move for 1 or 2 dances in an evening, 3 at the

Re: [Callers] program matrix

Hi Greg and Rickey, I've attached a photo of a few dance cards to show the matrix formed. My cards are 4x6 so have a bit more room than 3x5. I have a master card that goes behind to give the column headings. My scheme is a variation of the headings shown in Linda's example, and

Re: [Callers] Overused figures

What is so great about the "ProgramPlanning Matrix" is that it seems to be based upon input from a number of experienced, key people. Nevertheless, the matrix does place a significant burden on programmers. If you add in local preferences and personal preferences the task of programming becomes

Re: [Callers] Overused figures

I too try to minimize the Men allemande L 1-1/2 and I try to minimize circle L 3/4 and swing, but not so much the 3/4 circle without the swing. It's not easy! Give-and-take is an easy alternative when there's a swing, but that's a figure that I think shouldn't be used no more than once a month

Re: [Callers] program matrix

Can you explain this further. Specifically, what is "the dance's corresponding row in the dance matrix". Rickey -Original Message- From: callers-boun...@sharedweight.net [mailto:callers-boun...@sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of Bill Baritompa Sent: Monday, February 27, 2012 3:15 PM To:

Re: [Callers] heys for new dancers

On 28/02/2012 9:56 a.m., Jack Mitchell wrote: Lynn or Bill: Would you mind posting "Not a figment..."? Hi Jack, This is the version Gaye called. It's a great flowing dance. Not a Figment of Your Imagination by Lynn Ackerson Becket (note future N on L diagonal) A1: with Partner promenade

Re: [Callers] Overused figures

Many times a dance can be slightly modified with a different move that gets the same result.  An example of this is that a Give and Take can easily replace a Circle Left 3/4 when the next move is a swing.  B N, CL 3/4, Sw P can thus be B N, G where gents bring back the lady, Sw P.   Dave

Re: [Callers] Heys for new dancers

Just to clarify... The A1 becomes a straight across ladies chain over and back, so your partner is in the same hey with you and you meet them back on the side of the set after going through the Hey. Would think that would be self explanatory, but realized when I read the message after it

Re: [Callers] heys for new dancers

Lynn or Bill: Would you mind posting "Not a figment..."? J On 2/20/2012 5:00 PM, Bill Baritompa wrote: lynn ackerson wrote: And some of those dances that flow so well, flow because they keep going in one direction (usually clockwise) almost the whole time, resulting in very nauseous

Re: [Callers] Heys for new dancers

I have seen a few people using a modification of "The Reunion" by Gene Hubert as an introduction to the Hey. The original is: *The Reunion*-- Gene Hubert*Becket* *A1*Left Diagonal Ladies Chain Straight Across Ladies Chain *A2*Straight across Hey *B1*look for your partner in the next Hey --

Re: [Callers] Overused figures

Hi All, Interesting discussion. One of the neat aspects of contra dance (for me) is that so few figures are used to make up dances (as opposed to MWSD). The transitions between them and how they are put together generate interesting and fun dances. There are certain combination that

[Callers] program matrix

On the very top of each of my dance cards I have printed the dance's corresponding row in the dance matrix. From the stack of cards for a planed dance the matrix appears. No need to fill out a separate grid each time.

Re: [Callers] Overused figures

Yes, I do, and I am happy to share it! Larry published his in "Give & Take". In his printed version, the axes are rotated so that the dance moves appear in the first column on the left. In the blank version (attached), you can set it up in whatever way that seems helpful. The second grid

Re: [Callers] Overused figures

An electronic version of Larry's program planning grid can be found here: http://www.quiteapair.us/calling/ Scroll down about halfway, and it's the last item before the subhead"My articles and web pages about contra dance calling"

Re: [Callers] Overused figures

Linda: Do you have a electronic copy of Larry's grid? If so would you please share? Donna "Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we should dance." -unknown In a message dated 2/27/2012 2:08:23 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, laleslie...@comcast.net writes: I agree

Re: [Callers] Overused figures

I agree that men allemande left is found in many good dances and can be overused in a program; circles and long lines forward and back are other moves that can fit this category. One of the many advantages to Caller's Companion, or the use of the grid developed by Larry Jennings, is to

Re: [Callers] Overused figures

It's not overused if you're a new dancer or group of new dancers. I always mark my cards w/a circle with a line through it to remind me this one doesn't have a circle - and I try to fit at least 3-4 non-circle dances in each program, when possible. Ladies chain used to be a problem, too - a few

Re: [Callers] Overused figures

--- Donna wrote: How about Circle Left 3/4? Lately, I've been programming specifically to avoid having a circle in each dance. It's surprisingly difficult to find dances that don't have circles. --- end of quote --- I don't have time now to sift through cards, but I'm wondering how much

Re: [Callers] Overused figures

The most “over”used figure in contra dance, at least in the Boston area, has to be circle left 3/4 at the beginning of a Becket dance. On Mon, Feb 27, 2012 at 13:53, wrote: > I agree. > Does anyone else think that Men allemande Left 1 1/2 is overused? > How about Circle

Re: [Callers] Overused figures

I agree. Does anyone else think that Men allemande Left 1 1/2 is overused? How about Circle Left 3/4? Lately, I've been programming specifically to avoid having a circle in each dance. It's surprisingly difficult to find dances that don't have circles. Donna Hunt "Life may not be the

Re: [Callers] Does this exist?

I like the "Gang of Four" much better, as IMHO men AL 1 1/2 is the most over-used figure in contradancing, and the other dance has (yikes!) two of them.  - Original Message - From: "Joy Greenwolfe" To: "Caller's discussion list"