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

Jo Mortland of the Chicago Barn Dance group here came up with Dipsy. Nice and silly and sounds similar enough it requires no explanation. Sort of like Kipsy! Guess what they say about great minds is true! Sent using two thumbs > On Mar 13, 2018, at 14:41, Perry Shafran via Callers >

Re: [Callers] Programming a Dance

Being in charge of a monthly "open band open mic dance," I rarely prepare -- but I usually have at least a couple of dances in mind, just in case. I never know if another caller will show up or if a room full of newcomers will show up. It's a small venue and the regular dancers are forgiving.

Re: [Callers] Programming a Dance

I should addend my previous response to say I approach a dance preparation as I do a horse show. That's how my mind works. There is a plan and steps to it. Mary On Mar 13, 2018 6:15 PM, "Mary Collins" wrote: I usually start thinking about the program as soon as I book.

Re: [Callers] Programming a Dance

I usually start thinking about the program as soon as I book. Then as far out as two weeks I pull and practice dances, determine suitable music, refine a day or two before and then once at the dance change the whole program. Lol. Not really but once I get there I end up changing order or some

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

Hi, Folks, George Marshall invented the term "Two Eyed Turn" which really means a lot to me. It's short, it's descriptive, and it captures the eyes thing that was always so cool about the Gypsy... My two cents worth. Elizabeth On Tue, Mar 13, 2018 at 5:48 PM, Russell Frank via Callers <

Re: [Callers] Programming a Dance

As a new caller I spend way too many hours preparing. I used to start weeks in advance, just so I could read all the choreography books I have. Now I’m down to 1 or 2 weeks. LOL. Where I’m spending most of my time nowadays is developing a sense of “story” and “biorhythm” to the program, and not

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

I agree, but the problem is more serious than “it’s just too close to gypsy”. If we’re not going to use “gypsy” because it’s an ethnic slur, then we have to avoid obvious code words for the ethnic slur. There’s a long history of slightly altering socially unacceptable race and ethnic slurs,

Re: [Callers] Programming a Dance

Hi, Rich, I come to almost all of my gigs with a program prepared in advance. For each dance slot, I have multiple choices of dance compositions that all fulfill the same purpose (same key figure, same type of progression, same type of orientation, etc.), from which I choose depending on what I

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

On Tue, Mar 13, 2018 at 1:07 PM, Martha Wild via Callers < callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > I don’t think right shoulder round is going to make the grade. It’s > descriptive, certainly, but it is long and unwieldy and can’t be easily > shortened to anything recognizable as you eliminate

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

I've been using "walk'round" and it appears acceptable to the dancers. "Walk around" is already in the MWS jargon so I'm not creating new jargon. If I haven't been told not to use "gypsy" by the organizers then when I teach I say "gypsy walk'round" and which shoulder to use and how to do

Re: [Callers] Programming a Dance

This is why they pay us the big bucks! My process is very much like Jonathan. My calling took a big leap forward when I started paying more attention to what I would say during the walk-thru, and practicing saying it out loud as concisely as possible (Lisa Greenleaf influence!). Jean > On

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

I've been using "eyeball dosido." Not elegant but everyone gets it immediately and never forgets what to do if I use it later on. Chip Hedler On Tue, Mar 13, 2018 at 4:07 PM, Martha Wild via Callers < callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > I don’t think right shoulder round is going to make

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

I don’t think right shoulder round is going to make the grade. It’s descriptive, certainly, but it is long and unwieldy and can’t be easily shortened to anything recognizable as you eliminate calls in the dance. So, I’m sorry, but I’m not going to be using it. Martha > On Mar 13, 2018, at

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

I happen to *like* right shoulder round and have liked it ever since three callers at a dance event used it and it went rather flawlessly.  I like the fact that it is actually descriptive in what you're doing.  I think that the more we try to invent made-up words to try to make it sound fun and

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

I, luckily, never get tired of this conversation as I feel that it’s really important and I feel that it is as yet unresolved. I find it heartening and fascinating that we all are still engaged in this, working so hard to find a solution. It’s also one of my favorite moves. So, that said, I

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

Hi Kalia, I independently came up with using kipsie myself on the way down to calling the Palo Alto contra. I tried it out with dancers before the dance and during the lesson. The overall response was negative. 2 comments came back as: "You're just trying to not say gypsy, so it's still

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

On 3/13/2018 11:02 AM, Martha Wild via Callers wrote: Interesting discussion on the Portland Country Dance Community Facebook page. Lots of great suggestions. A lot of people really don’t like “right shoulder round” (I’m one of them). I tried one of their suggestions last night - Kipsey - and

Re: [Callers] Programming a Dance

I like to have a program of dances selected and laid out for my gigs. Of course I know that sometimes the prepared program has to be departed from, or completely replaced, but I like to at least start from the point of having a prepared program. For a typical contra dance I will spend

Re: [Callers] Programming a Dance

Usually from 2-4 hours, I’d say. I plan in alternatives for harder dances, and I also provide suggestions to the band for what sorts of tunes are needed, smooth, bouncy, marchy, where the balances are. I always pre-program. Occasionally I have to change something on the fly, but not usually an

[Callers] More substitute terms for the g-word

Interesting discussion on the Portland Country Dance Community Facebook page. Lots of great suggestions. A lot of people really don’t like “right shoulder round” (I’m one of them). I tried one of their suggestions last night - Kipsey - and it worked amazingly well. Easy to say, particularly

[Callers] Programming a Dance

I am curious how much time you all plan programming a dance before arriving at a venue. If you do not preprogram, what is your approach for on the fly programming? Rich Sbardella Stafford, CT ___ List Name: Callers mailing list List Address: