Re: [Callers] Waltz-Time Contra Choreography

2017-08-13 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi, Dugan asked about waltz contra choreographies. The music in the Allison Wonderland video is much faster than I would use for a contra waltz. Many of the dancers seem to end up almost running to keep up. The waltz at the beginning or end of an evening at a contra dance is

[Callers] Hole in the Wall Crossing

2017-10-03 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Angela, “Hole in the Wall” isn’t a move. It is a dance from 1695. The “Hole in the Wall Crossing” is not a new move. It is a stylised version of a normal Cross Over. You can see it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=25=TUxbcJIOHNY There are

Re: [Callers] Another approach to Gender Free calling

2015-06-02 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Andea asked, "I would love to hear from those who have danced Morris or other single gender sets in hands four whether they use numbered corners or some other designation." Most Cotswold Morris is six men - two lines of three. And, yes, we say First Corners for the long right diagonal (what ECD

Re: [Callers] How to Describe a Ricochet Hey

2015-06-20 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
If "a picture is worth a thousand words" then a demo must be worth even more. Of course you should do demos if they help. Demonstration is one of the oldest ways of teaching contra dances. When contra dances were first recorded in the 1650s, demonstration was generally the ONLY way of teaching.

Re: [Callers] Buzz Step Swing

2015-06-20 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Dale said, "Don't teach advanced techniques to new dancers. Forget the buzz step." Sorry, but I must disagree most strongly. In an average evening of contra dancing you will spend nearly thirty minutes swinging (if the dances are in the Modern Urban Contra Dance style rather than the older

Re: [Callers] Giving Weight

2015-06-28 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
I really, really don't like the term "giving weight". It is a technical term that is too easily misunderstood. As soon as you mention giving weight some people will start to lean or pull. I don't believe that leaning or pulling have any place in contra dancing. All that leaning and pulling do

[Callers] Dances with One Swing

2015-06-28 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Rich asked for dances with one or zero swings. These are some of mine, many aimed at beginners. Duck! (by John Sweeney) Contra; Improper; Double Progression A1: Neighbour Dosido Neighbour Two Hand Turn - open into a circle A2: Circle Left; Circle Right B1: Men Dosido Ladies Dosido

Re: [Callers] few dancers dances

2015-07-15 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Rickey, Some of your options depend on the skill levels of your dancers and their willingness to explore related genres. There have been lots of great suggestions already. Here are a few more. Many of the Playford dances are great fun and can be danced with the kind of energy that contra

[Callers] Origins of East Meets West

2015-07-21 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
I am going through some old English Dance & Song magazines and found this from December 1964: = = = = = = = = = = = = = East Meets West This dance has been in vogue for many years now and in response to repeated requests, we reprint it here. It was composed, we understand, by Ralph Page after a

[Callers] Family dance questions

2015-08-04 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Yes, the spiral is traditional! It is part of the Grand March which goes back at least a couple of centuries. I call a Grand March by leading it, with my wife. I wear a wireless head mike so my hands are free. We just start promenading around the dance-floor encouraging

Re: [Callers] counterclockwise momentum?

2015-09-11 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
What to call after a dance with a lot of clockwise movement: I understand there are some Australian contras where they choreographed a counter-clockwise swing. Of course you would have to be careful with that as most people have never practised CCW swings. The CCW swing then provides

Re: [Callers] Toss the Wench

2015-09-17 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Rich, The dance was first published as "Branle de l'Official" in 1589 in Orchésographie. You can see the original wording, under "B. DE L'OFFICIAL." near the bottom of the page at http://www.graner.net/nicolas/arbeau/orcheso22.html And there's the music, running down

Re: [Callers] other descriptive titles for ONS's

2015-09-22 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
I am in England. 90% of my bookings are for "Barn Dances" or "Ceilidhs". The ones I run go under the name "Dancing for Fun" with a description of: " Come and learn a wide range of wonderful dances, from 17th Century Jane Austen style to 21st Century Ceilidh, including Square Dances, American

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

2015-10-27 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
When I was at university all the college servants were called gyps. According to my dictionary it may just as well have come from the name of a short jacket (obsolete English gippo derived from the obsolete French word jumeau). We are unlikely to ever know the true derivation of the word gypsy in

Re: [Callers] Gypsy Synopsis

2015-10-29 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Sorry, but in 1855, in the magazine Misch-Masch, Lewis Carroll defined Gyre as follows: "Gyre, verb (derived from GYAOUR or GIAOUR, 'a dog'). To scratch like a dog." So, nope, nothing to do with gyration! And, I have always understood it to be pronounced with a hard "g" as in "give". My

Re: [Callers] Gypsy Synopsis

2015-10-30 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Pleas could you clarify how you intend to pronounce "gyre"? I have been saying "gyre" with a hard "g" as in "give" or "gimble". But if it is related to "gyrate" then maybe people are using a soft "g" and making it sound like "jire". Which do you use? Thanks. By the way, I am still having

Re: [Callers] Gypsy

2015-11-01 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Janet, I agree entirely re "gypsy"! But, please, not "Homo Sapien"! "Homo Sapiens" is the singular. The "s" on the end does not indicate plural. You can't take it off to make it singular. The plural is "Homines Sapientes". It hurts when I hear

Re: [Callers] 4 person do-si-do?

2015-12-01 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Luke, I suspect you will have timing problems in a Double Contra because of the extra time it takes for the people at the ends of the lines. I have a couple of dances with a DosiAll and the other challenge is getting them all to start at the same time. I solve this with a

Re: [Callers] Becket Formation

2015-12-11 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Next time you see this couple at a dance, call for Rifleman Formation! Maybe they will stay to see what it is. Yes, before the relatively recent introduction of the term "Becket Formation" that formation was known as "Rifleman Formation", after the English country dance The Rifleman. Yes, we

Re: [Callers] Petronella spin, no chain or allemande?

2015-12-14 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Ron, Try Dopeca: http://www.contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/Dopeca.html Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England j...@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

Re: [Callers] As in Petronella

2015-12-17 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Michael Fuerst wrote, "'Balance and spin' has the same number of syllables as 'Petronella' and avoids unnecessary jargon" Hmmm... well if someone says "Petronella" I know that I am balancing forward and back and then spinning clockwise while moving one place to my right to the place of the person

Re: [Callers] Family dances for 3-9 people?

2016-02-20 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
I use The Horse's Branle for small groups http://www.webfeet.org/eceilidh/dances/horses-branle.html Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England j...@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

Re: [Callers] Novelty & Gimmick Contras

2016-03-18 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Here's a few with a difference; Cumberland Contra is here: http://www.contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/CumberlandContra.html The Slithy Dance is at: http://www.contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/SlithyDance.html Note: You can change the Two Hand Turn in B1 into a Swing; you can teach B2 as a Whole Set

[Callers] DosiWhat? - Correction and Clarification

2016-03-20 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Thanks to Donna for noticing my deliberate mistake! I thought I had fixed the direction of the Lasso... I have reworded A1, hopefully to avoid confusion! The Alabama Rang Tang and the Mountain Dosido were both originally known in their communities as just "Dosido" (spelt anyway you like, but

Re: [Callers] Rates for private events (weddings etc)?

2016-03-27 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Maia, First you have to decide whether you are running a business or enjoying a hobby. I do both and the rates are completely different. As a hobby I charge whatever the gig can afford, going as low as zero. But that has to be stuff that you want to do for fun,

Re: [Callers] Dolphin Heys in contra dances

2016-06-14 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
When I teach a Dolphin hey with lots of people who don't know the concept I get the active couple to link together (leader lets hands trail behind back, trailer hooks on) and dance a hey for three without the active couple trading places (this is also known as a Shetland Reel). Once they

Re: [Callers] Dolphin Heys in contra dances

2016-06-14 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
When teaching a Dolphin Hey to people who are not familiar with the concept I get the leading person to put their hands behind them and the trailing person to hold those hands, then I get them to dance the hey for three without the active couple trading places with each other. Once they

Re: [Callers] Grand Square in a contra?

2016-07-01 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Of course contra dancers like swinging, so you could try incorporating this version into a contra dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfqC8uVfCUo In “Cowboy Dances” (1939) there was also a version with half a two-hand turn (but they called it a swing!) every time you met someone.

Re: [Callers] Box circulate dances

2016-07-20 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
I would always include in the notation the fact that the balances for a Box Circulate are MUCH more satisfying if they are Forward & Back - that sets you up with the right momentum to cross the set. I really wish callers would specify the direction of every balance; for instance if the next move

Re: [Callers] Another Existential Inquiry

2016-07-28 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
I completely agree with the others who have responded. The world needs more dances with fewer swings. I love swinging but I love other moves as well. If a dance has something like "Partner Balance & Swing, Circle Left 3/4, Neighbour Swing" then my immediate reaction is that that is half the

Re: [Callers] Favorite dance to teach a ladies chain?

2016-08-23 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Luke, It depends on the skill levels in the hall. If I have a lot of first timers or perpetual beginners I use a very simple dance like http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/ChainnHey.html For teaching I would much rather do the chain there and back to give more practice; the

Re: [Callers] Favorite dance to teach a ladies chain?

2016-08-24 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Luke, I use Chain 'n' Hey http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/ChainnHey.html a lot with groups where at least some of the people know what they are doing. No, I don't generally draw imaginary lines on the floor for ordinary heys (yes, for a Lichfield Hey!), but I often demonstrate and

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

2016-09-03 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Tavi, I do teach the twirls in a Ladies' Chain, occasionally at a regular dance, but more often in style and technique workshops at festivals. If anyone wants some pointers on how to teach good twirl technique then please see my article at

[Callers] Ralph Page Style

2016-10-10 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi all, I was at a workshop recently where someone asked me if I liked "the Ralph Page style" of contra dance. They claimed that they had been told that he wanted dances to be slower and calmer. Is there a "Ralph Page style"? If so what is it? If he wanted the music

[Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars

2016-10-10 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi all, I have been to contra dances and festivals all over America and everywhere I have danced everyone automatically uses a wrist-lock star (unless the caller has specified hands-across because of the subsequent choreography). But I am constantly challenged in England by people

Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars

2016-10-12 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Read, Yes, you shouldn't pull away from the centre, but then I never recommend that in any move. But you can pull forwards around the circle. I always teach that you are pulling the person behind you, who is pulling the person behind them, who is pulling the person behind them, who

Re: [Callers] Ralph Page Style

2016-10-13 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Neal, Thanks. But I don't understand what Ralph's smoother style was. To me, modern contra dancing is beautifully smooth. Larry Jennings defines the style in Zesty Contras as "zesty, purposeful, extroverted, smooth, meticulously phrased, strongly connected, vigorous, New England,

Re: [Callers] Contra friendly squares

2016-10-16 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Ron, Here are some figures that might fit your needs. But you also need some breaks/choruses that contra dancers will find easy; you don’t have to use ones shown with the figures. Chippenham Square by Colin Hume http://colinhume.com/insts.htm#ChippenhamSquare Geezy Peezy by Larry

[Callers] Wrist Lock Stars - Summary

2016-10-19 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Thanks to all those who contributed. Here is a summary of the key points that were made. It is clear that the wrist lock star is indeed the standard across the USA, with only a few areas using hands across. Summary Names: Wrist Star, Box Star, Wrist-Grip Star, Wrist-Lock Star, Pack-saddle

Re: [Callers] Wrist Lock Stars - Summary

2016-10-21 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
David said, " I would rather have a lump star moving promptly than a beautiful wrist star three steps late". Absolutely! Which is why I always teach the dancers to move their feet first and worry about their hands once they are moving. Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England

Re: [Callers] Wizard's Way?

2016-10-24 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Yes, Dean Snipes. Sent off-list. Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England j...@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

Re: [Callers] Favorite relatively Modern ECD

2016-12-12 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Erik, It all depends on how you, or the group you are working with, define ECD. The definition of country dancing in England is much wider. We'll dance anything the caller calls as long as it is fun. You can find some 50 year old dances at

Re: [Callers] Variations of 3-33 by Steve Zakon-Anderson

2016-12-17 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Instead of Ladies Dosido 1 & 1/2 I always teach Ladies Dosido then Pass Through (by the Right Shoulder). That makes it clearer as to where they are heading (especially if they like spinning their Dosidos!). Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England j...@modernjive.com 01233 625 362

Re: [Callers] Slice vs Yearn

2016-12-27 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Richard Hopkins asked, "What is 'slice'? And is it different from 'yearn'?" I think most people use Slice and Yearn to mean the same thing: As a couple move forward diagonally to face the next couple (default is usually to the left); high-five them with your spare hands (not the one you are

Re: [Callers] Lead & Follow

2017-01-19 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Cara asked, "Is there something wrong with Lead and Follow? Not sure if I have posted this on here before; my apologies if you read it all before. My beliefs, understandings, opinions - some points: 1) Contra is not intrinsically a lead/follow dance style; calling the roles "leader" &

Re: [Callers] Local styles vs. consensus (Was: Another vote for "jets" and "rubies")

2017-01-31 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Yes, but… Variations in local styling can be very unsatisfying unless: 1) visiting dancers are prepared to accept the local styling 2) if the caller sees problems then they explain what the local styling is and ask visitors to respect it At my contra dances I always ask visiting callers

Re: [Callers] ACK! First time calling night of *squares* -- any last minute advice?

2017-02-07 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Meg said, "I have better luck teaching that to beginners if I teach the grand right and left first and *then* add the allemande left, rather than teach it in the sequence it's presented in the dance." The same advice was given by Lloyd Shaw in "Cowboy Dances" in 1939: "It is so simple that it

Re: [Callers] ACK! First time calling night of *squares* -- any last minute advice?

2017-02-07 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Meg, Or you may have seen the Grand Chain, sorry Grand Right & Left for you Americans, without the Allemande in other dance styles. English ceilidh dances don’t bother with the Allemande. And of course it occurred in 1650 dances as well. The earliest record I know of is in

Re: [Callers] Name and author for circle mixer?

2017-03-12 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
"Corner" does not appear to be well defined from the ending position of that Dosido - normally for a Corner the Lady would look Right. In Give & Take it specifies Dosido 1 & 1/4 which makes it clearer - the person now beside you who you did not Dosido, i.e. the one on your left is the one you

Re: [Callers] How do you organize your Dance Card Boxes ? Categories or Other Suggestions ?

2017-04-10 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi all, My categories are a little different: Dances I want to try once I am calling for a group that can handle them Dances for beginners My current set of favourite dances which I will use for most gigs Dances to fall back on when something doesn't work Chestnuts and other traditional

Re: [Callers] Ladies Chain to Allemande Left (Was: Does this dance already exist?)

2017-04-13 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi All, Ladies' Chain to Allemande Left is actually the original version of the Ladies' Chain! I believe that the Courtesy Turn was added sometime late in the 19th century, or maybe in the first half of the 20th century. Prior to that the "Chaine des Dames" was always danced as

[Callers] Two New Dances

2017-05-06 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi All, These two proved popular at Eastbourne International Folk Festival. I would be interested in any comments on them, and on whether the Double Gypsy I have used is common. Rogue's March has the same first half as Devil's Dream, but without the awkward hand change at the end

Re: [Callers] Two New Dances

2017-05-06 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
d Summer 2017) -----Original Message- From: Callers [mailto:callers-boun...@lists.sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of John Sweeney via Callers Sent: Saturday, May 6, 2017 8:18 AM To: callers@lists.sharedweight.net Subject: [Callers] Two New Dances Hi All, These two proved popular at Eastbo

Re: [Callers] New Dance to Share

2017-06-09 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Frederick, You'll find lots of dances at: http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances.html http://contrafusion.co.uk/DancesEDS.html If you call the Weevil, the most helpful things you can do are: Make sure everyone knows that there are seven positions and the "threes" must face the gaps

Re: [Callers] Swing Like Thunder

2017-06-14 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Deborah, The move for two couples is also known as a California Show Basket, an Appalachian Big Set/Square dance move. I have the full Swing Like Thunder as: First Couple out to the Right : Circle Up Four Take Hands Across: Men take hands; Ladies take hands below Ladies Bow:

Re: [Callers] Docey-Doe (Was: Swing Like Thunder)

2017-06-15 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
There is a very good example of the rollaway into a Docey-Doe, that Tony mentions, in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfZZdB2MyKs at 5:16 Then you can see it danced three times in the next dance sequence. Especially check out the one at 6:44 with a lady doing a double spin! Happy dancing, John

Re: [Callers] Super easy dances - do they exist?

2017-06-17 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Linda, Re your Box ‘n’ Swat: I have a somewhat similar dance in my files: Circle Mixers Are Fun (by Tony Parkes) A1) Into the Middle & Back x 2 A2) Partner Right Hand: Balance & Box the Gnat; Partner Dosido B1) Partner Left Hand: Balance & Swat the Flea; Partner Seesaw

Re: [Callers] Super easy dances - do they exist?

2017-06-17 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Linda, Do you try to teach them a Ballroom Hold Swing? I.e. a standard contra swing? I never use that for one night stands. For first-timers I always teach them to put their right forearms together, gently hook their hand around their partner’s elbow, with the thumb below

Re: [Callers] Quiet (was Super easy dances - do they exist?)

2017-06-19 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Jim said: "I think there's more to it than using up a bit of energy. John had also shown the dancers (not merely told/lectured them) that he had something to offer that was fun. I think that could have done at least a little toward making them willing to attend to whatever he was about to

Re: [Callers] Looking for a particular sort of becket dance

2017-06-30 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Kalia, I see you have loads of responses already! Here are a few easy ones from my files that I believe meet your criteria: Bases Loaded (by Jim Saxe, Lydee Scudder, and Tom Thoreau) Contra; Becket (CW) Start by turning the circle of four 1/8 AC so that you face another couple on

[Callers] Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Gypsies (But Were Afraid to Ask)

2017-09-04 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Important note: This is NOT about whether or not modern callers should use the term. Please don't raise that question in response to this note. This is a historical analysis of the gypsy. If you are interested please look at http://contrafusion.co.uk/Gypsy.html where you will find all these

Re: [Callers] Irish Contra Dances

2015-04-04 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Don, As has been said, you really need to find out what they think they mean and what they are hoping for. As an example: Irish people dancing Waves of Tory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsDw57nqUrk English people dancing Waves of Tory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1qtN-kw6Mg

Re: [Callers] Grand Marches

2014-07-03 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Luke, I call a Grand March by leading it, with my wife. I wear a wireless head mike so my hands are free. We just start promenading around the dance-floor encouraging everyone to follow us. For the stationary Arbor/Tunnel, once I have got couples making arches I drop

Re: [Callers] A Dance without Partner Swing

2018-05-13 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Rich, I call them: * As the first dance when there are lots of beginners. Quite often they will dance with each other, so doing a dance with only a Neighbour Swing means that they get to learn to swing with lots of other people before doing a Partner Swing dance together.

[Callers] Sunshine & Dancing - Where to go in Jan/Feb?

2018-06-25 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi all, Karen and I like to get some winter sunshine (temperature averaging at least mid-sixties) with lots of dancing (ECD, contra, square, etc.) on our USA vacations in January or February, taking in a dance festival if we can. Any recommendations as to the best

Re: [Callers] What is a contra?

2018-06-27 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Colin, I think there at least three definitions: 1) Average American understanding today: >From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contra_dance Many modern contra dances have these characteristics: longways for as many as will first couples improper, or Becket formation

Re: [Callers] Double petronella Dance -- Name?

2018-02-11 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi, I don’t know that dance. But I have another dance with that move in my file. I learnt it as a “Petronella Pivot”. You’ll find the dance, “A Glimpse of Beauty “, at http://charleyharvey.com/dances.html Happy dancing,

Re: [Callers] Looking for "fun" dances

2018-02-13 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Since so many people enjoy the contrary circling in The Wheel, you might enjoy this one as well: Suicide Square http://www.ceilidhcalling.co.uk/danceviewpage.php?view=1=9 It is extremely chaotic! You can reduce the chaos slightly by getting the band to stop randomly during the circling, at

Re: [Callers] "I've Got A Bad Feeling About This" -- does this dance exist?

2018-02-23 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Amy, No, no, that’s not what See-Saw means! You can see a See-Saw being performed just after 31 seconds into: https://archive.org/details/square_dancing No, just kidding.  Dosido and Seesaw mean lots of different things (I have a contra

Re: [Callers] Folk Festival - Easy Contra dances to teach Beginners

2018-07-26 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
let go of the pointy hands works much better than “gents on the left, ladies on the right” for ending correctly. Read Weaver Jamaica Plain, MA http://lcfd.org On Jul 24, 2018, at 12:00 PM, John Sweeney via Callers mailto:callers@lists.sharedweight.net> > wrote: Your ne

Re: [Callers] Contras with square dance figures

2018-08-05 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Rachel, Some of the moves that have been mentioned are actually English country dance moves that have been used in squares. Grand Square: 1648: http://sca.uwaterloo.ca/~praetzel/sca/lansdowne.html And a few years later in Playford’s Hunsdon House. This is, of course, a

Re: [Callers] Folk Festival - Easy Contra dances to teach Beginners

2018-07-25 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Here’s another easy one – my version of J & L, using ideas picked from other callers: Jefferson & Liberty #27 Contra; Improper A1: Circle Left; Star Right A2: Star Left; Circle Right – finish where you started B1: #1s Dance Down the Outside (6), Turn around (2) #1s Dance Back

Re: [Callers] New 4x4 composition with a tunnel, and related questions

2018-08-06 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Luke, I called it tonight. We had low numbers so I tested it during the interval with some volunteers as a Four Couple Dance. At the end of the Partner Swing we just faced back to the same line. Or changed it from Head Lines to Side Lines if we wanted different people to go

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

2018-08-13 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Maia, Just take any dance with a Right & Left Through and change it to a Half Promenade. Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England

Re: [Callers] Barn Weddings are a thing now

2018-08-14 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Luke, I call for two or three weddings a year. There are as many non-weddings as weddings in barns. Some of the barns are terrible! The weddings tend to be in the better quality barns. I think a number of old barns have been refurbished to

Re: [Callers] Luke's Tunnel

2018-08-24 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
om being a square dance. Is there a reason to run it as a "contra" rather than a "square"? Or do you find the distinction doesn't really matter? On Thu, Aug 23, 2018 at 8:19 AM John Sweeney via Callers mailto:callers@lists.sharedweight.net> > wrote: I took Luke’s Dou

[Callers] Luke's Tunnel

2018-08-23 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
I took Luke's Double Contra and, since I often work with small groups, made it into a Four Couple Dance: Luke's Tunnel (by John Sweeney/Luke Donforth) Four Couples; Longways; Becket Start in Side Lines; Number the positions as in a Square Dance A1: Neighbour Balance & Box the Gnat - keep

Re: [Callers] Folk Festival - Easy Contra dances to teach Beginners

2018-07-24 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Lorraine, As has been said, if you really want to do contras the you need to have a program which teaches basic concepts and builds on them. Family Contra is a great dance for teaching the concept of progression:

Re: [Callers] does this dance already exist?

2018-09-09 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
A Box the Gnat finishes with you facing the person you did it with. So everyone has to turn 90 degrees to face their neighbour for A2. On another point. It is not a Square Through! (Sorry, just checked Callerlab: Square Thru!) A Square Thru finishes with your back to the last person

Re: [Callers] Circles, Crazy Circles

2018-07-10 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Larry Jenning's words from Give-and-Take (just in case there is anyone out there who doesn't have, or can't find their copy!): = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = GIVE-AND-TAKE: General definition adopted by some callers and composers: The "swingers", a man and a woman facing across the set,

Re: [Callers] Circles, Crazy Circles

2018-07-11 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Rich, If you have a great dance that you want to call but it has a circle, and you have called too many circles, then why not just rechoreograph it to remove the circle? For example you can replace Neighbour Swing; Circle Left 3/4; Partner Swing with Neighbour Swing;

Re: [Callers] Does a 1/2 figure 8 and cast off exist in ECD? In Contra?

2018-07-11 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Luke, I am not sure why you are calling it a Half Figure Eight. Unless I have misunderstood something, you just have the ladies crossing the set, going around each other instead of straight across, while the men move out of the way. Since the active dancers don't go around a

Re: [Callers] Leading, consent in embellishments

2018-03-06 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Jeanette, For star holds see: http://lists.sharedweight.net/pipermail/callers-sharedweight.net/2016-October/001950.html Embellishments are best achieved in a microsecond by a good leader initiating the embellishment and a good follower following it.

Re: [Callers] Leading, consent in embellishments

2018-03-12 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Angela’s point about managing your weight is really important. I hate the term “give weight”! I really don’t want your weight, in swings or allemandes or anything else. I am happy, though, to counterbalance your mass in order to stop centrifugal force pulling us apart. It is dancing,

[Callers] New (?) 4x4 contra

2018-04-04 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
I picked up a Square Dance break from somewhere that was called the Dixie Chain Break: Dixie Chain Break: Heads Hey for Four with hands – Ladies lead with Right Hand Sides the same Heads and Sides do simultaneous Heys – when four are in the middle they do a Hands Across Star (Ladies Star, Pull

Re: [Callers] Need help teleporting to other side of set - new dance

2018-04-10 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Ken, How about: 1) (Balance Forward & Back) Men Orbit CW Half Way WHILE Ladies Allemande Left Half; Neighbour Swing 2) Travelling Gypsy Meltdown: Lock Eyes and the Man starts Orbiting CW with the Lady following, Gypsying around each other to the other side and melting

Re: [Callers] Leading, consent in embellishments

2018-03-16 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
My belief: For the actual dance there is only one Leader: that is the caller. All the dancers are Followers, following the caller’s Lead. Any suggestion that one role has a leading responsibility is misleading and does disservice to all the dancers in the other role. Historically

[Callers] FW: Gate vs Hand Cast

2018-10-08 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Don, Alan said most of it already. You could potentially use any of Gate, Wheel, Wheel Around, Assisted Cast, Hand Cast, Hand Cast Off, Turn as a Couple! From Zesty Contras: Hand Cast Off: Often shortened to “hand cast”, even though it is

Re: [Callers] Gate vs Hand Cast

2018-10-14 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Don, I think that the default definition now is that the pivot point is at the joined hands, but diverse choreography means that it can be anywhere in order to achieve the desired effect. For example in Bob Isaacs’ March of the Triplets, the second pair of

Re: [Callers] Oval Petronella critique

2018-10-18 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Austin, I’ve always found balances in lines to be fun. Yes, it is a different feeling from a Wave Balance, but so is a standard Petronella Balance. The whole line spinning together is great as well. I can’t agree that the “ideal” Wave Balance is Right/Left. That is only

Re: [Callers] Oval Petronella - critique please

2018-10-17 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Bill, I first saw it in The Balanced Diet by Sue Rosen. Here's one I wrote after seeing that: http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/SlithyDance.html I find it better to Balance Right & Left rather than Forward & Back (as in a four person Petronella); it sets the momentum up

[Callers] Twitter and Instagram for Contra Dance Marketing

2018-11-16 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi all, Has anyone had any success at getting new people along to dances by using Twitter or Instagram? If so, please do you have any advice on: How to get started? What sort of material to post? Who to Follow to see some successful usage?

Re: [Callers] Easy contras for teens

2018-09-21 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Don, I get confused when Americans use Sashay in a dance. Do you mean Sashay as in Roll Away with a Half Sashay – where it just means step to the side? Or do you mean Sashay as in the dictionary: “walk in an ostentatious yet casual manner,

Re: [Callers] Teaching a Mad Robin

2018-09-24 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Don, I find that the key word is the one that Maia used: “Slide”. I teach it as slide in front/behind, step forwards/backwards, slide back to where you started. And, very important, I call it as “Slide (to the side)” for the first few times

[Callers] My First Triple Minor

2018-09-24 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Judy, I like Alamo Triad from Give-and-Take. Hands Six from the top. #1s Improper, #2s and #3s Becket, now hold hands in a circle of six - #1s keep your backs to the band. It is Double Progression, so you don't spend so long out at the end. It

Re: [Callers] A Call for Caller Jokes

2018-09-25 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
For loads more, get ready to groan: http://www.jokes4us.com/miscellaneousjokes/dancingjokes.html Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England

Re: [Callers] Barn dances for teens

2018-09-20 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Rick, Here are a few ideas: http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/DiversDelight.html http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/FourJollySheepskins.html http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/PlainHamburger.html http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/WaltzCountryDance.html

Re: [Callers] Calling a "box circulate"

2019-01-07 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
If someone tells me to rotate then I will turn on the spot :-) The move is called Box Circulate. It doesn't make sense to me to use "rotate" instead of "circulate". When you are calling then using instructions such as Men Cross, Ladies Turn (or just Circulate once they have got it) is obviously

Re: [Callers] Intrigued by a Photo

2018-09-13 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Bottoms Up (Author unknown) Five Couples; Longways; Proper A1:Top Two Men Arch; #1 Lady leads Thread the Needle A2:Top Two Ladies Arch; #1 Man leads Thread the Needle B1: Circle Left; Circle Right [OR Partner Swing; Long Lines – gives recovery time if they are late]

Re: [Callers] Easy/Fun Hey-for-Three Contras

2019-01-22 Thread John Sweeney via Callers
Hi Don, You could try http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/HeyDown.html For a more contra feel change B2 to Neighbour Swing; Long Lines Go Forward & Back. You could do http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/TheDolphinsF8.html as a Shetland Reel: #1 Man

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