Re: [Callers] Calling a Halloween dance tonight? Try this circle mixer...

[Amy Cann via Callers]

OOPS

*Rich Blazej* -- his full name somehow got edited out.

On 10/26/19, Amy Cann  wrote:
> Hello all. I'm reposting in memory of Rich, who used to play bass
> clarinet and call at the East Putney Dance that's still happening,
> tonight in fact.
> His dances are idiosyncratic and fun and often proper and don't always
> work in today's halls/culture, but I think this one's a quirky gem.
>
>
>
> Garfield's Escape -- rebranded as "Werewolves and Zombies"
> Circle of couples PLUS ONE EXTRA in the center (Garfield),
>
> A1  All into the center EIGHT steps and back, menacing the Garfield
> A2  Circle left, circle right
>
> B1  Women (werewolves) continue promenading/prowling  single file to
> the right/ccw,
> while men (zombies) "star" by the right -- each man puts his right
> hand on right shoulder of the man in front - including Garfield.
>
> B2  Caller hollers "Escape!" ("Boo!", or maybe "Braaaiiins") and all
> men run to the outside and swing with a woman in the outer circle. A
> new Garfield remains in the center.
>
> Rich himself named this after Garfield the comic-strip cat, way back
> when he was cynical and funny (the cat, not Rich).
>
> "The single man remaining at the end of the dance is entitled to a pan
> of lasagna and some fresh kitty litter".
>
> My favorite normal tune for this is the minor jig Coleraine played at
> a slightly slower lurch-y tempo, but if I'm lucky the band'll do the
> Alfred Hitchcock theme.
>
> I'd love to hear how it goes if you do it, and what variations emerge.
>
> Cheers,
> Amy
>
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Re: [Callers] Calling a Halloween dance tonight? Try this circle mixer...

[Amy Cann via Callers]

Hello all. I'm reposting in memory of Rich, who used to play bass
clarinet and call at the East Putney Dance that's still happening,
tonight in fact.
His dances are idiosyncratic and fun and often proper and don't always
work in today's halls/culture, but I think this one's a quirky gem.



Garfield's Escape -- rebranded as "Werewolves and Zombies"
Circle of couples PLUS ONE EXTRA in the center (Garfield),

A1  All into the center EIGHT steps and back, menacing the Garfield
A2  Circle left, circle right

B1  Women (werewolves) continue promenading/prowling  single file to
the right/ccw,
while men (zombies) "star" by the right -- each man puts his right
hand on right shoulder of the man in front - including Garfield.

B2  Caller hollers "Escape!" ("Boo!", or maybe "Braaaiiins") and all
men run to the outside and swing with a woman in the outer circle. A
new Garfield remains in the center.

Rich himself named this after Garfield the comic-strip cat, way back
when he was cynical and funny (the cat, not Rich).

"The single man remaining at the end of the dance is entitled to a pan
of lasagna and some fresh kitty litter".

My favorite normal tune for this is the minor jig Coleraine played at
a slightly slower lurch-y tempo, but if I'm lucky the band'll do the
Alfred Hitchcock theme.

I'd love to hear how it goes if you do it, and what variations emerge.

Cheers,
Amy
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[Callers] Feeling old and creaky. Recommend some "youth"?

[Amy Cann via Callers]

Hi all. I'm heading in to Boston this weekend to call a double bill for
BIDA -- family dance for an hour, then potluck, then the regular Sunday
evening.

It's intergenerational, leans young/collegiate, uses "Larks/Ravens" (just
found this out) and is in general all things hip.

I am staring at my cards and feeling... Ralph Page-y. Out of date.
Wa too many proper dances. Not enough "cool moves".

Old fashioned.

Help me?

What's your current dance that adapts well to gender-role-free, has an
interesting "hook", isn't too hard, keeps everyone moving, and in general
comes across as "cool"?

Low mental piece count, but interesting pieces?

Contras, sicilians, circles all welcome. Also links to any past threads on
here w/ a similar focus.

I'm going to go drink my Postum.

Amy
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[Callers] Looking for help finding a West Coast band

[Amy Cann via Callers]

Hello all -- I'm traveling to Santa Cruz in August to call a
community-level dance at a family event of an old and dear friend.

I need to put together a band and would VERY MUCH welcome contact info of
coastal musicians, or dance organizers/callers likely to have a contact
list of good prospects.

There's a respectful budget for the gig, and even a finder's/booker's fee
set aside.

Thanks,
Amy (in Vermont!)
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[Callers] Anyone want a sweet rural Vermont gig this Saturday?

[Amy Cann via Callers]

I'm the designated caller but my favorite partner-in-crime Laurie Indenbaum
just got freed up to play fiddle and I'd rather make harmonies with her
while one of *you* calls.

The East Putney Dance has been going since forever, is on a dirt road
nobody can find, but people seem to show up any way, has a two-holer
outhouse -- *with padded seats! -- *and a loyal regular crowd big enough to
make two sets, and pays dozens -- dozens, I tell you! -- of dollars.

It's an All-Comers Night which means a bunch of extra musicians will be
sitting in on accordion and harmonica and of course more fiddles, but Carol
Compton keeps them well in line from the piano, and rumor has it a busload
of Putney School teenagers may show up with their exuberance and, um,
creativity.

The dancers will dance ANYthing, contras or circles or singing squares, and
they'll even do dances with clapping and arches without sneering.

If all this sounds impossible to resist, email me directly?
We actually do pay traveling callers somewhat reasonably...

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

[Amy Cann via Callers]

Hello again all -- it has been brought (gently) to my attention that I have
been laboring under a delusion, that I have strayed from the path...

"Do-SI-do, do-SA-do" does not mean back-to-back starting right shoulder,
then back to back starting left shoulder.

Deep down I know this, I swear, I know they're the same term with different
accents, but SOMEwhere.SOMEhow I started using the phrase/habit with a
particular wedding dance and it stuck. No idea why. Total brain fart.

Thank you, Tony Parkes, for leading me back into the light of truth.
I'm going to go recite the moves of Moneymusk three times and light a
candle to Ralph Page and hope that's enough penance.

Please replace the B1 part of my silly Star Wars trash compactor dance with
"Do Si Do, See-Saw"

Yikes,
Amy



On Thu, Feb 22, 2018 at 2:22 PM, Amy Cann  wrote:

> Hey all! This dance just popped into my head as part of a discussion over
> on the pourparler/family dance community.
>
> I have NO idea if I've just reinvented someone else's wheel or not. Anyone
> know?
>
>
> Working Title: *"I've Got a Bad Feeling About This" *
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U3Oti2L8S4
> Suggested Tune: *Cantina Theme*  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6PDcBhODqo
>
>
> Eight or more couples, "Big Square" formation
>
> Prep: form up like you're going to do a big circle, then "square the
> circle": divide dancers into four equal sets of partners, lined up along
> four NSEW walls.
> Wave at people across the room, figure out who your opposite pair is.
> Sides and Top walls can be slightly different numbers of partners as long
> as they match each *other*.
>
> *Side walls advance, right hand allemande* with opposite, retire
> *Top walls sashay *to opposite side (if gendered: "Drive in the right
> lane, men passing back to back")
> *Side walls advance, left hand allemande*, retire
> *Top walls sashay* home
>
> Everyone *dosido* partner,
> *do-SA-do* partner,
> *promenade* to next WALL.
>
> Do the dance four times with calls, four times "on your own"
>
> Possible prep practice: Tops advance, meet/identify your opposite, retire.
> Sides in, identify, retire. All promenade to next wall.
>
> Depending on size of hall, number of couples, and experience
> level/sobriety of dancers, this could either be cleanly/tightly phrased or
> a total pig-pile, sorta like Foula Reel.
>
> I'm going to totally try this at our (small, square-shaped, local,
> fun-loving and open-minded) Peirce's Hall this weekend, if Steve Howland
> will share the mic for a moment, but before I do:
>
> Does this already exist, and I've just forgotten?
> Or anything similar?
> Does it work in real life, with the right crowd/band/hall?
>
> Kinda excited to find out...
>
> Cheers,
> Amy
>
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[Callers] "I've Got A Bad Feeling About This" -- does this dance exist?

[Amy Cann via Callers]

Hey all! This dance just popped into my head as part of a discussion over
on the pourparler/family dance community.

I have NO idea if I've just reinvented someone else's wheel or not. Anyone
know?


Working Title: *"I've Got a Bad Feeling About This" *
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U3Oti2L8S4
Suggested Tune: *Cantina Theme*  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6PDcBhODqo


Eight or more couples, "Big Square" formation

Prep: form up like you're going to do a big circle, then "square the
circle": divide dancers into four equal sets of partners, lined up along
four NSEW walls.
Wave at people across the room, figure out who your opposite pair is.
Sides and Top walls can be slightly different numbers of partners as long
as they match each *other*.

*Side walls advance, right hand allemande* with opposite, retire
*Top walls sashay *to opposite side (if gendered: "Drive in the right lane,
men passing back to back")
*Side walls advance, left hand allemande*, retire
*Top walls sashay* home

Everyone *dosido* partner,
*do-SA-do* partner,
*promenade* to next WALL.

Do the dance four times with calls, four times "on your own"

Possible prep practice: Tops advance, meet/identify your opposite, retire.
Sides in, identify, retire. All promenade to next wall.

Depending on size of hall, number of couples, and experience level/sobriety
of dancers, this could either be cleanly/tightly phrased or a total
pig-pile, sorta like Foula Reel.

I'm going to totally try this at our (small, square-shaped, local,
fun-loving and open-minded) Peirce's Hall this weekend, if Steve Howland
will share the mic for a moment, but before I do:

Does this already exist, and I've just forgotten?
Or anything similar?
Does it work in real life, with the right crowd/band/hall?

Kinda excited to find out...

Cheers,
Amy
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[Callers] Calling a Halloween dance tonight?

[Amy Cann via Callers]

Here's my annual bid to keep the dances of Rich Blazej out there; I try and
call his dances whenever I can and this one's a Halloween favorite, re-done
as "Werewolves and Zombies". First the original:

*Garfield's Escape* -- circle of couples PLUS ONE EXTRA in the center --
the Garfield

A1  All into the center EIGHT steps and back, menacing the Garfield
A2  Circle left, circle right

B1  Women (*werewolves*) promenade single file to the right, while men (
*zombies*) "star" by the right -- each man puts his right hand on right
shoulder of the man in front - including Garfield.

B2  Caller hollers "Escape!" (*"Boo!", or maybe "Braaaiiins*") and all men
run to the outside and swing with a woman in the outer circle. A new
Garfield remains in the center.

Rich himself named this after Garfield the comic-strip cat, way back when
he was cynical and funny (the cat, not Rich) --
"The single man remaining at the end of the dance is entitled to a pan of
lasagna and some fresh kitty litter".

My favorite normal tune for this is the minor jig *Coleraine*, played at a
slightly slower lurch-y tempo, but if I'm lucky the band'll do the Alfred
Hitchcock theme.

The thing that makes it is the *eight* counts in/out, the steps become
small and tiptoe-y/menacing -- it gives dancers space and time to throw in
all sorts of shenanigans, and each Garfield tends to try and top the last
with the quivering and shivering. Kids especially love making a grownup
cower.

Have fun, just thought I'd share -- and I'd love to hear how it goes if you
do it, and what variations emerge.

Cheers,
Amy
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[Callers] Anybody want a gig Saturday?

[Amy Cann via Callers]

Putney VT is short a caller. Very sweet local dance, 7:30-10:30,
all-contras is ok but a mix of contras/circles/longways is way OK too.
Email me directly and I'll give you the gory details.

Amy Cann
802-222-7598

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

[Amy Cann via Callers]

It's a friendly low-key local community dance, and they know I'm mainly a
contra caller, so the potential for hurled tomatoes is low -- but I still
want to not stink too much.

Any suggestions for dance choices or thought-habit adjustments?

Back to scribbling on my 3x5 cards and re-reading Lloyd Shaw...

Amy

Re: [Callers] Calling a Halloween dance tonight? Try this circle mixer...

[Amy Cann via Callers]

Tony, I keep trying to imagine you saying "Briins" to a bunch of
zombies, and I keep getting a fair amount of cognitive
dissonance/pushback...

On Sat, Oct 29, 2016 at 10:16 PM, Tony Parkes <t...@hands4.com> wrote:

> Thank you, Amy! I used it tonight at a wild church party, calling it
> Zombie Escape. This was a record dance, so I used the track of Brisk Young
> Lads that the Canterbury made for CDSS in the 1970s. It’s a jig in A minor
> like Coleraine, so it worked perfectly.
>
>
>
> Tony
>
>
>
> *From:* Callers [mailto:callers-boun...@lists.sharedweight.net] *On
> Behalf Of *Amy Cann via Callers
> *Sent:* Saturday, October 29, 2016 12:54 PM
> *To:* Caller's discussion list <call...@sharedweight.net>;
> pourpar...@yahoogroups.com; Lisa Sieverts <l...@lisasieverts.com>; Don
> Primrose <limerickf...@gmail.com>; Laurie Indenbaum <l...@sover.net>;
> Carol Compton <ca...@bitdance.com>; David Kaynor <davidkay...@mac.com>;
> Dave Bateman <dave.batema...@comcast.net>; Tod Whittemore <
> t...@stephensmtg.net>
> *Subject:* [Callers] Calling a Halloween dance tonight? Try this circle
> mixer...
>
>
>
> I try and call the dances of Rich Blazej whenever I can and this one's a
> Halloween favorite, re-done as "Werewolves and Zombies".
>
> *Garfield's Escape* -- circle of couples PLUS ONE EXTRA in the center
> (Garfield)
>
> A1  All into the center EIGHT steps and back, menacing the Garfield
>
> A2  Circle left, circle right
>
> B1  Women (werewolves) promenade single file to the right, while men
> (zombies) "star" by the right -- each man puts his right hand on right
> shoulder of the man in front - including Garfield.
>
> B2  Caller hollers "Escape!" ("Boo!", or maybe "Braaaiiins") and all men
> run to the outside and swing with a woman in the outer circle. A new
> Garfield remains in the center.
>
> Rich himself named this after Garfield the comic-strip cat, way back when
> he was cynical and funny (the cat, not Rich).
> "The single man remaining at the end of the dance is entitled to a pan of
> lasagna and some fresh kitty litter".
>
> My favorite normal tune for this is the minor jig Coleraine, played at a
> slightly slower lurch-y tempo, but if I'm lucky the band'll do the Alfred
> Hitchcock theme.
>
>
>
> Have fun, just thought I'd share -- and I'd love to hear how it goes if
> you do it, and what variations emerge.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Amy
>

[Callers] Calling a Halloween dance tonight? Try this circle mixer...

[Amy Cann via Callers]

I try and call the dances of Rich Blazej whenever I can and this one's a
Halloween favorite, re-done as "Werewolves and Zombies".

*Garfield's Escape* -- circle of couples PLUS ONE EXTRA in the center
(Garfield)

A1  All into the center EIGHT steps and back, menacing the Garfield
A2  Circle left, circle right

B1  Women (werewolves) promenade single file to the right, while men
(zombies) "star" by the right -- each man puts his right hand on right
shoulder of the man in front - including Garfield.

B2  Caller hollers "Escape!" ("Boo!", or maybe "Braaaiiins") and all men
run to the outside and swing with a woman in the outer circle. A new
Garfield remains in the center.

Rich himself named this after Garfield the comic-strip cat, way back when
he was cynical and funny (the cat, not Rich).
"The single man remaining at the end of the dance is entitled to a pan of
lasagna and some fresh kitty litter".

My favorite normal tune for this is the minor jig Coleraine, played at a
slightly slower lurch-y tempo, but if I'm lucky the band'll do the Alfred
Hitchcock theme.

Have fun, just thought I'd share -- and I'd love to hear how it goes if you
do it, and what variations emerge.

Cheers,
Amy

[Callers] Need caller this Sunday, 45min. outdoor family dance part of Harvest Fest

[Amy Cann via Callers]

at The Putney School in Vermont.

Galopede, Lucky Seven, Alabama Gal, maybe one more, boom done.

Band/sound system provided.
I'd do it myself but I can't be in three places at once.
Respectable budget.

Email me directly or call 802-222-7598.

Thanks,
Amy

[Callers] Just had to share this:

[Amy Cann via Callers]

It's 5:00. At 7:30 tonight I'll be calling a dance for about 150 Putney
School teens freshly-returned from their Long Fall wilderness trips.
They'll be smelly and exuberant.

An hour ago at 4:00 I was planning my program and had a sudden wave of
"Gosh, I'm sick of my own material."

You know how it's easy to stick to the tried-and-true favorites you *know*
will work?

But once in a while your repertoire starts to feel like the pillowcase when
you've been stuck sick in bed for too long? You turn it over and over but
you can't find a fresh cool spot anymore?

So I went to my gmail  archive, typed in "circle mixer",
browsed a bunch of old threads, and am now going out the door freshly
invigorated.

What a vital, valuable,  inspiring community this is.

Thanks, all of you.

Amy

[Callers] Meetup/BBQ after Colin Hume/Tony Parkes doubleheader in Dummerston tomorrow?

[Amy Cann via Callers]

If you're planning on coming to the Caller's Delight English/American mix
in VT tomorrow, you are MORE than welcome to stay after and eat/ talk shop.

If the weather is good, the Top Of The Hill Grill on the north end of
Brattlebore is the most likely candidate; if it's raining (please no..)
then Chinese might work better - we can decide just after the last waltz.

(Details are on the Dance Gypsy/Monadnock Folklore sites)

Cheers,
Amy

802-222-7598

[Callers] Does anyone have updated contact info for Colin Hume?

[Amy Cann via Callers]

I have a phone message from him (about gigs in July) that says "My regular
email isn't working, use kbg%mdhweue%$$%^ -- and the way his phone #
displays doesn't work in the opposite direction. I've tried a bunch of
combinations but they keep bouncing.

If you've got a working cell number or a good email, cc this on or tell him
to contact me at this address and give me the good stuff in writing?


Thanks,
Amy

802-22-7598

[Callers] Caller needed this Sunday, Framingham MA, 4-5:30, private gig, pays decently.

[Amy Cann via Callers]

Hi folks. I need to hand off this gig to be at a memorial service.

This is a dance celebrating the installation of an old student and dear
friend of mine as the new pastor at the Framingham UCC church.

Expect 150-200 people to be at the installation in the sanctuary; how many
choose to dance afterwards in the church hall and for how long is a
question mark -- probably 75 for the first dance, 50 for the second, 30 for
the third/fourth, and 16 close friends of the brand new Reverand for the
final one, if I had to guess. Community/family dance repertoire, not
hard-core contra.

Budget is 400; I'm willing to pitch in 50$ of my own to bring it up to 150
each.

I'm very sorry to be missing this, but the memorial concert for a colleague
who recently, suddenly, and sadly passed away has to take precedence.

I'd welcome suggestions for family-dance-savvy callers within reasonable
driving range who might not be regularly reading this board.

Thanks,
Amy

[Callers] I'm marooned near Asheville for the week -- will trade ride for opportunity to call East Putney...

[Amy Cann via Callers]

Hi everyone. I'm teaching a summer string intensive near Asheville NC this
week and my host has emergent family medical issues that need evening
attention.

I'm in a charming B in Weaverville and get done with teaching at 5:00...

I would DEARLY love to find a carpool to the local dances, I'd be HAPPY to
recompense gas/mileage.

If anyone has any suggestions re: who to contact, which Facebook page to
post on, I'd love to hear them. My phone's 802-222-7598.

IN RETURN, may I offer you the chance to call dances in FABULOUS Pierce's
Hall, East Putney, VT, longtime home of callers Fred Breunig and Rich
Blazej?
Possessor of one of the best two-holer outhouses on the contra scene? Last
Saturday of every month, and if you want a TRULY scintillating time, come
on the months the All-Comers band is playing with its phalanx of fiddlers,
masses of mandoliners, fleets of flautists, grand line of guitarists, and
also a few dogs? We pay a PRINCELY sum.

Actually, if you want to call Putney and know nothing about Asheville, you
can still email me.

Cheers,
Amy