Re: [Callers] Brain Dead - Need Suggestions

For added “music education” make the teens listen for the AABB pattern. I wouldn’t even go that far for under 7th grade unless they play an instrument. > On Aug 17, 2019, at 13:14, David Harding via Callers > wrote: > > I don't read the request as going beyond beat counts. The basic

Re: [Callers] Contra dancing... on ICE!

Beats out the Farmall Tractors’ square dance easily! I’m ashamed to even compare them. > On Apr 15, 2019, at 13:57, Luke Donforth via Callers > wrote: > > I'd like to share this because I think it's really fun. > > Several months ago, I was approached by the coaches of a Theater on Ice team

Re: [Callers] Calling techno?

Just to expand people’s idea of “techno”, let’s include “non-traditional music contras”. People often conflate these. As an umbrella term, “techno” does not have to mean dimmed or special lighting. There’s a lot of fun in dancing to any music appropriately edited for contra dancing in normal

[Callers] Samson earset for sale

I have a brand new Samson SE10 (earset microphone) which comes with several connectors to work with different beltpack transmitters. I move around way too much when calling and the original broke. Samson sent me a replacement under warranty so this is completely new: it still has the plastic

[Callers] Linda Leslie website preserved here

Linda posted many of her dances on her website. With the original site gone, I’d like to share the copy I preserved. I plan to keep it up for a very long time. http://lindalesliecaller.contracorner.com/ If you have bookmarks that used to point to http://www.lindalesliecaller.website/, you

[Callers] French Four as a triplet

While taking today to clean up my dance inventory I took a look at French Four, which goes like this: French Four Contra Duple/Improper Traditional A1 1s balance, right pull by, cross below 2s, 2s move up 1s balance, right pull by, cross above 2s, 2s move down A2 1s Balance &

Re: [Callers] Twitter and Instagram for Contra Dance Marketing

Twitter was not successful for us after a year of effort. See https://twitter.com/lcfd_dance . We poll newcomers at the door. Word of mouth (or personal networks) is by far the most successful method. Facebook, websites, and MeetUp are also successful. It’s not

Re: [Callers] Colds

Thanks everyone for the replies. Those were unsurprising and pretty much what I expected. * Give as much notice as possible (days in advance). * Cancel if you’re contagious, or can’t perform well or drive safely. * If you go ahead, expect to be as alert, lively, and cheerful as usual. * The

[Callers] Colds

Cold and flu season is on us. Where is the line between cancelling on a gig and forging ahead despite how I feel? I guess it’s a matter of how composed I can be and how quiet I can keep my conditions from the dancers. Medication can help, but can interfere with safe driving. If I feel I must

Re: [Callers] hearing impaired

I call and I’ve a small hearing loss. It’s enough that I need hearing aids. Dancers have to be quiet if there’s a question from the floor. Having a wireless helps a lot so I can walk over to them. Partly due to my hearing I need to focus extra attention on making my voice clear, too. As for

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

[Callers] Equalizer

I have another sound equipment question. My natural voice comes out muffled and bassy at the back of the hall unless I make a concerted effort to raise my pitch and project from the diaphragm. I am also paying more attention to my mic position. All these are good things to do anyway, but it

Re: [Callers] Holiday Contra

Dancers enjoyed this near the end of the evening. Just had to be careful to teach and call about 1s circling with the one on the left in A1. Christmas Hornpipe — improper — by Ted Sanella A1 1s hands-three with woman-2 below, balance & circle 2x (16) A2 1s hands-three with man-2 below,

[Callers] Listening comprehension

I’m printing this and keeping it in my calling kit: http://muddlersbeat.com/comic/puzzles-for-tots/ It’s a great reminder that my exquisitely, perfectly chosen words just. might. not. be. ___ List Name: Callers mailing list List Address:

Re: [Callers] Halloween

There’s this no-swing dance, which I got from https://www.cambridgefolk.org.uk/contra/dances/devils_dream.html The Devil's Dream Traditional Improper Contra A1 1s face down and lead down the centre while the 2s face up and go up the outside all turn alone and lead back to give neighbour

Re: [Callers] Pirate Themed Dances!

How about "ARR-lemande left" and "dosados yer matey" (or neighb-ARR if that's not redundant). Of course ask the band for some hornpipes. For simple costuming, rig an eye patch and do-rag (pirate style). A plastic Captain Hook hook shouldn't be too hard to find (albeit usually children's