Re: [Callers] What is a contra?

[Donald Perley via Callers]

For my definition, key elements of a contra include:
1) repetition of a fairly short sequence of moves (typically 64 beats)
2) Whole and minor sets, couples progressing to a new minor set every
repetition.
3) The concept of dancing as part of a set more than couples or
individuals doing their own expression.

I'm waffling a bit on whether the form of the music (ie A and B parts)
should be included.  For tradition, I can search my collection for
"contradance" (or contradanze etc) and come
up lots of examples by Mozart etc in the same form we are used to today.


On Thu, Jun 28, 2018 at 7:13 AM John Rogers via Callers
 wrote:
>
> Colin,
>
> I realize this isn’t the kind of answer you are looking for, but I’ll muddy 
> the waters a bit, and then draw a conclusion.
>
> In the 1980s and 1990s I lived in Switzerland and was very active in 
> International, Swiss, and Scottish dance groups.  (I eventually had two 
> contra groups running, but that is a different story.)  The Swiss groups put 
> on a big dance for New Years, and if you planned to attend, you had to 
> practice up on a dance called the “Francaise.”  When I was taught the 
> Francaise, I was astonished to see that most of the figures were recognizable 
> as Contra/ Square figures, but given French names.  (“Right and Left Through” 
> or “Rights and Lefts” was called “Chaine Anglaise” for instance.)  
> Researching this a bit, I discovered that the “Francaise” was actually short 
> for “Contredanse Francaise.”  It turns out the French brought “Country 
> Dancing” back from Britain to France, and called it “Contredanse Anglaise.”  
> This spread through Europe, becoming all the rage in the 1800s, with dance 
> tunes being written by such luminaries as Johann Strauss.  Apparently the 
> rest of Europe thought the dance form came from France, because it was known 
> as “Contredanse Francaise” elsewhere.
>
> Interestingly, the “Francaise” I learned was a non-progressive contra, i.e., 
> done in proper lines but you stayed within your minor set of two couples.  
> That this dance form was also known as a Quadrille caused me to look up the 
> origin of the word “quadrille.”  Apparently it comes from the Italian name of 
> a square military formation.  I cannot explain what is “quadrille” about a 
> non-progressive proper contra, unless it refers to the 4 dancers in each 
> minor set.  (Since it is non-progressive, maybe that makes sense.)
>
> Here’s the really odd part:  there was another dance form popular among the 
> Swiss dancers, that was known as “Kontra.”  These were - I am not making this 
> up - SQUARES.
>
> Ok, my point is that it is pretty much hopeless to define very precisely what 
> a contra dance is.  I may have skipped over it, but did anyone else mention 
> whole set longways dances, like the Virginia Reel?  In my opinion, those are 
> contras, but not of the New England variety.  How about Sicilian Circles, 
> which are just contras bent around into a circle?  (And somebody please tell 
> me what is Sicilian about them!)
>
> Regarding the type of music, I have danced (and have written) contras in 
> waltz time. Having also danced Contra figures to music by Strauss, I would 
> have to opine that the type of music has little to do with the definition of 
> the dance form.  But that’s only my opinion and my whole point is that there 
> are so many opinions out there that arriving at a precise definition is 
> hopeless.
>
> Enjoy it, whatever you decide!
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On Jun 27, 2018, at 4:55 PM, Jeanette Mill via Callers 
>  wrote:
>
> Hi Colin
>
> Interesting question. I have similar questions looking at this from 
> Australia. I have started running workshops titled something like "Modern New 
> England Contra Dance". (This is not to alienate folk from other parts of the 
> US, but most of my exposure to contra has been in New England). Then I can 
> focus on what the elements of such a dance are, which is what makes the 
> modern contra dance scene what it is.
>
> Then there is the historical stuff, ie what led up to contra's current 
> distinctive style, without which the current dance style would not have 
> evolved. And the innovation (eg techno contra - see comments below about 
> music), without which it will stagnate. But I don't talk about this in a 
> dance workshop - this is nerdy caller stuff.
>
> Then there is the music. Is dancing to anything other than what I would call 
> contra dance music strictly contra dancing? We have related forms of music in 
> Australia which have evolved from the same roots, but have a different feel. 
> I would argue that the pure New England Contra style needs to be accompanied 
> by pure contra dance music. A reel played in Irish style can have a 
> completely different feel to the same tune played in contra style. I can hear 
> the difference but can't currently describe it in words  - something for 
> somebody's PhD I suspect. I think the package of the right dance and the 
> right 

Re: [Callers] Politically Correct?

[Donald Perley via Callers]

When history shows a number of new terms introduced over the years,
and each, after a while, picks up the taint of being derogatory, you
eventually figure out that
the word itself isn't the real problem.

Using the tainted water analogy, if the person serving your water has
typhoid, asking for a new glass from the same waiter won't help much.

On Wed, Mar 28, 2018 at 10:16 AM, Jen Morgan via Callers
 wrote:
> Hello folks
>
> I'd just like to second what Ron said.  We keep hearing about how organisers
> would like to "get Young People in", but then express disdain for the things
> we care about, such as avoiding offensive language.
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Re: [Callers] Dance logs and record-keeping

[Donald Perley via Callers]

Our dance format features multiple callers in an evening.  I recall
one week we had 2 of the callers call the same dance (different names
for the same
dance) and very few of the dancers noticed.  As mentioned, different
music (especially tempo and time signature) can make it feel like a
different dance.

On Tue, Mar 6, 2018 at 10:28 PM, Mac Mckeever via Callers
 wrote:
> This seems to me to be a lot of effort with very little benefit.  There are
> thousands of dances and each caller has their own approach to programming.
> It is rare for a dance to be called two nights in a row.  When I do see that
> happening I often ask other dancers around me if they remember it - and no
> one ever has.
>
> How would the next caller get access to this info? The logistics would seem
> difficult and unnecessary.
>
> I do not even keep track of what dances I have called.  I start off fresh
> when planning a program.  If I called somewhere and they ask me back next
> year - no one will notice if a couple dances are the same. It probably means
> they were really good ones.
>
> I agree that a different band, etc can make the same dance feel very
> different and that a lot of dances are very similar.  It bothers me more
> when a caller programs an evening with several dances that all feel the
> same.
>
> Mac McKeever
> St Louis
>
>
> On Tuesday, March 6, 2018, 8:22:25 PM CST, Winston, Alan P. via Callers
>  wrote:
>
>
> Oddly enough, I was just in Seattle at the end of February and had a
> conversation about this with Lindsey Dono, who told me to my surprise that
> dancers at Lake City, at least, will complain about getting the same dance
> two weeks in a row, and said that there *was* a log kept of dances called
> locally.
>
> So, Amy, I suggest checking with Lindsey and see if the effort is already
> under way.
>
> In the SF Bay Area, I think our dance populations kinda slop around, so that
> while a core of people may go to the central Bay Area dances (SF, Berkeley,
> Palo Alto), East Bay people may also go to North Bay dances (San Rafael,
> Petaluma) and North Bay people may go to Berkeley or SF but not usually Palo
> Alto, while Monterey Bay people (Monterey, Santa Cruz) go to those dances
> and some come up to Palo Alto, and some South Bay people (Palo Alto, San
> Jose, etc) go to Santa Cruz or Monterey.  The result is that every dancer
> does the dances that are called at the dances they happen to go to, it would
> be a huge coordinating effort to keep all the dances at different dance
> series with somewhat-overlapping attendance separate, and nobody but callers
> seems to care anyway.
>
> For me personally, different band, different tune set pretty much equals
> different dance even with the same figures - but also dances that are 3/4
> the same figures as other dances feel like the same dances anyway.
>
> -- Alan
>
> On 3/6/2018 6:07 PM, Amy Wimmer via Callers wrote:
>
> Huh! I never thought of that for the dance we run. I keep a file of each gig
> and the dances I called at each. I also write on each dance card the date
> and location of each time I've called it, so I don't repeat myself too
> often.
>
> There's a record of contra dances called at Northwest Folklife Festival. I
> don't know how far back it goes.
>
> I'll talk to my fellow organizers about starting this at Emerald City Contra
> Dance.
>
> -Amy
>
> On Tue, Mar 6, 2018, 5:42 PM Kalia Kliban via Callers
>  wrote:
>
> Dance logs, a cumulative record for a series of which dances have been
> called on any given evening, are very common in the English dance
> community but vanishingly rare in the contra community.  Why is that?
> They're really helpful for incoming callers, and it's probably nice for
> the dancers not to keep getting the same dances week after week.
>
> I've only ever known of one contra series that kept a log, and it's
> probably because I suggested it when they started out (the Queer Contra
> series in Oakland, CA).  Are there any contra organizers out there who
> maintain a dance log?  Those of you who do, how do you get the dance
> lists from the callers?  The Oakland series had a little book on the
> stage and the callers would write their programs down as they went or at
> the end of the night.
>
> Part of it comes down to record-keeping on the part of the callers.  I
> keep a personal log of all the dances I've called so I can avoid
> repeating myself when I return to a given venue.  That makes it easy for
> me to produce a set list after the fact if an organizer wants to fill in
> a gap in the log.  Fellow contra callers, do you all keep records of
> what you call, and if you don't, how do you avoid repeating yourself or
> remember what worked well (or not) the last time you called at a
> particular place?
>
> If you work with something like Caller's Companion, do you update the
> program list with what you actually danced as opposed to 

Re: [Callers] Another occupational hazard for callers

[Donald Perley via Callers]

Halogen bulbs also put out a good amount of UV, sometimes a problem for museums

On Mon, Mar 5, 2018 at 4:22 PM, Anne Lutun via Callers
 wrote:
> When was the last time you got a tan at an indoor contradance?
>
> No, this is not a joke. I got sunburned while calling this past Saturday
> (March 3rd, in Pennsylvania).
>
> How is this possible? Probably a damaged metal halide bulb in the community
> center gym where the dance was held. Apparently this is a problem that
> occurs sporadically in gyms all over the country, as I found out after a
> google search:
>
> https://news.vanderbilt.edu/2004/05/19/damaged-metal-halide-lamps-can-cause-indoor-sunburns-56964/
>
> https://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationSafety/AlertsandNotices/ucm116540.htm
>
> I'm very fair-skinned and burn easily, but I'm not the only one who was
> affected — the musicians got sunburns as well, and two of them have (mild)
> eye irritation symptoms. It's only when we compared notes yesterday that we
> realized what had happened.
>
> We will all be ok, and thankfully there haven't been any reports of dancers
> being affected — it was a large and lively crowd, and we kept them moving!
> Other than the burns, it was an absolutely wonderful dance.
>
> The problem had not occurred before at this monthly event because the bank
> of lights that we now think the culprit bulb is a part of is not usually on.
> It was needed that night because some of the other lights had burned out.
>
> I would like to commend the dance organizers for taking the problem very
> seriously. Once informed, they immediately contacted the community center
> management, who in turn promised to address the issue right away.
>
> I don't mean to alarm anyone, but next time you call in a gym, you may want
> to wear sunscreen!
>
> Anne Lutun
> Philadelphia, PA
>
>
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Re: [Callers] Pirate Themed Dances!

[Donald Perley via Callers]

Not exactly pirate, but Hull's Victory is nautical theme with waves
and a horpipish
dedicated tune.

On Sat, Sep 16, 2017 at 10:29 AM, Don Veino via Callers
 wrote:
> Well, there's my The Love Pirate, which offers the softer side of the pirate
> lifestyle: http://veino.com/blog/?p=1634
>
> On Sep 16, 2017 10:21 AM, "Angela DeCarlis via Callers"
>  wrote:
>
> He- Ahem- AHOY, Shared Weight?
>
> Did you know that September 19 is International Talk Like a Pirate Day?
>
> Me neither, but the dance I'm calling tonight was sure to let me know! I
> know there are a bunch of Pirate-themed dances out there (one that I heard
> Maggie Jo Saylor called years ago springs to mind, with two consecutive wave
> balances).  Send along some of your favorites, maybe others with gigs this
> weekend will find they come in handy!
>
> Thanks!
> Angela
>
> www.angeladecarlis.com
>
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Re: [Callers] Genderless calling

[Donald Perley via Callers]

I think the tags were key.  My worst experiences were when gender is
not mentioned, and people have
no reminder of which role they are dancing.

On Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 12:59 PM, Amy Wimmer via Callers
 wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I recently had the opportunity to call a contra to a group of rank beginners
> in a difficult situation: outdoors, on sloping concrete, without
> amplification for either myself or the band, to people not expecting a
> dance, with a band mostly unfamiliar with either contra or fiddle tunes, who
> had no opportunity to practice or choose tunes. It was a staff party with a
> barnyard theme. Granted, this particular good of people is accustomed to
> being spontaneous and silly at times, most are in their 20's, and it's a
> liberal, accepting group.
>
> The organizers wanted to use the terms "cows" and "chickens" instead of any
> other usual terms for dancers. When they arrived at the party each person
> chose a name tag with either a cow or a chicken on it. They didn't know it,
> but this determined which role they'd play in the dance. I arbitrarily chose
> to "put the chicken on the right, because the chicken is always right." (I
> keep chickens, and they ARE always right)
>
> There was not time for much of a lesson, either. It'd have been much easier
> if everyone had joined the dance at the beginning. All said, just about
> everyone had a really great time, myself included. The band was hyped up to
> try another dance evening later in the week, though that never materialized.
>
> I never mentioned gender in any way. That part just seemed to not matter.
> They were dancing with their friends. It didn't matter that they weren't
> experts or even very good.
>
> I was heartened and encouraged to try something like this again, perhaps
> with more widely used dancer terms.
>
> -Amy
>
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Re: [Callers] Trip to ... = ?

[Donald Perley via Callers]

Requirement? I don't know.  All the ones I know have gents and ladies
(in some order) going to the center for a
long wavy line.

On Thu, Jun 1, 2017 at 3:58 PM, Don Veino via Callers
 wrote:
> Silly question of the day: is there some expectation/standard for what a
> "Trip to ..." dance contains - other than the words "Trip to" appear in the
> title?
>
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Re: [Callers] Gypsy perception

[Donald Perley via Callers]

I'd say I'm putting it in the context of a bigger picture, in multiple
dimensions.

I would call diving right into which phrase should replace gypsy
before there is any agreement that it should be replaced
passive-aggressive.

Go ahead and discuss.. as someone else posted, a national group in
Britain uses the term in their web address
http://www.gypsy-association.co.uk/ so maybe you can pop in there and
ask whether they find others using the term in a non-derogatory way
offensive.

Personally, I look at the situation with African-Americans.  There
have been many iterations of a term being offensive and deemed
impolite.  A new term comes into use, but if the same people hold the
same ill feelings with the new term, it also becomes derogatory in a
few years.  Rinse and repeat; you haven't fixed anything.
If a term has its roots in disparagement, (say, "nigger" as a
demeaning variation on negro) then it is offensive from the start.  I
don't think that's the case with gypsy.

On Tue, Nov 3, 2015 at 11:22 AM, Ron Blechner <contra...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Donald,
>
> I am reading your comments as an attempt solely at shutting up other people.
> Is this your intent? It also comes off pretty passive aggressive. That is
> *not* appreciated and *not* helpful.
>
> Disagree all you like, but if you don't want to participate in a discussion,
> please don't interfere with others who do.
>
> Respectfully,
> Ron Blechner
>
> On Nov 3, 2015 9:06 AM, "Donald Perley via Callers"
> <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>>
>> On Mon, Nov 2, 2015 at 10:42 AM, Aahz Maruch via Callers
>>
>> > I have to admit that technically your argument is correct WRT me, but
>> > that's because I haven't been contra dancing at all (except for Queer
>> > Contra Dance Camp).  Instead, I've been focusing my time/energy on
>> > learning to call MWSD, which leaves this as my only outlet for contra
>> > dancing.  ;-)
>>
>> Like I said, more into the crusade than the dance.
>>
>> While we're at it, more offensive terms that may need replacing:
>>
>> Chain - represents slavery
>> Cast(e) - discrimination affecting a billion Indians
>> Swing - derogatory term for swapping sexual partners.
>>
>> I notice that in quotes from the original complainant who spurred this
>> subject, he never claimed to be Roma himself, and it was a little
>> unclear whether he was more offended by just the term gypsy, or the
>> implication that same-gender gypsies would be flirting with each
>> other.
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Re: [Callers] Gypsy perception

[Donald Perley via Callers]

On Mon, Nov 2, 2015 at 10:42 AM, Aahz Maruch via Callers

> I have to admit that technically your argument is correct WRT me, but
> that's because I haven't been contra dancing at all (except for Queer
> Contra Dance Camp).  Instead, I've been focusing my time/energy on
> learning to call MWSD, which leaves this as my only outlet for contra
> dancing.  ;-)

Like I said, more into the crusade than the dance.

While we're at it, more offensive terms that may need replacing:

Chain - represents slavery
Cast(e) - discrimination affecting a billion Indians
Swing - derogatory term for swapping sexual partners.

I notice that in quotes from the original complainant who spurred this
subject, he never claimed to be Roma himself, and it was a little
unclear whether he was more offended by just the term gypsy, or the
implication that same-gender gypsies would be flirting with each
other.

Re: [Callers] Gypsy perception

[Donald Perley via Callers]

It often seems like people on contra email lists and facebook get more
joy from seeking problems to fix it through political correctness than
they do from dancing itself.



On Sun, Nov 1, 2015 at 8:16 PM, Tom Hinds via Callers
 wrote:
> No Aahz my logic is broken.  Our perceptions and experiences are different.
>
> You said,
>
>> The question isn't whether using "gypsy" generates negative stereotypes
>> but whether using the word reminds people of existing negative stereotypes
>> and whether the people referred to by the word have negative reactions to
>> the use of the word.
>
>
> Aahz, you can define the discussion in a narrow way but I prefer to keep it
> more open.
>
> This may surprise you but I have a favorable view of the Romani.  In the
> '80s I danced Flamenco and developed a deep respect for them.  More recently
> I saw a documentary on their culture that centered around a performance of
> them from various countries.  So my view of them has been positive!  Until
> this discussion.
>
> To be honest, the more I read from those who don't want to use the word
> gypsy (in private from some), the less favorable these people are in my mind
> which I don't want.  I realize that your intentions are good but with me
> you've accomplished the opposite of what you want.  Perhaps you should
> consider not using their name in the same sentences with derogatory terms.
> Don't underestimate the power of association.
>
> Tom
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Re: [Callers] sticky floors

[Donald Perley via Callers]

On Mon, Jul 20, 2015 at 4:21 PM, Bill Olson via Callers
 wrote:
> They are often very proprietorial about their floors,
> especially schools! The sad thing is a lot of venues think a "shiny floor"
> is the best floor.

For a gym floor, it's primary function is sports. For a lot of those
you want to be able to apply large horizontal forces without your feet
slipping out from under you.  How much sympathy can you expect when
you say you want more slide?

Re: [Callers] Ferry Boat Contra Ideas

[Donald Perley via Callers]

At least 2 dances commemorate naval victories in the war of 1812: Hull's
Victory and Sacketts Harbor.
 On Jul 8, 2015 3:36 PM, "Lindsey Dono via Callers" <
callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> Hi Callers,
>
> In a couple of weeks, I'll be calling the annual Ferry Boat Contra for the
> second time. Last year I put a good deal of effort into coming up with
> nautical themes/jokes, so this year I'll really need to go "overboard."
>
> I'd love to hear your ideas regarding entertaining (but not distracting)
> maritime moves/terminology/jokes/trivia to add into my program. The
> majority of folks in my area have at least been on a boat other than a
> ferry, and a number sail regularly, but I'd rather keep the references from
> becoming too obscure.
>
> Looking forward to your suggestions!
>
> Lindsey
> (Tacoma, WA)
>
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Re: [Callers] Buzz Step Swing

[Donald Perley via Callers]

One maxim of the quick intro is don't load them with things they don't
need to know.  Buzz step is something they don't need, and they can
learn by observation in their own time.

Highest priority to me are basics, like "What is a contra dance?"
(partner for the whole dance, neighbors for 1 iteration, move down the
line...)

Then things like weight, defense against twirls, some basic moves
(yes, swing, but buzz step is an unneeded option)


On Wed, Dec 31, 1969 at 8:38 PM, Tom Hinds via Callers
 wrote:
> Aahz,
>
> I'm not sure what you're saying in your email.   Do you teach a right and
> left through plus the chain in the beginning lesson because learning those
> moves is critical to the success of the evening?  And are you saying that
> you spend little time with the swing because those other moves are difficult
> and deserve/need more time?
>
> It's understandable that these two moves are difficult because they're so
> similar, not to us but to the newbies.
>
> What if you didn't use right and left through AND ladies chain in the same
> dance or the beginning lesson?  In other words, let people practice/digest
> one before learning the other.
>
> You also said, "so wrong swings have little effect on the overall
> structure/flow of the dance".   Can you explain this to me?
>
>
> T
>
>
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Re: [Callers] Dance length/dances per evening

[Donald Perley via Callers]

Just a guess.. they have arrangements for each set and feel miffed if
they get cut short without getting through each variation.

On Mon, Apr 27, 2015 at 4:52 PM, Amy Wimmer via Callers
 wrote:

>
> I have an oddity coming up: a band for which I am calling has asked to
> take the lead on when to end the dances. I figure one evening of that
> can't hurt, if it keeps the band happy. I will take notes. The leader
> of this band has control issues and knows what's best for everyone.