Re: [Callers] Waltz-Time Contra Choreography

2017-08-08 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
Dugan -- Over in English-country-dance land there are a zillion longways duple minor waltz-time dances. Some of them have contra figures. Gary Roodman's "Winter Dreams Waltz" to Jonathan Jensen's tune starts off with a leisurely unassisted 1s cast down and face up while 2s lead up and face

Re: [Callers] terminology in Sicilian Circle

2017-09-20 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
In the 1980s in the SF Bay Area at English dances (which was where I saw Sicilian Circles regularly) "opposite" was the term generally used.  Nowadays if I call an evening of longways dances and include one Sicilian, if I say "opposite" I get a lot of blank looks, so I say 'neighbor' and the

Re: [Callers] Dances for Novice Crowds

2015-05-19 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
On 5/19/15 1:08 PM, Ben Hornstein via Callers wrote: Hi All, I'm calling a dance this weekend at Comicpalooza, a large comic book convention. The crowd will be at least 95% people who have never danced. What are some dances that you all recommend for this sort of crowd? -Ben If you're

Re: [Callers] Thanks

2015-07-10 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
On 7/9/15 11:58 PM, Claire Takemori via Callers wrote: I'm still looking for good instructions on when to cue the band for the ending? Is it simply when a couple is out at the top that you signal during B1 that there are 3 more times left? Basically, mostly. And you have to stay with

Re: [Callers] Amy dances

2015-09-08 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
Amy's Harmonium, by Cary Ravitz. (Just called that in Petaluma, to good effect.) http://www.dance.ravitz.us/#ah Amy Asked for a Gypsy (which I must have gotten off this mailing list at some point): Amy Asked for a Gypsy by Unknown Contra/Becket-CCW Form:BK Figs:

Re: [Callers] Problem dancers / Crying Wolf

2015-09-09 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
Here's the thing: - There really is harassment, creepy behavior, etc. - There really are cases where third parties see those things and they aren't actually there in the eyes of the perceived victim So organizers have to keep their eyes open and review things on a case by case basis.

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

2015-09-22 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
Depends on what kind of thing it is, but: Community Dance Family Dance No-experience-needed dance Dance for Everybody Community Dance Party (And although I don't advocate it, a bunch of people in the world seem to think "Square Dance" means this.) -- Alan On 9/22/15 12:52 PM, Hulsether Sue

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

2015-10-24 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
On 10/24/15 12:12 AM, Amy Wimmer via Callers wrote: Hello All, I taught a dance this evening that included a ladies' gypsy. I received the email below a few minutes ago. In teaching it I wanted to convey that it is a flirty, eye contact sort of move. This person was obviously offended. I

Re: [Callers] Advice about "gypsy"

2015-10-26 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
On 10/26/15 7:36 AM, Colin Hume via Callers wrote: Well, now we've moved on from political correctness to dance interpretation (reconstruction) I have some interest in the matter. On Mon, 26 Oct 2015 01:40:18 -0700, Alan Winston via Callers wrote: �Basically, Cecil Sharp made up *and named

Re: [Callers] Gypsy Synopsis

2015-10-29 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
On 10/29/15 2:45 AM, Jeff Kaufman via Callers wrote: On Oct 29, 2015 4:24 AM, "Erik Hoffman via Callers" > wrote: > > > No Hand Allemande (and I do think Allemande comes from "The German," a dance) > I wonder

Re: [Callers] As in Petronella

2015-12-16 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
I use "Mad Robin" because that's what people use around here, but I kinda like "sliding doors" for the figure. -- Alan On 12/15/15 10:20 PM, Michael Fuerst via Callers wrote: Movements are best described with the minimal syllables possible with minimal jargon. "Mad Robin" became part of

Re: [Callers] As in Petronella

2015-12-17 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
Martha -- I believe "Double Mad Robin" in ECD is a reimportation from contra of the contra-style Mad Robin. -- Alan On 12/17/15 7:42 AM, Martha Wild via Callers wrote: Hear, hear, John. I agree with you. I’ve heard this move called "petronella turn" at least since the late 80s and, as you

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

2016-02-18 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
This has worked for me: 3 or 4 couples longways. Try to get talls and smalls mixed in each line but partners are across from each other. A1 1-4 Lines go forward and back. 5-8 Link arms in line and as a unit, pass left shoulder (bottom person in one line, top in the other) and wheel

Re: [Callers] Best gigs

2016-03-05 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
I would like to associate myself with Rich's sentiments here: On 3/3/16 10:28 AM, Rich Sbardella via Callers wrote: Although I have had many good nights as a square dance and/or contra dance caller, My best gigs are often one night stands/party dances. It is a thrill to see non dancers learn

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

2016-03-26 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
First off, you're not charging for the number of minutes of dancing. You're charging for your experience, expertise, and skill, showing up on time and being ready to do it, waiting around as necessary, traveling if needed, being mellow if (when) things go over and your time is cut, etc. What

Re: [Callers] Young Adult Rose

2016-03-28 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
Of course you're funning, but this gives me the chance to refer to an incident described in Herbert Asbury's book, "The French Quarter", where a riot broke out in c. 1800 New Orleans and someone was killed because of a conflict over whether to do American or French contradanses at a public

Re: [Callers] New dance?

2016-03-28 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
In fact, MacArthur was considered a potential Republican presidential candidate and made some speeches, but it didn't work out. So he was a politician, too. -- Alan On 3/28/16 9:42 AM, James Saxe via Callers wrote: This isn't exactly a case of naming a dance after a politician (in the

Re: [Callers] Confirming Bookings - Best Practices?

2016-05-08 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
Most of the places I call which take out of town callers have Facebook pages, web pages, etc, and I check those. Several of those places have a standardized reminder email *they* send to booked staff about a week before - "We are looking forward to ...". (At Palo Alto Contra, while I book

Re: [Callers] Dolphin Heys in contra dances

2016-06-13 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
On 6/12/16 10:42 PM, Liz and Bill via Callers wrote: Hi Luke, There is a New Zealand connection. Do you know the origin of the move? I suspect it comes from the Scottish country dance which was in honour of a dolphin named Pelorus Jack. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelorus_Jack

Re: [Callers] On Balances, Box circulates, Allemandes, Circles & Timing

2016-08-24 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
On 8/23/16 8:10 PM, Don Veino via Callers wrote: Following this logic, where an on-time arrival is essential out of a star it would be best to make it hands-across (H-A). In a H-A star, folks can use a similar arm angle adjustment to vary the star circumference (and resulting speed). Due to

Re: [Callers] Amy Cann

2016-09-11 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
Claire: (1) Buy this book: https://smile.amazon.com/Step-Lively-Book-Marian-Rose/dp/0968756905?sa-no-redirect=1 (2) Consider buying this book: https://smile.amazon.com/Alabama-Gal-No-Fail-Singing-Children/dp/1579998429/ref=sr_1_1?s=books=UTF8=1473626812=1-1=new+england+dancing+masters (3)

Re: [Callers] Yet another "Anyone seen this dance?"

2016-09-24 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
If you call it tonight, I suspect some dancers will have some trouble with the circle left all the way around the second and subsequent times through. But let us know how it goes! -- Alan On 9/24/16 2:39 PM, Ric Goldman - Letsdance via Callers wrote: Hi folks, I was thinking about dances

Re: [Callers] Wrist-Lock Stars

2016-10-11 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
go back far enough (1700s) and you get "moulinet" in French sources, "mill" in some English sources,f or what I'm pretty sure are hands-across stars. -- Alan Winston On 10/10/16 9:57 AM, Robert Livingston via Callers wrote: Millstone or "windmill" - term I've seen used in print for older

[Callers] Another "does this easy dance exist already?" query

2016-12-03 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
This came to me earlier today and I don't seem to have it in my collection, although it seems so completely glossary-esque that it must be around. I'm not sure it has any merit other than a pretty low piece count and a partner and neighbor swing; might work in a medley. No place to stop and

Re: [Callers] Favorite relatively Modern ECD

2016-12-11 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
The Mendocino series has a giant band (which lately has included a bunch of people young enough that their parents have to bring them, and then stay and sometimes dance). The band rehearses; they're willing to learn three or four new tunes for an evening, and the organizer will give you a

Re: [Callers] Irish Contra Dances

2015-04-03 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
Don -- I think you should ask the organizers what they have in mind. Have they booked an Irish band? They might be perfectly happy with a regular contra program to Irish tunes, which is what I'd hope it would be. What audience are they aiming for? (If it's at the Irish Cultural Center for

Re: [Callers] Etiquette of refusing an offer to dance

2017-12-16 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
BACDS Code of Conduct says: http://bacds.org/conduct/CodeOfConduct.pdf - "Ask a partner kindly.  Accept their answer cheerfully.  If you are repeatedly declined by a prospective partner, it is best to give them space. Feel free to decline a dance with someone with whom you

[Callers] Fwd: Balancing LEFT in a wave?

2017-11-08 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
Accidentally sent only to Maia. Sent from my iPad Begin forwarded message: > From: "Winston, Alan P." > Date: November 8, 2017 at 11:30:06 AM PST > To: Maia McCormick > Subject: Re: [Callers] Balancing LEFT in a wave? > > I would say the

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

2018-08-13 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
Here's one of mine.  Low piece count, promenade to chain is good flow.  (I never totally love the "chain, look for new neighbors" because you either have to bail out of the courtesy turn to face new neighbor or complete the turn (now facing partner) and turn away to new neighbor, but it's

Re: [Callers] does this dance already exist?

2018-09-08 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
Tom — Why is the square through 4 10 beats? — Alan Sent from my iPad > On Sep 8, 2018, at 1:39 PM, Tom Hinds via Callers > wrote: > > Jean, nice dance. Let us know how it goes if you try it out. I would be > surprised if your dance has been written before. You list it as a double >

Re: [Callers] does this dance already exist?

2018-09-08 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
It really doesn’t make much difference in this case since the domino will take 8 beats if there’s 8 beats left. I was just curious about 10 for the square through - in English dancing we do have eight beat circular heys (like “Collier’s Daughter”) but the convention is usually not to take

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

2018-07-10 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
Luke -- This isn't directly responsive to your actual question, but here's what it reminded me of: In proper duple formation, the place where same-sex neighbors would stand in improper formation is diagonally opposite.  Most longways English dances are proper, so in English for these

Re: [Callers] Programming a Dance

2018-03-14 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
My approach varies considerably depending on what kind of dance it is, and it also depends on my attitude about it and the musicians attitude about it. I work with a lot of different musicians in my different dance worlds (English, contra, Civil War, Regency, Early American, Victorian,

Re: [Callers] Interesting dances without role-specific calls?

2018-09-04 Thread Alan Winston via Callers
If you can teach pass through to a wave and swing through to a new wave  as "couples start to pass through across; the 2 people who *can* catch left hands do so and allemande 1/4 while the others continue to the sideline; neighbors allemande right halfway and the two now in the middle