[Callers] Re: Aurora O’More

I agree with Greg, 4F4 is a natural setting for the originally described motion. I got intrigued by a similar idea and developed a few a while back. One has been tested so far - it went well ( https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=16712 has the video link). As my site is

[Callers] Re: Modified ballroom swing position: seeking more conversation and info

Absent bad behavior, the force put on the Lark's bicep is under 10 lbs. How determined? Swing really fast, compare effort to a 10# barbell curl. My wife is a great swing partner (and game for the experiment, which we tried from both sides in "traditional ballroom" hold). Slower/normal swing was <5

[Callers] Re: Surely thus dance has a name and author?

Not exactly, but close... there's probably another that's closer? If I Fits, I Sits - Becket Left/CW - Don Veino 20231125 A1 (left diagonal) Circle Left 3/4x, NBR Dosido 1+1/4x to wave/4 (RH to NBR on GNT/LRK home side) A2 Wave/4 Balance, Hinge 1/4, Box Circulate (GNT/LRK cross, LDY/RBN loop)

[Callers] Re: April Fools fun

Along similar lines, there's also this one that intentionally swaps sides: The Alternative - Becket*# - Don Veino * Before rotating to Becket, have dancers note the end of the hall they will progress toward. It'll be toward that same place every time but facing there from the opposite side.

[Callers] Re: April Fools fun

Court Fools knew how far they could take a joke before risking pitchforks or worse - I expect a little of this sort of foolery could go a long way.  That said, and in response to your request - here's one I wrote to honor a valued departed community member, Eph Weiss, some years ago (before

[Callers] Favorite Dances by or for David Kaynor?

Hi, I'm calling a session at NEFFA next month where we're honoring David Kaynor's contribution in music and dance. The band has a relationship with David and will be playing his music. I've searched for David's dances and have several I've called before. What I'm seeking are recommendations for

[Callers] Re: preference for dancing with opposite gender?

FWIW, in my calling and dancing experience, the ratio of people actually dancing to those on the sidelines is better at the "gender free" events than the "traditional" ones. Of course this makes sense if you consider the situation in terms of possible dance slots to be filled. At the series I

[Callers] Re: Gear / money-saving tip on a ~$130 cordless mic

It does appear to be a compelling value but a note of caution: this unit appears to include prohibited frequencies within its operation range. There were changes in the FCC's allowed frequency range for this product type in the U.S. 10+ years back. Quoting the FCC: "What frequency is banned by

[Callers] Re: Ceilidh dances at a contra

Just be sure to warn them first...  https://youtu.be/1msu8iQT3kw?si=wikww-DafmNCAi10 On Sun, Sep 17, 2023, 10:27 AM Rich Goss via Contra Callers < contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Does anyone slip in a ceilidh style dance at a contra? Some of the > mixers work well at contra

[Callers] Re: Travels in Canada

That's "Mahone" Bay - darn spell mangler! On Tue, Aug 22, 2023, 10:28 AM Don Veino wrote: > There is a dance in Mahoney Bay this weekend. We happen to be in Nova > Scotia currently but return to the US on Wednesday, so will miss it > ourselves. > > Here's what I got in response to my earlier

[Callers] Re: Travels in Canada

There is a dance in Mahoney Bay this weekend. We happen to be in Nova Scotia currently but return to the US on Wednesday, so will miss it ourselves. Here's what I got in response to my earlier inquiry: "Hello, glad you found us! We do have a dance in August on, Saturday the 24th. Doors open at

[Callers] Re: [External] Favorite "Experienced" Material?

me > <https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/fcd3f5d71da848759228584d1a49b...@emory.edu?anonymous=signature> > -- > *From:* Don Veino via Contra Callers > > *Sent:* Tuesday, August 8, 2023 6:42 PM > *To:* Shared Weight Contra Callers > *Subjec

[Callers] Favorite "Experienced" Material?

Hey All, Calling my first intentional "experienced" contras evening later this month. While I've got quite a few suitable dance cards, I'd love to hear about ones you feel are particularly successful in such a community series (vs. camp or weekend) setting? More than glossary yet suitable for no

[Callers] Re: Another difficult tune

This sounds like a typical tune set played for our Monday Contras at the Concord (MA) Scout House. Our dancers would happily enjoy this set in an evening. FWIW, to me it feels up energy and lively, like a walk on a bright spring (or autumn ) day. If I recall correctly your community has a

[Callers] Re: Choreo q - contra corners variations

See My Hovercraft is Full of Eels by Luke Donforth for another mixed CC. I have an unpublished riff off that called Alternative Transport (not near my cards or I'd provide the choreo) which can alternate easily. And just for another take for swings out of CC, there's this (definitely not

[Callers] Re: Dances Crafted for a Tune

Hi Folks, thanks for all the inputs! I'm compiling a list, including the results from the same query on the "Rising Callers of America"(!) Facebook group. Will circle back to post the list once done. -Don On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 11:01 PM Don Veino wrote: > I'm looking for recommendations for

[Callers] Re: Curious about a tune - what dance would go with it? - with longish pre-amble

This tune is fairly common around Boston. The B1 says down the hall to me. When all else fails, go with Linda Leslie : Autumn Leaves Becket-CW/Easy (10/21/2000Northampton, MA) A1 Long Lines forward and back

[Callers] Dances Crafted for a Tune

I'm looking for recommendations for contras written to specifically match a given tune, square or crooked. Obviously, there's singing squares, the Chestnuts and some well known examples like David Kaynor's Cherokee Shuffle. I'm looking for other examples of excellent "modern era" dances perfectly

[Callers] Re: Rompin' Stompin'

FWIW for archival purposes: just found I'd reused a previous dance title here, so renaming this one to "Another Bumpy Start" instead. On Mon, Feb 6, 2023 at 11:21 PM Don Veino wrote: [snip] > FWIW, I've been tinkering with some recent compositions along these > lines - one example: > > *Off to

[Callers] Re: Gentlespoons/Ladles (from Rompin' Stompin')

(distribution trimmed back to those who voluntarily joined this conversation ) That's what I've done with the singing squares I've chosen to learn/program. In most cases it's trivial to make the change and fit the meter of the dance/tune, and the quality/helpfulness of the resultant calls

[Callers] Re: Rompin' Stompin'

In my observation barn burners (BB) often contain more inertial/physical and (perceived or real) temporal tension, building to an objective. As previously pointed out, music lift or drive is important in building energy and releasing the magic. BBs require the group to execute moves well together

[Callers] Re: 'Git Goin' (Was: Big Easy Variation)

Hi Liz, I don't see anything particularly challenging in calling this dance positionally. I presume the A2 is a place you might think so, but there's a couple of strategies there: - when the star is formed, have the dancers note their facing [in or out] direction - then recall that for the wave -

[Callers] Re: Short contra lines

With smaller groups definitely consider screening compositions for significant end effects - dancers will encounter them a greater proportion of time than in longer lines/bigger crowds. -Don On Sat, Oct 22, 2022 at 1:25 AM Laur via Contra Callers < contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: >

[Callers] Re: Tempus Fugit

Believe that's Tavi Merrill? On Sun, Apr 3, 2022 at 1:22 PM David Smukler via Contra Callers < contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Hi all, > > I found a video of my dance Tempus Fugit being called at the Guiding Star > Grange in 2018. I'd like to use the video in a presentation, and I

[Callers] Re: Calling in a mask?

Yes, using standard KN95 masks. It is even more important to use good mic technique in this case. You'll likely need to manage the sound system EQ for your channel well to ensure best articulation and avoid muddiness. I remember Steve Z-A managed to get a headset mic *under* a (cloth, IIRC) mask

[Callers] Re: New non-discriminatory Northern California contra dance forming

This is a caller's list, not a dance ads list. Admins, can we please head off the inevitable cascade about this off topic post? On Fri, Nov 26, 2021 at 5:46 PM Alison Murphy Maderas via Contra Callers < contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Given that the vaccines do not stop the

[Callers] Re: [AltChoreo] Mailman upgrade and bounce notifications #Admin

Seth, thanks for all your work to keep these resources up and available! On Tue, Oct 26, 2021 at 12:41 PM Seth Seeger via AltChoreo < altcho...@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Hello SharedWeight community, > > I am the system administrator for sharedweight.net. Today, I upgraded > the Mailman3

[Callers] Re: Covid cancellations

y curious. In what situation would you *not* refund a "non-refundable" deposit? Rich Sbardella > Stafford, CT > > On Thu, Aug 19, 2021 at 5:04 PM Don Veino via Contra Callers < > contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > ___

[Callers] Re: Covid cancellations

Hi, to tail off what Donna said regarding your time investment - that's what I think is fair in such a situation. I'm sure many of us do events where you're supporting dance community friends for a special life event in a venue you know well. These gigs are where you're lucky to break even after

[Callers] Re: Is this original?

Possible similarity to some of the recent "virtual" choreo. Not too much "as a couple", IMO. Exemplar of a not dizzy 40+ beats clockwise. Seems the B->A wrap will work well and iron out any possible slowness in the couple dosido. -Don On Mon, Jul 12, 2021 at 8:20 PM tom hinds via Contra Callers

[Callers] Re: Caller's Insurance?

NFO membership is $30/yr. including insurance. I've been happy with it for several years, the certificate of insurance looks the same as any other I've seen. Haven't specifically checked on any new C-19 exclusions. I expect all insurance companies will be asserting covid falls under the standard

[Callers] Re: How to talk about contra dance to the uninitiated on Zoom

What an exciting opportunity! A half hour is a very tight period of time but also very workable if you keep it simple. If it were me, I'd talk less, show more and get them dancing to something really simple so they recognize the freedom of Contra dance (no fancy steps, unlike the Ballroom dance).

[Callers] Re: Co-Contras (was Contra-Style Dances for Virtual Events)

(LH w/Ghosts) *B2* PNR Balance & Swing On Tue, Jun 9, 2020 at 6:27 PM Don Veino via Contra Callers < contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Hi Kyla (and other colleagues), > > I'd meant to reply sooner but... anyway... I like your thinking! > > I've been jo

[Callers] Co-Contras (was Contra-Style Dances for Virtual Events)

Hi Kyla (and other colleagues), I'd meant to reply sooner but... anyway... I like your thinking! I've been jotting down dances for a similar purpose over the past few months, since I started looking to submit something for the Virtual New England Folk Festival 2020. While you've targeted a

[Callers] Re: OT - Calling and US Taxes

Yes, of course that was my first stop. :-) And I found it dense in language and not that helpful in the practical aspects of *Getting It Done*. If you have a more specific link to a helpful guide to the topic I'll happily follow it. On Fri, Jan 10, 2020 at 5:09 PM Joe Kwiatkowski wrote: > Did

[Callers] OT - Calling and US Taxes

OK, we all know we're really in this for the outrageous sums of money, right? ;-) But if you're lucky, you're finally at the stage where you're at least covering your costs and have enough gigs where you're concerned the IRS may expect you to be reporting your income, recording expenses, etc.