John Sweeney hit on a big reason I'm baffled, in pointing out that the
balances in Petronella (the dance) are in the second half of a phrase. So
what's funny is that in the originally Petronella, it's
Spin spin spin pause
Stomp Stomp Stomp Stomp (or steps, but, still)
And in the modern move it's
>
>> my favorite box circulate dance is DuQuoin Races by Orace Johnson from
>> sometime around 1990
>>
>> Mac
>>
>> StLouis
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Saturday, March 30, 2024 at 01:52:34 PM CDT, Julia
gt;
>> Long Wave Balance, Box Circulate (LDY/RBN cross, GNT/LRK loop)
>>
>> B1 NBR Balance (or RSR) & Swing (at LDY/RBN home)
>>
>> B2 Give & Take to LDY/RBN (ALT: GNT/LRK ALM LT 1+1/2x), PNR Swing
>>
>> In my experience, the hinge to circulate her
l when called.
>
> -Don
>
>
> On Sat, Mar 30, 2024, 1:17 PM Julian Blechner via Contra Callers <
> contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
>> Becket
>> A1. Circle L, Pass Thru N (or slide L to next and circle)
>> N Alle R 1 1/4 to long wav
Becket
A1. Circle L, Pass Thru N (or slide L to next and circle)
N Alle R 1 1/4 to long wavy line, Larks face out, Robins face in
A2. Bal, Circulate x2
B1. N B+S
B2. Larks Alle L 1.5x (or pull by)
PS
___
Contra Callers mailing list --
gt; Bob
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> > On Mar 26, 2024, at 16:13, Jeff Kaufman via Contra Callers <
>>>>>>> contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>>>>>>> >
>>>>>>> > Looking through old media
arm that adjusted (usually on top), thereby
> pulling the swing closer together than otherwise necessary…which also puts
> the other person’s arm (typically lark, and also typically longer) in a
> non-natural position, which is likely to be physically uncomfortable and
> potentially harmful.
elbow then have to occupy the same
>>>>> space, which, well, physics. If I'm the lark and their arm is outside
>>>>> mine, when they try to provide support, it hyperextends my right elbow,
>>>>> eliminating any chance I can provide support and sometimes
teaching this hold, as it usually doesn't work as intended and it can hurt
>>> the lark.
>>>
>>> One assist that does work in ballroom position and requires no
>>> communication is, if the robbin's arm is as long as or longer than the
>>> lark's, they rest t
w dancers.
>
> I’d love to hear what folks who have used both feel about the difference.
>
> Becky
>
>
> On Mar 13, 2024, at 4:34 PM, Julian Blechner
> wrote:
>
> I would love to read elaboration / articulation on why a ballroom hold
> feels more "intimate
omen were exercised about this—occasionally a
>> preference for mixed-gender, but never a strong one). The guy who assaulted
>> me at NEFFA years ago because he came across me in the line dancing the
>> “wrong” role didn’t do so because I was rejecting conventional gender
>> role
I would love to read elaboration / articulation on why a ballroom hold
feels more "intimate" than other holds?
Is it a matter of the historical social attachment we have in our minds
with couples dances that use the hold, and romance in our culture?
Is it a physical proximity? (I find ceilidh
I'm nodding with a lot of comments from the last couple days. Louise
articulated some base concepts clearly, which a lot of y'all expanded on.
There are some contradictory ideas about gender and sexuality with dance,
and I think we in general tend to shy away from delving too deeply in
public
I don't like to assign roles in the lesson.
A lot of good discussion, and a couple points I'll add:
- my lesson teaches the swing as allemande R -> 2 hand turn -> swing, and
so the concept of the swing being symmetrical except for handholds is
established, and then Left/Right side. (And
Sometimes a dance looks good on paper, and it's difficult to know dance's
issues until you dance it.
I wonder if anyone has variations to Bob Isaacs' "Hinge Binge"?
I really like the hinging part of the dance, but ... in lark/gent/lefthand
role, I find my right arm is strained from having it up
"L for Larks on the Left, R for Robins on the Right." New dancers don't
even need to know roles were gendered, and results I've seen over the years
is men are much more likely to try the righthand role.
Julian Blechner
Western Mass
On Fri, Oct 13, 2023, 10:31 PM Michael Fuerst via Contra Callers
Someone wrote a dance for a Worst Contra Dance contest that was just 8
Lines of 4 Down the Hall.
That's pretty difficult.
Julian Blechner
Western Mass
On Wed, Sep 27, 2023, 1:47 PM Keith Elmo Eldridge via Contra Callers <
contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> Bob (Michigan) wrote:
> >
I am going to disagree, that there's no need to rename Mad Robin.
A lot of suggestions so far, unfortunately, can be interpreted as a dosido
or a sashay, or a slide. Mad Robin is the full rotating with eye contact
with person across. Omitting the latter by having the name imply only the
motion
A lot of good points covered by everyone, but I'll just add:
When I first suggested "facing star" as a replacement back 11 or 12 years
ago, I chose it because the idea was the prompt should go hand in hand as
being instructive, alongside the teaching of it - as Michael pointed out.
(And because
I price things approximately:
- $75-150 for just the sound equipment rental, which is basically just
passing my cost from who I'm able to borrow it.
- $250 - $500 for the calling itself, which can depend on how long, whether
there's alcohol, experience of dancers, whether it's a nonprofit/good
I think also that dancers may have different opinions depending on how
interesting the dances are. If you have two no-neighbor swing dances
back-to-back, I think it is a little boring if both are relatively basic
choreo.
Also, early in the evening, neighbor swings help me mitigate the "what if a
I wanted to chime in to defend dance attribution from a practical
perspective.
First, I want to validate the concern Isaac is saying - the "YOU HACK"
part. Yeah, when people share new choreo, and people immediately push-back,
that's not always helpful. We should always strive to be be ... yannow
I got to premier this at the pre-NEFFA caller showcase last night.
It seemed to go well!
https://www.facebook.com/juliancalls/videos/614416073608212/
On Tue, Apr 18, 2023 at 10:34 PM Julian Blechner <
juliancallsdan...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I'm sorry, maybe it's because I'm doubting that this can
These are interesting suggestions I'd love to hear about trying them out.
My hope is with the setup of half the dance choreography open, people will
compose and share their own versions.
I opted for "most basic but not boring" as a baseline, because one of my
goals is having a more accessible
n 1/2 Contra Corners (RH w/NBR1 LDY, LH with PNR)
>
> B2 Ladies Turn 1/2 Contra Corners (RH w/NBR1 LDY, LH with Shadow)
> end facing back along side to PNR Swing
>
> First time through could be on slight right diagonal (Slice 1/2x) so
> original foursome gents start the A1 CC, wit
I mean, absolutely.
So often, interesting choreography in contra in the last half century has
been integrating moves from adjacent dance styles. Please do presume that
when I attribute things, that it's often a product of this (whether the
move was reinvented or deliberately taken).
I do love
thers)
>
> (10) Partner swing
> <http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#swing>
> 2B2
>
> (8) Circle left
> <http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#circle-left-right>
> 1 [with N2]
>
> (8) Slice
> <http://www.ibibl
I heard from Chris Page, on a FB post in a choreo group.
He thought of the contra-corners-from-Becket, with:
Twirly Corners
Becket
A1 Slice left while partner roll away
Top/Bottom pair do-si-do in center
A2 Top/Bottom pair turn contra corners
B1 Top/Bottom pair balance and swing
B2 Partner
I'm sorry, maybe it's because I'm doubting that this can be so simple and
I'm triple-guessing myself.
Yeah, original.
Progress and swing neighbor on Lark's home side.
Trade one role to be opposite neighbor.
Top or bottom couple do Contra Corners
Pass Neighbor, swing partner somehow.
On Tue,
Sorry, crossed wires and hit send before final proofing.
A2 would need to amount to a zero move, so:
Chain + Back, or
LLFB+Rollaway x2 or
R+L Thru + Back
Etc.
On Tue, Apr 18, 2023, 10:21 PM Julian Blechner
wrote:
> So... it occurred to me that it'd be really easy to do a mixed-role contra
>
So... it occurred to me that it'd be really easy to do a mixed-role contra
corners from Becket position.
A few weeks ago, I danced Jim Kitch's Equinox, which had a fun setup and
you finish Contra Corners by passing R , but ... do people know any simpler
ways? Like, for example, dance below. I
r things, so some things Ed says may not translate directly.
>> Nonetheless, I believe Ed was a keen observer and an insightful thinker and
>> worthy of a listen.
>>
>> --Jim
>> (Santa Clara, CA)
>>
>> > On Apr 17, 2023, at 9:57 AM, Julian
I've given this some thought. I've been a dancer in this situation, and
heard other organizers ask this question.
I don't like the idea of asking someone to leave. I do think this is
antithetical to my values as a dance organizer.
I don't like the idea of gatekeeping and presuming I know how
John,
I looked at the version before your edits; that was pretty egregious, and
I'm glad that's fixed.
I'll put a disclaimer for the remainder of this reply:
I'd be interested to hear takes on this from American square and contra
historians on this subject, whether it's from this list or any
ly make them less successful as draws and
> fundraisers.
>
> --jh--
>
>
> On Thu, Mar 16, 2023 at 12:51 PM Jeff Kaufman via Contra Callers <
> contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
>> On Thu, Mar 16, 2023 at 11:51 AM Julian Blechner via Contra Callers <
&g
Hi callers,
Website help request:
As I've been ramping up my accepting gigs again post-shutdown, I'm
realizing that I've put off my "get an actual website" too long.
Any suggestions for website designers for caller pages or contra performer
pages?
I can provide photographs myself, for what
Recovery time.
Al's Safeway has none.
Look for dances with swings over 8 beats, long lines, "0 moves" where
dancers wind up in the same spot.
On Tue, Mar 14, 2023, 12:43 AM Joe Harrington via Contra Callers <
contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> I've been calling less than a year, so
Just want to let folks on this list know:
I'm entirely for choosing what you want to put in your body if it doesn't
harm others.
I also support (and help run) dances who understand that immunology _is_
about harm reduction to the public.
It's a complicated issue, absolutely. I don't think there
Hi Jon,
I really appreciate you clarifying your email's intent and which parts were
facetious and which weren't!
Best,
Julian
On Tue, Feb 14, 2023, 10:32 AM Jon Greene via Contra Callers <
contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> Hi Maia,
>
> The part of my post referencing role names
2 items.
1. Jets/Rubies
A story I'm unsure how many have heard:
Ultimately, what sunk "jets/rubies" wasn't so much "airplane" or
"black/red" (ships and planes are traditionally named after women, so, I
never got the whole "a jet is masculine" thing, but, I digress).
A dance I called in Brooklyn
Bob,
I have some ideas about what the world would look like to be at that point.
What do you think that society would look like? How would we get there?
In dance,
Julian
On Fri, Feb 10, 2023, 9:23 PM ROBERT FABINSKI via Contra Callers <
contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> I look
I'm loving reading this discussion!
Some replies:
Peg, I think it's important we take into account what Allison wrote: I
haven't seen published examination of Positional calling's effect with
people with Left/Right confusion.
Allison: It's approximately 1 of 7 people. It's not a small number.
Some "bird" thoughts, ahead. If it will upset you, please feel free to
skip. Nothing on this list is required reading.
The simple question that the staunch "anti-bird" dancers can't answer:
"If Gents/Ladies is 'just role terms', then why suddenly do they say 'I'm
not a bird'?"
Alternatively,
So you're NOT in favor of trying Oaks / Maples, then, right? :D
-Julian
On Tue, Feb 7, 2023 at 1:08 PM Becky Liddle via Contra Callers <
contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> Hi Ken,
> The non-gendered dance groups have settled (after MUCH debate and deep
> consideration) on larks and
Human Being Contra Dance has now been called and danced.
On Mon, Jan 30, 2023, 3:35 PM Tony Parkes via Contra Callers <
contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> AI, CARAMBA!
>
>
>
> Tony Parkes
>
> Billerica, Mass.
>
> www.hands4.com
>
> New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New
Perfect Paul, please be patient with them they’re only just starting out.”
> >
> > Not a robot,
> > Isaac
> >
> >> On Jan 28, 2023, at 10:30 AM, Julian Blechner via Contra Callers <
> contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> >>
> >>
(Intended tongue in cheek)
Okay, so, lemme get this straight.
First, you swing young partner in the center of the set, and then stop,
dosido back to place.
Tight choreography, indeed.
Then face your neighbor up and down and swing, again, only 8 beats and
pausing mid-stanza. This one flows into
Yeah, unfortunately, in the past five years or so, "invasion" has been
pushed with right-wing xenophobic rhetoric specifically with immigrants and
refugees who aren't white. :/
I liked Harris's suggestion about student groups communicating between
dances.
Also, I don't have better words than
That's doesn't have the balances interrupting, but also a cool dance!
On Sun, Jan 1, 2023, 4:48 PM Michael Dyck via Contra Callers <
contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> On 2023-01-01 11:53 a.m., Julian Blechner via Contra Callers wrote:
> > A dance this past Frida
Maia pinged me directly, and she's right. I think I made a couple swaps to
choreo and flipped which side folks were on.
Take 2, new A1.
Becket
A1. L Diag Give + Take to Robin's home side, NS (16)
A2. R+L Thru (8), form ring
Bal Ring, Spin R (4,4), face P + take RHs
B1. P Bal R, pull by R,
A dance this past Friday had a balance partner on the side, square Thru 4
and got me thinking:
Do people know any dances with a grand R+L for the set, like 3,33-33, but
with partner and 2 shadows?
I checked Caller's Box, no luck.
I'd love to add a couple to my box.
Here's my tentative
Coincidentally, this has been on my mind lately.
I've been doing #2 mostly, and it's been working fine.
This has gone both for dances recently where there's mostly experienced
dancers, as well as a few one-night-stand gigs I've done where nearly all
dancers were new.
The advantage - as I think
Weighing in here only because it was my email that originally started the
thread that the Positional Calling topic came up:
Here is a new thread "subject" if folks want to pursue this topic.
I've wiped out the emails preceding this, for clarity.
Given my own negative experiences asking questions
d on The Big Easy, it’s an allemande left after the long lines
>>> and before the partner swing. But I’m away from my books for a while and
>>> can’t go back to the source. I bet I got it from The Rosen Hill Collection.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
Since all these easy dances are fresh on my mind.
I think we don't see many new compositions being written because it's
difficult to find ones that aren't like, a simple variation on an existing
dance.
There's a longstanding discussion on "what constitutes a new dance", and
I'm unsure there's a
for use as a first contra dance of the evening where
>> newcomers are plentiful.‘
>>
>>
>>
>> \Bob
>>
>>
>>
>> On Oct 21, 2022, at 21:53, Jerome Grisanti via Contra Callers <
>> contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>>
&g
Hi all,
I have a question about a variation on Becky Hill's Big Easy, which I see
as:
Big Easy Becky Hill
A1: Bal Ring, Neighbor Swing (often changed to N B+S)
A2: LLFB, Robins Alle 1.5
B1: P B+S
B2: Circle L 3/4, Bal ring, pass thru
An easy variation I like, say, to introduce the courtesy turn
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