[Callers] The Weaving Way

Hi all, I have a note to myself from pre-pandemic times about a square-within-a-square called The Weaving Way. I have no other information about it, and searching the archives of this list and the trad callers list produced no useful results, so… I turn to all of you. Do you know this dance,

[Callers] Re: "Assigning" roles in the beginners' lesson?

> Colin wrote: > I wasn't going to get involved in all this, but I have to side with Ken > Panton - I'm a man and I certainly prefer > dancing with women. And I very much enjoy dancing with Louise Siddons even > though she may generally have a different preference. It always surprises me

[Callers] Re: "Assigning" roles in the beginners' lesson?

I start intro lessons in a circle, partner people off as soon as it becomes necessary, and teach them both sides of the swing (by asking them to shift their arms while swinging; this is partly about teaching them not to drag on each other). Then I say, your partner might have a preference so

[Callers] Re: Dance with petronella right and left

Oops, sorry, I said allemande and meant right shoulder round. I mean, it could also be an allemande right, that might be nicer for people who prefer physical contact to eye contact — but it makes the transition into the swing clunky. I think I explained to Jerome (via the list) that it’s the

[Callers] Re: Dance with petronella right and left

14, 2023, 4:02 PM Louise Siddons via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:Re: Amy’s question about a gate: Is a gate the same as a hand cast to anyone except me? Jerome: let me know how it goes! Louise. ___ Contra Callers m

[Callers] Re: Dance with petronella right and left

Re: Amy’s question about a gate: Is a gate the same as a hand cast to anyone except me? Jerome: let me know how it goes! Louise. ___ Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net To unsubscribe send an email to

[Callers] Re: Dance with petronella right and left

Hi Jerome (and all), I have heard the left-petronella referred to as a “retronella” — which may be a useful search term, and also produces some delight when dancers hear it for the first time. And although I worry US dancers would rush the gates and therefore find this a bit unsatisfying (not

[Callers] Re: The Spiral Dance

I’ve come to know this dance as the Farandole — a term that comes from trad French dance (as per here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb74ey_LVeg). For people in search of videos, the more specific term might help! Louise (Winchester, UK) ___ Contra

[Callers] Re: FW: Dances with fewer swings

At the risk of disagreeing with John and Colin (!), I think it’s worth pointing out that the UK actually has two largely distinct groups of dancers engaging with the contra tradition, which I will loosely classify as the folk club scene and the contra scene. The former, yes, mixes genres

[Callers] Re: 3-facing-3 dances / triplets w/o contra corners

I always say something like “it’s easiest if the shorter person goes under, but I’m sure you’ll work it out.” For those avidly following the collecting, I’ve already had it pointed out that I missed part of the original thread, so I’ll be creating an appendix :) Thanks in advance to those who

[Callers] Re: 3-facing-3 dances / triplets w/o contra corners

Dear list, Thanks to everyone who shared dances in response to my query! As promised, I’ve compiled them into a single list and added directions when they weren’t in the original email. The workshop that prompted my initial inquiry was on positional calling, and as I compiled the list I had a

[Callers] Re: 3-facing-3 dances / triplets w/o contra corners

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far; I’m compiling a list to share with workshop participants (some of whom aren’t on here), and can share it Aug the list as well if it’s of interest. Some quick replies to Alan’s points. > On Nov 7, 2022, at 11:51 PM, Winston, Alan P. > wrote: > >

[Callers] 3-facing-3 dances / triplets w/o contra corners

Hi all, In a workshop yesterday, one of the participants asked about favorite 3-facing-3 dances. I have several (Walpole Condo, by Ric Goldman, and Rita Rescheduled, by Alan Davies, for example), but I said this is exactly the sort of question I find it productive to ask this list — so here I

[Callers] Seeking sheet music for 2 tunes

Hi all, I’m in the process of moving and many of my books are currently inaccessible. I’m seeking sheet music for 2 tunes: Sandpoint, by Rodney Miller, and The Way Back Home, by Larry Unger. The latter is in Waltz Time, which I promise I do own, and to be honest I have no idea if dots for the

[Callers] The Weaving Way

Hello, all, Some time ago someone on this list mentioned the square-in-a-square dance “The Weaving Way.” Would anyone be willing to share directions for it? I have had no luck in my searches (online and on paper!). While we’re at it, if you have other dances in this formation that you enjoy,

[Callers] FCSH webinar: "With Your Neighbour" 30 January

Dear list, I am writing to invite you to our next FCSH webinar, With Your Neighbour: What can we learn from contra about sustaining traditional dance?, at 19:00 GMT on 30 January, 2021 (that’s 2pm US Eastern/11am Pacific). Lindsey Kennedy, Lisa Greenleaf (facilitator), Andrew Findlay and Jane

[Callers] FCSH Positional calling workshop, take 2: 16 Jan

Dear contra callers, Following on our two introductory workshops on positional calling (videos available on the Friends of Cecil Sharp House Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChVLmkrsCgI0roLmuPuOu5Q ), and a very popular

[Callers] FCSH Positional Calling II Workshop, 19 December 2020

Dear contra callers, Following on our two introductory workshops on positional calling (videos available on the Friends of Cecil Sharp House Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChVLmkrsCgI0roLmuPuOu5Q), we are holding a second workshop next Saturday, 19 December, at 19:00 GMT/2pm

[Callers] Positional calling workshop Nov 14

The Friends of Cecil Sharp House are pleased to announce our second Positional Calling Workshop, led by Louise Siddons, on 14 November 2020 at 7 pm UK time (2pm Eastern, 11am Pacific). The first workshop, which focused on English country dance calling, was recorded and is available here:

[Callers] FCSH Positional Calling workshops

The Friends of Cecil Sharp House presents: Positional Calling Workshops with Louise Siddons Saturday 17th October and Saturday 14th November 2020 at 7 pm (UK) These workshops are intended to introduce participants to positional calling — sometimes described as global terminology — for both

[Callers] Caller workshop with Cathy Campbell! Saturday, 8/22

Scissortail Traditional Dance is very pleased to announce our second caller workshop open to the whole world: Cathy Campbell, from Toronto, Canada, next Saturday, August 22 at 1pm Central time (US). Cathy has been calling English Country dances since 2005; her home group is Toronto English

[Callers] Colin Hume workshop video now available

Hi all, Video of yesterday’s Scissortail workshop about caller websites — and more! — with Colin Hume is now available either directly on Youtube or, with notes from workshop participants, here: http://www.scissortail.org/siddons/starter.html#App6

[Callers] Colin Hume caller workshop Saturday, July 25

Scissortail Traditional Dance Society invites you to join us for our July caller workshop with special guest Colin Hume! Saturday, July 25, 12 noon – 1:30pm (US Central time) $5 per household Register here: http://scissortail.org/special-events/colin-hume-caller-workshop/ Join us for this

[Callers] Re: New workshop series

Hi Laurie (and all), A few people have asked me this, so I’m replying to the list. I realized when I scheduled it, of course, that during the day would pose a challenge for some people. My own work schedule is evening-focused, so I'm familiar with this problem. Although I’m not going to