Looks like I'm coming a little late to this thread, but I must appreciate
Claire's question and Delia's response to the negativity. Yes, Contra is not
now and maybe not in the foreseeable future be what we "remember", but those of
us who enjoy community events and gathering will try to find other ways.
Several of us across the US (and in England if I remember correctly?) are
spending countless hours in our dance communities preparing Zoom gatherings be
it contra, ECD, couple dances or socials. Others are hosting concerts to
support musicians, and having jams to keep local musicians engaged. Others are
challenging the limits of technology to make the music sound "live" (who
knew??). We're giving our community members just a taste of what we're missing
while allowing us to visit with friends near and faraway from other parts of
the country.
So, I appreciate the open inquiry and initiating a discussion of what might the
future bring...because it will be a long time before folks feel comfortable
being close again. With innovation and social distancing we might be able to
social dis-dance together again.
BTW: some of these suggestions sound like sword dancing...together while
holding swords or sticks, morris with hankies?, creating patterns and working
together. With the heat wave this week I'd encourage a swimming pool dance
with noodles (and masks of course). Duck for the Oyster anyone?
Donna Hunt
-----Original Message-----
From: Julia Whiteneck via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
To: Mary Collins <native...@gmail.com>; Lissa Bengtson <lissabengt...@gmail.com>
Cc: contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
<contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>; tradcall...@lists.sharedweight.net
<tradcall...@lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Mon, Jul 20, 2020 3:29 pm
Subject: [Callers] Re: Distance "contra" dance choreo?
#yiv5148313700 P {margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;}Could have a baton in one hand
and a glove on the other to grasp the other person's baton "hand" - seems like
it could be doable! then cross hand swings might work too
From: Lissa Bengtson via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Monday, July 20, 2020 10:32 AM
To: Mary Collins <native...@gmail.com>
Cc: contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
<contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>; tradcall...@lists.sharedweight.net
<tradcall...@lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Callers] Re: Distance "contra" dance choreo? I have some experience
with pool noodles (teaching aqua aerobics) and the dollar-store kind are pretty
wiggly and would not withstand the weight of a magnet, nor be manageable.
There are stronger noodles available from exercise websites, which are not
cheap but are tougher and would withstand use for longer. If 6 ft is from
face-to-face, and the human arm is about 2 feet long, perhaps you only need a
two-foot noodle, which would add up to 8 feet total with arms extended. Maybe
a balsa-wood "baton" would also work. I'll bet there are some Morris dances
that could morph into contra dances, using sticks. Picturing stars and heys
with sticks/noodles--the dances would be lovely. Get a drone and film them
from above! Our town almost opened up for outdoor gatherings of 10, but
then the upswing in cases hit. And we can't be outdoors until October, anyway,
in this heat. Louise Siddons is also working on "out-of-the-box" contra ideas:
https://forms.gle/eR8dbyLz9NV3592h8.
Lissa BengtsonSan Antonio
On Mon, Jul 20, 2020 at 8:46 AM Mary Collins via Contra Callers
<contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
I like John's idea of designated partners and no progressions.
Claire I also am liking the noodle idea. Still making connection which for me
is a huge part of contra and square dance. A thought about that, each person
would need 2 noodles with the opposing polarity magnet in each end. How do you
plan for #'s of attendees? Would you sell "noodle hands" so each dancer can
come prepared and with personal "hands"? (Which I like as a group fundraiser)
Watching this space for more dance ideas for my "covid box". Thanks for posing
these questions.
Mary Collins
On Mon, Jul 20, 2020, 9:02 AM John Sweeney via Contra Callers
<contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hi Claire,
What some groups are planning, possibly, is to start their new dance
sessions with just couple dances. Come with a partner, or choose one person
and stay with them.
There are lots of good dances to choose from; but only if your dancers
are prepared to embrace change, new ideas and new skills. Contra, ceilidh,
squares, ECD, etc. are all part of the same spectrum of dance, with common
origins.
Here are some ideas (some are usually done as mixers, just stay with
the same partner):
Salty Dog Rag
La Chapelloise
Swedish Masquerade
Teton Mountain Stomp
The Ideal Schottische
The Gay Gordons
Redwing Mixer
Twirl & Go
You can Waltz (obviously) and all the other standard couple dances.
And if your dancers are prepared to work in fours and stay in those
fours, you can add all the Appalachian/Running Set two-couple figures - there
are dozens to choose from. Yes, it is more fun to do them with new couples,
but if you have to stay in the same foursomes you can still have fun.
I hope that helps.
Happy dancing,
John
John Sweeney, Dancer, England j...@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940
574
http://contrafusion.co.uk/KentCeilidhs.html for Live Music Ceilidhs
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive DVDs
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