I'll add a few more notes on my experience calling it that might be educational!
It was interesting observing the dance because, yes, often the dancers were late to the oval, but sometimes they were late *and* they stood waiting for the *next* phrase—which I took as a good sign that they *were* hearing the phrases in the music (and just misplacing where I wanted the figure)! It's possible they were getting behind during the star-to-star transition—it looked good from the stage and I was impressed that I saw minimal fumbling, but I didn't notice if they were especially late or not. Getting behind is normal for beginner crowds, of course—but it's more obvious someone is behind when the whole set has to be moving together as in an oval. I did mention offhand that the momentum from each figure flowed into the next, but possibly I could have really emphasized that if I wanted to ensure they didn't stand around. (But it wasn't a problem I foresaw during the walkthrough.) I was able to somewhat correct it by prompting more than usual mid-dance for timing "star right NOW, oval left NOW," etc. But it also seemed OK that it was a little messy! Not everything has to be perfect. Folks had fun :) Harris Lapiroff Dance Caller and Organizer Boston Intergenerational Dance Advocates Board (Cambridge MA) Pinewoods Camp, Inc Board (Plymouth MA) https://chromamine.com/contra/ On Wed, Sep 25, 2024, at 1:20 PM, Robert Matson via Contra Callers wrote: > Thanks, All. > > @Maia: thanks for asking me to be precise in my question. I see I asked two > general questions which, while a mistake, was a happy mistake in that it led > to hearing interesting thoughts. > > However, I was hoping to benefit from Harris' experience, or the experience > of others who have encountered the same challenge in a beginner-heavy dance. > > My clumsy question was within the context of the original post: > > Harris: > "I called Star Trek Phraser at a beginner-heavy college dance last weekend > and it worked quite well! The only thing I noticed was that I had to keep > jumping in to keep the oval on time (dancers kept trying to shift it to A2) > and even still it got pretty messy." > > Me: > "Like Harris recently did, we plan to try Star Trek Phaser for our > beginner-heavy college contra next week. Thanks for writing and posting it, > Luke. > "We often find that our dancers get off-phrase, especially with flowy dances, > like this one. Is that what causes the challenge with the oval in this > dance?" > > I wish I had asked, using Maia's trademark -- "Hive-mind" or Harris -- how > would you foreshorten the challenge Harris witnessed in Star Trek Phaser, so, > next week, our college group can have at least as much fun as Harris's > college group did? > > (@Luke, I agree with you: that video of George Marshall giving a beginner > lesson is a pleasure to study.) > > Rob > - - - - - - - - - - - - > > > Robert Matson > Innovation Media Corp. > The Innovation Works, Inc. > Cell: (917) 626-2675 > > > > > > > > > > > > On Wed, Sep 25, 2024 at 9:57 AM Maia McCormick via Contra Callers > <[email protected]> wrote: >> That’s an interesting take—I usually see people swinging for too LONG, and >> specifically see swings running over as one of the main culprits of dance >> timing muddiness. Probably a combination of: swinging is fun, it’s a >> variable number of rotations (ie no clear end point), and it may take >> beginners a sec to get the hand/foot position right. So when dance timing is >> slipping, my go-to is to start more clearly prompting the first move after >> the swing, esp. the partner swing. >> >> For whatever that’s worth! >> >> Cheers, >> Maia (Brooklyn, NY) >> >> -- >> Maia McCormick (she/her) >> 917.279.8194 >> >> >> On Wed, Sep 25, 2024 at 4:40 PM Neal Schlein <[email protected]> wrote: >>> Robert— >>> I’m thinking there are three things you may be working to counteract: >>> >>> 1. Rushing to the swing/the “easy bits” of the dance. If the dancers don’t >>> perceive each part of the sequence as equally important or interesting, >>> they will often attempt to shorten the distance to the next part; flowing >>> segments are the natural casualty. This is also trained behavior, learned >>> from exposure to music and tight choreography that rewards or forces >>> “clipped” endings for flowing figures like heys or rushed contra corners. I >>> don’t know how to alter this in a simple, clean way except by repeatedly >>> not programming such choreography. >>> >>> 2. Driving or low-phrased music. This is regional, and in my opinion the >>> dance tunes played in different places in our country are getting smooshed >>> stylistically, but there are differences. When I lived in Illinois, for >>> example, the music tended toward a hard driven beat with less intra- and >>> sometimes extra-phrase distinction. I personally felt it was infinitely >>> better for squares because it made contras became mushy, especially on long >>> and flowing parts (which is choreography I tend to appreciate…and then >>> people would rush to the swings). That outcome didn’t seem to bother anyone >>> other than me, though. >>> >>> 3. Dropping out/style of calling. When we start to drop out, it gives more >>> latitude to the dancers to make their own decisions about timing—which are >>> then dictated by the band (music phrasing), their attitude toward the >>> choreography (rush to the good parts), and their skill (easier to >>> execute=faster potential execution). You can try to keep calling longer >>> and provide more direction….which might also result in a riot, depending on >>> the dancers. (Here in Colorado I have the reverse: a group that threatens >>> homicide if I ever leave out a single call.) >>> >>> Neal Schlein >>> Librarian, MSLIS >>> Colorado >>> >>> On Wed, Sep 25, 2024 at 2:44 AM Maia McCormick via Contra Callers >>> <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> Robert, are you looking for tips beyond the basic “clear, well-phrased, >>>> LONG/well-in-advance calls”? That’s probably the biggest thing, in my >>>> mind—a nice long (3-4 beat) call in advance of the move that often lags, >>>> to give dancers some heads up. (And of course, identifying ahead of time >>>> what parts of the dance that are likely to get smeary.) >>>> >>>> You might be able to preempt some of the timing issues in teaching. Eg >>>> “take JUST FOUR STEPS down the hall, it’s shorter than you think” etc, but >>>> honestly that kind of thing flies right out of people’s heads when the >>>> music starts. >>>> >>>> Cheers, >>>> Maia in Brooklyn >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> Maia McCormick (she/her) >>>> 917.279.8194 >>>> >>>> >>>> On Wed, Sep 25, 2024 at 2:51 AM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers >>>> <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>> Thanks for giving the new dance a spin! I haven't even tried it with >>>>> people yet :-) >>>>> >>>>> Robert, I'm reminded of George Wilson's beginner lesson where he talks >>>>> explicitly about the connection between the music and the dancing, and >>>>> makes the timing explicit: >>>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14nxFdcaKWA >>>>> >>>>> Thanks again all, >>>>> Luke >>>>> >>>>> On Tue, Sep 24, 2024 at 3:25 PM Robert Matson via Contra Callers >>>>> <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>>> Like Harris recently did, we plan to try Star Trek Phaser for our >>>>>> beginner-heavy college contra next week. Thanks for writing and posting >>>>>> it, Luke. >>>>>> >>>>>> We often find that our dancers get off-phrase, especially with flowy >>>>>> dances, like this one. Is that what causes the challenge with the oval >>>>>> in this dance? >>>>>> >>>>>> We have the benefit of choosing our music program at the same time as >>>>>> our dance program. So, our Plan A for flowy dances is to choose a tune >>>>>> set with clear differentiation between the 8-bar phrases and some sort >>>>>> of punctuation at the start or end of each phrase. (Maybe a tune set >>>>>> like this one. <https://youtu.be/ADQq_nqqHik?si=UX83w43tUtd8pw6x&t=151>) >>>>>> >>>>>> From the perspective of callers, what would be a few tips that help >>>>>> ensure flowy dances don't get off-phrase or would help in a case like >>>>>> Harris'? >>>>>> >>>>>> Thanks, >>>>>> Rob >>>>>> - - - - - - - - - - - - >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Robert Matson >>>>>> Cell: (917) 626-2675 >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On Tue, Sep 24, 2024 at 12:51 AM Harris Lapiroff via Contra Callers >>>>>> <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>>>> __ >>>>>>> I called Star Trek Phraser at a beginner-heavy college dance last >>>>>>> weekend and it worked quite well! The only thing I noticed was that I >>>>>>> had to keep jumping in to keep the oval on time (dancers kept trying to >>>>>>> shift it to A2) and even still it got pretty messy. But it's a nice >>>>>>> whole-set moment that I think is worth it. (And for attentive beginners >>>>>>> I think it also reveals something to them about the structure of the >>>>>>> dance.) I was surprised and pleased by how well beginners were able to >>>>>>> handle the star-to-star transition, quick though it is! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Thanks for that one, Luke! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Harris Lapiroff >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Dance Caller and Organizer >>>>>>> Boston Intergenerational Dance Advocates Board (Cambridge MA) >>>>>>> Pinewoods Camp, Inc Board (Plymouth MA) >>>>>>> https://chromamine.com/contra/ >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Mon, Sep 9, 2024, at 8:08 PM, Luke Donforth via Contra Callers wrote: >>>>>>>> Thanks all. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I continue to turn this one over in my head, and I think I've got a >>>>>>>> new one (borrowing heavily from Bob Isaac's *To Turn a Phrase* and the >>>>>>>> star-to-star transition of Mick Richardson's *Star Trek*) >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Star Trek Phraser >>>>>>>> by Luke Donforth >>>>>>>> Contra/Becket-CCW >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> A1 ----------- >>>>>>>> (8) Left hand Star >>>>>>>> (8) Whole set oval right >>>>>>>> A2 ----------- >>>>>>>> (8) whole set oval Left >>>>>>>> (8) Groups of 4 Circle Left 1X >>>>>>>> B1 ----------- >>>>>>>> (8) Partner Do-si-do >>>>>>>> (8) Partner swing >>>>>>>> B2 ----------- >>>>>>>> (8) Long lines, forward and back >>>>>>>> (8) Left hand Star 1x, walk on to next star >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 7:55 PM <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>>>>>> https://aptsg.org/Dance/dances.html#Balter >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 11:50 AM Luke Donforth via Contra Callers >>>>>>>>> <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>>>>>>> Hello all, >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Oftentimes at One Night Gigs, I'll do a mix of circle and longways >>>>>>>>>> set dances. With scatter mixers and specialty dances, I can fill an >>>>>>>>>> evening. But sometimes I get a group that "wants contras" or is >>>>>>>>>> looking to grow their familiarity with the dance form. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> I think Becket dances without lark/robin distinctions and no >>>>>>>>>> neighbor swing are AN easy option into "hands-four" contras. There >>>>>>>>>> are other ways in, but I'm looking for more Beckets that match that >>>>>>>>>> description. For a while I've had "Pluck It" in my box as a friendly >>>>>>>>>> option: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Pluck It >>>>>>>>>> Contra/Becket-CW >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> A1 ----------- >>>>>>>>>> (8) Circle Left >>>>>>>>>> (8) Circle Right >>>>>>>>>> A2 ----------- >>>>>>>>>> (8) Left hand Star >>>>>>>>>> (8) Right hand Star >>>>>>>>>> B1 ----------- >>>>>>>>>> (8) Partner Do-si-do >>>>>>>>>> (8) Partner swing >>>>>>>>>> B2 ----------- >>>>>>>>>> (8) Neighbor Do-si-do across set >>>>>>>>>> (8) Long lines, yearn left >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> This is, in my opinion, pretty close to the traditional mixer >>>>>>>>>> Scatter Shot but done as a keeper in Becket. (It does have a DSD >>>>>>>>>> across the set, which in a recent thread was listed as a no-no for >>>>>>>>>> some callers. While I wouldn't use that move at a dance weekend, for >>>>>>>>>> One Night gigs I think it's accessible and acceptable). You don't >>>>>>>>>> have to teach ballroom swing, and if folks want to elbow swing and >>>>>>>>>> swap roles with their partner it doesn't really impact the dance >>>>>>>>>> (this is a small advantage of Becket over improper for this type of >>>>>>>>>> dance; different position on the side is less disorienting than >>>>>>>>>> different side of the set). >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> What other Becket dances do folks have that don't rely on roles? No >>>>>>>>>> larks allemande or robins chain, etc. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On the drive home from my gig last night I came up with this one >>>>>>>>>> (which may already exist), written for Naomi who organizes the >>>>>>>>>> community dance I was at: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> A Pillar of Weathersfield >>>>>>>>>> Contra/Becket-CW >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> A1 ----------- >>>>>>>>>> (8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella) >>>>>>>>>> (8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella) >>>>>>>>>> A2 ----------- >>>>>>>>>> (16) Partner balance and swing, end facing down the hall >>>>>>>>>> B1 ----------- >>>>>>>>>> (8) Down the hall, four in line (turn as couples) >>>>>>>>>> (8) Return and face across >>>>>>>>>> B2 ----------- >>>>>>>>>> (8) Long lines, forward and back >>>>>>>>>> (8) Promenade across the Set, turn as a couple and progress >>>>>>>>>> (Go between the ones you danced with, passing by left shoulder, and >>>>>>>>>> the new couple on your right, turn to take hands with new couple) >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> I'd be curious what else folks have that they use for entry-level >>>>>>>>>> contras when you don't have a critical mass of experience for >>>>>>>>>> improper dances with neighbor swings. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Thanks! >>>>>>>>>> Luke Donforth >>>>>>>>>> Burlington, VT >>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>>>>> Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] >>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe send an email to >>>>>>>>>> [email protected] >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>> Luke Donforth >>>>>>>> [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >>>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>>> Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] >>>>>>>> To unsubscribe send an email to >>>>>>>> [email protected] >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>> Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] >>>>>>> To unsubscribe send an email to >>>>>>> [email protected] >>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>> Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] >>>>>> To unsubscribe send an email to >>>>>> [email protected] >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> Luke Donforth >>>>> [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] >>>>> To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] >>>> To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] >> _______________________________________________ >> Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] >> To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] > _______________________________________________ > Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] > To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] >
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