Re: [Callers] Looking for "fun" dances

[Rick Mohr via Callers]

"The Wheel" has been a favorite of mine since 1994. Around here some call
it "Wheel of Misfortune" -- hilarious! (i.e. who will the fates deliver
unto you for a swing?)

I could never find it in my Gene Hubert books -- apparently because it was
published in his first collection "Dizzy Dances" (
https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/index/DD1.txt) which I don't have. I
never thought that was a problem, since "Dizzy Dances II" is subtitled
"Featuring the best of Volume 1 plus...". But now I wonder how many other
great dances that Gene didn't consider "the best" are hiding in that book!

I've also long struggled with the "women's arms pulled out of their
sockets" problem, and tried a couple fixes that failed spectacularly. Mac,
your solution looks brilliant and I'm excited to try it!

Rick
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[Callers] Good dances with challenging timing

[Rick Mohr via Callers]

Some dances require skill to make the timing work — like starting a figure
with dispatch so a later balance will be on time, or doing a figure
leisurely to avoid being early for the next one. But while many dancers
have the awareness to make things like that work, many dancers don’t. Since
there are plenty of fantastic dances without such challenges I tend not to
call dances which have them.

But I’ve also found that such dances are great when I’m asked to lead a
workshop helping dancers improve their skills. Longtime dancers aren't
eager to change their habits, and having something concrete like making a
balance on time adds motivation, ideally opening a window where learning is
possible.

Unfortunately though I've discarded or passed on collecting most such
dances!

Have any suggestions of good/great dances where the timing is tight or
loose in spots?

One of mine in that category is Crow Flight (http://rickmohr.net/Contra/
Dances.asp#CrowFlight). Learning opportunities include gents flowing from
swing to circle (common with aware dancers but a revelation to some),
ladies moving efficiently from circle to hey, and doing a hey with two
steps per pass (possibly realizing the difference between a 3-change and
4-change half hey).

Thanks for any ideas!

Rick
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Re: [Callers] Good dances with challenging timing

[Rick Mohr via Callers]

Thanks Bill! And those tight allemandes in B1 are an extra bonus.

Rick

On Wed, Feb 7, 2018 at 12:31 PM Bill Olson <callb...@hotmail.com> wrote:

> Here we go...:
>
>
> Hume Fogg Reel  Becket Susan Kevra
>
>  A1 Circle Left 3/4, pass through and swing the next
>
>  A2 LL F/B,  Ladies Chain
>
>  B1 Ladies Allemand R 1x  Turn Partner Left 1 1/2  Gents turn R 1x
>
>  B2 Partner B and Swing
>
>
>
>
> --
>
> *From:* Callers <callers-boun...@lists.sharedweight.net> on behalf of
> Rick Mohr via Callers <callers@lists.sharedweight.net>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, February 7, 2018 4:31 PM
> *To:* call...@sharedweight.net
> *Subject:* Re: [Callers] Good dances with challenging timing
>
> Thanks all for the great suggestions! Here’s the workshop I’m planning:
>
> (1)  Light, (hopefully) humorous, and (just maybe) illuminating intro
> about how timing awareness increases dancing fun.
>
> (2)  A simple dance with all 8-beat figures:
> A1:  DD N, N sw
> A2:  Gents Al L 1½, P sw
> B1:  F, R
> B2:  LC, star L
> While dancing we all count out loud and say 2-beat calls together e.g. “1,
> 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Ladies Chain”.
>
> (3) Joyride (Erik Weberg) - use our 8-count awareness to take a full 8
> counts for the first three figures (gypsy, mad robin, half poussette). OK
> to keep counting out loud.
>
> (4)  Hull’s Victory - demonstrate how changing your arm length allows a
> loose or tight allemande. Walk through both the loose trad way (allemande
> neighbor once [8], 1’s allemande ½ [4]) and tight modern way (allemande
> neighbor twice [8], 1’s allemande once [4]). In 5-couple sets dance it 5
> times loose and 10 times tight.
>
> (5)  Princeton Petronellas (Bob Isaacs):
> A1:  N B
> A2:  Bal O, spin, P allemande L ½, half hey
> B1:  P B
> B2:  Bal O, spin, N allemande L ½, half hey
> Use our 8-count awareness to end the swings in time to be right on the
> money for the ring balances. Take 2 beats each for the allemandes and hey
> passes for a satisfying B
>
> (6)  If there’s time I’d like to add a dance with circle left ¾ [6], pass
> through [2], swing new neighbor [8]. In my experience most people dance it
> too loosely so you never get an 8-count swing. My favorite dance with that
> sequence is Cary Ravitz’s Heart of Glass (where I usually substitute shift
> left [2], circle left ¾ [6], swing neighbor) but this session is already
> long on heys. Anybody have another good/great dance with that sequence and
> no hey?
>
> Rick
>
> On Sun, Feb 4, 2018 at 6:53 PM, Read Weaver via Callers <
> callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
> I find pretty much any dance that ends with three changes of rights &
> lefts has people late to the first figure, because they take 8 counts to do
> those three changes (rather than 6 counts to do the three changes, and 2
> counts to move on).
>
> Read Weaver
> Jamaica Plain, MA
> http://lcfd.org
> <https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flcfd.org=02%7C01%7C%7Cc9f7517c55244b7ac4f708d56e483562%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435%7C1%7C0%7C636536178764292548=L92baJDjGffkH%2BbTyw3FHw9mHA0PVoHJnvCsN3IiDXE%3D=0>
>
> On Feb 1, 2018, at 10:26 AM, Rick Mohr via Callers <
> callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
> Some dances require skill to make the timing work — like starting a figure
> with dispatch so a later balance will be on time, or doing a figure
> leisurely to avoid being early for the next one. But while many dancers
> have the awareness to make things like that work, many dancers don’t. Since
> there are plenty of fantastic dances without such challenges I tend not to
> call dances which have them.
>
> But I’ve also found that such dances are great when I’m asked to lead a
> workshop helping dancers improve their skills. Longtime dancers aren't
> eager to change their habits, and having something concrete like making a
> balance on time adds motivation, ideally opening a window where learning is
> possible.
>
> Unfortunately though I've discarded or passed on collecting most such
> dances!
>
> Have any suggestions of good/great dances where the timing is tight or
> loose in spots?
>
> One of mine in that category is Crow Flight (
> http://rickmohr.net/Contra/Dances.asp#CrowFlight
> <https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Frickmohr.net%2FContra%2FDances.asp%23CrowFlight=02%7C01%7C%7Cc9f7517c55244b7ac4f708d56e483562%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435%7C1%7C0%7C636536178764292548=jJBg6I6yM77VA%2

Re: [Callers] Good dances with challenging timing

[Rick Mohr via Callers]

Thanks all for the great suggestions! Here’s the workshop I’m planning:

(1)  Light, (hopefully) humorous, and (just maybe) illuminating intro about
how timing awareness increases dancing fun.

(2)  A simple dance with all 8-beat figures:
A1:  DD N, N sw
A2:  Gents Al L 1½, P sw
B1:  F, R
B2:  LC, star L
While dancing we all count out loud and say 2-beat calls together e.g. “1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Ladies Chain”.

(3) Joyride (Erik Weberg) - use our 8-count awareness to take a full 8
counts for the first three figures (gypsy, mad robin, half poussette). OK
to keep counting out loud.

(4)  Hull’s Victory - demonstrate how changing your arm length allows a
loose or tight allemande. Walk through both the loose trad way (allemande
neighbor once [8], 1’s allemande ½ [4]) and tight modern way (allemande
neighbor twice [8], 1’s allemande once [4]). In 5-couple sets dance it 5
times loose and 10 times tight.

(5)  Princeton Petronellas (Bob Isaacs):
A1:  N B
A2:  Bal O, spin, P allemande L ½, half hey
B1:  P B
B2:  Bal O, spin, N allemande L ½, half hey
Use our 8-count awareness to end the swings in time to be right on the
money for the ring balances. Take 2 beats each for the allemandes and hey
passes for a satisfying B

(6)  If there’s time I’d like to add a dance with circle left ¾ [6], pass
through [2], swing new neighbor [8]. In my experience most people dance it
too loosely so you never get an 8-count swing. My favorite dance with that
sequence is Cary Ravitz’s Heart of Glass (where I usually substitute shift
left [2], circle left ¾ [6], swing neighbor) but this session is already
long on heys. Anybody have another good/great dance with that sequence and
no hey?

Rick

On Sun, Feb 4, 2018 at 6:53 PM, Read Weaver via Callers <
callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> I find pretty much any dance that ends with three changes of rights &
> lefts has people late to the first figure, because they take 8 counts to do
> those three changes (rather than 6 counts to do the three changes, and 2
> counts to move on).
>
> Read Weaver
> Jamaica Plain, MA
> http://lcfd.org
>
> On Feb 1, 2018, at 10:26 AM, Rick Mohr via Callers <
> callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
> Some dances require skill to make the timing work — like starting a figure
> with dispatch so a later balance will be on time, or doing a figure
> leisurely to avoid being early for the next one. But while many dancers
> have the awareness to make things like that work, many dancers don’t. Since
> there are plenty of fantastic dances without such challenges I tend not to
> call dances which have them.
>
> But I’ve also found that such dances are great when I’m asked to lead a
> workshop helping dancers improve their skills. Longtime dancers aren't
> eager to change their habits, and having something concrete like making a
> balance on time adds motivation, ideally opening a window where learning is
> possible.
>
> Unfortunately though I've discarded or passed on collecting most such
> dances!
>
> Have any suggestions of good/great dances where the timing is tight or
> loose in spots?
>
> One of mine in that category is Crow Flight (http://rickmohr.net/Contra/Da
> nces.asp#CrowFlight). Learning opportunities include gents flowing from
> swing to circle (common with aware dancers but a revelation to some),
> ladies moving efficiently from circle to hey, and doing a hey with two
> steps per pass (possibly realizing the difference between a 3-change and
> 4-change half hey).
>
> Thanks for any ideas!
>
>
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>
>
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Re: [Callers] Challenging Contras

[Rick Mohr via Callers]

If you go to the archive
https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net
and type "challenging", many threads come up.

On Mon, Feb 19, 2018 at 3:13 PM, Jerome Grisanti via Callers <
callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> Chuck,
>
> I would encourage you to have plenty of easy to medium-easy dances
> available, and avoid programming all complex dances.
>
> Consider an easy dance done as a no-walk-through, or with minimal
> walk-through, or with a focus on executing this one little timing thing
> well so the whole crowd can have success with the dance. There is a reason
> for it to be in the program, and a satisfaction with doing it well.
>
> So, yes, pepper the dance with complexity, but don't make the whole recipe
> taste like pepper.
>
> Complexity can include: unusual formations, unusual figures, unusual music
> (outside the 32-bar structure, for example), unusual interactions (shadows,
> or same-sex swings).
>
> Also, consider using dances with figures that are unusual but not
> difficult (ex: circle right). This puts experienced dancers out of their
> pattern but does not unduly strain them. (It also puts beginning dancers on
> even footing with experienced dancers, when you use this technique for
> regular dance evenings).
>
> Good luck, I'm sure it'll be fun!
>
> --Jerome
>
>
> Jerome Grisanti
> 660-528-0858 <(660)%20528-0858>
> http://www.jeromegrisanti.com
>
> "Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and
> power and magic in it." --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
>
> On Mon, Feb 19, 2018 at 10:38 AM, Charles via Callers <
> callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
>> Hello list members,
>>
>> I will be calling my first session of "Challenging Dances" soon, and I
>> have a few questions:
>>
>> 1. Is there an archived discussion on this topic that any one knows
>> about, and if so could someone point me to it?
>>
>> 2. If not, I'm wondering about other callers' experiences with these
>> dances - how "challenging" is generally appropriate? (Bear in mind this is
>> not Greenfield, Concord, or a similar dance series where it's safe to
>> assume most dancers will be very experienced/skilled). What sort of "arc"
>> has worked well for such sessions? I know the final program will be
>> determined by the level of those who actually show up to the dance, but
>> it'd be nice to start with a general frame of reference.
>>
>> 3. Any favorite challenging dances anyone has been having particular fun
>> with lately? (I have a good assortment but am always looking for new ones).
>>
>>
>> Thanks! Chuck
>>
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>>
>
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Re: [Callers] New (?) 4x4 contra

[Rick Mohr via Callers]

Nice idea. I've seen figures like the "hey through" in morris dances, and I
wouldn't be surprised if Scottish and English dances have a similar idea.

I think passing through the middle (with half of a left hand star) would
tend to take 4 beats rather than 2, so the figure would take 10 beats
rather than 8.

If the "X" is problematic it would work fine to start with lines of 4
forward and back, roll away, and dosido your "corner".

On Tue, Apr 3, 2018 at 9:04 PM, Luke Donforth via Callers <
callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> Hello all,
>
> I was playing around with a new (?) composition; and since it's a 4x4,
> it's unlikely I'll get a house-party together to test it any time soon. I'd
> appreciate feedback on flow (would it work), timing (is it too much?) and
> how you'd teach it. I'm especially curious if something similar exists in
> the square dance repertoire; specifically the figure used in B1
>
> Tamlin's Cross
> Bent 4x4 (i.e. 4x4 formation, but with couples facing into the middle on
> an X, instead of straight up and down in lines of four)
>
> A1
> (4) All 8 go into the middle and shout
> (4) Gents roll partners away on the way out
> (8) Neighbor Do-Si-Do
> A2
> (16) Neighbor Balance and Swing (square the set and face in)
> B1
> (8) Gents left hands across star 1x
> (8) start passing neighbor you swung by right, all 8 half hey through,
> then turn away from neighbor you swung
> B2
> (16) Partner Balance and Swing
> End the swing facing new couple, having swapped sides with your
> trail-buddy couple
>
> For the half hey through, all 8 folks are moving at the same time. At the
> end of A2, there are couples in head and side position (nobody is with
> their partner). The heads are heying up and down, while the sides are
> heying across. When four people of the same role come into the middle, what
> would normally be a left shoulder pass is (in my mind's eye) half of a left
> hand star
>
> I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
> Thanks
>
> --
> Luke Donforth
> luke.donfo...@gmail.com 
>
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[Callers] Easy contras for teens

[Rick Mohr via Callers]

I call a small monthly dance for teenagers, a blast and interesting in many
ways.

My easiest “regular evening” contras are a good challenge for the group, so
I’m looking for some varied easy contras to lead up to those. (Also
interesting barn dances -- asking about those in a separate thread.)

The teens are fine with swings but aren’t hooked on them like most contra
dancers. So contras with no partner swing, no neighbor swing, or no swings
at all are just fine, and good for variety. And our lines are fairly short,
so unequal dances are OK.

Here are some favorites. Have other good ones to add? The group is all
about having fun, so it’s fine to have chases, basket swings, sashaying,
and other goofiness.

Family Contra (Sherry Nevins)
A1:  Bal ring x2, circle R
A2:  Bal ring x2, circle L
B1:  Dosido P, dosido N
B2:  Dosido as couples 1.5

Andy White's (Amy Cann)
A1:  Circle L, dosido P
A2:  As couples dosido Ns, 2 hand turn N
B1:  Clap both/R/both/L with P, same with N; repeat all
B2:  2s arch, 1s duck; 1s arch, 2s duck BACK; 2s arch, 1s duck

Jefferson & Liberty
A1:  Circle L/R
A2:  Star R/L
B1:  1s balance & swing
B2:  Down center, 1's arch, 2's duck; return (1s backing up)

Monterey Detour (Bob Dalsemer)
A1:  Down center (turn alone) & back
A2:  Circle R/L
B1:  Dosido N, sw N
B2:  F, 1s sw

Thanks!

Rick
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[Callers] Barn dances for teens

[Rick Mohr via Callers]

I call a small monthly dance for teenagers, a blast and interesting in many
ways.

We always do a few barn dances -- great fun, and a nice break from worrying
about progressing the wrong way and ending swings on the wrong side. But
the kids are smart and game, so most of the family dances in my box are too
easy.

Here are some favorites. Have other good ones to add?

Bottoms Up - https://www.barndances.org.uk/detail.php?Title=Bottoms_Up
Country Bumpkin -
https://www.barndances.org.uk/detail.php?Title=Country_Bumpkin
Falling Masonry - http://www.ceilidhcalling.co.uk/danceviewpage.php?id=33
Firehose Reel
Intersection Reel
Roll the Arches
Sashay the Donut
Waves of Tory

Dances that can include everybody are best (longways, circles) rather than
fixed-size sets (squares, triplets) where some people have to sit out.

Thanks!

Rick
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