[Callers] More unknown dances!
While we're at it, here are some mystery dances I've been assembling. (For
those curious, these come mostly from Dawn Dance and a little from FRFF,
but there's also one from the Berkeley dance that I copied down from Warren
Blier, who has had it down in his cards as "unknown petronella dance!"...)
Your collective wisdom is appreciated!
1) ??, becket
A1: circle L 3x; neighbor swing
A2: ladies* chain left diagonal; L hand star with these 4 (i.e. away from
partner)
B1: square through 2x
B2: partner balance and swing
*when I wrote this down, I said "ALL chain" and I don't have any idea what
that's supposed to mean...
2) ??, imp. (caller noted that this was "one of the sexiest dances ever
written)
A1: women forward into wavy line and balance; women fall back, men walk
forward, and men turn to lead a single file circle (L?)
A2: ...circle file circle... on lady's side, partner gypsy 1 1/2
B1: ladies start half hey by L; partner swing
B2: circle L 3 places; neighbor swing
3) ?, becket ("super smooth mad robin dance")
A1: circle L 3 places; swing neighbor
A2: R/L through across; star left to new neighbors
B1: with new neighbor, balance and box the gnat; mad robin (gents in front
first)
B2: gents pass left to partner gypsy; partner swing
4) ?, imp. ("cool shadow dance")
A1: new neighbor balance and swing
A2: ladies bull by right to allemande partner L 3/4; shadow allemande 1 1/2
B1: in wavy lines w/ ladies facing out, balance, spin right to partner
(like a half Rory O'Moore); partner swing
B2: circle L 3; do-si-do neighbor 1 1/2 to the next
5) ?, imp. ("unknown petronella dance!")
A1: petronella; partner swing
A2: petronella; neighbor wing
B1: down the hall; turn alone and come back
B2: circle left all the way; balance and CA twirl
[Callers] How to devise a program
Given the recent discussion about the role of the list, and the comment that it was originally intended for beginning callers, I have an absurdly newbie question to ask: how do you go about putting together a program for a full (or partial) evening of calling? I know this is a broad question, but I'm curious to hear everyone's approaches! (I can certainly specify the question if it's too much as is.) Cheers, Maia (Williamstown, MA / New York, NY)
Re: [Callers] More unknown dances!
I'm pretty sure 2 is Ramsey Chase. It's one of my favorite dances.
On Sun, Sep 15, 2013 at 10:33 AM, Maia McCormick wrote:
> While we're at it, here are some mystery dances I've been assembling. (For
> those curious, these come mostly from Dawn Dance and a little from FRFF,
> but there's also one from the Berkeley dance that I copied down from Warren
> Blier, who has had it down in his cards as "unknown petronella dance!"...)
> Your collective wisdom is appreciated!
>
> 1) ??, becket
> A1: circle L 3x; neighbor swing
> A2: ladies* chain left diagonal; L hand star with these 4 (i.e. away from
> partner)
> B1: square through 2x
> B2: partner balance and swing
>
> *when I wrote this down, I said "ALL chain" and I don't have any idea what
> that's supposed to mean...
>
> 2) ??, imp. (caller noted that this was "one of the sexiest dances ever
> written)
> A1: women forward into wavy line and balance; women fall back, men walk
> forward, and men turn to lead a single file circle (L?)
> A2: ...circle file circle... on lady's side, partner gypsy 1 1/2
> B1: ladies start half hey by L; partner swing
> B2: circle L 3 places; neighbor swing
>
> 3) ?, becket ("super smooth mad robin dance")
> A1: circle L 3 places; swing neighbor
> A2: R/L through across; star left to new neighbors
> B1: with new neighbor, balance and box the gnat; mad robin (gents in front
> first)
> B2: gents pass left to partner gypsy; partner swing
>
> 4) ?, imp. ("cool shadow dance")
> A1: new neighbor balance and swing
> A2: ladies bull by right to allemande partner L 3/4; shadow allemande 1 1/2
> B1: in wavy lines w/ ladies facing out, balance, spin right to partner
> (like a half Rory O'Moore); partner swing
> B2: circle L 3; do-si-do neighbor 1 1/2 to the next
>
> 5) ?, imp. ("unknown petronella dance!")
> A1: petronella; partner swing
> A2: petronella; neighbor wing
> B1: down the hall; turn alone and come back
> B2: circle left all the way; balance and CA twirl
> ___
> Callers mailing list
> call...@sharedweight.net
> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
>
Re: [Callers] More unknown dances!
I wonder if #1 is Square Thru to You by Bob Isaacs. Here's how I have it: Square Thru to YouBob Isaacs Becket Right A1 Circle L 3/4, Swing Neighbor A2 Long lines fwd & back, on left diagonal ladies chain (to shadow) B1 Balance, square thru two (and give right hand to partner); balance, square thru two B2 Balance & Swing Partner Richard On Sep 15, 2013, at 10:33 AM, Maia McCormick wrote: > While we're at it, here are some mystery dances I've been assembling. (For > those curious, these come mostly from Dawn Dance and a little from FRFF, > but there's also one from the Berkeley dance that I copied down from Warren > Blier, who has had it down in his cards as "unknown petronella dance!"...) > Your collective wisdom is appreciated! > > 1) ??, becket > A1: circle L 3x; neighbor swing > A2: ladies* chain left diagonal; L hand star with these 4 (i.e. away from > partner) > B1: square through 2x > B2: partner balance and swing > > *when I wrote this down, I said "ALL chain" and I don't have any idea what > that's supposed to mean... >
Re: [Callers] More unknown dances!
And #5 is The Cure for the Claps, also by Bob Isaacs.
Richard
On Sep 15, 2013, at 10:33 AM, Maia McCormick wrote:
> While we're at it, here are some mystery dances I've been assembling. (For
> those curious, these come mostly from Dawn Dance and a little from FRFF,
> but there's also one from the Berkeley dance that I copied down from Warren
> Blier, who has had it down in his cards as "unknown petronella dance!"...)
> Your collective wisdom is appreciated!
>
> 5) ?, imp. ("unknown petronella dance!")
> A1: petronella; partner swing
> A2: petronella; neighbor wing
> B1: down the hall; turn alone and come back
> B2: circle left all the way; balance and CA twirl
> ___
> Callers mailing list
> call...@sharedweight.net
> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
Re: [Callers] More unknown dances!
2 looks like Ramsay Chase by Joseph Pimentel. 5 is Cure For the Clap by Bob
Isaacs.
Perry
Sent from my Galaxy S®III
Original message
From: Maia McCormick
Date: 09/15/2013 10:33 AM (GMT-05:00)
To: Caller's discussion list
Subject: [Callers] More unknown dances!
While we're at it, here are some mystery dances I've been assembling. (For
those curious, these come mostly from Dawn Dance and a little from FRFF,
but there's also one from the Berkeley dance that I copied down from Warren
Blier, who has had it down in his cards as "unknown petronella dance!"...)
Your collective wisdom is appreciated!
1) ??, becket
A1: circle L 3x; neighbor swing
A2: ladies* chain left diagonal; L hand star with these 4 (i.e. away from
partner)
B1: square through 2x
B2: partner balance and swing
*when I wrote this down, I said "ALL chain" and I don't have any idea what
that's supposed to mean...
2) ??, imp. (caller noted that this was "one of the sexiest dances ever
written)
A1: women forward into wavy line and balance; women fall back, men walk
forward, and men turn to lead a single file circle (L?)
A2: ...circle file circle... on lady's side, partner gypsy 1 1/2
B1: ladies start half hey by L; partner swing
B2: circle L 3 places; neighbor swing
3) ?, becket ("super smooth mad robin dance")
A1: circle L 3 places; swing neighbor
A2: R/L through across; star left to new neighbors
B1: with new neighbor, balance and box the gnat; mad robin (gents in front
first)
B2: gents pass left to partner gypsy; partner swing
4) ?, imp. ("cool shadow dance")
A1: new neighbor balance and swing
A2: ladies bull by right to allemande partner L 3/4; shadow allemande 1 1/2
B1: in wavy lines w/ ladies facing out, balance, spin right to partner
(like a half Rory O'Moore); partner swing
B2: circle L 3; do-si-do neighbor 1 1/2 to the next
5) ?, imp. ("unknown petronella dance!")
A1: petronella; partner swing
A2: petronella; neighbor wing
B1: down the hall; turn alone and come back
B2: circle left all the way; balance and CA twirl
___
Callers mailing list
call...@sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
Re: [Callers] More unknown dances!
#3 is Seven Sevens by Jim Kitch. It *is* a lovely, smooth mad robin dance!
Christa
>
>
>
>Message: 2
>Date: Sun, 15 Sep 2013 10:33:40 -0400
>From: Maia McCormick
>To: "Caller's discussion list"
>Subject: [Callers] More unknown dances!
>Message-ID:
>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
>While we're at it, here are some mystery dances I've been assembling. (For
>those curious, these come mostly from Dawn Dance and a little from FRFF,
>but there's also one from the Berkeley dance that I copied down from Warren
>Blier, who has had it down in his cards as "unknown petronella dance!"...)
>Your collective wisdom is appreciated!
>
>1) ??, becket
>A1: circle L 3x; neighbor swing
>A2: ladies* chain left diagonal; L hand star with these 4 (i.e. away from
>partner)
>B1: square through 2x
>B2: partner balance and swing
>
>*when I wrote this down, I said "ALL chain" and I don't have any idea what
>that's supposed to mean...
>
>2) ??, imp. (caller noted that this was "one of the sexiest dances ever
>written)
>A1: women forward into wavy line and balance; women fall back, men walk
>forward, and men turn to lead a single file circle (L?)
>A2: ...circle file circle... on lady's side, partner gypsy 1 1/2
>B1: ladies start half hey by L; partner swing
>B2: circle L 3 places; neighbor swing
>
>3) ?, becket ("super smooth mad robin dance")
>A1: circle L 3 places; swing neighbor
>A2: R/L through across; star left to new neighbors
>B1: with new neighbor, balance and box the gnat; mad robin (gents in front
>first)
>B2: gents pass left to partner gypsy; partner swing
>
>4) ?, imp. ("cool shadow dance")
>A1: new neighbor balance and swing
>A2: ladies bull by right to allemande partner L 3/4; shadow allemande 1 1/2
>B1: in wavy lines w/ ladies facing out, balance, spin right to partner
>(like a half Rory O'Moore); partner swing
>B2: circle L 3; do-si-do neighbor 1 1/2 to the next
>
>5) ?, imp. ("unknown petronella dance!")
>A1: petronella; partner swing
>A2: petronella; neighbor wing
>B1: down the hall; turn alone and come back
>B2: circle left all the way; balance and CA twirl
>
>
>
>
Re: [Callers] How to devise a program
As someone new to contras, I am quite interested in Maia's question. I would also love a suggestion of where to begin. I can call, and stay on phrase, but 20-30 dances that are available for public calling/dancing, accessible to newer dancers, and easy to walkthrough. Variety, without difficulty. The recent discussion has raised my anxiety as to what is legal to call w/o infringing on someone's property as well. Rich Sbardella Stafford, CT From: Maia McCormick To: Caller's discussion list Sent: Sunday, September 15, 2013 10:34 AM Subject: [Callers] How to devise a program Given the recent discussion about the role of the list, and the comment that it was originally intended for beginning callers, I have an absurdly newbie question to ask: how do you go about putting together a program for a full (or partial) evening of calling? I know this is a broad question, but I'm curious to hear everyone's approaches! (I can certainly specify the question if it's too much as is.) Cheers, Maia (Williamstown, MA / New York, NY) ___ Callers mailing list call...@sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
Re: [Callers] How to Devise a Program
As a new caller, I've received lots of advice on this topic, and I want to make sure I've been doing it right. I generally try to have an arc of difficulty, starting with an easy dance, getting gradually harder, peaking around the 2nd or 3rd dance after the break, then ending with a simple dance as a cool-down. The actual difficulty you start and peak with is dependent on the skill level of your local dance. I also try to have a few extra options if I find the dancers on a particular evening are newbie-heavy or experience-heavy. In my programs, that generally means having an extra dance in the arc, then skipping either an easy dance early on (if there are not many newbies), or a harder dance later on (if there are lots of newbies). I also put all my dance cards next to each other and try to make sure that I don't put very similar dances consecutively, and that I have a good variety of figures throughout the evening. More experienced callers: feel free to tell me if this strategy is good or bad. Cheers, Ben (Houston, TX)
Re: [Callers] How to devise a program
Miaa asked: > how do you go about putting together a program for a full (or partial) evening of calling? Yes. This certainly is a broad question. For me it would require multiple approaches depending upon: - Is it a square dance, a contra dance, a "barn dance" a "family dance" or a "community dance" and what exactly do these terms mean to the organizers? - Is the event open to the public or is it a private party, a weekend dance camp session, a festival? - Who is the "Client" and what do they expect? - Is this an ongoing series "hosted" by a group of "regulars" who know one another? - If it is an ongoing series what is the local dance culture? Will they expect in terms of dance formations and variety? - What is the purpose of the event? - Will there be live musicians? If so, who is the band? The different approaches you see will depend a lot upon the answers to these--and other--questions. Depending upon the answers above some of us would not accept the gig because we don't have the skills or material to provide what the dancers and the organizers are looking for. Or because we are not interested in doing that particular kind of gig. You might get more useful answers if you narrowed your question to a particular "real" situation that callers can respond to. But that's just one way to approach it. I can't really respond without knowing at least some of the answers. I see a variety of different roles for the caller in a variety of different situations. Other callers may not see it this way. - Greg McKenzie West Coast, USA
Re: [Callers] How to devise a program
Hi Greg et al., Yeah, good point. I'm calling one of a regular (monthly) contra dance series in the Berkshires. It's open to all and has a beginners warm-up for any who are interested. Attendance runs maybe 14-26 (ish), including a fair number of people who have danced before but aren't super-experienced/"hotshot" dancers. There'll be a live band. The expectation will probably be mostly contras with a waltz at the end of either half--I doubt people would object to or necessarily expect other formations/types of dances. That help at all? Interested to hear what you have to say! Maia On Sun, Sep 15, 2013 at 12:53 PM, Greg McKenzie wrote: > Miaa asked: > > > how do you go about putting together a program for > > a full (or partial) evening of calling? > > > Yes. This certainly is a broad question. For me it would require multiple > approaches depending upon: > > - Is it a square dance, a contra dance, a "barn dance" a "family dance" or > a "community dance" and what exactly do these terms mean to the organizers? > > - Is the event open to the public or is it a private party, a weekend dance > camp session, a festival? > > - Who is the "Client" and what do they expect? > > - Is this an ongoing series "hosted" by a group of "regulars" who know one > another? > > - If it is an ongoing series what is the local dance culture? Will they > expect in terms of dance formations and variety? > > - What is the purpose of the event? > > - Will there be live musicians? If so, who is the band? > > The different approaches you see will depend a lot upon the answers to > these--and other--questions. Depending upon the answers above some of us > would not accept the gig because we don't have the skills or material to > provide what the dancers and the organizers are looking for. Or because we > are not interested in doing that particular kind of gig. > > You might get more useful answers if you narrowed your question to a > particular "real" situation that callers can respond to. But that's just > one way to approach it. I can't really respond without knowing at least > some of the answers. I see a variety of different roles for the caller in > a variety of different situations. Other callers may not see it this way. > > - Greg McKenzie > > West Coast, USA > ___ > Callers mailing list > call...@sharedweight.net > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >
Re: [Callers] How to Devise a Program
On 9/15/2013 11:49 AM, Ben Hornstein wrote: As a new caller, I've received lots of advice on this topic, and I want to make sure I've been doing it right. I generally try to have an arc of difficulty, starting with an easy dance, getting gradually harder, peaking around the 2nd or 3rd dance after the break, then ending with a simple dance as a cool-down. The actual difficulty you start and peak with is dependent on the skill level of your local dance. I also try to have a few extra options if I find the dancers on a particular evening are newbie-heavy or experience-heavy. In my programs, that generally means having an extra dance in the arc, then skipping either an easy dance early on (if there are not many newbies), or a harder dance later on (if there are lots of newbies). I also put all my dance cards next to each other and try to make sure that I don't put very similar dances consecutively, and that I have a good variety of figures throughout the evening. More experienced callers: feel free to tell me if this strategy is good or bad. This sounds like a good plan to me. It is basically what has been discussed in calling workshops I have attended over the years. Everyone has a different way of doing things, but starting out with easier dances, progressing to more challenging and then returning to simpler dances is a good overall plan. Some callers suggest making each half of the evening follow this pattern. I usually tend to place the most challenging dance(s) after the break, but not the first dance after the break. Some people think the peak should be before the break. Your mileage may vary. I also like to put a mixer in as the 2nd or 3rd dance. My thought is that at this point most of the people who are coming are there, the dancers are warmed up, and it's a good time to get them mixed around a bit, especially if there are new dancers present. I also like to plan for a couple of squares and some non-typical formation dances, such as 4 face 4 or Sicilian circle dances, during the evening for variety. Jonathan - Jonathan Sivier Caller of Contra, English and Early American Dances jsivier AT illinois DOT edu Dance Page: http://www.sivier.me/dance_leader.html - Q: How many angels can dance on the head of a pin? A: It depends on what dance you call!
[Callers] thanks for the help on those original 11 no names :)
Much much thanks Chris, Michael, Yoyo, Bill, Linda & Greg for helping me identify those 11 dances plus giving me come corrections/clarifications! Michael - interesting that you picked up Pound Cat Promenade from Cis Hinkle as she was also my source something like four years ago at the dance flurry. :) Looks as though I'm going to have to take a close look at the Cabot School Mixer and Ellen's Yarns. I'l run them through our callers practice group here! Much thanks! Emily in Ottawa
Re: [Callers] How to devise a program
With the proviso that I don't generally plan a complete program ahead of time I have a set of 3-4 dances that are almost always my first dance. Generally they're very low piece count dances, very forgiving, and with a limited number of moves. Most of those first dances don't even have a chain or a R&L thru -- allemandes, swings, circles and long lines. One of them starts and ends in short waves. After I've seen how they do with that, I will move on to other dances, adding in a move or two at a time. I do try to make the first time I use a chain a chain over and back, or a chain to your neighbor so that they can have a chance to do it with a bunch of different people. Generally, I will teach a Hey in the 3rd dance -- almost always a full hey coming back to a partner balance and swing. (Butter by Gene Hubert or delphiniums and dasies by Tonya Rattenburg (know I've misspelled that). Sometimes I'll do a mixer as the 3rd or 4th dance. From there on out, I am slowly adding new moves, building on what we've done already, and trying to alternate between smooth and balancy dances (also trying to keep a variety of "storylines" -- circular dances vs down the hall vs waves vs unusual progressions or multiple neighbors. Before the evening starts, I will have picked out dances that I would like to work into the program (many more dances than I could actually do), and if I have one that I really want to make sure I get in, I will start building the foundation for that...making sure that I work most of the components into other dances. I generally aim for the peak of complexity to be shortly after the break, but to continue to keep the energy level up until the end of the evening (even though it is with simpler dances). So that's a sketchy version of what is generally going through my mind as I'm putting an evening together, Your mileage may vary. You may want to plan things ahead more than I do. If you can come up with an outline or framework to hang your dances on, I think it will make the actual programming easier. Jack On 9/15/2013 2:35 PM, Maia McCormick wrote: Hi Greg et al., Yeah, good point. I'm calling one of a regular (monthly) contra dance series in the Berkshires. It's open to all and has a beginners warm-up for any who are interested. Attendance runs maybe 14-26 (ish), including a fair number of people who have danced before but aren't super-experienced/"hotshot" dancers. There'll be a live band. The expectation will probably be mostly contras with a waltz at the end of either half--I doubt people would object to or necessarily expect other formations/types of dances. That help at all? Interested to hear what you have to say! Maia On Sun, Sep 15, 2013 at 12:53 PM, Greg McKenzie wrote: Miaa asked: how do you go about putting together a program for a full (or partial) evening of calling? Yes. This certainly is a broad question. For me it would require multiple approaches depending upon: - Is it a square dance, a contra dance, a "barn dance" a "family dance" or a "community dance" and what exactly do these terms mean to the organizers? - Is the event open to the public or is it a private party, a weekend dance camp session, a festival? - Who is the "Client" and what do they expect? - Is this an ongoing series "hosted" by a group of "regulars" who know one another? - If it is an ongoing series what is the local dance culture? Will they expect in terms of dance formations and variety? - What is the purpose of the event? - Will there be live musicians? If so, who is the band? The different approaches you see will depend a lot upon the answers to these--and other--questions. Depending upon the answers above some of us would not accept the gig because we don't have the skills or material to provide what the dancers and the organizers are looking for. Or because we are not interested in doing that particular kind of gig. You might get more useful answers if you narrowed your question to a particular "real" situation that callers can respond to. But that's just one way to approach it. I can't really respond without knowing at least some of the answers. I see a variety of different roles for the caller in a variety of different situations. Other callers may not see it this way. - Greg McKenzie West Coast, USA ___ Callers mailing list call...@sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers ___ Callers mailing list call...@sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
Re: [Callers] Question for traveling and/or busy callers
On Wed, Sep 11, 2013, Kalia Kliban wrote: > > I live at the north end of the California Bay Area. Between the two > local CDS affiliates (BACDS and NBCDS) and a couple of independent > groups we have over 15 regularly scheduled dances each month within > a 2-hour drive of my place up in Sebastopol (about an hour north of > SF). Most are within an hour's drive. Since I call both contra and > English, things can really stack up. > > The good thing about having this many regular local dances is that > there are lots of opportunities for new callers, or callers > branching out into different styles like I did. But the down side > is that you have to be careful with schedule management. It's a > learning process :>) Speaking as someone in the same geographic area, I do not find this setup particularly congenial to new callers. I'm not really up for an extended discussion of why I feel that way, but I didn't feel like letting this sit unanswered, either. -- Hugs and backrubs -- I break Rule 6http://rule6.info/ <*> <*> <*> "To me vi is Zen. To use vi is to practice zen. Every command is a koan. Profound to the user, unintelligible to the uninitiated. You discover truth everytime you use it." --re...@lion.austin.ibm.com
