Re: [Callers] New Dance to Share

[Chris Page via Callers]

Pat Shaw's "The American Husband" -- and all of the rest of his dances
-- can be found at this wonderful, fairly recent website:

http://www.patshaw.info/dances/

--Chris Page
San Diego

Re: [Callers] New Dance to Share

[Don Veino via Callers]

I'm guessing it has to do with average wing spans. Much as we may like to
divorce role from physical characteristics, there are times in choreography
where predominant dancer properties can affect the "feel" of a dance.

BTW, folks: please remember to trim your posts to just the applicable bits.
Risking swiping thumb fatigue on my phone today... 😀

On Jun 10, 2017 3:06 PM, "jandnbloom via Callers" <
callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

I'm curious - what is it about having the ladies in the center that makes
it work better?
Jacob


Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device


 Original message 
From: Mac Mckeever via Callers
List-Post: callers@lists.sharedweight.net
Date:06/10/2017 1:48 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: Frederick Park ,Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
Subject: Re: [Callers] New Dance to Share

Since you mentioned circle mixers - one of my current favorites is a very
easy one that has been around for a while - but I only discovered it a
couple years ago.  I messed with it a little to make it work for all
experience levels.

The Wheel by Gene Huber - random circle mixer

Start in a circle with Ladies facing partner with their backs to center -
holding 2 hands with partner (I think the original had the gents in the
center - but I found it works better this way)

Re: [Callers] New Dance to Share

[Mac Mckeever via Callers]

Generally their arms are shorter - so it works better if they make the smaller 
circle. 

I tried it with the gents in the center and found that awkward
By the way, our web site - www.chldgrove.org has a photo of us doing this dance 
in the home page banner at the wonderful Missouri Botanical Garden with me 
standing in the center calling.  The fountain is usually on when we danced 
there - but they had it turned off that evening.

Mac McKeever


  From: jandnbloom 
 To: Mac Mckeever ; Frederick Park ; 
"Callers@lists.sharedweight.net"  
 Sent: Saturday, June 10, 2017 2:06 PM
 Subject: Re: [Callers] New Dance to Share
   
I'm curious - what is it about having the ladies in the center that makes it 
work better?Jacob

Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device

 Original message From: Mac Mckeever via Callers 
Date:06/10/2017 1:48 PM (GMT-05:00) To: Frederick Park 
,Callers@lists.sharedweight.net Subject: Re: [Callers] New Dance to Share 
Since you mentioned circle mixers - one of my current favorites is a very easy 
one that has been around for a while - but I only discovered it a couple years 
ago.  I messed with it a little to make it work for all experience levels.

The Wheel by Gene Huber - random circle mixer

Start in a circle with Ladies facing partner with their backs to center - 
holding 2 hands with partner (I think the original had the gents in the center 
- but I found it works better this way)

A1 - Into the center - all drop hands with partner take hands with the persons 
on both sides of you - so you have a circle of gents facing in and a circle of 
ladies facing out
walk back out so both circles are near their full size - there is lots of time 
to get everything done in this part.

A2 - everyone circle left (this makes the circles turn in opposite directions
B1 - everyone balance and swing (or do-si-do and swing depending on the 
experience level) who ever is in front of them at the time - lost and found is 
in the center.
B2 Prominade with current partner - ladies on outside - roll ladies to the 
inside to get ready for A1
Mac McKeever


  From: Frederick Park via Callers 
 To: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net 
 Sent: Saturday, June 10, 2017 10:54 AM
 Subject: Re: [Callers] New Dance to Share
  
Dear Folks,
This little opening for discussion of unusual dances that are not contra or 
square is delightful. Thank you all.
"Le Brandy" and the “Weevil" are both new to me and have great potential I 
think. 
Erik, I don’t have your “double becket" dance - will you send it my way?
The other dances are well known to me and I wish to offer a teaching element 
I’ve used successfully in the Pat Shaw dance, K + E.
Once sets are established, 1s on the outside facing in, 2s standing back to 
back in the center facing outside couples, the primary dance move that makes it 
all work out is the partner relationship.I ask all to practice once or twice 
“Change Hands” with Partners. Obviously, those in the center, the 1s, when 
changing the direction they face at any time places their own Partner on one 
side and then the other.Simply suggesting that the call is “Change Hands” when 
practicing the move makes it unique and clear and simple, all at once!Having 
the sense of “double beckett” is not so very intuitive for dancers simply 
because this dance is a one-of-a-kind dance. I can “see” it but I wouldn’t 
mention it to dancers.The 1s need to “bond”. As well those far across on the 
opposite side of the set, the 2s, need to “bond” or recognize they are a 
unit…which is all the more useful once any couples reach the end of the set.To 
that end I ask the dancers to change places with couple they are initially 
facing (each 1 changes places with their original 2) and the “Change Hands” 
introduces them to their other half for any who are in the center four.
The only thing that pushes this dance into the realm of “intermediate to 
advanced” is the final 8 bars of the dance, the progression.Those on the 
outside are swinging their Partners and could and should “move up the hall” 
every so slightly.Meanwhile the center four have just met again (the “magic” 
includes meeting their Partners!) and are with their “other half”, the 2s! The 
1s then “Circle Down - three quarters ‘round - and Change Hands”. This call 
indicates the movement of Circle Left 3/4 WHILE moving down the hall ever so 
slightly (to end with “Trade Hands in the Center”, face out and meet a new 
Couple 2 to begin again . . .
I’ve found that the movement of Circle and move is akin the square dance chorus 
figure of four dancers moving in a circle Left while dancing in Promenade 
direction around the “other couple”.So introducing such a chorus in a square 
dance one or two dances earlier allows the whole dance hall to be a bit 
familiar with the similar pattern used in K+E!
Lastly, may I recommend that any of you may also find interest in Pat Shaw’s 
“The American Husband”! It’s a sicillian circle for groups of three, very 
unusual pro

Re: [Callers] New Dance to Share

[jandnbloom via Callers]

I'm curious - what is it about having the ladies in the center that makes it 
work better?
Jacob


Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device

 Original message From: Mac Mckeever via 
Callers  Date:06/10/2017  1:48 PM  
(GMT-05:00) To: Frederick Park 
,Callers@lists.sharedweight.net Subject: Re: 
[Callers] New Dance to Share 
Since you mentioned circle mixers - one of my current favorites is a very 
easy one that has been around for a while - but I only discovered it a couple 
years ago.  I messed with it a little to make it work for all experience levels.

The Wheel by Gene Huber - random circle mixer

Start in a circle with Ladies facing partner with their backs to center - 
holding 2 hands with partner (I think the original had the gents in the center 
- but I found it works better this way)

A1 - Into the center - all drop hands with partner take hands with the persons 
on both sides of you - so you have a circle of gents facing in and a circle of 
ladies facing out

walk back out so both circles are near their full size - there is lots of time 
to get everything done in this part.

A2 - everyone circle left (this makes the circles turn in opposite directions

B1 - everyone balance and swing (or do-si-do and swing depending on the 
experience level) who ever is in front of them at the time - lost and found is 
in the center.

B2 Prominade with current partner - ladies on outside - roll ladies to the 
inside to get ready for A1

Mac McKeever


From: Frederick Park via Callers 
To: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net 
Sent: Saturday, June 10, 2017 10:54 AM
Subject: Re: [Callers] New Dance to Share

Dear Folks,

This little opening for discussion of unusual dances that are not contra or 
square is delightful. Thank you all.

"Le Brandy" and the “Weevil" are both new to me and have great potential I 
think. 

Erik, I don’t have your “double becket" dance - will you send it my way?

The other dances are well known to me and I wish to offer a teaching element 
I’ve used successfully in the Pat Shaw dance, K + E.

Once sets are established, 1s on the outside facing in, 2s standing back to 
back in the center facing outside couples, the primary dance move that makes it 
all work out is the partner relationship.
I ask all to practice once or twice “Change Hands” with Partners. Obviously, 
those in the center, the 1s, when changing the direction they face at any time 
places their own Partner on one side and then the other.
Simply suggesting that the call is “Change Hands” when practicing the move 
makes it unique and clear and simple, all at once!
Having the sense of “double beckett” is not so very intuitive for dancers 
simply because this dance is a one-of-a-kind dance. I can “see” it but I 
wouldn’t mention it to dancers.
The 1s need to “bond”. As well those far across on the opposite side of the 
set, the 2s, need to “bond” or recognize they are a unit…which is all the more 
useful once any couples reach the end of the set.
To that end I ask the dancers to change places with couple they are initially 
facing (each 1 changes places with their original 2) and the “Change Hands” 
introduces them to their other half for any who are in the center four.

The only thing that pushes this dance into the realm of “intermediate to 
advanced” is the final 8 bars of the dance, the progression.
Those on the outside are swinging their Partners and could and should “move up 
the hall” every so slightly.
Meanwhile the center four have just met again (the “magic” includes meeting 
their Partners!) and are with their “other half”, the 2s! 
The 1s then “Circle Down - three quarters ‘round - and Change Hands”. 
This call indicates the movement of Circle Left 3/4 WHILE moving down the hall 
ever so slightly (to end with “Trade Hands in the Center”, face out and meet a 
new Couple 2 to begin again . . .

I’ve found that the movement of Circle and move is akin the square dance chorus 
figure of four dancers moving in a circle Left while dancing in Promenade 
direction around the “other couple”.
So introducing such a chorus in a square dance one or two dances earlier allows 
the whole dance hall to be a bit familiar with the similar pattern used in K+E!

Lastly, may I recommend that any of you may also find interest in Pat Shaw’s 
“The American Husband”! It’s a sicillian circle for groups of three, very 
unusual progression and includes a Shetland Hey (for three) with each couple 
dancing as a single unit in a hey for three pattern! Let me know if you can’t 
find it and I’ll post it here.

More dances? Yes, please! (especially circle mixers and sicillian circles)  : )


Frederick Park
3377 Halls Chapel Road
Burnsville, NC 28714
828.335.5630
freder...@apalache.com




___
Callers mailing list
Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

Re: [Callers] New Dance to Share

[Frederick Park via Callers]

ERROR Correction in the first, long paragraph below: 1s are back-to-back in the 
center. 2s are on the outside (moving up the hall, eventually)!!!

On Jun 10, 2017, at 11:54 AM, Frederick Park  wrote:

. . . I wish to offer a teaching element I’ve used successfully in the Pat Shaw 
dance, K + E.

Once sets are established, 1s on the outside facing in, 2s standing back to 
back in the center facing outside couples, the primary dance move that makes it 
all work out is the partner relationship.
I ask all to practice once or twice “Change Hands” with Partners. Obviously, 
those in the center, the 1s, when changing the direction they face at any time 
places their own Partner on one side and then the other.
Simply suggesting that the call is “Change Hands” when practicing the move 
makes it unique and clear and simple, all at once!
Having the sense of “double beckett” is not so very intuitive for dancers 
simply because this dance is a one-of-a-kind dance. I can “see” it but I 
wouldn’t mention it to dancers.
The 1s need to “bond”. As well those far across on the opposite side of the 
set, the 2s, need to “bond” or recognize they are a unit…which is all the more 
useful once any couples reach the end of the set.
To that end I ask the dancers to change places with couple they are initially 
facing (each 1 changes places with their original 2) and the “Change Hands” 
introduces them to their other half for any who are in the center four.

The only thing that pushes this dance into the realm of “intermediate to 
advanced” is the final 8 bars of the dance, the progression.
Those on the outside are swinging their Partners and could and should “move up 
the hall” every so slightly.
Meanwhile the center four have just met again (the “magic” includes meeting 
their Partners!) and are with their “other half”, the 2s! 
The 1s then “Circle Down - three quarters ‘round - and Change Hands”. 
This call indicates the movement of Circle Left 3/4 WHILE moving down the hall 
ever so slightly (to end with “Trade Hands in the Center”, face out and meet a 
new Couple 2 to begin again . . .

I’ve found that the movement of Circle and move is akin the square dance chorus 
figure of four dancers moving in a circle Left while dancing in Promenade 
direction around the “other couple”.
So introducing such a chorus in a square dance one or two dances earlier allows 
the whole dance hall to be a bit familiar with the similar pattern used in K+E!

Lastly, may I recommend that any of you may also find interest in Pat Shaw’s 
“The American Husband”! It’s a sicillian circle for groups of three, very 
unusual progression and includes a Shetland Hey (for three) with each couple 
dancing as a single unit in a hey for three pattern! Let me know if you can’t 
find it and I’ll post it here.

More dances? Yes, please! (especially circle mixers and sicillian circles)  : )


And here’s one from me ~

 "Michael and Angie”
Originally written as a wedding dance for old friends in the early days of the 
Old Farmers Ball, it also works as a stand-alone Becket Formation dance.

Formation:
Sicilian Circle, Becket Formation (large circle round the hall, with hands four 
established as in Becket. Each couple either faces out of the large big circle 
or into the large big circle).

Notes: 
ID each dancers’ “Corner” thusly: join hands in two single circles just after 
hands-four have been established. Corners are as in the original Becket’s Reel, 
next to you in the large circle but NOT in your “hands four”. Moderate to slow 
speed. Accomplished dance leaders may choose to speed up the dance tempo just a 
bit after seeing the room has “got it”!

A1  Corners Alle. L, Partners Swing (end facing original Opposite Couple) . 
. .

A2  Circular Hey (see description below -  alternatively, simply dance a 
straight Hey for Four but note the ending!!!) 

B1  See Saw Partner once Round (ending with the Gent on the R. Lady on the 
L. facing Original Opposite Couple in original Hands-Four), 
Star Left three-quarters round (progression - to face new dancers)

B2  Swing New Opposites, Half Ladies Chain (to Partner)

Additional Notes for teaching:  Timing is an essential part of a satisfactory 
dance here. There are two points that may be useful.

First - - - - - - -
The beginning of the dance flows out of a Ladies Chain to their Partners and 
into Allemande Left with Corners all. To ease this transition, a modified 
“courtesy turn” enabling the person dancing the “Gent’s” roll to use his Right 
Arm around their Partner’s waist to receive and send their Partner toward their 
Corner…freeing both dancers’ Left Hand for the Allemande Left with Corners All.

Second - - - - -
The Hey begins (one may assume) with the Gent on the Left as the two couples 
face one another. Yet the end of the Hey - in this dance - requires the Gent to 
transition from the Hey into a “See Saw” (or reverse Gypsy) and then into a 
Star Left AHEAD of his Partner 

Re: [Callers] New Dance to Share

[Mac Mckeever via Callers]

Since you mentioned circle mixers - one of my current favorites is a very easy 
one that has been around for a while - but I only discovered it a couple years 
ago.  I messed with it a little to make it work for all experience levels.

The Wheel by Gene Huber - random circle mixer

Start in a circle with Ladies facing partner with their backs to center - 
holding 2 hands with partner (I think the original had the gents in the center 
- but I found it works better this way)

A1 - Into the center - all drop hands with partner take hands with the persons 
on both sides of you - so you have a circle of gents facing in and a circle of 
ladies facing out
walk back out so both circles are near their full size - there is lots of time 
to get everything done in this part.

A2 - everyone circle left (this makes the circles turn in opposite directions
B1 - everyone balance and swing (or do-si-do and swing depending on the 
experience level) who ever is in front of them at the time - lost and found is 
in the center.
B2 Prominade with current partner - ladies on outside - roll ladies to the 
inside to get ready for A1
Mac McKeever


  From: Frederick Park via Callers 
 To: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net 
 Sent: Saturday, June 10, 2017 10:54 AM
 Subject: Re: [Callers] New Dance to Share
   
Dear Folks,
This little opening for discussion of unusual dances that are not contra or 
square is delightful. Thank you all.
"Le Brandy" and the “Weevil" are both new to me and have great potential I 
think. 
Erik, I don’t have your “double becket" dance - will you send it my way?
The other dances are well known to me and I wish to offer a teaching element 
I’ve used successfully in the Pat Shaw dance, K + E.
Once sets are established, 1s on the outside facing in, 2s standing back to 
back in the center facing outside couples, the primary dance move that makes it 
all work out is the partner relationship.I ask all to practice once or twice 
“Change Hands” with Partners. Obviously, those in the center, the 1s, when 
changing the direction they face at any time places their own Partner on one 
side and then the other.Simply suggesting that the call is “Change Hands” when 
practicing the move makes it unique and clear and simple, all at once!Having 
the sense of “double beckett” is not so very intuitive for dancers simply 
because this dance is a one-of-a-kind dance. I can “see” it but I wouldn’t 
mention it to dancers.The 1s need to “bond”. As well those far across on the 
opposite side of the set, the 2s, need to “bond” or recognize they are a 
unit…which is all the more useful once any couples reach the end of the set.To 
that end I ask the dancers to change places with couple they are initially 
facing (each 1 changes places with their original 2) and the “Change Hands” 
introduces them to their other half for any who are in the center four.
The only thing that pushes this dance into the realm of “intermediate to 
advanced” is the final 8 bars of the dance, the progression.Those on the 
outside are swinging their Partners and could and should “move up the hall” 
every so slightly.Meanwhile the center four have just met again (the “magic” 
includes meeting their Partners!) and are with their “other half”, the 2s! The 
1s then “Circle Down - three quarters ‘round - and Change Hands”. This call 
indicates the movement of Circle Left 3/4 WHILE moving down the hall ever so 
slightly (to end with “Trade Hands in the Center”, face out and meet a new 
Couple 2 to begin again . . .
I’ve found that the movement of Circle and move is akin the square dance chorus 
figure of four dancers moving in a circle Left while dancing in Promenade 
direction around the “other couple”.So introducing such a chorus in a square 
dance one or two dances earlier allows the whole dance hall to be a bit 
familiar with the similar pattern used in K+E!
Lastly, may I recommend that any of you may also find interest in Pat Shaw’s 
“The American Husband”! It’s a sicillian circle for groups of three, very 
unusual progression and includes a Shetland Hey (for three) with each couple 
dancing as a single unit in a hey for three pattern! Let me know if you can’t 
find it and I’ll post it here.
More dances? Yes, please! (especially circle mixers and sicillian circles)  : )


Frederick Park3377 Halls Chapel Road
Burnsville, NC 28714
828.335.5630
freder...@apalache.com



___
Callers mailing list
Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net


   

Re: [Callers] New Dance to Share

[Frederick Park via Callers]

Dear Folks,

This little opening for discussion of unusual dances that are not contra or 
square is delightful. Thank you all.

"Le Brandy" and the “Weevil" are both new to me and have great potential I 
think. 

Erik, I don’t have your “double becket" dance - will you send it my way?

The other dances are well known to me and I wish to offer a teaching element 
I’ve used successfully in the Pat Shaw dance, K + E.

Once sets are established, 1s on the outside facing in, 2s standing back to 
back in the center facing outside couples, the primary dance move that makes it 
all work out is the partner relationship.
I ask all to practice once or twice “Change Hands” with Partners. Obviously, 
those in the center, the 1s, when changing the direction they face at any time 
places their own Partner on one side and then the other.
Simply suggesting that the call is “Change Hands” when practicing the move 
makes it unique and clear and simple, all at once!
Having the sense of “double beckett” is not so very intuitive for dancers 
simply because this dance is a one-of-a-kind dance. I can “see” it but I 
wouldn’t mention it to dancers.
The 1s need to “bond”. As well those far across on the opposite side of the 
set, the 2s, need to “bond” or recognize they are a unit…which is all the more 
useful once any couples reach the end of the set.
To that end I ask the dancers to change places with couple they are initially 
facing (each 1 changes places with their original 2) and the “Change Hands” 
introduces them to their other half for any who are in the center four.

The only thing that pushes this dance into the realm of “intermediate to 
advanced” is the final 8 bars of the dance, the progression.
Those on the outside are swinging their Partners and could and should “move up 
the hall” every so slightly.
Meanwhile the center four have just met again (the “magic” includes meeting 
their Partners!) and are with their “other half”, the 2s! 
The 1s then “Circle Down - three quarters ‘round - and Change Hands”. 
This call indicates the movement of Circle Left 3/4 WHILE moving down the hall 
ever so slightly (to end with “Trade Hands in the Center”, face out and meet a 
new Couple 2 to begin again . . .

I’ve found that the movement of Circle and move is akin the square dance chorus 
figure of four dancers moving in a circle Left while dancing in Promenade 
direction around the “other couple”.
So introducing such a chorus in a square dance one or two dances earlier allows 
the whole dance hall to be a bit familiar with the similar pattern used in K+E!

Lastly, may I recommend that any of you may also find interest in Pat Shaw’s 
“The American Husband”! It’s a sicillian circle for groups of three, very 
unusual progression and includes a Shetland Hey (for three) with each couple 
dancing as a single unit in a hey for three pattern! Let me know if you can’t 
find it and I’ll post it here.

More dances? Yes, please! (especially circle mixers and sicillian circles)  : )


Frederick Park
3377 Halls Chapel Road
Burnsville, NC 28714
828.335.5630
freder...@apalache.com