Re: [Callers] Calling techno?
Here's a "how-to" that I wrote several years ago that covers putting together dance medleys and mixing music, including what to do with "non-square" phrases. *Crossover contras: music and dance medleys:* *Creating a fun and danceable contra dance medley to alternative music* Erik B. Erhardt, Albuqerque, NM, https://statacumen.com/dance/ https://statacumen.com/pub/fun/ErikBErhardt_CrossoverContras_MusicAndDanceMedleys.pdf Erik Erhardt (505)480-4462 StatAcumen.com On Fri, Mar 29, 2019 at 11:50 AM Bob via Callers < callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > I mix lots of genres of music for contras. The only track I’ve ever called > without mixing was the first release of Mika’s “Big Girl (You Are > Beautiful)” on Cartoon Motion. It goes 7x through so it was a real short > dance but a nice filler with a no-walkthrough dance. > > Everything else needs work. I only pick tracks that have clear 8-beat > phrasing most of the time. If I can I move the parts with indistinguishable > phrases towards the end of the mix once the dancers know the dance well. > Alternatively I add a beat track to enhance the beats and phrasing. I > rarely mix by simple copy and paste, which allows me to do creative stuff > to ensure phrases are spot on. (“This is Halloween” from The Nightmare > Before Christmas was true to its name, a nightmare with a few slipped > phrases of 9 or 7 beats, but I *made* it to work.) > > So it’s being selective, doing often heavy editing, and many other bits n > bobs that are in my secret sauce. I rarely try for AABB squaring since that > can wreck the original music too much. One still must count (I cheat: I > perform from my mixing app which has the phrase markings for me.) > > \Bob > > > On Mar 29, 2019, at 11:58, jim saxe via Callers < > callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > > > >> On Mar 28, 2019, at 2:39 PM, Bob via Callers < > callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > >> > >> ... > >> Live or mixed recordings? If live then it should be perfectly square > AABB. If mixed, the only thing you can count on is 8-beat phrases. ... > > > > Can you even count on 8-beat phrases if someone, such as a caller or a > knowledgeable DJ, hasn't vetted the tracks? > > > > I know practically nothing about techno music, but recordings in other > genres that aren't made for phrased dancing will not necessarily follow > strict 8-beat phrasing. For instance ... > > > > It's pretty common for a folk singers accompanying themselves to play a > few bars of guitar strums--and not always the same number--while trying to > remember the first line of the next verse. While I haven't gone looking > for examples, I'd be surprised if such variable inter-verse vamping didn't > sometimes appear even on studio recordings. > > > > In some fiddle traditions, such as southern and Quebecois, besides > straight tunes and wildly crooked tunes, there are also tunes that are > mostly straight but have an occasional odd phrase. Even medleys of > straight tunes can sometimes have some extra beats at the transitions > between tunes, as heard around 0:59 in this video: > > > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLUyg173n_M > > Yo-Yo Ma - Fiddle Medley ft. Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile > > > > Line dances are mostly choreographed to music that's in multiples of 8 > beats, but exceptions are hardly unusual. Also, in order to fit recordings > that were made for listening and not specifically for dance routines, > line-dance step sheets may prescribe various irregularities in the > routines. Here are just a few of the examples a little searching turned up: > > > > > https://www.learn2dance4fun.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Boot-Scootin-Boogie.pdf > > Boot Scootin’ Boogie > > 38 count, 4 wall, beginner line dance > > > > > https://www.copperknob.co.uk/stepsheets/every-little-honky-tonk-ID132260.aspx > > Every Little Honky Tonk > > 32-count, 4 wall line dance with 12-count tag after wall 2 > > > > http://tinalinedancers.com/data/documents/Came-Here-To-Forget.pdf > > Came Here To Forget > > Description: Line Dance - 2 Wall (24ct.) - Intermediate 1 Restart, 2 > Tags > > Sequence: 24, 24, Tag 1, 14cts- Restart, 24, 24, Tag 2 (6cts.), 24, > 24... > > > > For some other examples of music that's largely, *but not entirely*, in > chunks of 8 beats (or eight bars of triple meter), try listening to any of > these while tapping your foot or fingers and counting along: > > > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fg0kfd7kow4 > > Paul McCartney - When I'm 64 > > > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33o32C0ogVM > > Julie Andrews - My Favorite Things > > > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbyAZQ45uww > > Nancy Sinatra - These Boots Are Made for Walkin' > > > > So here's my question, for those of you who are more familiar with > techno music than I am: If you play a random track not already "vetted" > for phrasing, if you find a place where there's sufficiently discernible > phrasing to
Re: [Callers] Leading a 1 hr contra dance
Here is a contra I have had success with new dancers - but only if they are doing really well on the other stuff - otherwise I avoid contras. A1 - Cir L - dosido neighborA2 ladies dosido, gents dosidoB1 Long Liine for & back - 1s swing in centerB2 Down hall line of 4 - don't let go - back up - centers (1s) arch - shoot 2s thru to new neighbors They really need to understand 1s & 2s and when t change and how to wait out at the ends With new dancers I only let them go down the hall 4 counts, back up 4 counts - then they have 8 counts to get the progression and get a new circle formed. Not how I would call it with experienced dancers. Mac McKeever On Friday, March 29, 2019, 12:53:24 PM CDT, Bree Kalb via Callers wrote: Do Si Three by Linda Leslie is another excellent dance for newbies. It has progression and swings (I encourage elbow swings) and it doesn't matter a bit where one ends up. It's always been a great success when I've called it. On Fri, Mar 29, 2019 at 11:02 AM Rich Sbardella via Callers wrote: Casey, In a one hour gig with lots of newbies, I would suggest not using any progressive contras. There are too many fun dances that usr similar basics without the complication of progression. I have been hired to call such contra dances, but found the most success calling dances likes "Rakes of Mallow", La Bastringue, Rural Felicity, Heel & Toe Polka, etc. Few people in the crowd understand what a "modern" contra dance is, they just want to move to the music. Goodluck,Rich SbardellaStafford, CT On Fri, Mar 29, 2019 at 10:05 AM Casey Carr via Callers wrote: I would also start with a circle - teach giving weight, hand holds, 8 counts. Might teach La Bastringue (keeping partners and 2 hand turn instead of swing). I would definitely not teach swings in an hour - no ladies chains. Just circles, stars, allemandes, dos si dos. Depending on the crowd could start with Gallopede or Virginia Reel, then Family Contra would be perfect and end with another simple contra. Casey Carr On 3/29/2019 8:52 AM, Liz Burkhart via Callers wrote: I have a gig coming up at a library wherein I have one hour to teach and call contra dances. It's a mixed crowd, and I heard there may be a lot of tweens present. I think I'd like to focus on bigger picture things - moving up and down the line, swinging, interacting with their set. I imagine I may even cut out courtesy turns in order to minimize the time we spend on the lesson. I've taught for small, mostly inexperienced crowds before but I usually have a lot more time. I'd really rather get them moving than to get bogged down in teaching. Does anyone have insight, suggestions, or advice? Thanks, Liz Burkhart ___ List Name: Callers mailing list List Address: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/ ___ List Name: Callers mailing list List Address: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/ ___ List Name: Callers mailing list List Address: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/ ___ List Name: Callers mailing list List Address: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/ ___ List Name: Callers mailing list List Address: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
Re: [Callers] Leading a 1 hr contra dance
Do Si Three by Linda Leslie is another excellent dance for newbies. It has progression and swings (I encourage elbow swings) and it doesn't matter a bit where one ends up. It's always been a great success when I've called it. On Fri, Mar 29, 2019 at 11:02 AM Rich Sbardella via Callers < callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Casey, > > In a one hour gig with lots of newbies, I would suggest not using any > progressive contras. There are too many fun dances that usr similar basics > without the complication of progression. > > I have been hired to call such contra dances, but found the most success > calling dances likes "Rakes of Mallow", La Bastringue, Rural Felicity, Heel > & Toe Polka, etc. Few people in the crowd understand what a "modern" > contra dance is, they just want to move to the music. > > Goodluck, > Rich Sbardella > Stafford, CT > > On Fri, Mar 29, 2019 at 10:05 AM Casey Carr via Callers < > callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > >> I would also start with a circle - teach giving weight, hand holds, 8 >> counts. Might teach La Bastringue (keeping partners and 2 hand turn >> instead of swing). I would definitely not teach swings in an hour - no >> ladies chains. Just circles, stars, allemandes, dos si dos. >> >> Depending on the crowd could start with Gallopede or Virginia Reel, then >> Family Contra would be perfect and end with another simple contra. >> >> Casey Carr >> >> On 3/29/2019 8:52 AM, Liz Burkhart via Callers wrote: >> >> I have a gig coming up at a library wherein I have one hour to teach and >> call contra dances. It's a mixed crowd, and I heard there may be a lot of >> tweens present. I think I'd like to focus on bigger picture things - moving >> up and down the line, swinging, interacting with their set. I imagine I may >> even cut out courtesy turns in order to minimize the time we spend on the >> lesson. I've taught for small, mostly inexperienced crowds before but I >> usually have a lot more time. I'd really rather get them moving than to get >> bogged down in teaching. Does anyone have insight, suggestions, or advice? >> >> Thanks, >> >> Liz Burkhart >> >> ___ >> List Name: Callers mailing list >> List Address: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net >> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/ >> >> >> ___ >> List Name: Callers mailing list >> List Address: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net >> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/ >> > ___ > List Name: Callers mailing list > List Address: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net > Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/ > ___ List Name: Callers mailing list List Address: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
Re: [Callers] Calling techno?
I don't think you would ever play a random non-vetted techno track for contra, though. The DJs who get booked for these events are specifically techno contra DJs. On Fri, Mar 29, 2019 at 11:59 AM jim saxe via Callers < callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > On Mar 28, 2019, at 2:39 PM, Bob via Callers < > callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > > > ... > > Live or mixed recordings? If live then it should be perfectly square > AABB. If mixed, the only thing you can count on is 8-beat phrases. ... > > Can you even count on 8-beat phrases if someone, such as a caller or a > knowledgeable DJ, hasn't vetted the tracks? > > I know practically nothing about techno music, but recordings in other > genres that aren't made for phrased dancing will not necessarily follow > strict 8-beat phrasing. For instance ... > > It's pretty common for a folk singers accompanying themselves to play a > few bars of guitar strums--and not always the same number--while trying to > remember the first line of the next verse. While I haven't gone looking > for examples, I'd be surprised if such variable inter-verse vamping didn't > sometimes appear even on studio recordings. > > In some fiddle traditions, such as southern and Quebecois, besides > straight tunes and wildly crooked tunes, there are also tunes that are > mostly straight but have an occasional odd phrase. Even medleys of > straight tunes can sometimes have some extra beats at the transitions > between tunes, as heard around 0:59 in this video: > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLUyg173n_M > Yo-Yo Ma - Fiddle Medley ft. Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile > > Line dances are mostly choreographed to music that's in multiples of 8 > beats, but exceptions are hardly unusual. Also, in order to fit recordings > that were made for listening and not specifically for dance routines, > line-dance step sheets may prescribe various irregularities in the > routines. Here are just a few of the examples a little searching turned up: > > > https://www.learn2dance4fun.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Boot-Scootin-Boogie.pdf > Boot Scootin’ Boogie > 38 count, 4 wall, beginner line dance > > > https://www.copperknob.co.uk/stepsheets/every-little-honky-tonk-ID132260.aspx > Every Little Honky Tonk > 32-count, 4 wall line dance with 12-count tag after wall 2 > > http://tinalinedancers.com/data/documents/Came-Here-To-Forget.pdf > Came Here To Forget > Description: Line Dance - 2 Wall (24ct.) - Intermediate 1 Restart, 2 > Tags > Sequence: 24, 24, Tag 1, 14cts- Restart, 24, 24, Tag 2 (6cts.), 24, > 24... > > For some other examples of music that's largely, *but not entirely*, in > chunks of 8 beats (or eight bars of triple meter), try listening to any of > these while tapping your foot or fingers and counting along: > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fg0kfd7kow4 > Paul McCartney - When I'm 64 > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33o32C0ogVM > Julie Andrews - My Favorite Things > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbyAZQ45uww > Nancy Sinatra - These Boots Are Made for Walkin' > > So here's my question, for those of you who are more familiar with techno > music than I am: If you play a random track not already "vetted" for > phrasing, if you find a place where there's sufficiently discernible > phrasing to establish a starting point for your "mental metronome of 8 > counts" (to quote Donna Hunt), if you use that mental metronome to carry > you through a part where phrasing is less evident, and if you then get to > another part with findable phrasing, how reliably (or not) can you expect > that the phrases will still line up with your mental eight-counts? > > --Jim > > ___ > List Name: Callers mailing list > List Address: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net > Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/ > ___ List Name: Callers mailing list List Address: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
Re: [Callers] Calling techno?
I mix lots of genres of music for contras. The only track I’ve ever called without mixing was the first release of Mika’s “Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)” on Cartoon Motion. It goes 7x through so it was a real short dance but a nice filler with a no-walkthrough dance. Everything else needs work. I only pick tracks that have clear 8-beat phrasing most of the time. If I can I move the parts with indistinguishable phrases towards the end of the mix once the dancers know the dance well. Alternatively I add a beat track to enhance the beats and phrasing. I rarely mix by simple copy and paste, which allows me to do creative stuff to ensure phrases are spot on. (“This is Halloween” from The Nightmare Before Christmas was true to its name, a nightmare with a few slipped phrases of 9 or 7 beats, but I *made* it to work.) So it’s being selective, doing often heavy editing, and many other bits n bobs that are in my secret sauce. I rarely try for AABB squaring since that can wreck the original music too much. One still must count (I cheat: I perform from my mixing app which has the phrase markings for me.) \Bob > On Mar 29, 2019, at 11:58, jim saxe via Callers > wrote: > >> On Mar 28, 2019, at 2:39 PM, Bob via Callers >> wrote: >> >> ... >> Live or mixed recordings? If live then it should be perfectly square AABB. >> If mixed, the only thing you can count on is 8-beat phrases. ... > > Can you even count on 8-beat phrases if someone, such as a caller or a > knowledgeable DJ, hasn't vetted the tracks? > > I know practically nothing about techno music, but recordings in other genres > that aren't made for phrased dancing will not necessarily follow strict > 8-beat phrasing. For instance ... > > It's pretty common for a folk singers accompanying themselves to play a few > bars of guitar strums--and not always the same number--while trying to > remember the first line of the next verse. While I haven't gone looking for > examples, I'd be surprised if such variable inter-verse vamping didn't > sometimes appear even on studio recordings. > > In some fiddle traditions, such as southern and Quebecois, besides straight > tunes and wildly crooked tunes, there are also tunes that are mostly straight > but have an occasional odd phrase. Even medleys of straight tunes can > sometimes have some extra beats at the transitions between tunes, as heard > around 0:59 in this video: > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLUyg173n_M > Yo-Yo Ma - Fiddle Medley ft. Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile > > Line dances are mostly choreographed to music that's in multiples of 8 beats, > but exceptions are hardly unusual. Also, in order to fit recordings that > were made for listening and not specifically for dance routines, line-dance > step sheets may prescribe various irregularities in the routines. Here are > just a few of the examples a little searching turned up: > > > https://www.learn2dance4fun.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Boot-Scootin-Boogie.pdf > Boot Scootin’ Boogie > 38 count, 4 wall, beginner line dance > > > https://www.copperknob.co.uk/stepsheets/every-little-honky-tonk-ID132260.aspx > Every Little Honky Tonk > 32-count, 4 wall line dance with 12-count tag after wall 2 > > http://tinalinedancers.com/data/documents/Came-Here-To-Forget.pdf > Came Here To Forget > Description: Line Dance - 2 Wall (24ct.) - Intermediate 1 Restart, 2 Tags > Sequence: 24, 24, Tag 1, 14cts- Restart, 24, 24, Tag 2 (6cts.), 24, 24... > > For some other examples of music that's largely, *but not entirely*, in > chunks of 8 beats (or eight bars of triple meter), try listening to any of > these while tapping your foot or fingers and counting along: > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fg0kfd7kow4 > Paul McCartney - When I'm 64 > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33o32C0ogVM > Julie Andrews - My Favorite Things > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbyAZQ45uww > Nancy Sinatra - These Boots Are Made for Walkin' > > So here's my question, for those of you who are more familiar with techno > music than I am: If you play a random track not already "vetted" for > phrasing, if you find a place where there's sufficiently discernible phrasing > to establish a starting point for your "mental metronome of 8 counts" (to > quote Donna Hunt), if you use that mental metronome to carry you through a > part where phrasing is less evident, and if you then get to another part with > findable phrasing, how reliably (or not) can you expect that the phrases will > still line up with your mental eight-counts? > > --Jim > > ___ > List Name: Callers mailing list > List Address: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net > Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/ ___ List Name: Callers mailing list List Address:
Re: [Callers] Calling techno?
On Mar 28, 2019, at 2:39 PM, Bob via Callers wrote: > ... > Live or mixed recordings? If live then it should be perfectly square AABB. If > mixed, the only thing you can count on is 8-beat phrases. ... Can you even count on 8-beat phrases if someone, such as a caller or a knowledgeable DJ, hasn't vetted the tracks? I know practically nothing about techno music, but recordings in other genres that aren't made for phrased dancing will not necessarily follow strict 8-beat phrasing. For instance ... It's pretty common for a folk singers accompanying themselves to play a few bars of guitar strums--and not always the same number--while trying to remember the first line of the next verse. While I haven't gone looking for examples, I'd be surprised if such variable inter-verse vamping didn't sometimes appear even on studio recordings. In some fiddle traditions, such as southern and Quebecois, besides straight tunes and wildly crooked tunes, there are also tunes that are mostly straight but have an occasional odd phrase. Even medleys of straight tunes can sometimes have some extra beats at the transitions between tunes, as heard around 0:59 in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLUyg173n_M Yo-Yo Ma - Fiddle Medley ft. Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile Line dances are mostly choreographed to music that's in multiples of 8 beats, but exceptions are hardly unusual. Also, in order to fit recordings that were made for listening and not specifically for dance routines, line-dance step sheets may prescribe various irregularities in the routines. Here are just a few of the examples a little searching turned up: https://www.learn2dance4fun.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Boot-Scootin-Boogie.pdf Boot Scootin’ Boogie 38 count, 4 wall, beginner line dance https://www.copperknob.co.uk/stepsheets/every-little-honky-tonk-ID132260.aspx Every Little Honky Tonk 32-count, 4 wall line dance with 12-count tag after wall 2 http://tinalinedancers.com/data/documents/Came-Here-To-Forget.pdf Came Here To Forget Description: Line Dance - 2 Wall (24ct.) - Intermediate 1 Restart, 2 Tags Sequence: 24, 24, Tag 1, 14cts- Restart, 24, 24, Tag 2 (6cts.), 24, 24... For some other examples of music that's largely, *but not entirely*, in chunks of 8 beats (or eight bars of triple meter), try listening to any of these while tapping your foot or fingers and counting along: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fg0kfd7kow4 Paul McCartney - When I'm 64 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33o32C0ogVM Julie Andrews - My Favorite Things https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbyAZQ45uww Nancy Sinatra - These Boots Are Made for Walkin' So here's my question, for those of you who are more familiar with techno music than I am: If you play a random track not already "vetted" for phrasing, if you find a place where there's sufficiently discernible phrasing to establish a starting point for your "mental metronome of 8 counts" (to quote Donna Hunt), if you use that mental metronome to carry you through a part where phrasing is less evident, and if you then get to another part with findable phrasing, how reliably (or not) can you expect that the phrases will still line up with your mental eight-counts? --Jim ___ List Name: Callers mailing list List Address: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
Re: [Callers] Leading a 1 hr contra dance
I would strongly suggest that you don’t use the phrase “Give weight” when teaching. It will be misunderstood and people will pull and lean. I believe its is much better to talk about “connection”. 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 ___ List Name: Callers mailing list List Address: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
Re: [Callers] Calling techno?
Yes, to what everyone said. When I program for techno I try for specific 8 +8 counts throughout the dance or 4+4+8 in a phrase. I've found that the 4+12 ct of a Balance and swing is usually cut short or a flowing phrase of an allemande/star promenade/butterfly whirl gets interpreted differently by each dancer. Keep the dances easy and intuitive...dancers want to groove and not think too much. When calling a techno, I've found that I have a mental metronome of 8 counts running through my brain in the background the entire night. It's super easy to lose your place (and the dancers as well) especially if the music is a thumpy beat and not phrased at all. I've also found techno to be mentally tiring (because of keeping track of the counts), and if the room is dark, visually challenging because you cannot see the end of the lines easily. Bring a light for your cards in case the organizers haven't provided enough light on stage. A simple book light might be helpful, but make sure it doesn't "peek" over your notes or it will be in the dancers eyes. Donna Web Site: donnahuntcaller.com Email: dhuntdan...@aol.com Cell: 215-565-6050 -Original Message- From: Sivier, Jonathan E via Callers To: Shared Weight Callers' Listserv Sent: Thu, Mar 28, 2019 7:17 pm Subject: Re: [Callers] Calling techno? Keep calling. My experience has been that techo music has plenty of beat and no phrasing. So dancers don't know when to stop the current figure and start the next one. Some figures like circles, stars and lines forward and back have a kind of natural timing so dances with those figures work well. Some other figures such as heys, chains and swings are less well defined as far as timing goes, and dancers tend to rush heys and chains and go long on swings. So the dancers will all take different amount of time for them. This means that if you stop calling the various parts of the lines will start to diverge in where they are in the dance and soon there will be parts of the room dancing the A1 part while others places in the room they are dancing the A2 or even B1 part. I think swings may be the biggest issue. Everyone likes to swing and many dancers will go long on each swing, but they'll all go long by a different amount. Choose dances with figures that have really well-defined timing and don't stop calling and you will be OK. You may be able to reduce the amount of calling, but you will probably need to say something from time to time to re-synchronize the dancers. Jonathan On 3/28/2019 4:13 PM, Maia McCormick via Callers wrote: > Hey folks, > > I haven't called all that many techno contras, and I'm slated to do so > this weekend. Any tips or things to keep in mind about how techno > differs from your standard contra evening? (Particularly curious about > anything relating to dance choice and dance length.) > > Cheers, > Maia ___ List Name: Callers mailing list List Address: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/ ___ List Name: Callers mailing list List Address: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
Re: [Callers] Leading a 1 hr contra dance
I would also start with a circle - teach giving weight, hand holds, 8 counts. Might teach La Bastringue (keeping partners and 2 hand turn instead of swing). I would definitely not teach swings in an hour - no ladies chains. Just circles, stars, allemandes, dos si dos. Depending on the crowd could start with Gallopede or Virginia Reel, then Family Contra would be perfect and end with another simple contra. Casey Carr On 3/29/2019 8:52 AM, Liz Burkhart via Callers wrote: I have a gig coming up at a library wherein I have one hour to teach and call contra dances. It's a mixed crowd, and I heard there may be a lot of tweens present. I think I'd like to focus on bigger picture things - moving up and down the line, swinging, interacting with their set. I imagine I may even cut out courtesy turns in order to minimize the time we spend on the lesson. I've taught for small, mostly inexperienced crowds before but I usually have a lot more time. I'd really rather get them moving than to get bogged down in teaching. Does anyone have insight, suggestions, or advice? Thanks, Liz Burkhart ___ List Name: Callers mailing list List Address: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/ ___ List Name: Callers mailing list List Address: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
Re: [Callers] Leading a 1 hr contra dance
Hi Liz, I would start with something like: In a big circle teach: 8-count moves; hand-holds and connection; how to swing Family Contra so they learn to progress. No swings so that they can’t end on the wrong side and mess things up. Tell them not to switch lines when they get to the top or bottom! https://folkdancemusings.blogspot.com/2015/05/family-contra-usa.html East Litchfield Volunteers - use wrist-lock stars instead of circles as they did circles in the previous dance http://biteyourownelbow.com/conndanc.htm Or I would do a completely different repertoire of easy dances since trying to do actual modern American contras with beginners can be a disaster :-) 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 From: Callers On Behalf Of Liz Burkhart via Callers Sent: 29 March 2019 12:53 To: callers@lists.sharedweight.net Subject: [Callers] Leading a 1 hr contra dance I have a gig coming up at a library wherein I have one hour to teach and call contra dances. It's a mixed crowd, and I heard there may be a lot of tweens present. I think I'd like to focus on bigger picture things - moving up and down the line, swinging, interacting with their set. I imagine I may even cut out courtesy turns in order to minimize the time we spend on the lesson. I've taught for small, mostly inexperienced crowds before but I usually have a lot more time. I'd really rather get them moving than to get bogged down in teaching. Does anyone have insight, suggestions, or advice? Thanks, Liz Burkhart ___ List Name: Callers mailing list List Address: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
[Callers] Leading a 1 hr contra dance
I have a gig coming up at a library wherein I have one hour to teach and call contra dances. It's a mixed crowd, and I heard there may be a lot of tweens present. I think I'd like to focus on bigger picture things - moving up and down the line, swinging, interacting with their set. I imagine I may even cut out courtesy turns in order to minimize the time we spend on the lesson. I've taught for small, mostly inexperienced crowds before but I usually have a lot more time. I'd really rather get them moving than to get bogged down in teaching. Does anyone have insight, suggestions, or advice? Thanks, Liz Burkhart ___ List Name: Callers mailing list List Address: Callers@lists.sharedweight.net Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
