Re: [Callers] Help-Caller needed TODAY!
Hi Lisa, I'm now [1]nellwrigh...@gmail.com. Would have loved the gig, too, but I rarely look at this email. Thanks, Nell May 15, 2011 01:07:59 PM, call...@sharedweight.net wrote: I just got an emergency call from musician Eric McDonald, who has a gig this afternoon (SUNDAY) at 4 PM, and Nils is sick. Details: 4-8PM Hopkinton, MA 50th Birthday party Family dance style--mix of beginners and experienced, but probably mostly a family dance program. This is NOT a regular contra dance, so family/community dance experience is needed. Can you do it? CALL ERIC: 617-319-5941 Don't reply to me- Lisa Greenleaf ___ Callers mailing list call...@sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers References 1. mailto:nellwrigh...@gmail.com
Re: [Callers] Help! Need a caller at MIT 11/14
Cortni, Chris, I thought I had rehearsal that night but not. Do you want to share it, Cortni? I bet we can do a good program together. Nell - Original Message - From: "Cortni Frecha" To: "Caller's discussion list" Sent: Saturday, November 11, 2006 6:19 PM Subject: Re: [Callers] Help! Need a caller at MIT 11/14 Hi Chris, Any takers for this gig yet? I'm not sure Anne would want me to call a whole evening. But my curiosity is up. -- Cortni On 11/7/06, Chris Weiler wrote: Hello everyone, I was booked to call at MIT on Tuesday 11/14. Now I have to take a trip for business and can't call that night. Is there someone in Eastern Mass. that could take over for me? Contact me directly and I'll forward your name to the organizer. Thanks!! Chris ___ Callers mailing list call...@sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers -- looks like a new address - and it is! technical difficulties force me to it but I'm not (quite) ready to kill my old one yet you need not change your files- Cortni Frecha www.arrowmaker.org stow, ma 01775-1156 ___ Callers mailing list call...@sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
Re: [Callers] Compilation of 'Hey' dances, and further requests
My first time teaching a hey this weekend went smoothly - they learned the hey beautifully. But the progression required a little hook outside the set for the women after the hey, and they could not learn that. They coped. Since my mentor, Sarah Smith, really thought they would, we ran it and by the end, they loved it. Nell - Original Message - From: "Richard Hart" To: ; "Caller's discussion list" Sent: Monday, November 06, 2006 1:16 AM Subject: Re: [Callers] Compilation of 'Hey' dances, and further requests Here are a few thoughts on teaching the hey - and other calls. 1. Spend as little time as possible "teaching". People learn best by doing. The fewer words the better. 2. If many of the dancers already know how to do it, depend on the experienced dancers to help during the dance (but not while you do the walkthrough, unless asked) 3. Describe the starting position, if necessary and the ending position (for a Hey you end back at the same place you started). Even if someone gets lost during the hey, the dance will not break down if they get back to the right place for the next call. Being ready for the next move is more important than getting every move correct, for beginners or experienced dancers. 4. If there are a lot of beginners, ask the experienced dancers to show them which shoulder of theirs to pass. Experienced dancers will often point to their left or right shoulder for beginners to show which side to pass on, especially if asked. 5. Then, after the above, describe the move: "walk across the set and back in a sort of figure eight, weaving back and fourth over and back to place." Keep your words short, sweet, and quick. Then while doing the walkthrough say "pass by the right shoulder in the middle and by the left on the outside". 6. If there are a lot of beginners and few experienced dancers, then maybe you could ask a group of four to demonstrate the hey. A picture is worth a 1000 words and this is sometimes quicker than trying to explain it. 7. Finally, if the vast majority of the dancers are beginners, then a dance with a hey may not be the best choice. For beginners easier dances that they can succeed at are better and more enjoyable. 8. Also listen to how experienced dancers teach and call a hey and pick the method and words that you like best. If you listen to a number of callers, you will find that everyone has their own methods. I hope this helps. Good luck. Rich Hart. Jillian Hovey remarked on 11/6/2006 12:32 AM: Thanks to everyone who so generously sent me suggestions for easy dances to use in the fourth slot that I, as a new caller will call at our Toronto Country Dancer's dance that Bev Bernbaum will be calling next Saturday. I have attached a Word document that has all the dances, some of which are annotated with teaching notes. I have two requests: I need the details of two dances: First Hey by Paul Balliet, and "Kiss of a Lifetime" bu Peter Stix (I could not find either through an internet search. [A suggestion: Please post the info to the whole list, so once someone has sent the info, others need not bother. Thanks!] The other request is for suggestions on how to teach a hey. (I am a little bit terrified.) Please note, that I have not chosen a dance yet, but need to do so by tomorrow, so I cam open to suggestions from the list I sent (including the two above) and any other dances that you think are suitable. [Note: If I am too terrified to teach a Hey, then Bev has graciously offered that I can choose another easy dance, so I am open to suggestions on that front as well.] Thanks for 'Sharing the Weight', and helping me out! I have learned a lot from you out there in List Serve Land so far, and I am looking forward to more! Jillian Hovey Facilitator of Sustainable Community Planning and Design ___ Callers mailing list call...@sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
Re: [Callers] Workshop for Callers and Musicians in Belfast, ME in November
Thanks, chrissy - I'd love to come, and Victor, even, if ti were closer. Have a good time! nell - Original Message - From: "Chrissy Fowler" To: Cc: Sent: Saturday, September 09, 2006 4:16 PM Subject: [Callers] Workshop for Callers and Musicians in Belfast, ME in November Hi all, Been meaning to mention this. Four of us are putting on an interactive workshop here in Belfast, in conjunction with the 1st Friday Belfast Flying Shoes Dance Series. Callers and Musicians: Making Connections! Open to 25 intermediate level callers and musicians, and facilitated by Amy Richardson Larkin, Shirley White, Linda Henry and Chrissy Fowler. We're all very excited about it, as it's an unusual opportunity for BOTH callers and musicians to join in an extended workshop about band-caller collaboration, communication and cooperation (and some of the various ways we do that for the benefit of all of our community -- musicians callers and perhaps most importantly, dancers!) We're very committed to making this an experiential workshop, meaning that we plan to do a lot of experimenting, dancing, playing and hearing tunes, sharing ideas, testing theories, taking some risks, and so forth. There will be some sitting in a circle and talking as well, but we hope to do more doing than talking. (If we were putting this in a college course catalog it would be described as some lecture, with a substantial lab component.) If out-of-state folks want to come, we would heartily welcome you and I could help you track down hotel rooms, b&bs, or even local hospitality! :-) Belfast is pretty groovy, and in November most of the tourists have gone home. If you have any more questions, let me know. I'll also post a .pdf flyer in the next few days. Thanks! :-) Chrissy Here are some of the details: Fri, November 3rd evening dance Sat, November 4th daytime sessions To register, contact Chrissy Fowler 207-338-0979 or ktaadn...@hotmail.com Cost $50 Scholarships available Workshop presented by North Twin Education Programs with support from The Country Dance and Song Society (CDSS) ** IMPORTANT FYI ** My email use is sporadic. If time-sensitive, please call: home 207-338-0979 cell 603-498-3506 thanks!! :-) chf ___ Callers mailing list call...@sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
Re: [Callers] Quote
I once had difficulty with mine (grandmother, that is) on the topic of pantyhose...Nell - Original Message - From: To: "Caller's discussion list" Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2006 11:03 AM Subject: [Callers] Quote Ran across this quote. This has to have some significance for callers. You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother. -- Albert Einstein ___ Callers mailing list call...@sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
Re: [Callers] spiking the 'booking ahead'
Lisa - I'm not sure about not booking ahead when there's an excess of men. I definitely avoid dancing with women at the beginning of a dance when that's most obvious. But shouldn't I accept (if a man asks me)? Let me say that for me "not booking ahead" means I usually find the partner for the next dance during a dance - sometimes asking a neighbor in the line while dancing or while walking through, sometimes hopping out of line at the end to grab someone sitting out, sometimes accepting someone who asks. I almost always dance the dance after a square with my then corner. I think that's a nice habit. Nell - Original Message - From: "Lisa Greenleaf" To: "Caller's discussion list" Sent: Thursday, May 18, 2006 10:38 AM Subject: Re: [Callers] spiking the 'booking ahead' On May 18, 2006, at 10:25 AM, Seth Tepfer wrote: * model good behavior [especially after Lisa called me out at SnowBall, 2004!] What did I do? Can't remember. We have the same problem in Boston and we're talking about it (no info yet). Personally, I make a point of not booking ahead when we have extra men, as is often the case here. I actually say,"I'm not booking any dances ahead because there are lots of men sitting out." FYI: a lot of dancers hate being manipulated by the post-mixer "and keep this partner for the next dance" Dancing with friends is a very important motivator for people to come to dances, so they want choice in the matter of who there next partner is. Often after I've called a square I'll say, "STOP! If you got to dance this square, please find someone sitting out for the next dance." That tends to work pretty well because they tend to hold the square formation until I tell them what's happening next, so they are sitting ducks for that kind of instruction. It also means the applause for the band gets cut off, but I just make sure the band gets their due later. If I call at private dance parties for experienced dancers, I request that dancers not book ahead, and I ask the hosts to post signs to that effect. People are good about it, which is nice. -- Lisa ___ Callers mailing list call...@sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
Re: [Callers] NEFFA Shared Wt gatherings
the beatles sing along is the best! Check out the percussion on "Birthday". I'll be there then. And will try for 9 on Sat, but no promises with the family. Nell - Original Message - From: "Chris Weiler" To: "Caller's discussion list" Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2006 7:08 AM Subject: Re: [Callers] NEFFA Shared Wt gatherings Hey everybody! Great idea, Karen! Instead of trying to find a time when none of us are performing or dancing, how about we get together on Saturday morning at 9am in the cafeteria. Let's have a potluck brunch! I could bring some bagels with cream cheese. Otherwise, I will probably be ready for a break around 3 or 4 on Saturday, but I do love the Beatles Sing-a-long! Looking forward to seeing everyone! Chris Karen Fontana wrote: Hi All, Here's two opportunities: 1. Friday evening: 9:15 - 9:45pm in the Main Hall; this leaves time to dance 1 - 2 Role Free contras... If on the dance floor, face the band, meet in bleachers to the LEFT of the stage... Then, of course, we all want to be there for the next session (10 - 11:30pm) to support Chris Weiler! 2. Saturday afternoon: 3pm - 4pm in the int'l bazaar cafeteria This means, we can attend two dances of each square session The only other opportunity I saw was: 8 - 9pm Saturday evening If anyone has any preference, or other suggestions, good meeting places - outside?, let me know, otherwise, I'll plan to be at #1 and #2 and hope to meet as many of you as possible! Karen Fontana <>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<> Karen Fontana www.karenscontracorner.com karen_font...@yahoo.com (H) 650-691-9663 <>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<> ___ 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] NEFFA meal or gathering
karen - wear a name button! Nell - Original Message - From: "Karen Fontana" To: "Callers Shared Weight" Sent: Sunday, April 16, 2006 4:59 PM Subject: [Callers] NEFFA meal or gathering Hi Shared Weight friends, I will be coming from California to NEFFA, and it would be great to meet as many of you as possible. I am thinking to set up up a mtg time (maybe two?), that we can meet either in the cafeteria/ int'l food bazaar, or perhaps after hours? Similar to what you did at RPLW. Any interest? I'll need to take a closer look at the schedule, so much good stuff, that I'm sure we all don't want to miss. Please let me know if anyone else is interested, I will also be at the Thursday nite Springstep dance, so pls say HELLO. Looking forward to next week, Karen Fontana California <>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<> Karen Fontana www.karenscontracorner.com karen_font...@yahoo.com (H) 650-691-9663 <>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<> ___ Callers mailing list call...@sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
Re: [Callers] Calling New England Squares
On squares, I agree that if the square is well prepared and up tempo and doesn't take long to run through you will get the positive reviews. But even then, when you only do one shortish square and it involves "losing your partner", people grouse. I saw this at Greenfield last weekend, caller remaining nameless. So, at least around here, the seasoned contra dancers will go along with one set (per evening) of swing-heavey, partner-keeping squares. Nell - Original Message - From: To: Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2006 5:35 PM Subject: [Callers] Calling New England Squares David Millstone wrote: I'd suggest that any caller interested in investigating breaks would do well to purchase a copy of Ted Sannella's "Calling Traditional New England Squares," which is full of general comments and theory, scores of breaks that Ted used, and a CD of Ted callign squares. The cuts on the CD were chosen in part to illustrate many different breaks. Two other items that may be helpful are Tom Hinds's recent publication with a similar title, "Calling New England Squares" and Tom's earlier "Give Me a Break!" All of these materials are available from the sales office at Country Dance and Song Society, http://www.cdss.org/sales/index.html I would like to throw in my own endorsement for Tom Hinds' "Calling New England Squares" and "Give Me a Break!" I have found both to be very fine resources as I seek to call fun and satisfying squares. I've been reading and rereading these as I've been traveling lately. One of the wisest nuggets is the lesson that squares I find fun to dance may not be suitable for me to call because callers are generally more experienced dancers. So Tom offers several ways to analyze squares for suitability to a particular crowd. I know that some contra dancers think squares aren't fun. It's my judgement that when callers are very well prepared and the figures are well-matched to the crowd's ability, I don't hear from those "squares aren't fun" dancers. In fact, I even hear "that was a fun square!" It's especially satisfying to get a smile from a grump. Contrawise, if I am not well prepared on a square, I will hear it. Jerome Grisanti ___ Callers mailing list call...@sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
Re: [Callers] Speeding to the squares
What dedication! You could bill NEFFA for the ticket...what does Gabriel say? Nell - Original Message - From: To: Cc: ; Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2006 3:52 PM Subject: [Callers] Speeding to the squares Dear friends, I got a speeding ticket this morning while driving my son to day care. I deserved it, and there was a lot on my mind, but there's no question that I was doing 51 in a 35 zone. However, I know exactly what led to my speeding, and I don't think the police officer would have appreciated the story. But you might! As we drove, I was practicing square dance calling along with CDs. (With the endless commutes in the Los Angeles area, there's plenty of time for calling practice.) While on the freeway, I was listening to several cuts from Tony Parkes's "Shadrack's Delight" album. The music there is fairly stately, and I was calling and humming along. Then I exited onto a residential street. At that point I made the mistake of switching to Bob Dalsemer's "When the Work's All Done," and put on the final cut "Forward Six and Back." On the album, Bob calls the dance to a much faster tempo than anything on Tony's disc. I was singing along and feeling happy that (after lots of practicing) I was keeping apace, when I realized that I was zooming along with the excitement of the music, and leaving the other cars far behind. I quickly slowed down, but it was too late. I saw the flashing lights behind me. If there's any consolation, at least all four couples got to dance the main figure before I had to pull over and turn off the car. From now on, it'll be "Forward 51 and Back" for me. Sheepishly, Jeremy ___ Callers mailing list call...@sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
Re: [Callers] Gender Free dance arm bands
Oh, sorry! My kid plays and travels a bit, but not that far! Good luck, Nell - Original Message - From: "Dan Black" To: "Caller's discussion list" Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2006 10:45 AM Subject: Re: [Callers] Gender Free dance arm bands Nell, This event will take place in way North West NJ (West Milford, NJ). Beautiful area near nowhere. Thanks Dan Black --- Troll / Wright wrote: Dan - where do you call? In terms of finding you a fiddle player, that is. Nell - Original Message - From: "Dan Black" To: Sent: Monday, March 06, 2006 8:02 PM Subject: [Callers] Gender Free dance arm bands > Gang, > > I am looking to get some arm bands for a contra dance workshop with > about > 30 beginner women. The > event is planned for April 11, so there is plenty of time. It is a > difficult assignment for this > single guy but some one gots to do it. I did some searching on the > Internet and found two types > with Velcro ($3 and $2 per). In the past during gender free dancing at > the flurry, the straps of > fabric on the arm didn't seem to last long. So any experience will be > greatly appreciated. > > Secondly the event will last two hours, suggestion on dances, Baby > Rose, > The Nice Combination, > Midwest Folklore, any others. I hope this isn't a Galopede event. Also > it > looks to be a bandless > event. Any advice for CD music or the shanghaiing of a fiddle player. > Thanks > > __ > Do You Yahoo!? > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around > http://mail.yahoo.com > ___ > 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 __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ Callers mailing list call...@sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
Re: [Callers] Gender Free dance arm bands
Dan - where do you call? In terms of finding you a fiddle player, that is. Nell - Original Message - From: "Dan Black" To: Sent: Monday, March 06, 2006 8:02 PM Subject: [Callers] Gender Free dance arm bands Gang, I am looking to get some arm bands for a contra dance workshop with about 30 beginner women. The event is planned for April 11, so there is plenty of time. It is a difficult assignment for this single guy but some one gots to do it. I did some searching on the Internet and found two types with Velcro ($3 and $2 per). In the past during gender free dancing at the flurry, the straps of fabric on the arm didn't seem to last long. So any experience will be greatly appreciated. Secondly the event will last two hours, suggestion on dances, Baby Rose, The Nice Combination, Midwest Folklore, any others. I hope this isn't a Galopede event. Also it looks to be a bandless event. Any advice for CD music or the shanghaiing of a fiddle player. Thanks __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ Callers mailing list call...@sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
