[Callers] Complicated Contras

[Michael Fuerst]

Here is a link to my dances.   They are more difficult to visualize than they 
are to dance or teach
http://aptsg.org/Dance/dances.html

I generally only call at dance weekends or weeks with open calling
Here are the ones from the above link I call most often 

More advanced:
George's Neat Reel  
A.O.'s No-No   
Not Quite Fifty   
Where's Alex?   
Maybe You Should Write an Easy Dance   
A Proper Potpourri   
Hoots and Shouts  
The Great Urbana Barn Dance   
Mr. Johnson's Jig   
One Shy of Twenty  

The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Doubly Good Ideas

Promises and Pearls

Say Go to the Do-Si-Do

Rory O Star

Third Easy Dance


More straightforward:
Where is Tim's Cup?  
Dave Found the Missing Coffee Cup 
E.J.M.J.F. in Cincinnati  

More Carina  
And Thinking About Coffee Cups


 

Michael Fuerst      802 N Broadway      Urbana IL 61801   217-239-5844
Links to photos of many of my drawings and paintings are at 
www.ArtComesFuerst.com

Re: [Callers] complicated contras

[David Harding]

Shouldn't the second half of A1 be a star left?

On 1/7/2014 12:06 PM, Zoë Madonna wrote:

Exciting! I'm pretty new to the calling game, but here are some of the
advanced dances in my box that I'm extra excited to be able to pull out
when the time comes.

The Magpie and the Seal // David Zinkin // double improper

A1: Star right below (8)
Star right above with old Ns (8)
A2: DSD 1.25 to wave of four (ladies take left, Ns take right) (8)
Balance wave, (4) alle N by R 1/2, gents pull by L (4)
B1: Bal/swing partner (16)
B2: Ladies chain (8)
1/2 hey (ladies start by R) (8)

Re: [Callers] complicated contras

[Aahz Maruch]

On Tue, Jan 07, 2014, Zo? Madonna wrote:
> 
> The Magpie and the Seal // David Zinkin // double improper
> 
> A1: Star right below (8)
> Star right above with old Ns (8)
> A2: DSD 1.25 to wave of four (ladies take left, Ns take right) (8)
> Balance wave, (4) alle N by R 1/2, gents pull by L (4)
> B1: Bal/swing partner (16)
> B2: Ladies chain (8)
> 1/2 hey (ladies start by R) (8)

Not clear from your version whether the DSD is current Ns, the version on
this page says current (more precisely, "N 1"):

http://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/hosted/David_Zinkin.html

I also find the phrasing "Ns take right" confusing; I find "W ctr L hd"
more comprehensible.
-- 
Hugs and backrubs -- I break Rule 6http://rule6.info/
  <*>   <*>   <*>
Help a hearing-impaired person: http://rule6.info/hearing.html

Re: [Callers] Complicated Contras....

[The Witful Turnip]

>-Original Message-
>From: Andrea Nettleton [mailto:twirly-g...@bellsouth.net] 
>Sent: January 8, 2014 2:06 AM
>To: wtur...@sympatico.ca; Caller's discussion list
>Subject: Re: [Callers] Complicated Contras
>
>Just wanted to make sure you got the name right on one of Bev's
>suggestions.  The very excellent Dean Snipes dance is called George is
>Rettie Willing and Able.  Named for NC dancer George Rettie, famed for
>being ready, willing and able to twirl or especially dip at a microseconds
>notice.  Lots of good dances, Bev!
>Andrea

Thanks for the correction Andrea! I actually had the name spelled
differently before that and someone else corrected me. One of these days, I
actually hope to meet Dean Snipes and George Rettie!!
Bev

Re: [Callers] Complicated Contras....

[Andrea Nettleton]

Just wanted to make sure you got the name right on one of Bev's suggestions.  
The very excellent Dean Snipes dance is called George is Rettie Willing and 
Able.  Named for NC dancer George Rettie, famed for being ready, willing and 
able to twirl or especially dip at a microseconds notice.  Lots of good dances, 
Bev!
Andrea

Sent from my iPad

> On Jan 7, 2014, at 11:48 PM, The Witful Turnip <wtur...@sympatico.ca> wrote:
> 
> --
> 
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Tue, 7 Jan 2014 11:04:04 -0500 (EST)
>> From: Donna Hunt <dhuntdan...@aol.com>
>> Subject: [Callers] complicated Contras
>> 
>> Hi All:
>> I have a few "experienced" afternoon workshops coming up and I'm tired of
>> my material.  I'm wondering if any of you have favorite challenging contras
>> that you'd like to share?  I'm looking for any dances that are intermediate
>> or advanced in nature and dances that you wouldn't do on a regular night.
> 
> 
> Hey Donna,
> I know that felling :-)  Maia, Seth and Zoe mentioned some of the dances I
> would have suggested.  A few more of my current faves are:
> 
> Dulcimer Lady - Jim Kitch
> Fiddle Tales - Cary Ravitz
> Flapjack Express - Joseph Pimentel
> George is Reddy Willing and Able - Dean Snipes
> Indigo Silk - Lynn Ackerson
> Our House - Dean Snipes
> Whirl of Fortune - Cary Ravitz
> 
> Hope that helps,
> Bev
> 
> 
> 
> ___
> Callers mailing list
> call...@sharedweight.net
> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers

Re: [Callers] Complicated Contras....

[The Witful Turnip]

--

>Message: 1
>Date: Tue, 7 Jan 2014 11:04:04 -0500 (EST)
>From: Donna Hunt <dhuntdan...@aol.com>
>Subject: [Callers] complicated Contras
>
>Hi All:
>I have a few "experienced" afternoon workshops coming up and I'm tired of
>my material.  I'm wondering if any of you have favorite challenging contras
>that you'd like to share?  I'm looking for any dances that are intermediate
>or advanced in nature and dances that you wouldn't do on a regular night.


Hey Donna,
I know that felling :-)  Maia, Seth and Zoe mentioned some of the dances I
would have suggested.  A few more of my current faves are:

Dulcimer Lady - Jim Kitch
Fiddle Tales - Cary Ravitz
Flapjack Express - Joseph Pimentel
George is Reddy Willing and Able - Dean Snipes
Indigo Silk - Lynn Ackerson
Our House - Dean Snipes
Whirl of Fortune - Cary Ravitz

Hope that helps,
Bev

Re: [Callers] complicated Contras

[Bill Olson]

Hi Donna, I like Dan Pearl's "Beneficial Tradition". It's online several places 
as well as on YouTube..
 
bill



 
> To: call...@sharedweight.net
> From: dhuntdan...@aol.com
> Date: Tue, 7 Jan 2014 11:04:04 -0500
> Subject: [Callers] complicated Contras
> 
> Hi All:
> I have a few "experienced" afternoon workshops coming up and I'm tired of my 
> material.  I'm wondering if any of you have favorite challenging contras that 
> you'd like to share?  I'm looking for any dances that are intermediate or 
> advanced in nature and dances that you wouldn't do on a regular night.   
> 
> Thanks so much.
> Donna Hunt
> 
> ___
> Callers mailing list
> call...@sharedweight.net
> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
  

Re: [Callers] complicated Contras

[lynn ackerson]

I often call medleys at this type of event. Either 3, 4, or even 6 dances (I 
know you have plenty of these from past NEFFAs), and they're so much easier to 
call by yourself instead of passing that microphone around among callers.



 From: Donna Hunt <dhuntdan...@aol.com>
To: call...@sharedweight.net 
Sent: Tuesday, January 7, 2014 8:04 AM
Subject: [Callers] complicated Contras
 

Hi All:
I have a few "experienced" afternoon workshops coming up and I'm tired of my 
material.  I'm wondering if any of you have favorite challenging contras that 
you'd like to share?  I'm looking for any dances that are intermediate or 
advanced in nature and dances that you wouldn't do on a regular night.  

Thanks so much.
Donna Hunt

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Re: [Callers] complicated Contras

[Hanny Budnick]

The Devil's Elbow is one of my favorites - and then there are all those 
neglected triple minors...

Hanny

Re: [Callers] complicated contras

[Zoë Madonna]

Exciting! I'm pretty new to the calling game, but here are some of the
advanced dances in my box that I'm extra excited to be able to pull out
when the time comes.

The Magpie and the Seal // David Zinkin // double improper

A1: Star right below (8)
Star right above with old Ns (8)
A2: DSD 1.25 to wave of four (ladies take left, Ns take right) (8)
Balance wave, (4) alle N by R 1/2, gents pull by L (4)
B1: Bal/swing partner (16)
B2: Ladies chain (8)
1/2 hey (ladies start by R) (8)

Dr. Bluhm's Delight / Rick Mohr  // Becket

A1: Slide left, circle L 3 places (8)
Swing N (8)
A2: LLFB (8)
Hands across LHS 1/2, gents drop (4)
Ladies keep allemanding L 3/4 more and take right with N (wave of 4) (4)
B1: Balance wave (4) and alle R 5/8 with N; gents take left with next gent
(diagonal wave)  (4)
Balance wave (4); gents alle L 3/4 to take rights with partner in new
diagonal wave (4)
B2: Balance wave; swing partner (16)

Life, the Universe, and Everything / Carol Ormand // DI

A1: Ones pull by R, cross  set, go down outside one place (8)
LLFB (8)
A2: Ones turn contra corners and do NOT let go of second corner's left;
take partner's right hand to form diagonal wave (16)
B1: Balance wave (4); drop hands and walk forward to form new wave with 2s
in center (One partners will not be in this wave) (4)
Balance wave (4); allemand right about 3/4
B2: 1s balance and swing; end improper, facing partner

(This can be an alternating corners dance; the twos go up the hall when
active if you choose to call it this way)

Have fun!

Zoë
zmado...@oberlin.edu

Re: [Callers] complicated Contras

[Donna Hunt]

 
Good point Seth.  Here are some I already have (below).In addition 
Fiddleheads (Ted Sanella), Dancing Sailor,  Retronella,  (Rick Mohr), Tropical 
Gentlemen (Kathy Anderson), Purple Heys (Mike Richardson), some from Joseph 
Pimental and Tom Hinds and I have several from Cary as well.  Thanks for your 
suggestions, Seth.  I'll be in touch with Chris Page and look over Cary's new 
stuff.



I'm looking for an unusual use of a variety of figures as well as down right 
difficult.  
Thanks everyone.  I'm looking forward to seeing your ideas.
Donna Hunt

TuesdayNight Stars  JosephPimentalIndecent Contra 
2’s cross and reverse progression
*turn back on original N to find “next” N along line
A1   “next” N Allem L1x
Swing originalN
 
A2   Long lines fwd,give and take to Ladies place
PartnerSwing
 
B1   Circle L ¾,   Balance ring, California twirl to face next N
 
B2   Balance ring, passto a star R (ie. 1/2 gyp neighbor and put R hand into 
star) Turn Star R 1x(look for “next” neighbor to allem L and return to star 
neighbor to swing)
 
Mind boggling dance plays with orientations andexpectations.  Be careful in 
explainingwhich neighbors are needed where and when. For a simpler dance start 
in B2 where the dance is improper and progressionis regular.
 
Where in the Hey are We?  Tony DalMoulin   Becket  EXP
A1Circle L¾, Pass Thru
 SwingNext (**notice this person)
 
A2LadiesChain (**identify shadow #1 past partner)
 Hey ½
 
B1   2(Along line) R Gypsy ½ withShadow #1
4L swat flea with Shadow #2
8Ladies ½ hey over with A1 Swing person
2R Gypsy ½ with Shadow #1
 
B2 PartnerBalance & Swing
 
Contra Madness  GeneHubert  4 progression
Adapted A1 by Donna Hunt
#1 couple in middle of line of 4
 
A1   4x4 downhall,  turn as couple with neighbor #1 ,return, 
bend line, #2 make arch and #1 couple duck thru- faceneighbor #2
 
A2  Do Si Do neighbor#2   1 1/2 ,  Swing Neighbor #3
 
B1  Pass thru across,turn alone, 
R thruacross and courtesy turn with neighbor #4
 
B2  Long lines ,   #1 couple swing 
 
 
Curly Cues  ErikHoffman   Improper
A1Neighborschange places, #1 go between #2,
 MirrorGypsy next neighbor1x ( #1 separate go outside)
 Originalneighbors change places #1 go outside #2,
 #1cross set passing R shoulders stand at end of line of 4
 
A2 Down hall 4x4, turn as couple with samesex* (#1 couple goes forward to 
meet in middle and go up hall 4x4) 
Hand cast with neighbor
 
B1 Turncontra corners
B2 Activesswing and face down
 
 


Donna

 


 

Re: [Callers] complicated Contras

[Tepfer, Seth]

What are the dances you are tired of? We don't want to repeat those!
What is your definition of complicated?

Often the call is for complicated when the desire is simply novelty. New 
formations, new figures are often more satisfying than long walk thrus that 
frustrated all.

Cary Ravitz is the master, and you can find many on his website, including a 
'complex' section. The ones I enjoy calling include: Whitewater, Rocky Road, 
Road Kill, Enchanted, Songbird, Sealed with a Keith, Reflections (extremely 
deciptively challenging),  Pigtown Pousette. But there are plenty of others - 
how can you choose? Cary has been experimenting with 'Cross Contra' formation 
in a number of dances. (http://ravitz.us/dance/#x) I don't know what those are 
like - could be something wildly new.

Al Olson's: Turn Everyone (contra corners turned 90 degrees)

Tom Hind's latest couple of books have some devious ideas with pass the oceans. 
I've esp enjoyed 5-55-55.

Chris Page has a few, my fav is Serendipity, Hopscotch Reel,  but 24x7 is 
really pushing the limits. His Terpsicontra is fun also. 
(http://chrispagecontra.awardspace.us/dances/dlist2.htm)

Ones I've written: 40 Years of Penguin Pam; Tallahassee Settlement Twirl, 
Swingshot; A Glittery, Sparkling 40th; 
(http://www.dancerhapsody.com/Calling/Dances.html)



Seth Tepfer
Director of Administrative Computing
Oxford College
770-784-8487
seth.tep...@emory.edu
Use AskIT for fastest response: Oxford.emory.edu/AskIT



From: callers-boun...@sharedweight.net [callers-boun...@sharedweight.net] on 
behalf of Donna Hunt [dhuntdan...@aol.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 07, 2014 11:04 AM
To: call...@sharedweight.net
Subject: [Callers] complicated Contras

Hi All:
I have a few "experienced" afternoon workshops coming up and I'm tired of my 
material.  I'm wondering if any of you have favorite challenging contras that 
you'd like to share?  I'm looking for any dances that are intermediate or 
advanced in nature and dances that you wouldn't do on a regular night.

Thanks so much.
Donna Hunt

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Re: [Callers] complicated Contras

[Maia McCormick]

Ooh, exciting! A few of my faves:

Batja's Breakdown by Tom Hinds (becket, clockwise)
A1: shadow alle. L 1x; partner swing
A2: circle L 1x; slide L to circle L 3/4
B1: new neighbor b
B2: pass thru to wave (ladies take L) & bal.; neighbors R 1/2, men L 1/2,
partners R 3/4

Double Cat Bounce by Chris Page (improper)
A1: Neighbor b
A2: half ricochet hey (men by L, ladies ricochet over R shoulder); partner
swing
B1: ladies chain; half ricochet hey (woman by R, men ricochet over L
shoulder)
B2: circle R 3/4; neighbor alle. : 1 1/2

Shadows with Smiles by Bob Isaacs (becket, clockwise)
A1: (slide L to) circle L 3/4; neighbor swing
A2: bal. the ring and spin right (no claps!); with N, weave the line past
couple #1 to meet couple #2 (lady leads)
B1: with shadow #2 star L 1x; with shadow #1 alle. R 1 1/2
B2: partner b
(END EFFECTS: if out at the end, weave *with partner*. If you reach the end
while weaving, turn right around (as couple) and keep going)

(Can't wait to see what else people come up with!)


On Tue, Jan 7, 2014 at 11:04 AM, Donna Hunt  wrote:

> Hi All:
> I have a few "experienced" afternoon workshops coming up and I'm tired of
> my material.  I'm wondering if any of you have favorite challenging contras
> that you'd like to share?  I'm looking for any dances that are intermediate
> or advanced in nature and dances that you wouldn't do on a regular night.
>
> Thanks so much.
> Donna Hunt
>
> ___
> Callers mailing list
> call...@sharedweight.net
> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
>

[Callers] complicated Contras

[Donna Hunt]

Hi All:
I have a few "experienced" afternoon workshops coming up and I'm tired of my 
material.  I'm wondering if any of you have favorite challenging contras that 
you'd like to share?  I'm looking for any dances that are intermediate or 
advanced in nature and dances that you wouldn't do on a regular night.   

Thanks so much.
Donna Hunt