[Callers] Positional calling for American Squares

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

I've just had a second running of my Positional Squares workshop and I've now 
put up a large page of notes,
so if you're interested in calling or dancing squares positionally, please 
browse to
https://colinhume.com/dtpositional.htm
and I'll be pleased to receive your feedback, good or bad!

Colin Hume

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[Callers] Re: "Assigning" roles in the beginners' lesson?

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Mon, 11 Mar 2024 10:52:25 -0400, K P via Contra Callers wrote:
> Am I the only living person who has a preference for dancing with the 
> opposite cisgender (realizing that any
> particular, such opposite, cisgendered individual may, in fact, have a 
> different preference)?

I wasn't going to get involved in all this, but I have to side with Ken Panton 
- I'm a man and I certainly prefer 
dancing with women.  And I very much enjoy dancing with Louise Siddons even 
though she may generally have a different 
preference.

Colin Hume

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[Callers] Re: simple 4-face-4 dances

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Sun, 3 Mar 2024 17:30:25 -0600, Allison Jonjak via Contra Callers wrote:
> Any simple favorites? Bonus points if they are a california twirl progression 
> to feel "familiar".

I'm really surprised that in three or four days no-one has responded to the 
request.
Maybe the people on this list just don't like 4-face-4 dances.
So I decided to write one  It has the obligatory two swings!  And the bonus 
points!

Allison's Favorite (or if you don't like the title, Allison, I'm happy to 
change it).

I suggest 32-bar jigs because of all that balancing.

A1:  Lines of four forward and back.
   Left-hand people (of each couple) make a left-hand star: balance in and 
out; star half-way.

A2:  Meet the one diagonally across from you, balance and swing - 
   finish on the usual side, facing into the set.

B1:  Right-hand people make a right-hand star: balance in and out; star 
half-way.
  Swing partner and face into the set.

B2:  Join hands in a ring of 8: go in to the middle and back (with suitable 
noises).
  Balance the ring; California twirl partner to face a new line.

As usually happens in a double contra, you stay with the other couple in your 
own line
but alternate ends.

For the partner swing, the left-hand people need to move forward and to the 
left 
as your partner approaches.

When you're out at the ends you can do the figure as a two-couple set.
Just make sure that the final California twirl leaves you facing the 
approaching line of four.

Colin Hume


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[Callers] Re: ISO closing circle mixer for Holiday Ball

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

The Ely Waltz:
https://colinhume.com/instc.htm#Ely

Colin Hume

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[Callers] Re: Most difficult contras

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Mon, 25 Sep 2023 19:47:08 -0400, Jerome Grisanti via Contra Callers wrote:
> "Would You Do It for Twenty?" by Robert Cromartie. We have discussions about 
> "glossary" dances, this one is a
> "kitchen sink" dance, as in "everything you can think of but the kitchen 
> sink." Contra corners, petronella, diagonal
> hey, alternates between proper and improper.

I gave my understanding of this dance a couple of weeks ago, but I don't know 
how to contact Robert Cromartie.  
Please could somebody send me his email address offline or ask him to contact 
me.  I'd like to find out whether I've 
understood his dance, and whether he'd let me put it on my website:

https://colinhume.com/instl.htm#American

Colin Hume:  co...@colinhume.com

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[Callers] Re: Most difficult contras

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Mon, 25 Sep 2023 19:47:08 -0400, Jerome Grisanti via Contra Callers wrote:
> "Would You Do It for Twenty?" by Robert Cromartie. We have discussions about 
> "glossary" dances, this one is a
> "kitchen sink" dance, as in "everything you can think of but the kitchen 
> sink." Contra corners, petronella, diagonal
> hey, alternates between proper and improper.

Jerome has pointed out that after the ones swing they finish improper, so I 
apologise for my confusion and I now have a 
version which I believe works.  Can someone who knows, tell me whether it's 
correct though?

All proper.

A1: Balance the ring and Petronella twice.  All progressed and improper.

A2: Ones right-hand balance and box the gnat - now proper below twos which is 
where you expect to be for contra corners. 
 Ones turn partner right, first corner left, partner right, meet second  corner 
- DON'T touch!

B1: Ones pass second corner left shoulder: almost a complete hey on that 
diagonal, until the ends are home and the ones
meet for the second time.

B2: Ones balance and swing, then face down.  Both couples are now improper.

On alternating turns the twos are in charge.

All improper.

A1: Balance and Petronella twice.  Now progressed, all proper.

A2: Twos balance and box the gnat - twos now improper above ones proper.  Twos 
turn partner right, first corner left,
partner right, face second corner.  This is on the other diagonal from when the 
ones were in charge.

B1: Twos pass second corner left shoulder: almost a complete hey on that 
diagonal, until the ends are home and the twos
meet for the second time.

B2: Twos balance and swing, then face up.  Both couples are now proper.

Colin Hume

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[Callers] Re: Most difficult contras

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Mon, 25 Sep 2023 19:47:08 -0400, Jerome Grisanti via Contra Callers wrote:
> "Would You Do It for Twenty?" by Robert Cromartie. We have discussions about 
> "glossary" dances, this one is a
> "kitchen sink" dance, as in "everything you can think of but the kitchen 
> sink." Contra corners, petronella, diagonal
> hey, alternates between proper and improper.

I've looked at the instructions given at 
https://lists.sharedweight.net/pipermail/callers-sharedweight.net/2017-March/002375.html
and 
https://contradb.com/dances/715 
but they seem contradictory and I can't get it to work.  Here's how I tried to 
work out the dance - somebody who knows 
it please correct me!

All proper.

A1: Balance the ring and Petronella twice.  All progressed and improper.

A2: Ones right-hand balance and box the gnat - now proper below twos which is 
where you expect to be for contra corners. 
 Ones turn partner right, first corner left, partner right, meet second  corner 
- DON'T touch!

B1: Ones pass second corner left shoulder: almost a complete hey on that 
diagonal, until the ends are home and the ones 
meet for the second time.

B2: Ones balance and swing, then face down.  The ones are proper; the twos are 
still improper.

OK, that works.  But the second time the twos are in charge.

A1: Balance and Petronella twice.  Now progressed, twos proper, ones improper.

A2: Twos balance and box the gnat - all now improper with twos above ones.  
Twos turn partner right, first corner left, 
partner right, face second corner.  The Shared Weight version says "Note: All 
heys on the same diagonal (up/stage left 
to down/stage right)" but since this turn starts improper the second corners 
are actually on the other diagonal.

B1: The Shared weight version says "hey"; the contradb version says "half a 
hey".  It must surely be a full hey to get 
people back to their partners - but the ones are still improper.

B2: Twos balance and swing.  The Shared weight version says "*B2 *1s (2s) B 
1s face down, 2s face up"; the contradb 
version says "twos swing, end facing down ?".  But either way the ones are 
still improper.

Colin Hume

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[Callers] Re: Most-Easiest Duple Minors in existence

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Wed, 27 Sep 2023 10:11:16 -0400, Rich Sbardella via Contra Callers wrote:
> I am with Tony on this.�  One of the primary goals of early dances is to get 
> newbies dancing on the phrase.
> Anything that takes them off the phrase will make our job harder for the rest 
> of the evening.

A vote from England also agreeing with Tony.

Colin

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[Callers] Re: Most difficult contras

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Mon, 25 Sep 2023 22:59:17 + (UTC), ROBERT FABINSKI via Contra Callers 
wrote:
> Whitewater by Cary Ravitz is a difficult dance.

I think his "Rat Race" is more difficult.
https://www.dance.ravitz.us/dance2017.htm#rr

I called it once and it was complete chaos.  Trevor Monson who was dancing it 
gave me a few hints, and I tried it twice 
more with slightly better results.  When I told Cary I'd only called it three 
times, he said "I've only called it once".

I think the hardest contra I've written is "Blackmore Gardens Contra"
https://colinhume.com/instl.htm#Blackmore

Colin Hume

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[Callers] Re: Most-Easiest Duple Minors in existence

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Mon, 25 Sep 2023 16:56:28 +0100, Michael Barraclough via Contra Callers 
wrote:
> It doesn't have a name, but the very first dance I do in a contra lesson 
> (after a few basics in a big circle) is:
>
> A1 1-4  Circle left
> A1 5-8  Circle right
> A2 1-4  Balance the ring twice
> A2 5-8  All move forwards (couples facing the band arching over)

Mine is even shorter - just to teach the progression, as Mike's does.

Circle left.  Balance the ring; pass through to meet the next couple.

Colin Hume

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[Callers] Re: Ceilidh dances at a contra

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Sun, 17 Sep 2023 07:26:50 -0700, Rich Goss via Contra Callers wrote:
> Does anyone slip in a ceilidh style dance at a contra?   Some of the mixers 
> work well at contra dances.   Also,
> it's an opportunity to give new dancers brains a break.   I suspect this 
> practice is more common in the UK.  
> Colin, feel free to chime in.

I'm always happy to parade my prejudices!  But it's very seldom in England that 
I call a "contra dance".  I call a 
"dance", which will usually include contras, squares, Playford, modern English 
(from either side of the pond) and 
ceilidh-style (also called "traditional English") such as Morpeth Rant or 
Dorset Four-hand Reel.

I am actually calling a "mainly American" dance for my local club the Hitchin 
Staplers on 7th October:
https://staplers.org.uk/latest.html

Originally Geoff Cubitt was booked to call - he's probably the best caller of 
American Squares and Contras in England - 
but he had to pull out so I'll be doing a programme with a lot of American in 
it.  But I'm still planning to call two 
genuine Playford (Grimstock and The Merry Merry Milkmaids), probably four 
modern English - and actually no ceilidh!

Colin Hume

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[Callers] Re: New Terminology Question

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Sun, 17 Sep 2023 09:40:56 -0300 (ADT), Katherine Kitching via Contra Callers 
wrote:
> I am about to introduce Mad Robins to my group for the first time in its 15 
> year history (reminder, we are an island
> here in Halifax where 99+ percent of the dancers never dance anywhere 
> else)
>
> and I was feeling reluctant to use the term M.R., since it goes against the 
> principle I try to use  here for our
> "always lots of beginners" group, of using intuitive, descriptive names for 
> my figures.  But also a bit torn because
> I do love the term "mad robin" and we will probably only use it in one dance 
> :)

I use the term "shuttle", which I think is very descriptive, though I point out 
to the experienced dancers that it's 
often known as a "mad robin".  And I don't understand why it's so popular in 
North America for both English and Contra.

> I had been seriously considering the term "Mirror Do-si-do" as an alternative 
> - because to me, this describes the
> term perfectly

I don't think it does.  If there were a mirror down the length of the hall and 
let's assume we're in starting positions 
with ones improper, a mirror do-si-do would be the ones close together sliding 
down the middle and the twos further 
apart sliding up the outside, and then the twos sliding down the middle and the 
ones sliding up the outside.

Colin Hume

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[Callers] Re: New Terminology Question

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Thu, 14 Sep 2023 10:20:44 -0400, Jeff Kaufman via Contra Callers wrote:
> I'll bite that bullet: callers generally shouldn't be calling a dolphin hey 
> at a regular evening dance.

We certainly would in England.  I would explain it as a hey for three with the 
ones (usually) acting as a unit, and 
first of all I would keep the ones in order, so the leader is in front the 
whole time.  Then I would explain that that's 
not the way dolphins behave, and I would explain (or better, demonstrate) the 
swapping of the lead.  And add that if 
that's too confusing, they can do it without swapping and it will still work 
and not affect the other couple's move.

Colin Hume

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[Callers] Re: Contra Corners?

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Mon, 21 Aug 2023 18:34:31 -0400, Rich Sbardella via Contra Callers wrote:
> Can anyone shed some light on the origin of the movement and the especially 
> the name "Contra Corners"?

There's a lot of information about Contra Corners on my Connections page:
https://colinhume.com/deconnect.htm

Colin Hume

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[Callers] Re: No Wait-Out Contras

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Wed, 9 Aug 2023 11:38:41 -0400, Susan English via Contra Callers wrote:
> I want to collect contras where there is no wait-out at the end of the line.

Then you want a double progression.

The Bag Lady of Falls Church by Bob Howell
Greenfield Petronella by Chris Ricciotti
Here's to the Fiddler by Tony Parkes
Jansens' Silver Anniversary by Frede Olsen
New Decade Reel by Gene Hubert
No Clapping! by Colin Hume
and there are lots more.

Colin Hume

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[Callers] Re: Favorite "Experienced" Material?

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

My favourite has to be "Abnormality":
https://colinhume.com/instl.htm#Abnormality

I also like:
Goody Two Shoes by Micah Smukler
Here's to the Fiddler by Tony Parkes
Paul's Line by David Kaynor
Buffalo Stampede by Tom Hinds

Colin Hume

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[Callers] Re: AABBCC contras?

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Mon, 31 Jul 2023 06:46:08 -0400, Jerome Grisanti via Contra Callers wrote:
> Going by memory only, I believe there's a double becket called Major Hey by 
> Charley [last name escapes me], the
> pattern is AABCC though. I've called it and dropped a bit of choreography to 
> make it AABB, I'm betting there's a way
> to add choreography for an AABBCC structure.

It's by Eric Hoffman and it is indeed 40 bars. I wouldn't want to drop any of 
it though.

Colin Hume

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[Callers] Squares from Northern Junket

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

Northern Junket was a magazine which Ralph Page edited from 1949 to 1984.
I've now finished copying out the Squares he published there, sometimes with my 
own
comments and suggestions.

I know some of you dance and call Squares as well as Contras.
If you're interested, please read my page at:
https://colinhume.com/instnj.htm
and let me have any corrections and comments either through the list or by 
email.

Colin Hume

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[Callers] Re: Help with end effects for five dances

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Tue, 13 Jun 2023 22:11:49 -0400, Emily Addison via Contra Callers wrote:
> I'm wondering if you can coach me through what instructions you'd give 
> dancers re end effects for the following
> dances.

It may be more useful long-term to give general advice on how to deal with 
end-effects.
See what you think of my page on the subject:
https://colinhume.com/dtendeffects.htm

Colin Hume

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[Callers] Re: Dances that go to swing dance tunes

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

Susan Kevra wrote The Country of Marriage to go to the tune Beaumont Rag.

https://colinhume.com/instl.htm#CountryOfMarriage

Colin Hume

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[Callers] Re: Really fun and accessible triple minors?

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Thu, 6 Apr 2023 09:46:37 -0400, Susan Davis Scott Russell via Contra Callers 
wrote:
> This is a triple minor I learned from Gene Hubert in the 80s. I don�t know 
> the name or author.

It's probably a version of Good Times by Al Olson.  Instructions from The 
Caller's Box:

A1: (16) Dip and dive 6 to place (twos arch, ones dive to begin)

A2: (4) [Ones and twos] Neighbor balance || Threes balance
(12) [Ones and twos] Neighbor swing || Threes swing

B1: (16) [All six] Circle left 1

B2: (8) In long lines, go forward and back
(8) Partner do-si-do (in center)

Colin Hume

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[Callers] Re: Starting to call squares at contra dances

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Mon, 20 Mar 2023 13:39:16 -0700, Suzanne Giradot via Contra Callers wrote:
> However, she has a well-earned reputation for reviving these types of square 
> dances all over the country

And not just your country!  I danced to her at Cecil Sharp House in London and 
thought she was amazing.
I'm still calling two of the dances she introduced me to.

And many years later I was taken to the shore where she was presenting her 
radio show (Portland, Oregon?)
and had a chance to talk to her afterwards.

Colin Hume

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[Callers] Re: Starting to call squares at contra dances

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

I also love calling and dancing squares - even though I'm English.
You may find my page useful:
https://colinhume.com/session8.htm

It's aimed at callers with little or no experience of calling squares, and 
includes a lot of information about breaks, 
with plenty of examples.

On Sat, 18 Mar 2023 14:15:46 -0500, Jonathan Sivier via Contra Callers wrote:
> Even if you have a 32 bar figure and use a 32 bar intro and break, the way 
> that squares tend to go it is very likely
> that some of the squares will take a bit longer to do some of the moves and 
> before you know it you are off the from
> the music.  So I have taken to using a non-square intro (not 32 bars).

That's certainly not my approach.  I use a square tune, and many of my breaks 
finish with a swing which will give the 
quick squares a long swing while the slower dancers are still getting there.  
But I'm always willing to lose the 32 bars 
if necessary, and stay out of step with the music until I can get back with it, 
often by using a longer or shorter break 
as required.  It helps that I'm also a musician so I can hear where we are in 
the tune and adapt accordingly.

Colin Hume

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[Callers] Re: Asking For Website Help and Self-Promotion Question

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Thu, 16 Mar 2023 11:51:29 -0400, Julian Blechner via Contra Callers wrote:
> Any suggestions for website designers for caller pages or contra performer 
> pages?

I can build you a simple website if you're happy to update the HTML yourself - 
I don't use Content Management Systems.
If you'd like a data input screen that will cost a little more.
I wrote data input screens for Sharon Green's website:
http://greenerywest.net/
to allow her to update the Home page and to add and edit dances linked to from 
the Dances page:
http://greenerywest.net/Dance_Pages/Dance_Pages.php
and she's very happy with it and knows nothing of HTML.
I also set up the Folk Sales site:
https://folksales.com/
and of course my own website:
http://colinhume.com

Colin Hume

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[Callers] Re: Dreamed of a dance?

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Thu, 2 Mar 2023 10:20:27 -0500, Luke Donforth via Contra Callers wrote:
> Anybody recognize it?

No, but if you call it I'll gladly stop the dance to explain to the dancers how 
the dance SHOULD go!

Colin Hume

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[Callers] Re: Contras of unusual length?

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Mon, 27 Feb 2023 20:03:48 -0800, Russell Owen via Contra Callers wrote:
> Mike Richardson wrote several nice dances for 2-part slip jigs, including The 
> Peacock Follows the Hen and Here's to
> 40 More (both on caller's box).  There isn't time for a partner swing and a 
> neighbor swing, so I don't call them
> as often as I used to.

I think that's a sad comment on contra dancing today.  Surely adding interest 
and variety is more important than having 
a partner swing and neighbor swing in every dance.  Are we being bullied by a 
vocal minority?

Colin Hume

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[Callers] Re: Contras of unusual length?

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

Sue Rosen has one with a 10-bar B-music:

Walk Along John to Kansas

Longways duple improper

A1: Do-si-do neighbour.  Swing.

A2: Men allemande left one and a half.  Swing partner.

B1: (10 bars)  Lines  forward and back.  Pass the ocean to wave with 
partner in right hand; balance the wave; 
allemande right half-way (2 steps), men allemande left half-way (2 steps).

B2: Pass neighbour right shoulder: hey three-quarters to that same wave (12 
steps).  Balance the wave; 
ladies allemande left half-way (2 steps); all walk forward to new neighbour (2 
steps).

See and hear the music at:
http://colinhume.com/abc.aspx?T=Walk_Along_John_to_Kansas  

Colin Hume

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[Callers] Re: Do you add a 'do anything' move into a contra? OR other playful strategies? :)

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

> On 5 Feb 2023, at 18:20, Maia McCormick via Contra Callers 
>  wrote:

> One of my faves in this niche is No Use Crying Over Spilled Milk, by Chris 
> Weiler.

I called this last night, and one woman said she spent the whole dance around 
the end of the set and couldn't get out of 
it, and she said a woman at the other end was in the same situation.  I haven't 
had time to analyse the dance (or check 
that I called it correctly) but I'll do so eventually.

Colin Hume

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[Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Sat, 4 Feb 2023 17:18:12 -0600, Jonathan Sivier via Contra Callers wrote:
>� ��It appears that in that book the dance formation is given as a longways, 
>duple, improper set. �Not the circle of
>�couple facing couple that we typically connect to the Sicilian circle 
>formation. �The dance just before it is the
>�Spanish Dance and gives as the formation, "The first couple at the head of 
>the room, with their backs to the wall;
>�the next couple facing the first; the third couple with their backs to the 
>second; the fourth couple facing the
>�third; and all the rest are formed in the same manner, every two couples 
>facing each other, without regard to
>�numbers."
>
>� ��Then it says, "As each couple arrives at the end of the room, they must 
>turn round and wait for the next couple to
>�meet them, the gentlemen being careful to have their ladies always on the 
>right hand.
>
>� ��This seems to be describing a longways dance instead of a circle. �Under 
>Sicilian Circle it says, "This dance is
>�formed precisely the same as the Spanish Dance," so that would seem to be a 
>longways dance as well.

If you look in Dick's Quadrille Call Book page 101:
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=musdifileName=013/musdi013.db=100
it says much the same thing:

"In this dance the disposition of the couples is exactly the same as for the 
Spanish Dance (see diagram on page 97)"

However on page 97 for Spanish Dance it says:
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=musdifileName=013/musdi013.db=96

"The best arrangement is to place the couples in a complete circle, each 
alternating couple facing the opposite way to the rest"

and there's a diagram confirming this.

Colin Hume

Email co...@colinhume.com  Web site http://colinhume.com

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[Callers] Re: Dances with fewer swings

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Thu, 24 Nov 2022 00:18:25 +, Louise Siddons via Contra Callers wrote:
> At the risk of disagreeing with John and Colin (!), I think it's worth 
> pointing out that the UK actually has two
> largely distinct groups of dancers engaging with the contra tradition, which 
> I will loosely classify as the folk club
> scene and the contra scene.

Let me point out that I agree with  everything Louise said (!) though the 
contra scene is much smaller than the club 
scene.  But in 10 years' time - who knows?

Colin Hume

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[Callers] Re: Dances with fewer swings

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

In England we're not nearly so interested in the swing.  I don't know whether 
this is because dancers are generally 
older, or because they're more likely to dance with the same partner a lot of 
the time, or because they like more varied 
choreography.  I know I've said this before, but it seems that a lot of 
choreographers in North America think "Balance 
and swing neighbor, circle left three places, swing partner - OK, what shall I 
put in this dance?"  And half the dance 
is gone.

I find I have a very different repertoire calling in the States from calling in 
England.  And still the most popular 
contra in England (ever since I started dancing) is "Devil's Dream" which is a 
fast-moving all-action fun contra - with 
no swing.
https://www.cambridgefolk.org.uk/contra/dances/devils_dream.html

The old contras in books such as the Community Dance Manuals tended to have 
more neighbour interaction than partner, and 
the swing was usually with neighbour.  In England I tend to call contras with a 
partner swing but no neighbour swing, 
and that opens up lots of interesting possibilities.

In case this is too horrifying a prospect for Americans, I must point out that 
I've written a contra with THREE swings!
https://colinhume.com/instl.htm#AltSwing

Colin Hume

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[Callers] Re: 3-facing-3 dances / triplets w/o contra corners

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Tue, 8 Nov 2022 08:18:03 +, Louise Siddons via Contra Callers wrote:
> I've already completely absorbed the UK's lack of hard distinctions between 
> contra and ECD and this didn't even occur
> to me.

Excellent!  A good dance is a good dance however you categorise it.

Colin Hume

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[Callers] Re: Short contra lines

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Sat, 22 Oct 2022 05:25:13 + (UTC), Laur via Contra Callers wrote:
> Do you have best selections or considerations for 20 to 16 peoples for  
> intermediate experience dancers or
> secondarily less experienced dancers
>
> My immediate question is for more experienced dancers, because this is more 
> of a complex preparation for me. 

Try some easy squares.

Colin Hume

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[Callers] May Heydays Festival28 April - 1 May 2023

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

The government are threatening to move the Spring Bank Holiday - for the second 
time in three years!

This won't affect just the May Heydays Festival, but anyone who has made plans 
to travel, 
book holiday accommodation, etc.  We've set up a petition at:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/625155
and we hope many of you will sign to support it.

Read about the Festival at:
http://mayheydays.org.uk/

Colin Hume



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[Callers] May Heydays Festival28 April - 1 May 2023

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

Early-Bird tickets for May Heydays Festival at Evesham are now on sale.

Top bands and callers bring you a 3-day programme of English, American and 
International 
workshops and dances over the bank holiday weekend.

Don't take my word for it - ask anyone who was there this year and they'll tell 
you what a 
great festival it was and how excellent the new venue is.

http://mayheydays.org.uk/

Colin Hume

Email co...@colinhume.com  Web site http://colinhume.com


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[Callers] Re: Need help fitting to a tune

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Wed, 27 Apr 2022 20:08:28 +, Bill Olson via Contra Callers wrote:
> The BAND is suggesting the dance that you should call to a tune they want to 
> play?? u...
>
> That ain't how it works. Make it easy on yourself.. You are in control here.. 
> Just tell the band NOT to play the 
tune..

I don't agree, Bill.  I think a good dance is when dancers, caller and band all 
enjoy it, so I try not to be the man 
saying "I'm in charge - you do what I say".  For instance, I'm calling the 
opening contra dance at May Heydays tomorrow:
http://mayheydays.org.uk/programme.html
and the band said they had two good sets of jigs going into reels and asked 
whether these would fit any of my dances, so 
I told them which two and they'll enjoy the change and so will the dancers and 
the caller.

Surely the way to approach it is: "That's a great tune, and it goes well to 
this dance, but it needs to go faster than 
you normally play it" - and then give a tempo indication.  If they're a dance 
band (rather than a bunch of prima donnas) 
they'll welcome the opportunity to get the whole room dancing to a tune they 
really like playing.

Colin Hume

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[Callers] Re: Need help fitting to a tune

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Wed, 27 Apr 2022 16:46:36 -0400, Jacob or Nancy Bloom via Contra Callers 
wrote:
> Balance The Star was written to go to Beaumont Rag.  It's a simple dance, 
> usually done as a Sicilian Circle, so it
> may not be what you want for your crowd.

That's the one I was going to suggest.  Here's how I explain it:
https://barndances.org.uk/detail.php?Title=Balance_the_Star
and the vital phrase is "turn your back on your partner" - if callers can't get 
that across there is general confusion.

Also a contra by Susan Kevra where she actually specified "Beaumont Rag and 
similar":

Country of Marriage

Longways  Becket, single prog.  32 bar rags

A1: Circle left 3/4.  Do-si-do neighbour to a wave.

A2: Balance right and left; ladies allemande left all the way (rapidly).  
Swing neighbour, finish facing across.

B1: Right & left through.  Men allemande right 3/4 to meet next man; 
allemande left with him 3/4 while ladies move to 
left.

B2: Balance and swing partner.

Dance: Susan Kevra -- English Dance & Song, Winter 1992. 

Colin Hume

Email co...@colinhume.com  Web site http://colinhume.com


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[Callers] May Heydays Festival, 29 April ? 2 May 2022

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

Weekend tickets for May Heydays Festival (formerly Eastbourne International 
Folk Festival) are now on sale.
Top bands and callers bring you a 3-day programme of English, American and 
International workshops and dances.
Read all about the performers, the programme and the excellent new venue at 
http://mayheydays.org.uk/

Colin Hume

Email co...@colinhume.com  Web site http://colinhume.com


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[Callers] Squares from Northern Junket

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

Northern Junket was a magazine which Ralph Page edited from 1949 to 1984.
I've now started copying out the Squares he published there, sometimes with my 
own
comments and suggestions - I've finished Volume 1.

I know some of you dance and call Squares as well as Contras.
If you're interested, please read my page at:
https://colinhume.com/instnj.htm
and let me have any corrections and comments either through the list or by 
email.

Colin Hume



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[Callers] Re: Paperless Calling

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Wed, 28 Jul 2021 17:13:29 +, Tepfer, Seth wrote:
> What is your backup plan if your laptop runs out of power or breaks?

I always have my cards in the trunk of the car (except when I'm calling abroad, 
of course).  I have the whole thing on a 
USB stick so I can borrow someone else's Windows lap-top and run the program 
from that.

Colin Hume
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[Callers] Re: Paperless Calling

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Wed, 28 Jul 2021 12:45:19 -0400, Susan English via Contra Callers wrote:
> 1. Which virtual method (or app) do you prefer for accessing your dance 
> instructions and notes?

I have my own Dance Organiser program which runs on Windows (including a 
Windows tablet):
https://colinhume.com/download.htm#DanceOrg
I use it for English, Contras, Squares - everything.  I call from a lap-top.

> 2. What is your back-up plan at a dance if you can't get on the internet?

I don't need the internet: it's all there on my lap-top.

Colin Hume
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[Callers] Application for Music and Dance Director at John C. Campbell Folk School

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

Carl Dreher sent this to the ECD List, so I'm forwarding it to the Trad Callers 
and Contra Callers lists.
If you want any more information please contact Carl, not me!

Hello,

The John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown NC is accepting
applications for a full-time Music and Dance director.

The village of Brasstown has a long tradition of community dancing and
music.�  It supports four (!) English ritual dance teams, a monthly ECD,
twice-monthly contra dances, weekly free community dances, free
concerts, free tutoring in Appalachian music for youngsters, and happens
to be the "Potluck Capital of the World".

http://www.folkschool.org/index.php?section=articles_cat_id=5_id=7


Please feel free to pass this on to any group or individual.

Sincerely,
Carl Dreher 
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[Callers] 5 Things

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

In case you don't know about them, I'd like to bring a series of videos to your 
attention.

These are produced by the Historical Tea and Dance Society based in Pasadena, 
California,
http://historicalteaanddance.org/
and each week they interview a caller, musician or organiser and ask them to 
talk about 5 things they are passionate about.

Many of these relate to "English" (i.e. Playford-style) dancing but certainly 
not all, and this week the interviewee was the 
wonderful Lisa Greenleaf.  She has a lot of good advice for callers of any 
genre, and I believe dancers would also be interested 
in her attitude to calling and dancing.  Did you know that when she lived in 
Boston she was a regular dancer with the English 
group led by Helene Cornelius with music by Bare Necessities?  Well I didn't.

You can view the recording at:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YLH2eDnk4NauPuzu618JxkM2B6ALjWJ8/view?t=551
and you can see an index of all the available sessions (over 30 of them) at
https://colinhume.com/htds/

Colin Hume
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[Callers] Re: What is a Dancing Master

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

I'm planning to publish this page to the world on Saturday evening (that's 
mid-day California time and 3pm East Coast 
time) so please let's have any more comments before then.

Thanks to all who have responded - it's made the page so much better!  I've had 
useful comments from all four of the 
lists that I've sent it out to.

Colin Hume

Email co...@colinhume.com  Web page http://colinhume.com/master.htm
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[Callers] What is a Dancing Master

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

I've written a web page on the subject "What is a Dancing Master" and I'd love 
to have some feedback from the list before I make it available to the world.

https://colinhume.com/master.htm

Colin Hume
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[Callers] Re: Zoom contra dances

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Sat, 4 Jul 2020 08:15:39 + (UTC), Jeanette Mill via Contra Callers wrote:
> If you have composed any dances for the current times, and are happy to 
> share, I would be very pleased to have a copy.

Jeanette -

For such English Country Dances there's a website at
https://carolinaenglishcountrydance.com/dance-pandemic-list-links/

Maybe you (or somebody) should create a similar web page for contras.

Colin Hume
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[Callers] Favourite neglected dances

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

There was a lot of discussion about this on the ECD list a few weeks ago, so I 
created a page:
https://colinhume.com/neglected.htm
which anyone can update by adding their favourite neglected dances.
I've just sent out a reminder, in case people meant to but never got around to 
it.

I'm also writing to the trad callers and contra callers lists, in case you 
would like to add dances.
And therefore apologies if you get this three times!

Colin Hume
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[Callers] UK folk Sales

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

Forwarded by Colin Hume

Hi all,

You may recall, late last year, an announcement was made regarding a change of 
management at FolkSales UK.
Derek Appling has now handed the reins over to us and we are finally in a 
position to recommence the services
that they have provided for so many years.

We currently have a Facebook page which we intend to act as a form of 
communication around publications and festival venues that we hope to attend. 
You can find this using the link below, we would love to have you follow this 
page...

https://www.facebook.com/Folk-Sales-UK-111488120439353/

We can also be contacted at the following email address;

janddgrain...@folksales.co.uk

Please feel free to contact us via email or Facebook to discuss 
wants/needs/requirements/future publications and we will do our best to respond 
promptly but, given these current difficult times there may be delays in 
processing requests.

We look forward to continuing the great work that Ann and Derek began.

Kind regards,
Genni and Darren
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[Callers] Re: New dance - option sought for B2

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Fri, 6 Mar 2020 08:49:57 +, Ken Panton via Contra Callers wrote:
> One idea: give and take BUT everyone take hands in long lines going forward 
> then ladies pull P back to her side for
> swing.

A lot of callers teach Give and Take as starting in long lines, but that's not 
how Larry Jennings invented it.  It 
starts in a shoulder-waist hold - as you would have if you opened out after a 
swing - I find it much more satisfactory 
that way.

There are a number of dances where the ladies pull in the Give and Take, for 
instance "Hemodynamic Contra"
by Andrea Nettleton.

Colin Hume

Email co...@colinhume.com  Web site http://colinhume.com
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[Callers] Re: Totally open question: what's a "quadrille" ?

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Sun, 23 Feb 2020 18:02:53 +, Jacob or Nancy Bloom via Contra Callers 
wrote:
> Although there are plenty of modern square dances with the word "quadrille" 
> in the name, I don't think of them as
> quadrilles.

And yet there are several English Traditional dances which clearly are derived 
from the old quadrilles,
such as La Russe: https://colinhume.com/deconnect.htm#LaRusse

Colin Hume
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[Callers] Re: Is there an on-line simulator to visualize/observe contra dance moves/interactions?

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

On Sun, 9 Feb 2020 19:09:08 +, Amy Cann via Contra Callers wrote:
> Betting that Colin Hume has the definitive answer to this...

There's a Contra Dance Designer at
http://www.seattledance.org/misc/contra.design/index.htm
which I've never tried.

And there's an excellent simulator at
http://dancekaleidoscope.org.au/dance.html
where the author says you can download the application and run it yourself, but 
again I haven't.

Colin Hume
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[Callers] Maggie Fletcher's 90th

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

Many dancers in England (and probably elsewhere) will know Maggie Fletcher, for 
many years
the pianist with Blue Mountain Band.  She's having a dance to celebrate her 
90th birthday
at Liston Hall, Marlow, SL7 1DD  on Sunday 22nd March, 2.30-6.00 pm.

Celebrate the January girl with  Blue Mountain Band music,
callers led by Barrie Bullimore, and a band led by Ruth Rose.
Come with instruments, call cards and dancing shoes,
lots of room to chat as well as play and dance,
RSVP to Linda Dorman: rogerdorma...@gmail.com
BRING & SHARE TEA plus donation to costs

Colin Hume
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[Callers] New Year's Eve Dance

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

There are still tickets available for my New Year's Eve Dance in Letchworth, 
Herts.
The programme will include English, Contra, Squares and Scottish.
Full details at http://colinhume.com/NYE

Colin Hume
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[Callers] Bill Kinsman

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

Bill Kinsman died in hospital on Sunday 24th November.  He had been in hospital 
for a couple of weeks and seemed to be improving enough to be discharged to 
sheltered accommodation with Barbara on the Monday but he developed double 
pneumonia and went downhill quite quickly.  The funeral is on Friday, 20th 
December.  There will be a short committal service at the crematorium at 1:00pm 
followed by a service of thanksgiving (approx 1:45pm) at St Barnabas Church, 
Kingshurst, Solihull, B37 6EY.  Following this there will be a wake at a hotel 
in Coleshill.

Colin Hume
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[Callers] Ann Appleing

[Colin Hume via Contra Callers]

To see the funeral arrangements, please go to:

https://www.dignityfunerals.co.uk/funeral-notices/17-10-2019-margaret-ann-appleing/

Colin Hume
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