[Callers] Feedback on dance week workshop descriptions???

Hi fellow callers :) I'm looking for feedback on summer camp workshop descriptions! *Backstory:* I'm heading into my second year as the caller for a trad music & dance camp up here in Canada. Last year I offered two daily classes -- one was a daily discussion on various subjects relating to

[Callers] Re: Wanting to learn more about Becky Hill - the choreographer

." > > I still hear her voice when I use some of my favorite teaching tips. Rest > in peace. > > — Jerome Grisanti > > On Wed, May 15, 2024, 11:09 AM Emily Addison via Contra Callers < > contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > >> Hi folks, >>

[Callers] Wanting to learn more about Becky Hill - the choreographer

Hi folks, Over the past year, I'm realizing how many dances written by Becky Hill I absolutely adore. So, naively, I wrote to Becky Hill (this one! ) whom I admire thinking that it was her who wrote dances. Turns out that flatfooter and old time square dance leader

[Callers] Re: Contra Callers Digest, Vol 117, Issue 6

gt; 3 - Gents allemande left 1 1/2 > 4 - Partner allemande right 1 1/2 > 5 - Ladies left-shoulder gypsy > 6 - Partner swing > 7 - Promenade across set > 8 - Circle left 3/4 and pass through > > > Cascades (reprise) > > 1-2 gypsy and swing your neighbor > 3 - me

[Callers] Help with figuring out a suuuuuuper simple medley?

Hi fellow contra callers :) Given the situations I usually call in, I've never done a medley. However, in a few weeks I'm calling in a situation where a medley would work really well. It's not an overly experienced group of contra dancers. However, they are really keen and want to try new

[Callers] Re Workshop/activity ideas for improving dancer skill

Hey Folks, Thanks so much to all those who have chimed in on the question I posted. Really neat that people like Richard and Joseph had experienced a similar activity as me. And fascinating discussion about sharing weight John, Joseph and others! I really like the idea that every

[Callers] Workshop activities for helping dancers improve their skills?

Hi fellow contra callers :) I am wondering if any of you have little activities/exercises that you use to help dancers improve their knowledge/skills of contra dance? I know there's lots of opinions on whether this is even necessary or should be offered. However, I have a few situations where

[Callers] Re: Ear protection that works for callers?

I have been using these: >> >> https://us.loopearplugs.com/products/experience >> >> Though it looks like you can get the Earasers in higher reduction levels. >> >> Seth >> >> >> >> On Sep 10, 2023, at 11:55 AM, Emily Addison via Contra Callers

[Callers] Re: Dance Tempos

Wow. love this post Joe! So so so cool to hear about your experiences and thoughts over the years. Really helpful. :) Emily in Ottawa On Tue, Sep 19, 2023 at 11:30 PM Joe Harrington via Contra Callers < contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > The Tempo Question...enough to start

[Callers] Ear protection that works for callers?

Hi Folks :) This summer, I called for a week long event. Near the end of the week, I found my ears were really tired and the level of sound coming from the speakers was hurting my ears.I did talk to the sound person a bit but they needed to accommodate the dancers of course and so turning

[Callers] Re: Travels in Canada

If you're interested in Quebec Squares, there's likely a few dances around in the general vicinity of Montreal over the next few weeks. Let me know if that's of interest and I'll connect you to people in the know. As for contras in Ottawa... they run September through to June. :) Emily in Ottawa

[Callers] Anyone going to Helvetia Hoot???

Hi fellow contra callers :) I was wondering if any of you are planning on going to the Helvetia Hoot in September? https://www.clawandfoot.com/#/ https://www.facebook.com/events/893468761710760 I'm driving down from Ottawa (11hrs away) with a few friends as it sounds super awesome. I believe it

[Callers] Favourite activities/discussions from callers workshops? :)

Hi Folks, I'm going to be leading a series of caller discussions/workshops in the next while. (This is a new thing for me. I'm very excited as there's always so much to learn from each other. :)) I'm wondering -->Are there any activities that stood out as being really awesome from caller

[Callers] Re: Contra Callers Digest, Vol 108, Issue 13

Hi Colin, Oh my goodness! Your website is AMAZING! Pre-pandemic I called a few squares but since then, I've fallen in love with calling them. I'm also a sucker for history, and have done a bit of reading of the Northern Junket. I've dreamed of a website like yours that would have the squares

[Callers] re calling weddings

Hi All, I've been really enjoying this thread on calling weddings! I'd say that they are SO much fun but as a contra dance caller, they are WAY different than calling to a room full of people who have specifically come for contra calling. I've actually grown to love ONS (one night stands)

[Callers] Re: Dances with balancing waves forward and backward?

either direction relative to the following > turn). In my experience, most dancers do sideways balances in Shadrack, > perhaps because they’re used to balancing sideways in dozens of other > dances. I find that even when I specify a forward and back balance, many > dancers don’t try it. &

[Callers] Dances with balancing waves forward and backward?

Hi folks :) As a dancer, I remember loving the feel of waves lines that balance forward and back. However, I don't have any dances that specifically call for that. Might you have suggestions of dances that specifically call for Bal F or which often get modified for that feel of a balance? Thank

[Callers] Re: Contra dance visualization/database software

Hi Harrison, Interesting ideas! I have found that videos of actual dancers have been suuper helpful in figuring out how a dance works. There's a lot of subtle things that become evident when watching videos that wouldn't show up in simulations (e.g., where timing is sight, where people need

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

Hi Ken, Bill, Colin and Robert, Thanks for chiming in on my end effects questions. The point about encouraging people to be ready for whatever and go where needed is a great one. I really appreciate the specific tips too. :) I think this query comes from my wanting to make sure that things go

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

I just realized I had one more in this group Boston baked beans: https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=3698 :) Thanks, Emily Virus-free.www.avg.com

[Callers] Help with end effects for five dances

Hi Folks, I'm wondering if you can coach me through what instructions you'd give dancers re end effects for the following dances. I know I could say 'you're not really out' and 'do as much as you can' but I'd like to know if there are any specific tips you give to dancers for the following

[Callers] Re: Does P swings (across set) work for you?

Wow... thanks so so very much on all the awesome insight about my ctr of the set swing question + additional thoughts on related dances. Alan - your insight into both of the dances I posted + Bob D's alternative is so great. :) Seth T ... I will definitely give your dance a try! John - Alan's

[Callers] Does P swings (across set) work for you?

Hi All, I've been looking at a couple of simple simple contras. One is Jefferson and Liberty (below) and the other is Taking Liberties with Jefferson. I do like the fact that the stars are in Taking Liberties. However, in my somewhat limited calling career, I've haven't found that swings in the

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

Hi All, Thanks so much for the various triple minor ideas... ... I've been digging into them a bit tonight and I've got LOTS to learn before I call any of them. Excited by a few of them though. :) I really appreciate it!.Now to work them up at a house dance! Emily On Sat, Apr 8, 2023 at 4:08 

[Callers] Really fun and accessible triple minors?

Hey contra calling friends :) I have an admission ... ... ... I have NO triple minors in my card box. I've been doing certain kinds of gigs (contras + ONS + contra/square nights) and it's so easy not to call triple minors. HOWEVER, I'm lately trying to 'up my game' to expand my repertoire.

[Callers] Questions about It's a Pirate's Life for Me

Hi folks, For those who call It's a Pirate's Life for Me, I'm wondering if you might be able to help with a few questions? 1. I don't have language for describing the A1 very well. I get what's happening for sure but I think there could be little tricks to help cue dancers in flowing through

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

ecause after he stops cueing, he goes around the > room and quietly invites those sitting out to run through the set during > the chase, and then for everyone to chase out of the set. Pretty guaranteed > chaotic fun! > > —jh— > > > On Sat, Feb 4, 2023 at 3:47 PM Emily

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

Hey folks, After a number of relatively quiet caller years (parenting; pandemic), I've started to dig deep to expand my repertoire and up my skills. It feels like it's time for lots more dance fun! :) One dance that I've really enjoyed is Heartbeat Contra (by Don Flaherty - see below). Tom

[Callers] Re: Contra Callers Digest, Vol 102, Issue 15

I am super excited about this as I too have been looking for material that meets this kind of crowd need! Thank you :) Emily in Ottawa On Fri, Jan 27, 2023 at 12:00 AM < contracallers-requ...@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Send Contra Callers mailing list submissions to >

[Callers] Marking dance cards to highlight certain moments???

Hi fellow callers :) I'm doing a big reorg of my dance cards. This includes looking closely at the dances I have, hunting out new material to fill some gaps, and also rethink how I organize my dance cards (which are on paper). I have a related question Do you use any highlights,

[Callers] Re: Name for this dance? ... have been digging and haven't found!

:01 PM, Emily Addison via Contra Callers < > contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > >  > Hi folks, > > I'm wondering if anyone might know the name of this dance? I've done some > digging on caller's box but haven't been able to find it. > > > N Bal &a

[Callers] Name for this dance? ... have been digging and haven't found!

Hi folks, I'm wondering if anyone might know the name of this dance? I've done some digging on caller's box but haven't been able to find it. N Bal & Box-the-Gnat N DSD N Al R 1.5 Robins Al L 1.5 P Bal & Sw Robins Chain LH Star ___ Contra

[Callers] Re: The *incredible* longevity of Shared Weight!

Indeed! 16 years is amazing and it's so great to have this conversation space, even if it's been pretty quiet during the pandemic. :) I echo Bev - thank you Seth and Chris! Emily On Sat, Aug 21, 2021 at 12:52 PM The Witful Turnip via Contra Callers < contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>

[Callers] Trad dance callers - a new list for callers interested in positional calling

Hi trad dance callers, There's a brand new Shared Weight list specifically for callers interested in learning about/sharing best practices around positional calling.The idea for the list emerged from a workshop on positional calling for contra dancing led by Beth Molaro and hosted by Seth

[Callers] Contra callers - a new list for callers interested in positional calling

Hi contra callers, There's a brand new Shared Weight list specifically for callers interested in learning about/sharing best practices around positional calling.The idea for the list emerged from a workshop on positional calling for contra dancing led by Beth Molaro and hosted by Seth Tepfer.

[Callers] Re: Caller's Insurance?

I'm not sure but I don't think so Jim. I think it's simply for liability insurance at gigs. Ben Williams (b...@cdss.org) is the staff member that could answer your questions. Emily On Mon, Apr 26, 2021 at 1:32 PM Jim Hemphill via Contra Callers < contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: >

[Callers] CDSS web chat about playing music and singing real time

Hi Contra Callers, CDSS is hosting a web chat next that I thought you might be interested in. It's focused on musicians and singers but it might also be applicable to some of the online events you're involved with. See below! Emily Addison Join us for our next Web Chat: Singing and Playing

[Callers] New Shared Weight email discussion list - Growing Up Trad!

Hi contra callers, There's a new Shared Weight list that I wanted to tell you about it's called Growing Up Trad! Here's our mission: *Growing up Trad! is an email discussion list for caregiving adults who love traditional dance, music and song. The focus of our conversation is around

[Callers] Free event from EFDSS open to North American educators

Hi fellow Contra Callers :) You might be interested in the event below if you work with kids or families! The English Folk Dance and Song Society is holding a free online event for Folk Educators and it's open to those of us in North America. Details and registration info is below. I asked the

[Callers] CDSS is working to spread the word about online events and family resources!

Hi fellow contra callers, I’m reaching out on behalf of CDSS regarding two items that we hope may be of interest to some of you. *1. Are you offering any online events for traditional dance, music, and/or song?* Many of you may know of this but in case you don't CDSS is maintaining an

[Callers] Folk Alliance International - Webinar this Friday on Livestreaming

Hi fellow contra callers, You might be interested in the following webinar that Folk Alliance International is offering THIS FRIDAY on livestreaming. The webinar is primarily for professional musicians but I know some folks are running caller collective gatherings or workshops online and I think

[Callers] name of dance?

Hi folks :) Wondering if any of you might know the name/author for the following dance. I picked it up a while ago but don't have any other info A1 N Bal /// N DSD A2 N Al R 1.5 // Robins Al L 1.5 B1 P B B2 Robin Chain /// LH Star Thanks! Emily ___

[Callers] Contra Callers: New Shop Talk + great new resource for callers from CDSS!

Hi fellow Shared Weight Contra Callers, I'm very excited to announce a greatly expanded CDSS Resource Portal with brand new sections for callers and educators in addition to dance musicians, song leaders, organizers, and others! (Before reading further, please note that I'm highly biased as

[Callers] Easy but super fun 4X4 contras

Hi fellow contra callers :) I was wondering if you have suggestions for very easy but SUPER FUN 4X4 contras. I occasionally call to a room of quite new contra dancers and I'd like to have a few 4X4 which have some kind of great hook or wonderful energy but that are accessible. Thanks for the

[Callers] Re: Really fun 3X3 dances? And easy squares?

e partner, back up three steps, forward three steps; swing > partner to original place in the square > > C.2 All join hands, forward and back twice > > Sequence: Once for each couple (when a side couple is active, the heads > will jump in at A.1) > > > > After the

[Callers] Really fun 3X3 dances? And easy squares?

Hi fellow callers! I remember seeing a video a few months back from the Portland Intown contra. The dancers seemed to be having an absolute blast with a 3X3 contra-like dance. Does anyone have any really fun 3X3 dances? I'm looking to add variety into the formations I'm calling at an upcoming