[Callers] Re: Favorite One Night Stand Dances

t make it down to the > bottom, just merge into the line to do the A2 F, since you then gig to > sashay back to the top. > > > > Cheers, > > ~Erik > > > > *From:* Rich Sbardella via Contra Callers < > contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> &g

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

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. Rich, Stafford, CT On Wed, Sep 27, 2023 at 9:50 AM Tony Parkes via Contra Callers <

[Callers] Re: Ceilidh dances at a contra

Rich, I call primarily in southern New England, and I often insert mixers, reels, and squares into Contra Dances. I seldom do this at the bigger "contra" venues, but I would feel free at most smaller venues, especially if there are lots of newbies or children. Other than Squares, I would probably

[Callers] Re: New Terminology Question

Many older square dance calls use the language "Sashay round your corner, Sashay round your own." It is kind of a Dosido movement, but sometimes shoulders vary. In Modern Western Square Dance, a move similar to 1/2 of a Mad Robil is called a Half Sashay. If you do a half Sashay twice, it is a

[Callers] Re: Contra Corners?

Harbor. Somewhere I saw the figure referred to as "contrary > corners" in something written about chestnut dances. I don't know if that > is a genuine name that was once used, or not. > > > > Jonathan > > > > On 8/21/2023 5:34 PM, Rich Sbardell

[Callers] Contra Corners?

Hey friends, Can anyone shed some light on the origin of the movement and the especially the name "Contra Corners"? Rich Sbardella Stafford, CT ___ Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net To unsubscribe send an email to

[Callers] Re: Recorded contra music

Just a note to say Squaredesk is a shareware program for Macs, and SquareView is a similar program for PCs. I have been using SquareDesk for several years without a problem, and although I seldom use a loop function, it is easy to set up a loop. You can turn the loop off during play, but remaining

[Callers] Re: Going rates for ONS dances?

Seth, My going rate is $50 per hour, portal to portal, plus a $50-$100 charge for a sound system, and $0.62 per mile rountrip. It may seem high but ONS dances are my specialty, and I am turning dances down. My minimum rate is $300. This Sunday I have two gigs. A one hour at $350, and a 2 hour

[Callers] Re: calling weddings

I am enjoying this thread. I have called weddings with a full dance floor with long periods of dancing, and others which have a few dancers who only dance for a short period. I had always felt like I failed when I did not get the participation I imagined, but I too have learned that our dances

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

Bill, I have been using singing squares at contra dances in southern New England for about 10 years. I must admit that many of these are the smaller dances in CT and on Cape Cod, but I have also done some at the Scout House. Generally, the singing squares are received well, especially on Cape

[Callers] Re: Contras for a Crowd that does not Swing

th round dance timing.”) > But the moment I put them in squares, with the hope of doing some of my > favorite Lancers or other quadrille figures, they think they can “relax” > and clip the timing. > > > > Tony Parkes > > Billerica, Mass. > > www.hands4.com > >

[Callers] Re: Contras for a Crowd that does not Swing

ing is “square dance basics with round dance timing.”) >> But the moment I put them in squares, with the hope of doing some of my >> favorite Lancers or other quadrille figures, they think they can “relax” >> and clip the timing. >> >> >> >> Tony Parkes &

[Callers] Contras for a Crowd that does not Swing

Friends, I have been asked to lead an intro to contra dance session at a square dance convention. I will have time to lead 3-4 contras, and I am looking for suggestions. My main concern is that most modern square dancers do not swing, they simply twirl under. With that in mind, I need contras

[Callers] Re: Dances Crafted for a Tune

Don, Wizard's Walk is an obvious one, and always fun to dance. Rich On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 11:03 PM Don Veino via Contra Callers < contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > I'm looking for recommendations for contras written to specifically match > a given tune, square or crooked.

[Callers] Re: Gentlespoons/Ladles (from Rompin' Stompin')

In reference to Jill's question, what shall we do with squares like Push Pa, Shove Ma, I would continue to call them with slight variations. For example, I would say, Push old Pa, Push Old Ma, Swing the ONE from Arkansas. I would also explain that some of the language of traditional square is

[Callers] Dances with Holiday Themes and Titles

Hello Folks, I am looking for some contra dances which have a holiday theme for Christmas, Chanukah, or New Year's (Eve) for an open contra dance. Do You have any favorites? Rich ___ Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net To

[Callers] Re: Short contra lines

When I began calling contras, I was advised to avoid double progression dances in general because they had limited use. When do you use such contras? Rich Sbardella Stafford Springs, CT On Sat, Oct 22, 2022 at 7:06 PM Laur via Contra Callers < contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: >

[Callers] Re: Covid cancellations

Don, I would not return a non-refundable deposit for a weather event. That deposit could be applied for a mutually agreeable date. I made exceptions to my policy during the pandemic. Rich On Fri, Aug 20, 2021 at 10:04 PM Don Veino via Contra Callers < contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

[Callers] Re: Covid cancellations

I generally require a 50% non-refundable deposit for all weddings and outdoor events. I do allow the forfeited deposit to be applied toward a mutually acceptable make-up date. During the pandemic, I have returned many deposits without questions. Rich Sbardella Stafford, CT On Thu, Aug 19, 2021 at

[Callers] Re: Covid cancellations

Mary, I have had three wedding cancellations during Covid. I normally require a non-refundable deposit, but since Covid is beyond their control, I returned the full deposits. Two of the events were rescheduled, and then canceled again. Peace, Rich Sbardella On Tue, Aug 17, 2021 at 7:18 AM Mary

[Callers] Re: Totally open question: what's a "quadrille" ?

Meanings of words change. I would guess in a literal sense, even today's MWSD is quadrille dancing, since it is four couples drilling dance moves. "The word *quarantine* comes from a seventeenth-century Venetian variant of the Italian

[Callers] Re: Totally open question: what's a "quadrille" ?

Amy, My interpretation is that a quadrille is a square prompted in the New England tradition. In the modern western tradition few callers use this method, but I was taught by New England caller Dick Leggier who composed many promoted 'quadrille" figures to use in the MWSD environment. This is

[Callers] Re: square dances for teens

I often use Shehans reel when I have a different number of couples. If I have ten, two five couple sets, if only six, one six couple set. It is a great flexible dance. It fits well into just about any 32 bar singing square as well. It has become a go-to dance for me. Rich Sbardella Stafford,

[Callers] Re: is there an agreed term?

John, This is just one person's usage, though it is appropriate. The Callerlab Definitions do no use "Mirror Star Thru" in the definition, but rather say, do the mirror image of a Star Thru. >From Callerlab website : Double Star Thru Timing: 6 From any appropriate formation (e.g. Normal Facing