Contra Callers September 2020

contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net

3 participants
4 discussions

by Rickey

Hi, I am wondering if you have any dances for low numbers of dancers (perhaps 6 or less), when most or all of the dancers are beginners and adults. I am also wondering if you have any dances (presumably different dances), that do not require choosing a partner and are good openers for beginner adults. Thanks as always to all, Rickey Holt.

2 years, 12 months

5 Things

by Colin Hume

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

5 years, 2 months

Contra-Style Dances for Virtual Events

by Kyla Wargel

Hello, I wanted to share some dances I've written over the past few months, in case they are of use to others. I wrote these dances to call during Bloomington’s weekly Wednesday night zoom dance. They are written for one person to dance alone, but they can be adapted or improvised for more people. I have been walking through the dances twice (while demonstrating the moves) and calling for the duration of the dance (while also dancing by myself on camera to continue demonstrating). I am lucky to have musicians in my small pandemic circle, so I’ve been calling to live music. The easiest way to view the dances (as far as formatting goes) is with this google doc link. I will also copy and paste them below as well. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iMRE0YZZZf3nu2cXU5TwThSgF3ooP38jdNSgn6n… I'm curious for thoughts and feedback, too! Kyla Wargel *“Solo Dance #1”* A1: Do-si-do Circle left, 1 time A2: Do-si-do Balance and swing yourself, end facing down/away from your device B1: Down the hall, turn alone, come back B2: Balance, move one spot to the right (Petronella turn) Balance, move one spot to the left *“Solo Dance #2”* A1: Figure eight (start facing your device, figure eight starts as if you’re doing an allemande right ¾ so that your figure eight moves away from the device) A2: Right shoulder round (melt into it as you finish figure eight) Swing (end facing across with your left side closest to your device) B1: Short lines forward and back Balance right then left, slide right (or spin, think Rory O’Moore) B2: Balance left then right, slide left Star left *“Solo Dance #3”* A1: Balance and swing yourself (end facing device) A2: Balance right then left, walk back four steps Balance right then left, walk back for steps B1: Zig left, zag right, zig left, zag right (8) (sashay forward in a zig zag pattern) Freestyle clogging (8) B2: Freestyle clogging (16) *Variation: Instead of freestyle clogging, repeat A2 and the first eight counts of B1.Tips: For the long swing, move slowly or not in a tight circle to avoid dizziness!* *“COVID-19 Step”* A1: Balance the ring, balance again Circle left, 1 time A2: Balance the ring, balance again Circle right, 1 time B1: Right foot - heal, toe, heal, toe (4); sashay right (4) Left foot - heal, toe, heal, toe (4); sashay left (4) B2: Balance, walk back four steps Zig zag forward (sashay back and forth to your starting place) *“Progress Alone”* *Notes: For this dance, encourage dancers to place two objects on the floor, about a body-length apart. The dance starts by facing the two objects and “connecting” right hands with the first object. Works well with music with a bouncy A part and flowy B part.* A1: Right hand balance, turn halfway (then give your left hand to the second object) Left hand balance, turn halfway (keep left hand connected there) A2: Left hand balance, turn halfway (give right hand to the first object) Right hand balance, turn halfway B1 Melt into a figure eight (follow the same path you just made with the balance/turn sequence, but flowy this time. 8 counts down, 8 counts back) B2: Melt into a swing when you get home (end facing your floor objects) Big circle left halfway (so that you are now in front of your second object - in “progressed” position; you will progress back and forth, i.e., alternate your starting place, throughout the dance) *“Untitled” (as of now)* *Note: Start facing your device, with plenty of space for dancing between you and the device.* A1: Right hand balance, pull by (6) left hand pull by (2) Right hand balance, pull by (6) left hand pull by (2) (square through with RH balances; end back at starting place) A2: See-saw Swing yourself (end facing down/away from your device) B1: Go down the hall, turn alone, come back B2: Balance side to side (4), walk back (4) Balance side to side (4), walk forward (4)

5 years, 2 months

This Tuesday on 5 Things... Inside the Dancing Mind of CHIP PRINCE!

by Darlene Hamilton

A wonderful guest who plays for both ECD AND CONTRA dances around the country. We hope you will join us! *TUESDAY, September 8th, 6pm pdt* *5 Things… **Inside the Dancing Mind of… CHIP PRINCE* Chip Prince has played keyboards (and occasionally conducted) Broadway shows for over 25 years, and started playing for ECD and CONTRA dances in 2003. His warm smile, lively humor and delightful musical style has won him friends and admirers, particularly at Country Dance New York, Pinewoods, and Hey Days. *Registration Link: *https://forms.gle/V6F5sRcPsawFG39t9 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Darlene Hamilton *Caller, Dancer, Founder of**The Historical Tea & Dance Society* *www.historicalteaanddance.org <http://www.historicalteaanddance.org/>* *Like us on facebook!*

5 years, 2 months

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Contra Callers September 2020