Contra Callers March 2025

contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net

29 participants
10 discussions

by Rick Mohr

AI is invading our lives, but can sometimes be useful — for example, ChatGPT is pretty good at reformatting contra dances! In Philly we have mostly multi-caller evenings, where the coordinator gets dance submissions from many callers (in many formats), creates a program, and sends out the result. Sometimes the program looks like a fruit salad of formats, but (OCD?) I like everything to be concise and uniform. See example below, where ChatGPT unifies dances in 4 formats — Callers Box, one posted here, my website, and Bob Isaacs’ format. It took a few tries to refine the instructions (and I only tried this one output format), but in the end it’s a pretty amazing result from minimal instructions in plain English. Rick ========================= My Instructions to ChatGPT ========================= Please reformat the contra dances below as follows: Format dance headers as e.g. “Title (Author) Formation” If formation is omitted, use “Duple Improper” Format part names as e.g. “A1: ”. Eliminate beat counts for figures (like “8”). Put a part’s figures on one line, separated by commas, no period or spaces at the end. And this is important — format as plain text, do not format as markdown. Centrifugal Hey by Gene Hubert Permission: full License: CC-BY-NC FormationBase: Duple Minor <https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#duple-minor> - Improper <https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#improper> Progression: Single Figures: A1 (8) Neighbor allemande <https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#allemande> right 1 & 3/4 (8) Men <https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#men> allemande <https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#allemande> left 1 & 1/2 A2 (16) Hey <https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#hey> (PR;WL;NR;ML;PR;WL;NR;ML) B1 (16) Partner swing <https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#swing> B2 (8) Right and left through <https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#right-and-le…> with partner (6) Circle left <https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#circle-left-…> 3/4 (2) Pass through <https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#pass-through> along <https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/Glossary.htm#across-along> (NR) Stars are Aligned by Lisa Sieverts BECKET, CCW 1. LH Star 2. RH Star 3. P Do Si Do (on side) 4. P Swing 5. Whole Set Oval Left 6. Whole set Oval Right 7. F&B 8. LH Star, on to the next, partners moving along the line *Trip to Trillium* Bob Isaacs Becket-L A1. 8 Circle L ¾ 8 w/Partner weave the line past two (1) A2. 8 w/N3 square through three 8 N2 swing B1. 8 Robins chain to partner 8 ½ hey (RR, N2L, LR, -) B2. 4,12 Partner balance, swing Fluidity By Rick Mohr; September 2017 Contra, BecketCaller's Box <https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=18477> Level: Easy/Intermediate A1: 3/4 Hey *(larks pass left shoulders to start)* (12) Robins allemande left (4) A2: Gypsy and swing neighbor (16) B1: Right and left through (8) Circle right (8) B2: *(With next couple)* Circle left 3/4 (6) Swing partner (10) ========================= Output from ChatGPT ========================= Centrifugal Hey (Gene Hubert) Duple Improper A1: Neighbor allemande right 1 & 3/4, men allemande left 1 & 1/2 A2: Hey (PR, WL, NR, ML, PR, WL, NR, ML) B1: Partner swing B2: Right and left through with partner, circle left 3/4, pass through along (NR) Stars are Aligned (Lisa Sieverts) Becket CCW A1: Left-hand star, right-hand star A2: Partner do-si-do, partner swing B1: Whole set oval left, whole set oval right B2: Forward and back, left-hand star on to the next, partners moving along the line Trip to Trillium (Bob Isaacs) Becket Left A1: Circle left 3/4, with partner weave the line past two A2: With N3 square through three, N2 swing B1: Robins chain to partner, half hey (RR, N2L, LR) B2: Partner balance, swing Fluidity (Rick Mohr; September 2017) Becket A1: Three-quarter hey (larks pass left shoulders to start), robins allemande left A2: Gypsy and swing neighbor B1: Right and left through, circle right B2: With next couple circle left 3/4, swing partner

3 months

Favorite 4x4s?

by Maia McCormick

What it says on the tin—I want more four-face-fours in my collection (not least because I’m calling a session of them at NEFFA 😅), drop your favorites here! Accepting recommendations of any difficulty level. Thanks all! - Maia (Brooklyn, NY) -- Maia McCormick (she/her) 917.279.8194

7 months, 2 weeks

New dances: Set and Link Contras

by Harris Lapiroff

I wrote this up as a blog post <https://chromamine.com/2024/11/set-and-link-contras/>, but I also thought this list would appreciate it and have interesting thoughts to share. It occurred to me recently that I don’t think there are any contra dances that feature a set and link figure. This is a figure from Scottish Country Dancing which follows this sequence (assuming becket formation for this write up): 1. Couples face the other couple across the set, taking convenient hands with their partner along the side 2. All balance right and left (4 beats) 3. All turn over their right shoulder as they trade places along the side of the set with the robins going through the middle and larks going round the outside (4 beats) It could be thought of as a petronella twirl for two or, perhaps, as a mad robin halfway with twirling. If none of those descriptions work for you, there’s also a video of the figure in action <https://youtu.be/hI-ebAspZzY?si=gkIDl8WmCzFc5HO4&t=16>. (Note the video is to a leisurely Scottish strathspey, but it can be done to a jig or reel at contra tempo just fine.) I decided to write a couple: *Set And Link Contra* Harris Lapiroff Becket CCW A1 Set and link (trading with partner) Balance the ring Petronella twirl A2 Neighbor balance and swing B1 Set and link (trading with neighbor) Balance the ring Petronella twirl B2 Partner balance and swing Note A1: Each time through after the first, the set and link should start with a big balance to the right to progress to new neighbors And a slightly more complex, but still accessible, one: *Broken Link* Harris Lapiroff Duple Improper A1 Neighbor balance and swing A2 Set and link (trading with neighbor) Robins alle L 1½ B1 Partner right shoulder round Partner swing B2 Circle left 3 Pass through up and down Next neighbor DSD Note: Can also be done in becket by starting with B2, skipping the pass through, and changing to a slide left progression at the end. I danced these through with a few dancers in a living room and they worked. I was worried the “Set And Link Contra” wasn’t appropriate for any crowd, being too simple and repetitive for an experienced dance but too tricky for beginners. Some of my test dancers agreed, but others thought that it was satisfying enough to dance to work – which I could see maybe working for a late evening brain-off-dance-trance vibe. A few open questions I have about these dances: - In “Set And Link Contra,” is the big balance right to progress satisfying or awkward? We didn’t have enough dancers to test the progression. A different option might be to make it Becket CW and slide left, then balance back to the right. (I suspect slide right, balance right would feel too muddy.) - The balance right and then left sequence isn’t natural to contra dancers. Is there a way to lead into it that makes it more natural? (Notably: a couple of my test dancers had done at least a little Scottish and they both liked it, but one dancer who had only done contra found it awkward.) - Alternatively is there a different way of doing that balances that would be more at home in a contra? I think balancing together and away wouldn’t give good momentum into turning over the right shoulder, but perhaps balancing in and out in a ring would work? - In “Broken Link,” I’m still not sure if the set and link into a robins left hand allemande sequence feels good. When I tested it myself it felt flowy in a weaving sort of way, but some of my test dancers reported it was awkward. We didn’t take time to workshop it to see if the flow felt better once the set and link was more familiar.

8 months

New Names for Ladies' Chains

by John Sweeney

Hi all, Please could you let me know what the new gender-free names for Ladies' Chains are? Has anything evolved as the definitive new name? Thanks. Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

8 months, 1 week

Statement of Work for calling a one-night stand

by Joe Harrington

I was called on Tuesday by someone looking for an hour of dancing at their church retreat this Saturday. We talked and quickly agreed on the parameters. Then, she asked for an invoice and a statement of work. Hmmm. I have not called that many one-night stands, and this is the first time I've been asked for either. So, of course, I asked ChatGPT. It produced the SOW below. Is it missing anything important? Does anyone here use a contract or SOW and is willing to share it? (Is the SOW below in fact *your* SOW, scraped in the training of ChatGPT??) The prompt was: "Write the Statement of Work for a contract for a contra dance caller who will teach and lead community dances (circles, contra dances, and related dance forms) to a group for one hour. The caller will bring their own music and microphone and will connect to the host organization's sound system." I looked at CDSS and found Erik Hoffman's excellent, short guide. It has a super-simple SOW, too. I'm wondering if there are terms one should add involving liability or such. Should I be worried that, if one person doesn't like it, I won't satisfy the "enjoyable experience for all" clause? (I mean, I'll do my best!) A quick search at CALLERLAB didn't turn up anything, but it's a big site. Thanks, --jh-- Joe Harrington Contra dance caller and DJ Organizer, Orlando Contra Dance orlandocontra.org FB: Orlando Contra Dance Community Ig: orlandocontradance contradancerjoe(a)gmail.com Statement of Work (SOW) *Project Title:* Contra Dance Calling Services *Prepared By:* [Your Name/Organization] *Date:* [Insert Date] *Contractor:* [Caller’s Name] *Contractor Contact Information:* [Caller’s Contact Information] ------------------------------ 1. *Purpose* The purpose of this Statement of Work (SOW) is to outline the responsibilities, deliverables, and terms of engagement for the contra dance caller who will teach and lead community dances, including circles, contra dances, and related dance forms, for a designated group. 2. *Scope of Work* The contractor will provide the following services: - *Dance Instruction and Leadership:* - Lead a one-hour session of community dances, including but not limited to contra dances, circles, and related dance forms. - Provide clear and engaging instruction to participants of varying skill levels, ensuring an inclusive and enjoyable experience for all. - *Music and Equipment:* - Bring personal music and a microphone for the session. - Connect to the host organization's sound system to ensure audio clarity for all participants. 3. *Deliverables* The contractor will deliver the following: - A one-hour dance session, including: - A selection of dances appropriate for the group’s skill level and experience. - Instructional guidance and support throughout the session. - A positive and engaging atmosphere that encourages participation. - Coordination with the host organization to ensure the sound system is set up and functioning prior to the start of the session. 4. *Timeline* - *Date of Service:* [Insert Date] - *Time of Service:* [Insert Time] - *Duration:* 1 hour 5. *Location* The dance session will take place at [Insert Venue/Location], as agreed upon by both parties. 6. *Payment Terms* - The total fee for the services rendered will be [Insert Amount]. - Payment will be made [Insert Payment Terms, e.g., upon completion of the service, within 30 days of the invoice, etc.]. 7. *Responsibilities of the Host Organization* The host organization will: - Provide access to the venue and ensure it is set up for the dance session. - Ensure the sound system is operational and compatible with the contractor’s equipment. - Promote the event to encourage community participation. 8. *Cancellation Policy* - Either party may cancel the engagement with [Insert Notice Period, e.g., 48 hours] notice. - In the event of cancellation by the host organization, any deposits or fees paid will be refunded, provided the notice period is adhered to. 9. *Signatures* By signing below, both parties agree to the terms outlined in this Statement of Work. *Contractor Signature:* ___________________________ *Date:* ___________________________ *Host Organization Representative Signature:* ___________________________ *Date:* ___________________________ ------------------------------ This Statement of Work can be customized further based on specific needs or requirements. Be sure to fill in the placeholders with the relevant information before finalizing the document.

8 months, 1 week

Archive troubles

by Kalia Kliban

Hi all, I was trying to do a search in the Shared weight Contra-callers archives and kept getting "Server error. An error occurred while processing your request." Are any admins around and able to take a look at that? Thanks, Kalia

8 months, 2 weeks

bringing back waltz line of direction

by Joe Harrington

There used to be a strong community tradition about the flow of waltzing at contra dances. It was fast around the outside and stationary in the middle. You could do a nice Viennese, flying around the outside of the hall with no trouble, except in the most crowded of halls. You could do tricks galore standing virtually still. You could do everything in between. There were a lot fewer collisions, despite some much-faster-moving dancers. Halls were at least as crowded as they are today. Today, that's a near-impossibility in many halls. There tends to be a slow-circulating middle, but there isn't the former gradient of speeds outside of that zone that increases options while reducing collisions. It's all just a slow-moving mass, and people are so focused on their partners that collisions are common. I think everyone's enjoyment would increase if we followed four simple considerations: a) If someone passes you on the inside, you are a slower-circulating couple and should move closer to the middle, b) If you pass someone on the inside, you are a faster-circulating couple and should move farther out, c) Moving counter-flow or wagging strongly sideways (much more than just a side-by-side promenade) in the traveling ring are no-nos, d) Both partners really need to look out for others all the time and protect each other from collisions, elbows to the face, etc. This is not just the lead's job, especially if they're being considerate and moving backward for a substantial portion of the time. I hope this is on-topic for this group. Callers are the evening's MCs, but they usually don't have much to do with waltzes, other than to announce them. However, what I'm talking about here would probably come about if callers a) announce it and b) include it in their waltz lesson, if they hold one. And maybe c) discuss it with dancers and organizers. Happy(ier) waltzing! --jh-- Joe Harrington Orlando

8 months, 2 weeks

Favorite 4x4s?

by Luke Donforth

Hi Maia, My most called: Dance all Night - Rick Mohr Spring Blooms - Linda Leslie Fox Hollow Fancy - Jacob Bloom (grand square!) Coconut Cream Pie - Lynn Ackerson The Devil's Backbone - William Watson A couple of mine that have unusual features: Double the Pleasure (swing both neighbors, not your trail buddy) https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=11126 Things that go Bump in the Night (6 balances) https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=16360 Tamlin's Cross (variation). Has a hey for 8 through the middle: https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=14778 I should update Caller's box, I have called that one multiple times. Have fun! Luke On Sat, Mar 22, 2025 at 1:37 AM Maia McCormick via Contra Callers < contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > What it says on the tin—I want more four-face-fours in my collection (not > least because I’m calling a session of them at NEFFA 😅), drop your > favorites here! Accepting recommendations of any difficulty level. > > Thanks all! > - Maia (Brooklyn, NY) > > -- > Maia McCormick (she/her) > 917.279.8194 > _______________________________________________ > Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net > -- -- Luke Donforth calling.luke(a)gmail.com 802-448-4533 Click here for publicity information. <https://www.uvm.edu/~ldonfort/ContraPublicity/>

8 months, 2 weeks

Bringing back waltz line of direction (Joe Harrington)

by becky.liddle＠icloud.com

Hi Joe, I’m so glad you suggested this! I’ve been contra dancing about 8 years and have NEVER heard anyone describe the waltz circulating convention (counter-clockwise, faster toward outside). It would be SO easy to just announce it (not every time, but even a few times a year would eventually get the info/convention out there to everyone.) I will try to remember to suggest it from the stage if I ever get to call again! (I just moved from Toronto, where I called 2 or 3 times a year, to Bowen Island BC where if I want a contra dance I will have to start it myself!) Becky Liddle > On Mar 18, 2025, at 10:00 PM, contracallers-request(a)lists.sharedweight.net wrote: > > Send Contra Callers mailing list submissions to > contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via email, send a message with subject or > body 'help' to > contracallers-request(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > You can reach the person managing the list at > contracallers-owner(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Contra Callers digest..."Today's Topics: > > 1. bringing back waltz line of direction (Joe Harrington) > > From: Joe Harrington <contradancerjoe(a)gmail.com> > Subject: [Callers] bringing back waltz line of direction > Date: March 17, 2025 at 10:14:03 PM PDT > To: Shared Weight Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> > > > There used to be a strong community tradition about the flow of waltzing at contra dances. It was fast around the outside and stationary in the middle. You could do a nice Viennese, flying around the outside of the hall with no trouble, except in the most crowded of halls. You could do tricks galore standing virtually still. You could do everything in between. There were a lot fewer collisions, despite some much-faster-moving dancers. Halls were at least as crowded as they are today. > > Today, that's a near-impossibility in many halls. There tends to be a slow-circulating middle, but there isn't the former gradient of speeds outside of that zone that increases options while reducing collisions. It's all just a slow-moving mass, and people are so focused on their partners that collisions are common. > > I think everyone's enjoyment would increase if we followed four simple considerations: > > a) If someone passes you on the inside, you are a slower-circulating couple and should move closer to the middle, > b) If you pass someone on the inside, you are a faster-circulating couple and should move farther out, > c) Moving counter-flow or wagging strongly sideways (much more than just a side-by-side promenade) in the traveling ring are no-nos, > d) Both partners really need to look out for others all the time and protect each other from collisions, elbows to the face, etc. This is not just the lead's job, especially if they're being considerate and moving backward for a substantial portion of the time. > > I hope this is on-topic for this group. Callers are the evening's MCs, but they usually don't have much to do with waltzes, other than to announce them. However, what I'm talking about here would probably come about if callers a) announce it and b) include it in their waltz lesson, if they hold one. And maybe c) discuss it with dancers and organizers. > > Happy(ier) waltzing! > > --jh-- > Joe Harrington > Orlando >

8 months, 3 weeks

Contra callers - Puttin' On The Dance 3 is starting to fill up!

by Emily Addison

Hi contra callers, I just wanted to put the bug in your ear as some of you are organizers as well. :) Puttin' On The Dance 3 is happening later this spring in Belfast Maine. Registration has been open for under two weeks and we're already 2/5 full....it's pretty exciting! If you are an organizer and would like to join we'd love to have you. Details are below. :) Emily in Ottawa One of the POTD3 organizers along with Chrissy Fowler and Patty Giavara ================================== Puttin' On the Dance 3: Dancing Forward Together is happening May 2-4 in Belfast, Maine. Our conference theme, Dancing Forward Together, reflects the commitment we all share. Our dances create strong social bonds and positive uplift to our communities, and in this time of uncertainty and upheaval, it is especially important for dance organizers to support each other and ourselves. POTD will nourish peer to peer connections and buoy our spirits, helping us return to our dance organizations with renewed commitment and vigor. Let’s join hands to move forward! Before you register, look at puttinonthedance.org/potd-3/ <https://www.puttinonthedance.org/potd-3/> for important info on: - fees - scholarships - schedule - program survey - and more! Register Here: https://forms.gle/uUMWrebtrwJdBTJW9 The Fund Your Attendance <https://www.puttinonthedance.org/register/fund-your-attendance/> page has new information, including: - scholarship process - offsetting the exchange rate for Canadians - additional strategies to fund your attendance without stretching your personal reserves. Live outside the POTD catchment area <https://www.puttinonthedance.org/potd-3/>? If you want to attend - fill out the registration form now - but don’t pay. On April 1, if there’s room in the conference, we will offer spots to registrants outside the catchment area, in date order of registration. We’re getting some great input through the POTD3 Program Input Survey - if you haven’t filled it out, here’s the form: https://forms.gle/3gCBRuqodu9Z2RCV8 We can’t wait to be with you in May! POTD Planning Team Patty Giavara, Chrissy Fowler & Emily Addison PS Check out these amazing photos from POTD2 to get a sense of the fun and energy! <https://www.flickr.com/photos/puttinonthedance/albums/>

8 months, 3 weeks

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Contra Callers March 2025