From: mfactor@bbn.com (Mara Factor)
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
Subject: Traditional Squares and Contras for WSDers
Date: 15 Apr 1992 16:09:53 GMT
Organization: Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc., Cambridge MA
Distribution: usa
Reply-To: mfactor@bbn.com (Mara Factor)
NNTP-Posting-Host: bbn.com


      Traditional Square and Contra Dance (TSC) Considerations 
	                          for 
	             Western Square Dancers (WSDers)
	--------------------------------------------------------

Being both a TSCer and a WSDer, I thought I would post some information
based on my own observations that WSDers might find useful should they
consider attending a TSC.  TSCers might also find this useful if they find
themselves dancing with WSDers.  This could be particularly useful the
NEFFA Sunday when WSDers who are in the area for the NESDC may decide to
stop by and do some contra dancing.  This is not meant to be 
comprehensive.

WSDers will find a few completely new calls, many variations on known
calls, and some other basic differences that may seem small but can really
define the differences in the characteristics of the two dances.  I'm not
going to try to teach the new moves here with the one exception shown
below.  The other moves are moves to be aware of so you can pay extra
attention to learn these during the walk throughs. 

New moves:
    Cast off (contras only)
    Contra-corners (contras only)
    Dip and Dive (squares only)
    Figure eight
    Gypsy
        The action of a gypsy is basically the same as a 'walk
        around your corner' except that you generally make eye
        contact while circling the person you are gypsying. 
    Half figure eight
    Hey

Variations:
    Allemande
        In the Boston area, allemandes are done hands up with significantly
        more weight given during the turn.  The additional weight will help
        you get around the desired number of turns in the time allowed.  Be
        careful not to twist the wrist of the person you are turning with. 
    Right and left through
        In the Boston area, right hands are not given during a right and
        left through, in other words, a pass through and courtesy turn is a
        traditional right and left through.  Also, same gender right and 
        left throughs are actually a pass through and a traditional cast 
        off.
    Balance
        A balance is always four beats.
    Forward and Back
        Forward and back always takes eight beats.
    Frills
        Well, there are frills in TSC but they are mostly twirls on
        courtesy turns.  If you do not want to twirl, don't (you will not
        be forced), if you like twirling, you might find yourself twirling
        up to four or five times on any particular courtesy turn depending
        on how much time you have. 
 
Other considerations:
    Dress
        Unlike in WSDing, there is no particular suggested dress for
        contras other than clothes that are particularly comfortable and
        cool.  Women do not wear crinoline and pettipants to contra dances.
        Actually, with the pace and actual space available in contra lines
        and squares, women would find that crinoline and pettipants would
        get in the way and really restrict movement.  Also, men generally
        wear t-shirts rather than the warmer long sleeves and ties of WSD. 
        Also, men do not wear towel bars to TSC.
    Contra line terminology
        When lining up for contras, the 'head' of the contra line (or hall)
        is usually nearest the music, the 'foot', furthest away.  Facing
        toward the head is facing 'up', facing away from the 'head' is
        facing 'down'.  Also, in contra lines, every other couple is
        'active' or 'inactive', '1's or '2's respectively. The actives are
        the couples moving towards the foot of the hall, the inactives are
        moving towards the heads. When you get to the end of a contra line,
        your position changes.
    Symmetry 
        Unlike WSD, traditional squares are not necessarily symmetrical. 
        When calling, callers may refer to heads and sides but also refer
        to couples 1, 2, 3, and 4. 
    Swinging
        There is generally a lot more swinging for longer periods of time
        in TSC than in WSD.  Both the buzz step and walking swing are used
        in TSC. 
    Calling style
        There are no hash calls when doing traditional squares.  Also, when
        in contra lines, the pattern of calls repeats.  Usually, the caller
        will walk through the sequence once or twice, start the dance, call
        it a few times, and then stop calling.  The dancers are expected to
        remember the sequence of calls themselves for the rest of the
        dance. 
    Eye contact
        In TSC, eye contact and flirting is an integral part of the dance. 
        For example, when doing a gypsy, you would generally stare into the
        eyes of the person you are gypsying. 
    Pace/Phrasing
        In general, the pace of TSC is faster than WSDing.  Unlike in WSD,
        the caller cannot wait a couple of beats if there is a problem with
        the contra line.  You must be prepared to move at the pace of the
        dance. Should there be a problem, know where you should be next and
        be there at the right time.  To this end, most moves are done to
        eight beat phrases though there are a few moves which may be 4, 12,
        or 16 beats. 
    Partnering
        Most contra dancers do not dance with the same partner all the time
        even if they come with their husband/wife/significant other/etc. 
        Also, if you are planning on dancing together most of the time, I
        would recommend you split up for the first few dances until you
        both get a hang of the dance environment and learn the new moves. 
        After you are comfortable with the new moves you will be better
        prepared to dance together. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mara Factor                                                     April, 1992
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing