HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: lgolder@hoh.mbl.edu (Linda Golder)
Subject: Re: "Get your hands off me!"
Organization: Marine Biological Laboratory
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 93 15:01:07 GMT

>> some people think it's perfectly okay to grab a
> >total stranger with both hands, by the shoulders, and try to shove her
> >into place.  (Yes, "her".  I've never noticed this being done to men,
> >possibly for fear of being punched out.)

> Generally, in the UK at least, it is acceptable for one dancer to
> correct another - provided, of course, that the level of `force' and
> tact is appropriate to the urgency of the situation.   Either sex can
> do it - generally the nearest/most alert dancer to the trouble spot.
>
> Dr David J. Pritchard		
> Electronics and Computer Science	tel	(+44 703) 592722
> University of Southampton		fax	(+44 703) 593045
> Southampton SO9 5NH			email	djp@uk.ac.soton.ecs (UK)
> United Kingdom					djp@ecs.soton.ac.uk (World)
> 

 
I, like most "experienced" dancers, have sometimes been guilty of shoving
(both men and women)... I inevitably regret it, both because the confused
individual is sometimes hurt scrambling into position, and because it
*does not help* the dance to progress smoothly (the desired goal).

Our local contra dances often attract several new dancers per evening, so
I've been getting lots of practice in steering beginners around the contra
line (these techniques also work for *experienced* dancers - like me -
who occasionally develop avacado brains mid-dance):

1)  If I find someone who is having a tough time following the segments
of a contra dance (usually because the caller either inadequately explained
the moves or because the caller stopped calling *way* too soon for an 
inexperienced dancer), I begin quietly calling the dance (just loud enough 
for our foursome) and begin using slightly exaggerated body language
to give non-verbal cues.  Some non-verbals:  lead strongly  with different
shoulders for a hay;  ladies stick that right hand *way* out for ladies chain;
hands together, fingers pointing forward, waist high for pass through;
appropriate hand up and ready to cue for allemande.

2)  Once the beginner is catching on to the sequence, I switch totally to 
non-verbal cues.  My level of exaggeration gradually diminishes to
normal contra dance level, pacing the beginner's confidence level.

Using these less "hands on" prompts ensures a good dance for everyone
in the set.  A confident beginner, one who has had an enjoyable evening
free of "dance nazis" or shovers, is much more likely to come back again
and become a capable and fun member of our dance community.


- Linda Golder   (lgolder @hoh.mbl.edu)
From: chroth@emx.cc.utexas.edu (Charles H. Roth)
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
Subject: Re: dancing shoes
Date: 11 Jan 1993 22:47:39 -0600
Organization: The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
Distribution: usa
NNTP-Posting-Host: emx.cc.utexas.edu

Turning on a smooth,clean leather sole produces less friction and
therefore less wear on a dance floor compared with turning on a sticky
athletic shoe which produces more friction and more wear on the floor
(as well as on the body of the dancer).
        -  Chuck
 


Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
From: zielke@hemlock.nrl.navy.mil (David Zielke)
Subject: Re: Shoes---thanks to all who wrote me
Organization: Naval Research Laboratory
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 03:36:32 GMT

When I started dancing the shoes which were suggested were in fact the
Jazz shoe from Carpasio.  I have been dancing in them for a couple of years
now and really like them.  Then again, I tried everything from sneakers to
bare feet before going this way...

David Zielke
Organization: Doctoral student, Biology, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
Date: Fri,  8 Jan 1993 10:54:49 -0500 
From: Denys Proteau <dp2p+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Re: Footwear and floor wear (was Re: Footwear for dancing)
	<1993Jan7.030949.2137@src.dec.com>

From: saxe@src.dec.com (Jim Saxe)
>I forgot to mention nails.  Some kinds of shoes have the heels held in
>with finishing nails that are driven in flush to the bottom of the
>heel.  Flush, that is, until the heel starts wearing down faster than
>the nails.  Also, some people like to use those little plastic things


About 3/4 of a year ago I bought a light weight type of capezio jazz
shoes with heels like this, and in less that 1/2 year of heavy use the
nails started to protude.  I don't wear them anymore and am slightly
surprized that people are recomending capezio's so highly on this
network... Am I the only person here that this has happened to?
   Denys

Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
From: jim@teclogic.wa.com (Jim Newberry)
Subject: Re: Footwear for dancing
Organization: Tech*Logic, Inc. Woodinville, WA
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 18:22:56 GMT

Granted, I know I'm a dying breed, but I prefer southern 
square dancing and a basic pair of Red Wing work boots. They
provide great ankle support, a great sole (soul?) and they're
great ammunition when the dance floor gets too crowded. They
can scrape the bark off someone else's shin in no time.

Jim
-- 
-------------------------------------------------------------------
| Jim Newberry... jim@teclogic.wa.com                             |
| Tech*Logic, Inc. Woodinville, WA (Yes it always rains here.)    |
-------------------------------------------------------------------
From: charleen@net.bio.net (Charleen Bunjiovianna)
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
Subject: Re: WSD: "Get your hands off me!"
Date: 12 Jan 93 19:35:22 GMT
Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Biology

In article <1iutrcINN5ku@life.ai.mit.edu> trb@hal.gnu.ai.mit.edu (Andrew Tannenbaum) writes:
>Let me assume that at non-beginner levels of WSD, there are few
>beginners.  (Clever, eh?)  At these dances, I would think that steering
>strangers around forcibly would be both rude and unnecessary.

Andrew has put his finger exactly on it.

>It is possible that where you dance there is some jerk who has a habit
>of meddling with everyone's dancing.  This wouldn't be a problem of a
>person correcting errors, it would be a problem of a meddling jerk.

There's a bit of a phenomenon in WSD, at least on this coast.  

Many of the people we get in our classes are husband and wife.  These
couples are hardly ever matched in skill level and learning ability,
though.  I don't know what happens when the wife is better at it than
the husband, but all too often when the husband is the fast learner,
he ends up pushing his wife around.  Too often he'll push her at the
first sign of hesitancy.  I've seen some of these guys give their
wives about 1/2 second to figure the call out.  And I've seen some
of these women almost visibly give up control of their dancing.
He pushes, she moves, unquestioningly.

Now if this starts happening when they're beginning square dancers, by
the time they get to dancing C-1, the shoving habit is pretty
well-ingrained in the man, who may be equating "female" with "dense".
(Don't worry, we have a female dancer, too, who shoves her partner
around and berates him loudly and insultingly when he makes a mistake.
They're such fun to dance with...)

The other factor in play, especially at PACE (which prides itself on
having challenging dances), is the we've-GOT-to-get-through-the-sequence
pressure.  Once again, I'm reminded of the story Pete Herman likes to
tell of the t-shirt that reads, "Square Dancing isn't Life or Death.
It's Much More Important Than That."

So how do you keep from dancing with the shovers and pushers of the
world?  Assuming you've identified them, that is.  PACE runs its C-1
dances on numbers, so you have no control over who you're dancing with,
and the Board (I've heard) is considering putting the C-2 dancing on
numbers, too.  Invitation-only dances are a possibility, one that looks
attractive at the moment.  I used to think invitation-only dances were
elitist, but now I'm not sure.

Charleen
From: chroth@emx.cc.utexas.edu (Charles H. Roth)
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
Subject: Folk Dance Phone Book
Date: 11 Jan 1993 22:33:14 -0600
Organization: The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
Distribution: usa
NNTP-Posting-Host: emx.cc.utexas.edu

The 1993 FOLK DANCE PHONE BOOK is a listing of people,
teachers, vendors, groups, and other names and addresses of
interest to international folk dancers.  Want to be listed
FREE?  Send a POSTCARD (no letters, please) with your name,
address (plus 9-digit zip), phone (plus area code), and whether
you are a dancer, contact person, teacher, and/or vendor in
the international folk dance community, to:  Society of Folk
Dance Historians, 2100 Rio Grande, Austin, TX  78705.
Data collection CEASES 1-31-93.  Everyone who sends in a card
will have the opportunity to buy a FOLK DANCE PHONE BOOK.
From: Dan Breslau <dan@codex.prds.cdx.mot.com>
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
Subject: Contra Dances in Boca Raton or Ft. Lauderdale?
Date: 5 Jan 93 20:18:19 GMT

I'm asking for a friend -- is there a regular contra dance
series in Boca Raton (memory tells me there is) or in
the Fort Lauderdale area?

Thanks,

Dan Breslau
dan@codex.com
"Why quote someone else?" -- Paul E. Hoffman
From: charleen@net.bio.net (Charleen Bunjiovianna)
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
Subject: Re: WSD - worldwide directory?
Date: 7 Jan 93 21:00:11 GMT
Organization: BIOSCI International Newsgroups for Biology

In article <1ihu86INNqha@roundup.crhc.uiuc.edu> mary@uicsl.csl.uiuc.edu (Mary E. Allison) writes:
>
>     Someone mentioned something about a worldwide WSD directory.  Is
>there such a beast and if so where do I get my paws on one?

The National Square Dance Directory (includes international info).
I'll send you the address, but I'm surprised your local WSD shop
doesn't have it...

>     My fiance (who will be my husband by then) and I are planning a
>trip to Europe (Ireland, Great Britain, and/or The Netherlands) around
>the beginning to the middle of May.  I think it would be SO NEAT to
>dance over there.  We can dance any level up to Advanced.

It *is* fun.  We danced with two groups in London while we were there;
one a Mainstream club and one a nominal Plus club.  I think you're going
to have trouble finding a lot of Advanced dancing in Europe.  Everyone
we met was very friendly, and even commented on how lovely our American
accents were.  My, that was a first.

>{ PERSONAL TO JOHN AND CHARLEEN - hey - the Quads aren't having a dance
>  during that time - I gotta go SOMEWHERE :] }

Actually, we are.  So now what's your excuse?

Charleen
From: diamond@cattell.psych.upenn.edu (Adele Diamond)
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
Subject: going to Dance Flurry (near Albany, Feb 12-14) from DC-NY area??
Date: 11 Jan 93 19:48:55 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: University of Pennsylvania


hi... I'd like to get/share a ride to Dance Flurry, the weekend
festival near Albany (Fri night thru Sunday, 2/12-2/14).
I live in Phila., and could probably manage to connect with anyone who
was leaving from anywhere from DC thru the NYC area.

thanks... adele diamond
215 898-2380
diamond@cattell.psych.upenn.edu
From: yduj@hal.gnu.ai.mit.edu (Judy Anderson)
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
Subject: Re: Footwear for dancing
Date: 5 Jan 93 19:24:54 GMT
Article-I.D.: mintaka.1993Jan5.192454.24812
Organization: /etc/organization

In article <1993Jan4.210814.21950@news.cs.brandeis.edu> elliott@binah.cc.brandeis.edu writes:
>I am looking for information on footwear for dancing which has support.  The 
>Boston dancers swear by Capezio's it seems but, though these shoes are great 
>twirling and swinging, they provide no arch support.  I am currently unable
>to dance because dancing in shoes with no support have hurt my swinging/pivot
>foot so I am in search of opinions on shoes for this very important activity
>for my life.

I have done fairly well using slip-in arch-supports in shoes.  They're
available at sporting shoes stores and pharmacies for about ten bucks.
Sometimes you have to trim the toes of the slip-in to match your shoe
and to put the support where your arch is.

       Judy Anderson yclept yduJ     'yduJ' rhymes with 'fudge'
	      yduJ@symbolics.com      yduJ on LambdaMOO
      Join the League for Programming Freedom, lpf@uunet.uu.net
From: tjw+@pitt.edu (TJ Wood)
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
Subject: Re: WSD: "Get your hands off me!"
Date: 11 Jan 93 20:35:18 GMT
Organization: University of Pittsburgh

In article <Jan.10.07.45.22.1993.6915@net.bio.net> charleen@net.bio.net (Charleen Bunjiovianna) writes:

>...I have to wonder what it is about Challenge
>dancing that makes some people think it's perfectly okay to grab a
>total stranger with both hands, by the shoulders, and try to shove her
>into place.  (Yes, "her".  I've never noticed this being done to men,
>possibly for fear of being punched out.)

I've seen this "done" to both men and women (oops, womYn! d*mmit! ;-) who
are "beginners" at our local Square/Contra dances.  This "method" of teaching
new comers is only slightly less effective than shouting (at maximum possible
volume): "GO HERE!  NOT THERE!  HERE! NOW ALAMANDE! NO! NO! NO! LOOK OUT!!!".

I've found that a "solution" to this problem is to make sure that all new
dancers have an experienced dancer as a partner who can guide them to the
"right" place.

Now why they are doing this to *you*, Charleen, is anybody's guess.  Maybe
you *should* try punching them out! ;-)

>"Get your hands off me!"  He gasped (really, I heard him), and dropped
>his hands.  And then of course refused to take hands at all for the
>rest of the tip, which is a cute little vengeful maneuver I've seen
>before.

Step on his feet! ;-)

Terry
-- 
        INTERNET: tjw+@pitt.edu         BITNET: TJW@PITTVMS
"Laugh while you can, Monkey Boy!"                        - Lord "John" Warfin
"There can be only one!"                                  - The Highlander
"There should have been only one. I want my money back!"  - Terry
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
From: htr@world.std.com (Helena T Robinson)
Subject: Re: Contralab (was Re: Over-60s WSD-style Contra Dance in SF Bay Area?)
Summary: Who me???  (plus some relevant comments)
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 21:38:30 GMT

In article <C0KuCz.CFp@world.std.com> jb@world.std.com (Joel L Breazeale) writes(in part):
>In article <1993Jan8.180414.29971@cs.sfu.ca> dyck@cs.sfu.ca (Michael Dyck) writes:
>>So what *is* Contralab?  What does it do?
>>
>It says it is, "The International Association of Contra Callers."  The reason
>you haven't (likely) heard about it is that it is mostly associated/advertised
>in the Modern Western (club) Square Dance scene.  As I said, there is some par-
>ticipation contemporary traditional callers (contra callers who are members of
>the Country Dance and Song Society).  The Contralab callers are likely MWSD
>callers who are looking into contras -- they'll likely use records instead of
>live music and already have a turntable.  I'd love to see more traditional
>callers help them understand live music; they do mention it and use it, but
>more could be done.  I'm not really sure Contralab will openly acknowledge
>an active, growing contemporary traditional dance scene -- then again, CDSS
>doesn't mention them either, they are, "Aware of them."

Although Joel may be much more attuned to this than I - after all, HE actually 
attended last year's Contralab meeting - I've noticed that several Contralab 
members also belong to CDSS and Lloyd Shaw.

Since there was a big discussion last year over live music at WSD events, I
won't even think of resurrecting it here.  If anyone's really interested, 
I can tell you whom to contact.  ;-)

>Someday I should put together a list of organizations.  [Hey Helena, how about
>LEGACY?  8-)]

Who me???  ;-)

Well, if anyone's interested, I could work on something while recuperating from 
my next hospital visit ("off the air" message to follow in a few days)...

Helena Robinson
htr@world.std.com
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
From: tedcrane@cs.cornell.edu (Ted Crane)
Subject: Re: Footwear for dancing
Organization: Tompkins County Computing, Ithaca, NY
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 01:59:18 GMT

I love my Tevas.  Formerly a Birkenstock enthusiast, I switched to Tevas
to allow me to wear them in the water and in the winter (the Birks kept getting
trashed by the road salt).

They're also pretty good for dancing.  The strap arrangement holds them firmly
in place on the foot.  Comfortable, even after a hard day of dancing.
Morris dancing, too, as long as nobody frowns on the non-traditional appearance.

One disadvantage is o ankle support.  On the other hand, I haven't seen any
reasonable dancing shoe that ankle support.

They are also protective of floors. Like Birks, the sole is floor-friendly, and
unlike Birks, there are no little crevices for dirt to get stuck in.  I agree
with Jim Saxe--there's more damage to floors from dirt and grit (and shoe
nails) than "hard" shoes.  

-ted
-- 
- ted crane, alias (tc)                  tedcrane@cs.cornell.edu
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
From: htr@world.std.com (Helena T Robinson)
Subject: Re: WSD - worldwide directory?
Summary: Some info...
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 01:33:00 GMT

In article <Jan.7.13.00.11.1993.13403@net.bio.net> charleen@net.bio.net (Charleen Bunjiovianna) writes (in part):
>In article <1ihu86INNqha@roundup.crhc.uiuc.edu> mary@uicsl.csl.uiuc.edu (Mary E. Allison) writes:
>>     Someone mentioned something about a worldwide WSD directory.  Is
>>there such a beast and if so where do I get my paws on one?
>
>The National Square Dance Directory (includes international info).
>I'll send you the address, but I'm surprised your local WSD shop
>doesn't have it...

We're in the midst of massive house-cleaning today, so we actually managed to 
find our copy of the 1992 edition.  For anyone else interested:

Cost (as of '92) $8.95 plus $3.05 s/h  A Life Subscription is available for $50.
You can order via 800 542-4010 or P.O. Box 880, Brandon, MS   39043

>>     My fiance (who will be my husband by then) and I are planning a
>>trip to Europe (Ireland, Great Britain, and/or The Netherlands) around
>>the beginning to the middle of May.  I think it would be SO NEAT to
>>dance over there.  We can dance any level up to Advanced.
>
>...  I think you're going
>to have trouble finding a lot of Advanced dancing in Europe.  Everyone
>we met was very friendly, and even commented on how lovely our American
>accents were.  My, that was a first.

Actually, there is Advanced in England - and even challenge (there was a caller 
from England at last year's National Adv/Challenge Convention who called some 
lovely C3).  It's just a matter of looking and making the right contacts.
(Timing doesn't hurt either)  The National Directory should offer some clues, 
as well as Zip Coder for Advanced.

And, in a quick flip thru my copy, there seems to be Advanced in Holland as 
well.

Good luck!
Helena Robinson
htr@world.std.com

Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
From: winston@ssrl01.slac.stanford.edu (Alan Winston)
Subject: Over-60s WSD-style Contra Dance in SF Bay Area?
Organization: Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lab
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 02:12:54 GMT

Folks --

I am posting this for the benefit of my girlfriend's parents, who are active
Modern Western Square Dancers, which I am not.  They square dance locally, but
have done contra dance at conventions elsewhere, really enjoyed it, and would
like to do more of it.

From discussion in this newsgroup over the last several years I have gained the
impression that there is a "Contralab" organization, paralleling the WSD
organization, which has a special (perhaps restricted) contra program.  If I
have this wrong, I'm sure someone will correct me.

I am an active English, Contra, and Morris dancer, and have of course urged
these folks to come to one of the many fine "traditional" contras BACDS and 
other groups put on in the Bay Area.  Nope.  They want the WSD-associated kind,
and they want a group in their own age range, which is 60+.  [Telling them that
there are several regulars who appear to be in that age range doesn't help.]

So, does anybody know of any "Contralab"-style class or dance series in the San
Francisco Bay Area (ideally on the Peninsula, as they live in Foster City) that
has a preponderance of older people?  

E-mail or post responses, if any; I read this group regularly so will catch
posts, but this seems like a topic of limited interest.  I will summarize
results, if any.

Thanks!

-- Alan
-- 

===============================================================================
 Alan Winston --- WINSTON@SSRL750.BITNET or  WINSTON@SSRL01.SLAC.STANFORD.EDU
 Disclaimer: I speak only for myself, not SLAC or SSRL   Phone:  415/926-3056
 Physical mail to: SSRL -- SLAC BIN 69, PO BOX 4349, STANFORD, CA  94309-0210
===============================================================================
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
From: kiran@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu (Kiran Wagle)
Subject: Re: Footwear for dancing
Organization: Indiana University
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 1993 05:26:24 GMT

bradl@neptune.informix.com (Brad Levy) writes:

>I dance in Birkenstocks - and am quite happy with them. (I wear them when I'm
>not dancing, too, except when its too wet...)

>The bottom surface (that touches the dance floor) is not leather, but is
>non-marring, and a reasonable balance between too high a friction and sliding
>all over the place.

I dance in Response II's from Teva.  They have a non-marking rubber
deck sole and as much arch support as my Merell hiking boots.  They
slide quite well on wood floors--at the New Year's Eve dance in
Cincinnati I found them quite comfortable.  They have an inch-thick
rubber sole, so they are quite springy too. This was the first time
I've worn Teva sandals to dance in, and I love them.  Unfortunately
the Response has been discontinued, and its replacement, the
Walkabout, doesn't have a non-marking sole.
-- 

Kiran Wagle                           <kiran@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu>
From: philhowr@xilinx.cie.rpi.edu (Bob Philhower)
Subject: Re: It's Announcement Time!
Organization: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 18:27:16 GMT

I work with the Old Songs dance in the Albany, NY (USA) area.  Prior
to the 1992-93 season, we allowed dance organizers to come up to the
microphone and announce their dances.  The announcements happened
after people lined up for the first contra dance after the break.
This practice gradually grew until each dance we had a long line of
people waiting to make their remarks.  For the most part, the dancers
ignored it.

This year, we decided that we would let our local calendar advertise
most of the dances.  People who are organizing a special dance event
or who have a change in their schedule can give details to two of our
committee people who then make all announcements.  For ourselves, we
have an easel on stage listing the current caller and band, and
telling who will be there next time.

The response of the dancers has been positive.

Robert Philhower                            (philhowr@unix.cie.rpi.edu)
Rensselaer Center for Integrated Electronics
CII 6111 / Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute / Troy, NY  12180 / USA
From: evagold@titan.ucc.umass.edu (Eva Goldwater)
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
Subject: Re: Footwear for dancing
Date: 6 Jan 1993 15:58:20 -0500
Organization: University of Massachusetts, Amherst
NNTP-Posting-Host: titan.ucc.umass.edu
Summary: SAS shoes

No one seems to have discovered my favorite dancing shoes: SAS Whispers.
They come with a support insert, but I require an orthotic support, which it
is roomy enough to accomodate.  It is soft and flexible, doesn't pinch the
toes and provides proper support.  The soles are a fairly smooth rubber.

I also use athletic shoes, which are comfortable, but more clunky.   

P.S. For those of you who work with statistical programs, as I do, these
shoes have NOTHING to do with SAS, Inc.
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing