HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: pdm@sisters.cs.uoregon.edu (peter d. mark)
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
Subject: query about boston folkdancing
Date: 7 Nov 92 03:36:05 GMT
Article-I.D.: cs.1992Nov7.033605.19094
Organization: University of Oregon Computer and Information Sciences Dept.

a friend of mine from the west coast is planning to be in the boston
area from dec 27 - jan 3 and would like to know about folk dance 
opportunities in the boston area.  of particular interest are
any notable weekend-length dance workshops or dance-related special
events.  


please e-mail any pertinent info to me  rather than, or at least
in addition to posting.  my usenet access is somewhat problematic
since i must telnet to a (very) remote site in order to read
these groups.

thanks very much,
peter
pdmark@colby.edu  (please use this address, not the one in the header)
From: "Terry J. Wood" <TJW@vms.cis.pitt.edu>
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
Subject: Pittsburgh Fall Dance Weekend
Date: 10 Nov 92 19:34:38 GMT

*From:	IN%"westmstr!amt@sunpitt.East.Sun.COM"  3-NOV-1992 12:14:42.65
*Subj:	Pittsburgh Fall Dance Weekend

Hi, Terry! 

Think the "World" needs to know about this.  I noticed that the header for
the article about the Pittsburgh Vintage Dance Weekend (Nov 6-8) was labeled
Pittsburgh Fall Dance Weekend.  We might need to distinguish that event from
the following: (please include in next week's newsletter)
-------------------------------------------------------------

PITTSBURGH FALL DANCE WEEKEND
November 13-15, 1992
Chatham College, Pittsburgh, PA

Friday: 8:00 - 11:30  
Saturday: 10:00-5:00, 8:00-11:30, 11:30-2:00 (swing)
Sunday: 12:30 - 2:00 	(open mike for callers & musicians 
			afterward until?)

	DANCES & WORKSHOPS:	CALLERS			BANDS
 	-------------------     ------------------	--------------
	Contras			Brad Foster		Uncle Gizmo
	Swing			Cathy Anderson		The Able Brothers
	Cajun			Carol Copp
	Schottische/Hombo
	English
	Traditional Squares

We can put you up if you need a place to stay...

For more information, call Ed Malloy (412) 351-1732, or email me,
Annie Trimble, sunpitt.east.sun.com!westmster!amt. 

Annie Trimble		             //  Boiled Buzzards
sunpitt.east.sun.com!westmster!amt  //	Old Time Music With Style
---------------------------------------------------------------
From: al013@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Steve Otlowski)
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
Subject: Bare Necessities in Cleveland, OH
Date: 11 Nov 1992 21:21:48 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (USA)
NNTP-Posting-Host: slc10.ins.cwru.edu


Bare Necessities, the country's premier English Country Dance Band
will be in Cleveland on
 
December 11 - 13, 1992
 
Friday, Dec. 11  8:00 pm
A Dance - Half English Country / Half New England Contra
at Beaumont School for Girls 3300 block of Fairmount Blvd just east
of Lee Rd. in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
 
Saturday, Dec. 12  10:00 am - 12:00 pm ans 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Two English Country Dance Workshops, including dance and
stylistic instruction.
First English Lutheran Church, corner ov Euclid Hts Blvd. and
Derbyshire Rd. in Cleveland Hts.
 
Saturday, Dec. 12  8:00 - 11:00 pm
English Country Ball
Period Costumes (post 1600, Colonial, etc.) and Potluck desserts
encouraged
South Euclid Community Center, 1370 Victory Drive, South Euclid, Ohio
(behind Acme Grocery Store)
 
Cost: $30 for all four dance sessions or $8.00 for any individual
session.
 
for other information call
Barbara 291-8447 or Gale 371-2928
or email  aiden@ncoast.org
or al013@cleveland.freenet.edu
 
On Sunday, Dec. 13  9:00 - 11:15 pm
There will be a special Musician's Workshop
3081 Fairfax Rd., in Cleveland Hts.
Cost $4.00
 
Come one and all for a WONDERFUL dance experience


Steve Otlowski
aiden@ncoast.org


PS  All telephone numbers in this message are area code (216).

-- 
Steve Otlowski

aiden@ncoast.org  or al013@cleveland.freenet.edu
or BITNET al013%cleveland.freenet.edu@cunyvm
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
From: cottle@cmp-rt.music.uiuc.edu (David M. Cottle)
Subject: Re: Piano vs Guitar in contra bands
Organization: University of Illinois School of Music
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1992 15:34:02 GMT

In article <RSHOLMES.92Nov8192818@rodan.syr.EDU> rsholmes@rodan.syr.EDU (Rich Holmes) writes:
>In article <1387@minya.UUCP> jc@minya.UUCP (John Chambers) writes:
>
>>I'm reminded of a band workshop for Scottish country dancing that  was
(etc.)
>>a piano:  The piano player was doing things that were too complicated.
>
>Dissenting opinion here. I love to hear a contradance pianist with
>some really good chops; Mary Kay Brass is the best example that comes
(etc.)
>with years of experience, playing the chords too gently, too
>tentatively, and using the pedal (!!). Makes me want to scream, "HIT
>that thing! Show it who's boss! Take charge!"
>

I agree.  What I meant by mediocre was that they were monotonous, even
though they may have been very accomplished in other styles.  Perhaps
the workshop leaders were giving that advise knowing that most pianist
were not skilled enough to give both a solid background and keep it
interesting.  

As I think back, the things that worked for this pianist were not
flourishes as much as good part writing: inversions and passing 
tones to create a smoother bass line, keeping a common tone in 
the upper chords (I hate blocks that move parallel up and down the
keyboard, or up and down the frets--i.e. bar chords), spacing that
reflected the overtone series, correct doublings, etc.  Once she took
the lead on what seemed to be an unrehearsed "hey, let's try this"
reference to a classical piece, it began to fall apart at first, but
once it was together it was a refreshing change.  (Actually, it was the
violinist who fell apart.)  Perhaps some see it as mild blasphemy, but
I enjoy crossover.  Dancing to "Paint it Black" is one of the most
memorable highlights of my dancing experiences. 

She also was authoritative and kept her foot off the pedal.  The night
we were in the University ball room with a grand piano was ideal.



===============================
David Cottle                  =
Lime Consultant               =
CERL Sound Group at UIUC      =              Ballo ergo sum.
103 S Mathews                 =
Urbana, IL 61801              =              -des Cartwright
                              =
(217) 244-6686                =
Lime@uiuc.edu                 =
===============================
From: as829@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Paul Balliet)
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
Subject: Re: Scottish / Contra Demo Dancing
Date: 11 Nov 1992 23:20:27 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (USA)
Reply-To: as829@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Paul Balliet)
NNTP-Posting-Host: slc4.ins.cwru.edu


In a previous article, jrobie@netmbx.netmbx.de (Jonathan Robie) says:

>
>I keep getting requests for contra demos.  I have so far resisted on
>the grounds that contras aren't a spectator sport--lots of fun to do,
>not too interesting to watch.
>
>Any opinions on this?
>
>Jonathan
>-- 
When I lived in the Boston area, Walter Lenk organized a group called
the New England Chestnuts.

In 1989, we used the following for demos:
  Classic Medley: two progressions each of:
    Petronella, Chorus Jig, Hull's Victory, Lady of the Lake.
  Triple Minor Medley:
    3X British Sorrow, 4X Sackett's Harbor.
  Modern Medley:
    2X Symetrical Force, 2X Snowbound, 3X Shadrack's Delight.
  Squares:
    Deerpark Lancers, Because, Just Because, Open Up Your Heart and 
    let's Be Friends, Redwing (Dip and Dive Six).

The demo took about 30 minutes.  After the demo, we grabbed audience
members and danced a simple contras & squares to fill half an hour 
or more as the crowd desired.

Folks enjoyed watching the dancing, tho they often ran away when recruited 
to dance themselves.
-- 
  @ o      Life may not be the party you hoped for...      @o
  |-|       But at least you can join in the DANCE.         \\
  /X\       <<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>        /X\
 // X        Paul        AS829@Cleveland.freenet.edu        |\\\
From: xuegx@csv.warwick.ac.uk (Tom Holloway)
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
Subject: Re: London Barndance 13 November
Date: 7 Nov 1992 22:59:08 -0000
Organization: Computing Services, University of Warwick, UK
NNTP-Posting-Host: violet.csv.warwick.ac.uk

Is that the Mark that Bernard Chalk introduced at the
Sidmouth International Folk Festival?  He was terrific,
and so were those morning sessions.  The funniest thing
was going through 'Levi Jackson' with the Lady taking
the man's part, and finding myself shoved into a five-
hand Ladies Chain and plucked out of it by a new Lady.

I'm delighted to see London Barndance are as popular
as ever.
+--------------------------+
! Tom Holloway             !
! t.holloway@warwick.ac.uk !
! 01:CLK001                !
+--------------------------+
From: pearl@spectacle.sw.stratus.com (Dan Pearl)
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
Subject: Re: Scottish Country Demo Dancing
Date: 10 Nov 92 15:18:51 GMT
Organization: Stratus Computer, Software Engineering
NNTP-Posting-Host: spectacle.sw.stratus.com

In article <1992Nov9.233308.8211@cs.unca.edu> stigle@cs.unca.edu (Sue Stigleman) writes:
>Does anyone have suggestions about specific dances
>that are good for demonstrations?  Also, does anyone
>have comments about how to select good dances?
>
>My criteria for selecting a demo program:
>1.  dances that are "easy" enough for the dancers to do
>2.  illustrate the variety of moves
>3.  have some dances where the progression shows very clearly 
>4.  no 8x32 bar strathspeys
>5.  avoid dances in which it is difficult to recover from errors 
>6.  at least one square set dance
>7.  avoid dances that are easy to mess up

When putting together a demonstration, it's best to think of the audience.

Unless they are enthusiasts, they will likely be bored by 8x(whatever) 
even in quick-time.  So I suggest reducing the number of repetitions.

If you reduce the number of repetitions, this allows strathspeys.  The change
in mood and speed will help balance your presentation.

You may want to consider medleys of dances and tunes.  This will allow dancing
to go on for a reasonable time, and will interest the audience.

In your medley, you may want to invent choreography to change the orientation
of the set so that the audience can get a better or different perspective.

Also consider having dancers enter from both wings and joining the dancers
on-stage, regrouping into new sets.

Using tunes that are recognizable by the audience may help them relate to
what is happening.

Genevieve Shimer, the now-deceased English Dance leader for CDSS, said that
when she worked on dance demonstrations for the New York World's Fare in
1964-65, of all the dances they performed, the one that was most popular
with the audience was Cumberland Square Eight.  This is a simple dance that
the audience members could envision themselves doing; that connection allowed
them to vicariously dance with the performers.  The moral: simple and fun
dances should be a part of the demonstration.
-- 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dan Pearl  **  Stratus Computer, Inc.  **  pearl@spectacle.sw.stratus.com
From: Andrew.Findlay@brunel.ac.uk (Andrew Findlay)
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
Subject: London Barndance 13 November
Date: 5 Nov 92 19:16:35 GMT
Organization: Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK

The London Barndance: Friday November 13, 20:00


Mark Elvins and Alterations

Mark is a young caller with a very good line in unusual dances,
some of which he writes himself. His published collections of dances
are instantly recognisable by the gumbooted-hedgehog on the cover!

Alterations are a very flexible two- (or three- or four- ...) piece band,
always including an accordion and a fiddle, but adding other instruments
depending on the event.

The event will have an American flavour, but with some of Mark's own
dances thrown in. All dances will be walked-through and called,
and beginners are welcome.

Note that this event is part of the celebrations to mark 60 years of folk
at Cecil Sharp House. There will be many dances and concerts throughout
the weekend, and each has to start and finish to a tight timetable so
come early!


Cecil Sharp House, Regents Park Road, London NW1
Nearest Tube: Camden Town (Northern Line)

Admission 4.00 (concessions 3.00)
Special rates for organised groups
-- 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|      From Andrew Findlay at Brunel University, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, UK     |
| Andrew.Findlay@brunel.ac.uk       +44 895 203066 or +44 895 274000 x2512 |
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
From: kiran@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu (Kiran Wagle)
Subject: Contras & squares in NYC Nov 19-30???
Followup-To: sender
Organization: Indiana University
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1992 12:17:30 GMT

I'll be travelling to NYC in a week or so and would like to do some
dancing while I'm there.  Any tips on the dance scene there would be
much appreciated.  And are there any local dance weekends over
Thanksgiving weekend? 

Thanks in advance.
-- 

Kiran Wagle                           <kiran@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu>
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
From: wex@cs.ulowell.edu (Paul M. Wexelblat)
Subject: Re: WSD help needed
Originator: wex@bigmax.ulowell.edu
Keywords: love, marriage, horse, carriage, cake top
Reply-To: wex@cs.ulowell.edu
Organization: Univ. of Lowell CS Dept.
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1992 16:59:49 GMT


In article <Bx7Hv8.A4n@cs.uiuc.edu>, mary@cs.uiuc.edu (Mary Allison) writes:
|> From: mary@cs.uiuc.edu (Mary Allison)
|> Subject: WSD help needed
|> Date: 4 Nov 92 19:23:32 GMT
|> 
|> Here's the deal -- I know a couple of square dancers that are getting 
|> married (Oh yeah, and I happen to be one of them).  ANYWAY, I was 
|> thinking of the possibility of having a cake top that's square dancers.  
|> Does anyone know of a cake top that would have square dancers, or more 
|> realistically a figurine of square dancers that would be about the 
|> right size? 
|> 

Best Wishes and Whoopeeeeeeeeee!

I have not been able to find caketoppers, but (and I post this since
the info may be of general interest) there exists:
National Association of Square and Round Dance Suppliers
Albright
204 W. Holloway
Hurst, TX 76053
(817) 268-2058

(Maybe there's an 817 dancer who could call and check)

PS, if you find what you need, let us all know, since there are
at least 40,519 dancers on the net who will be out looking for you
(looking out for you? looking for you out?)

Best to you both from "the.net"
-- 

	...Wex
From: jbrand@unlinfo.unl.edu (jennifer brand)
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
Subject: Dancing in the Heartland
Date: 5 Nov 1992 21:58:13 GMT
Organization: University of Nebraska--Lincoln	
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: unlinfo.unl.edu
Keywords: contra, dance, Scottish, English country


Does anyone know of contra, Scottish country, or even English country 
dancing going on in or near Lincoln, NE?

Any leads would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Jennifer
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
From: nmrdb@vms.macc.wisc.edu (BEVERLY SEAVEY)
Subject: What is the current address for the folkdance server?
Organization:  University of Wisconsin Academic Computing Center
Date: 10 NOV 92 13:59:52    

I tried mailing to 

boris@uhunix.uhcc.hawaii.edu

and the mail bounced. Has the address changed? Is the server still running?

Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
From: jarvis@psych.toronto.edu (Brian Jarvis)
Subject: CLOG in Memphis, TN
Organization: Department of Psychology, University of Toronto
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1992 16:24:40 GMT

Are there any others here going to CLOG in Memphis, 3 weeks from today?
I bought my air tickets months ago to be sure I wouldn't miss it this year
like I did last for lack of $.

Brian
-- 

Brian A. Jarvis,          Rm. 4026, Sidney Smith Hall, Dept. of Psychology,
jarvis@psych.toronto.edu  University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
System Administrator      M5S 1A1  (416) 978-3948
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing,ont.events,tor.general,ont.singles
From: jc@minya.UUCP (John Chambers)
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
Subject: Re: Scandinavian Christmas Parties?
Date: 12 Nov 92 21:13:41 GMT

> Some friends of mine in North Carolina were wondering if there are any
> Scandinavian Christmas/dance parties in the Eastern U.S. this year.  Please
> post or e-mail any leads to me and I'll pass it along to them.

Here in Boston, the Speledans group is having a dance party (food,  no
teaching)  the  evening  of  Dec  19,  at the Church of Our Savior, 23
Monmouth St, Brookline.

This is  actually  their  regular  1st-and-3rd  Sat  dance  site;  the
mid-December  dance  is  described  as  a  dance party.  This means no
teaching; you are cordially invited  to  bring  whatever  refreshments
you'd  like to contribute, and a pair of hard-soled shoes, an optional
partner, and perhaps a fiddle if you have one.

For further info, you can email me, or call Wendy at 617/646-5161.

Speledans is primarily a dance group, as the name implies.  There  are
some  local clubs that are more ethnic (and poorer dancers ;-) if that
would be of interest.  Gyda Cole  just  called  me  about  the  Danish
Christmas party, which is at the Cambridge VFW hall on Dec 12.  I know
that there's  a  Finnish  joulujuhla  (not  for  dieters  ;-)  out  in
Fitchburg (the Revontulet gang) about then, but I don't know the exact
date. With both of these, I know from experience that you'd enjoy them
more if you speak at least a little Danish or Finnish. The jokes might
go over your head otherwise ...

-- 
All opinions Copyright (c) 1992 by John Chambers. Inquire for licensing at:
1-617-647-1813 ...!{bu.edu,harvard.edu,eddie.mit.edu,ruby.ora.com}!minya!jc 
--
Pensu tutmonde; agu loke.
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
From: stigle@cs.unca.edu (Sue Stigleman)
Subject: Scottish Country Demo Dancing
Organization: University of North Carolina at Asheville
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1992 23:33:08 GMT

Our local Scottish country dance group does a lot of
demonstrations.  There have been problems with the
selection of demo dances in the past, and as a result,
a committee has been set up to select the set of demo
dances for next year's (1993) demo schedule.  

Does anyone have suggestions about specific dances
that are good for demonstrations?  Also, does anyone
have comments about how to select good dances?
I have my own ideas, heading into this committee,
but I thought it would be interesting to get
other ideas.

My criteria for selecting a demo program:
1.  dances that are "easy" enough for the dancers
    to do that they don't have to concentrate so
    much on the moves that they look stiff and anxious.
2.  illustrate the variety of moves, i.e. don't pick
    all dances that have reels in them.
3.  have at least some dances where the progression
    shows very clearly (for example, Corn Rigs)
4.  no 8x32 bar strathspeys
5.  try to avoid dances in which it is difficult to recover
    from errors (i.e. Irish Rover, if you mess up the diagonal
    rights and lefts)
6.  at least one square set dance to show the relationship
    with square dancing
7.  avoid dances that, while not difficult, are easy to
    mess up (i.e. the thirds forgetting to start in Wild Geese.)

Any other comments or suggestions?  The big problem we've had,
which is probably common, is people wanting to do a whole
program of ambitious dances, almost all of which have
diagonal reels of 4, although since we mucked up some demos
this summer, people are quite receptive now to a well-thought-
out program of dances that we start rehearsing in January
or February for the summer.  

Sue Stigleman
stigle@cs.unca.edu


Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing
From: rsholmes@rodan.syr.EDU (Rich Holmes)
Subject: Re: Piano vs Guitar in contra bands
In-reply-to: jc@minya.UUCP's message of 8 Nov 92 15:42:15 GMT
Organization: Syracuse University
Distribution: usa
Date: Sun, 8 Nov 92 19:42:12 EST

In article <1387@minya.UUCP> jc@minya.UUCP (John Chambers) writes:

>I'm reminded of a band workshop for Scottish country dancing that  was
>held  here in the Boston area last year (under the aegis of the Boston
>branch of the RSCDS).  Part of the workshop was  various  local  bands
>playing a few short sets, and then being criticised. I hung around and
>listened, and one point that was made with every one of them that  had
>a piano:  The piano player was doing things that were too complicated.

Dissenting opinion here. I love to hear a contradance pianist with
some really good chops; Mary Kay Brass is the best example that comes
to mind at the moment. And in more generality, I think the above
argument is misplaced, though not entirely wrong. The piano, guitar,
whatever has as its *primary* responsibility setting the pulse of the
music, and to the extent that the pianist is neglecting that in favor
of fancy licks, he or she is falling down on the job. But the problem
is not "doing things that are too complicated"; it's doing them to the
exclusion of the pulse. A really good dance pianist does both and
makes my jaw sag while making my feet fly.

For the beginning pianist or the novice band, the complications are
inappropriate. Drive the rhythm first and save the rest for later. It
always amazes and saddens me to hear a dance pianist, in some cases
with years of experience, playing the chords too gently, too
tentatively, and using the pedal (!!). Makes me want to scream, "HIT
that thing! Show it who's boss! Take charge!"

--
  Rich Holmes                                rsholmes@mailbox.acs.syr.edu
  Bassett Street Hounds Morris 
  Thornden Morris
Newsgroups: rec.folk-dancing