Workshop Descriptions
Saturday, March 16
|
9:00-10:15am (see schedule) The Golden Age of Square Dancing (Larry Edelman) [Helgesson Hall] An action-packed 75 minutes of fast-moving squares from the fabulous 50's complete with historical annotations. These dances may be a half-century old, but they are timeless and they set the stage for contemporary contra dance choreography. And way fun, too! |
| Maggots and Fancies -Experienced English (Scott
Higgs) [Dining Hall] Some fun dances are rather generic collections of figures. We will explore the other, more imaginative side of ECD, featuring unusual twists and distinctive moves -- delightful and memorable dances! |
| Drums for the Dance (Chris Olds of The Nettles)
[Hollidge Hall] Participants may bring any and all percussion items that they wish to play. There will be demonstration, participation, and discussion on a variety of rhythms to accompany contra dance tunes, and how to select them. |
|
10:30-11:45am (see schedule) Contra Heaven (Scott Higgs) [Helgesson Hall] We're there! Blissful dancing flows from attentive partners and neighbors, glorious music, and dynamic, engaging dances. Join us for all of the above. |
| Scottish as a Second Language (David Newitt)
[Dining Hall] Are all Scottish Dancers snobs? What does haggis really taste like? Why would anyone want to dance a whole evening without a single swing? Answers: No. You don't want to know. Come find out! Take a whirlwind tour through SCD, possibly the most popular form of country dancing in the world. |
|
1:40-2:55pm (see schedule) Dancing in the Twilight Zone (Larry Edelman) [Helgesson Hall] (Mostly contras) Experience an otherworldly, certifiably hilarious, good-naturedly irreverent, and absolutely relevant journey into the depths of our dance communities' culture and aesthetics. We encourage everyone to attend this workshop. Please do not plan other activities at this time. |
|
3:05-4:20pm (see schedule) English For All (David Newitt) [Helgesson Hall] SEX AND VIOLENCE will not (generally) be found at English Country Dances, but we will have a great time anyway as we explore the wonderful world of dances from the far side of the Atlantic. Fun dances chosen largely for their great music. |
| Me, Call a Square? (Larry Edelman) [Dining
Hall] A caller's workshop for those who call squares and want to try something new, and for those who haven't (yet) but want a walk on the wild side. |
| Beyond Boom-Chuck: Rhythm Guitar for Contras
(Kevin Johnsrude, Laura Brophy of The Nettles) [Hollidge Hall] The guitar is the heartbeat of the dance band but a little arhythmia or tachycardia can get people really excited. How to use the guitar up and down the neck to create excitement and drive the fiddler to stratospheric pyrotechnics. |
| Cheap Thrills: Playing the Pennywhistle
(Colleen Dick of The Nettles) [Program Office] What other instrument can you buy for ten bucks that would not shame a professional musician? For beginning to intermediate players. Bring your own pennywhistle in the key of D. (See http://www.chiffandfipple.com/inexp.html for a discussion of good, inexpensive pennywhistles, but get one in D, mind. D is the Irish key.) |
|
4:30-5:45pm (see schedule) Contras with Panache (Scott Higgs) [Helgesson Hall] If you just plod through a sequence of figures, you miss 90% of the fun! We'll explore opportunities to add zest, energy, and play to your dancing. |
| 20th Century English Dances (with Style!)
(David Newitt) [Dining Hall] Work up a dinner appetite with a selection from the vast collection of English Dances that was added to the repertoire during the last century. We'll see how many different devisers we can sample while looking at what makes any dance really work, rather than just being an exercise in choreography. |
| Campers' Southern Music Jam - no leader
[Hollidge Hall] A music jam for anyone who wants to practice playing southern tunes (old-timey). Bring your instruments, music stand, and any appropriate tune books. |
Sunday, March 17
9:00-10:15am (see schedule) Contras for the Morning After (Scott Higgs) [Helgesson Hall] Sure, we'll start gently. But we'll rekindle the flames pretty quickly, with flirtatious and lively dances that bring your energy back much better than a jolt of caffeine. |
| Tripping O'er the Maggots (David Newitt)
[Dining Hall] From the slow and beautiful to the fast and furious we'll explore the wide range of dance styles all lumped into "English Country Dancing". |
10:30-11:45am (see schedule) More Squares from the 50's (Larry Edelman) [Helgesson Hall] How deco! Even more golden age squares!! We may even make it to the early sixties!! |
| Couple Dance Party (The Nettles) [Dining
Hall] Waltzes, polkas, schottishes, hambos, tangos, and more waltzes. You never get enough of them during a regular evening dance, so here is your chance. Requests will be gladly accepted, and may even be played. |
| Campers' Northern Music Jam - no leader
[Hollidge Hall] A music jam for anyone who wants to practice playing northern tunes (jigs and reels, etc). Bring your instruments, music stand, and any appropriate tune books. |
| Dance Leaders' Workshop: Beyond the Walk-Thru
(David Newitt) [Program Office] What is "Leading"? How is it different from "Calling"? How does one "Teach" a dance? How do you keep the musician's awake while you teach the "Old Mole"? Lots of questions - we'll see how many different answers we can come up with as we look primarily at the differences between running a dance in a called tradition (American Contras and Squares) and an un-called tradition (English or Scottish Country). All interested parties welcome! |
1:00-2:15pm (see schedule) Dances from Planets Artnoc and Erauqs (Larry Edelman) [Helgesson Hall] While dancing a bunch of fun and lively dances we'll look at how the stylistic worlds of contras and squares sometimes intertwine, and sometimes don't. |
| English Country Dancing 1651-2001 (Scott Higgs)
[Dining Hall] From the first published dances (1651) to today's "ink-still-wet" creations. A whirlwind-tour of English Country dance highlights. |