• Home
  • Blog
  • Forum
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Resources
  • Workshops
  • Street Team
  • Code of Ethics
  • Friday Flourishes
  • Contact
  Contra Syncretist
Connect with Contra Syncretist!

Pacing and Formatting in Crossover Contra Events

8/10/2011

 
One of the neat things about a nascent genre is the ability to make and test the boundaries of that genre and thus establish its norms. I’m hoping that you all will chime in on these particular norms and tell me what you think.

In a traditional contra, the typical format is to have discrete sets and discrete dances -- i.e., the band starts playing, the caller starts calling, the dancers start dancing, and then after 10 minutes (give or take) the band stops, the dancers, stop, the calling stops, and there is some milling around as people locate new partners to line up again or get water and repeat the process. Some events like the annual Glenside Medley Marathon in the spring (or medley events in general, like at NEFFA) push this norm aside for special occasions and provide continuous music and calling, with events where you either keep the same partner throughout (so-called “chaos lines” excepted) or you agree with your partner to drop off, regroup with new partners, and rejoin at the end of the line.

I’ve heard of techno contra events being done as continuous loops and as discrete pieces (for instance, my local techno contra series does the latter, although the first few individual events did feature half-hour medleys; others like Technophoria have done the former).

In a club with a DJ spinning, the music usually ebbs and flows a bit, but is pretty close to continuous.

Does one format work better than another for a techno contra, in your opinion? I am particularly interested in hearing from people who’ve attended/called/organized/spun both kinds. Does it make a difference if it’s an event with live music (e.g., Double Apex) as opposed to having strictly recorded music? (I would imagine that some of the original discrete-dance formatting was established as a courtesy to the musicians, to give them short breaks if needed.)

Please chime in with comments or start a thread over in the Contra Syncretist Forum!
caleb
8/10/2011 12:03:27 am

The best techno contra I've attended was split into two 90 minute sets with a halftime break... but it was small and all of the dancers were very good. I've been to larger dances where the same thing didn't work as well, so I guess it can depend more on how experienced the dancers are than the exact format used. If everyone can switch partners (or even lines) during a dance, why have breaks?

Perry
8/10/2011 12:59:04 am

One of the early things that did it for me was the notion that techno contra by its very nature led to medleys, and I have to say that the medleys of the first techno contras were pretty awesome. However, by time I called it, in April, they told me that they were doing away with medleys, and I had to beg, hard, to do one, and they let me do one but it had to be a brief medley. I REALLY miss medleys and think it would be great to have MORE medleys at the Contra Sonic, not fewer. It would be great to hear the opinion of the Contra Syncretist.

Ryan link
8/10/2011 09:47:39 am

Since you asked, Perry: I have somewhat mixed feelings about the medley format as I've seen it implemented in crossover contra to date (and I will off the bat say I'm just speaking from *my own* experience, which is admittedly somewhat geographically limited so far).

Medleys can be a lot of fun and add some more interest to the dancing. At the same time, if it's done too often it can discourage people from asking new partners to dance because instead of gambling 10 minutes of your life on an unknown quantity, you're potentially gambling 30. Which can be a really, really long 30 if you're with someone whose dancing style doesn't mesh with yours. So people book ahead with known quantities and potentially leave out newer dancers. NEFFA's medleys, for instance, usually have you keep the same partner through the event, and I know several people (me included) who tend to try to book partners for them in advance partly due to social reasons ("OMG I haven't seen you in forever! Dance with me!") and partly due to dance-snob reasons ("If I dance with you, I know I'm dancing with someone whose style is compatible with mine and with whom the experience of dancing for 30 minutes straight will be enjoyable.").

Even if you establish that a drop-and-switch model is acceptable and even encouraged, it doesn't mean that people will always cooperate. If nobody drops out, anyone who didn't get a partner at the beginning can end up sitting out for the 30 minutes just because they needed a bathroom/water break at an inopportune moment. Alternatively, you and your partner may drop only to find that there are no new partners to choose from so your choice is to keep your partner or sit out--for several minutes until someone else sees you and drops, or for the rest of the medley--and I don't think that's helpful either as it creates and feeds a cycle. (I experienced both at the seminal Contra Sonic events. At the risk of voicing an unpopular opinion, I was rather happy the regular really long medleys went away from the series for precisely these reasons.) Interestingly, the drop-and-switch format seemed to work fine at Glenside's event when I went in 2010 and I'm not sure why it hasn't really taken off in DC (maybe due to the mix of discrete dances with medleys?).

Medleys can also be more challenging to call, from what I've seen and heard. This makes them more satisfying when everything clicks and they work, but it also means they can crash and burn on levels requiring FEMA intervention if they get botched. Given the challenges with phrasing that seem to be consistent between callers in the crossover contra genre, I think a successful crossover contra medley requires an especially attentive caller to do well -- right now, a lot of crossover contra callers are still very much rooted in the traditional contra music mindset, which as mentioned numerous times on this blog is a somewhat different animal due to the ambient music and lighting.

I'm not sure exactly how one goes about breaking an established pattern like that, and I'd be interested to hear thoughts from others on the matter.

Jeremiah link
8/10/2011 12:57:49 pm

As the resident DJ for Contra Sonic, I'd like to say that I stick to the shorter sets because it's easier for new dancers. Contra Sonic is sponsored by FSGW and "The main purpose of the Society is to further the understanding, investigation, appreciation, and performance of the traditional folk music and folklore of the American people."

To me, that means that the Contra Sonic series should ALWAYS be newbie friendly. While I'd be happy to do two 90 minute halves under the sponsorship of another organization or maybe at a private party with a bunch of experienced dancers, we need to remember that one of the goals for Contra Sonic is to be open to new dancers.

I know this can seem difficult sometimes for the more experienced dancers, but as the DJ, I have to cater to the weakest dancer in the room.

I am certainly by no means against medleys if they are done right. I am even about to invest in more hardware that will allow me to jam with musicians and run continuous sets much more easily.

Perry
8/11/2011 04:38:29 am

I figured that the FSGW banner had something to do with that - and I completely understand and support the FSGW mission and Contra Sonic being under the FSGW banner - and that's probably why we can't promote the dances the way Technophoria in Asheville does.

Perry
8/11/2011 04:41:41 am

BTW - please don't take my above thoughts as a complaint or a criticism. Just some thoughts about medleys in the earlier Contra Sonics vs. now.

Ryan link
8/11/2011 04:51:20 am

Hey Perry, can you clarify something -- what do you mean by "...and that's probably why we can't promote the dances the way Technophoria in Asheville does?" -- do you mean as far as formatting the event the same way (i.e., medley style), or something else?

Perry
8/11/2011 09:49:10 am

If you go to technocontra.com (Technophoria's website), it states at the bottom: "Techno Contra is not a beginners dance. You should have the ability to follow the caller without a walk through. Dances are called in “Medley Style.”" Basically saying Not For New Dancers. For FSGW events, new dancers are encouraged, and events under the FSGW umbrella can't stray from that.


Comments are closed.
    This project has concluded as of mid-2013 (with an epilogue posted mid-2016) but we hope to see you soon on a contra dance floor! Meanwhile, head over to our Facebook page for upcoming techno contra events and other items of interest.

    The 100+ Friday Flourish videos can still be found on YouTube.

    Author

    I dance with abandon. I play with glowsticks. I look for music that is conducive to one or both. I play behind cameras.  I write about all of the above. I'm based in Glen Echo's contra dance community outside of Washington, D.C., but I'm happy to go dance afield when I can. Lather, rinse, repeat. Always repeat.

    Archives

    June 2016
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011

    Categories

    All
    Aaron Marcus
    Advanced Dances
    Alan Foss
    Album Review
    Alex Krogh-Grabbe
    Allemande
    Allemande Swing
    Alternative Music Party
    Alternative Twirl Out From Promenade
    Andrew Marcus
    Andrew Vannorstrand
    Andrew Van Norstrand
    Andy Reiner
    Anna Kendrick
    Anna Rain
    Anne Midgette
    Ann Fallon
    Arlington Va
    Ascap. Bmi
    Asheville Nc
    Atlanta Ga
    Back Lead
    Backward Swing
    Backward Swing With Lasso
    Balance And Play
    Balance-&-swing Transition
    Balance Switch
    Bates College
    Beatles Contra
    Behind-the-Back Swing Variant
    Bennett Schatz
    Bev Bernbaum
    Binary Blackout
    Blaise Thompson
    Blogger
    Blogger's Soapbox
    Blogger's Soapbox
    Blogger’s Soapbox
    Blues
    Brendan Carey Block
    Brendan Taaffe
    Brian Hamshar
    Burning Man
    Cake
    California Twirl
    Caller
    Call For Submissions
    Cha-cha Slide
    Chaos Lines
    Chattaboogie
    Chelsea Co
    Choreography
    Chrissy Fowler
    Christopher Jacoby
    Christylez Bacon
    Claps
    Clark Baker
    Club Contras
    Community
    Connie's Whirl
    Consent
    Content
    Contra Evolution
    Contra Evolution.
    Contra Evolution. Greenfield Ma
    Contraforce
    Contra-phoria
    Contra Shenanigans
    Contrashock
    Contra Sonic
    Contrastock
    Cool Hip Dancer
    Copyright
    Costuming
    Courtesy Twirl
    Cover Bands
    Crabs
    Crowding
    Cuddle Swing
    Cuddle Swing Switch
    Cuddle-up California Twirl
    Culture Clash
    Cups
    Dana Parkinson
    Dance Experiment
    Dancers
    Dance Weekends
    Dancing In Small Spaces
    Dancing Switch
    Dan Kappus
    Dave Colestock
    Dave Eisenstadter
    Dead Cat Bounce
    Decadance
    Deca-dance
    Deca-dance Event
    Demon Barber Roadshow
    Diane Silver
    Dj
    Dj Fml
    Dj Gaga
    Dj Improper
    Dj Nu B
    Dj Shel D
    Dj Solar Sound
    Donna Hunt
    Do Si Do
    Double Allemande Swing
    Double Apex
    Double Twirl Under
    Doug Plummer
    Ecd
    Ed Howe
    Editorial
    Eileen Thorsos
    Elbow Swing
    Electric Camel Contra
    Electric Slide
    Electrotrad
    Elyse Marder
    Eric Harris
    Eric Johnson
    Fads
    Fiddlefoxx
    Firecloud
    Flash Mob
    Flourishes
    Flurry Festival
    Flying Swing Switch
    Follow
    Footfall
    Footworks
    Fox News
    Fremont Abbey
    Friday Flourish
    Gangnam Style
    Gate
    Gaye Fifer
    Gender Balance
    Gender Free Contra
    Gender-free Contra
    Gender Roles
    Gents Chain
    Gents Swing
    George Marshall
    Gerry Diver
    Giant Robot Dance
    Giant Swallow Motion
    Glen Loper
    Glossary
    Greenfield Ma
    Greenwood Va
    Gypsy Meltdown Twirl
    Hank Morris
    Hay For Four
    High Ceilidh Swing
    High Ceilidh Wing
    High Contrast
    Hip-hop
    Hiphop Contra33bdaf614f
    History
    Housekeeping
    Infographic
    Intergenerationality
    Jack Mitchell
    Jamie Oshima
    Jayjfresh02b2d7b2bf
    Jeff Kaufman
    Jesse Edgerton
    John Cote
    John Pranio
    Jordy Williams
    Julie Vallimont
    Ladies
    Ladies Chain
    Ladies Chained9d7891b2
    Lead
    Lewiston Me
    Licensing
    Lighting
    Lights
    Links
    Lisa Greenleaf
    Live At The Butterball
    London Bridge Hay
    Long Lines
    Louis Dow
    Low Ceilidh Swing
    Macarena
    Madonna
    Marketing
    Marlin Prowell
    Martin Hayes
    Martyn Bennett
    Medley
    Melissa Taggart
    Mel Novner
    Mens Chain
    Miami Fl
    Michael Ferguson
    Midswingc4f63a1de0
    Midswing Spinoutb14a07051c
    Midtwirl Reverse8b8dd124c4
    Mike Wilson-jones
    Miriam Baker
    Misdivine
    Money Musk
    Moral Issue
    Morris
    Mosh Pit
    Music
    New Dancers
    News Coverage
    New York Ny
    Nils Fredland
    Noah Van Norstrand
    North Carolina
    North Whitefield Me
    Organizer
    Other Syncretists
    Outreach
    Over The Head Slide
    Parallel Variant On Crabs
    Pattycake
    Paul Dalessio5fc83e8cd1
    Pawbat Twirl3677eefc75
    Penelope Weinberger
    Perpetual E Motion
    Perpetual Emotionab4aa3ee79
    Perry Shafran
    Petronella
    Phase X
    Portland
    Portland Or
    Pretzel Swing
    Principle
    Promenade
    Ray Polhemus
    Redux
    Resolutions
    Reverse Cape Position
    Reverse Courtesy Turn
    Reverse Ripcord Twirl Variant
    Rick Mohr
    Ripcord Twirl
    Road Stories
    Roanoke Wv
    Roll Away
    Rollover
    Ross Harriss
    Rss Feed
    Safety
    Sarah Dicegoldberg38fd311c67
    Scout House
    Sean Oshima
    Seattle Wa
    Sesac
    Seth Tepfer
    Seventeen
    Shiny Objects
    Simple Twirl Switch
    Singing Squares
    Skaters
    Sonny Newman
    Soulja Boy
    Sound Mixing
    Spark In The Dark
    Spider Vetter
    Spinout
    Spokane Wa
    Stanford Ca
    St Petersburg Fld35dde8e84
    Street Team
    Stretches
    Survey
    Swallowtail
    Swing
    Switch
    Technoberfest
    Techno Contra
    Technophoria
    Ted Hodapp
    Terpsichore
    Terra Price
    The Henry Road Bandits
    The Matt Blackfield Project
    The Speech Project
    The System
    The Turtle Duhks
    Things To Think About
    Tobacco Road
    Toki Oshima
    Tradeoff Twirl
    Transsiberian Orchestra6b3cf55bca
    Traveling Swing
    Tricky Swing
    Turn Under
    Twirl
    Twirl In Switch
    Twisted Swing
    Twisty Chain
    Twitter
    Two Handed Ladies Chain
    Ufo
    Uk
    Variety
    Vernals4785e4f52b
    Vicki Herndon
    Videos
    Vince Budnick
    Waltz Variant On Crab Swing
    Washington Dc
    Wendy Graham
    Whipperstomper Balance
    Whipperstompers
    Whitefield Me
    Will Mentor
    Willow Grove Pa
    World
    Xecd
    Youth Dance Weekend
    Yuja Wang

    Comments are welcome; spam-bots and disrespectful behaviors are not. Please do (nicely) point out errors if they are found.
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photos from edwin.bautista, Cupcake KITSCHen, Ivy Dawned, Martin Pettitt, quinn.anya, LimeTech, avlxyz, Sarah and Jason, Bill Ward's Brickpile