Dance Schedule Archives - 2007

Band:  Hogtied
Caller: Deborah Hyland

Workshop at 7:30 pm

Intermediate Workshop "How and When to Twirl", led by Alice Sanvito

Ever admire the great twirling on the dance floor?  Here’s your chance to learn the secrets of both sides of twirling.  Remember, it’s her choice to twirl or not.

This workshop will focus on some of these dynamics: How to safely lead a twirl without cranking her wrist, How to graciously refuse a twirl; How and when and where to be at the end of a twirl, How to end a twirl so your partner doesn’t fly out into orbit, Twirling in a ladies chain, Twirling during stars, allemandes, and down the hall and back, etc.

See here the famous "To Twirl (a Lady) Or Not To Twirl" card by Chip Hendrickson, reformatted for the web, and here is an original scan, suitable for download and printing.  

Sunday
Apr 29
7-10 pm

Advanced Dance
Fee $10

House Concert at 3:00 pm
Fee $10

Fifth Sunday Advanced Dance

Band:  Lissa Schneckenburger and Dave Cory
Caller: Carol Kopp

Before the dance you can catch Lissa at a House Concert April 29 from 3:00 – 5:00 at Mike Holdinghaus’ place right next to Tower Grove Park. To reserve a $10 ticket for the house concert, you can contact Mike at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 314.771.8836

more info...

Sunday
June 3, 2007
7-10 pm

Band:  Three Bad Habits (Tim Voss, Dave Landreth, Andy Gribble)
Caller: Jim Thaxter 

Intermediate Workshop: Lead, Follow, or Get out of the Way, led by Mac McKeever

Although contra has traditional men's and women's roles, there really is no leader or follower. In each role, there are times when you need to take initiative (leading) and times when you're better off being responsive (following).

You can elevate your dancing to a whole new level when both partners share in the leading and following.  The secret is learning when to lead and when to follow.  This workshop will help you find ways to enhance your dance experience, making it more enjoyable for you and all your partners.

Sunday
June 10
6-9 pm

Dance a Mile in Your Partner’s Shoes*
Men, here’s the fastest way you can become a more confident (and more compassionate) lead: learn to dance the woman’s role. By observing what makes a good lead (and what doesn’t) you’ll learn how to continue doing the things that make you a good dancer and avoid the pitfalls of being a rough lead. Ladies, if you’ve ever wanted to learn to lead, here’s the chance you’ve been waiting for. Workshops are for trying out new things.

In this workshop, we’ll explore what makes a good lead and what makes a good follow by looking at moves from the other side of the dance. You’ll spend some time dancing the role you normally don’t dance. You’ll also dance with others of your own gender. You can learn a lot by sampling what it’s like to dance the other role. We’ll dance several moves and break them down to see what makes a good lead and what makes a good follower. Even if you never dance the other role in a “real” dance, you’re bound to learn something at this workshop.

*Title adapted from Beth Molaro

Sunday
July 15

Band:  Reel Women and the Jigelos, (Martha Edwards, Kristin Graham, Ben Schreiber and Mike Brown), The Halcyon Light Orchestra (Martha Edwards, Ben Schreiber, Paul Ovaitt, Kristin Graham, Mike Brown and Paul Stamler),
Caller: Gaye Fifer

2:30-4:30 pm Bonus Contradance
4:30-6 pm Potluck and open waltzing to CDs
6-7 pm Waltz Lesson - Gaye Fifer
7-9 pm Waltz Party

Friday
July 20
8-11 pm
Bonus Contra Dance

Band:  Hot Flash with Laurie Fisher and Karen Gaughan (from Asheville, NC)
Caller: Diane Silver

Hear Laurie and Karen in a house concert at Mike Holdinhaus' house on Thursday July 19. Contact Mike at 314-772-8836 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for tickets.

Band:  Reel Women and the Jigelos - (Martha Edwards, Kristin Graham and Ben Schreiber)
Caller: Jerome Grisanti

Intermediate Workshop led by Martha Edwards

TIME and SPACE - the Music of Dance
There is a rumor that every contradance has 64 counts, with 16-count sections that are repeated (A1-A2, B1-B2). It has even been whispered that contra moves are specifically designed to take advantage of that musical shape - most contra moves take eight counts, some take four, or some take up a full sixteen. "Well, goodness," you say, "if the moves are so cleverly designed to go with a certain amount of TIME, how come we're sometimes early and sometimes late? We faithfully walk on each count, we go where we're supposed to go. How come it doesn't always work?"

Well, sources even more ancient have revealed that the secret to this mystery is SPACE. You can take big steps, or you can take small steps. You can use more energy in taking those steps, or you can set the controls to "amble." Controlling just how much SPACE you cover in just how much TIME is the SECRET to that blissful state where you meet each partner at JUST THE RIGHT TIME FOR THE MUSIC TO DO ITS JOB of lifting your feet, whirling you around, and SHAPING YOUR ENERGY WITH ITS ENERGY.

Come to this workshop and learn how to hear the beat, how to move to the phrasing of the music, how to fill the time when there seems to be extra, how to cover more SPACE when you need to, and how to plan your exit from moves so that next fabulous move is right...on...TIME!!!

Band:  Night Crawlers - (Ted Vasquez, Kristin Graham and Mike Brown)
Caller: Gail Hintze

Band:  Hogtied
Caller: Debra Harpe

Saturday
Sep 8
8-11 pm

Workshop
7:30 pm

Band:  A Dog Named Rover
Caller: Lou Dow

Intermediate Workshop:
Clogging While Contra Dancing
led by Joe Felson

BAM!  Do you enjoy hearing those percussive stomps that accentuate a balance?  Here's your chance to learn how clogging can add to your contra dance fun.  Come and learn how to clog and when you can use it as another way to enjoy your dance experience.

Workshop
7:30 pm

Intermediate Workshop:
Contra Corners, led by Kat DiFoxfire

Are you left-right impaired?  How can you have a corner, much less two of them, in a straight line? How can 4+4 = 6?  

When you understand the pattern, the whole pattern and nothing but the pattern, you, too, can experience the Zen, the Zing, the Zestiness, that is contra corners.

Learn how to take the confusion out of contra corners. Practice some tips and techniques for knowing who your corners are, how to be at exactly the right place at exactly the right time, how to deal with end effects and what to do when there are beginners in your line.

Learn the art of allemanding, timing and spinning out into a balance and swing.  If you’re unfamiliar with contra corners, this will help a lot.  If you’re an old pro, we need your input and your help in demonstrating this so the whole line can dance as one smooth unit. 

Band:  Euphoria
Caller: Open Calling

Intermediate Workshop:
Dancing with New Dancers

Led by Bob Green

Did you know that one hallmark of a good dancer is how well he or she dances with new dancers?

Come to this workshop and you'll learn how to help new dancers get the most out of the evening.

We'll explore

• how to welcome new people.
• how to ease their anxieties.
• how to make sure no one sits out twice in a row if they don't want to.
• what to do when a line breaks down.
• how you can help new dancers have smoother transitions from one move to the next so the dance flows as one movement.

If time allows, we'll also look at:

• a quick way to fix "hands four" when it gets messed up early in the line.
• what to do when a couple drops out mid-dance.
• what to expect when new people join in on a dance that has shadows.

Band:  The Vigortones
Caller: Kathy Anderson

Intermediate Workshop:
Circles and Courtesy Turns -- More than Meets the Eye

Led by Kathy Anderson

Sometimes the simplest moves can really give a dance "zing". Have you ever circled right and felt connected to the other three people because everyone gave weight really well? Circling is much more than four people walking around. This workshop will help all of us be more aware how this common move can give a dance life.

The other move we'll explore will be the courtesy turn. The basic courtesy turn is often under-appreciated, but a smooth courtesy turn can really connect you to your partner. At other times, the courtesy turn may make sure you and your partner are on time for the next move. Come to this workshop and we'll unearth the subtle nuances of a good courtesy turn.

Kathy Anderson is a great teacher. You won't want to miss this workshop.

Band:  Martha and the Troublemakers
Caller: Open Calling