Twin Cities Queer Contra Recap 2024/07/08
Last Monday, I had the pleasure to call and DJ the first ever techno contra at the 2nd Monday Twin Cities Queer Contra. I loaded my car with a variety of lamps and colorful light bulbs in addition to my dance notes before leaving for the Eagles. It was a lovely evening packed with people who had never done contra, let alone techno contra before.
Here’s what I called:
C & B Reel — Linda Leslie
Duple minor, role-free
A
8 Circle L
8 Circle R
A2
8 Star R
8 Star L
B
8 Partner dosido
8 Partner swing
B2
16 Arch and duck 3/2 to progress
(start 2s arch, 1s duck)
There was quorum to start the dance at 7:45 which is pretty typical.
Icebreaker Mixer — Mattie Rynkiewicz, 2022
Duple scatter mixer
A
8 Circle L once
8 Circle R once
A2
8 Partner allemande R
8 Partner allemande L
B
16 Balance and swing neighbor
B2
16 Neighbor is now partner:
Promenade to form new hands four
This was the only mixer I called. I usually call more than one mixer for the Queer Contra.
Family Contra - Sherry Nevins
Duple minor, role-free
A
8 Balance the ring twice
8 Circle L (once)
A2
8 Balance the ring twice
8 Circle R (once)
B
8 Dosido partner
8 Dosido neighbor
B2
16 Giant dosido 3/2 to progress
Another mainstay in my Queer Contra rep.
Ransom Note - Susan Kevra arr. Mattie Rynkiewicz 2024/06/09
Duple minor, role-free
A
8 1s split the 2s, cast home
8 1s swing in the center
A2
8 2s split the 1s, cast home
8 2s swing in the center
B
8 Circle L 1/2, fall back with neighbor
8 Partner dosido
B2
8 Partner mad robin
8 Balance the ring, California twirl
I was dancing English at Tapestry last month and we did Susan Kevra’s dance Ransom Note which I thought was perfect for a contra dance adaptation, so I sat out the next dance writing just that. A successful debut!
I used a medley I made of two of Elias Alexander / RAMBLXR recordings: Fiddle Disco / Francis. The above video was originally sent to him and he thanked me for using his music.
Then it was time for break.
Mind the Shark - Mattie Rynkiewicz, 2024/03/09
Four-facing-four, role-free
A
8 Lines of 4 forward & back
8 Corner swing (do NOT trade places)
A2
Square the sets
8 Head couples forward & back
8 Side couples forward & back
B
16 Partner swing
B2
8 Circle L halfway
8 Balance ring, California twirl
After instructing the dancers to get in two sets of exactly the same length, I told them to smush the sets together for a four-facing-four. It was a good debut. Had I called this at Tapestry it would have caused confusion, as swinging your corner in a four-facing-four normally constitutes a need to switch places with that corner; in this dance it is critical that you do not.
Buttercup Reel - Gene Hubert
Duple minor, role-free
A
8 Circle L
8 Circle R
A2
8 Neighbor allemande R 3/2
8 Next neighbor dosido
B
16 Original neighbor swing
B2
8 Long lines forward & back
8 1s swing in the center, face new 2s
For what ended up being the final dance of the evening, I called one that I found in a long compilation of dances that I realized was role-free despite being labeled as an improper dance.
Overall I had a great time, and many dancers said they did as well. I am excited to be returning to the Queer Contra next month on August 12th as a musician with my band Mayhaps.
Hope to see you then!