rec.folk-dancing links

For a decade (roughly 1993-2003), there was a very active contra discussion on Usenet in the rec.folk-dancing group. Since then, discussion has moved on to other lists, but the archive has many gems. Slogging through all 20,000 topics is not for the faint of heart, though. One way around is to search by author or topic, as a number of well-known names have contributed.

Or browse through this list of articles I especially liked:

Teaching and calling advice

Modern contra choreography

Traditional dances

Beginners and beginner sessions

ONS Dances

Organizer's Issues

Dancing and dance etiquette

Music

Miscellaneous

Teaching and calling advice

• 1992 Medleys: history.
• 1994 How not to teach a dance. Wonderful satire.
• 1994 What makes squares at a contra dance hard.
• 1995 Teaching tips.
• 1994 Medleys: how-to.
• 1996 Confusing words.
• 1997 A contrarian view on teaching.
• 2001 On receiving advice, as a caller.
• 2003 Teaching the beat.

Modern contra choreography

• 1995 Bad contra contest winner.
• 1995 The addition of new figures.
• 1997 Origins of term "Becket Formation." (Not what you think it is.)
• 1999 Unusual formations.
• 2000 Consequences of bad choreography.
• 2000 On complexity.
• 2001 Defining "story line."
• 2003 2003 On modern dances and mediocre compositions.

Traditional dances

• 1993 Enjoying traditional dances.
• 1994 The "Young Widow" as a transitional dance.
• 1995 Dances with specific tunes.
• 1995 On older quadrilles and cotillions.
• 1998 Making triple minors fairer.
• 2000 Origins of La Bastringue.
• 2001 Set management for chestnuts.
• 2003 Money Musk.
• 2003 What to do while inactive.
• 2005 Historical dances of 1800's, with a Californian emphasis.

Beginners and beginners sessions

• 1993 How experienced dancers can help beginners.
• 1994 1994 Advantages to having a series of beginner's classes.
• 1996 1996 1997 2001 2004 2004 Specific lesson plans for beginner's workshops.
• 2004 Why new people don't return.

One-Night-Stand dances

• 1994 1999 2000 ONS dance ideas.
• 1995 Teaching young children.
• 1997 1997 Weddings.
• 1998 Family dance programs in detail. A must-read.
• 1999 2004 2004 Material for young children.
• 2000 Grand Marches.
• 2003 Defining barn dances.
• 2004 An experience teaching high schoolers.

Organizers' Issues

• 1992 Integrating young kids at regular dances.
• 1994 Building a dance community.
• 1995 1995 Survey of contra dances series. (Size, income, expenses.)
• 1995 Structure/program of a family dance series.
• 1997 Organizer's tasks.
• 1999 Dealings with ASCAP and music copyright.
• 1999 The dance community.
• 2001 Increasing attendance.
• 2003 Developing a dance series's vision and goals.

Dancing and dance etiquette

• 1990 Different swing styles.
• 1995 1995 Etiquette newsletter.
• 1997 Tradition and the "good old days."
• 1998 Tips for men.
• 1999 Etiquette and its impression on visitors.
• 2000 Asking someone to dance, for the shy and the new.
• 2000 Breaking the center set syndrome.
• 2000 Ideas for contra workshops.

Music

• 1992 Advice for new bands.
• 1996 Names of favorite tunes.
• 1997 Old-time music and contras.
• 1998 On not precisely matching tunes to dances.

Miscellaneous

• 1994 1996 Etymology of "contra."
• 1995 Not liking contras or squares. From a much longer thread.
• 1995 MWSD contra communities.
• 1995 Ancient history of the hey.
• 1996 Quotations.
• 1998 Wheelchairs.
• 1998 Films with square dancing.
• 1999 New Hampshire featured at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

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