http://www.callersusan.com/index.htmlHot News!enuser@domain.comCopyright 2012 Susan Morris2019-01-28T23:25:11-08:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Sun, 3 Feb 2019 23:25:42 -0800user@domain.comCascade Crossfires2019-01-28T23:25:11-08:00http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/439442f4bd9b0e268efeba7e9b56473e-136.html#unique-entry-id-136http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/439442f4bd9b0e268efeba7e9b56473e-136.html#unique-entry-id-136Dear Friends,

Congratulations to all our new Plus dancers! We hope to see you on the floor at all our workshops and dances!

Remember…
The more you dance the faster and smoother your response to the caller!

The more you dance the better you dance!

The more you dance the better you feel!

Happy dancing,
Susan]]>user@domain.comCascade Crossfires2019-01-21T21:30:23-08:00http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/f94f02f68e52d69cf2027535d67bfc63-135.html#unique-entry-id-135http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/f94f02f68e52d69cf2027535d67bfc63-135.html#unique-entry-id-135Dear Friends,

A fun Monday night! We almost had six squares!

This coming Monday night is our Graduation Extravaganza! Y’all come! We will celebrate our new Plus dancers and dance. There will be other surprises too.

Starting Monday, February 4, we will be having workshops each week until the end of July. The workshops are on the first three Mondays of each month. Then our dances, the Extravaganzas, are on the last Monday of the month.

It was great to see so many Cascade Crossfires at the caravan today. It was a fun dance. Lots of compliments on our caravan outfits.

If you don’t have a caravan outfit, orders are being taken now. The final day to order is February 4. The next order will be in the fall, if needed. Don’t miss out.

One last note…
Buy a raffle ticket. The Cascade Crossfires are selling raffle tickets for one couple to attend Royal Romp in November. The winner will get admission to the weekend. It’s a $90 value. (You have to pay for travel, room and food.) This is a very fun weekend! The drawing will be at our April dance.

See you Monday!

Happy dancing,
Susan]]>user@domain.comCascade Crossfires2019-01-14T17:55:40-08:00http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/3cfb3bf5e903674b7a25948fed534d28-134.html#unique-entry-id-134http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/3cfb3bf5e903674b7a25948fed534d28-134.html#unique-entry-id-134Dear Friends,

It was a smaller than usual but mighty group that danced Monday night. I have heard of many of our group are traveling or are on the sick list. If you are traveling, see you when you get back! If you have been sick, get well soon! Thank you very much for not sharing your illness that with the rest of us.

There is one more night of workshops that are part of our Plus class on Monday, January 21. If there is something specific that you are not sure about, drop me a note and let me know what it is.

Monday, January 28, will be our graduation, completion of Plus class, celebration. It is our Graduation Extravaganza! Come celebrate your hard work and dedication!

On that note, a couple of people approached me about going on the Cascade Crossfire caravan on Sunday, January 27 to the Happy Hoppers Plus Dance in the afternoon. They weren’t sure that they were ready to go to a full Plus dance. Yes! You are! Now do you have instantaneous recall of every move? Probably not, yet. But you know how to do them. Come to the dance! Get in squares with experienced dancers! Dance in the front! You will be fine!

You will only get more experience and confidence by dancing! As much as you can! You will not get it by sitting at home.

Below there is a box with details about the Winter Plus Camp hosted by Puddletown Squares. If you have the time available, RSVP and go!

One last thing, there is a Cascade Crossfires Board Meeting Monday, January 21, at 5:00 p.m. at the hall in the basement. All are welcome to attend. Bring your own supper.

Have a great weekend! See you Monday night!

Happy dancing,
Susan]]>user@domain.comCascade Crossfires2019-01-07T18:35:00-08:00http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/71abe6e5de69b6f96b58d3d177030426-133.html#unique-entry-id-133http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/71abe6e5de69b6f96b58d3d177030426-133.html#unique-entry-id-133Dear Friends,

Thank you! Thank you for the generous appreciation gift and your lovely thoughts on the card! Mondays are fun!

Monday night we did a review of Tea Cup Chain with different starting directions like Side Ladies Center Tea Cup Chain. We also did All 4 Ladies Center and No Ladies Center. The definition of the call remains the same. In the case of the Side Ladies starting, the Side Ladies are doing the “normal” Head Ladies part by going into the center first. To dance All 4 Ladies Center, everyone is dancing the “normal” Head Ladies part. To dance No Ladies Center, everyone is dancing the “normal” Side Ladies part.

We also reviewed Chase Right. You have to know that you are the Right Hand dancer. The definition describes the action as an exaggerated Zoom. That tends to be confusing to many dancers. Those who are long time dancers describe it as a heel turn away from your partner then all do the Box Circulate two times. We will also start adding in some Chase Lefts now and again. The definition and action are the same except that it starts with the Left Hand dancer turning away.

If you use Taminations, all of these variations are shown.

There was a nice turn out of Cascade Crossfires at the caravan to Samena Squares. Everyone liked our new caravan outfits. Thank you, Patty! There is another Cascade Crossfires caravan this month. It will be to the Happy Hoppers Plus Dance on Sunday, January 27, from 2 – 4 p.m. at the Stillaquamish Senior Center. The caller is Hunter Keller. This is one of their double dances with Plus in the afternoon and Mainstream in the evening.

Speaking of caravan outfits there will be another order sent in on February 4. You have between now and then to think about it and decide.

Have a great rest of your weekend!

Happy dancing,
Susan

Calls to review
2. Teacup Chain: Starting formation - Static Square, or proceeding from everyone doing a Left Arm Turn with partner.

The caller will specify two ladies to move to the center at the start of the call, e.g., "Head ladies center for a Teacup Chain". Ladies will work with the opposite lady for a series of ARM TURNS (forearm styling like ALLEMANDE LEFT). Ladies will alternate hands. Ladies will go to each man in promenade order. The call ends with a COURTESY TURN with your original partner to end at home. Men will let the Ladies dictate the arm used.

TEA CUP CHAIN – 32 steps


26. Chase Right: Starting formation - Two Couples Back-to-Back.

Each right-hand dancer does an exaggerated Zoom action, moving into the position previously occupied by the right-hand dancer behind him, to finish facing in the same direction as when he started the Zoom action. (The net result is the same as if the right-hand dancer had done a right face U Turn Back & Box Circulate twice). The left-hand dancer follows ("Chases") the right-hand dancer by doing a Box Circulate two positions. The call finishes in a Box Circulate formation.

CHASE RIGHT – 6 steps]]>user@domain.comCascade Crossfires2018-12-17T19:04:39-08:00http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/fe2b7838d4f20b13acee95d74db7b6f4-132.html#unique-entry-id-132http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/fe2b7838d4f20b13acee95d74db7b6f4-132.html#unique-entry-id-132Dear Friends,

Just a quick note…

I hope that you have had wonderful holiday celebrations with your families. It was great to see so many at our Extravaganza on December 17.

We had a great Christmas dance on the 22nd at the Juanita Community Club. There were seven squares dancing with a wide variety of experience. It was a great start to the holiday weekend.

Due to New Year’s Eve we will be dark one more week. Happy celebrating! If you want to dance there is a New Dancer Level dance at Juanita. If you don’t have tickets, let me know and I can add your name to the Will Call list.

There is also a Mainstream dance with Plus tips up at the Skagit Valley Grange. Check out your Council Notes or website for the details and contacts.

If we don’t see you dancing, have a very Happy New Year! See you on the 7th!

Happy dancing,
Susan
]]>user@domain.comCascade Crossfires2018-12-10T18:10:00-08:00http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/2d49657ffd2a2901fba7bd787404f933-131.html#unique-entry-id-131http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/2d49657ffd2a2901fba7bd787404f933-131.html#unique-entry-id-131Dear Friends,

Congratulations! We have danced, at least for one night, all the Plus calls.

Have we learned them completely? Absolutely not! We have covered the basic definitions of all the Plus calls. There are several that can start from different formations that you will run into dancing in the Puget Sound area. We will begin to cover all of those in January.

Some of you have asked about what is next after lessons are officially over at the end of January. Workshops!!! We will continue to have workshops on Monday nights through the end of July. (There are a couple of exceptions like Memorial Day weekend) Workshops will give you an opportunity to build up your floor time. It will give us an opportunity to explore more of the variations that you might run into in your dancing life. And it is just plain old more fun dancing on Mondays!

I hope that everyone survived the windstorm Friday night with little damage. The Samena Squares ended up cancelling their dance due to no power in the hall. I’ve been in that hall when someone turned out all the lights. It is a big black cave. A HUGE thank you to all that came to dance! On our way home one major street was blocked off with caution tape and flares, so there was a tree down somewhere.

Don’t forget that there are Plus dances Friday night with the Fidalgo Fogcutters at the Skagit Valley Grange in Sedro Wooley and Saturday night with the Cascade Crossfires at the Juanita Community Club. Both clubs would appreciate your support.

See you all on Monday!

Happy dancing,
Susan

Week #11
12. Follow Your Neighbor: Starting formation - Box Circulate.

Dancers facing in release hands with the person next to them (their "neighbor") and step straight forward, join adjacent forearms with the one they meet, and turn three-quarters (270º) to become centers of a new wave. At the same time, the dancers facing out follow their "neighbors" by moving forward in a three-quarter looping turn (270º), turning towards their "neighbor" to finish adjacent to their "neighbor" as the ends of the new ocean wave.

When done from right-hand boxes, the dancers facing in turn by the right hand and the dancers facing out loop around right-face, to finish in a left-hand ocean wave. When done from left-hand boxes, the dancers facing in turn by the left-hand and the dancers facing out loop around left-face, to finish in a right-hand ocean wave.

FOLLOW YOUR NEIGHBOR – 6 steps


22. Grand Swing Thru: Starting formation - Tidal Wave or Ocean Wave of Six Dancers.

Those who can turn by the right one-half (180º), then those who can turn by the left one-half (180º). If "right" is not specified preceding the command to Grand Swing Thru, it is understood to be a right- handed Grand Swing Thru. If Grand Left Swing Thru is required, it must be specifically called - "Grand Left Swing Thru", in which case, those who can turn by the left one-half (180º), then those who can turn by the right one-half (180º).

GRAND SWING THRU – 6 steps

24. All 8 Spin The Top: Starting formation - Thar Star (stationary or in motion), Wrong Way Thar (stationary or in motion), Right & Left Grand Circle. TIMING – 10

If started from a Thar Star or Wrong Way Thar, any motion is stopped, the handholds forming the center star are released, and each center dancer and the adjacent outside dancer Arm Turn one-half (180º. Those now in the middle Star three-quarters (walking forward), while the new outsides move forward one-quarter around the perimeter of the circle to join hands with the same person again in a stationary Thar Star or Wrong Way Thar formation.

If started from a Right & Left Grand Circle, everyone turns by the right halfway (180º) with the dancer they are facing, then completes the call as above (new centers Star left three-quarters, etc.). The ending formation is a stationary Wrong Way Thar.

From a Right & Left Grand Circle, the command All 8 Left Spin The Top has everyone turn by the left halfway with the dancer they are facing and complete the call as above, ending in a stationary Thar Star formation.

ALL 8 SPIN THE TOP – 10 steps


26. Chase Right: Starting formation - Two Couples Back-to-Back.

Each right-hand dancer does an exaggerated Zoom action, moving into the position previously occupied by the right-hand dancer behind him, to finish facing in the same direction as when he started the Zoom action. (The net result is the same as if the right-hand dancer had done a right face U Turn Back & Box Circulate twice). The left-hand dancer follows ("Chases") the right-hand dancer by doing a Box Circulate two positions. The call finishes in a Box Circulate formation.

CHASE RIGHT – 6 steps]]>user@domain.comCascade Crossfires2018-12-03T17:18:42-08:00http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/dcdabc5ea084e0565d9da5b59ce0b16d-130.html#unique-entry-id-130http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/dcdabc5ea084e0565d9da5b59ce0b16d-130.html#unique-entry-id-130Dear Friends,

Well, we are getting down to the end of the Plus list. Congratulations! There are only four more calls to learn. I think that we can knock them out next Monday.

Our Graduation Extravaganza will be on Monday, January 28. Between now and then we will finish learning all the calls and add to our floor time with lots of dancing. There are some different starting formations for a few of the calls that we will explore too.

There will be no Cascade Crossfires on Monday, December 24 and Monday, December 31. Hopefully, you will be celebrating with friends and family on the 24th and dancing and celebrating the New Year on the 31st.

Stay warm!

Happy dancing,
Susan

Week #10
10. Track II: Starting formation - Completed Double Pass Thru.

The dancers work in "tandem", that is, the trailing dancers follow the lead dancers. Those in the right "track" move single file to the left, counter-clockwise, staying to the inside of the dancers on the left "track", who move single file, clockwise, to the right on the outside. The movement continues as in a Double Pass Thru, until the dancers have reached parallel right-hand ocean waves.

TRACK II – 8 steps


20. Trade The Wave: Starting formation - Any four-dancer ocean wave.

Dancers facing the same direction in the wave TRADE with each other. Right-hand waves become left-hand waves and vice versa. Ends of the wave become centers and vice versa.

TRADE THE WAVE – 6 steps


23. Crossfire: Starting formation – Two-faced line, Parallel lines of four, Inverted Line(s).

As the centers begin to Trade, the ends Cross Fold. Upon completing their Trade, the centers release hands and step straight forward forming an ocean wave or mini-wave with the dancers they are facing. If the Trade leaves the original centers facing no one, they step forward and remain facing out.

CROSSFIRE – 6 steps
]]>user@domain.comCascade Crossfires2018-11-26T21:04:25-08:00http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/c12d390a890ad984a6a39b7963765ef2-129.html#unique-entry-id-129http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/c12d390a890ad984a6a39b7963765ef2-129.html#unique-entry-id-129Dear Friends,

Thanks to everyone that came out on such a dark and rainy night! It was great to see you. Have a great week!

Happy dancing,
Susan
]]>user@domain.comCascade Crossfires2018-11-19T20:58:09-08:00http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/2424561b93c13d128829699930403f35-128.html#unique-entry-id-128http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/2424561b93c13d128829699930403f35-128.html#unique-entry-id-128Dear Friends,

I hope that you have had a lovely holiday with friends and family and lots of food and laughter!

A big thank you to Stephen for filling in last week. I appreciate it!!! I heard there was a great review of Relay the Deucey. Thanks, my friend!

This coming Monday will be our Workshop Extravaganza. The Awesome Plus will be from 6:30-7:00 p.m. The Extravaganza will be from 7:00-9:00 p.m. We will have some fun dancing off a few of those extra calories we picked up this weekend.

In December, we will have two weeks of class (12/3 and 12/10) and then our Christmas Extravaganza (12/17). There will be NO CLASS on December 24 and December 31.

The Cascade Crossfires are hosting a Christmas Plus dance on Saturday, December 22 at the Juanita Community Club. I will be calling and Karen Neverdowski will be cueing. This is a Plus level dance. I will be calling only those calls that we know which by that time will be almost all of them. Invite your friends to come dance with you and show off your new Plus dancing skills!

Have a great rest of your weekend!

Happy dancing,
Susan

Week #8
8. (Anything) & Spread: Starting formation - Various.

This call can be used in three ways:
(1) If only some of the dancers are directed to Spread (e.g., from a static square, Heads Star Thru & Spread), they slide apart sideways to become ends, as the inactive dancers step forward between them.

(2) If the (Anything) call finishes in lines or waves (e.g., Follow Your Neighbor), the centers anticipate the Spread action by sliding apart sideways to become the new ends, while the original ends anticipate the Spread action by moving into the nearest center position.

(3) If the (Anything) call finishes in tandem couples (e.g., Wheel & Deal from a line of four), the lead dancers slide apart sideways, while the trailing dancers step forward between them.

(ANYTHING) & SPREAD – 2 steps

27. Dixie Grand: Starting formation - Dixie Grand Circle, Double Pass Thru, Quarter Tag, or any formation where at least two dancers can start.

Those who can, start the call by joining right hands with the facing dancer and pulling by. Each dancer moves ahead around the circle and gives a left hand to the next, pulling by, and a right hand to the next, pulling by. Regardless of the starting formation, as the movement progresses, the formation converts to a circle.

DIXIE GRAND – 6 steps

29. Spin Chain & Exchange The Gears: Starting formation - Ocean Waves (right-hand, for ease of description)

Start as in a normal Spin Chain the Gears - Ends and adjacent Centers turn 1/2, new Centers turn 3/4, while the Ends FLIP IN, and the very two Centers of the wave TRADE. All form two LEFT-HAND STARS (but before turning them, the out-facing Point should raise a hand, indicating "follow me" - they will be the "leaders of the exchange") and turn the STARS 3/4. Each “Leader of the exchange” (#1) leads those following them in their star (#2, #3 and #4) along a circular path around the outside of the other star (the “exchange”). When #1 has gone 3/4 around and #3 has gone 1/4 around, dancers #1 and #3 FLIP IN to join hands and become Centers of a wave while dancers #2 and #4 continue to move forward along the circular path to join their inside hand with the dancer ahead to become Ends of the wave. The call ends in waves with the same handedness and in the same location (facing side or head walls) as the original waves.

SPIN CHAIN & EXCHANGE THE GEARS – 26 steps
]]>user@domain.comCascade Crossfires2018-11-12T20:56:29-08:00http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/e7da5000f8baab01dc922865c0afb7c2-127.html#unique-entry-id-127http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/e7da5000f8baab01dc922865c0afb7c2-127.html#unique-entry-id-127Dear Friends,

I hope you have been having a good week as preparations and planning for Thanksgiving get in full swing. It was great to see another good crowd on Monday night.

Monday night we learned two of the longer calls in the Plus program, Tea Cup Chain and Relay the Deucey. Both require teamwork. Both use Basic and Mainstream calls that we have been dancing forever. Both, when danced successfully and in time with the music, are beautiful and fun to dance as one part flows into the next part.

For Tea Cup Chain, the two keys that will make it successful every time is, one, the Ladies starting the call with the correct hand. It is always the Right hand. And, two, the men being alert to which woman is coming toward him and refraining from using a Courtesy Turn until he has his own partner back. Tea Cup Chain takes 32 beats to dance. That is the same as Grand Square. Take the whole time. Like Grand Square, it is frequently rushed. There is no prize for finishing early. It can also take longer than 32 beats due to squares being allowed to get to big.

Relay the Deucey is a series of Trades or half turns, half-circulates, and a couple of Cast 3/4's. The challenge is that everyone is moving at the same time. Each part flows into the next. Those circulating around the outside can time their arrival at the next handhold to flow right into it. I also want to point out that nowhere in the definition does it mention Boys and Girls. There are Ends and Centers parts. If you don’t know which you are at any given moment of time, start paying attention at your Mainstream dances. I added italicized numbers in the Relay the Deucey for the arm turns and casts. Those that are half-circulating on and off the wave down the middle need to time their circulates to be in the correct place for the next part.

This Monday, Stephen Cole will be filling in for me. I have sent him the list of what we know and the list of what’s next on the list to learn. Have fun!

Happy dancing,
Susan

Week #7
2. Teacup Chain: Starting formation - Static Square, or proceeding from everyone doing a Left Arm Turn with partner.

The caller will specify two ladies to move to the center at the start of the call, e.g., "Head ladies center for a Teacup Chain". Ladies will work with the opposite lady for a series of ARM TURNS (forearm styling like ALLEMANDE LEFT) beginning with the Right arm. Ladies will alternate hands. Ladies will go to each man in promenade order. The call ends with a COURTESY TURN with your original partner to end at home. Men will let the Ladies dictate the arm used.

TEA CUP CHAIN – 32 steps


16. Relay The Deucey: Starting formation - Parallel Ocean Waves.

All Circulates in this definition refer to the Original Circulate path established by the ends of the original ocean waves. No dancer ever stops moving during this call; the pauses written into the definition (i.e., the action described as "half-circulate") are there for clarity of description and for teaching purposes only.

Each end and the adjacent center dancer turn one-half (180º) (1). The new centers of each ocean wave turn three-quarters (270º) (2), while the others half-circulate, forming a six-person wave and two lonesome dancers. The wave of six, working as 3 pairs, turns 1/2 (3), while the others half-circulate. In the wave, the center 4 turn 1/2 (4), while the other four dancers half-circulate. The wave of 6, again working as 3 pairs, turns 1/2 (5), while the others half-circulate. Finally, the center 4 of the wave turn 3/4 (becoming the centers of the new waves) (6), while the outside 4 half-circulate to become the ends of the final waves.

RELAY THE DEUCEY – 20 steps
]]>user@domain.comCascade Crossfires2018-11-05T10:55:57-08:00http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/ecf80fa3e47ee4d900e7a3875c2c812a-126.html#unique-entry-id-126http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/ecf80fa3e47ee4d900e7a3875c2c812a-126.html#unique-entry-id-126Dear Friends,

Great dancing Monday night! I do enjoy Monday nights.

We are progressing nicely through the Plus list. The challenges that I see people having are not touching hands, turning too much or not enough, or not knowing where they are in the square.

Touching hands is important. If you did not learn to do this in your Mainstream class, learn it now right quick. It is as important for you as it is the rest of your team. Touching hands helps with the other two issues I mentioned. It especially helps you know where you are in the square.

Lots of people tend to under turn or over turn on all kinds of calls. Square dance calls are designed to end facing square with one wall or another. If at the end of a call you are facing a corner, you went too far or not far enough. Be curious!

If you are not familiar or comfortable knowing where you are in a square, start observing yourself. You are either going to be on the right side of a couple, the left side of a couple, facing in, facing out, in the center of a line or wave, on the end of a line or wave, a leader or a trailer. And it only takes 2-4 steps to change what position you are in the square. This is one of the “mental gymnastics to stave off dementia” parts of square dancing. Once you learn them and you get the habit of touching hands your body will know.

Have a great rest of your weekend!

Happy dancing,
Susan

Week #6
6. Linear Cycle (from waves only for the Plus Program): Starting formation - Parallel Ocean Waves or Four (4) Dancer Waves to be either right or left-handed.

(For programs other than Plus, allowable formations include any formation in which the end and adjacent center can single or partner hinge. This is a three part call.)
Part 1. The ends and adjacent centers HINGE.
Part 2. Those facing out FOLD behind those facing in and all dancers will then move forward in a DOUBLE PASS THRU action.
Part 3. If the hinge is right- handed, peel right; if the hinge is left-handed, peel left to end as facing couples.

From a right-hand hinge, all will pass right shoulders. From a left-hand hinge, all will pass left shoulders.

LINEAR CYCLE – 8-10 steps.


14. Explode The Wave (From waves only): Starting formation - Any 4-dancer ocean wave.

Everyone releases handholds, steps forward and turns a quarter in (90º) to face the adjacent dancer and right hand pull by that person, to end as couples back-to-back.

EXPLODE THE WAVE – 6 steps


17. Peel The Top: Starting formation - box circulate or Z-Formation.

The lead dancers PEEL OFF as the trailing dancers step straight forward and take adjacent hands; everyone then does a FAN THE TOP.

PEEL THE TOP – 6 steps
]]>user@domain.comCascade Crossfires2018-10-29T22:26:00-07:00http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/b5ae31f28186dded2dd8783046872809-125.html#unique-entry-id-125http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/b5ae31f28186dded2dd8783046872809-125.html#unique-entry-id-125Dear Friends,

Great Workshop Extravaganza! Thank you Fidalgo Fogcutters for coming!

See you at the next Workshop Extravaganza November 26, 2018.

Happy dancing,
Susan
]]>user@domain.comCascade Crossfires2018-10-22T10:13:49-07:00http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/4385ccb4e28b1ba6b05e357648961f46-124.html#unique-entry-id-124http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/4385ccb4e28b1ba6b05e357648961f46-124.html#unique-entry-id-124Dear Friends,

Another fun Monday night! Everyone is doing great!

I do have a couple of helpful hints…
As we learn more calls that take more steps (more than 4), it requires more cooperation as a team (square) of dancers. We need to make sure that everyone is in the formation, particularly Stars. We need to make sure that we are turning the correct direction so that we are in the right place for the next call. (If we aren’t turning the correct direction, someone will be looking for us for the next handhold and when we aren’t there the square will very likely break down.)

Don’t let anyone cut in front of you either. Even if they are your friend. There is no cutting in square dancing.

Karla also brought to my attention another online video site that may help with your learning. Thanks, Karla!
https://www.videosquaredancelessons.com/lessons/

A quick reminder that Monday is our Workshop Extravaganza, a dance by any other name. There is going to be a group of new Plus dancers coming to visit from the Fidalgo Fogcutter class. That will be fun! We will be dancing the calls that we know.

Have a great weekend!

Happy dancing,
Susan

Week #4
9. Spin Chain The Gears: Starting formation - Parallel Ocean Waves.

Each End and the adjacent Center dancer turn one-half (180º). The new Centers of each ocean wave turn three-quarters (270º) to form a new ocean wave across the set, as the other four dancers do a U-Turn Back (turning in toward the center). The Centers of the wave Trade and then release hands with each other. Four dancers on each side of the square now form a four-hand star and turn the star three-quarters, forming a new wave across the set. Centers of this wave Trade momentarily reforming the wave across the set. The two outside pairs of dancers of the center wave now turn three-quarters (270º) as the other four dancers turn back (turning away from the center).

SPIN CHAIN THE GEARS – 24 steps

19. Single Circle To A Wave: Starting formation - Facing dancers.

Facing dancers join both hands with each other and Circle Left halfway. Without stopping, they drop hands with each other and individually Veer Left, blending into a right-hand mini-wave. If the caller directs "Single Circle 3/4 to a Wave", facing dancers join both hands with each other and Circle Left 3/4, then continue to execute the rest of the call as above.

SINGLE CIRCLE TO A WAVE – 4 steps

25. Cut The Diamond: Starting Formation - Any Diamond.

The Centers of the diamond do a Diamond Circulate to the next position in their diamond, while the points slide together Touch and Trade. Ends in a line or wave.

CUT THE DIAMOND – 6 steps]]>user@domain.comCascade Crossfires2018-10-15T10:12:46-07:00http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/dcb0152857f1beaa713a0bf5996c7140-123.html#unique-entry-id-123http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/dcb0152857f1beaa713a0bf5996c7140-123.html#unique-entry-id-123Dear Friends,

I love Monday nights! What a fun crowd!

Everyone is doing great! There are couple people who did not get the newsletter. I think it was an instance of not being able to read handwriting. Hopefully, that is all straightened out. I will check again Monday night.

I want to remind everyone that once Plus lessons start calls are defined as being done by Centers and Ends or Leaders and Trailers. I have included those definitions with the other calls that we learned Monday night. It is a more specific way of identifying dancers. If you are not accustomed to thinking of yourself as a Center dancer or a Lead dancer, read the definitions and start trying to recognize your position as you dance at Mainstream dances.

I tell my new Basic/Mainstream dancers that they need to know who their original partner is, who their original corner is, what couple number they are, if they are heads or sides, and who their opposite is. You always have an original partner and corner but with four steps there can be partner changes for some people in the square. With only a few more steps there can be partner changes for everyone. It happens fast!

Have a great rest of your weekend!

Happy dancing,
Susan


Week #3
Dancer naming:
v. Centers, Ends: Dancers near the center of the square or formation are Centers. Dancers on the outside of the square or formation are called Ends.

vi. Leaders, Trailers: In a tandem (one dancer behind another dancer) the dancers facing out of the box are the Leaders, the ones facing into the box are the Trailers.

3. Ping Pong Circulate: Starting formation - Quarter Tag, an ocean wave in the middle, one couple on either side looking into the formation.

Each dancer CIRCULATES, or moves forward one position along the circulating path. Dancers should move to the next position and facing the same direction as the previous dancer.

PING PONG CIRCULATE – 6 steps

7. Coordinate: Starting formation - Columns. (at Plus, Columns only)

CIRCULATE. Then 1/2 (Half) CIRCULATE. The center six (three adjacent pairs) TRADE. The very center two dancers release handholds and walk diagonally outward without turning, while the two lonesome dancers walk ahead, moving in a quarter circle. From Columns, Coordinate ends in Two- Faced Lines.

COORDINATE – 8 steps

15. Explode And ... (Anything) (From waves only): Starting formation - Any 4-dancer ocean wave.

Everyone releases handholds, steps forward and turns a quarter in (90º) to face the adjacent dancer, and does the (Anything) call (e.g., Right & Left Thru, Star Thru, etc.).

EXPLODE THE WAVE – 2 steps for the EXPLODE portion
]]>user@domain.comCascade Crossfires2018-10-08T23:53:36-07:00http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/a2ac51c6aafb855f84129eab2db9b909-122.html#unique-entry-id-122http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/a2ac51c6aafb855f84129eab2db9b909-122.html#unique-entry-id-122Dear Friends,

Welcome to our new class members! Thanks for joining us!

After class last week someone commented that we might need to review some Basic calls. Basic and Mainstream calls are the foundation of Plus calls. The better you know them, the easier Plus dancing is. You will find that there are a few Plus calls that you dance at every Mainstream dance. You don’t know it because the caller calls the individual calls rather than the combined name they were given for the Plus program. If you find that you are being challenged with some of the Basic calls, review the definitions, go to more Mainstream dances with different callers, and go angel at a Basic/Mainstream class.

As I mentioned last week the most challenging calls in any program are the Basic calls: Runs, Trades, Circulates, Stars, and Casts. Some are challenging because when we dance them they feel much like one of the others. This is the mental exercise part of square dancing…keeping them straight and then dancing them correctly. But as callers are always saying to each other…if a dancer can dance these five calls correctly and accurately they can dance anywhere in the world to any caller.

I also wanted to mention that I am using the teaching order that is used at Plus In A Week at Circle 8 Ranch. In the definitions below, the numbers correspond to the Callerlab suggested teaching order.

I hope you got out to enjoy the lovely fall weather this weekend!

See you Monday!

Happy dancing,
Susan

PS You can also find these newsletters on my website – www.callersusan.com under the Cascade Crossfires tab.

PPS Reminder!!! I am sending this newsletter to all members of the Cascade Crossfires, new class members and to a few dancers who support the club regularly. If you do not want to receive them there is an Unsubscribe option at the end.

Week #2
1. Acey Deucey: Starting formation: parallel waves and two-faced lines; other formations where you are able to identify 4 centers and 4 ends (or outsides). TIMING – 4 steps

CENTERS must be able to TRADE within in adjacent pairs of 2. ENDS (or outsides) must be able to CIRCULATE and not become centers. Center 4 TRADE, while the others CIRCULATE.


4. Load The Boat: Starting formation - Lines of four, with centers facing in, and the ends of each line facing the same (in or out) direction. TIMING – 12 steps

The END dancers move forward around the outside, passing right shoulders with three moving END dancers, and turn one-quarter in (90º) to stand beside the third person passed, facing the center of the set as a couple. Simultaneously, the CENTER four dancers PASS THRU, TURN THEIR BACKS to their momentary partners, PARTNER TRADE with their new partners, and PASS THRU.

STYLING: The end dancers, while moving on the outside, leave enough room for the center dancers to work comfortably. Arms are held in natural dance position throughout the action, blending into the appropriate hand position for the next call.


6. Peel Off: Starting formation - Tandem Couples, Box Circulate, or Z formation. TIMING – 4 steps

Lead dancers walk in an approximate semicircle, away from the center of the starting formation, to become the ends of a four-dancer line. Trailing dancers step forward as necessary to become centers of the same line and U-TURN BACK, turning away from the center of the starting formation. All dancers end in a four-dancer line. Each dancer will have turned half (180º) to end facing the opposite direction from which they started. Peel Off from Tandem Couples ends in a One-Faced Line. Peel Off from Box Circulate or a Z ends in a Two-Faced Line.

Notes: Everyone can Roll after a Peel Off. Dancers move in a smooth, continuous motion that cannot be fractionalized. The center of the ending formation is the same as the center of the starting formation.


11. (Anything) & Roll: Starting formation - Various. TIMING – 2 steps

The term "... & Roll" may be added to any call which, by definition, causes one or more dancers to have turning body flow to the RIGHT or LEFT as they complete their portion of the call. It is an instruction to those dancer(s) to turn individually, in place, one quarter (90º) more in the direction of body flow determined by the preceding command.
Note that if "... and Roll" is added to a call, which by definition, has some dancers walking in a straight line at the completion of their portion of the call, those dancers will do nothing for the "... and Roll".


13. Fan The Top: Starting formation - ocean wave or two-faced lines. TIMING – 4 steps

The centers of the line or wave turn three quarters (270º) while the outside dancers move forward in a quarter circle. The ending formation is at right angles to the starting formation. Centers remain centers and ends remain ends.


18. Diamond Circulate: Starting formation - Any Diamond. TIMING – 3 steps

Each dancer moves forward to the next position in his diamond, changing his original facing direction one-quarter (90°) toward the center of the diamond. Points become centers, and vice versa. If the call is directed to facing diamonds, all must pass right shoulders.


21. Flip The Diamond: Starting formation - Any Diamond. TIMING – 3 steps

The centers of the diamond do a Diamond Circulate to the next position in their diamond, while the points Run ("Flip" 180º) into the nearest center position and join hands to become the centers of the forming wave or line. When "flipping" a facing diamond, the points always take the inside path, and the centers always take the outside path.

v. Centers, Ends: Dancers near the center of the square or formation are Centers. Dancers on the outside of the square or formation are called Ends.

vi. Leaders, Trailers: In a tandem (one dancer behind another dancer) the dancers facing out of the box are the Leaders, the ones facing into the box are the Trailers.

9. Left/Right Hand Star: Indicated dancers step to the center of the formation to join the designated hand in a loose star; walk forward to starting position of next call. It is often a full turn but can be fractionalized. LEFT/ RIGHT HAND STAR – 4 dancers full around 8 steps.

21. Circulate Family:
21. a. Named Dancers Circulate: Named dancers can be Boys, Girls, Centers or Ends. The indicated (active) dancers move along their circulate path to the next position. NAMED DANCERS CIRCULATE – 4 steps.

21. b. Couples Circulate: As a couple move to the next couples place in the square; if you are looking at someone’s back step straight ahead; if you are looking out of the square as a couple move around the corner to the place of the next couple. COUPLES CIRCULATE – 4 steps.

21. c. All 8 Circulate: As an individual dancer move to the next position on your circulating path. For example, if you are a Center in an ocean wave, you remain a Center. If you are the End in an ocean wave, you remain an End. ALL 8 CIRCULATE – 4 steps.

21. d. Single File Circulate: In a column, each dancer moves to the next spot on the circulating path. SINGLE FILE CIRCULATE – 4 steps.

21. e. Box/Split Circulate: The formations divide into two separate boxes; dancers circulate to the next position on the circulating path in their foursome. SPLIT/BOX CIRCULATE – 4 steps.


35. Trade Family:
35 a. Trades: Boys, Girls, Ends, Centers: Directed dancers change places with the identified person. The person you are trading with may be next to you or somewhere in your line. Every TRADE includes a reversal of facing direction. If you meet someone pass right shoulders. BOYS, GIRLS, ENDS, CENTERS – 4 steps;

35 b. Couples: Directed couples change places with the other couple. You may be facing opposite directions or you may be facing the same direction. Every TRADE includes a reversal of facing direction. COUPLES – 6 steps.

35 c. Partner: Directed dancers change places with their partner. Every TRADE includes a reversal of facing direction. PARTNER – 4 steps;


39 a. Runs: Boys, Girls, Ends, Centers: Designated dancers move forward and around another dancer as directed. This always results in a change of facing direction (180 degrees for the runner). The person being run around (runee) slides sideways to the vacated spot of the runner. BOYS, GIRLS, ENDS, CENTERS RUN – 4 steps.

39 b. Cross Run: Designated runner steps forward moving in a half circle across the center line to end in designated open position. Ends become Centers and Centers become Ends. The runee without turning around slides into the open position. CROSS RUN – 6 steps.


58. Cast off 3/4: In a mini-wave using your joined hands, turn 3/4. In a line the center dancers walk forward using your joined hands as a pivot 3/4 or 3 walls or 5 steps. CAST OFF 3/4 – 6 steps.
]]>user@domain.comCascade Crossfires2018-10-01T22:11:41-07:00http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/8216e670c9da4bd4bafb4152e1a1252c-120.html#unique-entry-id-120http://www.callersusan.com/Cascade%20Crossfires/files/8216e670c9da4bd4bafb4152e1a1252c-120.html#unique-entry-id-120Dear Friends,

Fun night on Monday! Welcome to those who are new to Plus dancing! Thank you for joining us! Welcome to all who are returning for a brush up or a little more floor time! Welcome to all our regular dancers!

Plus calls are many Basic and Mainstream calls added together and given a different name. There are some new formations. The mental exercise part is that you will have to remember which calls go in which order. The better Mainstream dancer you are the easier Plus dancing will be. I strongly encourage you to go to as many Mainstream dances as you can while you are learning Plus.

The most challenging square dance calls are Runs, Trades, Circulates, Stars, and Casts. The things that help are touching hands at the end of any call so you know your formation and keeping your square small. It will also help to make your turns precise. Many dancers either over turn or under turn. An example would be only turning 90 degrees when it should be 180 degrees or turning 5/8ths instead of 3/4 or 3/4 when it should be a half turn. Being precise and touching hands will help you be in the right position and facing the correct direction for the next call.

If you haven’t been using these yet here are a couple of online resources for square dance calls:
Saddlebrooke Squares: http://www.videosquaredancelessons.com/lessons/callindex.htm

This is a square dance club in Arizona. They are videos of live dancers. Search for the call you want to watch. Some of them are grouped together. I would recommend picking one particular dancer and the follow them through the call.

Tam Twirlers – Taminations:
http://www.tamtwirlers.org/tamination/info/index.html

This club has provided a site viewing the calls from a ‘birds eye’ view. The calls we are dancing are from the Plus list. You can see the traffic patterns. The gridlines help. There is also a phone app for this program.

As you use these sites, particularly the live dancer sites, you will note that there are some styling differences from what we will be learning in class. Please dance the calls as I teach them in class. Some of the differences are due to regional styling differences across the United States. Some of the differences are that the definition of the call has been modified since the videos were produced.

We will welcome more new Plus dancers this coming Monday only.

See you Monday!

Happy dancing,
Susan

PS You can also find these newsletters on my website – www.callersusan.com under the Cascade Crossfires tab.

PPS I am sending this newsletter to all members of the Cascade Crossfires, new class members and to a few dancers who support the club regularly. If you do not want to receive them there is an Unsubscribe option at the end.

Week #1
1. Acey Deucey: Starting formation: parallel waves and two-faced lines; other formations where you are able to identify 4 centers and 4 ends (or outsides). TIMING – 4 steps

CENTERS must be able to TRADE within in adjacent pairs of 2. ENDS (or outsides) must be able to CIRCULATE and not become centers. Center 4 TRADE, while the others CIRCULATE.


4. Load The Boat: Starting formation - Lines of four, with centers facing in, and the ends of each line facing the same (in or out) direction. TIMING – 12 steps

The END dancers move forward around the outside, passing right shoulders with three moving END dancers, and turn one-quarter in (90º) to stand beside the third person passed, facing the center of the set as a couple. Simultaneously, the CENTER four dancers PASS THRU, TURN THEIR BACKS to their momentary partners, PARTNER TRADE with their new partners, and PASS THRU.

STYLING: The end dancers, while moving on the outside, leave enough room for the center dancers to work comfortably. Arms are held in natural dance position throughout the action, blending into the appropriate hand position for the next call.


6. Peel Off: Starting formation - Tandem Couples, Box Circulate, or Z formation. TIMING – 4 steps

Lead dancers walk in an approximate semicircle, away from the center of the starting formation, to become the ends of a four-dancer line. Trailing dancers step forward as necessary to become centers of the same line and U-TURN BACK, turning away from the center of the starting formation. All dancers end in a four-dancer line. Each dancer will have turned half (180º) to end facing the opposite direction from which they started. Peel Off from Tandem Couples ends in a One-Faced Line. Peel Off from Box Circulate or a Z ends in a Two-Faced Line.

Notes: Everyone can Roll after a Peel Off. Dancers move in a smooth, continuous motion that cannot be fractionalized. The center of the ending formation is the same as the center of the starting formation.


11. (Anything) & Roll: Starting formation - Various. TIMING – 2 steps

The term "... & Roll" may be added to any call which, by definition, causes one or more dancers to have turning body flow to the RIGHT or LEFT as they complete their portion of the call. It is an instruction to those dancer(s) to turn individually, in place, one quarter (90º) more in the direction of body flow determined by the preceding command.
Note that if "... and Roll" is added to a call, which by definition, has some dancers walking in a straight line at the completion of their portion of the call, those dancers will do nothing for the "... and Roll".
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