On-Line Offerings (Updated Weekly) |
General On-Line Information:
There is an increasing number of wonderful on-line offerings for music jams, contra dances and English Country Dances. Generally, the best way to participate is to contact the organizer at the provided email address, which should allow you to register for the event. Most events are FREE. Many of the events will list a VIRTUAL TIP JAR, usually through PayPal, so generous individuals can help support the tremendous time and effort that goes into hosting large virtual events, especially dances and concerts.
There is an increasing number of wonderful on-line offerings for music jams, contra dances and English Country Dances. Generally, the best way to participate is to contact the organizer at the provided email address, which should allow you to register for the event. Most events are FREE. Many of the events will list a VIRTUAL TIP JAR, usually through PayPal, so generous individuals can help support the tremendous time and effort that goes into hosting large virtual events, especially dances and concerts.
On-Line Music Jams: All are free. No tip jar.
Beginning on Monday, Aug. 17th, 2020, 7:30 - 8:30 pm PDT and is scheduled to meet every OTHER week. This is an advanced jam, where the set list is provided ahead of time. This jam assumes you have the three Portland Collection Books and the four Waltz Books by Mathiesson. Sande and Alan lead this terrific jam with an extraordinarily good sound set-up. Except for some social time before and after the jam, everyone's mics but Sande and Alan's will be muted. Contact Sande Gillette at sandegillette@mac.com to register.
Mondays, 7 - 9:30 pm PDT Irish jam led by Michael Fahy. 7 - 7:30 pm is social and sign-in time. The actual music goes from 7:30 - 9:30 pm PDT. Music is selected from several digital, downloadable books. Each person takes a turn to select a tune, which either they lead or have someone else lead for them. Contact Michael Fahy at fahy@chapman.edu to register and get the links for the downloadable books.
4th Saturdays beginning Aug. 22nd, 2020, 7:30 - 9:00 pm PDT and is scheduled every 4th Saturday for the rest of the year. This is the virtual version of the jam we used to have, pre-COVID, in which each person gets a turn to select a tune. Generally, we take tunes out of the Fiddler's Fakebook by Brody, but if I have the sheet music, I can always put it up on the screen for people to read. Contact Patty McCollom at mccollomp@sbcglobal.net to register.
Beginning on Monday, Aug. 17th, 2020, 7:30 - 8:30 pm PDT and is scheduled to meet every OTHER week. This is an advanced jam, where the set list is provided ahead of time. This jam assumes you have the three Portland Collection Books and the four Waltz Books by Mathiesson. Sande and Alan lead this terrific jam with an extraordinarily good sound set-up. Except for some social time before and after the jam, everyone's mics but Sande and Alan's will be muted. Contact Sande Gillette at sandegillette@mac.com to register.
Mondays, 7 - 9:30 pm PDT Irish jam led by Michael Fahy. 7 - 7:30 pm is social and sign-in time. The actual music goes from 7:30 - 9:30 pm PDT. Music is selected from several digital, downloadable books. Each person takes a turn to select a tune, which either they lead or have someone else lead for them. Contact Michael Fahy at fahy@chapman.edu to register and get the links for the downloadable books.
4th Saturdays beginning Aug. 22nd, 2020, 7:30 - 9:00 pm PDT and is scheduled every 4th Saturday for the rest of the year. This is the virtual version of the jam we used to have, pre-COVID, in which each person gets a turn to select a tune. Generally, we take tunes out of the Fiddler's Fakebook by Brody, but if I have the sheet music, I can always put it up on the screen for people to read. Contact Patty McCollom at mccollomp@sbcglobal.net to register.
Note to Aspiring Contra Dance Musicians
The virtual contra dances listed below often feature big-name, well-known Contra dance musicians. The virtual format, in which you can play along with these great musicians, knowing that you will only be heard by whoever is in your room with you, changes these contra dances into non-intimidating, master classes for aspiring contra dance musicians. THIS IS AN AMAZING MUSICAL OPPORTUNITY!
The virtual contra dances listed below often feature big-name, well-known Contra dance musicians. The virtual format, in which you can play along with these great musicians, knowing that you will only be heard by whoever is in your room with you, changes these contra dances into non-intimidating, master classes for aspiring contra dance musicians. THIS IS AN AMAZING MUSICAL OPPORTUNITY!
Contra Dances- Free but ask for donations to defray technical and personnel costs.
This from the Lake City Seattle Contra Dancers- Dancing with Ghosts
Here are some hints for contra dancing with imaginary friends ("ghosts"), especially if you are dancing solo:
In your room, decide where is up the hall (usually where the music is) and across the set.
If you have difficulty following the calls without other people there, relax - you can still do the moves, and not worry where in the imaginary set you end up. Miss a move - so what? You won't throw anyone else off.
You may get dizzy while "swinging". Hold your arms up in imaginary ballroom position, and focus on your hand (in place of a partner's face).
To keep track of which role you are in (if that matters to you), end a (virtual) swing holding the (virtual) hand of the (virtual) person you (virtually) swung with.
If there is a couple on the screen walking through the dance, it is easier if you align yourself with the person dancing the same role as yourself.
You can "pin" another dancer, if you are using a tablet or mobile phone it will feel like you are dancing with them.
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Thursday Nights, 7 pm Social time. 7:30 - 8:30 pm PDT Dancing- Lake City Seattle Contra Dancers. Click here and scroll halfway down the page for the link. http://seattledance.org/contra.lakecity
Saturday Nights, Contra Dance 30 minute workout to recorded music with Susan English. 6 - 6:30 pm PDT from Wooster, Ohio. Contact Susan English at senglish@umich.edu to register.
BACDS (Bay Area Country Dance Society) https://www.bacds.org/calendars/2020/09/
CDSS (Country Dance and Song Society):
https://www.cdss.org/community/covid19/online-events
This from the Lake City Seattle Contra Dancers- Dancing with Ghosts
Here are some hints for contra dancing with imaginary friends ("ghosts"), especially if you are dancing solo:
In your room, decide where is up the hall (usually where the music is) and across the set.
If you have difficulty following the calls without other people there, relax - you can still do the moves, and not worry where in the imaginary set you end up. Miss a move - so what? You won't throw anyone else off.
You may get dizzy while "swinging". Hold your arms up in imaginary ballroom position, and focus on your hand (in place of a partner's face).
To keep track of which role you are in (if that matters to you), end a (virtual) swing holding the (virtual) hand of the (virtual) person you (virtually) swung with.
If there is a couple on the screen walking through the dance, it is easier if you align yourself with the person dancing the same role as yourself.
You can "pin" another dancer, if you are using a tablet or mobile phone it will feel like you are dancing with them.
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Thursday Nights, 7 pm Social time. 7:30 - 8:30 pm PDT Dancing- Lake City Seattle Contra Dancers. Click here and scroll halfway down the page for the link. http://seattledance.org/contra.lakecity
Saturday Nights, Contra Dance 30 minute workout to recorded music with Susan English. 6 - 6:30 pm PDT from Wooster, Ohio. Contact Susan English at senglish@umich.edu to register.
BACDS (Bay Area Country Dance Society) https://www.bacds.org/calendars/2020/09/
CDSS (Country Dance and Song Society):
https://www.cdss.org/community/covid19/online-events
English Country Dances- Many offerings. Please contact Judee Pronovost at judithpronovost@mac.com to get on her mailing list for local and national English Country Dances.