New Music and Dance session. Chester UK

Subject: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 10 Apr 11 - 07:26 AM

Dancers, musicians, and callers are invited to a music and dance session in Chester.

Beginners and experts welcome. We are calling it "Have A Go". So come and do what you already do, and have a go at something new.
The idea is to play dance tunes, then dance to them. With anyone who wants to call choosing dances of any sort - English ceilidh style, Playford, American squares and contras, Welsh or Scottish... whatever.
Similar to the French session that happens on the first Monday of the month, but more varied.

The first session will be Thursday 19th May from 8pm
at Chester Deaf Centre Southview Road Chester Cheshire CH14JG

If this becomes a regular Third Thursday event we will build up a repertoire of tunes and a tunebook that those who prefer to play from the dots can print out. Marilyn has a book of tunes for her Black Cat Band that I can email to you as an Adobe file. But I thought for the first meeting we might stick to the sort of tunes everyone plays in sessions. Then if callers tell me which tunes they want I can give you an idea of which you need to print out for which session. I don't intend to print out dozens of copies of all 48 pages. If anyone has a good tune to include in our repertoire, tell me. Or any other ideas.

Please pass on the word to anyone who might be interested
It would be helpful to know how many might be coming and whether you dance, play or call. And if the callers tell me which tunes they need I can pass the message on to the musicians.

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 10 Apr 11 - 07:30 AM

The centre is a converted church, with a reasonable size dance floor.
Bring your own music stands and refreshments, if you want either.
I'll book the hall for the first time, after that there will be a charge of £2 to cover the rent.

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 11 Apr 11 - 05:58 AM

We did think of starting on the third Thursday in April, until I realised that it was Maunday Thursday, so the start of a holiday weekend.

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mr Happy
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 08:18 AM

Just checked my Folking About calendar.

A free window on May 19th so should be able pop in for a play

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 03:45 AM

It will be good to see you (and any of the gang).
If anyone wants links to the music pm me your email address.

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 04:11 AM

This looks like a really great idea Mo. Trust it goes well. We tried something similar last July and it went really well. The Band grew out of our tunes session - we had 28 in the band on that night and our own caller. He had a radio Mike and we played accoustically. Great fun. We have played 2 accoustic ceilidhs since with our caller and one guest.

Best wishes from The Beech Band

L in C#

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 02:36 PM

I'm not sure if I'll manage to get down. It's next to the best fish and chip shop in Chester. Unfortunately it closes at 9 so anyone wanting fish and chips will have to get them early.

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 05:36 PM

Ah, what time does the chip shop open? Eating chips doesn't really mix very well with playing or dancing. Greasy strings and bunged up fipples. Swing your partner and leave a hand-print.

Looks like there will be between 12 and 20 of us, so enough for a set of dancers without taking all the musicians. We have plenty of people wanting to call, so it will be first on my list if there's not time for everyone.

I have now started a Website and will update it when I know what tunes we'll be playing.

Thanks for the good wishes Les. I've been watching the news of your group with interest and wishing it had started a few years earlier.

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 07:45 PM

I think they open about 5. I've played quite a few dances where the food for the break has come from the local chippie.

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 03:28 AM

Thanks Mo, your website looks useful and this collection is amazing

L in C#

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 03:29 AM

Sorry I should have said is listed on your website

L in C#

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 24 Apr 11 - 07:38 AM

Yes, I've been scouring the web for tune and dance notations. The Round is a folk club at Cambridge University. They have 'the dots' and dance notes for lot of Playford dances. Of course dances can have different versions according to how they are reconstructed and adapted. And tunes have variations of notes and of key (listen to a random bunch of strangers playing the 3rd section of Horses Brawl - ouch!)

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 24 Apr 11 - 07:57 AM

The hints on that website on how to be a 'Perfect Caller' are good too. I still have a copy that I pulled out and saved when it was reprinted in EDS years ago when I was starting to call.

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mr Happy
Date: 13 May 11 - 06:40 AM

Refresh - it's happening next Thursday 19th May!!

Yee-hah looking forward to playing some challenging chunes!!

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 14 May 11 - 02:39 AM

You might have them thrown at you hard and fast, as we have a lot of callers to fit into the 2 hours.
I've tried to list what we will be playing on the website but Ihaven't got a final list yet.
It's hard to tell which tunes will be new to people, but if they all are we can have another go at them next time (if anyone wants a next time).

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 19 May 11 - 04:01 AM

It's tonight.
I'm not panicking.......much.
There's now a list of the tunes we will be playing on the website, Ann has found a nice one, Falmouth Polka, which I didn't know, and there are a couple of Playford tunes, but I hope the rest will be fairly familiar so that we can enjoy playing together, if you play. And if you are just coming to dance we have 9 callers with a varied programme for you, some easy and well known, some fairly easy but perhaps unfamiliar. I've asked the callers to leave the difficult stuff at home, there won't be time for it.

We will decide tonight if this is to be a regular 3rd Thursday event, and if so whether we will take a summer break. And I hope people will let be know if they want the tunes and dances to be easier/harder, more/less familiar.

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 19 May 11 - 08:17 AM

Marilyn is also panicking a bit, she's just decided that the 2 Playford tunes I've told everyone to print out have a complicated chord sequence, so she's working out something simpler.
I know about dances, and I play tunes on the recorder (and I'm really good on the tape-recorder), but my harmonies are thin.

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 20 May 11 - 12:07 PM

It went well enough to do it again.
I've asked for the room on June 16th. It will be third Thursday in the month untill further notice. But not August and we will decide next time if we meet in July.

Nice crowd of dancers, musicians and callers. All held together (mostly!) by Marilyn's melodeon.

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 24 May 11 - 06:37 AM

Third Thursday of the month except when it isn't. We can't have June 16th, so I've provisionally booked June 23rd, and will confirm it unless it clashes with something else. Watch this space.

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 26 May 11 - 04:36 PM

I've just booked 23rd June, and the 3rd Thurs of Sep, Oct, and Nov.
We'll make a decision about July when we meet in June as it will be the start of the school holidays.

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 16 Jun 11 - 05:41 AM

Just a reminder that our Have-a-Go session is NOT on the third Thurs this month. It is 23rd June (next week). My attempt at altering the Facebook page didn't work first go, but I've fixed it now.
Don't come tonight. Go to Fiddle-d-Dee

instead. (That's usually 2nd Thurs, don't know why it isn't.

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 19 Jun 11 - 05:24 PM

This Thursday.
Hope to see plenty of musicians, dancers and callers (though if you intend to call it might be a good idea to pm me to sort out music)

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 17 Oct 11 - 08:29 AM

We meet again this Thursday.
Chester Deaf Centre 8 - 10 details at our website

Play / dance / call a dance. If you want to call please use one that fits the tunes listed at http://have-a-go-dancesession.blogspot.com/p/music.html (click the link above then Music - I don't know why the link maker won't work on it.
You can download the music if you play from the dots, or email me for midi files if you want to here the tunes in advance.

We play a tune first, then the caller walks the dance through and we dance to the music (if there's anyone left to play for us.

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mr Happy
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 08:57 AM

..........hmmmmmmm, couldn't quite get me head round playing 'Horses Bransle' as 2A's & 1B tho'

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 07:32 PM

We'll have to find out if that was all there was of that dance, or if there was a bit left out.
A lot of the dancers and callers couldn't come but the musicians made up for it, and got up to dance to.
Next one Nov 17th.

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Marilyn
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 08:15 AM

I know what you mean, Mr Happy - you instinctively want to play AABBCC and it feels really odd to play only one B and one C

I'm fairly certain that's what we did at the Minstrel's Court in Chester in June. My daughter, Elizabeth and I found it really tricky *not* to play the repeats and had to concentrate like fury!

Very enjoyable on Thursday I thought and I heard quite a few other people making favourable comments too so long may it continue.

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 11:48 AM

Another one on Thursday week, Nov 17th.
Joan has found her card for Horse Play (to Horses Brawl), it's a modern dance by the American Gary Roodman. The version she 'remembered' last time was not right at all.
We will be playing/dancing (Curly Headed )Ploughboy. I didn't realise how many different versions there are of the last 3 bars of that tune. All the 4 versions I've seen/heard will clash with each other. Argggghh.
How do you decide which version to learn at the Beech, Les?

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 12:23 PM

T:24.Horse's Brawl (or Branle)
M:4/4
L:1/8
O:France
K:G
|:"G"G>A BB cB"D"Ac|"G"BAGF "D"E2D2|"G"G>A BB "D"cBAc|"G"B/2A/2G "D"AF G2 "G"G2 :|
|:"G"d>c BB cB"D"Ac|"G"BAGF E2 "D"D2|"G"\d>c BB "D"cBAc|"G"B/2A/2G "D"A/2G/2F "G"G2 G2 :|
|:"Em"BA/2G/2 BA/2G/2 "D"FG A2|DEFG AcBA|"Em"\BA/2G/2 BA/2G/2 "D"FG A2|DEF(G G)F "G"G2:|

We don't do 'Ploughboy'as yet. PM me and I will send you our tune book, pdfs and ABC. I bet you know most of them

Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: terrier
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 12:29 PM

There ya' go, I've made the decision for you, play this one and all your probs are solved.

X: 1
T: Curly Headed Ploughboy, The
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
R: reel
K: Dmaj
ag |: f2a2 d2f2 | B4 A2d2 | cdef g2f2 | f4 e2ag |
f2a2 defd | B4 A2d2 | cdef g2c2 |1 d4 d2ag :|2 d4 d2a2 |]
K:A
[| g2gg gefg | a2aa a2a2 | g2gg gefg | a2aa a2a2 |
g2gg gefg | a2e2 f2d2 | c2e2 d2B2 | A4 A2a=g |]
K:D
[| f2a2 defd | B4 A2d2 | cdef g2f2 | f4 e2ag |
f2a2 d2f2 | B4 A2d2 | cdef g2c2 | d4 d2ag |]


Or altenatively you could play Horses Bransle ;)

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 01:32 PM

Hi Tom terrier,

how are you two these days? You going to the Pennyfarthing Reunion by any chance?

Les

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 02:18 PM

Yes, I noticed that your Horses Bransle wasn't the version I play.

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: terrier
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 03:42 PM

Well my horses certainly don't Bransle, neither do they brawl.
Mo, Les' version is the DiGi melodeon version ;p
Les, is it really 12 months since the last reune, I must get out more. Maybe I can get 'erself to bring me. When is it?

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 03:19 AM

Hi Tom,

it's 2 years since the last one! The next one is on 19 November at the Woodhey, Hooton. More details from Rus Dunbill:

Russell Dumbill
Les

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 05:41 AM

They brawl if half the players are in the major and half in the minor for the C part.

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: GUEST,Seayaker
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 05:59 AM

When we play Horses Brawl in our session the box players take a break and the fiddles play the Em C part

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 08:35 AM

Sounds good!

L in C#

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 16 Nov 11 - 10:22 AM

Have-a-Go tomorrow. We decided to play the Ploughboy version similar to Mally's book. Look on our website if you want to download the dots for our tunes or contact me for a Midi file.

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mr Happy
Date: 17 Nov 11 - 05:23 AM

Mr & Mrs Happy will be there!

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 21 Nov 11 - 04:28 AM

Mr & Mrs Happy were indeed; I think you provide backbone to most of the sessions round here.
It was a good evening, I always panic beforehand that there won't be enough to play the music after we've got a set standing up to dance. So far there have been.
But I want to know how much enthusiasm there is for continuing before I book the hall for December (are we too busy with Christmas events?) and the New Year. So could anyone who might be interested in coming (even if you've not made it so far) go to the Have-a-Go blog and click to answer one of the surveys, please.

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 25 Nov 11 - 05:35 PM

There will NOT be a Have-a-Go in December. Too many people can't make it, including our band leader. We'll start up again in the New Year. But there is a session in Kelsall (Farmer's Arms) on Tues 13th so you could Have a Go there instead.

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 07 Jan 12 - 10:17 AM

I've booked more dates for Have-a-Go
Jan 19th
Feb 16th
Mar 15th
If you want to download the dots for any of the tunes we play, including the new one Rufty Tufty go to our website

pm or email me if you want a midi file of any of them

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 11 Jan 12 - 10:08 AM

Another new tune added. Dorset Four hand reel.

Those two dances are real "core dances"
Rufty Tufty is a Playford dance from 1650 revived by CecilSharp 100 years ago (or so) and danced ever since.
Dorset Four Hand a traditional 'pub' dance, now a ceilidh dance.
We will repeat the tunes (and dances) Horses Brawl, Duke of Kents Waltz, Falmouth Polka + ?

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 16 Feb 12 - 08:22 AM

Tonight, at 8 in the Chester Deaf Centre.
Musicians and dancers welcome.
We have a programme of dances prepared listed here

Marilyn will lead the band as usual, and various callers will introduce the dances.

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 16 Feb 12 - 08:35 AM

What an ace idea, we must come over and steal the details

L in C#

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mr Happy
Date: 16 Feb 12 - 08:39 AM

We'll be there!

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 16 Feb 12 - 08:50 AM

I guess I wont muster the troops for tonight - but maybe next time

Best wishes

L in C#
pp The Beech Band

Songs & Tunes at the Beech

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 18 Feb 12 - 06:03 PM

Next time is March 15th and you will be very welcome Les. Let me know if I'm going to need to print out dozens of extra copies of things (I always have few ready).

Last time (as always) I had had quite a few apologies beforehand. There seems to be such a lot going on for people. But three new dancers came and saved the day.

We spent a bit more time on the tunes this time, and had a tea break, so only danced 6 dances. I can't decide if that was better or worse.

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 02:06 PM

Tonight.

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: MartinRyan
Date: 15 Mar 12 - 03:44 PM

Anything on in Chester over Easter - apart from the Shanty Festival!

Regards

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 16 Mar 12 - 06:00 AM

I think everyone's off to Anglesea

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 29 Mar 12 - 01:22 PM

The usual suspects and others. At our March Have-a-Go meeting.
Next one is April 19th

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 02 Apr 12 - 03:59 AM

I think this is abrilliant and original idea - what about getting it into a festival? Chester or Shrewsbury?

L in C#

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 02 Apr 12 - 04:59 AM

Thanks, it all started from a meeting we had in our house to give someone the chance to try her hand at calling. We had intended to use recorded music but various friends offered to play, and as it ended up the 'band' outnumbered the dancers sometimes.
I suspect that for a festival you either need an expert caller for a scratch band, or an expert musician for novice callers. I led a 'come and call a dance' session at Chester a couple of years ago and despite my panics the night before we had enough callers to fill the time, enough time for all the callers to call, and enough dancers to make sets.

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 02 Apr 12 - 05:09 AM

At Lichfield, which is mainly a Dance festival they have music workshops, where the musicians prepare to play for a dance later in the weekend.
We went last year and practised tunes for dances from Jane Austin's time. Since we have danced most of the dances the tunes were in people's head even if they hadn't played them before, and a lot of those at the workshop already play in dance bands. When it came to the dance we let the experts play, and we danced. Actually they are doing it again this year. Music workshop to prepare for 2 dances, one of which is open mike for callers (probably club callers wanting to call at a festival, rather than complete beginners)

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 20 Apr 12 - 05:44 AM

Much fun was had in Chester: Rob Phillips, Ged Gaskell, Ken Deeks, Julie Bryce, Mark Abraham, Jenn Stanley, Glynne Davies and two of his friends visited

http://have-a-go-dancesession.blogspot.co.uk/

We all played and Rob and Ken (Ken!) called a dance as did about 6 regulars at this amazing event.

If you play, dance or fancy calling - go and visit this event it's great fun and opens up all sorts of possibilities for people who enyoy dancin!

Thanks to Mo and her band and her dances for letting us mess up perfectly good tunes.
L in C#

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 17 May 12 - 05:37 AM

WE meet again tonight for the last time before the summer break.
Have-a-Go
Chester Deaf centre 8pm

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 17 May 12 - 05:42 AM

Next meeting Thursday May 17th
I have started pestering our callers for the tunes they want us to play.
One has offered to call Grimstock, so we'll have another go at that (we played it at our first meeting, a year ago)

Great fun

Best wishes

L in C#
pp The Beech Band

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 18 May 12 - 06:31 AM

We had a good evening again. Not as packed as last time, but the qualtity of those who were there still good.

Those of us who struggle to keep up with the tunes (you can have all the notes slowly or a selection at dance speed, from me) are very grateful that we have some good players to keep us together and up to the mark.

Elaine brought a Basque stick dance and tune which we had fun with.
We also danced the Playford dance Grimstock from 1651, a regency dance The Duke of Kent's Waltz, a modern dance to a C14 carol tune, and a dance to a Scottish tune written by a Dutchman in honour of an English dance writer.

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 18 May 12 - 10:07 AM

Sounds good fun Mo. Chester Festival next?

We are planning a similair event in Chorlton, Manchester in July. Currently lokking for apprentice callers

Les

Subject: RE: New Music and Dance session. Chester UK
From: Mo the caller
Date: 18 May 12 - 05:47 PM

I'm not doing a Have-a-Go at the festival, but something that arose from it. A 'Write a Dance' workshop.
There will be a chance for people to play and/or dance at the French workshop on Saturday afternoon, run by rondezvous. Ceilidhs every evening and plenty of sessions.

Oh, of course there's the concerts when we need a rest.