[Callers] Family dance- educational supplements?

Tue Feb 2 20:56:44 PST 2016

Claire,

Let me add my voice to those recommending that you get hold of and study
the books by the Laufmans, New England Dancing Masters, and Marion Rose
BEFORE your family dance gig.  As a new Family Dance caller, you need to
learn a completely different repertoire than what you've been trying to
learn as a new contra dance caller.  Also, some of the skills are
different.  (As a contra dance caller you've been trying to keep your
phrasing rock solid, but for a family dance you need to judge when to
ignore the phrase and sight call - and what to do when you have two sets
that are at different places in the dance.)

Jacob
Arlington, MA

On Tue, Feb 2, 2016 at 4:18 PM, Rich Sbardella via Callers <
callers at lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> My apologies to Dudley and Jacqueline.  Their Traditional Barn Dances
> book, with DVD and CD are also on my shelf.  Together they were an early
> inspiration, as I added community dance to my calling skills.  I remember
> driving to Scout House to observe Dudley's unique calling/teaching style
> one Sunday afternoon, after purchasing his book, and before I tried to call
> any such dance programs myself.  His simple dances were so effective with
> the families on hand.
>
> Additionally, I stress attending the types of dances that you want to
> call, as often as you can.  Dancing a particular dance, is a great way to
> learn it, and to place it appropriately in your repertoire.  I have many
> dance cards in my collection that I have not called, but I frequently call
> the ones that brought me joy as a dancer.
>
> Rich
> Stafford, CT
>
> On Tue, Feb 2, 2016 at 3:33 PM, James Saxe via Callers <
> callers at lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
>> Hi, Claire,
>>
>> I've done only a tiny amount of calling for the family dance
>> crowd, but from what I've seen of the New England Dance Masters
>> material and Marion Rose's material, and from seeing the authors
>> in action either live or on video, I'd second both of Rich's
>> recommendations.
>>
>> Another resource worth looking at is Dudley Laufman's _Traditional
>> Barn Dances and Calling_, which comes packaged with two CD's of
>> music (called and uncalled) and a DVD showing some of the dances.
>> See
>>
>>
>> http://www.humankinetics.com/products/all-products/traditional-barn-dances-with-calls--fiddling?isbn=9780736076128
>>
>> SF Bay area caller Erik Hoffman has a book called "Old-Time Dance
>> Calling for Weddings, Parties, and One-Night Stands"
>>
>>      http://www.erikhoffman.com/otdancebk.html
>>
>> If you get in touch with him and tell more about the group you're
>> expecting to call for (What age-range of home-schoolers?  Will a
>> bunch of their younger siblings be there?), he might advise you
>> as to how much of the material in it would be suitable for you.
>>
>> Cheers,
>> --Jim
>>
>> > On Feb 2, 2016, at 11:44 AM, Rich Sbardella via Callers <
>> callers at lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>> >
>> > Hello Claire,
>> >
>> > Here are two excellent resources.
>> >
>> > New England Dancing Masters offer many books, Cds, and DVDs for
>> Family/Community Dance.  I cannot say enough good about this material.
>> >
>> > www.dancingmasters.com
>> >
>> > Marion Rose also has a series of books Called Step Lively.  They have
>> dances and CDs with family friendly dances.
>> > www.communitydance.ca.  Many, but not all, of the dances in this
>> series, are tune specific.
>> >
>> > Youtube is also an excellent series, and I would recommend Cal
>> Campbell's dancing for busy people blog and the BDPLS (Beginner Dance Party
>> Leaders Seminar) channel on youtube.
>> >
>> > Have fun,
>> > Rich
>> > Stafford, CT
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > On Tue, Feb 2, 2016 at 2:14 PM, Claire Takemori via Callers <
>> callers at lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>> > I’m a new contra dance caller (took Nils’ workshop at American Week
>> last July).  And my goal is to offer calling for Family dances to help
>> spread folk music/dance in our community. (maybe College contras, but
>> that’s a different thread)
>> > I’m calling my first Family dance on March 6th for a home-school
>> community.   I was hoping to offer a page of INTERESTING , Kid-friendly,
>> FUN info, activities, links in case someone wants to delve further into the
>> history, dance or music.
>> >
>> > Any great resources out there?  I don’t have a ton of time to put this
>> together from scrap. And I don’t know enough yet to figure out the
>> history.  I’m learning as I go!
>> >
>> > thanks !
>> > Claire Takemori
>> > Bay Area California
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