3 Oct
2011
3 Oct
'11
8:59 a.m.
it really depends on the dance. most of the dances i've called lately have been MUC
(modern urban contra) dances. these large and energetic dances expect most new dancers to
come to class and have a general knowledge of what's going on by the time the dance
starts. that's what makes the dance fun for this particular group. they welcome
beginners, but are happiest when things are really rocking.
i also call a fair number of barn dances and wedding party type dances, as well as some
smaller, but regular, contra dances.
for the first group, i work on the swing during the beginner class, because if i
don't, a fair number of well-meaning guys (who have done as i suggested and asked
newbies to dance) on the dance floor will spend the first walkthrough trying to teach
their newbie partner how to swing. then they may have a vague idea of a swing, but no
clue how the dance goes.
for the second group, circle mixers and other inventions that get everybody moving
together are fabulous, and the details come later (if at all).
for either group, what seems to help newbies most is being able to figure out where to go.
that's good for experienced dancers sometinmes, too! so i incorporate that into my
calls and teaching. for example, instead of saying gents allemande right 1 1/2 and swing
your partner, i say gents allemande right until you see your partner, give her a swing.
for many, i think it's easier to think about who they're looking for, not how far
is 1 1/2 or 3/4 or whatever.
in any case, the dance community seems to be growing in a lot of places - we must be doing
something right.
ps - davey - are you calling the ff dance? i got an email (used to live there, still on
the list :-)
barb
Date: Mon, 3 Oct 2011 08:35:00 -0400
From: limerickfarm(a)gmail.com
To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
Subject: Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?
Not a fan of lessons prior to a dance (although the best pre-dance is
done by Steve Zakon-Anderson). My first dance with a large crowd of
beginners is a circle mixer. A great dance to use is "Cabot School
Mixer" by Ted Sannella. It quickly.. and forgivingly introduces the
new dancer to several calls as well as the importance of the music.
I particularly like mixing everyone together at the start of the
night.. I also ask that at the end of the mixer.. you ask whomever you
ended with to dance the next dance. Thus new dancers and experienced
learn from each other. In a circle dance you can also have a lost and
found (displaced dancers) in the center to get back into the dance.
In the summer the Nelson dance will have thirty or more new dancers
every week.. The circle works well.. and having a great local dance
community willing to ask a new face to dance is a blessing.
Don Primrose
On 10/3/11, Richard Hart <richhart49(a)gmail.com> wrote:
There are a lot of good suggestions for a
beginner's workshop here, already,
but I'll add my 2 cents, anyway.
When I do a beginners workshop before a dance, I like to focus on key
concepts and actions, rather than particular calls:
1. Line up and pay attention to the lines. If you are not in line with the
others, you may be in someone's way.
2. Proper & improper formations.
3. Progression: After each repetition of a dance, you dance with the next
couple..
4. Lady on the right.
5. Courtesy turns: they're part of a number of different calls.
6. Giving weight with your arms and hands.
7. The swing.
8. Respect for other dancers (who may not move as quickly, or who may be
injured, or disabled in some way, or who may be a beginner who needs a bit
of direction)
That's already a lot to cover. I'd leave out the swing, if there was not
enough time, especially if there will be a lot of experienced dancers at the
dance to do that. The calls can all be explained during the walk throughs,
reinforcing and using what was presented earlier during the beginners
workshop. One problem that all beginners experience is figuring our where
they should be and what direction they should face. I try to help them
figure that out both during the beginner workshop and also when doing the
walk through, and even when calling the dance.
On Sun, Oct 2, 2011 at 3:16 PM, D Bar <davey.bar(a)gmail.com> wrote:
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Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers Howdy,
I am going to be calling one of my first gigged contra dances in a week! I
have a half-hour to introduce newbies on what's what in the dance prior
and
I am wondering what do other callers find has been the most effective use
of
that half hour?
I imagine going over improper formation [ladies on the right etc.], and a
few of the base moves are good. But I'd like to see if anyone else has
some
good hints I can work with!
Thanks,
Davey
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