[Callers] memorizing dances

When I first started calling, I despaired when I heard experienced callers say I must memorize my dances! I couldn't imagine keeping the order of each dance straight in my mind! But now that I've been calling a couple of years, I find that there are a few dances I know by heart and that there are other dances I recognize when someone else calls them. The longer I call, the larger my group of dances with which I am very familiar without my notes. I keep my dances in a google docs spreadsheet which I can access from my Nexus 7 tablet with or without internet. But I print up the dances I am calling and a few backups in a binder on a music stand on the stage with me. The notes are not in my hands so I find it easier to pay attention to the dancers instead of being glued to my notes. While the dances are not "memorized" in the sense that I couldn't call it again next week without reviewing the notes, for that evening, I am familiar enough with the dance that I only need to glance at the notes before I start the walk-through. This gets easier as time goes by. So if you're a newbie caller, don't despair! It could be that the dances will start sticking with you for longer and longer periods of time. -- JoLaine Jones-Pokorney "We are as gods and might as well get good at it!" - Stewart Brand