Re: [Callers] Community Dance Leaders Course this July!

I'd like to second Rebecca's invitation for callers to consider this particular course: http://www.cdss.org/programs/2008/pw-community-leaders.html True, the focus isn't on calling for hard-core contra dancers; rather, it's aimed at building the skills you'll need to work with less-experience folks at community dances, one-night stands, PTO events, weddings, and the like. Many of the calling skills, of course, are easily transferred to the contemporary contra mainstream, but there's a different mindset (and a different repertoire) that you need when approaching these other events. For example, I called ten days ago for three hours of dancing with a large group celebrating a family reunion, and didn't call a single honest-to-goodness contra all evening. Never needed a ladies chain or a hey-for-four on the left diagonal or a right and left through. Folks had a great time and this morning's e-mail brought an invitation to call for a wedding, someone who had attended this event and is completely changing her wedding reception plans to include a dance. I guarantee you that wouldn't have happened if I'd called an evening of contras! Andy's class at Pinewoods will be an excellent way to develop that way of thinking. Need I point out that weddings and such events also pay MUCH better than your average contra dance? ;-) Indeed, being able to call for these events is a way of earning cash to purchase CDs and attend camps on your own! Andy literally wrote the book-- well, he's one of the co-authors, and it's many books, not just one-- on the subject of community dancing. David Millstone