Re: [Callers] How to devise a program

Miaa asked: a full (or partial) evening of calling? Yes. This certainly is a broad question. For me it would require multiple approaches depending upon: - Is it a square dance, a contra dance, a "barn dance" a "family dance" or a "community dance" and what exactly do these terms mean to the organizers? - Is the event open to the public or is it a private party, a weekend dance camp session, a festival? - Who is the "Client" and what do they expect? - Is this an ongoing series "hosted" by a group of "regulars" who know one another? - If it is an ongoing series what is the local dance culture? Will they expect in terms of dance formations and variety? - What is the purpose of the event? - Will there be live musicians? If so, who is the band? The different approaches you see will depend a lot upon the answers to these--and other--questions. Depending upon the answers above some of us would not accept the gig because we don't have the skills or material to provide what the dancers and the organizers are looking for. Or because we are not interested in doing that particular kind of gig. You might get more useful answers if you narrowed your question to a particular "real" situation that callers can respond to. But that's just one way to approach it. I can't really respond without knowing at least some of the answers. I see a variety of different roles for the caller in a variety of different situations. Other callers may not see it this way. - Greg McKenzie West Coast, USA