Brian,
It's one thing to learn calling for dedicated dancers who already know the tradition and can in fact help you. Your challenge — calling for people who aren't (yet) in the tradition — is something I'm well familiar with. You will be the "expert," looked up to, and you will find the most success initially with very simple material that often doesn't even look like contras. Finding a way to make all these dances varied and fun as you help build skills toward a dedicated contra dance is a long term project.
As well, the organizational piece is yet another skill. If you have other folks willing to help, recruit them and cherish them.
Jerome Grisanti
Hi Amy,Yes, I travel back to the East Coast occasionally and could time a trip to attend a class.In-person training would be best, but online training would work as well. Book training I already have plenty of.~Brian_______________________________________________On Wed, Feb 12, 2025 at 10:58 PM Amy Wimmer via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:Hi Brian,
You say you're in Austria. Just got clarification, do you travel back to the States frequently? Or are you looking for online or book training?
-Amy Wimmer
Seattle_______________________________________________On Wed, Feb 12, 2025, 1:50 PM Jonathan Sivier via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:Some of the CDSS dance camps include week-long calling classes. There is also good information in "Zesty Contras" and Tony Parkes' book "Contra Dance Calling: A Basic Text."
Jonathan
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Jonathan Sivier
Caller of Contra, Square, English and Early American Dances
Dance Page: http://www.sivier.me/dance_leader.html
On 2/12/2025 3:31 PM, Brian Roberts via Contra Callers wrote:
> Long time dancer, first time caller.
>
> Anyone know of any courses / workshops to improve my calling (in person or online)? I'm willing to travel for the right course. (E.g. Meet Me in St Louis had a calling workshop in 2024, but the schedule isn't out yet for 2025.)
>
> My wife and I were long-time Boston-area contra dancers who are now trying to bring the tradition to our adopted city in Austria. Almost all the dancers are new, I'm a new caller, and I believe it would help me to attend a class to learn more and get feedback on my technique.
>
> Thanks,
> Brian
> ----
> Bringing contra dance to Graz, Austria https://contradance.at/ <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://contradance.at/__;!!DZ3fjg!9ISbhZI8sdPXc7ZNHHIZHfcj4Jqsmg_XjLPkAGkR5TTkCQlgWFT5g5Nq1Vhzj_uKglbx5B_9OCZ7fLexvLvuHpgygH6XHi-AjW0c$>
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