Re: [Callers] Gender free dances

Susie, I also don't have specific gender-free experience. However, you might try using Ones and Twos. This is gender neutral while also using familiar contra calls. Harder to do is to try adjust the poor attitude of the narrow-minded "experienced" dancers who don't appreciate that "those people" and any other new dancers are needed to keep tha contra dance community alive and vibrant. Good luck with the new dance. May you have many more to come. Mark Hillegonds Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry -----Original Message----- From: susie rudder <surudder1(a)earthlink.net> Sender: callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net Date: Thu, 2 Dec 2010 13:02:54 -0500 (GMT-05:00) To: <callers(a)sharedweight.net> Reply-To: susie rudder <surudder1(a)earthlink.net>et>, Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> Subject: [Callers] Gender free dances I have been asked to call for a new dance group forming in a small town near our regular dance. Experienced dancers were asked to come help these absolute newbies, and some local musicians have volunteered their services. It became obvious that about half the dancers were lesbians who asked me to use non gender specific terms when calling. I tried 'lead' and 'follow' because the syllable numbers worked, but I'm not happy with that. I also had some regular dancers comment on not wanting to deal with 'some' peoples' political agendas as related to contra calling. I have never dealt with gender free calling and would appreciate ANY help from those of you who may have been doing it for years. What terms seem to work best? Any other hints to make things go more smoothly? These people are very enthusiastic and I want to see the dance succeed. _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers