I might start with a circle like La Bastringue, making sure the wedding couple knows that they and their parents (if possible) will be in that dance - I mention that the couple would like everyone to come up and do this first dance with them.

Longways sets, might be Virginia Reel (without the reel part), Gallopede, or Family Dance. Even Broken Sixpence is too hard unless close to half the group are dancers.

If I am going to do something like a contra it is better to do it as a Sicilian Circle so they don't have to deal with the ends.

Simple squares work well.

I might end with (a Big Southern Circle Dance where they move with their partner randomly around the floor to find other couples to do figures with - end it with a big Promenade in a circle. I then join them and lead them in a rip and snort or spirial, then circle left and right and into the middle, etc.

Casey Carr

On 7/3/2023 4:29 PM, Jerome Grisanti via Contra Callers wrote:

I would release any idea that wedding guests will have any interest in dancing beyond this event. Keep things VERY simple. You can do an hour with dances containing only allemandes, do-si-dos, circles and promenades. Maybe a modified swing/2-hand turn.

On Mon, Jul 3, 2023, 3:53 PM Joe Harrington via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

Any advice for calling weddings? I've been asked to call my first one and I don't see a lot of wedding-specific advice online. What do you ask them in advance, how do you approach it, what are good dances to call?

I'm assuming that a workshop is impractical, so it's barn dances and maybe working up to a contra by the end? Try to teach a swing? Some advice I've gotten so far:

Band - can they play contras, am I DJing instead, if so what kind of music, trad or pop?

Floor - make sure it's big enough, get length, width, and surface

Sound system - what is it and is there a sound tech?

Duration - how long they'll want to dance

Dancers - how many, any experienced guests?

Special dances - first, parents, bouquet, last?

Will the bride and groom dance? (If not, nobody will)

Will there be alcohol? (one person suggested doubling the fee if there is)

Will many women be in high heels?

I welcome any advice! My main goal in taking wedding gigs is recruiting new dancers to our local scene, if that matters.

Thanks,

--jh--

_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave@lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave@lists.sharedweight.net