I might jump in to say I've actually learned a LOOOOOT about
teaching/calling dances period from PP. And I do apply these skills to
contra.
There are some true masters (Sue included!) as part of this group and PP is
an incredible opportunity to not only build repertoire and be inspired but
also to learn how to be a better dance leader, teacher, and prompter.
It's an incredible opportunity.
Emily
On Tue, Feb 18, 2025 at 2:20 PM Sue C. Hulsether via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
I second EVERYTHING that Stacy said in her email.
Pourparler is a unique
and wonderful annual gathering of dance leaders who specialize in community
dancing, family dancing, and dancing with school-aged people. It is
dance-sharing and conversation between colleagues, both experienced and new
leaders, as well as school teachers. What is most interesting to me (every
year I go, and I am definitely a long-timer) is that there is a 50/50
split between leaders who specialize in American (contra-square-barndance)
and International folk dancing. But what we don’t share in repertoire, we
share in “target audience,” as all the Pourparler attendees care deeply
about teaching dance to new dancers.
Like Stacy said, it is not an event to help you with contra calling chops
or repertoire. But it is an event to feed your teacher-soul as you teach,
learn, dance and watch colleagues teach and learn dance.
If anyone on this list would like to connect more about the Pourparler, I
am happy to correspond off list.
sue
Sue Hulsether
New Day Hoedown LLC
www.suehulsether.com
newdayhoedown(a)icloud.com
shulsether(a)mac.com
608-632-1267 Cell
P.O. Box 363, Viroqua, WI 54665
On Feb 18, 2025, at 10:03 AM, Stacy Rose via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
As a contra caller AND a longtime Pourparler (PP) devotee, I don’t
recommend attending PP if you’re interested in learning contra calling and
getting feedback on your calling technique.
PP is fabulous! I’ve learned lots and have met amazing dance teachers from
across the continent. The focus is broad — contras, squares, Maypole
dancing, international folk dancing (IFD), singing, play party games…
participants are varied — elementary school music teachers, IFD teachers…
Maybe instead, you might enjoy attending a summer CDSS camp
<https://camp.cdss.org/> that focuses on contra calling. Or an intensive
contra calling week at John C. Campbell Folk School. Pourparler is a great
program for learning how to engage a wide audience of people into a wide
variety of participatory dance.
Stacy Rose
541.808.1002
rosecontra(a)gmail.com
www.stacyrosedance.com
On Feb 17, 2025, at 9:24 PM, Robert Matson via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
About Pour Parler:
"In the past we have learned dances from many traditions including
Balkan, Mexican, East Asian, Central Asian, Scandinavian, Israeli, French,
English Country, square dancing, contra dancing, sword dancing, line
dancing, Maypoles, old-time couple dancing, singing games, and many others.
We discuss teaching techniques, repertoire, costuming, music, school
curricula and self-employment."
"Pourparler is a yearly gathering of dance and music educators from North
America who are dedicated to teaching folk/ethnic/world/traditional dance
in schools and/or community events. The brainchild of Sanna Longden,
internationally respected dance educator from Evanston, Illinois, this
weekend is a unique blend of dance and song sharing, discussion and
networking. Experts in the field, teachers and musicians known across the
continent, join with relative newcomers to share their best dances and tips
for successful school residencies, family dances and other events that
build community through cross-cultural dancing. Pourparler is a gathering
of colleagues, where we are all leaders and participants, and there are no
hired “experts.” "
Rob
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Robert Matson
Cell: (917) 626-2675
On Mon, Feb 17, 2025 at 10:04 PM Harris Lapiroff via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
I recently saw a recommendation for Pourparler,
happening in DC this year
(
https://nfo-usa.com/pourparler/). I've never been (though I'm
considering it now), but I understand the focus there is broader than
contra and it seems to be more about dance sharing than a *course* per
se. But if your community is almost all beginners, I somewhat think you may
want to do a lot of barn dances and similar things rather than starting
with full evenings of duple minor contras, which can be challenging in a
largely beginner crowd, in my experience.
Harris Lapiroff (he/him)
Dance Caller and Organizer
Boston Intergenerational Dance Advocates Board (Cambridge MA)
Pinewoods Camp, Inc Board (Plymouth MA)
https://chromamine.com/contra/
On Wed, Feb 12, 2025, at 4:31 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/
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