10 Feb
2014
10 Feb
'14
1:18 p.m.
When the "swing" comes up, I'll often say "hook right elbows, or take 2
hands, or any other swing you like to do and just be careful not to *hurt* anybody
else". That usually takes care of it. Sometimes I'm brave and just say
"swing!" and most will automatically hook elbows, the rest either do the swing
they like to do (like a regular contradance buzz-step swing), or look around and do what
looks like it makes sense.. As the evening progresses, there will be a bit of a learning
curve. It's hardly ever a problem.. DEFINITELY don't spend a lot of time TEACHING
"how to do it right" here or any other time unless in a REALLY rare situation
the dancers get into it and want that..
bill
Date: Mon, 10 Feb 2014 09:21:57 -0800
From: woody(a)woodylane.com
To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
Subject: Re: [Callers] Calling weddings and private parties
Bill describes it well. This is exactly my experience also. And I've
also called lots of weddings, including many where all the "swings"
worked fine as elbow swings.
I have called at weddings where I've been paid well but only called two
or three dances during the entire evening. In the end, we flow with
event. It's THEIR wedding.
Woody
On 2/10/2014 8:19 AM, Bill Olson wrote:
Harold, I call a LOT of weddings and private
parties.. It is very unusual that I would call a duple improper or other "normal
contradance" at such an event.. You're right, often the couple has been at
another wedding or party which had (let's call it) old time country dancing.. and it
was really fun, so they want it at THEIR wedding.. Sometimes, in the process of hiring a
band or caller, they will come to a regular contradance to scope things out. It's at
THIS point that I normally "have the talk" with the couple and tell them that
what they will get at the wedding "will be a LOT easier than this". The dancers
don't care, they just want to have fun, often have been consuming alcohol, and need
something that is accessible for everyone often KIDS too.... Some people won't want to
dance at first, but often relent after a while if it looks easy and fun and the bride
"insists".. If there are "experienced contradancers" at the party they
will be happy to go along with what ever
yo
u are calling just to be part of the fun..
So, that being said, you need a bunch of simple dances.. usually "WHOLE SET"
contras , like Galopede, Virginia Reel, "Une deux trois poussez" (whatever the
actual name of that dance is), there are a ton of them and many I don't even have
names for.. There are some easy circle dances too (La Bastringue where you stay with your
partner the whole time).. For a crowd that seems to "get it", I might call Haste
to the Wedding as a "duple proper" dance.. proper so they don't have to
worry about "crossing over at the ends".. but this would be only occasionally.
I'm sure there will be TONS of dance suggestions following so I won't need to go
into more specifics.. Some times at a wedding, (remember there are OTHER things on the
agenda besides "contradancing") you might do only 2 or 3 dances the whole
evening - honest! - and the bride and groom are TOTALLY happy, pay the big bucks along
with a tip and on they go with the DJ for the next part of the party and off you go home..
Down sid
e
is occasionally dealing with drunk people and
sometimes being treated like 'the help'..
hope this rambling is helpful to some..
bill
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