Re: [Callers] question about squares

Hi, I've tried calling two squares lately, one at each of the last two Northern Spy dances, in Norwich, VT, where my calling teacher, David Millstone graciously let me take a try at the microphone. I have to say that I loved the squares, maybe more than the contras! After being hugely intimidated (you can't even imagine) I found them to be just a blast. I like that I get to invent sequences of figures for the opening, break and closing and I like that I get to call all the way through rather than just the first part of the dance because calling is so much fun. I did simple ones: a variation David helped me to work out of the Simple Square that's found in New England Dance Masters Chimes of Dunkirk book in May and in June, just last weekend on a sweltering night, Cumberland Square 8, which David taught me. Simple Square went nearly perfectly (a huge thrill), with it's fun trick of first having one couple "back to back, separate round the outside track", then after they've all done it and after a break, surprising them by having two couples go at once, then all four couples. My experience with Cumberland Square 8 wasn't as smooth, mostly, I think, because I wasn't as prepared and was very distracted by my daughter's graduation weekend and all that went with that. I had planned to have the heads go first on the figure for the first two times, then surprise them by having the sides go first after the break. But then I forgot to do the break (argh) and was already into having the heads go first on my third time through the figure before I realized what had happened. The good thing was that I, as David says, "didn't have a meltdown" and was able to improvise a way out of it and the band somehow figured out that I was doing one less time through the tune and the whole thing felt smooth and the dancers were none the wiser. Whew! In retrospect, it feels great. If you want to do these dances and can't find them, let me know and I can type in my directions. Good luck! Delia Clark On Jun 13, 2005, at 11:39 PM, Chris Weiler wrote: Delia Clark PO Box 45 Taftsville, VT 05073 802-457-2075 deliaclark(a)adelphia.net