Re: [Callers] Implied Messages in First-Timer's Orientation

Hmm. Not sure I'd do this: I don't want to give any impression that leaning backwards in a swing is ok—I really want folks upright. When I'm doing a full workshop (not just taking a minute to show something during a dance), I get folks in allemande position (I don't call it that yet, because we're doing something else for the time being), and then have them go around fast—fast enough they have to give weight— and tell them to pay attention to what it feels like in their hands and arms. I then have them do it again starting out fast but then slowing waaay down but keeping the same sensation in their hands & arms. I tell them that's called "giving weight" and that we do it all the time in contra dancing, pretty much anywhere you can (anywhere but the wrist-grip star). I generally end up doing the swing after several other things, 'cause by then they've really got giving weight down pat. I always teach both walking and buzzstep swing, emphasizing that both are perfectly correct. I make a point of saying that the pointy hand in ballroom position is decorative, not part of giving weight. I also bring up safety/comfort in a few places—keeping your thumb against your other fingers in allemande position makes it easier to get out of a deathgrip (I don't call it that), not bending your wrist in allemande position and how to signal the other person not to, not whacking nearby dancers with your pointy hands in a swing . . . . Specific things, but also explicitly teaching it gets across the idea of keeping it in mind. Oh, and after showing giving weight in a circle-four, explaining why grapevine is bad, even though they'll see other dancers doing it. I hate grapevine in contra. --Read Weaver (new to the list, fearing I've repeated what's been said many times) On Sep 1, 2011, at 3:02 PM, Hanny Budnick wrote: