Especially at community dances, but also at contras, I look for was to encourage dancers
to say thank you. At community events one of my first dances is usually a kind of
Appalachian square dance. Couples do one or two simple figures to my calls with another
couple, and then I go, "Everybody, face your neighbors. ... Say, "Thank
you!" ... Take your partner and find new neighbors." People seem to enjoy
the opportunity to say thanks. At contras, if there is a pre-dance lesson, I try to work
in some experience on progressing, even if it's in a mini-contra. (E.g., Circle left,
circle right, dosido your neighbor, say thanks to your neighbor, walk forward to a new
neighbor.) And having the mic all evening I get opportunities to thank the band, sound
personnel, organizers, and the dancers themselves. Squares and triplets (and other set
dances) give us a chance to encourage people to thank their whole set as well as their
partner.
Richard
On Oct 31, 2016, at 1:47 PM, via Callers wrote:
Once or twice a night, remind the dancers to hydrate
and tell them where to find the punch bowl, drinking fountains, etc. If there are a lot of
newcomers, they may not know where the water source is located (and you can joke that
it's included with the price of admission....who can resist!). Make it clear that you
won't be starting the next dance for a few minutes - this encourages hydration, plus
many dancers will be happy for the quick break and a chance to move to the side of the
hall where they can mingle and find their next partner without fear that they'll be
left out.
Sue Gola
-----Original Message-----
From: Ron Blechner via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Sent: Mon, Oct 31, 2016 12:56 pm
Subject: [Callers] Positive values on the mic
Hi Shared Weight,
I'd like to hear some examples of things you as a caller (or you as an organizer
encouraging callers) say on the mic during a dance to promote positive dance values.
I ask because I'm reviewing my own dance's "calling our dance"
communication with callers, as well as evaluating my own statements on mic.
I'll get us started.
I like to say, a couple times per evening, for dancers to look to the sidelines for
dancers who were sitting out, in considering a partner.
In dance,
Ron Blechner
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