Re: [Callers] Putting out fires

Hello to all callers - I am a public school music teacher, and so am a de facto caller to each of my classes whenever we dance (which is often). So it is not a self-selected group in any sense - everyone's there - everyone dances. There are many children with processing issues - they do literally need to repeat back to you what you said in order to process it. There are many children who are spatially challenged - they don't see the BIG PICTURE of the circle, or lines, or square - and don't know that they are a part of this formation. And there are the directionally challenged - left? Right? The kids with big social or emotional issues...... etc etc etc. These are the reasons I love to teach dance, and feel that it is SO IMPORTANT. To be IN the circle reinforces the concept of a circle, being one part of a larger whole where everyone is equal and everyone is important helps everyone's self-esteem. Moving to music with others helps those who are depressed and lonely. The structure and "rules" - hands out and smile at your next partner - teaches social tools and makes it safe for all, including those students for whom this is the only time in the day when other students will reach out to them with a smile. So, yes, there are many "fires" if you think of it that way. But I love to see their faces when they do finally "get it" and then can do it on their own, and then start to own it. Of course, I have the luxury of spending a whole class period on one dance, or teaching it in bits over several classes, so I know it is a whole other can of worms to call at a public dance. But please be gentle with the challenged ones. It might very well be that they have never had to move in a certain direction with a specific hand with specific strangers within 2 seconds of you telling them to do so. Not many people even just walk a straight line at 120 beats per minute, let alone do it in changing formations with others. Patience patience patience. Now, to get the other dancers to have patience also..... Nancy Fiske Hi Jean, Martha, and other responsible callers, I've enjoyed this discussion. Thanks for everyone comments. I can relate to Martha's 'gig from hell' story. As contrast however, you might find the following video clip interesting - it was a barn dance with everyone absolute beginners, and 5 slightly (happy) tipsy people just wandered in off the street. But for that crowd and dance "chaos" was part of the fun. http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=-FKHkP-uILo Cheers, Bill _______________________________o ________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers