Re: [Callers] Standardzation vs. Stagnation

Hi all, I'm starting a new thread to respond to Greg's comments below. This post is not about whether Greg's approach is right or wrong. If the people who attend his dances are happy, then that's what really matters for Greg and his dancers. I'd like to broaden the discussion to a more general idea of avoiding "mild confusion" and not pushing dancers beyond that comfort zone. I've noticed that when I have trouble calling, it's almost always the perpetual beginner dancers who complain about doing something new. They aren't able to see beyond their own limited abilities. I once called for a community who was used to dancing only certain moves and to a few local callers. I was almost thrown out for having the audacity to have the men start a hey. This community was so ossified it was no longer open to doing anything outside of its normal routine. New dancers don't know that this move is considered easy and that move is considered hard. They don't know what they should or shouldn't be able to do. I'd argue that the primary reason they're at the dance in the first place is because they want to do something different than the same ol' thing they usually do. They're looking for new and interesting challenges. It's my opinion that dancers need to "exercise" their dancing bodies and brains, much as one exercises one's muscles. If we don't push ourselves a little, as callers and dancers and organizers, then we and our communities will atrophy. Mark Hillegonds cell: 734-756-8441 email: mhillegonds(a)comcast.net -----Original Message----- From: callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net [mailto:callers-bounces@sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of Greg McKenzie Sent: Sunday, December 04, 2011 10:57 AM To: Caller's discussion list Subject: Re: [Callers] Borrowing call terminology from modern square dancing I think standardization is a good thing, in all forms of engineering. Personally, I stick to calling dances that require only a small set of standardized figures. My goal is to keep this art form available to the most people possible. I know that I, personally, would not have kept dancing contras if a lot of new calls had been thrown at me every time I attended. My goal is to keep that venue open to the general non-dancing public. So I would not use the call. I have a number of dances in my collection that I no longer use because they contain calls that could cause "mild confusion" for some dancers. Of course, almost all of the dances I call are open to the general public. - Greg McKenzie