13 Feb
2025
13 Feb
'25
2:53 a.m.
Workshops are really great! I took Bob Isaacs' weeklong workshop as well
as shorter workshops at a number of weekend events. I learned something
valuable in each. Many have been mentioned already.
If you're interested in positional calling, Louise Siddons does online
workshops (and is probably here).
When I was learning (still am), I would corner every high-end caller I
could, and some local callers, and ask them for advice. I'd reach out
before an event and set it up during a lunch break or something, and pick
their brain for an hour or so. Ditto organizers. I got so many helpful
tips! A few:
Video your calling and watch the videos to see what you can improve.
Warning: can be painful!
Get feedback by asking, "what's one thing I can improve?" not "how was
that?" Ask different types of people (beginners, experts, callers,
musicians, etc.).
There's nothing that improves your calling more than calling. Three
friends are enough to get started.
Work on one skill area at a time (cueing, teaching the walkthrough,
programming, mic voice, etc.). Prioritize. You can't fix everything at
once.
Clarity. Brevity. Repetition.
Clarity. Brevity. Repetition.
Clarity. Brevity. Repetition.
Viele Grüße,
--jh--
On Wed, Feb 12, 2025 at 6:23 PM Jerome Grisanti via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
It may be worthwhile to ingratiate yourself with the
existing square dance
communities in Austria. I believe they call in English; there's certainly
considerable overlap in moves (allemande, do-si-do, chain, right and left
through). They may not swing as much as we do in contra, but certainly
worth visiting if they're close, maybe even worth taking classes. It's a
different flavor, so take an attitude of "I'd like to learn from your
tradition while trying to grow this other tradition."
If I visit Austria I'd love to drop in.
Jerome
On Wed, Feb 12, 2025, 5:36 PM Jerome Grisanti <jerome.grisanti(a)gmail.com>
wrote:
Brian,
It's one thing to learn calling for dedicated dancers who already know
the tradition and can in fact help you. Your challenge — calling for people
who aren't (yet) in the tradition — is something I'm well familiar with.
You will be the "expert," looked up to, and you will find the most success
initially with very simple material that often doesn't even look like
contras. Finding a way to make all these dances varied and fun as you help
build skills toward a dedicated contra dance is a long term project.
As well, the organizational piece is yet another skill. If you have other
folks willing to help, recruit them and cherish them.
Jerome Grisanti
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