15 Sep
2013
15 Sep
'13
2:35 p.m.
Hi Greg et al.,
Yeah, good point. I'm calling one of a regular (monthly) contra dance
series in the Berkshires. It's open to all and has a beginners warm-up for
any who are interested. Attendance runs maybe 14-26 (ish), including a fair
number of people who have danced before but aren't
super-experienced/"hotshot" dancers. There'll be a live band. The
expectation will probably be mostly contras with a waltz at the end of
either half--I doubt people would object to or necessarily expect other
formations/types of dances.
That help at all? Interested to hear what you have to say!
Maia
On Sun, Sep 15, 2013 at 12:53 PM, Greg McKenzie <grekenzie(a)gmail.com> wrote:
Miaa asked:
how do you go about putting together a program
for
a full (or partial) evening of calling?
Yes. This certainly is a broad question. For me it would require multiple
approaches depending upon:
- Is it a square dance, a contra dance, a "barn dance" a "family
dance" or
a "community dance" and what exactly do these terms mean to the organizers?
- Is the event open to the public or is it a private party, a weekend dance
camp session, a festival?
- Who is the "Client" and what do they expect?
- Is this an ongoing series "hosted" by a group of "regulars" who
know one
another?
- If it is an ongoing series what is the local dance culture? Will they
expect in terms of dance formations and variety?
- What is the purpose of the event?
- Will there be live musicians? If so, who is the band?
The different approaches you see will depend a lot upon the answers to
these--and other--questions. Depending upon the answers above some of us
would not accept the gig because we don't have the skills or material to
provide what the dancers and the organizers are looking for. Or because we
are not interested in doing that particular kind of gig.
You might get more useful answers if you narrowed your question to a
particular "real" situation that callers can respond to. But that's just
one way to approach it. I can't really respond without knowing at least
some of the answers. I see a variety of different roles for the caller in
a variety of different situations. Other callers may not see it this way.
- Greg McKenzie
West Coast, USA
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