I second EVERYTHING that Stacy said in her email. Pourparler is a unique and wonderful annual gathering of dance leaders who specialize in community dancing, family dancing, and dancing with school-aged people. It is dance-sharing and conversation between colleagues, both experienced and new leaders, as well as school teachers. What is most interesting to me (every year I go, and I am definitely a long-timer) is that there is a 50/50 split between leaders who specialize in American (contra-square-barndance) and International folk dancing. But what we don’t share in repertoire, we share in “target audience,” as all the Pourparler attendees care deeply about teaching dance to new dancers.Like Stacy said, it is not an event to help you with contra calling chops or repertoire. But it is an event to feed your teacher-soul as you teach, learn, dance and watch colleagues teach and learn dance.If anyone on this list would like to connect more about the Pourparler, I am happy to correspond off list.sueSue HulsetherNew Day Hoedown LLCnewdayhoedown@icloud.comshulsether@mac.com608-632-1267 CellP.O. Box 363, Viroqua, WI 54665On Feb 18, 2025, at 10:03 AM, Stacy Rose via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:As a contra caller AND a longtime Pourparler (PP) devotee, I don’t recommend attending PP if you’re interested in learning contra calling and getting feedback on your calling technique.PP is fabulous! I’ve learned lots and have met amazing dance teachers from across the continent. The focus is broad — contras, squares, Maypole dancing, international folk dancing (IFD), singing, play party games… participants are varied — elementary school music teachers, IFD teachers…Maybe instead, you might enjoy attending a summer CDSS camp that focuses on contra calling. Or an intensive contra calling week at John C. Campbell Folk School. Pourparler is a great program for learning how to engage a wide audience of people into a wide variety of participatory dance.On Feb 17, 2025, at 9:24 PM, Robert Matson via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:About Pour Parler:
"In the past we have learned dances from many traditions including Balkan, Mexican, East Asian, Central Asian, Scandinavian, Israeli, French, English Country, square dancing, contra dancing, sword dancing, line dancing, Maypoles, old-time couple dancing, singing games, and many others. We discuss teaching techniques, repertoire, costuming, music, school curricula and self-employment."
"Pourparler is a yearly gathering of dance and music educators from North America who are dedicated to teaching folk/ethnic/world/traditional dance in schools and/or community events. The brainchild of Sanna Longden, internationally respected dance educator from Evanston, Illinois, this weekend is a unique blend of dance and song sharing, discussion and networking. Experts in the field, teachers and musicians known across the continent, join with relative newcomers to share their best dances and tips for successful school residencies, family dances and other events that build community through cross-cultural dancing. Pourparler is a gathering of colleagues, where we are all leaders and participants, and there are no hired “experts.” "
Rob
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Robert MatsonCell: (917) 626-2675On Mon, Feb 17, 2025 at 10:04 PM Harris Lapiroff via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:I recently saw a recommendation for Pourparler, happening in DC this year (https://nfo-usa.com/pourparler/). I've never been (though I'm considering it now), but I understand the focus there is broader than contra and it seems to be more about dance sharing than a course per se. But if your community is almost all beginners, I somewhat think you may want to do a lot of barn dances and similar things rather than starting with full evenings of duple minor contras, which can be challenging in a largely beginner crowd, in my experience.Harris Lapiroff (he/him)Dance Caller and OrganizerBoston Intergenerational Dance Advocates Board (Cambridge MA)Pinewoods Camp, Inc Board (Plymouth MA)On Wed, Feb 12, 2025, at 4:31 PM, Brian Roberts via Contra Callers wrote:Long time dancer, first time caller.Anyone know of any courses / workshops to improve my calling (in person or online)? I'm willing to travel for the right course. (E.g. Meet Me in St Louis had a calling workshop in 2024, but the schedule isn't out yet for 2025.)My wife and I were long-time Boston-area contra dancers who are now trying to bring the tradition to our adopted city in Austria. Almost all the dancers are new, I'm a new caller, and I believe it would help me to attend a class to learn more and get feedback on my technique.Thanks,_______________________________________________Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers@lists.sharedweight.netTo unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave@lists.sharedweight.net_______________________________________________Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers@lists.sharedweight.netTo unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave@lists.sharedweight.net_______________________________________________Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers@lists.sharedweight.netTo unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave@lists.sharedweight.net_______________________________________________Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers@lists.sharedweight.netTo unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave@lists.sharedweight.net_______________________________________________Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers@lists.sharedweight.netTo unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave@lists.sharedweight.net