3 Jul
2023
3 Jul
'23
8:11 p.m.
Everyone's already said the stuff I would say about keeping it simple,
focusing on the couple and group having a good time, etc. The only other
thing I'll add is to ask if they know about how many kids and of what ages.
Knowing you're doing more "family" dances if there are going to be lots of
kids vs. dances that are simple barn-dance style but more for adults might
alter your programming a little. Like I might do a freeze dance or
something like that if the audience has a lot of kids. You can also
introduce those dances as being particularly kid friendly, and do them
earlier.
Also, I think someone might have said this, but there are a few dances lots
of people think of as quintessential, and might be expecting once they see
a dance caller, like the virgina reels. So I usually try to do that just to
fit expectations.
Have a blast!
Cheers,
Adam
On Mon, Jul 3, 2023 at 4:07 PM Roberta Kogut via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
I agree with a lot of what was said. I'll just
add a couple of things.
I always talk to the wedding couple, or mother or whoever is hiring me and
make sure I know their expectations and they know mine. If they are
serious contra dancers, I always make sure they understand that a dance
like what they are used to is not probably going to happen. I also ask
that they pass on to wedding guests that it is the couples wish that their
guests will dance together and wear or bring appropriate shoes. I always
start off with something like La Bastringue. Keep it easy and fun. Don't
go too long on any dance, but long enough that they really get it and are
having fun. I love doing mixers because they keep the guests mingling
together. I think that really pleases the B & G.
I usually see a lot of people turned on to contra, so I do tell people
that if they have had a lot of fun they should "google" 'contra dancing
near me' when they get home, stressing that a regular contra dance can be
found all over the country. I try to stay as invisible as I can so it's
really about the wedding couple and their family and friends.
Spread the love!
Roberta Kogut
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On Jul 3, 2023, at 5:44 PM, Lorraine Sutton via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hi
I have done a lot of weddings....
Keep it very, very simple...yes... Barn dance, family dance, community
dance dances,.
Never any contras ...too much work ...it all needs to be fun.
Have the Bride and Groom done any trad dancing before this event? If
not, do impress on them that it is pretty essential that they dance the
full first set otherwise their guests will not feel required to do so.
Two hand turn not a swing ...too hard to teach ( especially if they have
been drinking)
Let the B & G know that they should let their guests know that there will
be traditional dancing and their participation is expected. Have them ask
the women to bring shoes for dancing ...flats , lace up s, NO FLIP FLOPS
or stiletto hells.
Alcohol ...well ...Impress at some point that Booze does not help you
dance .....
Space....the standard " floor" in a wedding tent is never big enough, so
ask for a min of 40 square feet.
Charge what is a decent fee (and if you have to drive more than 1.5 hours
each way charge a gas fee)
or you will not be valued...Last Time I checked a DJ was charging about
$1,000 a night. Do you have a relaxed band (only need 2 fiddle and
keyboard) and if so can they bring the sound system?
Lots of mixers....long way sets ...1 active couple ( ie Virginia Reel,
Bridge of Athlone etc)
Easy Sicilian Circles...to have them practice right and left elbow,
do-si-do etc
Will there be small children ...another issue.
Timing ...Every wedding I have ever done is late ...speeches run over
time, catering gets delayed.etc. etc. etc. You may be invited to take part
in the dinner, however that usually means another extra 2-3 hours before
the dance... Once after waiting more than an extra hour I let the MC know
that ( given we had been paid , and we each had a 2 hour drive home) that
we would be leaving in 15 minutes if he did not get speeches wrapped up.
Harsh but real.
Good Luck....
Lorraine Sutton Ontario, Canada
On Mon, Jul 3, 2023 at 4:30 PM Jerome Grisanti via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
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I would release any idea that wedding guests will
have any interest in
dancing beyond this event. Keep things VERY simple. You can do an hour with
dances containing only allemandes, do-si-dos, circles and promenades. Maybe
a modified swing/2-hand turn.
On Mon, Jul 3, 2023, 3:53 PM Joe Harrington via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
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_______________________________________________ Any advice for calling weddings? I've been
asked to call my first one
and I don't see a lot of wedding-specific advice online. What do you ask
them in advance, how do you approach it, what are good dances to call?
I'm assuming that a workshop is impractical, so it's barn dances and
maybe working up to a contra by the end? Try to teach a swing? Some
advice I've gotten so far:
Band - can they play contras, am I DJing instead, if so what kind of
music, trad or pop?
Floor - make sure it's big enough, get length, width, and surface
Sound system - what is it and is there a sound tech?
Duration - how long they'll want to dance
Dancers - how many, any experienced guests?
Special dances - first, parents, bouquet, last?
Will the bride and groom dance? (If not, nobody will)
Will there be alcohol? (one person suggested doubling the fee if there
is)
Will many women be in high heels?
I welcome any advice! My main goal in taking wedding gigs is
recruiting new dancers to our local scene, if that matters.
Thanks,
--jh--
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