Re: [Callers] Floor Space Requirement

Hi Rich, Are the bride and groom actual contra dancers? I would talk with them first. Get a feel for their comfort about contras, and also dancing in general. Ask them if they waltz. If you hear a few moments of silence -- that says a lot about their dancing. Assure them that everyone will have a great time. With a 145 attendees, why assume that there will only be 40 dancers (20 couples)? Maybe there will be only 40 if all the dances you call are modern contras. But if you, as the MC for that part of the event, can get all the attendees on the dance floor (or at least 100+), all happy and celebrating -- would that be an option? Would that be what the couple really wants but is either narrow in their perspective or doesn't know how to articulate it? This weekend, I called a wedding for some folks who wanted contras. That's what they advertised. Well, yes, except that the bride and groom had really never waltzed or had done real contras. Nonetheless, contras was what they had in their heads. There were 80 attendees. The dance area was a relatively narrow rectangle of grass. But we began with a Grand March -- which everyone (and I mean everyone) could do, with a wind-up spiral. Even the non-dancers could walk through it and laugh. Then a very phrase-driven circle mixer, then a Virginia Reel style of dance. Nearly everyone was on the dance floor, having a great time. And they stayed on the floor, ignoring the free drinks. Yes, it was occasionally a bit crowded, but nobody cared. Actually, that's what I think the wedding couple really wanted -- to have lots of fun on their special day and share the celebration. They were absolutely delighted that so many of their non-dancer friends were clearly having a great time on the dance floor. (and then we did more dances after a dessert break, ending with a simple fun mixer.) And at the end of the evening, they gave me an extra tip on top of my payment. Just some thoughts. Good luck. Woody -- <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Woody Lane Caller, Percussive Dancer Roseburg, Oregon http://www.woodylanecaller.com home: 541-440-1926 cell: 541-556-0054 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> On 8/1/2016 6:01 AM, Rich Sbardella via Callers wrote: