30 Sep
2013
30 Sep
'13
2:26 p.m.
Colin wrote:
The final step is to be booked at festivals, usually a
weekend or a whole
week.
This is how most people see it in the USA contra dance scene as well. I'm
not sure why. I have seen many of our "top bill" callers struggling at one
of our local dances--where a healthy percentage of those in the hall are
bright and eager first-time contra dancers. Yet, someone who has proven
themselves to be an excellent caller at open, public contra dances is often
more than ready to call a dance weekend.
I would urge new callers to attend these special events and try to get a
calling "slot" in the main dance hall. You will have a room full of
regular contra dancers who will be able to make your dances work...even if
your calling is lacking in some way. At an open, public contra dance you
could be facing a much tougher challenge. Calling at an event targeting
long-time dancers is a very easy gig. It seems like the best place for new
callers to develop calling skills.
Greg McKenzie
West Coast, USA
*****************************
On Sun, Sep 29, 2013 at 3:17 PM, Colin Hume <colin(a)colinhume.com> wrote:
On Thu, 26 Sep 2013 07:39:24 -0700, Aahz Maruch
wrote:
On Thu, Sep 12, 2013, Colin Hume wrote:
The grass-roots organisations are the Dance Clubs, which usually meet
once a week. Often they will encourage budding callers to call an
evening, or part of an evening. Once you get known you hope that
other clubs in your area will book you for their club nights. Then if
things go well you start getting booked for Saturday night dances with
a live band, which will spread your name further afield. The final
step is to be booked at festivals, usually a weekend or a whole week.
http://www.colinhume.com/clubs.htm
Colin Hume
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Groups in England book bands and callers much
further ahead. I
have 12 bookings for 2014 (it would often be more by this time
of the year) and 3 for 2015.
How do y'all bring in new talent?