Re: [Callers] Compilation of 'Hey' dances, and further requests

Here are a few thoughts on teaching the hey - and other calls. 1. Spend as little time as possible "teaching". People learn best by doing. The fewer words the better. 2. If many of the dancers already know how to do it, depend on the experienced dancers to help during the dance (but not while you do the walkthrough, unless asked) 3. Describe the starting position, if necessary and the ending position (for a Hey you end back at the same place you started). Even if someone gets lost during the hey, the dance will not break down if they get back to the right place for the next call. Being ready for the next move is more important than getting every move correct, for beginners or experienced dancers. 4. If there are a lot of beginners, ask the experienced dancers to show them which shoulder of theirs to pass. Experienced dancers will often point to their left or right shoulder for beginners to show which side to pass on, especially if asked. 5. Then, after the above, describe the move: "walk across the set and back in a sort of figure eight, weaving back and fourth over and back to place." Keep your words short, sweet, and quick. Then while doing the walkthrough say "pass by the right shoulder in the middle and by the left on the outside". 6. If there are a lot of beginners and few experienced dancers, then maybe you could ask a group of four to demonstrate the hey. A picture is worth a 1000 words and this is sometimes quicker than trying to explain it. 7. Finally, if the vast majority of the dancers are beginners, then a dance with a hey may not be the best choice. For beginners easier dances that they can succeed at are better and more enjoyable. 8. Also listen to how experienced dancers teach and call a hey and pick the method and words that you like best. If you listen to a number of callers, you will find that everyone has their own methods. I hope this helps. Good luck. Rich Hart. Jillian Hovey remarked on 11/6/2006 12:32 AM: