15 Sep
2023
15 Sep
'23
7:14 a.m.
We in Western New York, well some of us, just attended a callers' workshop.
The focus was specifically on the "lesson", a term I avoid since we
advertise "no lesson needed".
The attendees each gave figures that should be taught during the 15 - 30
min. "lesson". They ranged from 4 - 15 + moves. I was actually surprised
and dismayed at how much information (and talking at) is shared by some.
I think that the KISS idea is applicable here. I attend and absorb the
George Marshall introductory sessions as often as possible and use his as
my model.
Giving weight in circle, alemande, do-si-do, star, circle, right & left
through (to get courtsey turn), swing and now I have added positions of
Lark & Robin. There are techniques that are not outlined here such as how I
teach partnering & progression that are incorporated within the others.
Much of what some wanted to teach IMHO belongs in the dance line where it
actually makes sense. I also, when there are beginners in the lines,
actually teach a new harder move during the walk through, much I must say
to the chagrin of experienced dancers. My belief is that those that don't
know, learn, those that do get to help which is what they want to do and
those that think they know, may get better.
So now having used many words let's dance! š
Mary Collins
On Thu, Sep 14, 2023, 11:14 AM Tony Parkes via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Bravo, Michael! (Iāve bolded, below, the point on
which I want to agree
wholeheartedly.) Iāve believed this for years, and had no way of knowing
what percentage of active contra callers agreed. I dare to hope that, as
Michael is known for writing and advocating difficult sequences, his
opinion will carry added weight.
Over the decades, Iāve seen the number of contra ābasicsā increase
dramatically ā from about 12 in the 1960s, when many groups got started, to
at least 36 today. Iāve worried that the modern contra world has been going
down the same path as modern āwesternā squares did. Thereās always a gap
between what a first-timer can grasp in one night and what a dancer needs
to know to be comfortable at a dance series. But if ābasicsā are
continually added, the gap gets ever wider, until a lesson or a series of
lessons is needed. Western squares started with 6 lessons in the late
1940s; currently the Plus program (the prevailing club level in most parts
of the US) contains 97 ābasicsā and (coincidentally) is recommended to be
taught in 97 hours, or about 50 lessons. (Most clubs insist that their
callers take less time, which results in new dancers not learning the calls
adequately.)
We contra and trad square callers are nowhere near the excesses of MWSD.
But even 36 ābasicsā are too many for an activity that supposedly anyone
can join in without lessons. Some sequences ā maybe even some moves ā
should be reserved for workshops. Iām glad to see an influential modern
contra caller speaking out on this.
Tony Parkes
Billerica, Mass.
www.hands4.com
New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century
(available now)
*From:* Michael Fuerst via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
*Sent:* Thursday, September 14, 2023 4:11 AM
*To:* Helle Hill <hellehill(a)yahoo.com>
*Cc:* Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
*Subject:* [Callers] Re: New Terminology Question
Jeff's suggestion of "facing star" works perfectly, and merits becoming
the standard term used for discussions about and written descriptions of
dances. However, *such occasionally used figures must always be explained
during walk-throughs*, so the caller can designate, for the duration of
the dance, any appropriate name. (I think I have used "funny" or
"silly"
star in the past.) The point being that *dancers should need to
understand the names of a dozen or so basic figures* (such as F&B,
allemande, promenade, star, chain, right and left, circle, shoulders round,
hey, and maybe several more) and that callers should need only basic
figures to teach any dance.
On Wed, Sep 13, 2023 at 8:58āÆPM Helle Hill via Contra Callers <
contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
With all the changes to the "old" terminology, I am wondering what a
"Gypsy Star" is now called.
Thank you.
Helle Hill
_______________________________________________
Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net