Re: [Callers] How much is too much? How little is too little?

Hi Martha, The situation here in NZ is a bit different, as we have no contra dance tradition and it's pretty new here. I learn a lot from shared weight and it's helping me establish the tradition that I hope forms here. I'm trying to wean the dancers off being dependent on the calls. Many of the dancers here lack the confidence that they can remember a dance. As soon as the dancers seems to be getting into the groove, I cut back. I find using an incomplete call (e.g. "gents" as mentioned by Joe), still gives an indication of what comes next, but helps them take responsibility for learning the dance. If the a problem develops with, I may come back in with full calls. The beauty of contra dance is dancing without the calls, and by letting that happen that aspect of the dance is developing. Not trusting the dancers is too much. Letting is fall apart is too little. Cheers, Bill