18 Mar
2023
18 Mar
'23
3:08 p.m.
This thread is making my heart sing! I have called squares for years, but was actually
booed at a contra dance once when I set up a square dance. Dancers have become more
respectful since that time (20 years ago) but I don’t get to call squares too much these
days. However, at my local dance, the organizer, Sherry Nevins, is also a square dance
caller and always suggests that I call a square during the evening. So I do, and people
actually have fun!
I have found that calling phrased squares, such as the New England quadrilles, or other
western squares that have phrased moves, are best for calling for contra dancers. It’s a
bit more in their comfort zone. And I second Tony’s suggestion to look at the Square Dance
History project for lots of great ideas and amazing callers (including Tony!).
Suzanne Girardot
Seattle, WA
From: Tony Parkes via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Saturday, March 18, 2023 10:49 AM
To: Maia McCormick <maia.mcc(a)gmail.com>om>; Shared Weight Contra Callers
<contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Callers] Re: Starting to call squares at contra dances
A resource definitely worth exploring is David Millstone’s Square Dance History Project. I
didn’t mention it in my first response because it may not be the easiest place to find
specific types of dance video quickly, but it’s a must for anyone who loves squares and
has a bit of free time to peruse.
www.squaredancehistory.org <http://www.squaredancehistory.org>
Tony Parkes
Billerica, Mass.
www.hands4.com <http://www.hands4.com/>
New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century
(available now)
From: Maia McCormick via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
<mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> >
Sent: Saturday, March 18, 2023 12:21 PM
To: Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
<mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> >
Subject: [Callers] Starting to call squares at contra dances
After dancing to some of Lisa's Greenleaf's 🔥 squares at Beantown Stomp last
weekend, I'm feeling inspired to add some to my repertoire. (To be clear, I'm
looking for squares-for-contra-dancers, not MWSD squares.)
1. Any resources to recommend for someone learning to call squares?
2. Any advice to share, techniques to look into, things you wish you'd known when
starting out / wish contra callers knew about squares?
3. Suggestions for callers to look up on YouTube (besides Lisa ofc) / fave videos?
4. Favorite dances that I should add to my box?
Thanks in advance,
Maia
--
Maia McCormick (she/her)
917.279.8194