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@lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Saturday, March 18, 2023 10:49 AM
To: Maia McCormick <maia.mcc@gmail.com>; Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers@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

Tony Parkes

Billerica, Mass.

www.hands4.com

New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century

(available now)

From: Maia McCormick via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Saturday, March 18, 2023 12:21 PM
To: Shared Weight Contra Callers <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.)

Any resources to recommend for someone learning to call squares?
Any advice to share, techniques to look into, things you wish you'd known when starting out / wish contra callers knew about squares?
Suggestions for callers to look up on YouTube (besides Lisa ofc) / fave videos?
Favorite dances that I should add to my box?

Thanks in advance,

Maia

Maia McCormick (she/her)

917.279.8194