Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

Donald wrote: I particularly like mixing everyone together at the start of the Well,...actually, only some of them do. Mathematical chance pairings like this can easily put some first-timers together as partners. The basic idea of integrating the hall at the very start is a great one. I see integrating the hall as one of the central tasks of a contra dance caller. But how can you best assure that *all *of the first-timers are matched with regulars? The fact is that the regulars are the ones who can identify the newcomers and partner with them. Any kind of random pairing or other forced mixing will come across as manipulative and will disempower the regulars who--I have found--are more than willing to actively seek out newcomers. The trick is to make sure that dancing with first-timers is fun! The best callers assume the support of all the regulars in the process of integrating the hall. If you want *all *of the newcomers matched up with regulars it has to be a voluntary process that empowers the regulars to take an active role in the integration. Then the process is done with intelligence and goodwill. This is one reason I seldom call mixers. I put my confidence in the regulars to pro-actively seek out newcomers and partner with them. This is much more effective than any random mixing strategy. - Greg McKenzie