15 Feb
2014
15 Feb
'14
12:24 a.m.
Rich wrote:
I attended a well established open contra dance
recently with at least 50%
newbies. The caller did an excellent job teaching and calling contras, but
his method was more like a square dance caller. He seldom stopped calling
and had lots of descriptive words for the dancers. Several dancers
throughout the night told me how easy it was to dance to this caller, and
how good his calls were. I did not hear one complaint from the dancers, or
musicians, that he never stopped calling.
There is definitely a difference in style and preference here. I really
respect a caller who can entertain in this way. But it does not "work" for
me like most of the dances I attend. I come for the music and the people
and I love a caller who facilitates a connection between the music and the
dancers. That is plenty "entertaining" for me. Connecting with the caller
is not so much of a draw for me. If the caller "fills the room" with his
personality and voice...well, I generally start looking for another room.
But, that's just how I roll on this. I like to be an integral part of the
event and feel I have a role in making the connections happen. I don't go
to be entertained by the caller.
Oh...and I don't get any complaints when I call either. Dancers are a very
kind and generous bunch, I think. (And I make it my business to seek out
complaints.)
To each his own.
- Greg Mckenzie
West Coast, USA
*********
Additionally, the caller went out of his way several
times to bring the
attention to the excellent musicians playing beside him. The dance was
very successful, and the caller (calls) very entertaining.
There are few callers capable of delivering that kind of program, and even
fewer who do. It was a welcomed change for me, and for many of the dancers
at the event.
Rich Sbardella
Stafford, CT
________________________________
From: Harold E. Watson <hwatson(a)uark.edu>
To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 5:16 PM
Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re:
Circle & pass through as the last move of a dance)
I know most our dancers are still listening because if I ever lose my
place and miss-call the next figure, half will try to do what I said
(usually the beginners) and the other half will loudly pronounce the
correct move. When I do booboo, after the dance I always compliment the
dancers on their masterful recovery, even if they didn't have one.
I also try to drop out as early as practical. It's usually as switch from
full calling to single words, and finally to maybe a word once every 32
bars at a place that may have tricky timing or to get everyone back in sync
with each other.
........Circle left
.......Neighbor swing
...Long lines forward and back
...Ladies allemande right 1-1/2
To
........Circle
........Neighbor
......Forward and back
........Ladies
Harold
-----Original Message-----
From: callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net [mailto:
callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of Aahz Maruch
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 3:35 PM
To: callers(a)sharedweight.net
Subject: Re: [Callers] Planned vs. "on-the-fly" call wording (was Re:
Circle & pass through as the last move of a dance)
On Thu, Feb 13, 2014, Jonathan Sivier wrote:
I like to change around the exact words I use during a dance. In
part to keep myself and the dancers alert. Also if a given phrase
doesn't work for someone then the next time through if I say something
slightly different it may make more sense for them. Also if some part
of the dance seems to be causing problems for some of the dancers I
may change the words I'm using in order to, hopefully, help them out.
Does anyone have evidence that dancers pay attention to the caller after
the first few iterations? I certainly don't, and my limited experience as
a caller indicates that few do (if any).
--
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