Re: [Callers] Calling for Absolute Beginners?

On 9/4/2012 10:45 AM, Maia McCormick wrote: Is this meant to be an ongoing series or a one-off dance event. In the case of a one time event I would stick with basic dances that are composed almost entirely of figures where the name pretty much tells you what to do (i.e. circles, hand turns, lines of one sort or another). Most people know the do-si-do somehow so that works well and stars are easy to teach. Use whole set dances like Galopede and Cumberland Reel. Check the Country Dances Manual, there are plenty of good dances in there. Easy circle mixers can work as well. Depending on the crowd you might throw in a dance with a swing. I called a dance for a freshman orientation event at a local college a few years ago and swings went over fine (imagine Circassian Circle for 300+ 18 year olds). If this is to be a continuing series then you can work your way up to more challenging material. Run the first dance as you would a one time event and then introduce more stuff at each subsequent dance. Don't try to do it all at once. There are plenty of fun dances that are composed of basic simple figures. I think the main thing is to keep things moving and the dancers active, rather than trying to get them to do a lot of complex moves. So a simple dance at a faster tempo will be better than a challenging dance you have to do slow. I like to use Jefferson's Reel by Dudley Briggs as a first contra dance. I've used it at one time events as well as beginning dances for dance series. It doesn't have a swing, but can be done proper or improper so it doesn't matter who dances with whom. It teaches the basics of the duple minor formation and progression. I find that new dancers often have an "Aha" moment when the 2's duck under the 1's arch and find new neighbors. If you do it right the whole crowd will all cheer at the same time as they realize they have progressed. I've occasionally done this with a rolling start at one night stands, where the band plays softly during a couple of walkthroughs and then just starts playing for real on the 3rd time as I start calling rather than teaching. As far as swinging goes you might start everyone off with a walking swing and then add the buzz step later. Make sure everyone is moving forward, rather than sideways or backwards. This will make the transition to the buzz step easier. Here is Jefferson's Reel in case you don't have it. Jefferson's Reel Dudley Briggs; adapted from Jefferson and Liberty duple proper or improper music: Jefferson and Liberty or any 32 bar reel 1 - circle left 2 - circle right 3 - star right 4 - star left 5 - actives down the outside 6 - return to place 7 - down the hall 4 in line, actives in the center 8 - all back up, actives arch joined hands, inactives duck through the arch to meet new neighbors Good luck. Jonathan ----- Jonathan Sivier Caller of Contra, English and Early American Dances jsivier AT illinois DOT edu Dance Page: http://www.sivier.me/dance_leader.html ----- Q: How many angels can dance on the head of a pin? A: It depends on what dance you call!