Re: [Callers] Planning for Medleys

Hi Gang, Great medley ideas from Lisa and Jack. I have not called medleys that often, and usually at the end of a dance; I am thankful for the suggestion that maybe that is not the best moment for a medley for the dancers. I do not think either of Lise's or Jack's treatises were long-winded or too detailed; I think it is great to think about all of those points when putting together a medley (or, for that matter, an evening's program) and I got a lot of new ideas from those pieces. The more work you do ahead of time, the more you can be 'in the moment' when you are calling. Our main job is to have fun, and I mean that in all seriousness. One thought that comes to mind that may or may not be helpful is sort of related and has to do with learning dances: I do a drill every once in a while and always before a dance weekend, or before a dance evening if I haven't called for a while: I get my list of just the names/authors of my memorized contra's and squares and go for a walk with my iPod and my favorite dance music (my sons' CD 'Other Side of the Tracks' usually) and practice the entire list as a giant medley, doing each dance only once through unless I goof up, in which case I'll do it a second or third time through until I get it straight, and then move on to the next dance. I make a note on the dances where there is a questionable or forgotten figure, to check it out and re-memorize it when I get back home. Here is one more no-walk-thhrough or medley idea that some of you probably do already. To get the dancers' attention and to help cue the band in, before a medley I introduce the band. I tell the band ahead of time, the pianist or guitarist particularly, that when I finish introducing the band and as soon as I START saying 'Bow to your partner' they start the four beat vamp. I never warn the dancers of a no-walk-through dance; part of the fun is jumping them into the dance without warning. I think it is a judgement call whether or not to tell the dancers ahead of time that you are going to do a medley. Thanks again for your great tips on medley dances. -P -- Peter Amidon peter(a)amidonmusic.com 20 Willow Street Brattleboro, VT 05301 802-257-1006 cell: 917-922-5462 http://www.amidonmusic.com http://www.dancingmasters.com