Re: [Callers] Squares for contra-dancers

Hi Richard, Some others have given some solid advice, all good, and I would like to add some suggestions: First thing to keep in mind is the audience: Contra dancers are used to flow and repetition; contras always have clear structure. Contra dancers master each dance's choreography and delight in getting into a groove with the music, sometimes hypnotic. To a died-in-the-wool contra dancer, squares generally violate most of these features. Poorly-called or poorly-organized squares violate these features more often, as well as being more frustrating and not as much fun. Under these conditions, contra dancers will rarely experience the great potential strengths of squares or their excitement and fun. As callers wanting to call squares in a contra dance milieu, we should recognize this environment and adapt our squares to it. Select squares with good structure. Either a New England Quadrille, as mentioned previously, which is really like a contra dance in square formation. Or if you want to call a western or southern square, select well-defined figures and breaks. One main figure and usually only one break. Then call in them in a clean structure, such as B-H-S-B-H-S-B or B-H-B-S-B-H-B-S-B. (B= break, H=Heads, S=Sides). There are many, many variations on these patterns, but IMO a structure is definitely important. Avoid hash calling, even on a minor scale. Don't throw in new moves that you haven't taught, unless you have excellent calling skills and/or a great rapport with the crowd. Even things like reversing the grand-right-and-left can cause lots of frustration. (extra promenades and swings, of course, don't count). Unexpected moves are not necessarily enjoyed by contra dancers. You can get around this by announcing in advance that this will be a "hash square" so the dancers are prepared for the challenge. For western and southern squares, select figures and breaks that are clearly different from each other. For example, if the main figure contains a star, then try not to use a break that contains a star. Same with ladies chains, etc. Unless, of course, you *want* to ratchet up the difficulty of the dance. Check the sound. Make sure you can be heard clearly to the back of the hall. You'll use a lot more words than in a contra. Also maybe change the sound balance between you and the band for that one dance -- your voice must come through more strongly relative to the music when you call a square. This will help avoid frustration in some squares. And of course, lots of energy, good voice, good pulse, great enthusiasm, ask the band to fly. And smile, always smile. Be playful, laugh. Squares give great latitude to the caller for fun words and joking and laughter. Good luck. Woody Lane On 9/8/2013 10:34 AM, Richard Hopkins wrote: -- <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Woody Lane Caller, Percussive Dancer Roseburg, Oregon http://www.woodylanecaller.com voice: 541-440-1926 cell: 541-556-0054 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>