[Callers] Re: Practicing dances

Hi Mary, 1. Practice I write out the dances in my own words, which are mostly the words that I will use for calling, so I don’t practice the calls much. I do practice the dance itself if it is challenging. I try to find videos online and study them to look for timings, awkward transitions, style points, flow, etc. If necessary I use my Carcassonne Meeples to run through the dance. I have six couples in different couples and I know that red is #1s, yellow is #2s, etc. For complex dances, I try dancing the dance to the music to make sure I understand the timing, the transitions and the positioning. For most dances any tune at the correct speed works. For complex dances I will dance the dance as #1 Man, then as #1 Lady (and #2s as well if necessary) to understand any challenges that they may face. For complex situations I may try to work out what words I need to use to get the figures across well, especially when there is a WHILE! 2. Music I don’t practice the calls to music, I have enough experience to do that on the fly in most cases. As above, I do practice the dance to music if I need to understand the phrasing better. 3. Program Planning ONS: When I get there after setting up the music, while waiting for the dancing to start. Most other dances: On the day of the dance. My quarterly ceilidhs: during the week before the dance to look for new dances and plan a varied program different from last time. Live music: To meet the band’s deadline, anything from a couple of days in advance to a month in advance. I also document length, speed, style, number of bars, time signature, etc. for the band. I also let them know if I need any named tunes, but very rarely insist on a specific tune. I would much rather we dance to a tune that the band can play well, rather than a tune they don’t know just because someone suggested that tune at some point. Festivals: Weeks in advance so that I am sure it is going to be a good session for the dancers. Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent