[Callers] Re: Starting to call squares at contra dances

Hi All, First, Hello to Suzanne! Been a long time, now I’m remembering a snowball fight and lots of laughs, dances, and hanging out. When I started calling at contra dances, 1984 in Santa Barbara, CA, the first three dances I learned to call were the Texas Star, and the singing squares Just Because, and The Trail of the Lonesome Pine. Squares were always a big part of a contra dance in California 1n the 80s and, I think, all around the states. Then in the early 90s got boos, too, and hired as a caller as long as I only called contras. Now, when I want to go to a website and click the next and next, I like to go to David Millstone’s Square Dance History Project. Thanks for that reminder, Tony! And, very glad squares are becoming acceptable again! Cheers, ~Erik Hoffman Oakland, CA From: Suzanne Giradot via Contra Callers &lt;contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; Sent: Saturday, March 18, 2023 12:09 PM To: 'Tony Parkes' &lt;tony(a)hands4.com&gt;om>; 'Maia McCormick' &lt;maia.mcc(a)gmail.com&gt;om>; 'Shared Weight Contra Callers' &lt;contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; Subject: [Callers] Re: Starting to call squares at contra dances This thread is making my heart sing! I have called squares for years, but was actually booed at a contra dance once when I set up a square dance. Dancers have become more respectful since that time (2 External (contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>) Report This Email<https://protection.inkyphishfence.com/report?id=bmV0b3JnZnQxNTA4MD… FAQ<https://www.godaddy.com/help/report-email-with-advanced-email-securi… GoDaddy Advanced Email Security, Powered by INKY<https://www.inky.com/protection-by-inky> This thread is making my heart sing! I have called squares for years, but was actually booed at a contra dance once when I set up a square dance. Dancers have become more respectful since that time (20 years ago) but I don’t get to call squares too much these days. However, at my local dance, the organizer, Sherry Nevins, is also a square dance caller and always suggests that I call a square during the evening. So I do, and people actually have fun! I have found that calling phrased squares, such as the New England quadrilles, or other western squares that have phrased moves, are best for calling for contra dancers. It’s a bit more in their comfort zone. And I second Tony’s suggestion to look at the Square Dance History project for lots of great ideas and amazing callers (including Tony!). Suzanne Girardot Seattle, WA From: Tony Parkes via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>> Sent: Saturday, March 18, 2023 10:49 AM To: Maia McCormick <maia.mcc@gmail.com<mailto:maia.mcc@gmail.com>>; Shared Weight Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>> Subject: [Callers] Re: Starting to call squares at contra dances A resource definitely worth exploring is David Millstone’s Square Dance History Project. I didn’t mention it in my first response because it may not be the easiest place to find specific types of dance video quickly, but it’s a must for anyone who loves squares and has a bit of free time to peruse. www.squaredancehistory.org<https://shared.outlook.inky.com/link?domain=w… Tony Parkes Billerica, Mass. www.hands4.com<https://shared.outlook.inky.com/link?domain=www.hands4.co… New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century (available now)