Favourite activities/discussions from callers workshops? :) - Contra Callers

31 Jul 2023

Hi Folks,

I'm going to be leading a series of caller discussions/workshops in the
next while. (This is a new thing for me. I'm very excited as there's always
so much to learn from each other. :))

I'm wondering....
-->Are there any activities that stood out as being really awesome from
caller workshops you've attended/led?
-->Any discussion topics/ways to frame discussions that excited you?

I've been sketching things out and as of right now, I'm really excited to
have a series of questions that prompt discussion among the group. (Maybe
stickies/stickers on poster boards as part of this.) The questions range
from the why of it all, presentation/performance considerations, teaching,
prompting, repertoire, etc.... ... I'm trying to figure out some key
questions to prompt the discussion. Here are just a few of the many prompts
I'm thinking about....
What do you see as the value of trad dances/dancing? What do you get out of
dancing? What do you think others get out of it?
What is your motivation for calling? What do you think you get/might get
out of calling? Characteristics of a great caller? Callers you like (AND
why)?
What do the dancers need in the prompting? (Anything specific for beginner
dancers in particular?)
What need to/should know to know about a dance to call it really well?
What is key in band communication…. At the start of the evening?
Before/during/at end of each dance? At the end of the evening? Before the
day of the gig?

I'll also be creating a framework for safe feedback while we practice
teaching and prompting dances.

Thanks!
:) Emily in Ottawa