I once had a caller say to me "I would never patronize a group by teaching them circle left and circle right." But he didn't really get the point: I'm not teaching circle left and circle right. The purpose of the first dance of the evening is to teach them to listen to the caller. Beth, whatever caller said this to you is probably not a very observant caller. Sounds like he's assume that hearing and hitting a beat is something inbred in us all, and just like breathing for anyone who's ever danced, when there's a huge percentage of people who either aren't raised with a sense of rhythm, or have to take time to learn it. I called a farmers' market dance two weekends ago. Because the experienced dancers arrived late, my first group dance was with 7-8 mothers and their 3-6-year-old kids who'd been hopping around to the band's warmups. I called "Circle Dance" at about 1/3 speed so the moms could lead the kids around--it was great! I did a few dances with the regular dancers, then the moms requested another dance for the kids. I did the same dance, this time with the regular dancers included in the half-speed version. they all enjoyed it. Beth, you said it (as did Tony, Dudley, and others): Make sure the dancers succeed, at whatever level they're dancing. Approaches should change for every audience you call for... David, great point about how to keep people involved. Make them earn their cake....! Keith Tuxhorn Austin, TX