Import1 October 2016

import1@lists2.sharedweight.net

1 participants
123 discussions

Re: [Callers] Positive values on the mic

by via Callers

Once or twice a night, remind the dancers to hydrate and tell them where to find the punch bowl, drinking fountains, etc. If there are a lot of newcomers, they may not know where the water source is located (and you can joke that it's included with the price of admission....who can resist!). Make it clear that you won't be starting the next dance for a few minutes - this encourages hydration, plus many dancers will be happy for the quick break and a chance to move to the side of the hall where they can mingle and find their next partner without fear that they'll be left out. Sue Gola -----Original Message----- From: Ron Blechner via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> Sent: Mon, Oct 31, 2016 12:56 pm Subject: [Callers] Positive values on the mic Hi Shared Weight, I'd like to hear some examples of things you as a caller (or you as an organizer encouraging callers) say on the mic during a dance to promote positive dance values. I ask because I'm reviewing my own dance's "calling our dance" communication with callers, as well as evaluating my own statements on mic. I'll get us started. I like to say, a couple times per evening, for dancers to look to the sidelines for dancers who were sitting out, in considering a partner. In dance, Ron Blechner _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

9 years

Re: [Callers] Positive values on the mic

by Vicki Morrison via Callers

Thanking the set in squares enhances the community involvement aspect. Very beneficial. Sent from my iPhone > On Oct 31, 2016, at 6:07 PM, Ron Blechner via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > > Reading all of these... So far everyone has had good suggestions. Keep 'em coming! > > >> On Oct 31, 2016 5:38 PM, "Richard Fischer via Callers" <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: >> Especially at community dances, but also at contras, I look for was to encourage dancers to say thank you. At community events one of my first dances is usually a kind of Appalachian square dance. Couples do one or two simple figures to my calls with another couple, and then I go, "Everybody, face your neighbors. ... Say, "Thank you!" ... Take your partner and find new neighbors." People seem to enjoy the opportunity to say thanks. At contras, if there is a pre-dance lesson, I try to work in some experience on progressing, even if it's in a mini-contra. (E.g., Circle left, circle right, dosido your neighbor, say thanks to your neighbor, walk forward to a new neighbor.) And having the mic all evening I get opportunities to thank the band, sound personnel, organizers, and the dancers themselves. Squares and triplets (and other set dances) give us a chance to encourage people to thank their whole set as well as their partner. >> >> Richard >> >>> On Oct 31, 2016, at 1:47 PM, via Callers wrote: >>> >>> Once or twice a night, remind the dancers to hydrate and tell them where to find the punch bowl, drinking fountains, etc. If there are a lot of newcomers, they may not know where the water source is located (and you can joke that it's included with the price of admission....who can resist!). Make it clear that you won't be starting the next dance for a few minutes - this encourages hydration, plus many dancers will be happy for the quick break and a chance to move to the side of the hall where they can mingle and find their next partner without fear that they'll be left out. >>> >>> Sue Gola >>> >>> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: Ron Blechner via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> >>> To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net> >>> Sent: Mon, Oct 31, 2016 12:56 pm >>> Subject: [Callers] Positive values on the mic >>> >>> Hi Shared Weight, >>> I'd like to hear some examples of things you as a caller (or you as an organizer encouraging callers) say on the mic during a dance to promote positive dance values. >>> I ask because I'm reviewing my own dance's "calling our dance" communication with callers, as well as evaluating my own statements on mic. >>> I'll get us started. >>> I like to say, a couple times per evening, for dancers to look to the sidelines for dancers who were sitting out, in considering a partner. >>> In dance, >>> Ron Blechner >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Callers mailing list >>> Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net >>> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Callers mailing list >>> Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net >>> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Callers mailing list >> Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net >> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net >> > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

9 years

Re: [Callers] Positive values on the mic

by James Saxe via Callers

I like to say things to promote the custom of frequent partner changes. So after a dance, I would say at least Thank your partner and find a partner for the next contra [or "... for a waltz" or whatever is next]. and more likely ... and find someone new for ... or ... switch around ... and perhaps at some point early in the evening ... and as usual [or "as is our custom"*] find someone new ... [*When I first heard "as is our custom" said by Ted Sannella, it struck me that by injecting those four words, said in a relaxed tone and taking about two seconds to say, he'd gotten the point across as effectively, and far more pleasantly, than somebody could with a two-minute harangue on the subject.] To be clear, if I see some dancers (new or experienced) who came as a couple and seem glued together, I will not by any means attempt to *pressure* them to separate and dance with different partners. But I do want to empower people to feel comfortable mingling. In particular, I don't want dancers who are new and unfamiliar with the prevailing customs to have the agony of wondering "If I don't keep this partner for the next dance, will (s)he think I didn't like dancing with her/him?" or conversely "My partner just thanked me and then ran off to dance with someone else. Did I do something wrong?" Also, if new dancers are worried about imposing their klutziness on experienced dancers, they will perhaps be less timid about making or accepting an offer to dance if they understand that it's only expected to be for one dance. And finally, if someone asks a member of one of those glued-together couples for a dance, I hope that even if they say "No", awareness that most people are mingling will keep them from being affronted by the invitation. --Jim On Oct 31, 2016, at 7:28 AM, Ron Blechner wrote: > I'd like to hear some examples of things you as a caller (or you as an organizer encouraging callers) say on the mic during a dance to promote positive dance values.

9 years

Re: [Callers] Positive values on the mic

by John W Gintell via Callers

Often it is hard to hear the caller during the Walkthrough because of chatter from some of the dancers and the people sitting out. Any thoughts as to what the caller should say to politely get people to be quiet? John

9 years

Re: [Callers] Positive values on the mic

by Kalia Kliban via Callers

On 10/31/2016 7:28 AM, Ron Blechner via Callers wrote: > Hi Shared Weight, > > I'd like to hear some examples of things you as a caller (or you as an > organizer encouraging callers) say on the mic during a dance to promote > positive dance values. > > I ask because I'm reviewing my own dance's "calling our dance" > communication with callers, as well as evaluating my own statements on mic. "Take a look around and see if there's sitting on the sidelines who'd rather be dancing." "If you've been coming to dances for a while and you're curious about what it takes to put one of these on, consider being one of our volunteers. More hands are always welcome. Just talk to the folks at the door if you've got time to help out." Kalia

9 years

Re: [Callers] Positive values on the mic

by Linda Leslie via Callers

“if you are now joining a line, please join the shortest set.” I try to remember to ask dancers to acknowledge not only sound folks, but also the organizers. Linda On Oct 31, 2016, at 10:28 AM, Ron Blechner via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Hi Shared Weight, > > I'd like to hear some examples of things you as a caller (or you as an organizer encouraging callers) say on the mic during a dance to promote positive dance values. > > I ask because I'm reviewing my own dance's "calling our dance" communication with callers, as well as evaluating my own statements on mic. > > I'll get us started. > > I like to say, a couple times per evening, for dancers to look to the sidelines for dancers who were sitting out, in considering a partner. > > In dance, > Ron Blechner > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

9 years

[Callers] Positive values on the mic

by Ron Blechner via Callers

Hi Shared Weight, I'd like to hear some examples of things you as a caller (or you as an organizer encouraging callers) say on the mic during a dance to promote positive dance values. I ask because I'm reviewing my own dance's "calling our dance" communication with callers, as well as evaluating my own statements on mic. I'll get us started. I like to say, a couple times per evening, for dancers to look to the sidelines for dancers who were sitting out, in considering a partner. In dance, Ron Blechner

9 years

Re: [Callers] Dance Title

by Tom Hinds via Callers

On Oct 27, 2016, at 3:25 PM, Rich Sbardella via Callers wrote: > I am looking for the title and author of the following dance. Can > anyone help me? > > A1 CL 3/4, N Swg > A2 LL, Partner Balance, Pull R, Pull L > B1 Along Line RH Bal, Bx Gnat, Gents Alle Left 1 1/2 > B2 P Bal & Swg I wrote a dance similar to this. Perhaps it's been collected and a variation has been called in other places. Naming a dance is the hardest part for me so it doesn't have a name yet. Progressed improper A1 do si do neighbor, men al. left 1 1/2 A2 gypsy and swing partner B1 circle left 3/4 swing N B2 balance P, square thru 2, balance next, box.... > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

9 years

Re: [Callers] Calling a Halloween dance tonight? Try this circle mixer...

by Tony Parkes via Callers

I actually said “Escape.” They were acting crazed enough as it was. Tony From: Amy Cann [mailto:acann@putneyschool.org] Sent: Sunday, October 30, 2016 2:06 AM To: Tony Parkes <tony(a)hands4.com> Cc: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>; pourparler(a)yahoogroups.com; Lisa Sieverts <lisa(a)lisasieverts.com>; Don Primrose <limerickfarm(a)gmail.com>; Laurie Indenbaum <lri(a)sover.net>; Carol Compton <carol(a)bitdance.com>; David Kaynor <davidkaynor(a)mac.com>; Dave Bateman <Dave.Bateman23(a)comcast.net>; Tod Whittemore <todw(a)stephensmtg.net> Subject: Re: [Callers] Calling a Halloween dance tonight? Try this circle mixer... Tony, I keep trying to imagine you saying "Braaaaiins" to a bunch of zombies, and I keep getting a fair amount of cognitive dissonance/pushback... On Sat, Oct 29, 2016 at 10:16 PM, Tony Parkes <tony(a)hands4.com<mailto:tony@hands4.com>> wrote: Thank you, Amy! I used it tonight at a wild church party, calling it Zombie Escape. This was a record dance, so I used the track of Brisk Young Lads that the Canterbury made for CDSS in the 1970s. It’s a jig in A minor like Coleraine, so it worked perfectly. Tony From: Callers [mailto:callers-bounces@lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:callers-bounces@lists.sharedweight.net>] On Behalf Of Amy Cann via Callers Sent: Saturday, October 29, 2016 12:54 PM To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net<mailto:callers@sharedweight.net>>; pourparler(a)yahoogroups.com<mailto:pourparler@yahoogroups.com>; Lisa Sieverts <lisa(a)lisasieverts.com<mailto:lisa@lisasieverts.com>>; Don Primrose <limerickfarm(a)gmail.com<mailto:limerickfarm@gmail.com>>; Laurie Indenbaum <lri(a)sover.net<mailto:lri@sover.net>>; Carol Compton <carol(a)bitdance.com<mailto:carol@bitdance.com>>; David Kaynor <davidkaynor(a)mac.com<mailto:davidkaynor@mac.com>>; Dave Bateman <Dave.Bateman23(a)comcast.net<mailto:Dave.Bateman23@comcast.net>>; Tod Whittemore <todw(a)stephensmtg.net<mailto:todw@stephensmtg.net>> Subject: [Callers] Calling a Halloween dance tonight? Try this circle mixer... I try and call the dances of Rich Blazej whenever I can and this one's a Halloween favorite, re-done as "Werewolves and Zombies". Garfield's Escape -- circle of couples PLUS ONE EXTRA in the center (Garfield) A1 All into the center EIGHT steps and back, menacing the Garfield A2 Circle left, circle right B1 Women (werewolves) promenade single file to the right, while men (zombies) "star" by the right -- each man puts his right hand on right shoulder of the man in front - including Garfield. B2 Caller hollers "Escape!" ("Boo!", or maybe "Braaaiiins") and all men run to the outside and swing with a woman in the outer circle. A new Garfield remains in the center. Rich himself named this after Garfield the comic-strip cat, way back when he was cynical and funny (the cat, not Rich). "The single man remaining at the end of the dance is entitled to a pan of lasagna and some fresh kitty litter". My favorite normal tune for this is the minor jig Coleraine, played at a slightly slower lurch-y tempo, but if I'm lucky the band'll do the Alfred Hitchcock theme. Have fun, just thought I'd share -- and I'd love to hear how it goes if you do it, and what variations emerge. Cheers, Amy

9 years

[Callers] Group Microphone

by Rich Sbardella via Callers

Hello folks, This is not a calling question, but I thought I'd ask, since so many of you are musicians. Is there a single microphone that would be good to pick up two guitarists/vocalists? I am thinking of the type of mic a bluegrass band might use for performance, not for studio work. Any recommendations? Rich Stafford, CT

9 years

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Import1 October 2016