Import1 March 2016

import1@lists2.sharedweight.net

1 participants
94 discussions

Re: [Callers] Rates for private events (weddings etc)?

by Alan Winston via Callers

First off, you're not charging for the number of minutes of dancing. You're charging for your experience, expertise, and skill, showing up on time and being ready to do it, waiting around as necessary, traveling if needed, being mellow if (when) things go over and your time is cut, etc. What are you being asked to deliver for your fee? Are they booking their own band and arranging their own sound? For the wedding dance I just did in Berkeley - probably a comparable market to NYC - they provided sound, I organized a band for them, each band member and I were promised $300 for playing for the dance (and then a more for playing in the ceremony and some incidental music). They actually paid me more than the agreed-upon amount, so I don't think they thought I was gouging., For a friend's wedding I might work free. If you want to be paid appropriately, state your price and don't waver. If you want to get the gig regardless, ask them their budget and quote less than that. When asked to arrange musicians I make it clear that I can't quote before I know who's available but state a range ($1000-$1500) and I also ask their budget and then adjust the number of musicians (two good ones is fine, three better) so we all get paid enough within their budget. -- Alan On 3/26/16 11:13 AM, Maia McCormick via Callers wrote: > Hey folks, > > I've just been asked to call a wedding, and I don't have a good idea > for what the going rate for these things is. What do you all charge > for a wedding (say, 30 mins-an hour of dancing)? (And how might you > adjust this rate for NYC?) > > Thanks, > Maia > > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

8 years, 1 month

[Callers] Favorite Triplet ?

by Claire Takemori via Callers

Hi everyone. I’m enjoying all the great information that is shared on this list. Thank you! I’m wondering if you have a favorite Triplet that would work for a very small but experienced contra dance with just 6 dancers left after the break? Ideally more dancing together and less casting down/back, etc…. I’ve done Ted’s Triplet #5, and they loved the hey for 6. I will call Labor of Love by Kathy Anderson (contra corners) next time. I have the book of Zesty Contras & Give and Take, but not sure how all of the 33 Triplets work or if they are really fun….. Grateful for your help! Claire Takemori (Bay Area, CA)

8 years, 1 month

Re: [Callers] Rates for private events (weddings etc)?

by Erik Hoffman via Callers

Jeff Below says: Weddings are a lot of hassle. I find most weddings a joy. I used to do mobile DJ. Doing that it was easy to see I was primarily part of the service industry, and often it was just a gig. Since I now do only calling, and only with live music (even if it’s just me and my fiddle), I find that I almost always wish I knew the people who are getting married, and often enjoy the whole wedding. Yes, there are still a few when I feel more connected to the caterers – the other servers of weddings. They are a hassle in the way that there are other things you need to check in about: Dress First Dance Father/Daughter, Son/Mother Special events Dollar Dance? Boguet and/or garter Toss? Etc. The caller ends up being more or less the emcee of the evening. As Jeff points out, if you’re bringing the sound system, you often have to get there prior to the wedding and stay until the end. Often the sound system gets used for toasts. A wireless hand-held mic can come in handy! Money: A musician friend of mine once showed me an article on how music is at the bottom of the pay list. Thousands on a wedding dress, thousands on catering, a hundred on music. And, when doing a good job at leading those four or five dances, you hear back that that is what people remember about that wedding! We folk musicians often undercut ourselves. I know I do. I have a hard time asking for $500 a person, where a swing band might have no problem with that. I’ve been getting better at it. And, I’ve been getting better—and think it works better—saying package rates: $1600 for three of us and a sound system $1200 for two of us and a sound system $700 for me and my fiddle Of course these are the start of negotiations. For repeat groups like schools and churches that have yearly get togethers I charge what they can afford. Actually, the same is true for weddings, I do try to ask what they’re budget is, and often work with it. I still do these kind of gigs for $200 to $300 per person, and less for friends. But it is more than 3 times a normal dance in our area (where one might get $75 or $80…) I did write a book on this subject called Old-Time Dance Calling for Weddings, Parties, and One-Night Stands. $20 includes postage & handling. ~erik Hoffman oakland, ca From: Callers [mailto:callers-bounces@lists.sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of Jeff Kaufman via Callers I would ask for about 3x more for a wedding then for an evening of dancing: * weddings are a lot of hassle * you're only playing/calling for a short time, but you need to be there very early and schedules are not reliable at weddings -- this may be worse for bands than callers * people spend so much at most weddings these days that they're typically willing to pay whatever (once I let someone negotiate me down a lot by them saying they were trying to save money and when I got therei found out that the food cost more per guest then they were paying each of us) * I'd charge much less or free for a friend, especially if I would be at their wedding anyway: it's like a wedding gift On Mar 26, 2016 2:23 PM, "Michael Fuerst via Callers" <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:callers@lists.sharedweight.net>> wrote: Central Illinois where I live? $35-50, although our local callers would probably do such for free. NYC? $2000, but $3000 if on a weekend Michael Fuerst 802 N Broadway Urbana IL 61801 217 239 5844<tel:217%20239%205844> On Saturday, March 26, 2016 1:13 PM, Maia McCormick via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:callers@lists.sharedweight.net>> wrote: Hey folks, I've just been asked to call a wedding, and I don't have a good idea for what the going rate for these things is. What do you all charge for a wedding (say, 30 mins-an hour of dancing)? (And how might you adjust this rate for NYC?) Thanks, Maia _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:Callers@lists.sharedweight.net> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:Callers@lists.sharedweight.net> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

8 years, 1 month

Re: [Callers] Rates for private events (weddings etc)?

by Michael Fuerst via Callers

Central Illinois where I live? $35-50, although our local callers would probably do such for free.NYC? $2000, but $3000 if on a weekend Michael Fuerst 802 N Broadway Urbana IL 61801 217 239 5844 On Saturday, March 26, 2016 1:13 PM, Maia McCormick via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: Hey folks, I've just been asked to call a wedding, and I don't have a good idea for what the going rate for these things is. What do you all charge for a wedding (say, 30 mins-an hour of dancing)? (And how might you adjust this rate for NYC?) Thanks,Maia _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net

8 years, 1 month

[Callers] Rates for private events (weddings etc)?

by Maia McCormick via Callers

Hey folks, I've just been asked to call a wedding, and I don't have a good idea for what the going rate for these things is. What do you all charge for a wedding (say, 30 mins-an hour of dancing)? (And how might you adjust this rate for NYC?) Thanks, Maia

8 years, 1 month

Re: [Callers] This dance or something like it?

by Ron Blechner via Callers

Pointed out by another caller, a close one with a bit tighter timing, and a promenade rather than a chain: Dick and Mary's Departure (for Dick and Mary Ashbrook) Jan Larsen Duple, improper A1 Neighbor allemande right 1 ½, Men allemande left 1 ½ A2 *Partner balance and swing ( *alt: gypsy and swing) B1 Ladies allemande right 1 ½ Swing your neighbor B2 Half promenade, Left hand star ... I'll probably add this one to my easy dances as well. Ron On Mar 24, 2016 6:27 PM, "Ron Blechner" <contraron(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Alternatively, > A1: Gents Alle L 1x. > > Or gents gypsy left. > > But there's got to be a hundred good dances with a Do-si-do to swing. > On Mar 23, 2016 11:43 PM, "Ron Blechner" <contraron(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> For a while I've wanted a dance with: >> - easy difficulty >> - 2 swings >> - a courtesy turn (promenade or chain) >> - everyone allemandes >> - a star >> - Ideally ladies doing one move together and gents doing one move >> together. >> - timing that isn't tight (Dayton 1.5 by Perry Shafran came very close, >> and I use that, but doesn't leave quite enough wiggle room for too many new >> dancers.) >> >> >> Basically, A Nice Combination / Simplicity Swing / The Baby Rose but with >> an everyone-allemandes. >> >> I was stumped. If you have a suggestion, I'm ears! >> >> This is what I've worked together. I called it last Friday at Greenfield, >> MA, with maybe 15% new dancers, and it worked well. >> >> Mistakes Happen, Have Fun >> Ron T Blechner >> Start: Duple Imp. >> Difficulty: Easy >> >> A1. Gents DSD 1x (6) >> NS (10) >> A2. Circle L 3/4 (6) >> PS (10) >> B1. LLFB (8) >> Ladies Chain (8) (to N) >> B2. Star L 1x (8) (to Next N) >> (Next) N Alle R 1.5x (8) (until gents face in)* >> >> * Technically, this dance is a reverse progression indecent dance. But >> don't tell the dancers this. It can be lined up improper and taught >> normally. >> >> Thanks, >> >> Ron >> >>

8 years, 1 month

Re: [Callers] This dance or something like it?

by Ron Blechner via Callers

Alternatively, A1: Gents Alle L 1x. Or gents gypsy left. But there's got to be a hundred good dances with a Do-si-do to swing. On Mar 23, 2016 11:43 PM, "Ron Blechner" <contraron(a)gmail.com> wrote: > For a while I've wanted a dance with: > - easy difficulty > - 2 swings > - a courtesy turn (promenade or chain) > - everyone allemandes > - a star > - Ideally ladies doing one move together and gents doing one move together. > - timing that isn't tight (Dayton 1.5 by Perry Shafran came very close, > and I use that, but doesn't leave quite enough wiggle room for too many new > dancers.) > > > Basically, A Nice Combination / Simplicity Swing / The Baby Rose but with > an everyone-allemandes. > > I was stumped. If you have a suggestion, I'm ears! > > This is what I've worked together. I called it last Friday at Greenfield, > MA, with maybe 15% new dancers, and it worked well. > > Mistakes Happen, Have Fun > Ron T Blechner > Start: Duple Imp. > Difficulty: Easy > > A1. Gents DSD 1x (6) > NS (10) > A2. Circle L 3/4 (6) > PS (10) > B1. LLFB (8) > Ladies Chain (8) (to N) > B2. Star L 1x (8) (to Next N) > (Next) N Alle R 1.5x (8) (until gents face in)* > > * Technically, this dance is a reverse progression indecent dance. But > don't tell the dancers this. It can be lined up improper and taught > normally. > > Thanks, > > Ron > >

8 years, 1 month

Re: [Callers] This dance or something like it?

by Aahz Maruch via Callers

On Wed, Mar 23, 2016, Ron Blechner via Callers wrote: > > A1. Gents DSD 1x (6) > NS (10) > A2. Circle L 3/4 (6) > PS (10) Not thrilled. Make each figure eight beats and I'm happy. -- Hugs and backrubs -- I break Rule 6 http://rule6.info/ <*> <*> <*> Help a hearing-impaired person: http://rule6.info/hearing.html

8 years, 1 month

[Callers] This dance or something like it?

by Ron Blechner via Callers

For a while I've wanted a dance with: - easy difficulty - 2 swings - a courtesy turn (promenade or chain) - everyone allemandes - a star - Ideally ladies doing one move together and gents doing one move together. - timing that isn't tight (Dayton 1.5 by Perry Shafran came very close, and I use that, but doesn't leave quite enough wiggle room for too many new dancers.) Basically, A Nice Combination / Simplicity Swing / The Baby Rose but with an everyone-allemandes. I was stumped. If you have a suggestion, I'm ears! This is what I've worked together. I called it last Friday at Greenfield, MA, with maybe 15% new dancers, and it worked well. Mistakes Happen, Have Fun Ron T Blechner Start: Duple Imp. Difficulty: Easy A1. Gents DSD 1x (6) NS (10) A2. Circle L 3/4 (6) PS (10) B1. LLFB (8) Ladies Chain (8) (to N) B2. Star L 1x (8) (to Next N) (Next) N Alle R 1.5x (8) (until gents face in)* * Technically, this dance is a reverse progression indecent dance. But don't tell the dancers this. It can be lined up improper and taught normally. Thanks, Ron

8 years, 1 month

Re: [Callers] Novelty & Gimmick Contras

by Erik Hoffman via Callers

Here are a couple novelty dances I've made up:* * * Garbology* Erik Hoffman Odd—Modified Tempest Formation December 1998 A1Ones down center, turn as a Couple, Return, WHILE the twos and threes slide up the set one Couples place, cast off with (new) same sex two and three person A2Hey for Four, ones start, passing Right shoulder, Couples two and three acting as “units” latching (arms around each others backs) onto Partners. B1Finish the hey (it takes longer with “units”), ones cross to Star Left (in threes) with the opposite Couple (ones without Partners) B2All Balance & Swing Partners Formation is a U shaped triple minor formation, Couple one facing down, Couple two to the Right of Couple one(from the callers point of view), facing in, Couple three to the Left of Couple one, also facing in. I set this up by having both the ones and the twos get Improper, then the twos and threes circle Left one-quarter, as in Becket formation. On the first walk-through I don't teach the progression; I do on the second walk-through.Note that when couples finally progress, two couples come out at the same time.Since only one goes in the next time round, at the top I have the number two Couple go in first, and the number three Couple wait out an extra time.At the bottom, when the a couple comes out, they need to wait for a second Couple before entering the dance.I suggest the first Couple waiting out become a number two, the second a number three. That way, Twos wait out twice at the bottom, threes, twice at the top. This dance was written at Camp Harmony, the San Francisco Folk Music Club’s annual new years camp.It was at a workshop where I was making up “experimental contras.”I was naming them for the signs around the hall.This one landed on the “Garbology” sign – one discussing the use of garbage.Since this is something we should all consider, I think it’s well named Part of the idea for this came from the beautiful and flowing dance, /American Summer/, by Phillipe Callens. ----------------- The next is designed as a Christmas dance, to go with the tune, We Three Kings, played as a straightened out jig. But I think it can be fun just as it is: *Follow That Star* Improper Erik Hoffman A1with New Neighbors: Star Left;with Old Neighbors: Star Right A2Ones take Number Two Man Down Hall in Line of Three WHILE the Number Two Women come up the hall single file,' Turn Alone, Return, the Lines of Three Folds into a Circle around Number Two Women B1 Circle Three around Number Two Wm;Neighbor Swing on “Own” Side B2Long Lines Forward &Back;All Swing Partner (or just Ones if space is tight) The story line is: Three Kings Follow Stars. They find a Babe in a Manger, Everyone Celebrates!To be danced to “We Three Kings” straightened out and as a Jig. -- ~Erik 510-410-0456 Mobile 510-444-4397 Land-Line

8 years, 1 month

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Import1 March 2016