Hi Bob,

I would suggest that you talk with the programmer first as early as possible, alert that person and get feedback on their preferences. Offer to find a contingency caller -- maybe say a few possible names, get any feedback even if subtle (like an extended silence). Then visit with the band if possible. Like Don pointed out, ask if they have any preferences one way or another.

Your health and safety come first. And the health of everyone you will come in contact with during that gig (including the musicians and organizers).

Good luck with it,
Woody


On 11/14/2018 7:57 PM, Winston, Alan P. via Callers wrote:
Bob --

I've called an entire English dance so debilitated by a sinus infection 
that I had to lean against a wall the whole time.  It's not ideal.

Cancel if you're contagious.  Cancel if you're enough under the weather 
that your performance will suffer.  Cancel if it's not safe for you to 
get there and back.  Don't risk your life and health or anybody else's.

As a series programmer, I think I would prefer honest communication as 
soon as you know there's an issue.  I'd way rather hear on Thursday, for 
a Saturday dance, "I'm starting to feel under the weather and if this 
gets worse I may have to cancel."  Once we're in touch we can work out 
whether you'll find a replacement or I will.  (In my case, I'm in a 
caller-dense area and I have the addresses of a lot of callers, so if I 
have a day or two of notice I can likely find somebody I'd want to hire 
anyway, or call the dance myself if I need to.  I call some outlying 
dances where if I'm not up to making the three-hour drive somebody else 
will have to, in which case my finding an acceptable substitute can be a 
mercy.)

The one thing that makes you less popular with a booker than canceling 
at the last minute with no replacement is canceling at the last minute 
and lining up a replacement that dance series would never want to hire, 
so talk to your booker.

-- Alan


On 11/14/2018 7:47 PM, Bob Peterson via Callers wrote:

Cold and flu season is on us. Where is the line between cancelling on a gig and forging ahead despite how I feel? I guess it’s a matter of how composed I can be and how quiet I can keep my conditions from the dancers. Medication can help, but can interfere with safe driving.

If I feel I must cancel, what’s the right amount of notice to give? Who finds the replacement if I have to cancel?