23 Apr
2015
23 Apr
'15
12:18 p.m.
On 4/22/2015 7:08 PM, Erik Hoffman via Callers wrote:
Hi All,
There are several places where almost no applause occurs after a dance. In some
communities, when I've been subjected to that experience, I've asked, "were
we off tonight?" The reply usually is something like, "no, the dance was fine
(or even great), we just head for our next partner..." I know sometimes it's just
the night. Sometimes, though, it's the community's habit. I spoke with a renowned
musician the other day, who will no longer play for a certain series. One of the reasons:
lack of applause -- lack of that palpable sense of appreciation.
I think dancers don't often know that applause really makes the band and caller feel
better. If they feel better they play better. And, as a dancer, applause usually makes me
feel better, too. Any ideas on how to encourage applause? Or, if you're in one of
those communities where applause is minimal, does it bother you?
I had that experience a while back at one of our local contras, when I
was calling with a really hot band. We'd finish a dance, get a few
claps and then just crickets. It was really depressing and upsetting.
The dances were going ok, the music was smoking and then... nothing.
I've just looked back into my dance log and the comment I wrote later
that night was "I don’t know what was up, but it felt bad-weird from the
stage." Applause really does make a difference.
Kalia
23 Apr
23 Apr
3:12 p.m.
Sometimes it's hit and miss -- it seems like it's in the stars, no
applause, next time raucous appreciation. Sometimes you know you're not
up to your best, or you can tell the band is lagging or lacking. Still,
that's the night when everyone comes up and says, "Great Dance, That was
Better than Wild Asparagus," (comparagus, as Peter Barnes used to say --
don't know if it happens much any more...). Sometimes you're on top of
everything, the band is hot, your teaching is good, your right with the
music when calling, and people come up and say, "what's wrong tonight."
Sometimes there's not much you can do. But:
As I mentioned earlier, certain communities develop certain habits.
* If I'm dancing, I make sure I applaud with aplomb.
* I do quiet down when the teaching starts.
* I, too, don't teach in the walk-thru. If there really is a problem, I
ask the caller to address it. If I can get away with it, I teach
non-verbally.
(Comments addressing other comments and threads.)
But I do still wonder, how to get a community to alter their habits.
And, if their habit is non-applause on a regular basis, I'd like to
teach them. Habits, one of the most challenging things to alter...
Now, if they looked at each other and bumped hips, or gave each other a
high-five, or hugs all around, as mentioned about square dancing, I'd
take that as applause. But if they just wander off, it still leaves me
wondering.
~erik hoffman
oakland, ca
On 4/23/2015 10:18 AM, Kalia Kliban via Callers wrote:
On 4/22/2015 7:08 PM, Erik Hoffman via Callers wrote:
Hi All,
There are several places where almost no applause occurs after a
dance. In some communities, when I've been subjected to that
experience, I've asked, "were we off tonight?" The reply usually is
something like, "no, the dance was fine (or even great), we just head
for our next partner..." I know sometimes it's just the night.
Sometimes, though, it's the community's habit. I spoke with a
renowned musician the other day, who will no longer play for a
certain series. One of the reasons: lack of applause -- lack of that
palpable sense of appreciation.
I think dancers don't often know that applause really makes the band
and caller feel better. If they feel better they play better. And, as
a dancer, applause usually makes me feel better, too. Any ideas on
how to encourage applause? Or, if you're in one of those communities
where applause is minimal, does it bother you?
I had that experience a while back at one of our local contras, when I
was calling with a really hot band. We'd finish a dance, get a few
claps and then just crickets. It was really depressing and upsetting.
The dances were going ok, the music was smoking and then... nothing.
I've just looked back into my dance log and the comment I wrote later
that night was "I don’t know what was up, but it felt bad-weird from
the stage." Applause really does make a difference.
Kalia
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27 Apr
27 Apr
2:53 p.m.
New subject: [Callers] Recognize this dance?
Anyone know title/author of this dance?
Formation: Becket
A1 - Face old neighbors across set. Women walk forward to a wavy line, while men walk
backward to a long wavy line with men in next set. Balance the waves.
Allemande right 1 1/4 with person in your right hand. If no one in your right hand, stay
where you are.
A2 - Hey on right diagonal(neighbor pass left)
B1 - Neighbor balance and swing
B2 - Circle left 3/4, partner swing.
3:08 p.m.
New subject: [Callers] Recognize this dance?
Wind in the Grass by Tom Calwell.
-Chris Page
San Diego
On Monday, April 27, 2015, Tepfer, Seth via Callers <
callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Anyone know title/author of this dance?
Formation: Becket
A1 - Face old neighbors across set. Women walk forward to a wavy line,
while men walk backward to a long wavy line with men in next set. Balance
the waves.
Allemande right 1 1/4 with person in your right hand. If no one in your
right hand, stay where you are.
A2 - Hey on right diagonal(neighbor pass left)
B1 - Neighbor balance and swing
B2 - Circle left 3/4, partner swing.
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3 comments
4 participants
participants (4)
-
Chris Page via Callers -
Erik Hoffman via Callers
-
Kalia Kliban via Callers
-
Tepfer, Seth via Callers