Re: [Callers] Family dance- educational supplements? - Import1

3 Feb 2016

Claire,

Let me add my voice to those recommending that you get hold of and study
the books by the Laufmans, New England Dancing Masters, and Marion Rose
BEFORE your family dance gig.  As a new Family Dance caller, you need to
learn a completely different repertoire than what you've been trying to
learn as a new contra dance caller.  Also, some of the skills are
different.  (As a contra dance caller you've been trying to keep your
phrasing rock solid, but for a family dance you need to judge when to
ignore the phrase and sight call - and what to do when you have two sets
that are at different places in the dance.)

Jacob
Arlington, MA

On Tue, Feb 2, 2016 at 4:18 PM, Rich Sbardella via Callers <
callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; wrote:

...
  My apologies to Dudley and Jacqueline.  Their
Traditional Barn Dances
 book, with DVD and CD are also on my shelf.  Together they were an early
 inspiration, as I added community dance to my calling skills.  I remember
 driving to Scout House to observe Dudley's unique calling/teaching style
 one Sunday afternoon, after purchasing his book, and before I tried to call
 any such dance programs myself.  His simple dances were so effective with
 the families on hand.

 Additionally, I stress attending the types of dances that you want to
 call, as often as you can.  Dancing a particular dance, is a great way to
 learn it, and to place it appropriately in your repertoire.  I have many
 dance cards in my collection that I have not called, but I frequently call
 the ones that brought me joy as a dancer.

 Rich
 Stafford, CT

 On Tue, Feb 2, 2016 at 3:33 PM, James Saxe via Callers <
 callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; wrote:

  Hi, Claire,

 I've done only a tiny amount of calling for the family dance
 crowd, but from what I've seen of the New England Dance Masters
 material and Marion Rose's material, and from seeing the authors
 in action either live or on video, I'd second both of Rich's
 recommendations.

 Another resource worth looking at is Dudley Laufman's _Traditional
 Barn Dances and Calling_, which comes packaged with two CD's of
 music (called and uncalled) and a DVD showing some of the dances.
 See

http://www.humankinetics.com/products/all-products/traditional-barn-dances-…

 SF Bay area caller Erik Hoffman has a book called "Old-Time Dance
 Calling for Weddings, Parties, and One-Night Stands"

      http://www.erikhoffman.com/otdancebk.html

 If you get in touch with him and tell more about the group you're
 expecting to call for (What age-range of home-schoolers?  Will a
 bunch of their younger siblings be there?), he might advise you
 as to how much of the material in it would be suitable for you.

 Cheers,
 --Jim

  On Feb 2, 2016, at 11:44 AM, Rich Sbardella via
Callers <  callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; wrote:

 Hello Claire,

 Here are two excellent resources.

 New England Dancing Masters offer many books, Cds, and DVDs for  Family/Community
Dance.  I cannot say enough good about this material.

 www.dancingmasters.com

 Marion Rose also has a series of books Called Step Lively.  They have  dances and
CDs with family friendly dances.
  www.communitydance.ca.  Many, but not all, of the
dances in this  series, are tune specific.

 Youtube is also an excellent series, and I would recommend Cal  Campbell's
dancing for busy people blog and the BDPLS (Beginner Dance Party
 Leaders Seminar) channel on youtube.

 Have fun,
 Rich
 Stafford, CT

 On Tue, Feb 2, 2016 at 2:14 PM, Claire Takemori via Callers < 
callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; wrote:
  I’m a new contra dance caller (took Nils’
workshop at American Week  last July).  And my goal is to offer calling for Family
dances to help
 spread folk music/dance in our community. (maybe College contras, but
 that’s a different thread)
  I’m calling my first Family dance on March 6th
for a home-school  community.   I was hoping to offer a page of INTERESTING ,
Kid-friendly,
 FUN info, activities, links in case someone wants to delve further into the
 history, dance or music.

 Any great resources out there?  I don’t have a ton of time to put this  together
from scrap. And I don’t know enough yet to figure out the
 history.  I’m learning as I go!

 thanks !
 Claire Takemori
 Bay Area California
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