[Callers] Calling to a square dance crowd

[Chris Page via Callers]

I'd really recommend talking to the organizers. And possibly watching one
of their normal events.

Here's some of my thoughts on potential biggies:

-You and the band will likely need to supply and run your own sound system.

-Many people will likely keep the same partner throughout the evening.

-The expected flow of the evening is very different -- typically they're
used to doing two dances with the same partner of about 6-10 (?) minutes,
and then a rest break. Potentially involving snacks. Rinse and repeat.

-Swings are neither expected nor required. Without further instruction,
they'll go just once around, twirl, and stop.

-Be very careful about too much consecutive clockwise motion.

-You may have to adjust for the age level of the group. In general, MWSD
groups tend to be older.

-They're really not used to hearing the phrase of the music.

-Dropping out the calls may be traumatic for some.

-Contra is much more aerobic than squares.

Good luck,
-Chris Page
San Diego, CA

On Sat, Feb 20, 2016 at 3:28 PM, Joseph Erhard-Hudson via Callers <
callers at lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> Hi Everyone,
>
> I've been pretty low-key on calling for several years now, just a few
> local dances a year. Years ago I did close to one gig a month at home and
> around my local region, but cut back due to busy life. Now I've accepted an
> invitation for a regular gig that's going to be a bit different, so I'm
> back on this email list, and I seek your advice.
>
> A few people from the nearby Western Square Dance group came to one of our
> local contra dances where I was calling, and had such a fun time they have
> invited me, and the band from that evening, to come and do a monthly series
> in their hall, promoted and sponsored by them. The band and I decided we'd
> give it a shot.
>
> I've had barely any exposure to Western Square Dance, but I know their
> education system is formalized, calling is improvised, and the music is
> mostly recorded; whereas in contra dancing the education is more by
> assimilation, the calling is mostly fixed within a given dance, and the
> music is live and improvised. I anticipate we may feel like strange cousins
> to each other. Do any of you have any experiences or thoughts about
> crossing over into this parallel universe of traditional dancers? I'm
> particularly concerned about how I can best help them feel comfortable with
> the way Contra Dance is done, and how I can be a gracious presence in their
> space.
>
> Bonus question: they want to know how to split the gate, since they don't
> have experience paying bands. Your thoughts?
>
> Best regards,
> Joseph
>
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