I commend the Glen Echo Friday Night Dancers lesson outline
<https://lists.sharedweight.net/hyperkitty/list/contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net/message/KS2ZLGBH7V7OOH6TPX75XQNHYUHMW2FH/attachment/2/GEFNDBeginnersWorkshopDocuments.pdf>
to you for a very successful lesson plan. I have no idea what the
attendance is like now but 10 years ago when I was
dancing/calling/teaching the lesson there would be 25-50 new dancers
each week with by a similar number of regulars who came to the lesson to
help. The lesson ran from 7:30-8:15 pm and the dance from 8:30-11:30pm.
It is worth noting that the lesson was very light on figures and
concentrated on other aspects which were considered much more important
for new dancers to have a successful and enjoyable time.. New dancers
were encouraged to wear a button that identified them as such and
regular dancers were good at inviting dancers with buttons to dance.
These buttons were also available for returning dancers who wanted them.
It was also considered unacceptable for a caller to have more than 1
walk through!
Michael Barraclough
[currently outside Manchester UK, previously VA/MD and Phoenix. AZ]
On 15/09/2023 12:14, Mary Collins via Contra Callers wrote:
We in Western New York, well some of us, just attended a callers'
workshop. The focus was specifically on the "lesson", a term I avoid
since we advertise "no lesson needed".
The attendees each gave figures that should be taught during the 15 -
30 min. "lesson". They ranged from 4 - 15 + moves. I was actually
surprised and dismayed at how much information (and talking at) is
shared by some.
I think that the KISS idea is applicable here. I attend and absorb the
George Marshall introductory sessions as often as possible and use his
as my model.
Giving weight in circle, alemande, do-si-do, star, circle, right &
left through (to get courtsey turn), swing and now I have added
positions of Lark & Robin. There are techniques that are not outlined
here such as how I teach partnering & progression that are
incorporated within the others.
Much of what some wanted to teach IMHO belongs in the dance line where
it actually makes sense. I also, when there are beginners in the
lines, actually teach a new harder move during the walk through, much
I must say to the chagrin of experienced dancers. My belief is that
those that don't know, learn, those that do get to help which is what
they want to do and those that think they know, may get better.
So now having used many words let's dance! 😁
Mary Collins
On Thu, Sep 14, 2023, 11:14 AM Tony Parkes via Contra Callers
<contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Bravo, Michael! (I’ve bolded, below, the point on which I want to
agree wholeheartedly.) I’ve believed this for years, and had no
way of knowing what percentage of active contra callers agreed. I
dare to hope that, as Michael is known for writing and advocating
difficult sequences, his opinion will carry added weight.
Over the decades, I’ve seen the number of contra “basics” increase
dramatically – from about 12 in the 1960s, when many groups got
started, to at least 36 today. I’ve worried that the modern contra
world has been going down the same path as modern “western”
squares did. There’s always a gap between what a first-timer can
grasp in one night and what a dancer needs to know to be
comfortable at a dance series. But if “basics” are continually
added, the gap gets ever wider, until a lesson or a series of
lessons is needed. Western squares started with 6 lessons in the
late 1940s; currently the Plus program (the prevailing club level
in most parts of the US) contains 97 “basics” and (coincidentally)
is recommended to be taught in 97 hours, or about 50 lessons.
(Most clubs insist that their callers take less time, which
results in new dancers not learning the calls adequately.)
We contra and trad square callers are nowhere near the excesses of
MWSD. But even 36 “basics” are too many for an activity that
supposedly anyone can join in without lessons. Some sequences –
maybe even some moves – should be reserved for workshops. I’m glad
to see an influential modern contra caller speaking out on this.
Tony Parkes
Billerica, Mass.
www.hands4.com <http://www.hands4.com/>
New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century
(available now)
*From:* Michael Fuerst via Contra Callers
<contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
*Sent:* Thursday, September 14, 2023 4:11 AM
*To:* Helle Hill <helleh...@yahoo.com>
*Cc:* Shared Weight Contra Callers
<contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
*Subject:* [Callers] Re: New Terminology Question
Jeff's suggestion of "facing star" works perfectly, and merits
becoming the standard term used for discussions about and written
descriptions of dances. However, *such occasionally used figures
must always be explained during walk-throughs*, so the caller can
designate, for the duration of the dance, any appropriate name. (I
think I have used "funny" or "silly" star in the past.) The point
being that *dancers should need to understand the names of a dozen
or so basic figures* (such as F&B, allemande, promenade, star,
chain, right and left, circle, shoulders round, hey, and maybe
several more) and that callers should need only basic figures
to teach any dance.
On Wed, Sep 13, 2023 at 8:58 PM Helle Hill via Contra Callers
<contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
With all the changes to the "old" terminology, I am wondering
what a "Gypsy Star" is now called.
Thank you.
Helle Hill
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