Re: [Callers] Glen Echo FND beginner lesson plan

Jeff, Glen Echo Sunday night has been doing a workshop for the past several years. Baltimore (Saturday) has one. Baltimore (Wednesday) has a workshop twice a month. Bob On 8/14/2013 13:11, Jeff Kaufman wrote: The regular evening dances we've played, with workshop status:

Re: [Callers] Crowd noise during walk through

Hi All, Some time ago as we contra dancers say, "Our dances are very social events, we get to meet everyone in the dance line..." (and more) someone pointed out that, in a way, going to a bar to dance, like a swing dance or country western dance, people would sit and chat, drink a beer, get

Re: [Callers] Crowd noise during walk through

On 8/13/2013 11:06 PM, Greg McKenzie wrote: Jacqui, I think you are on the right track. Earning and holding the attention of the hall is a key skill that many callers struggle with. A contra dance is a complex ritual where the caller takes control of the audio space in the room and moves the

Re: [Callers] Glen Echo FND beginner lesson plan

On 8/13/2013 8:43 PM, Greg McKenzie wrote: If the hall is integrated the first-timers will have either a partner who will put them on the correct side, or they will be surrounded by couples modeling the correct behavior. If I need to give out this sort of information I consider it to be a sign

Re: [Callers] crowd noise

Depending upon how playful I feel, I sometimes mouth "directions" This can be a humorous way to get dancers quieted down. I'm of the "Whoopee Cushion" school of calling. Having a sense of humor is a huge thing for a caller. John B. Freeman, SFTPOCTJ

Re: [Callers] Glen Echo FND beginner lesson plan

The regular evening dances we've played, with workshop status: Amherst MA: workshop Grey Eagle, Asheville NC: no workshop BIDA in Cambridge MA: workshop Baltimore MD: no workshop Belfast ME: workshop Brooklyn NY: workshop Charlestown MA: no workshop Charlotte NC: workshop Charlottesville VA:

Re: [Callers] Glen Echo FND beginner lesson plan

Jeff wrote: > I think the fraction of dances with a beginners workshop is more like 30%. > > (With the Free Raisins I notice when there are workshops because while > we're not generally asked to play for a workshop we do need to be > quiet and stop soundchecking. We've played dances at about 45

Re: [Callers] crowd noise

I don't call that often, but I usually do more or less what Tom recommends. I often will just say in as deep a voice as I can (to make it sound different from the other noise), "Do we have hands four?" I rely on the dancers to help quiet the crowd (and when I'm not calling will often "sh-h-h-h"

Re: [Callers] Glen Echo FND beginner lesson plan

On Tue, Aug 13, 2013 at 11:43 PM, Greg McKenzie wrote: > > I think almost all contra dances provide some kind of orientation. > I think the fraction of dances with a beginners workshop is more like 30%. (With the Free Raisins I notice when there are workshops because while

[Callers] crowd noise

Jacqui, It's kind of silly of me to give you any advise not having danced in your community. I think the most important thing for any caller is to not take it personally and always remain relaxed and happy. I've heard over the years that the caller is in charge and all responsibility

Re: [Callers] Crowd noise during walk through

Jacqui, If the gig is an intensive dance weekend, then the dancers probably expect you to get them dancing, dammit, and never mind wasting this time on a walk-through while we're talking and ignoring the caller. That's always a problem. The way I've addressed it in that situation might not

Re: [Callers] Crowd noise during walk through

Jacqui, I think you are on the right track. Earning and holding the attention of the hall is a key skill that many callers struggle with. A contra dance is a complex ritual where the caller takes control of the audio space in the room and moves the locus of attention to their voice for defined

Re: [Callers] Glen Echo FND beginner lesson plan

On Tue, Aug 13, 2013 at 11:43 PM, Greg McKenzie wrote: > Mac wrote: > > > At our dances in St Louis, new dancers are almost always paired with > > experienced dancers for much of the first part of the evening (not ones > who > > have just attended once or twice - but dancers

Re: [Callers] Crowd noise during walk through

Hi Jacqui, Make sure that folks take hands-four (I'm assuming that you will be calling contras) -- all the way to the bottom of the line. Take your time getting that done -- it sends as clear signal that you care about the dancers and are watching them. Then begin teaching, clearly, slowly

Re: [Callers] Crowd noise during walk through

Put Quaaludes in the drinking water. On Tue, Aug 13, 2013 at 11:55 PM, Quiann2 wrote: > Hello, > > I'm a new caller and have been noticing recently at some dances that the > crowd is quite chatty and noisy and it can take a long time to get them to > settle down and listen

Re: [Callers] Glen Echo FND beginner lesson plan

Mac wrote: > At our dances in St Louis, new dancers are almost always paired with > experienced dancers for much of the first part of the evening (not ones who > have just attended once or twice - but dancers skilled in dancing with new > dancers). There are exceptions - but our dancers work