Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

On Oct 2, 2011, at 3:16 PM, D Bar wrote: > I am going to be calling one of my first gigged contra dances in a week! I > have a half-hour to introduce newbies on what's what in the dance prior and I > am wondering what do other callers find has been the most effective use of > that half hour?

Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

Regarding the calling of mixers without advance announcement Crissy Fowler wrote: > Also, while I won't speak for them, I can imagine many other well-respected > callers besides David have similar thoughts on the topic, including at least > 4 I can think of off the top of my head. > Exactly!

Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

Dancers who have come to trust a caller's training, taste, and discernment won't worry overly much about mixers "sprung" on the crowd, social engineering, whether there are too many partner-only-swing dances in the program, etc. If David's at the microphone, I'm ready to dance. Period.

Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

Regarding David Millstone's comments: Same here on all of the below. Also, while I won't speak for them, I can imagine many other well-respected callers besides David have similar thoughts on the topic, including at least 4 I can think of off the top of my head. Chrissy Fowler Belfast, Maine

Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

"The tactic of "springing" a mixer on the dancers " We dance every Monday night in Nelson and the regulars understand that a circle dance is the "norm" during the sumer season. Not only do we regularly have a third of the hall "new dancers".. we have had up to 14 different countries and several

Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

David wrote: > Greg's negative feelings about mixers are based on them being used as a > form of social engineering, to get folks to partner up with people with whom > they wouldn't normally. > Thank you David for stating this idea so clearly. You are, once again, treading very close to the

Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

In addition to David's dances to the north, mixers, especially circle mixers are often used elsewhere in New Hampshire. This is certainly true. In Nelson where we always have lots of new dancers in the hall, especially in the summer time - many high school students who don't have homework to

Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

Greg wrote: "Mixers are often used to force integration of the dance hall." I'm glad that he included the "often" qualifier, thereby leaving open the possibility that not every caller who chooses a mixer is condemned to the 9th circle of hell. Following the lead of my mentor, Ted Sannella, I

Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

On Wed, Oct 5, 2011 at 6:13 AM, Martha Edwards wrote: > So I guess it's good that I always forget when this caller is calling to be > sure I don't ask newcomers to dance during the early part of the evening... > > M > E > Correct! It is often necessary for responsible

Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

Amen! So I guess it's good that I always forget when this caller is calling to be sure I don't ask newcomers to dance during the early part of the evening... M E > > This is a good example of how implicit messages can override explicit ones. > By assuming that all or most first-timers will

Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

On Mon, Oct 3, 2011 at 8:55 PM, Martha Edwards wrote: > Here's a funny little oddity concerning the care and keeping of new > dancers: > > Although we've done a good job here of developing a fairly large group of > accomplished dancers who like to make sure newcomers

[Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

Has anyone found a good way to juggle the beginners' lesson with the sound check? When do you start each of them so they don't interfere with each other? What is working for you? Jill Allen

Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

I quite agree that a walking swing is a crucial skill to learn (some choreographies obviously work better with it), and a perfectly good thing to start with. But I still think the buzzstep needs to be taught, because it's easy to get it wrong. I've started attending a couple of established

Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

Clearly, it matters what your dance community is like. If you usually have lots of beginners dancing together, then the extra neighbor interaction increases their chance of dancing with an experienced dancer. But if your community is filled with dance angels who specifically ask newcomers to

Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

n, Oct 3, 2011 8:35 am Subject: Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips? Not a fan of lessons prior to a dance (although the best pre-dance is one by Steve Zakon-Anderson). My first dance with a large crowd of eginners is a circle mixer. A great dance to use is "Cabot School ixer&q

Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

, 2011 11:11 AM Subject: Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips? I don't like relying on the "experienced dancers" to teach a buzz-step swing as I know some of them have bad habits and I would like to minimize how much of that is passed on :-) I explain there are three parts:

Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

I don't like relying on the "experienced dancers" to teach a buzz-step swing as I know some of them have bad habits and I would like to minimize how much of that is passed on :-) I explain there are three parts: - the beginning - negotiating how to get into a comfortable position, especially

Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

Dear me, I could write a novel with all this information! Thank you all for the wonderful feedback, insights, and suggestions. Hopefully some beginners show up so I DO get to use it. =) Davey On Tue, Oct 4, 2011 at 12:44 AM, Keith Tuxhorn wrote: > I'd disagree with Richard

Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

I'd disagree with Richard re: dropping teaching the swing. For most modern contra dancers, that's one of the 2-3 most important things about why people do these dances, at least in the Midwest. With every dance having at least one swing, the instructor should get them prepared. And I'd rather

Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

On Mon, Oct 3, 2011 at 8:55 PM, Martha Edwards wrote: > Here's a funny little oddity concerning the care and keeping of new dancers: > > Although we've done a good job here of developing a fairly large group of > accomplished dancers who like to make sure newcomers have

Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

Donald wrote: I particularly like mixing everyone together at the start of the > night.. I also ask that at the end of the mixer.. you ask whomever you > ended with to dance the next dance. Thus new dancers and experienced > learn from each other. > Well,...actually, only some of them do.

Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

Buss step! I love it. And here I thought that kissing figures were more English than contra... M E On Sun, Oct 2, 2011 at 2:21 PM, Dorcas Hand wrote: > > ... A demo of the buss step is a bonus. > >

Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

As Richard said, it helps to focus on key concepts, rather than particular calls. There's a lot of great suggestions already in response to your query. I find it useful to organize the session around an outline, based on the styles of a couple callers who mentored me. 1. Have the dancers find a

Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

400 > From: limerickf...@gmail.com > To: call...@sharedweight.net > Subject: Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips? > > Not a fan of lessons prior to a dance (although the best pre-dance is > done by Steve Zakon-Anderson). My first dance with a large crowd of > beginners is

Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

Not a fan of lessons prior to a dance (although the best pre-dance is done by Steve Zakon-Anderson). My first dance with a large crowd of beginners is a circle mixer. A great dance to use is "Cabot School Mixer" by Ted Sannella. It quickly.. and forgivingly introduces the new dancer to several

Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

There are a lot of good suggestions for a beginner's workshop here, already, but I'll add my 2 cents, anyway. When I do a beginners workshop before a dance, I like to focus on key concepts and actions, rather than particular calls: 1. Line up and pay attention to the lines. If you are not in

Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

On 02/Oct/11 12:16, D Bar wrote: Howdy, I am going to be calling one of my first gigged contra dances in a week! I have a half-hour to introduce newbies on what's what in the dance prior and I am wondering what do other callers find has been the most effective use of that half hour? I imagine

Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

From: callers-boun...@sharedweight.net > [mailto:callers-boun...@sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of D Bar > Sent: Sunday, October 02, 2011 2:17 PM > To: call...@sharedweight.net > Subject: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips? > > Howdy, > > I am going to be calling one of my first g

Re: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

Bar Sent: Sunday, October 02, 2011 2:17 PM To: call...@sharedweight.net Subject: [Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips? Howdy, I am going to be calling one of my first gigged contra dances in a week! I have a half-hour to introduce newbies on what's what in the dance prior and I am wondering what do

[Callers] The Beginners' Lesson Tips?

Howdy, I am going to be calling one of my first gigged contra dances in a week! I have a half-hour to introduce newbies on what's what in the dance prior and I am wondering what do other callers find has been the most effective use of that half hour? I imagine going over improper formation