Contra Callers

contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net

45 participants
4388 discussions

by Dan Pearl

I just led a session on conducting walk-throughs at NEFFA, so the topic is fresh on my mind. (BTW if anyone wants a copy of the handout from that session, drop me a line, and I'll send you a pdf.) I have a hard-and-fast rule about walk-throughs: "There are no hard and fast rules." The number of walk-throughs depends on a zillion factors, so I usually make the decision about another walk-through at the end of the first walk through. But because I'm a big-city-slicker from the East Coast, my goal is usually one walk through. Why? 1) I like the pace of the evening to be at a reasonable clip. Extra walk-throughs tend to slow the evening down, in my opinion. 2) I want to train the dancers to pay attention the first time, and not rely on omnipresent subsequent walk-throughs. 3) I want to maintain my credibility by doing the right amount of teaching that a dance requires. 4) The level of the evening should be attainable by most, with just a few challenges. 5) I think the dancers want to dance. Exceptions? Sure! Here are some: a) Monthly dance, lots of new dancers? Two walk-throughs (especially 1st half of the evening). This is where I explain about "out at the ends". I might go to one walk-through later in the evening. b) Experienced crowd? Maybe no walk-through. [Actually, a real-time walk-through with music, if you get my drift] c) Triple Minor dance? Two walk-throughs. (so the 2's and 3's can experience the "other" role). Decision Time: Do another one? LISTEN to the crowd at the end of walkthrough 1 and differentiate between friendly chit-chat sounds, and worried murmurs of people asking each other what to do. I would recommend to all callers that have tried one walk-through with little success to a) Examine the material you have chosen. Is it reasonable dance material, or challenging, unorthodox, etc.? b) Record yourself and analyze later whether the words you chose were the best ones to get the dancers to do what you wanted. If not, figure out better ones. In my mind, better = shorter, less ambiguous, more memorable, etc. Happy dancing! Dan

15 years, 3 months

Re: [Callers] walk-throughs/pay off

by Martha Wild

I agree with Tom. Each dance group is different - some have huge influxes of beginners, or have regulars that are, for various reasons, still challenged after years of dancing. Sometimes the first half of a dance may require two walk-throughs for most dances, even for forgiving dances, and the second half, after many newcomers get tired (I think they tire more quickly because they are thinking more and correcting their movements and just use more energy), can be one WT or for dances without unusual figures, none. There are no hard and fast rules and I watch whether there is confusion during the walk- through, whether a bunch of inexperienced people suddenly joined the end late and haven't even walked it through once, etc., etc. , and mix in a decision on how much chaos I think the dance (and dancers) can tolerate happily before it settles in, and decide on whether to call a second walk-through. Better a second walk-through than a line falling apart. As for getting negative (and positive) feedback about these choices - you'll never please everyone. There will always be someone who comes and tells you that they didn't like "x" - and right after that someone will walk up and thank you profusely for doing "x". One friend of mine hates having the men do things together - like walk down the hall four in line where men have hands together, or have a mens swing, and doesn't like dances that have those moves, and he tells me so. Other guys tell me they loved the mens swing in a particular dance because they got to swing powerfully with someone of equal weight and height and it was a blast. So don't even try to please everyone, you won't. Basically, I figure that if there is good energy on the floor during a dance, it flowed well, and the dancers are smiling and clapping after the dance finishes, it's a success. So, not to discount feedback, but try to put it in the context of the person who gives it to you, and how much of it you are getting. And yes, different dance groups are amazingly different. There are dance groups that love dances that have such moves as "sashay down", or hand-claps, and other groups would hate them. One gets to know one's local groups pretty well, but when you go to a really different venue, it's sometimes surprising. Even the culture can be surprising. Some places do a dance, then they socialize and eat for five minutes before you can get them back to the floor. Others have formed new lines before you've bent over to check your notes. Flexibility is key. Martha On May 2, 2010, at 9:00 AM, callers-request(a)sharedweight.net wrote: > Send Callers mailing list submissions to > callers(a)sharedweight.net > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > callers-request(a)sharedweight.net > > You can reach the person managing the list at > callers-owner(a)sharedweight.net > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Callers digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. walk-throughs/pay off (Tom Hinds) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Sat, 1 May 2010 12:55:46 -0400 > From: Tom Hinds <twhinds(a)earthlink.net> > To: callers(a)sharedweight.net > Subject: [Callers] walk-throughs/pay off > Message-ID: <2706BF14-AC9F-478B-8B24-DE34D4197CA2(a)earthlink.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed > > Great discussion about walk-throughs. In particular I like the 'mix > it up' approach. Not too long ago I got chewed out by one person for > doing two walk-throughs for several contras at Glen Echo on a > Friday. Do we like to make up rules or what? > > I'd like to throw in an idea that I think others may have touched > on. I like to use the square dance figure, teacup chain for groups > that haven't danced it. I usually walk it through twice for the head > ladies and let them do it by themselves a third time. Ditto for the > side ladies. Then I walk it through for all four ladies once or > twice. The total number of times the figure is walked through is 8 > but the figure is only 32 beats long. Add to this the instructions > to the men and some of the rules for everyone, we have a great deal > of instruction. Here's the catch: the teacup chain always gets the > most applause from the crowd. It's the big thrill of the evening. > What I've learned is that for some dances there's a pay off. My goal > is to figure out what dances will pay off the most for each group. > > In the last year or so, I've noticed that what really turns on one > group will bore or turn off another. I don't have a crystal ball yet > and can't figure out why this is-still lots to learn. > > Tom > > > > > > > On May 1, 2010, at 12:00 PM, callers-request(a)sharedweight.net wrote: > >> Send Callers mailing list submissions to >> callers(a)sharedweight.net >> >> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit >> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to >> callers-request(a)sharedweight.net >> >> You can reach the person managing the list at >> callers-owner(a)sharedweight.net >> >> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific >> than "Re: Contents of Callers digest..." >> >> >> Today's Topics: >> >> 1. Re: Walk-throughs (Rich Goss) >> 2. Re: Walk-throughs (Martha Edwards) >> 3. Re: Walk-throughs (Katy Heine) >> 4. Re: Walk-throughs (JohnFreem(a)aol.com) >> >> >> --------------------------------------------------------------------- >> - >> >> Message: 1 >> Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:02:46 -0700 >> From: Rich Goss <richgoss(a)comcast.net> >> To: Shared Weight <callers(a)sharedweight.net> >> Subject: Re: [Callers] Walk-throughs >> Message-ID: <C8008576.8DA5%richgoss(a)comcast.net> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" >> >> >> >> >> On 4/30/10 11:29 AM, "Bob Isaacs" <isaacsbob(a)hotmail.com> wrote: >> >>> Chris Weiler wrote: >>> >>> >>> "I subscribe to the theory that if I need more than one walk thru, >>> then >>> I'm calling a dance that is too difficult for the crowd. The main >>> reason >>> that I might run a second walk thru is if there is a clump of >>> beginners >>> and I need to get them progressed to new couples who can help >>> them out. " >>> >> >> Bob Isaacs wrote: >>> >>> Just curious - what are the dancer expectations where you call? >>> >>> >> >> Often I find that is just depends on the dance. Our Portland >> Saturday >> dances tend to have a fair number of beginners, somewhere around >> 20-30 >> percent (we get between 100-150 total) If I observe that folks >> seemed to >> get it the first time, back it up and go. If it's a dance with a >> tricky >> move, second walkthrough. If I've had to demo a move in the first >> walkthrough, definitely a second with the feel of the flow. I >> always try to >> throw in a no-walkthrough sometime during the evening, with >> familiar moves. >> >> Rich >> >> >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> Message: 2 >> Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:26:33 -0500 >> From: Martha Edwards <meedwards(a)westendweb.com> >> To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> >> Subject: Re: [Callers] Walk-throughs >> Message-ID: >> <z2g7d8d864a1004301426m67c8b0c3wdadfb9ea70806b7c(a)mail.gmail.com> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 >> >> I've had East coast callers tell me in no uncertain terms that if >> you have >> to walk it through more than once you'd better figure out a better >> way to >> call or choose simpler dances. >> >> But we're used to two out here in the Heartland, so we have all >> kinds of >> reasons why it's better. Number one is that the two walkthroughs have >> different functions - the first one to explain the moves, the >> second to show >> what you have to do when you do them at speed. >> >> The number two reason is that the experienced dancers are talking >> during the >> first walkthrough, knowing that another one is coming... >> >> Hmmm.... >> >> M >> E >> >> On Fri, Apr 30, 2010 at 3:02 PM, Rich Goss <richgoss(a)comcast.net> >> wrote: >> >>> >>> >>> >>> On 4/30/10 11:29 AM, "Bob Isaacs" <isaacsbob(a)hotmail.com> wrote: >>> >>>> Chris Weiler wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>> "I subscribe to the theory that if I need more than one walk >>>> thru, then >>>> I'm calling a dance that is too difficult for the crowd. The >>>> main reason >>>> that I might run a second walk thru is if there is a clump of >>>> beginners >>>> and I need to get them progressed to new couples who can help >>>> them out. >>> " >>>> >>> >>> Bob Isaacs wrote: >>>> >>>> Just curious - what are the dancer expectations where you call? >>>> >>>> >>> >>> Often I find that is just depends on the dance. Our Portland >>> Saturday >>> dances tend to have a fair number of beginners, somewhere around >>> 20-30 >>> percent (we get between 100-150 total) If I observe that folks >>> seemed to >>> get it the first time, back it up and go. If it's a dance with a >>> tricky >>> move, second walkthrough. If I've had to demo a move in the first >>> walkthrough, definitely a second with the feel of the flow. I >>> always try >>> to >>> throw in a no-walkthrough sometime during the evening, with >>> familiar moves. >>> >>> Rich >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Callers mailing list >>> Callers(a)sharedweight.net >>> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >>> >> >> >> >> -- >> For the good are always the merry, >> Save by an evil chance, >> And the merry love the fiddle >> And the merry love to dance. ~ William Butler Yeats >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> Message: 3 >> Date: Sat, 1 May 2010 07:23:16 -0400 >> From: "Katy Heine" <kheine(a)twcny.rr.com> >> To: "'Caller's discussion list'" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> >> Subject: Re: [Callers] Walk-throughs >> Message-ID: <0F40BEA5136F43BBA70CE3BE69348CC9@stewart> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" >> >> Interesting discussion. Here in central New York, I don't think the >> dancers >> have a clear expectation about the number of times a dance should >> be walked >> through (although generally there's a preference for single walk- >> throughs, >> and little tolerance for more than two). The approach that I've >> decided to >> take is to mix it up: use one walk-through for simpler dances and >> two when a >> dance is particularly complex ... or when the dance is new to me, >> or when I >> feel I haven't done the best job teaching it the first time. So far >> no one >> has complained.... >> >> Katy Heine >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net >> [mailto:callers-bounces@sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of Martha Edwards >> Sent: Friday, April 30, 2010 5:27 PM >> To: Caller's discussion list >> Subject: Re: [Callers] Walk-throughs >> >> I've had East coast callers tell me in no uncertain terms that if >> you have >> to walk it through more than once you'd better figure out a better >> way to >> call or choose simpler dances. >> >> But we're used to two out here in the Heartland, so we have all >> kinds of >> reasons why it's better. Number one is that the two walkthroughs have >> different functions - the first one to explain the moves, the >> second to show >> what you have to do when you do them at speed. >> >> The number two reason is that the experienced dancers are talking >> during the >> first walkthrough, knowing that another one is coming... >> >> Hmmm.... >> >> M >> E >> >> On Fri, Apr 30, 2010 at 3:02 PM, Rich Goss <richgoss(a)comcast.net> >> wrote: >> >>> >>> >>> >>> On 4/30/10 11:29 AM, "Bob Isaacs" <isaacsbob(a)hotmail.com> wrote: >>> >>>> Chris Weiler wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>> "I subscribe to the theory that if I need more than one walk >>>> thru, then >>>> I'm calling a dance that is too difficult for the crowd. The main >> reason >>>> that I might run a second walk thru is if there is a clump of >>>> beginners >>>> and I need to get them progressed to new couples who can help >>>> them out. >>> " >>>> >>> >>> Bob Isaacs wrote: >>>> >>>> Just curious - what are the dancer expectations where you call? >>>> >>>> >>> >>> Often I find that is just depends on the dance. Our Portland >>> Saturday >>> dances tend to have a fair number of beginners, somewhere around >>> 20-30 >>> percent (we get between 100-150 total) If I observe that folks >>> seemed to >>> get it the first time, back it up and go. If it's a dance with a >>> tricky >>> move, second walkthrough. If I've had to demo a move in the first >>> walkthrough, definitely a second with the feel of the flow. I >>> always try >>> to >>> throw in a no-walkthrough sometime during the evening, with familiar >> moves. >>> >>> Rich >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Callers mailing list >>> Callers(a)sharedweight.net >>> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >>> >> >> >> >> -- >> For the good are always the merry, >> Save by an evil chance, >> And the merry love the fiddle >> And the merry love to dance. ~ William Butler Yeats >> _______________________________________________ >> Callers mailing list >> Callers(a)sharedweight.net >> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >> >> >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> Message: 4 >> Date: Sat, 1 May 2010 07:37:47 EDT >> From: JohnFreem(a)aol.com >> To: callers(a)sharedweight.net >> Subject: Re: [Callers] Walk-throughs >> Message-ID: <771.741827bc.390d6c8b(a)aol.com> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" >> >> Good morning! >> >> I just returned from watching Ann Arbor Morris brave a torrential >> downpour >> to welcome the spring in. We were all soaked clear through >> to...well, I'll >> leave that to your imagination. >> >> Anyway, since I usually work with mixed crowds, I tend to favor >> two or >> three walkthroughs. I think that it give the newbies a few >> opportunities to >> learn how the progression works, to learn that it's "places, not >> faces" that >> often determines who you will be dancing with, and to rein the >> center set crowd >> in a bit so we are on the same page as we begin. I also may switch >> to a >> proper dance if the "experienced dancers" cross over before the >> sets have >> sorted themselves out. I discourage "flourishes" during the >> walkthroughs. They do >> nothing to enhance the teaching, and often really confuse the >> beginners. I >> don't mind them later...as long as they don't interfere with the >> enjoyment >> of others. >> >> And yes, I AM the chief of the Dance Police. :-) >> >> John B. Freeman, President >> SFTPOCTJ >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Callers mailing list >> Callers(a)sharedweight.net >> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >> >> >> End of Callers Digest, Vol 69, Issue 1 >> ************************************** > > > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > > End of Callers Digest, Vol 69, Issue 2 > **************************************

15 years, 3 months

walk-throughs/pay off

by Tom Hinds

Great discussion about walk-throughs. In particular I like the 'mix it up' approach. Not too long ago I got chewed out by one person for doing two walk-throughs for several contras at Glen Echo on a Friday. Do we like to make up rules or what? I'd like to throw in an idea that I think others may have touched on. I like to use the square dance figure, teacup chain for groups that haven't danced it. I usually walk it through twice for the head ladies and let them do it by themselves a third time. Ditto for the side ladies. Then I walk it through for all four ladies once or twice. The total number of times the figure is walked through is 8 but the figure is only 32 beats long. Add to this the instructions to the men and some of the rules for everyone, we have a great deal of instruction. Here's the catch: the teacup chain always gets the most applause from the crowd. It's the big thrill of the evening. What I've learned is that for some dances there's a pay off. My goal is to figure out what dances will pay off the most for each group. In the last year or so, I've noticed that what really turns on one group will bore or turn off another. I don't have a crystal ball yet and can't figure out why this is-still lots to learn. Tom On May 1, 2010, at 12:00 PM, callers-request(a)sharedweight.net wrote: > Send Callers mailing list submissions to > callers(a)sharedweight.net > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > callers-request(a)sharedweight.net > > You can reach the person managing the list at > callers-owner(a)sharedweight.net > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Callers digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: Walk-throughs (Rich Goss) > 2. Re: Walk-throughs (Martha Edwards) > 3. Re: Walk-throughs (Katy Heine) > 4. Re: Walk-throughs (JohnFreem(a)aol.com) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:02:46 -0700 > From: Rich Goss <richgoss(a)comcast.net> > To: Shared Weight <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Walk-throughs > Message-ID: <C8008576.8DA5%richgoss(a)comcast.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" > > > > > On 4/30/10 11:29 AM, "Bob Isaacs" <isaacsbob(a)hotmail.com> wrote: > >> Chris Weiler wrote: >> >> >> "I subscribe to the theory that if I need more than one walk thru, >> then >> I'm calling a dance that is too difficult for the crowd. The main >> reason >> that I might run a second walk thru is if there is a clump of >> beginners >> and I need to get them progressed to new couples who can help >> them out. " >> > > Bob Isaacs wrote: >> >> Just curious - what are the dancer expectations where you call? >> >> > > Often I find that is just depends on the dance. Our Portland Saturday > dances tend to have a fair number of beginners, somewhere around 20-30 > percent (we get between 100-150 total) If I observe that folks > seemed to > get it the first time, back it up and go. If it's a dance with a > tricky > move, second walkthrough. If I've had to demo a move in the first > walkthrough, definitely a second with the feel of the flow. I > always try to > throw in a no-walkthrough sometime during the evening, with > familiar moves. > > Rich > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:26:33 -0500 > From: Martha Edwards <meedwards(a)westendweb.com> > To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Walk-throughs > Message-ID: > <z2g7d8d864a1004301426m67c8b0c3wdadfb9ea70806b7c(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > I've had East coast callers tell me in no uncertain terms that if > you have > to walk it through more than once you'd better figure out a better > way to > call or choose simpler dances. > > But we're used to two out here in the Heartland, so we have all > kinds of > reasons why it's better. Number one is that the two walkthroughs have > different functions - the first one to explain the moves, the > second to show > what you have to do when you do them at speed. > > The number two reason is that the experienced dancers are talking > during the > first walkthrough, knowing that another one is coming... > > Hmmm.... > > M > E > > On Fri, Apr 30, 2010 at 3:02 PM, Rich Goss <richgoss(a)comcast.net> > wrote: > >> >> >> >> On 4/30/10 11:29 AM, "Bob Isaacs" <isaacsbob(a)hotmail.com> wrote: >> >>> Chris Weiler wrote: >>> >>> >>> "I subscribe to the theory that if I need more than one walk >>> thru, then >>> I'm calling a dance that is too difficult for the crowd. The >>> main reason >>> that I might run a second walk thru is if there is a clump of >>> beginners >>> and I need to get them progressed to new couples who can help >>> them out. >> " >>> >> >> Bob Isaacs wrote: >>> >>> Just curious - what are the dancer expectations where you call? >>> >>> >> >> Often I find that is just depends on the dance. Our Portland >> Saturday >> dances tend to have a fair number of beginners, somewhere around >> 20-30 >> percent (we get between 100-150 total) If I observe that folks >> seemed to >> get it the first time, back it up and go. If it's a dance with a >> tricky >> move, second walkthrough. If I've had to demo a move in the first >> walkthrough, definitely a second with the feel of the flow. I >> always try >> to >> throw in a no-walkthrough sometime during the evening, with >> familiar moves. >> >> Rich >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Callers mailing list >> Callers(a)sharedweight.net >> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >> > > > > -- > For the good are always the merry, > Save by an evil chance, > And the merry love the fiddle > And the merry love to dance. ~ William Butler Yeats > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Sat, 1 May 2010 07:23:16 -0400 > From: "Katy Heine" <kheine(a)twcny.rr.com> > To: "'Caller's discussion list'" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Walk-throughs > Message-ID: <0F40BEA5136F43BBA70CE3BE69348CC9@stewart> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Interesting discussion. Here in central New York, I don't think the > dancers > have a clear expectation about the number of times a dance should > be walked > through (although generally there's a preference for single walk- > throughs, > and little tolerance for more than two). The approach that I've > decided to > take is to mix it up: use one walk-through for simpler dances and > two when a > dance is particularly complex ... or when the dance is new to me, > or when I > feel I haven't done the best job teaching it the first time. So far > no one > has complained.... > > Katy Heine > > -----Original Message----- > From: callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net > [mailto:callers-bounces@sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of Martha Edwards > Sent: Friday, April 30, 2010 5:27 PM > To: Caller's discussion list > Subject: Re: [Callers] Walk-throughs > > I've had East coast callers tell me in no uncertain terms that if > you have > to walk it through more than once you'd better figure out a better > way to > call or choose simpler dances. > > But we're used to two out here in the Heartland, so we have all > kinds of > reasons why it's better. Number one is that the two walkthroughs have > different functions - the first one to explain the moves, the > second to show > what you have to do when you do them at speed. > > The number two reason is that the experienced dancers are talking > during the > first walkthrough, knowing that another one is coming... > > Hmmm.... > > M > E > > On Fri, Apr 30, 2010 at 3:02 PM, Rich Goss <richgoss(a)comcast.net> > wrote: > >> >> >> >> On 4/30/10 11:29 AM, "Bob Isaacs" <isaacsbob(a)hotmail.com> wrote: >> >>> Chris Weiler wrote: >>> >>> >>> "I subscribe to the theory that if I need more than one walk >>> thru, then >>> I'm calling a dance that is too difficult for the crowd. The main > reason >>> that I might run a second walk thru is if there is a clump of >>> beginners >>> and I need to get them progressed to new couples who can help >>> them out. >> " >>> >> >> Bob Isaacs wrote: >>> >>> Just curious - what are the dancer expectations where you call? >>> >>> >> >> Often I find that is just depends on the dance. Our Portland >> Saturday >> dances tend to have a fair number of beginners, somewhere around >> 20-30 >> percent (we get between 100-150 total) If I observe that folks >> seemed to >> get it the first time, back it up and go. If it's a dance with a >> tricky >> move, second walkthrough. If I've had to demo a move in the first >> walkthrough, definitely a second with the feel of the flow. I >> always try >> to >> throw in a no-walkthrough sometime during the evening, with familiar > moves. >> >> Rich >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Callers mailing list >> Callers(a)sharedweight.net >> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >> > > > > -- > For the good are always the merry, > Save by an evil chance, > And the merry love the fiddle > And the merry love to dance. ~ William Butler Yeats > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Sat, 1 May 2010 07:37:47 EDT > From: JohnFreem(a)aol.com > To: callers(a)sharedweight.net > Subject: Re: [Callers] Walk-throughs > Message-ID: <771.741827bc.390d6c8b(a)aol.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" > > Good morning! > > I just returned from watching Ann Arbor Morris brave a torrential > downpour > to welcome the spring in. We were all soaked clear through > to...well, I'll > leave that to your imagination. > > Anyway, since I usually work with mixed crowds, I tend to favor two or > three walkthroughs. I think that it give the newbies a few > opportunities to > learn how the progression works, to learn that it's "places, not > faces" that > often determines who you will be dancing with, and to rein the > center set crowd > in a bit so we are on the same page as we begin. I also may switch > to a > proper dance if the "experienced dancers" cross over before the > sets have > sorted themselves out. I discourage "flourishes" during the > walkthroughs. They do > nothing to enhance the teaching, and often really confuse the > beginners. I > don't mind them later...as long as they don't interfere with the > enjoyment > of others. > > And yes, I AM the chief of the Dance Police. :-) > > John B. Freeman, President > SFTPOCTJ > > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers(a)sharedweight.net > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > > > End of Callers Digest, Vol 69, Issue 1 > **************************************

15 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] Walk-throughs

by JohnFreem＠aol.com

Good morning! I just returned from watching Ann Arbor Morris brave a torrential downpour to welcome the spring in. We were all soaked clear through to...well, I'll leave that to your imagination. Anyway, since I usually work with mixed crowds, I tend to favor two or three walkthroughs. I think that it give the newbies a few opportunities to learn how the progression works, to learn that it's "places, not faces" that often determines who you will be dancing with, and to rein the center set crowd in a bit so we are on the same page as we begin. I also may switch to a proper dance if the "experienced dancers" cross over before the sets have sorted themselves out. I discourage "flourishes" during the walkthroughs. They do nothing to enhance the teaching, and often really confuse the beginners. I don't mind them later...as long as they don't interfere with the enjoyment of others. And yes, I AM the chief of the Dance Police. :-) John B. Freeman, President SFTPOCTJ

15 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] Walk-throughs

by David.Millstone＠VALLEY.NET

--- Delia wrote: One circle of four ended up in the wrong places as the dance progressed and it appeared that the others near them couldn't figure out how to fix it and land them in the correct spots --- end of quote --- Rather than sending everyone home and doing two more walkthroughs, you might have fixed that one group-- identifying who were the ones and who were the twos and where they should now be-- and doing one more walkthrough from that spot, then starting the dance from that next progressed place. It'd certainly be faster, less talking on your part, and it would move those two couples farther away from each other. Sometimes all that's needed is to separate the folks involved in a "clot of confusion" from one another, and as they get mixed in with more skilled dancers they'll be helped through the parts they didn't understand. David Millstone Lebanon, NH

15 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] "Integrating the Dance Hall", was "Recruiting new dancers:

by mhillegonds＠comcast.net

Hi all, My idea of the perfect contra dance differs depends largely on the goal of the dance that I'm attending. If it's a community dance, then I share Greg's well-stated opinion that a healthy dose of beginners is manditory. After all, we need beginners to have fun and stick around so that they make the transition from beginner to non-beginner. However, sometimes I do opportunity to dance with people who understand giving weight and know where they are supposed to be and when. For me, excellent music and callers (while certainly desirable) are less important than my fellow dancers. My idea of "perfect" in this "advanced" setting also includes such things gender- and partner-switching. Interesting thread. I'd be curious to hear other's opinions on what makes a perfect contra dance. Mark Hillegonds cell: 734-756-8441 email: mhillegonds(a)comcast.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "Greg McKenzie" <gregmck(a)earthlink.net> To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net>, "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> Sent: Friday, April 30, 2010 12:04:19 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [Callers] "Integrating the Dance Hall", was "Recruiting new dancers: At 11:56 PM 5/29/2010, Colin Hume wrote: >It's the hot-shots who turn up their noses at anything less than >the perfect contra dance experience, and you can do without them - I >expect there are plenty of other places they can go. I think it would be interesting to explore the underlying assumptions in the phrase: "...the perfect contra dance experience,..."

15 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] Walk-throughs

by mhillegonds＠comcast.net

Hi all, Chris Weiler wrote: "I subscribe to the theory that if I need more than one walk thru, then I'm calling a dance that is too difficult for the crowd... That doesn't mean that you don't challenge them at some point or call boring dances. The dances need to flow well and be interesting, but not require a lot of thought to dance. Most of the time, one walk thru should be enough." While I wholeheartedly support keeping dances appropriate to the group at hand, I always run two walkthroughs . Running only one walkthrough means either you have to ask the dancers to reset or you start the dance with a couple out at the top of the hall. In about as much time as it takes dancers to reset, re-take hands four, etc. , I can do a quick second walkthrough which does three things . 1. I do the walkthrough at something closer to dance tempo . I've found that this is extremely helpful for people who don't yet have the ability to "feel" the timing (especially of a series of quick moves) during a slower walkthrough. 2. I move away from the educational language of the first walkthrough and mostly use the calls I'll use during the dance. 3. I t progresses the dancers so that no one is out at the top. The music can start almost immediately after the second walkthrough and new neighbors are identified which minimizes the time between the walkthrough and the dance and maximizes dancing time . Also, it's my experience that new dancers aren't concentrating much on who they're dancing with. S o reorienting back to a familiar face doesn't help them much. Experienced dancers are used to dancing with different people, so resetting just takes longer to start the dance. Mark Hillegonds cell: 734-756-8441 email: mhillegonds(a)comcast.net

15 years, 4 months

Re: [Callers] Recruiting new dancers

by joda_rogers

Luke, Most of the dances in Southern California give out coupons to get you in your second dance free. I think it helps. -John Rogers On Apr 29, 2010, at 12:43 PM, callers-request(a)sharedweight.net wrote: > > > Message: 1 > Date: Thu, 29 Apr 2010 12:47:43 -0500 > From: Luke Donev <luke.donev(a)gmail.com> > To: "Caller's discussion list" <callers(a)sharedweight.net> > Subject: [Callers] Recruiting new dancers > Message-ID: > <o2p243d1eda1004291047if0260372ue7df1db3acba2618(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > The post on walk-throughs for new dancers got me thinking about > recruiting new dancers. This straddles dance caller and dance > organizer, but I'd like to hear people's responses. > > I'm curious about people's experiences recruiting new dancers. I've > seen several dances that do a lower cost for first time dancers to try > to lower the barrier for entry. Has any group tried doing a coupon for > a discount when they come back a second time? > > I feel like the venues for dances are usually such that folks don't > randomly wander in. If folks show up for a first time, they've decided > to come (or were brought). Does knowing there is a discount for first > timers help make them come? When there is a discount, how often do the > first timers know that coming in? I'm pondering the scenario where you > charge full price for the first time, when they've committed to coming > out, and then give them a coupon to come back at a discount price > their second time. > > I know a lot of people who tried contra once and were hooked, and I've > seen people who try for a little bit and then never come back. Is it > worth trying to up the likelihood of a second experience, at what > fractional cost for the first? Or should the focus be on that first > experience, and making the barriers for entry as low as possible? > > If a group has the resources, then it can just say that the first two > dances are cheaper, but I feel like giving someone a reminder, > business card sized, with the website to check for more information, > is a nice way of having them think about the dance at least once more. > > Do callers doing one night gigs announce local dance options if they > know them? Or do you only talk about it with the folks who come up and > ask? Presumably if a caller has been brought in, the organizer of the > party knows the folks at the party and the local dance scene. Is it on > the caller or the organizer to spread information about other chances > to dance? And do you broadcast wide, or focus on the folks who seem > really in to it. I think culturally, at a societal level, we've lost > the sense that we can dance after our 20s at things besides weddings, > which is a real shame. > > -- > Luke Donev > http://www.lukedonev.com > Luke.Donev(a)gmail.com > >

15 years, 4 months

Butterfly Whirl

by Liz and Bill

Hi Everyone, I'd like your advice on the timing and teaching of "flutter wheel with a butterfly whirl." Lots of dances use the following in a 16 beat section: Gents Allemand Left 1 1/2, scoop up Partner star Promenade, Butterfly whirl or Ladies Allemand Right 1 1/2 scoop up Neighbor for star Promenade 1/2, Butterfly whirl In Butterflies by Cary Ravitz, A2 is A2 Men allemand left 1/2 . Men keep left hands, pick up your partner, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl 1/2 to put the ladies in the middle. Ladies allemand right 1/2 Ladies keep right hands, pick up your neighbor, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl 1/2 (men go forward, ladies go backward) to put the men in the middle so allemande left 1/2, star promenade, butterfly whirl is done in a 8 beat phrase. However in American Gothic by Nathaniel Jack which starts A1 (around Neighbor) Mad Robin Ladies Allemand Left 1 1/2 (Scoop up Partner) A2 Star Promenade 1/2 (Ladies in the center) w/ whirl Gents start 1/2 hey by Right Allemand Left 1 1/2 is done in a 8 beat phrase, and star promenade, butterfly whirl is done in a 8 beat phrase. I tried this dance earlier this year with experienced contra dancers and many were having trouble getting through A2 in time. A1 Circle Left 3/4, Partner Swing A2 Promenade across, Ladies Allemand Right 1/2, scoop up Neighbor for star promenade 1/2, butterfly whirl B1 Pass Thru across (right shoulder), Neighbor Swing (face down four in line) B2 down the hall four in line, Turn alone, come back four in line, 2's in the middle make an arch and pop the 1's Thru to the next couple. How do you help people with the timing? I've tried to suggest that those getting scooped up need to be ready. Thanks. Cheers, Bill PS - in MWSD, right hand dancer allemand right 1/2, pick up person across, star promenade back, is called Flutter Wheel and left hand dancer allemand left 1/2 , pick up person across, star promenade back is called Reverse Flutter Wheel. Both are meant to take 8 beats. I have square dancers in my regular contra group and need to get them used to contra dance timing.

15 years, 4 months

Recruiting new dancers

by Chrissy Fowler

from Luke Donev: > The post on walk-throughs for new dancers got me thinking about > recruiting new dancers. (...) > I feel like the venues for dances are usually such that folks don't > randomly wander in. If folks show up for a first time, they've decided > to come (or were brought). Our dance hall is downtown, at street level, and adjacent to a private club (American Legion). So, people do randomly wander in, even just to poke in their head to see what the heck all that fiddle noise is about. And occasionally they stay. > should the focus be on that first > experience, and making the barriers for entry as low as possible? For our series, we do that by having two dances in the evening. The first dance is low cost/low pressure. (1hr, giant open band, community-level dances for all ages, $2 adults/$1 kids, very beginner-friendly) We have a snack break and then contras, and often those folks stick around long enough to figuratively "poke their heads in" at the contradance. (Over time, many of folks set themselves a goal of getting ready to stay for what they often call the "big dance." > Do callers doing one night gigs announce local dance options if they > know them? Or do you only talk about it with the folks who come up and > ask? Yes. When I call one-night-stands, I always point out over the mic that this sort of fun stuff is out there in the world, even if it's an out-of-my-area gig. Usually I reference websites of CDSS, NEFFA, DownEast Friends of the Folk Arts, Dance Gypsy, etc as useful places to find out about local dances. If someone is interested enough to ask, I give them my card and write down specific local dances (and those same websites.) If it's a local one-night-stand, I bring flyers for our local dance and set them out on a table/chair near my caller "nest". Great topic Luke (with so many interesting questions, and generating so many interesting responses!) Chrissy Fowler Belfast, ME _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail is redefining busy with tools for the New Busy. Get more from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:…

15 years, 4 months

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