I called for a high school class once. I don't want to discourage
you but that gig was my worst calling experience ever. It is a
reality that teachers in school spend most of their time doing
"classroom management" and a caller is no exception. I encourage you
to avoid contras in that kind of situation, unless there will be an
active contingent of regular contra dancers in the room.
In general, I try to avoid gigs where they ask for contras but the
crowd is almost all first-timers to contra dance. It is not possible
to communicate the basics and culture of contras to an entire room of
first-timers without at least a small group of enthusiastic regulars
to model the kinds of interactions that make up the experience we
call a "contra dance."
I have two truisms about contra dances:
1. If there are no first-timers in the hall it is not a "real" contra dance.
2. Likewise, if there are no regulars--who are familiar with the
traditions and the figures--it is also not a "real" contra dance.
For me, the core essence of this dance form is the interplay between
the newcomers and the more experienced regulars. A dance that is not
integrated is an aberration. When all of the dancers are well-versed
in contras--as is the case at most dance camps and festivals--the job
of the caller is vastly different than at an open, public contra
dance. Likewise the role of the caller at an event with all
first-timers is also very different. In that case the caller must be
the teacher, and the demonstrator. It becomes a class and the caller
needs to have limited educational goals. Plan your "class" carefully
and know exactly what knowledge, skills, and attitudes you want the
students to leave with.
The role of the caller at an integrated contra dance is the most
challenging one. Those of you who call at regular open public contra
dances are in the "front lines" of this tradition and you need to use
all of the skills of good calling. The dance camps and festivals are
the easy calling gigs. A crowd made up of all experienced dancers is
much more tolerant of poor calling. This is, by the way, the best
environment for new callers to get started. (It serves the contra
dance tradition well when those planning dance camps and festivals
scheduled lots of opportunities for new callers to get on-stage
experience at the event.)
Just a thought,
Greg McKenzie
**********
At 07:33 AM 5/21/2010, you wrote:
So, i hope this is being sent to the appropriate network. I was
asked recently to call a contra dance for a highschool class of
about 30-40 students. I would like to reach out for advice on
working with not only youth, but total groups of non-dancers. in my
experience, youth picks up rather quickly, but the last time i
worked with a summer camp i spent waaay to much time instructing, so
i wanted to see if i could get some pointers. any dance selections
that you folks have found particularly friendly? the dance will
only be one hour and i was asked to do contra dances. i am, at this
point, planning on circle dances or mixers and a whole set dance
like VA Reel; though, i would like to do a contra. dog branch reel
or a dance where there is little or no crossing the set and pleanty
of forgiving moments should there be confusion (which obviously
should be mediated in the walkthru/lesson). so, that is where i
am. any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciate.
peace.
Noah Grunzweig
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