I tell them -- (at the beginning of dance:) *Ones get ready to be Ones* by switching.
To everyone else: when you reach the top and become a new One, switch *then* . To old Ones: when you reach the bottom and become a two, *UNswitch*. Slightly different thought process; seems to work. Basically, though, it's regional -- high proportion of regulars? They'll take care of it. High proportion of day-trippers? You prob. should nudge a little. On Wed, Dec 1, 2010 at 9:14 PM, Greg McKenzie <[email protected]> wrote: > > Contrary to the action of switching at the ends of the set, this > instruction is a part of set management. In fact it also helps to manage > the focus of the dancers. > > I always give out set formation instructions. In addition to forming the > sets properly these instructions give important cues to the dancers to help > them gracefully transition from conversations in the set into listing to > instructions during the walk-through. Ending a conversation politely and > graciously takes time. The instruction of "Please take hands in groups of > four from the top," gives the dancers a cue that the caller will soon be > moving into the walk-through phase of the slot. I try to allow about 20 > seconds or so for the hands four to propagate to the bottom of the line. > Then I say "Number ones please cross over," if appropriate. I say this > even if ALL of the dancers have crossed over already. This command tells > the dancers that the walk-through instructions will begin very shortly and > that they must quickly finish their story or anecdote and begin listening. > > These cues, given clearly and not too loudly, will set a tone of politeness > and consideration. I much prefer this to callers who use the volume of the > PA system to interrupt conversations on the floor. People will quickly > learn the "drill" and will respond by helping the caller to make a smooth > transition. This approach also lowers the volume level in the room and > builds a cooperative relationship with the caller. > > Another thought, > > Greg > > *********** > > At 04:55 PM 12/1/2010, Richard wrote: > >> And a related question: when will callers stop saying "Hands four from the >> top, number ones cross over"--in acknowledgement that improper formation is >> the default for modern contras? I'm curious how many callers have already >> stopped saying that. Or to put the question another way, in how many dance >> communities do dancers line up inproper and not expect a reminder to "cross >> over" and be in improper formation? >> >> Richard >> >> On Dec 1, 2010, at 7:37 PM, Mark Widmer wrote: >> >> > Hey, I was wondering what other callers thought about the following: >> often, during the walkthrough of the 1st contra dance of the evening, the >> caller explains that dancers should trade places with their partner whenever >> they reach the end of the set >> > >> > However, I never do this, and have never had a problem as a result -- >> the experienced dancers in the set, apparently, are able to get the new >> dancers to do this, and nobody has ever complained to me that I didn't >> instruct dancers to switch >> > >> > I have wondered what others thought about this -- my own thinking is why >> take time to explain something when it isn't necessary? >> > >> > Regards, >> > >> > Mark Widmer / central NJ >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > _______________________________________________ >> > Callers mailing list >> > [email protected] >> > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Callers mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >> > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > [email protected] > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >
