Impaired dancers was my original main worry. The solution we employed last
year was to have a carpeted area for freeform dancers and friendly signage
and 'fence' so dancers would take a lesson first. Turned out no impaired
dancers - in general the impaired subpopulation which is definitely a
minority is extremely well behaved - much more civilized than any football
game. Enough experienced dancers that ordinarily the callers job would have
been only a little more difficult than a local dance - except for the
turnover in the beginners. You want dances that will hook new dancers in
one dance.
On Aug 7, 2011 11:12 AM, "Dorcas Hand" <[email protected]> wrote:
> I've never done techno, but this lighting plan sounds well suited to some
of that. So interesting.
> Dorcas Hand
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected] [mailto:
[email protected]] On Behalf Of Greg McKenzie
> Sent: Sunday, August 07, 2011 10:09 AM
> To: Caller's discussion list
> Subject: Re: [Callers] Firedancing/ Hooping while calling and other
possible future Burning Man innovations
>
> I can understand Jolaine's hesitation. But the "Look at ME!" part of the
> caller's ego has always been a factor at contra dances. Like Jolaine I
also
> feel that the caller should "fade into the background" as soon as
possible,
> but I recognize that I am in the minority of callers and I am willing to
let
> others experiment. I also recognize that burning man is a unique venue
with
> extreme considerations for anyone attempting to call a contra dance there.
>
> If we learn from our mistakes then those organizing the burningman contra
> will learn much. I wish I could participate. I have organized four
> installations at burningman and I know what an adverse environment it can
> be. I have not been back for years now but I know that calling for this
> venue would be one of the most difficult calling gigs I can imagine. There
> will probably be 20% to more than 50% first-timers in the crowd. Combined
> with the problem of many distractions (every potential participant has
> about 2,999 other installations they want to see during the evening)--not
to
> mention the factor of significant numbers of dancers in enhanced mental
> states--this gig will require all of the best skills of calling. That
> includes careful programming, planning, training the regular contra
dancers,
> and working with all other parties including the musicians, sound, and
light
> engineers. It is interesting that these folks are using multiple
> communication channels to help integrate the newcomers.
>
> I am most intrigued with the idea put forth by the burner contra folks of
> using the lighting to reinforce the calls. Every phrase in the dance (A1,
> A2, B1, and B2) could have a different color or effect setting. Using the
> lighting as a reinforcement to the calls could be a powerful technique for
> such a difficult venue. It will require an extra caller who knows the
> lighting system or a lighting technician who knows how to call contras.
> This crowd will need every technique the callers and organizers can think
of
> to sweep in the first-timers.
>
> I will be very interested in hearing how things work out.
>
> - Greg McKenzie
>
>
> On Sat, Aug 6, 2011 at 5:37 PM, Mark Stowe <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Jolaine is a wonderful caller and I understand what she is saying
>> but... There are always spectators at dances and at Burning Man
>> there are also many people walking through the area and fire-dancing
>> is a dramatic way to draw in that much more attention and therefore
>> potential new dancers. Secondly there is the thrill of the challenge
>> for the caller in succeeding in meshing two skills s/he loves.
>> Finally there is probably going to be a novel thrill for the dancers
>> who will getting something like that primal feeling of dancing around
>> a fire - while contradancing. I think there will be plenty of
>> enjoyment without taking in all the details in a way that would
>> distract attention from their own dancing. They will go look at the
>> youtube videos later - and admit it so will you :)
>>
>> On Sat, Aug 6, 2011 at 7:27 PM, JoLaine Jones-Pokorney
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>> > I applaud Mark for all his efforts to spread contra dancing. But I have
>> to
>> > ask what is the purpose of firedancing/hooping while calling? I would
>> argue
>> > that this is an unnecessary distraction and puts the focus on the
caller
>> > instead of on the dancers. Am I supposed to watch this person
>> > firedance/hoop while I am trying to contra dance? I hope that
organizers
>> > will ask if this "innovation" is really making the dancing more
>> enjoyable,
>> > or simply for the sake of being "different." My personal opinion is
that
>> > the caller should be as invisible as possible - call clearly and get
out
>> of
>> > the way of the dancers. There are certainly callers who contribute
>> beyond
>> > the calls such as Beth Molero and Nils Fredland's with their wonderful
>> > singing voices and other callers who may clog or play spoons or some
>> other
>> > contribution to the experience. But firedancing/hooping is a
distraction
>> > from the dance, not a contribution to it.
>> > May Burning Man contra grow and thrive for years to come!
>> > JoLaine
>> >
>> > --
>> > JoLaine Jones-Pokorney
>> >
>> > "We are as gods and might as well get good at it!"
>> > - Stewart Brand
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Callers mailing list
>> > [email protected]
>> > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
>> >
>> _______________________________________________
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>>
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