Ron wrote, "One of the biggest challenges is learning dances. A library of shared
dances would be invaluable."
I'll call folks' attention to a resource that's been mentioned here before, the
detailed syllabi from the Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend:
http://www.library.unh.edu/special/index.php/ralph-page-dance-legacy-weekend
The whole collection contains hundreds of dances-- mostly contras, as well as
squares, triplets, dances in odd formations, chestnuts, new compositions. Each
dance is carefully notated, and there is frequently backgroun information to round
out the interested caller's knowledge. Some dances are easier, suitable for mixed
crowds, and some are more complex. (Occasionally, the syllabus editor, David Smukler,
will add a cautionary note that clues in the reader that this particular dance
may be more complicated than it appears.)
All in all, this is a superb resource for callers both experienced and those newer
to the mic. I think it's the best collection available on the web.
- I'd love a list of every dance everywhere, divided by region, with listings
of address, organizers, contact info, links to websites, and their policies toward
callers. (does this resource exist?)
Don't think you'll find the "policies toward callers" but there are several excellent
resources that do the rest:
* http://www.contradancelinks.com/
* http://www.neffa.org/Top/Folk_Dancing/Contras/Dances/index.shtml
* http://tedcrane.com/dancedb/
* http://www.thedancegypsy.com/
* http://www.contracorners.net/contra/links/dancemap.html
Hope this helps.
David Millstone
