On 5/22/2012 9:55 AM, [email protected] wrote:
I see a dance as being like a three-legged stool. The band, dancers and caller are the three legs. It is primarily the caller's job to keep things level. This is how it usually works. However, the band and dancers must also do their part. I have led dances during which the energy and enthusiasm of the dancers kept me level. I have also led dances where the band kept us level through its choice of tunes, playfulness, and musicianship. It is a true joy when the three legs keep each other level.
I think this is an important point. While the caller may be the most visible person at the head of the hall, everyone else has their own responsibility as well. One example is that while the caller can adjust the program to accommodate new dancers and attempt to teach the dances well so they can join in, it is up to the experienced dancers in the hall to be welcoming and helpful to ensure that those new dancers have a good time and come back again. Of course the caller can say something to remind/encourage the experienced dancers to ask new people to dance, but there is only so much you can do from the stage.
An experience I had several years ago really made it clear to me that the band and dancers can have just as much effect on the mood of the evening as the caller. It was during January several years ago. I was the scheduled caller at our local dance. The scheduled band was a great out of town group and I was really looking forward to working with them and expecting a big crowd for the dance. On the day of the dance there was a big snowstorm and the band called to say they would be unable to come due to the roads being closed. Some local musicians quickly stepped in to put together a pick up band to fill in. With the snow I knew the crowd would be much smaller than expected. These two factors, a small crowd and a last minute replacement band rather than the great group I was looking forward to, put me in a bad mood and I went to the dance expecting it to not be a fun evening. However, the substitute musicians did a great job and those few people who did make it to the dance were people who REALLY wanted to be there. Their energy and enthusiasm helped turn my bad mood around and it ended up being a very memorable and fun dance. This taught me an important lesson about keeping things in perspective and enjoying events for what they are, not for what I think they should be.
Jonathan ----- Jonathan Sivier Caller of Contra, English and Early American Dances jsivier AT illinois DOT edu Dance Page: http://www.sivier.me/dance_leader.html ----- Q: How many angels can dance on the head of a pin? A: It depends on what dance you call!
