Mac, that's a really valuable list of things to pay attention to.
Richard, your square calling style would be an important consideration:
Traditional/Appalachian square calling that is with the beat, but not
necessarily on the phrase, would throw a lot of contra dancers off kilter.
MWSD patter and unfamiliar moves would slow down understanding.
The closest interface with contra dancing is in New England style
squares, in which the calls for the moves are timed with the phrases of
the music, just like contras.
You may find "Kathy Anderson's Square Callers Course" helpful for
understanding, and also as a fine resource for many squares, including
easy ones to get started with.
<http://www.cdss.org/tl_files/cdss/documents/elibrary/sdl10.pdf>
If you want to introduce them gradually, call a 4 face 4 that 'morphs'
into a square:
*Richfield Riches*by Tom Hinds
*First Bloom*by Al Olson
Dance All Night by Rick Mohr
*Spring Blooms*by Linda Leslie
Karin
On 9/8/2013 6:32 PM, Mac Mckeever wrote:
Here is what I look for to keep contra dancers interested:
Keep the dancers moving - avoid delays - like like 'square your sets and wait
for the music' Maybe let everyone swing at home while the other sets are
catching up.
Visiting couple squares have too much down time (but are good in other
situations).
Heads and sides alternate being active are good if the dance has good energy.
Good flow from the figure to the break to the next figure, etc.
Something a little unusual but that can be easily taught.
Let this be a chance for the band to play their high energy stuff.
Make sure the dancers can tell you are having fun.
I had a dancer tell me once - I don't like squares - except when a certain
caller calls them. So I asked her if she really doesn't like squares or jsut
doesn't like the way most of our caller call them. You might want to talk to a
few dancers about squares they have enjoyed.
Mac Mckeever
________________________________
From: Richard Hopkins <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, September 8, 2013 12:34 PM
Subject: [Callers] Squares for contra-dancers
Personally, I like to dance and call squares as much as contra dances, but in many
locales there is a strong preference for contras. If you were going to program a square
or two in an evening otherwise devoted to contra dances, which ones would you pick? Or
what would be the characteristics of squares that you think would make the contra
devotees say "That wasn't so bad after all"? (This is assuming you have asked
and the organizers haven't told you they expect all contras).
I am programming this Friday's Tallahassee dance right now, so this is not just
an academic question.
Richard Hopkins
[email protected]
850-894-9212
850-544-7614 cell
Sent from my iPad
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