Colin wrote: > The final step is to be booked at festivals, usually a weekend or a whole > week. >
This is how most people see it in the USA contra dance scene as well. I'm not sure why. I have seen many of our "top bill" callers struggling at one of our local dances--where a healthy percentage of those in the hall are bright and eager first-time contra dancers. Yet, someone who has proven themselves to be an excellent caller at open, public contra dances is often more than ready to call a dance weekend. I would urge new callers to attend these special events and try to get a calling "slot" in the main dance hall. You will have a room full of regular contra dancers who will be able to make your dances work...even if your calling is lacking in some way. At an open, public contra dance you could be facing a much tougher challenge. Calling at an event targeting long-time dancers is a very easy gig. It seems like the best place for new callers to develop calling skills. Greg McKenzie West Coast, USA ***************************** On Sun, Sep 29, 2013 at 3:17 PM, Colin Hume <[email protected]> wrote: > On Thu, 26 Sep 2013 07:39:24 -0700, Aahz Maruch wrote: > > On Thu, Sep 12, 2013, Colin Hume wrote: > >> Groups in England book bands and callers much further ahead. I > >> have 12 bookings for 2014 (it would often be more by this time > >> of the year) and 3 for 2015. > > > > How do y'all bring in new talent? > > The grass-roots organisations are the Dance Clubs, which usually meet > once a week. Often they will encourage budding callers to call an > evening, or part of an evening. Once you get known you hope that > other clubs in your area will book you for their club nights. Then if > things go well you start getting booked for Saturday night dances with > a live band, which will spread your name further afield. The final > step is to be booked at festivals, usually a weekend or a whole week. > > http://www.colinhume.com/clubs.htm > > Colin Hume > > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > [email protected] > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >
