Hi All, First, Hello to Suzanne! Been a long time, now I’m remembering a snowball fight and lots of laughs, dances, and hanging out.
When I started calling at contra dances, 1984 in Santa Barbara, CA, the first three dances I learned to call were the Texas Star, and the singing squares Just Because, and The Trail of the Lonesome Pine. Squares were always a big part of a contra dance in California 1n the 80s and, I think, all around the states. Then in the early 90s got boos, too, and hired as a caller as long as I only called contras. Now, when I want to go to a website and click the next and next, I like to go to David Millstone’s Square Dance History Project. Thanks for that reminder, Tony! And, very glad squares are becoming acceptable again! Cheers, ~Erik Hoffman Oakland, CA From: Suzanne Giradot via Contra Callers <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, March 18, 2023 12:09 PM To: 'Tony Parkes' <[email protected]>; 'Maia McCormick' <[email protected]>; 'Shared Weight Contra Callers' <[email protected]> Subject: [Callers] Re: Starting to call squares at contra dances This thread is making my heart sing! I have called squares for years, but was actually booed at a contra dance once when I set up a square dance. Dancers have become more respectful since that time (2 External ([email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>) Report This Email<https://protection.inkyphishfence.com/report?id=bmV0b3JnZnQxNTA4MDU5L2VyaWtAZXJpa2hvZmZtYW4uY29tL2E0N2JhZDQ4NTExODc5MzJiNTk0MWM4NzhkYTExNGRjLzE2NzkxNjY1NDQuNTQ=#key=120324a5c72d5c69464f13a7b848908e> FAQ<https://www.godaddy.com/help/report-email-with-advanced-email-security-40813> GoDaddy Advanced Email Security, Powered by INKY<https://www.inky.com/protection-by-inky> This thread is making my heart sing! I have called squares for years, but was actually booed at a contra dance once when I set up a square dance. Dancers have become more respectful since that time (20 years ago) but I don’t get to call squares too much these days. However, at my local dance, the organizer, Sherry Nevins, is also a square dance caller and always suggests that I call a square during the evening. So I do, and people actually have fun! I have found that calling phrased squares, such as the New England quadrilles, or other western squares that have phrased moves, are best for calling for contra dancers. It’s a bit more in their comfort zone. And I second Tony’s suggestion to look at the Square Dance History project for lots of great ideas and amazing callers (including Tony!). Suzanne Girardot Seattle, WA From: Tony Parkes via Contra Callers <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Sent: Saturday, March 18, 2023 10:49 AM To: Maia McCormick <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>>; Shared Weight Contra Callers <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Subject: [Callers] Re: Starting to call squares at contra dances A resource definitely worth exploring is David Millstone’s Square Dance History Project. I didn’t mention it in my first response because it may not be the easiest place to find specific types of dance video quickly, but it’s a must for anyone who loves squares and has a bit of free time to peruse. www.squaredancehistory.org<https://shared.outlook.inky.com/link?domain=www.squaredancehistory.org&t=h.eJxljsEOgyAYg1_FcF5ANhDw5Kv8AooRYQMMWZa9--S8Sw_tl7YfdCaPxg65Up4jIbVWnF8nJGsgaOu2XGJ645hWdOvQ3shgL2tdCuW97LkiNm371MTFZTkgYB0PAkzMYJjklEqhHveZK0a1FNIApcxoQgeh6DBwxjBnrdu2bh1DSaDBe5vy5K_1jLNrb6rdVlfwNd5g0-C_4PsD2TRCLQ.MEQCIBkM5mMX-8e5-o7u4BnXIuA9wRJiElb6f-k2io6ykghoAiBqRg4VslaHLLjODdn52na6_3DhAdpwt4pmeJJ9TyyUDw> Tony Parkes Billerica, Mass. www.hands4.com<https://shared.outlook.inky.com/link?domain=www.hands4.com&t=h.eJxljUEOwiAUBa9iWBso-inQVa_yC7Q0pWAAw8J4d8Wtm7eZybwXeeZApgvxtT4mxlpr1GO0BahJJyPXCzk6jq6mvK2Vi0ENQjOX92Pu49O6nhh_NoJc0IISnCup77dFaOBGSWWRc7CG8VFqPo4CgArobdfbJsWa0WAILpc57KUWWjxmZ5vbN1_p97zLtst_4P0B6fs89w.MEYCIQDsSpA9hUqqpzUdC100njMtC8WFyrtJP0SiwCHEhxQcgQIhAJMiob4r7wmV0eArIQV992SFPsRqB_NzdTYwbg5w5r0u> New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century (available now)
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