Hard to know where to jump in here, but I am thrilled we are having this conversation. First of all, many years ago I always used to (incorrectly) quote Tony as having said "when in doubt, call Texas Star". I find that dance accessible for almost any experience level and it's pretty easy to stay on the phrase. It turns out Tony never said that hah hah, but I still love the dance and use it often.. BUT,..
I've been more interested in calling singing squares lately and, though my last experience doing so to a "contra dance crowd" was at Ralph Page in 2020 (just prior to the Covid shutdown) and that's not a typical "contradance crowd' to say the least!! BUT it does bring up the issue of having to coordinate with the band ahead of time because they need to know or learn the tune. (Though I do remember one time at the little Kingston, NH dance when the band was Vince O'Donnell, David Kaynor and Debby Knight and throwing On the Trail of the lonesome Pine and Smoke on the Water at them with no warning and "no problem let's go"! woo hoo.. Anyway I wonder how many are trying singing squares with their 'reluctant' contra dance crowds. bill (Oh yeah,.. Tony's book, Ralph's book, Ted's book, David's project... YES!!!!!) ________________________________ From: Tony Parkes via Contra Callers <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, March 18, 2023 5:48 PM To: Maia McCormick <[email protected]>; Shared Weight Contra Callers <[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://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.squaredancehistory.org%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7C050c623fcbd5464298bd08db27d905a4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638147585267717449%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=hMGAzaNY8q9Lw13dZrkOptYDjbVzJStcMdTJoeThN9M%3D&reserved=0> Tony Parkes Billerica, Mass. www.hands4.com<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hands4.com%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7C050c623fcbd5464298bd08db27d905a4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638147585267873973%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=0maNTKoX2UESnq4gPGqunsVJpCSRmqR6LD0fTz2zcsw%3D&reserved=0> New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century (available now) From: Maia McCormick via Contra Callers <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, March 18, 2023 12:21 PM To: Shared Weight Contra Callers <[email protected]> Subject: [Callers] Starting to call squares at contra dances After dancing to some of Lisa's Greenleaf's ?? squares at Beantown Stomp last weekend, I'm feeling inspired to add some to my repertoire. (To be clear, I'm looking for squares-for-contra-dancers, not MWSD squares.) 1. Any resources to recommend for someone learning to call squares? 2. Any advice to share, techniques to look into, things you wish you'd known when starting out / wish contra callers knew about squares? 3. Suggestions for callers to look up on YouTube (besides Lisa ofc) / fave videos? 4. Favorite dances that I should add to my box? Thanks in advance, Maia -- Maia McCormick (she/her) 917.279.8194
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