I agree with a lot of what was said. I'll just add a couple of things. I always talk to the wedding couple, or mother or whoever is hiring me and make sure I know their expectations and they know mine. If they are serious contra dancers, I always make sure they understand that a dance like what they are used to is not probably going to happen. I also ask that they pass on to wedding guests that it is the couples wish that their guests will dance together and wear or bring appropriate shoes. I always start off with something like La Bastringue. Keep it easy and fun. Don't go too long on any dance, but long enough that they really get it and are having fun. I love doing mixers because they keep the guests mingling together. I think that really pleases the B & G.
I usually see a lot of people turned on to contra, so I do tell people that if they have had a lot of fun they should "google" 'contra dancing near me' when they get home, stressing that a regular contra dance can be found all over the country. I try to stay as invisible as I can so it's really about the wedding couple and their family and friends. Spread the love! Roberta Kogut Get TypeApp for Android On Jul 3, 2023, 5:44 PM, at 5:44 PM, Lorraine Sutton via Contra Callers <[email protected]> wrote: >Hi > >I have done a lot of weddings.... > >Keep it very, very simple...yes... Barn dance, family dance, community >dance dances,. > >Never any contras ...too much work ...it all needs to be fun. > >Have the Bride and Groom done any trad dancing before this event? If >not, >do impress on them that it is pretty essential that they dance the >full >first set otherwise their guests will not feel required to do so. > >Two hand turn not a swing ...too hard to teach ( especially if they >have >been drinking) > >Let the B & G know that they should let their guests know that there >will >be traditional dancing and their participation is expected. Have them >ask >the women to bring shoes for dancing ...flats , lace up s, NO FLIP >FLOPS >or stiletto hells. > >Alcohol ...well ...Impress at some point that Booze does not help you >dance >..... > >Space....the standard " floor" in a wedding tent is never big enough, >so >ask for a min of 40 square feet. > >Charge what is a decent fee (and if you have to drive more than 1.5 >hours >each way charge a gas fee) >or you will not be valued...Last Time I checked a DJ was charging about >$1,000 a night. Do you have a relaxed band (only need 2 fiddle and >keyboard) and if so can they bring the sound system? > >Lots of mixers....long way sets ...1 active couple ( ie Virginia Reel, >Bridge of Athlone etc) > >Easy Sicilian Circles...to have them practice right and left elbow, >do-si-do etc > >Will there be small children ...another issue. > >Timing ...Every wedding I have ever done is late ...speeches run over >time, catering gets delayed.etc. etc. etc. You may be invited to take >part >in the dinner, however that usually means another extra 2-3 hours >before >the dance... Once after waiting more than an extra hour I let the MC >know >that ( given we had been paid , and we each had a 2 hour drive home) >that >we would be leaving in 15 minutes if he did not get speeches wrapped >up. >Harsh but real. > >Good Luck.... > >Lorraine Sutton Ontario, Canada > > > > > >On Mon, Jul 3, 2023 at 4:30 PM Jerome Grisanti via Contra Callers < >[email protected]> wrote: > >> I would release any idea that wedding guests will have any interest >in >> dancing beyond this event. Keep things VERY simple. You can do an >hour with >> dances containing only allemandes, do-si-dos, circles and promenades. >Maybe >> a modified swing/2-hand turn. >> >> On Mon, Jul 3, 2023, 3:53 PM Joe Harrington via Contra Callers < >> [email protected]> wrote: >> >>> Any advice for calling weddings? I've been asked to call my first >one and >>> I don't see a lot of wedding-specific advice online. What do you ask >them >>> in advance, how do you approach it, what are good dances to call? >>> >>> I'm assuming that a workshop is impractical, so it's barn dances and >>> maybe working up to a contra by the end? Try to teach a swing? >Some >>> advice I've gotten so far: >>> >>> Band - can they play contras, am I DJing instead, if so what kind of >>> music, trad or pop? >>> Floor - make sure it's big enough, get length, width, and surface >>> Sound system - what is it and is there a sound tech? >>> Duration - how long they'll want to dance >>> Dancers - how many, any experienced guests? >>> Special dances - first, parents, bouquet, last? >>> Will the bride and groom dance? (If not, nobody will) >>> Will there be alcohol? (one person suggested doubling the fee if >there is) >>> Will many women be in high heels? >>> >>> I welcome any advice! My main goal in taking wedding gigs is >recruiting >>> new dancers to our local scene, if that matters. >>> >>> Thanks, >>> >>> --jh-- >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] >>> To unsubscribe send an email to >>> [email protected] >>> >> _______________________________________________ >> Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] >> To unsubscribe send an email to >[email protected] >> > > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >_______________________________________________ >Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] >To unsubscribe send an email to >[email protected]
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