I might jump in to say I've actually learned a LOOOOOT about teaching/calling dances period from PP. And I do apply these skills to contra. There are some true masters (Sue included!) as part of this group and PP is an incredible opportunity to not only build repertoire and be inspired but also to learn how to be a better dance leader, teacher, and prompter.
It's an incredible opportunity. Emily On Tue, Feb 18, 2025 at 2:20 PM Sue C. Hulsether via Contra Callers < [email protected]> wrote: > I second EVERYTHING that Stacy said in her email. Pourparler is a unique > and wonderful annual gathering of dance leaders who specialize in community > dancing, family dancing, and dancing with school-aged people. It is > dance-sharing and conversation between colleagues, both experienced and new > leaders, as well as school teachers. What is most interesting to me (every > year I go, and I am definitely a long-timer) is that there is a 50/50 > split between leaders who specialize in American (contra-square-barndance) > and International folk dancing. But what we don’t share in repertoire, we > share in “target audience,” as all the Pourparler attendees care deeply > about teaching dance to new dancers. > > Like Stacy said, it is not an event to help you with contra calling chops > or repertoire. But it is an event to feed your teacher-soul as you teach, > learn, dance and watch colleagues teach and learn dance. > > If anyone on this list would like to connect more about the Pourparler, I > am happy to correspond off list. > > sue > > Sue Hulsether > New Day Hoedown LLC > www.suehulsether.com > [email protected] > [email protected] > 608-632-1267 Cell > P.O. Box 363, Viroqua, WI 54665 > > > > > > On Feb 18, 2025, at 10:03 AM, Stacy Rose via Contra Callers < > [email protected]> wrote: > > As a contra caller AND a longtime Pourparler (PP) devotee, I don’t > recommend attending PP if you’re interested in learning contra calling and > getting feedback on your calling technique. > > PP is fabulous! I’ve learned lots and have met amazing dance teachers from > across the continent. The focus is broad — contras, squares, Maypole > dancing, international folk dancing (IFD), singing, play party games… > participants are varied — elementary school music teachers, IFD teachers… > > Maybe instead, you might enjoy attending a summer CDSS camp > <https://camp.cdss.org/> that focuses on contra calling. Or an intensive > contra calling week at John C. Campbell Folk School. Pourparler is a great > program for learning how to engage a wide audience of people into a wide > variety of participatory dance. > > Stacy Rose > 541.808.1002 > [email protected] > www.stacyrosedance.com > > On Feb 17, 2025, at 9:24 PM, Robert Matson via Contra Callers < > [email protected]> wrote: > > > > About Pour Parler: > > "In the past we have learned dances from many traditions including > Balkan, Mexican, East Asian, Central Asian, Scandinavian, Israeli, French, > English Country, square dancing, contra dancing, sword dancing, line > dancing, Maypoles, old-time couple dancing, singing games, and many others. > We discuss teaching techniques, repertoire, costuming, music, school > curricula and self-employment." > > "Pourparler is a yearly gathering of dance and music educators from North > America who are dedicated to teaching folk/ethnic/world/traditional dance > in schools and/or community events. The brainchild of Sanna Longden, > internationally respected dance educator from Evanston, Illinois, this > weekend is a unique blend of dance and song sharing, discussion and > networking. Experts in the field, teachers and musicians known across the > continent, join with relative newcomers to share their best dances and tips > for successful school residencies, family dances and other events that > build community through cross-cultural dancing. Pourparler is a gathering > of colleagues, where we are all leaders and participants, and there are no > hired “experts.” " > > > Rob > > - - - - - - - - - - - - > > Robert Matson > Cell: (917) 626-2675 > > > > > > > On Mon, Feb 17, 2025 at 10:04 PM Harris Lapiroff via Contra Callers < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> I recently saw a recommendation for Pourparler, happening in DC this year >> (https://nfo-usa.com/pourparler/). I've never been (though I'm >> considering it now), but I understand the focus there is broader than >> contra and it seems to be more about dance sharing than a *course* per >> se. But if your community is almost all beginners, I somewhat think you may >> want to do a lot of barn dances and similar things rather than starting >> with full evenings of duple minor contras, which can be challenging in a >> largely beginner crowd, in my experience. >> >> Harris Lapiroff (he/him) >> >> Dance Caller and Organizer >> Boston Intergenerational Dance Advocates Board (Cambridge MA) >> Pinewoods Camp, Inc Board (Plymouth MA) >> https://chromamine.com/contra/ >> >> On Wed, Feb 12, 2025, at 4:31 PM, Brian Roberts via Contra Callers wrote: >> >> Long time dancer, first time caller. >> >> Anyone know of any courses / workshops to improve my calling (in person >> or online)? I'm willing to travel for the right course. (E.g. Meet Me in >> St Louis had a calling workshop in 2024, but the schedule isn't out yet for >> 2025.) >> >> My wife and I were long-time Boston-area contra dancers who are now >> trying to bring the tradition to our adopted city in Austria. Almost all >> the dancers are new, I'm a new caller, and I believe it would help me to >> attend a class to learn more and get feedback on my technique. >> >> Thanks, >> Brian >> ---- >> Bringing contra dance to Graz, Austria https://contradance.at/ >> _______________________________________________ >> 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] > > _______________________________________________ > 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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