Re: [Callers] Family dance questions

[P. Campbell via Callers]

I repeat the "have fun" suggestion. Get them moving, don't talk a lot or 
explain a lot - quick demos are okay, saying what's happening as you demo. 
Elbow or 2-hand swings, but tell them to look at their partner - that it's part 
of the fun.

Don't explain giving weight - in fact, don't explain much...don't do a lot of 
"teaching."

Books/CDs/DVDs by:
Marion Rose
Sanna Longden (Folkstyle Productions)
Paul Rosenberg
The Amidons

Do circle, square, & longways dances - while set dances (don't bother with 
duple minor dances b/c there's more to remember and there are more than enough 
dances to do without them - I don't think I've done one in over 10 years).

Easy, fun, high energy dances mixed with easy, fun, slightly less energy 
dances. Throw in some of the singing games (Playparty Ganes).

My 2 cents...

Patricia

Patricia Campbell
Newtown, CT





Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 4, 2015, at 4:10 PM, Claire Takemori via Callers 
>  wrote:
> 
> Thank you for all the replies so far !  One other question, 
> What are the key elements/movements that you would emphasize teaching with 
> kids?  
> 
> giving weight,  hearing the music beats,  swing, star, do si do, 
> allemande.. ? 
> 
> And I don't think they will do ballroom swing, so which swing is easy and fun 
> for kids?   2 hands crossed?  or right elbows? 
> 
> Thank you so much for your help! 
> 
> claire
> 
> 
> ___
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Re: [Callers] Family dance questions

[JD Erskine iDance via Callers]

On 2015-08-04 1310, Claire Takemori via Callers wrote:

Thank you for all the replies so far !  One other question,
What are the key elements/movements that you would emphasize teaching with kids?

giving weight,  hearing the music beats,  swing, star, do si do, 
allemande.. ?


Having fun. Really.

I guess my point is, like many events I do now it's not part of a dance 
series.


While one may build a progression in a program one is looking for less 
in terms of building them to the next dance. The next dance, of this 
nature, will be much like this one.


So, mostly as encouragement to yourself/ourselves when calling/leading 
this kind of thing, and most definitely for those dancing, be kind, 
easy, even gentle. Beyond style of presentation I mean kind in terms of 
material.


Heck, let em stomp, encourage it. Encourage safey and politeness along 
with encouraging exuberance.


I like circles and such. Folks get Less Lost. A first dance with all 
facing in, maybe going in and out is, I believe, a subconciously 
powerful way of pulling a group together. One is dancing with everyone.


I'd not overly focus on terminology that "will be used this time, and 
next time, and the time . . . " Simply find fun accessible terms to get 
a point across.



And I don't think they will do ballroom swing, so which swing is easy and fun 
for kids?   2 hands crossed?  or right elbows?


I use both elbow and two hand turns/swings, for kids of all ages . . . 
and levels of sobriety. ;)


As an experiment of some of the bumpf I've chucked into this up above, 
why not simply say Swing and see what happens?



Thank you so much for your help!

claire


NB the Trad Dance Callers list (Yahoo! Group) has an archive of many 
discussions of this flavour. Loads of good suggestions I've mined. One 
has access to them after subscribing. One need not have a Yahoo! 
account, log-in, or ID.


Have a tonne of funne (and a metric moment while at it.)

Cheers, John
--
J.D. Erskine
Victoria, BC

Island Dance - Folk & Country
dance info - site & mail list
http://members.shaw.ca/island.dance/

Re: [Callers] Family dance questions

[Amy Carroll via Callers]

I'm an elementary music teacher and a dance caller and I run a family dance in seattle.  I just do elbow swings with kids - no way would I bother with ballroom.  I wouldn't explain giving weight.  Children will automatically try to crack the whip and lean back.  They automatically give WAY too much weight.  You need to tell them to BEND their elbows on 2 hand turns and explain the lack of medical expertise for dealing with concussions!  (I say this with a smile, but they really will send each other flying!Emphasize 8 beat phrasing, but don't count aloud, or they will all count out with you and drown out the music.  Best source of repertoire would be the Amidons dancingmasters.com  they've published several books.  Have fun!Amy CarrollOn August 4, 2015 at 4:10 PM Claire Takemori via Callers  wrote:Thank you for all the replies so far ! One other question, What are the key elements/movements that you would emphasize teaching with kids? giving weight, hearing the music beats, swing, star, do si do, allemande.. ? And I don't think they will do ballroom swing, so which swing is easy and fun for kids? 2 hands crossed? or right elbows? Thank you so much for your help! claire___Callers mailing listCallers@lists.sharedweight.nethttp://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net206-330-7408calleramy.com

Re: [Callers] Family dance questions

[Linda Leslie via Callers]

Thanks for the compliment, Bree!  If folks would like to look at other easy 
dances (including Do Si Three), I have a list of some that I have put together; 
you can see them at www.lindalesliecaller.website

As for the circle/spiral…..I learned it from someone a long time ago (I don’t 
remember now who it was). My impression is that the dance is surely 
traditional, and so I never take credit for it, but admire the probably folk 
process that put it together.

Linda

On Aug 4, 2015, at 11:03 AM, Bree Kalb via Callers 
 wrote:

> I've done house parties with just a fiddler who was very familiar with dance 
> music and knows how to maintain the beat and play square tunes. Not everyone 
> can do that. Does your dance community have a list serve or Facebook page 
> where you can ask for that kind of assistance? Unless you can find someone 
> with those skills, it might be best to have no music.
> 
> Linda Leslie's DoSiThree is one of my favorite beginner dances, but usually 
> after they've done some simple circles. Linda posted here a week or so ago 
> her excellent strategy for getting people dancing and into a spiral that 
> turns into a partner-less circle. I thought I 'invented' that approach, but 
> it seems at least 2 of us came up with the idea. It works really well, 
> especially if you enlist some helpers to get it started and to urge their 
> friends to join. When I call at weddings I make it a condition of my contract 
> that the bride and groom will play that role for at least the first dance. 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Tue, Aug 4, 2015 at 6:18 AM, Claire Takemori via 
> Callers wrote:
> I want to learn to call & share family dances with more kids to spread folk 
> music and dancing in our area (SF bay area, near Santa Cruz).
> 
> I've got an opportunity to teach dances for my son's nature class.  It will 
> range in age from 5 to 15 years.  There's an option to work with just 8 years 
> and up for some or all of the dancing.
> 
> My questions:
> 
> 1. Can you recommend some really fun dances for starting out?  The first 
> couple have be great so I can win them over with fun.
> 
> 2.  I'm wondering how vital music is to the success?  I think really great 
> live music is a major part of my joy of contra dancing.  We are not allowed 
> to use electrical amplification.   I'm wondering if I could use a single 
> fiddler?And how do I locate a local fiddler who might volunteer 
> playing?  Maybe a talented youth?
> 
> 3.  I won't have a mic and will have to use a bullhorn.  Any advice?  I don't 
> have a naturally loud voice, but do sing so I know about projection and belly 
> breathing.
> 
> 4.  They are thinking of 8 consecutive weeks, once a week for 15-30 minutes 
> (before nature classes head out hiking).   Is 8 weeks a good initial 
> exposure?  How long should each session last, 30 minutes?
> 
> 5.  We might culminate with a "field trip" to a local barn dance.  Any advice 
> for the preparation for that?
> 
> Thanks for any advice!
> 
> claire takemori
> 
> 
> 
> ___
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> 
> 
> Bree Kalb, LCSW
> 301 W. Weaver St.
> Carrboro, NC 27510
> 919-932-6262 ext 216
> http://www.thewellnessalliance.com/BreeKalb.html
> https://www.facebook.com/carrborokorumindfulness
> 
> Regarding the Use of Email -- Please Note: Although I use a firewall and my 
> computer is password protected, my emails are not encrypted. Therefore, I 
> cannot guarantee confidentiality of email communication. If you choose to 
> communicate confidential information with me via email, I will assume that 
> you have made an informed decision and I will view it as your agreement to 
> take the risk that email may be intercepted. Please be aware that email is 
> never an appropriate vehicle for emergency communication. If you are 
> canceling an appointment less than 48 hours in advance, please also leave me 
> a voice mail message at my office.
> 
> 
> 
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Re: [Callers] Family dance questions

[Bree Kalb via Callers]

I've done house parties with just a fiddler who was very familiar with dance music and knows how to maintain the beat and play square tunes. Not everyone can do that. Does your dance community have a list serve or Facebook page where you can ask for that kind of assistance? Unless you can find someone with those skills, it might be best to have no music.Linda Leslie's DoSiThree is one of my favorite beginner dances, but usually after they've done some simple circles. Linda posted here a week or so ago her excellent strategy for getting people dancing and into a spiral that turns into a partner-less circle. I thought I 'invented' that approach, but it seems at least 2 of us came up with the idea. It works really well, especially if you enlist some helpers to get it started and to urge their friends to join. When I call at weddings I make it a condition of my contract that the bride and groom will play that role for at least the first dance. On Tue, Aug 4, 2015 at 6:18 AM, Claire Takemori via Callers  wrote:I want to learn to call & share family dances with more kids to spread folk music and dancing in our area (SF bay area, near Santa Cruz).

I've got an opportunity to teach dances for my son's nature class.  It will range in age from 5 to 15 years.  There's an option to work with just 8 years and up for some or all of the dancing.

My questions:

1. Can you recommend some really fun dances for starting out?  The first couple have be great so I can win them over with fun.

2.  I'm wondering how vital music is to the success?  I think really great live music is a major part of my joy of contra dancing.  We are not allowed to use electrical amplification.   I'm wondering if I could use a single fiddler?        And how do I locate a local fiddler who might volunteer playing?  Maybe a talented youth?

3.  I won't have a mic and will have to use a bullhorn.  Any advice?  I don't have a naturally loud voice, but do sing so I know about projection and belly breathing.

4.  They are thinking of 8 consecutive weeks, once a week for 15-30 minutes (before nature classes head out hiking).   Is 8 weeks a good initial exposure?  How long should each session last, 30 minutes?

5.  We might culminate with a "field trip" to a local barn dance.  Any advice for the preparation for that?

Thanks for any advice!

claire takemori



___
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Bree Kalb, LCSW301 W. Weaver St.Carrboro, NC 27510919-932-6262 ext 216http://www.thewellnessalliance.com/BreeKalb.htmlhttps://www.facebook.com/carrborokorumindfulnessRegarding the Use of Email -- Please Note: Although I use a firewall and my computer is password protected, my emails are not encrypted. Therefore, I cannot guarantee confidentiality of email communication. If you choose to communicate confidential information with me via email, I will assume that you have made an informed decision and I will view it as your agreement to take the risk that email may be intercepted. Please be aware that email is never an appropriate vehicle for emergency communication.  If you are canceling an appointment less than 48 hours in advance, please also leave me a voice mail message at my office.

Re: [Callers] Family dance questions

[Rich Sbardella via Callers]

At Old Srurbridge Village, a living museum, we use one penny whistle,
flute, or fiddle.   We always dance Rakes of Mallow.  The age of the
dancing audience ranges from 4 to 70s, and they always have fun.

Rakes:
Fwd & Bk, Fwd & Change lines
Fwd & Bk, Fwd and change back to original line
Right hand turn, left hand turn
Top Couple sashay down.

Simplicity is the key.  Do a google search for books by the New England
Dancing Masters, and by Mariam Rose.  There are many good dances and CDs
with the tunes.

I wish you success!
Rich






On Tue, Aug 4, 2015 at 6:18 AM, Claire Takemori via Callers <
callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> I want to learn to call & share family dances with more kids to spread
> folk music and dancing in our area (SF bay area, near Santa Cruz).
>
> I've got an opportunity to teach dances for my son's nature class.  It
> will range in age from 5 to 15 years.  There's an option to work with just
> 8 years and up for some or all of the dancing.
>
> My questions:
>
> 1. Can you recommend some really fun dances for starting out?  The first
> couple have be great so I can win them over with fun.
>
> 2.  I'm wondering how vital music is to the success?  I think really great
> live music is a major part of my joy of contra dancing.  We are not allowed
> to use electrical amplification.   I'm wondering if I could use a single
> fiddler?And how do I locate a local fiddler who might volunteer
> playing?  Maybe a talented youth?
>
> 3.  I won't have a mic and will have to use a bullhorn.  Any advice?  I
> don't have a naturally loud voice, but do sing so I know about projection
> and belly breathing.
>
> 4.  They are thinking of 8 consecutive weeks, once a week for 15-30
> minutes (before nature classes head out hiking).   Is 8 weeks a good
> initial exposure?  How long should each session last, 30 minutes?
>
> 5.  We might culminate with a "field trip" to a local barn dance.  Any
> advice for the preparation for that?
>
> Thanks for any advice!
>
> claire takemori
>
>
>
> ___
> Callers mailing list
> Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
>