Ceildh (etc) callers tip anyone?

22 Sep 03 - 07:01 PM (#1023207)
Subject: Ceildh, Contra (etc) callers tips anyone?
From: Mr Red

There was a discussion on e-ceilidh recently about young callers getting a foothold and thread drift moved it on to good and bad calling so someone "turned the light on" and said "What about a page of tips for beginners (and knowitalls too)"

I have put the calling tips collected so far on my site temporarilly until a proper home can be found but.....

What tips would you suggest make for good dance calling (or tips to avoid bad calling?)

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23 Sep 03 - 06:18 AM (#1023431)
Subject: RE: Ceildh (etc) callers tip anyone?
From: GUEST,Nigel Parsons

Good tips,
One local caller has a head mike, and can really get in amongst the dancers to help out

Nigel

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23 Sep 03 - 11:59 AM (#1023549)
Subject: RE: Ceildh (etc) callers tip anyone?
From: GUEST,guest

For gawd's sake, tell the band what you're doing and let them sort out what tunes to play BEFORE you try and get everybody up for the next dance. Especially if it's the first dance.

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23 Sep 03 - 02:57 PM (#1023686)
Subject: RE: Ceildh (etc) callers tip anyone?
From: Mr Red

Thankyou Nigel, Gargoyle and GUEST guest I will add to my list - I have three of my own (Ok I had to gag myself at that point) to add.

Keep 'em coming.

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23 Sep 03 - 03:25 PM (#1023708)
Subject: RE: Ceildh (etc) callers tip anyone?
From: open mike

the caller has the position of co-ordinating and communicating
with the band as well as the dancers....and it is important to
work out a signal system with the band so they can direct them
to change tempo, or when the dance is coming to an end.
the coller at out contra dances often holds up one finger
(no not that one...the index) to signify that we should play
thru the tune one more time. This signal is given during the
last "b" part so the band can give the last go thru their
utmost!
here are some dance sites:
probably mostly U.S. and Contra dance.
http://david0.tedcrane.com/DanceDB/
http://www.io.com/~entropy/contradance/dance-home.html
santa barbara:
http://www.sbcds.org/
http://www.phillydance.com/~nationalcontra/index.html
http://www.contradancelinks.com/
http://www.cdss.org/

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24 Sep 03 - 03:14 PM (#1024484)
Subject: RE: Ceildh (etc) callers tip anyone?
From: GUEST,Peter from Essex

Announce what the dance will be not just the type of set.

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25 Sep 03 - 07:34 PM (#1024824)
Subject: RE: Ceildh (etc) callers tip anyone?
From: Mr Red

Peter - I agree with you but I rather think the notso regular ceilidh goer or beginner will not get as much from the information. AND there is always the caller's version which the golden rule states will differ from your pre-concieved notion and by the time to dance you haven't been paying attention because you know it anway (NOT me I hasten to (cough) add (cough)).
Then there is the caller who misses-out bits because he is going from memory and you still don't know, until the dance is under way, if this is a shortened version or the old favourite and half the set is about to stand around looking perplexed with the new figure that I am doing because I heard the anticipated late call.
Knowing what the dance is called is a 50% proposition but better than 0%.
Announcing the type (& size) of set should be called amny times according to the concensus of contributors to the list - have a look and see - it is growing.

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25 Sep 03 - 07:46 PM (#1024845)
Subject: RE: Ceildh (etc) callers tip anyone?
From: GUEST,Peter from Essex

I agree that the formation and size should be announced more than once. I still want to know what the dance is though so that I can decide when to go to the bar.

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26 Sep 03 - 04:26 AM (#1025065)
Subject: RE: Ceildh (etc) callers tip anyone?
From: Splott Man

At weddings, I've stopped starting with a longways dance, as people subsequently try to form nothing but longways sets no matter what you say. These days I start AND end with a Circassian. The second time you can have a lot of fun with variations, and feature the happy couple (no, that's NOT the bride's parents!) and any characters you've encountered during the evening.

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26 Sep 03 - 01:19 PM (#1025177)
Subject: RE: Ceildh (etc) callers tip anyone?
From: Mr Red

Nice one Splott Man - weedings are a common factor in the tips collected so far.

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26 Sep 03 - 01:33 PM (#1025185)
Subject: RE: Ceildh (etc) callers tip anyone?
From: Sonnet

Don't be afraid to ask for wandering/running about toddlers to be removed from the dance floor because as they become a trip hazard to dancers; safer for both dancers and little ones. This often occurs at weddings.

Don't be patronising/condescending to children who are dancing.

Jay

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26 Sep 03 - 07:04 PM (#1025363)
Subject: RE: Ceildh (etc) callers tip anyone?
From: Mr Red

Good couple Sonnet - I usually involve children who are dancing by telling them jokes or such - oneliners depending on their age. It is inclusive. I see a few ceilidh dancers who shun children because of the learning and hieght thing but kids, by and large learn fast and you can tell them and they do it. But yes kids running through the sets does worry me.
Being a steward (mostly) at festivals I have the habit of removing bits of string/cotton or paper from the dance floor in my vicinity because paper can skid and you can't control the results. Spilt beer is the same except I often put paper on the floor to mop it up.

FWIW I am a dancer not a caller.

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