Dance Callers Workshop, Fall 2011
with veteran Kalamazoo caller Mike Clark
Who should attend?
Any dancer who has ever wondered about callers and calling:
Where do callers find those flowing and interesting dances? I’d be nervous in front of a microphone! How can the caller encourage better dancing? Where do callers get to practice? How does the band know when to stop playing? How do callers figure out those wild and crazy moves? I think it might be fun to call, maybe just for fun at a wedding or reunion, but I’m not sure…. If you are curious about calling, you should come, even if you’re not sure you want to become a caller.
Any others who should come? - novice callers hoping to expand their skills, those who are experienced in other dance genres and want to understand more about traditional dancing and calling, and dancers who just want a deeper understanding of dances and dance tunes. Enrollment minimum of 8, maximum of 16.
What will the workshop include?
… the structure of dance tunes… timing of calls and exploring your calling style… working with a band and speaking into a microphone… finding and figuring out new dances… evaluating and choosing dances, and putting together a fun and interesting program… teaching moves and beginner lessons… making walk-throughs concise and spotting potential points of confusion… how to teach flow and style in dances… and more!
When and where?
Three Sunday afternoon-long meetings, September 25th, October 9th, October 23rd, 1:00 to 5:00-ish, at the Oshtemo Grange, 3234 N 3rd St, (corner of 3rd St. and H Ave., northwest of Kalamazoo).
Plus, an opportunity to call, with mentoring, at two dances with live music: Sunday afternoon November 13th at Oshtemo with Fiddlefire, and Friday evening November 25th in Grand Rapids with Hawks and Owls.
By the end of July, send a brief statement of your interest and goals, along with your name, address, telephone number, and email address, to Karin Neils, AWFAC workshop registrar, 12134 112th, Grand Haven MI 49417. Include a deposit of $25, check payable to AWFAC. (Total cost $45. Remaining $20 due at first workshop session.)
Note, scholarship help may be available from the sponsoring organizations, listed below. Please call Mike at 269-372-7613 or Karin at 616-846-8875 for further information.
What if I don’t want to learn to call but would like to dance on a Sunday afternoon?
A few “Lab Dancers” may be needed for helping the callers develop their skills. So if you are curious, you could possibly come be a dancer at the third session, October 23rd. We are hoping to pay a small stipend to a few dancers for providing a “live laboratory” for new callers. For more information and to express your interest, call Mike at 269-372-7613 or Karin at 616-846-8875. Or you can email Karin at kanara [at] triton.net
This workshop is funded in part by the Mary Kay Friday Fund of the Country Dance and Song Society (http://www.cdss.org/) and is sponsored by the Allegan Woods Folk Arts Cooperative (Holland), Country Dancing in Kalamazoo, Grand River Folk Arts Society (Grand Rapids), Ten Pound Fiddle (Lansing), Looking Glass Music and Arts Association (Lansing), Bayside Travelers Country Dance Society (Traverse City), and Wheatland Music Organization (Remus).