Positional Calling Workshop for Contra Dance Callers
Louise Siddons’s introductory workshop to help contra callers discover how the calling skills they have already cultivated can be enhanced by positional thinking, teaching, and calling. It also teaches how to use those skills to create a more welcoming, inclusive atmosphere at dances.
From Friends of Cecil Sharp House
Positional Calling Workshop for English Country Dance Callers
The video of this introductory workshop by Louise Siddons will help ECD callers discover how the calling skills they have already cultivated can be enhanced by positional thinking, teaching, and calling. It also teaches how to use those skills to create a more welcoming, inclusive atmosphere at dances.
From Friends of Cecil Sharp House
5 Benefits of Positional Calling (and one challenge)
Video of a workshop with Louise Siddons, moderated by Brooke Friendly, at Fall Frolick 2021.
From the Bay Area Country Dance Society
Get Into Position for Social Dancing
Louise Siddons explains how she uses positional calling for Playford and contra dances—and that positional calling has the potential to make dancing more fun for everyone. Includes choreography for three positionally-called dances.
From EFDSS
Gender-free calling: why does it matter?
Lisa Heywood discusses the importance of gender-free calling and offers some practical tips on how to get started.
From EFDSS
Lisa Heywood’s Gender-Free Dance Page
Lisa offers a variety of resources on gender-free and positional calling and dancing.
From Lisa Heywood
Bruce Hamilton gives some tips on how to give and receive help on the dance floor.
From CDSS News
Old-time Dance Calling for Weddings, Parties, and One-Night Stands
To assist the caller at those sometimes challenging one-night stands or other special occasions. Includes helpful pointers, sample contract, sample dance program with instructions for several easy dances, and an annotated bibliography. By Erik Hoffman.
This resource is free for CDSS members and is available for purchase through the CDSS Online Store.
In these three resources, John provides tips on good technique for swinging, allemands, connection, and more. There is a focus on how to improve dancing skills and prevent injuries.
From John Sweeney
Watch a contra dance beginner lesson in action (YouTube video). These videos are both helpful to callers wanting to learn how to teach beginners AND to beginners wanting to learn how to contra dance.
From Jim Crawford
Thanks to the Massachusetts Cultural Council for their generous support.