Writing Dances: A Conversation with Erik Hoffman
Evo Bluestein interviews Erik Hoffman about how Erik started writing dances and his process. Some of Erik’s dances are featured in the article.
From the CDSS News
Working and Communicating with the Band
A list of nine tips by Nan Evans and Fred Nussbaum for working with bands for English country dance.
From the CDSS News
How to Get Gigs as a Dance Musician
This two-page resource contains a number of great ideas on how to get gigs as a dance musician. Many of the ideas are also applicable to callers as well as other types of musicians.
From CDSS
In this blog post, Jeff presents a history of Larks/Ravens. The post is followed by a community discussion.
From Jeff Kaufman
Larks and Ravens: A Report from the Field
Dela Murphy and Dugan Murphy make a case for gender-free calling and describe how communities can transition to using gender-free terms.
From the CDSS News
5 Things… Inside the Dancing Mind of…Global Terminology/Positional Calling with Brooke Friendly
Darlene Hamilton’s discussion with Brooke Friendly focused on teaching with global terminology and positional calling—something Brooke has been doing for years but which is particularly relevant to the current interest in teaching without reference to gender roles.
FromThe Historical Tea and Dance Society
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
Thanks to the Massachusetts Cultural Council for their generous support.