Description
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This contra callers course is an intensive workshop designed for advanced-beginner through intermediate callers who are ready to get to the next level. The focus is on two important topics: teaching skills (understanding choreography and crafting a concise teaching vocabulary) and stage craft (learning how to handle mistakes or unexpected situations and collaborating with musicians). All of this takes place in a supportive environment designed to help participants discover their strengths and explore new ideas.
This program, held concurrently with Adult & Family Week at Timber Ridge, is designed and led by Lisa Greenleaf. Lisa brings many years of experience to her callers workshops, having been on staff at camps across the country and beyond. She has designed both short and long callers courses, and she particularly enjoys observing how people learn dance moves, as well as how they build effective dance communities.
The course takes place for a solid three-tiered block in the afternoon. In the first portion, we cover such topics as teaching figures, recognizing good choreography and understanding effective walk-throughs. This is followed by the Dancing Through Time class with David Millstone, who explores the history of contras and other American country dance forms. The last period is a hands-on experience called the Contra Callers Dance Party, where mini course participants work with a live band (Naomi Morse, Paul Oorts, and Robert Mills) and call dances from the stage. Each dance is followed by dancer critique using a safe and supportive feedback model. These last two sessions are open to dancers from the wider camp community.
REGISTRATION
Participation is limited to ten students, and before camp each student is asked to complete a preparatory assignment, which will be explained with acceptance. Please clearly indicate if you would like to attend Adult & Family Week at Timber Ridge, if you did not get a space in the course. Scholarships are available.
Requirements for callers who would like to attend the Contra Callers Miini Course at Timber Ridge 2015
This course is designed for advanced-beginner through intermediate level callers. A week is not a lot of time, so in order to hit the ground running, please make sure that you can fulfill these criteria by the time camp starts:
- Be familiar with the AABB structure of contra dance music.
- Know the difference between a jig and a reel.
- Know how to cue the first figure off of four potatoes.
- Know how and when to signal the band to go out.
- Have called at least 3 contras in a real dance setting (individual dances, not evenings). Some dances sponsor open mics or new callers’ nights, and some callers are willing to allow new callers to call one dance during an evening. Or you can get a bunch of friends together and host a dance party, but it needs to be to live music.
- Have a repertoire of at least 3 dances you know and feel comfortable teaching and calling.
- Attend contra dances regularly so that you are familiar with the moves, the culture and the music.
- Be prepared to receive and incorporate feedback, even if you have a lot of calling experience.
Please fill out this Survey as well as the regular Registration to apply for this Course.
Staff
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Lisa Greenleaf
Location
ABOUT TIMBER RIDGE CAMP
Timber Ridge Camp spreads across and down a gentle slope that levels out into playing fields bounded by a sweeping bend in the Cacapon River. The camp is in the foothills of the Appalachians near Winchester, VA, and is easily accessible from the mid-Atlantic, the South and the Midwest.
Across the valley and the river is a forested ridge to the west and hills and fields to the north. Timber Ridge is a large camp with many buildings and generous facilities. You'll find a swimming pool and gym, a Fine Arts complex with various program spaces, a pub/canteen, fields for soccer and other games, a large indoor dining hall with a nearby outdoor picnic area, tennis courts, wonderful swimming spots on the river, canoes and many kinds of housing options.
There is ample space for dance classes, which will be held in the Playhouse, the Rec Hall and the gym. The Fine Arts complex (comprised of the adjoining Playhouse -- air-conditioned -- and Rec Hall) offers wonderful settings for after-dance parties. There are several discrete rooms so that a jam session can carry on without affecting a singing session, ceilidh dance or games and conversation. The pub/canteen is a space that invites gatherings and the site of choice for cabaret and honky-tonk parties.
With excellent playing fields, the river with its canoes, the pool with its beach chairs, and extensive porches on various buildings, there are many opportunities for both quiet and more active pastimes.
ARRIVAL TIME
The program begins with swimming and an informal tour of camp on the afternoon of the first day; followed by an orientation meeting and dance after dinner.
Arrival time is after 3:30pm on the starting Sunday. Departure time is by 10:00am the final Sunday.
PACKING SUGGESTIONS
You will need to bring a flashlight to find your way around at night. A battery powered or wind up alarm clock and insect repellent may be useful. If you are on a special diet, you may need to bring your own particular food. An ice chest for drinks and snacks to share at after-dance parties may be handy. A specific packing list is sent with acceptance information.
Don't forget to pack your your swimsuit, raincoat, sweater, towels, bed linen, and blankets or a sleeping bag and pillows. A fan is often welcome.
STORES
The nearest stores are a 15-30 minute drive away.
HOUSING
All participants are assigned on-site housing in the month before camp starts. Space is limited; we can't guarantee that all specific requests will be filled. Requests may be made on the Registration Form or with information sent later.
A Timber Ridge Bunk RoomAdult housing is mostly in double rooms (with private or semi-private baths) within larger buildings. Family housing is in bunkrooms with one family per room, sharing bath facilities with one other family, or, for smaller families with younger children, in the Lodge -- a building with several smaller rooms. Family housing is based on the age of the youngest family member.
General housing categories at Timber Ridge are:
- Quiet or party areas
- Closer to or further from evening activities
- Specific building
Summer nights can be hot and humid; consider bringing a small, quiet fan to place near your bed.
JOBS
In the cooperative spirit of camp life, all campers have a daily job to help camp run smoothly.
Jobs are usually a half hour or less per day, every day, and the same job all week. Jobs are assigned in the month before camp starts; you have the opportunity make specific requests about your job assignment either on the Registration Form or later with your Registration Status Form.
We can't guarantee that all specific job requests will be filled, but please let us know if you have a preference or limitation (e.g., dust allergy, unable to lift heavy objects, can't stay up late, can't get up for breakfast).
At family sessions parents are generally assigned a job with their young children.
General job categories are:
- Dining room: breakfast, lunch or dinner (set/clear tables)
- Kitchen (serve food, clear, wash dishes, make coffee/tea)
- Sweeping (pavilions, community areas)
- Party help (late night party setup/cleanup)
- Clerical (office, bookstore, auction)
- Greeters (must be able to arrive by 2:00pm)
- Gopher (campstore, auction, lifting)
PHONE & COMPUTERS
Though your plate will be full with activities while at camp, for those of you who must keep in contact with work or home, there are options. There is first class mail and UPS service. We do ask that laptops and cell phones be kept out of the awareness of other campers. Even if you can't, others want to enjoy this time away from the reminders of work-a-day living.
There is a touch-tone phone for camper use; you will need a calling card to make long distance calls. Cell coverage is spotty at best.
Life at Camp
WHILE AT CAMP
The noises of modern life are replaced by music and the sounds of dancers, singers and the laughter from the waterfront and other gatherings. Cars are tucked away, and for a week transportation around camp is by foot. There are no newspapers or radios and the "outside" world fades away. You are at camp!
If you've never been to camp before, here's some useful information for making your stay more comfortable. Camp facilities and all activities are in close contact with the outdoors, but we do provide some modern amenities.
ARRIVAL TIME
The program begins with swimming and an informal tour of camp on the afternoon of the first day; followed by an orientation meeting and dance after dinner.
PHONE & COMPUTERS
Though your plate will be full with activities while at camp, for those of you who must keep in contact with work or home, there are options. There is first class mail and UPS service. We do ask that laptops and cell phones be kept out of the awareness of other campers. Even if you can't, others want to enjoy this time away from the reminders of work-a-day living.
SPECIAL EVENING ACTIVITIES
One evening of each week, in addition to the evening program, we hold an auction to raise money in support of Scholarships and other special projects. You may want to donate an unusual item or service. On one night each week there are no scheduled activities; however, there generally are camper-led dances and music or singing gatherings.
PACKING SUGGESTIONS
You will need to bring a flashlight to find your way around at night. A battery powered or wind up alarm clock and insect repellent may be useful. If you are on a special diet, you may need to bring your own particular food. An ice chest for drinks and snacks to share at after-dance parties may be handy. A specific packing list is sent with acceptance information.
CLOTHES & SHOES
Bring plenty of dance clothes, especially socks and t-shirts; there are no washing machines or dryers at the camps. Feel free to bring festive apparel; many people like to dress up in the evenings or for special parties. Shoes must be worn on all the dance floors; flat or low heel shoes are suggested. Some people prefer leather or composition soles for country, athletic shoes for morris, hard soles for sword or some clogging and wooden soled shoes for English clogging. It's a good idea to break in new dance shoes before you arrive, and to bring different, sturdier shoes for wearing on the camp paths. With all these different shoes, think about bringing a bag or backpack to carry around with you during the day as you walk from class to class.
STORES
The nearest stores are a 15-30 minute drive away.
HOUSING
All participants are assigned on-site housing in the month before camp starts. Space is limited; we can't guarantee that all specific requests will be filled. Requests may be made on the Registration Form or with information sent later.
JOBS
In the cooperative spirit of camp life, all campers have a daily job to help camp run smoothly.
Jobs are usually a half hour or less per day, every day, and the same job all week. Jobs are assigned in the month before camp starts; you have the opportunity make specific requests about your job assignment either on the Registration Form or later with your Registration Status Form.
We can't guarantee that all specific job requests will be filled, but please let us know if you have a preference or limitation (e.g., dust allergy, unable to lift heavy objects, can't stay up late, can't get up for breakfast).
RIDES TO CAMP
Please let us know if you can offer a ride to camp. It's very helpful since parking space is limited and those flying to camp sometimes need a ride from the airport. We will help coordinate transportation from airports to camp.
BOOKSTORE
CDSS runs a bookstore at each camp carrying a diverse selection of dance and song recordings and books, morris supplies, postcards and more, along with the books and recordings of our program staff.
GUESTS & PETS
Guests and pets may not be brought to camp.
