The Course: Calling and teaching Squares and Contras for callers of all levels. Participants will be encouraged to explore new styles, build on their skills, and expand their repertoire. This unique environment offers a safe haven where callers are free to experiment with new ideas, and will be supported in finding ways to come across more effectively.
Curriculum: Learning the calls, dissecting a dance, presenting a walkthrough, finding the music, working with the band, your voice as an instrument, using a microphone, how to recover if you're lost, creating a program, locating new material, finding opportunity, and how to measure success. We will look at choreography, talk about philosophy, and much more...
Schedule: Begin the day with an all-morning workshop with Ron. In the afternoon there will be an open mike dance to the excellent music of Illegal Contraband, a great opportunity for callers to practice new skills. There are also many other classes you can enroll in (music, art, writing, and crafts) at Common Ground, and in the evening there will be dances, concerts, and time for new friends.
Instructor: Ron Buchanan began dancing as a kid with his family at their barn dances in western Pennsylvania. He is known for an efficient walk-through, quick wit and fast patter. Ron has called, taught swing, and shared many dances he has written at camps and weekends across the country.
Enrollment: Limited to 12 to ensure plenty of participation. Before registering, contact Ron.
Cost: $360 -- Tuition for Caller's Week (week one) $190 Dormitory housing (double occupancy) cafeteria meals (including vegetarian)
Common Ground On The Hill is a traditional music and arts organization whose purpose is to offer a quality learning experience with master musicians, artists, writers and crafters. Now in their eighth year this two-week program anticipates about 300 campers, staff, and volunteers per week. They encourage families to attend through an extensive children's curriculum called "World Village." Contact them to find out more about their festival and camp offerings.
For more information about the program, e-mail Ron at buchananron@yahoo.com or go to the Common Ground website.
For more dances, bands, callers, organizations and resources on contradancing, check out Contra Dance Links on the Web.
http://www.contradancelinks.com/commoncaller.html
Produced by Charlie Seelig based on information supplied by a flyer produced by Ron Buchanan.
This page last updated on May 7, 2002.