Who’s the best caller you’ve ever danced to? Any dance form, any time in your life. What made them memorable? Can you put down in words just what the experience of dancing to their calling was like?
I remember a square dance caller—wish I could remember his name—who called for our club in Downey, CA (a suburb of Los Angeles) back in the early 80s. Dancing to his calling was exhilarating—the tempo was fast, but the moves flowed so perfectly into one another, and he always seemed to let you know what to do next at the precise instant when your free hand was ready to reach out for the next person, or your body was ready to turn. There was never any sense of waiting for a cue—you never stopped moving. And squares rarely broke down, even when the dancers weren’t all experienced. “Flow.” That’s maybe the most important word. It all just flowed.
I square danced for years when I lived in LA, to probably 50 different callers, but he’s the only one I remember. There was just something that set him apart from all the rest. He used to do a singing call to “Sweet Fantasy” (any old-time square dancers in the group might know this one) that I still dream about—it put me into a state of ecstasy.
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This is kind of awful. I remember magical moments of dancing (one was this weekend!) but not who was calling (except this weekend). I sometimes remember the band, and I usually remember the occasion.
Does this mean that a really good caller at some point fades into the experience? Maybe. I know that one of my favorite callers to play to is Caroline Fahrney, who is currently in the middle of raising two delightful people, so you won't have heard her recently. But her calling is clear, complete, and mesmerizing, yet no one ever mentions her name in the list of national-level callers. Possibly this is because she does not cultivate an on-stage Big Personality. Rather, her calling is more like seductive thought control, making you suddenly decide on your own that you would really like to swing your partner or chain the ladies.
Caroline is one of my models for the "musical" caller I keep mentioning. Although her voice is soothing, her calls are insistent, and rhythmic, part of the music.
...a really good caller at some point fades into the experience....
Yes, I think that may be true for many good callers. And I think you're right also about the "Big Personality." For example, with Colin Hume, what I consciously remember is his personality (some find it endearing, others find it obnoxious, but EVERYONE remembers it). What I do not remember about him is his calling style, but only that I enjoyed the dancing when I wasn't distracted by his manner or worried that he'd pick on me!
If I were a caller, I'd rather people have a good time than remember my name. I hope all those great callers to whom I have danced feel the same way....
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