Here is some information I like to send to new callers, or callers who haven't called for us in a while.
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Since we are not your usual square dance club, here are some comments that will make the experience more enjoyable for both of us.
We are a college-age singles club with lots of hangers on and friends. We will change partners every tip. It is common for two guys to dance together, two girls to dance together, or for some people to square up arky. Sometimes people will mess around in other ways (e.g., cutting people out of squares, dancing hexagon, intentionally trading positions with another dancer during the dance). They are aware that this can impair the caller's ability to call and resolve and will usually do this in the back of the hall. If you would like to have a well-behaved, normal-gender square in the front, please mention this to an officer or other organizer-type, who can discreetly spread the word to dancers.
Tech Squares is a Plus club. Our usual program is a Plus tip (patter followed by singer) and two rounds, repeated throughout the dance. We enjoy dancing to alternative patter music. You should use the music that you are most comfortable calling to. We enjoy dancing and would prefer a smooth, flowing delivery.
We graduate new Plus dancers twice a year. There will probably be some dancers who have less than 6 months floor time. At the same time you will have a number of people who also dance Advanced and Challenge. Usually we are looking for interesting and varied Plus choreography. Sashayed Coordinates, Scoot Back 1 1/2, Half Sashay 1 1/2, and Ferris Wheel Centers Wheel Around are not uncommon to us. Because some of our dancers have learned MWSD recently, please try to use the current names for calls (and the current list).
While the tempo in New England is slower (say 123 - 125), our caller is usually a little faster (say 126 - 129). We enjoy it when the caller calls fast enough that we can dance smoothly to the music. We appreciate singing calls and good singing. It is best to avoid themes that are overly religious or could be perceived as sexist. Many of us are good at partner swings and enjoy them in the singing calls.
We don't like Yellow Rocks. We don't teach Yellow Rock, and some of our dancers won't know what it means. Please don't call it. We don't like sexist comments and stereotypes (e.g., 4 hairy legged ones promenade, 4 dishwashers promenade, the good looking one, the smartest ones). Choreographic gimmicks have been successful, but too many or the wrong ones will fall flat. Don't make the dancers look stupid (e.g., U Turn Back" vs. "You Turn Thru").
Tuesday night: This is our usual weekly club dance. In the fall and spring school terms we will be running MS and Plus lessons. Probably you will be filling in in January or over the summer. We are expecting 2 1/2 hours of 2+2 squares and rounds. Almost all of the dancers will be Tech Squares members.
Saturday night: This will be a "monthly" club dance which is advertised and will attract visitors. It will be 3 hours of 2+2 squares and rounds, with a refreshment break featuring 3-4 higher program rounds. Usually the visitors will not be as adept at challenging Plus choreography as the Tech dancers. It can be a tough situation. Sometimes the squares won't mix well, either. If you are up for it, we appreciate star tips after 11pm (A1, A2, C1, etc.). If you would like to call star tips, please discuss what programs would be appropriate with booking director.
Callers ordinarily bring their own equipment, but the club does own calling equipment. We prefer to have it be a backup, but if you want to use our equipment, check with the booking director a week or two before the dance. Similarly, if you want help with directions or parking, we can usually arrange that, but let us know in advance. Tech Squares is an MIT student club, and you will be paid by MIT. It takes MIT a while to cut a check, so please return your signed contract several weeks before the dance, so we can make sure to have the check ready.
Thanks for agreeing to call for us. We look forward to your dance.