Diane Silver
Calling for contra, square and other set dancing; couples dance and other social dances.
I can't believe this much fun is legal!

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Diane Silver
Dance & Leadership Workshops

Here is a list of workshop topics I offer:

Contra Dance workshops:

Basic contra and/or square dancing -- from zero to modern contra or square dancing in an hour or less.
Intermediate contra dancing -- tips and tricks for improving your dancing.
(We started a "Beyond Beginners" session at our weekly dance to help build dance skills...beyond beginners! Click here for a video of a session on basic twirls. (Thank you, MJ, for the video!)).
Advanced contra workshop -- de-mystifying the mysterious; challenging dances made easy. "Learn universal truths about shadows and buddies, multiple progression, figuring out end effects, and other high level skills that will make you a more advanced dancer overall."
Contra Flourishes -- Asheville has become famous (or perhaps infamous) for the prevalence of contra flourishes imported from swing dancing. This "playshop" introduces basic swing dance moves for a contra context, including the critical skills of timing (being ready for the next move), tailoring to your partner's skill and preferences, keeping it safe, and the fine art of good judgement (when to go for the showy moves, and when not).
Advanced contra dance (less workshop, just a session of advanced dances)
Gender swapping
Gender-free contra dance (beginner, intermediate, or advanced dances, called gender-free -- I use Reds and Yellows ("Red on the Right"), unless you REALLY need "bands" and "bare-arms").
Mega-medley -- up to 90 minutes of non-stop, no-walk-thru dancing, depending on how long the band can play. (Any one person doesn't necessarily dance non-stop, but the dance as a group never stops -- I can elaborate on how it works if you're interested. Note: This has been very well received at dance weekends, but it's brutal on the band. If you want a mega-medley, it is critical to negotiate it with the band first. Two bands on-stage together, swapping off, has worked well. I also recommend simply a session of no-walk-throughs and "regular-length" medleys, so the band can rest a bit between dances while folks are finding new partners and forming up again).

Square Dance Session:
This can be a workshop, or just a session of fun, everyone-active squares, with as much teaching as is needed, based on the crowd.

Couples Dances:

Waltz
Schottische
Hambo
Zweifacher
East Coast Swing

Novelty dances:

Salty Dog Rag
Dutch Crossing

Appalachian Flatfooting
Beginning or Intermediate - Please click for more information

Here's the Music-and-Practice handout from the workshop, including "how to dance at 1/2 or 1/4 speed."

Caller Workshops:

Beginning callers -- the basics
Intermediate -- Possibilities include:
- nailing the walk-through
- fixing things on the fly
- working with the band
- thoughtful programming
- teaching the beginner lesson
- calling medleys and no-walk-thrus
Calling for young dancers: family dances, schools, camps, youth groups, parties, etc.
Calling for adult "one-night-stands": weddings, conferences, church groups, etc.

Caller AND Musician Workshop:

Puttin' it Together - The Band-Caller Collaboration: Understanding each other's roles, with a focus on matching moods of tunes and dances, to achieve greater variety and nirvana for the dancers.

Leadership Workshops:

Starting / Running a Dance - Organizational Tools (booking, publicity, finances, insurance, hosting, managing/keeping volunteers, etc.).
Conflict management - interventions and resolutions for disagreements, factions, and difficult or offensive individuals.
- How to have that difficult conversation.
- Creating a complaint-management system for your community.

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Diane SilverDance & Leadership Workshops

Diane Silver
Dance & Leadership Workshops