Tony Parkes is one of the pre-eminent square dance callers in the United States, having called square and contra dances regularly since 1964. His knowledge of American square dance is both extensive and involved, and in this volume, he collates his well-earned knowledge for the purpose of informing and empowering both the enthusiastic beginner and the seasoned dance caller. Unique in its winning combination of breadth, depth, and accessibility, this book will find itself on many a shelf, sure to be well-worn, referenced, and utilized—a bible of neotraditional American square dance whose relevance will no doubt persist for decades.Parkes’ volume offers a comprehensive “from the ground up” how-to guide for anyone looking to get involved in square dance calling. His detail is such that, step by step, a complete newcomer with no knowledge or dance background could become a square dance caller. Parkes hopes (as do I) that this book will encourage and embolden potential square dance callers and play a part in passing on invaluable knowledge (and joy!) to the next generation of would-be square dance callers in the United States—and perhaps internationally.Designed as a teaching resource, the book is divided into three useful sections, starting with a succinct history of the cultural influences that led to the creation of American square dance, followed by a brief series of reflections on the role of dance caller. Parkes discusses the varied ethnic and cultural origins of square dancing and honors the multiplicity of forms that have brought about its current manifestation. These include its urban, rural, European, and African roots, as well as the impact of mass media in popularizing square dance culture in the United States. He praises the benefits of square dancing as an antidote to the pitfalls of modern life in a society where platonic physical touch has declined. With both candor and humor, Parkes relays the myriad ways in which the caller is responsible for the success of an evening of square dance and, in part, for the general well-being of the dance community at large. He touts amiable, informed, and ethical leadership, urging callers to consider the impact of their position of influence, while maintaining an understanding of the historical and cultural context of the tradition.In the second portion of the book, Parkes’ extensive dance calling experience and reverence for the tradition are fully displayed as he focuses on the key technical features of square dance calling. He starts by discussing the general structure of square dance tunes, and how the phrasing of dance calls fits within this framework. Thereafter, he addresses every pertinent topic one would need to start calling and facilitating square dances, leaving no detail missed. These methodical guides cover choosing a suitable program of dances, collaborating with musicians, calling and improvising breaks, working with a variety of audiences, tips for clear and effective teaching, techniques for vocal support and dynamics, and implementing patter in order to complement the music and add color to the calls. Compellingly, Parkes encourages conscientious calling, especially when dealing with audiences of varied racial and gender identities, and he shows sensitivity in understanding the challenges and rewards of doing so.After a thorough description of the “how,” Parkes moves to the “what,” with an exemplary selection of repertoire. He begins this section with a detailed introduction of the basic movements of square dance, the essential building blocks. He thoroughly describes each of these movements, noting the function and purpose of the move within the context of a larger dance figure, the best teaching method, the timing of the move, and any relevant historical notes. He then delves into a detailed repertoire of square dances, all comprised of these fundamental moves, including circle dances, easy party squares, and intermediate standards. He follows with more advanced figures and forms, including visiting squares, singing calls (where the calls are sung and coordinated to both music and specific moves), and other advanced and “fancy” figures. For each dance, Parkes includes an introduction, the choreography, and the calls, which are formatted to enable the reader to reproduce them with accurate and rhythmic delivery, ensuring that all key prompts dovetail with the downbeat of the music.To close, Parkes offers an extensive glossary and list of additional resources, providing the interested caller with references to both collections of repertoire and other manuals on dance teaching and facilitating. These aids offer an excellent point of departure for further research.In summary, whether for seasoned square dance callers, teachers of other traditional dance forms, or complete novices, this book will prove a delightful and rich source of advice, instruction, and repertoire, and a useful and welcome guiding light in the world of traditional dance calling.
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Oct 22, 2023
Yuxiao Shen + 1
Open Access