[Organizers] Organizers meeting at Flurry.

[Dana Dwinell-Yardley via Organizers]

Hi friends,

I missed this session at Flurry, but my co-organizer, Alice Smolinsky, was
telling me about it! We run the Montpelier Contra Exchange dance (
www.contraexchange.org) together, along with four other folks.

We are the series that does half contra, half featured dance. We do contra
for the first half, and it's a long half: 8–9:45. Then we have a short
workshop on the featured dance from 9:45 to 10. Then we take a break, and
come back for 45 minutes of the featured dance (swing, Cajun, waltz, etc)
from 10:15 to 11.

We also do the organizer-led skits on various aspects of being a better
dancer: asking your partner if they prefer twirls, listening to the caller
and not chatting, being a "dance ambassador" and looking out for the
benefit of the whole hall, etc. We believe that it's powerful when teaching
moments come from the "laypeople" — dancers/organizers — not just the
caller.

Let us know if you have more questions about our unusual but super friendly
little dance!

Dana

On Mon, Feb 20, 2017 at 10:36 AM, via Organizers <
organizers at lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> Well THAT was fun.
>
> I took a few notes, sharing per Claire Takamori's request
> Sorry, didn't get there in time to hear everyone's name, and I did not
> include my
> vociferous comments in my own notes.
> Others, please edit to fill in the blanks and correct my version.
>
> And, I apologize for monopolizing the conversation...I was so energized by
> the dancing
> that it was difficult for me to contain my enthusiasm.
>
> I do have follow-up questions for the group that does the Co-Host events...
> What is the format? First Half Contra, Second half Swing, or is it an
> every other dance
> sort of switching? We do Contra/English combined for special events,
> and typically it is 2 and 2, alternating, but some people are not happy
> with this...
> If it is half and half, do you experience people coming just for the half
> they normally dance?
> Do you charge those people full price?
>
>
>
>
> *Regarding Attendance: Attracting/Retaining New Dancers, younger dancers,
> etc. (Top concern for this meeting) *
> One dance group gives a free dance to members who bring a NEW dancer,
> as well as the Next Time Free to the new dancer. They find it works very
> well.
>
> Another group tries to have regulars all bring a friend to particular
> dances
> when the caller is really good with teaching beginners. (NYC?)
>
> A few? groups have had success with helping to host a free dance at local
> colleges.
> Others have "College Night" with a deep discount when showing a Student ID.
>
> At least One group who does the Next Dance Free thing has a tear-off where
> the person
> gives their email or contact info at the first dance. They follow up with
> a *personalized*
> email thanking them and inviting them back, possibly with details about
> the next dance or two.
> (Who is performing...) (This may be two similar responses mashed together)
>
> Some groups have "Taxi Dancers" with lead/follow indicators.
> They are people who wear some kind of indentifier (pin, colorful marker,
> something)
> and at sign-in the new dancers are shown what that looks like. The taxis
> will
> dance with new folks, and be there if there are any questions.
>
> Another group has regulars who dance with new people and try to make sure
> they have a partner for the next dance...
> Bob: "Thank you for that dance, have you met Jean?"
> Jean: "Hi, nice to meet you, would you like to dance?"
>
> One group does a skit after the 2nd or 3rd dance about how to handle
> situations:
> Topics: Saying no gracefully, how to stop the twirling, etc. (NYC or
> MontpielierContraExchange?)
>
>
> * Money stuff:*
>
> {Seems Rochester is an outlier, with regard to the cash box being
> unattended all evening, and self-serve sign-in.}
>
> More than a couple groups have found that a Sliding Scale payment makes
> more money than a fixed rate.
> The most successful seem to communicate the cost of running the dance.
> Something like:
> Your money pays for Band/Caller/Rent/Insurance...and if we get 60 dancers
> paying $10 each,
> we will break even...(Fill in the correct numbers).
>
> One contra group works with Swing N Blues groups in their viscinity to
> co-host events.
> {I view this very similar to what we are doing with English/Contra half
> and half dances.
> Not sure of their format for an evening...}
>
> Take the top exec of the local PBS radio station to lunch and talk about
> your dance.
> They will become your advocate. (Probably works better in smaller New
> England towns)
>
> * Volunteers:*
>
> Everyone is aging or burning out.
>
> Have to get people started with small jobs with distinct short term
> objectives.
> (Fill water jugs, sweep floor, put away chairs, etc.)
>
> Extend PERSONAL Invite to be part of organizing team.
> Volunteer requests over mic go in one ear and out t'other.
>
>
> *Misc.*
>
> Good idea to get a coach for the Open Band.
>
> Learned a new term: Ambi-dance-terous
>
> Bob
>
> (Rochester NY Weekly Thursday Contra)
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>
>


-- 
Dana Dwinell-Yardley
graphic design & layout
Montpelier, Vermont
802-505-6639
danadwya at gmail.com
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