Re: [Callers] integrating new dancers

Tom, I agree. This is a complicated issue, and every dancer is different. Some thoughts and observations at some local dances here in New Hampshire. This is mostly from the Nelson dance, but many items apply to other local dances as well. - Some dances here do include and advertise some instruction for beginners before the dance. That does help a little, but unfortunately at many local dances, beginners can also show up a hour after the dance has already started. - One dance in particular (Nelson) almost always has some beginners every time. In the summer, as many as 2/3 or 3/4 of the dancers may be beginners.There is no beginner session before the dance, but the whole dance is conduced with the new dancers in mind. In May, before the summer dancers arrive, a caller (usually Don Primrose) will both remind and thank regular dance for their acceptance and support of the visitors, and remind that more will arrive shortly. - The caller will sometimes shift dancers to different lines or locations, to mix beginner and experienced dancers. Otherwise, the new dancers, being a little slower to find partners, may congregate at the end of the most distant line. - Sometimes an experienced couple will split up a beginner couple to help them with the next dance. - Simpler and well connected dances are selected when there are many beginners. (But with good music, the dancing always remains fun for all). - Callers will often remind dancers to find someone they don't know, or to find an experienced dancer, or a visitor to dance the next dance with. - Experienced dancers are reminded to help the new people, and the new dancers are advised to watch for and accept the help. ("In the hey, experienced dance may point to the shoulder you should pass them on"; "After the swing, remember to help your partner face his/her new neighbor", etc) - New dancers are explicitly recognized and welcomed to the dance, especially if there is a group from a local camp or other organization. - Smiles are important, both to make the dance a success, and see that it was, in fact, a success. And it must be working. Dances, in Nelson, are very well attended. Dancers are reminded that "elbows free" dancing is needed when the hall is crowded. By the end of the evening, the new dancers are dancing hey's and petronella turns with the best of them. Little to no advertising is done for the Nelson dance. New dancers simply hear about it from friends. Rich Hart. On Thu, Jun 27, 2013 at 8:37 AM, Tom Hinds <twhinds(a)earthlink.net> wrote: