Re: [Callers] Fwd: Contra dance guests and booking ahead

Here's what I've seen work well. Once in a while a friend at a dance will tell me that they have brought a friend who has never danced before and ask me to dance with her. While dancing with a new dancer, I may also point out the better dancers in the line and suggest that she ask some of them herself. (most people are happy to dance with someone who tells them that they have been highly recommended!) I would not hesitate to ask a few of the better dancers that I know to dance with a guest who has never danced before. This helps to avoid the problem of a new dancers sitting out much of the time if there are more women then men at the dance and it also solves the problem that you describe, at least part of the time. In many cases the better dancers need to be pointed towards a new dancers, as they often find an experienced dance partner quickly (and end up in the center set - but that's another problem...) So the bottom line is communicate: 1. Ask good dancer friends to dance with your new dancer friend. 2. Point out better dancers to your friend and ask him/her to ask them to dance. Sometimes callers can help as well. As a caller, welcome new dancers and ask experienced dancers to help them. Ask new dancers to dance with experienced dancers and ask experienced dancers to look for and dance with the new comers. These things can help to keep a new dancer coming back, and also can provide others to help "protect" your friend, if necessary. Rich Hart. Chris Weiler wrote: