25 Oct
2012
25 Oct
'12
8:06 p.m.
Hi Greg,
Thanks for replying. Thoughts in-line.
With the address of "contraron" I'm going to assume that you are talking
about a regularly scheduled contra dance series that
is open to the
public. (I really appreciate when posters make the context of their post
clear. There are a lot of different kinds of callers on this list and what
works in one setting may be inappropriate in another. We need to know what
we are talking about to have a useful discussion.)
Sorry, yes. (Most of the posts I see on Shared Weight are about that, so I
didn't think to explicitly state.)
Circle mixers can certainly play a role at open,
public contra dances but
your comment seems to make some assumptions about the dancers and the local
dance culture. Are you using any strategies or techniques--other than
mixers--to integrate first-timers into the hall?
Yes, usually the common things:
- Beginner's lesson
- Playing Maitre d and approaching and welcoming new dancers
- Programming an evening with an appropriate progression of difficulty
- Participating in discussions with dance organizers about how they welcome
new dancers
That last point is an entire (and huge) discussion itself; it's clear that
different dances have different expectations on how to treat beginners.
Your comment assumes that at least some of the
newcomers will not be aware
of the tradition of switching partners after each dance and that the
regulars will not take any action to proactively integrate these folks.
Correct, yes. As a dancer, I might notice that a couple has danced together
a few times, but usually that observation wouldn't be able to happen until
at least 4-5 dances into the evening, at earliest. If I had a chance to
bump into them at break, or shared a hands-4 with them, I might encourage
them to try different partners in some way, but ... that's just a chance. I
view the caller, dance organizers, and the door volunteers as the primary
deliverers of dance etiquette and expectations, at least as far as
*verbally* goes. From a new dancer's perspective, they may notice that
people are swapping partners, but they may either / both feel too shy to
ask, or they may just assume that everyone knows everyone. In many dances
I've visited, the latter can be definitely true.
When I call at public contra dances I always follow
each dance with the
instruction: "Please find a new partner and form ___ contra dance lines."
Yes, definitely! I notice the callers who do and don't do that. I always
appreciate when I hear things in between dances, like, "find someone who's
been sitting out and ask them to dance" or "find someone you haven't danced
with tonight ..."
I use the optional newcomers orientation, explicit
instructions, careful
programming, clear and precise calling, as well as many implied messages to
make it clear that integration of first-timers is not only essential but
also fun.
*nods*
Very rarely I will see a couple of first-timers
dancing
exclusively with each other.
That's interesting. My experience dancing has been that couples who come
together - at least where *both* are new dancers - may do this *more*
frequently than not. It's not surprising, if only because there are a lot
of introverted contra dancers, and a room full of strangers is daunting to
many people.
But this occurs only after they have ignored
multiple explicit and implied instructions and have fended off several
attempts by regulars to partner with them.
That's really interesting. I have seen that before, and my observation
aligns with yours - it's rare. And curious.
In that case I will intervene
myself, personally, on the dance floor, approach the couple, and explain
the nature of our dance event. That has always had the desired effect.
I'd love to hear if you have a particular way of saying this; this seems
like a sensitive topic possibly.
Integration of newcomers is at the heart of these open, public social
events.
And yet, sadly, I see dances that are cliquey. I also see dances where the
regulars are introverted and even new people are out of their comfort zone.
But, agree overall, definitely - and when I'd use a mixer would depend on
the venue.
I do use mixers occasionally, but tend to reserve them
for other
types of events.
Weddings, family dances, etc?
If I do use a mixer at an open, public contra dance I
take care to announce it well in advance. I do this because an unexpected
mixer will derail the efforts of regulars to partner with first-timers.
That's an excellent point - I did remember to specifically mention that the
next dance would be a mixer.
I
want to encourage the integration efforts of the regulars so I warn them of
an upcoming mixer to facilitate their cooperation.
*nods*
-Ron