Re: [Callers] Integrating Dancers, was "Spreading out the Inexperience"

This is a big subject. There is a lot we can talk about and debate. It is indeed easier to call for an experienced crowd than it is for newer dancers and when you're working with a mixed crowd, it is easier when they truly mix instead of "clumping" beginners to beginners and experienced to experienced dancers. I would challenge the thought that there is much that the caller can do besides gently encouraging the dancers to mix. In my mind, this is the responsibility of the organizers and the core group of regulars who come to the dance series. They do much more to decide how welcoming and successful they are in integrating newer dancers into the community. If they're not being aware and saying to their friend "Hey, that new couple is dancing with each other, let's see if we can break them up." Or "Sally, this is Bob. Bob, Sally is new tonight and needs a good dance partner and I thought of you, would you dance with her?" All callers can do is offer encouragement to do this sort of thing. The organizers and core group of experienced dancers can set the example for others to emulate. I disagree that if the dancers are failing to integrate the newer dancers that this is a failing of the caller. In my experience, the dancers are attending the dance with a certain expectation of how the evening is going to be. They expect the caller to be competent, concise and encouraging. They have a certain amount of trust and patience that if the caller does something outside of their expectations or new it will be fun or they will learn something. The more the caller wastes their time with manipulation and over-teaching, the less patience they have with it. If you're not careful, you loose their trust completely and don't get asked to return. More than one or two walkthroughs, manipulating the sets by moving dancers around, reminders from the mic to dance with new people are fine if used sparingly. If used too much will become preachy and lecturing. Some of the comments that I will use early in the evening, maybe one every other dance or one per dance if the dancers are not responding. I don't repeat them if I can help it: "Find someone who was sitting out to dance with for this next dance" "Find someone to dance with you've never danced with before" "If you're new tonight, dance with experienced dancers, and you'll learn quickly" "Thank your partner, thank the band and find someone new to dance with" or if I'm really desperate: "Who here has been dancing a while and is comfortable dancing with someone who is new to dancing? Keep your hands up. If you're new and want some help, go ask one of these people to dance." I will use mixers in a dance because I feel that they have value in themselves. It allows the experienced dancers to come in contact with as many new people as possible. It's a great lesson for the new dancers in how different each person's dance style is and how to dance with them. It's also one of the best swing tutorials that I know for beginners who are only dancing with their friends who are also new. I also think that it's a great way of opening people's eyes to people they might not have chosen to dance with before. It's a great way to build community. If I am dancing and ask a beginner to dance and it turns out to be a mixer, then I will ask them to dance the next one. Then they get the experience of the mixer and still get the benefit of dancing with me. My perspective is that the more the caller says from the microphone, beyond the minimum needed to lead the dancing, intrudes on the dancer's enjoyment of the music, the dance and their friend's company. The more time spent teaching or lecturing or manipulating is less time talking to friends and dancing to music. I have had people tell me that what they enjoy most in a caller is how invisible they can be. If all they notice is the fun of dancing and the great music, then the caller is doing their job right. my 2 cents Chris Weiler Goffstown, NH Greg McKenzie wrote: