1 Feb
2011
1 Feb
'11
6:21 p.m.
This is all interesting - can someone explain where this leaves the less
experienced dancer?
A medley is the place where they need the most help from the more experienced.
Unless we put them all in the same line and watch them scramble.
Or should we just invite them not to dance?
It really doesn't bother me to dance with a newer dancer for a couple extra
minutes.
Mac
________________________________
From: Martha Edwards <meedwards(a)westendweb.com>
To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Sent: Tue, February 1, 2011 12:03:26 PM
Subject: Re: [Callers] Developing a Culture of Inclusiveness. Was: Calling
medleys
Thanks, Greg!
This was most useful!
Hmmm... Shorter dances in the beginning. I guess we do that anyway, since
the lines are shorter right at the start, the dances easier, and we try to
take it easy on the new dancers, but I hadn't considered the "increased
partnering opportunities" aspect.
M
E
On Mon, Jan 31, 2011 at 11:26 PM, Greg McKenzie <grekenzie(a)gmail.com> wrote:
Martha Asked:
So, Greg, since you are clearly a Good Guy, what was the meaning of your
--
For the good are always the merry,
Save by an evil chance,
And the merry love the fiddle
And the merry love to dance. ~ William Butler Yeats
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original post, where you suggested the caller
warn people that there was a
medley coming up so they could be sure they wouldn't have to dance the
medley with someone who wasn't skilled? That's what I'm reacting to - it
just sounded so...like a hotdogger. Which you otherwise don't seem to be.
No. I am not a "Good Guy."...but I have the potential. Everyone does. I
believe that calling contras can make you a better person, if you work at
it. So maybe there is still hope.
For the caller to gain the respect and support of the entire hall they need
to be open with people and trust them with information. As a caller you
want everyone invested in your success. If the dancers feel informed they
are more likely to trust the caller. To "spring" an unusual formation on
the dancers will erode that sense of trust.
In a medley the dancer could possible be making a commitment the length of
two regular contras. It only seems fair to warn the dancers of this
increased commitment. Yes. There are some who will feel an increased sense
of urgency in finding a particular partner, or kind of partner, for this
extended commitment. This does not reflect poorly upon the dancer. It is a
natural outcome of longer dance slots that dancers will feel what could be
called an increased "partnering urgency." If you are going to put them in
that position it is only fair that you warn them in advance.
We use words like "hotdogger" to describe such people and it does have a
derogatory sound to it. But, as in all other cases, it's always the
caller's fault. If you want to encourage an increased culture of
inclusiveness then shorter partnering slots is one strategy that really
works. Even shortening the slots a small amount during the first third of
the dance evening will create a sense that there will be many partnering
opportunities and this will engender a more generous feeling in the
partnering process.
This, of course, speaks against the use of medleys. Because of their
length, and because they are regarded as more challenging, medleys are more
exclusive than a regular contra dance.
So those are just two tips on generating a culture of inclusiveness:
1. Build a sense of trust with the dancers by giving them more information.
2. Keep the length of the partnering slots shorter, particularly early in
the evening.
- Greg
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