Re: [Callers] When did pre-dance beginners' workshops start in YOUR area?

In the late '80s/early '90s, the JP (Boston) Contra dance had a beginners' session from 7:30-8:00, and charged a lower admission during that time to encourage everyone, new and experienced, to come. That stopped some time while I was away ('93-'00), not sure when. Now, If we happen to know we'll have a bunch of new folks we'll have them come early and have a beginners' session before 7:30, and if we find ourselves with a bunch of newbies we'll sometimes do something during the break. We've always had a larger number of newcomers than most established dances.