Fostering a Fun and Inclusive Dance Event - Contra Callers

26 Jan 2013

In the "Sidelines" thread Jill wrote:

...
  I think everyone would agree that callers and
organizers can work together
 to influence the behavior of the dancers and to set the tone for a fun and
 inclusive evening of dancing.  I agree with Greg:

 "If anyone wants to discuss the ways callers...and others can lead, I would
 love to have such a thread."

I'm game.  This is a core purpose of what, I think, callers do.

Jill also wrote:

...
  Although we might not all agree on what is acceptable
dancer behavior, do
 you have more ideas for callers and organizers, perhaps a list of what has
 worked for you to make your dances more inclusive and friendly to all.

I think we probably *can *agree on what many *desirable *behaviors or
qualities are: Graciousness, civility, kindness, respect, gentleness,
support, confidence, etc.  I suggest we focus on how to encourage what is
desirable rather than on trying to extinguish undesirable behaviors.

Kalia wrote, in reference to her newcomer orientation:

...
  ... I make a point of demonstrating how to ask someone
to dance.  A lot of
 new dancers may not have done this since high school or earlier, and it's a
 very different ball of worms at a contra dance.  It can be super simple
 (offer a hand, raise the eyebrows) or you can say "would you like to
 dance?"  But it doesn't have to be a big deal.  That can take some
 learning, so I like to give folks a head start on that very important
 process.

Great point!  I have seen George Marshall do this and I'm going to include
it in my own orientation sessions.  Thank you for reminding me of this idea.

Maia wrote:

...
  "I have a challenge for you: at least once
tonight, dance with someone you
 don't know; and at least once tonight, dance with someone of a different
 experience level than yourself." Something along those lines.

This is also very good.  Here is how I do it.  I try to avoid ever telling
the regulars how to behave...directly.  Instead I direct my comments to the
first-timers and speak *on behalf of the regulars while assuming their full
support.  *The fact is that the first-timers have no way to identify people
of a "different experience level" so any reference to that is, by
implication, directed at the regulars.

At the start of the dance evening I say: "If you are new to this kind of
dancing please find someone who has danced contras at least one night, and
form two contra dance lines."

This is a strongly implied cue to the regulars--who already know exactly
who the newcomers are--to take a leadership role and to partner with
first-timers.  (Note that I do NOT tell them how to form lines.  I do NOT
say "...with the lady on the right, facing the stage" or "please join at
the bottom of the line" etc.  The regulars know all of this.  To include
any such information would imply that I expect, at least, *some *of the
first-timers to be partnered with other first-timers.  I want to imply that
*all *of the first-timers will be partnered with regulars.  This is what I
mean by assuming the full support of the regulars.)

As callers we are more effective when we use our words very carefully and
judiciously.  At an open, public social event eliminating excess verbiage
is always helpful in holding the attention of the hall.  Implied messages
are very powerful.  You can have much more influence with what you do NOT
say than with what you do say.  More on this later.

- Greg McKenzie (who, having a degree in speech communication sometimes
gets a bit wonkish about it.)