1 Feb
2011
1 Feb
'11
5:26 a.m.
Martha Asked:
So, Greg, since you are clearly a Good Guy, what was
the meaning of your
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
1 Feb
1 Feb
6:03 p.m.
New subject: 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
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
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
6:21 p.m.
New subject: Developing a Culture of Inclusiveness. Was: Calling medleys
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
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
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
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
8:48 p.m.
New subject: Developing a Culture of Inclusiveness. Was: Calling medleys
Richard wrote:
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.
Unfortunately, medleys don't bode well for newcomers. That is the
point. When a caller announces the warning: "For the next dance
there will be no walk-through," this is almost surely interpreted by
newcomers to be an invitation not to dance that slot.
Rich wrote:
Perhaps we're talking about a different sort of
medley.
That may be the case. I have never seen the "short" medley you speak
of. Do you announce your medley's in advance? Do you warn the
dancers that there will be "no walk through?"
- Greg
10:59 p.m.
New subject: Developing a Culture of Inclusiveness. Was: Calling medleys
That's fine for a dance weekend. I would NEVER do anything at a community dance
event that excludes anyone - especially new dancers.
Consider this...
When you know a medley is coming - make it a point to dance with a new dancer.
What an accomplishment to help them successfully navigate through a series of
dances without the benefit of a walk thru. That would be such a thril for a new
dancer - and so it should be for you too. I you want to do dances without new
dancers - save it for dance weekends.
These are community events - not athletic contests.
Just my opinion - but I am happy to say that new dancers in our community are
not excluded from any dances. The credit not only goes to our callers but also
to the wonderful contributions of our experienced dancers. Not wanting to be
'stuck' with a beginner on longer dances tells me you do not enjoy dancing with
them. That is a shame some of my most memorable dance experiences have been
with a new partner.
So - how then do you handle the experienced dancers who have not progressed
beyond the beginner level but consider themselves skilled enough to try any
dance?
Mac
________________________________
From: Greg McKenzie <grekenzie(a)gmail.com>
To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Sent: Tue, February 1, 2011 2:48:03 PM
Subject: Re: [Callers] Developing a Culture of Inclusiveness. Was: Calling
medleys
Richard wrote:
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.
Unfortunately, medleys don't bode well for newcomers. That is the
point. When a caller announces the warning: "For the next dance
there will be no walk-through," this is almost surely interpreted by
newcomers to be an invitation not to dance that slot.
Rich wrote:
Perhaps we're talking about a different sort of
medley.
That may be the case. I have never seen the "short" medley you speak
of. Do you announce your medley's in advance? Do you warn the
dancers that there will be "no walk through?"
- Greg
_______________________________________________
Callers mailing list
Callers(a)sharedweight.net
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
2 Feb
2 Feb
1:58 a.m.
New subject: Developing a Culture of Inclusiveness. Was: Calling medleys
Rich wrote:
That's fine for a dance weekend. I would NEVER do
anything at a
community dance
event that excludes anyone - especially new dancers.
Yes. This is why I don't call medleys.
Rich also wrote:
Consider this...
When you know a medley is coming - make it a point to dance with a
new dancer.
What an accomplishment to help them successfully navigate through a series of
dances without the benefit of a walk thru. That would be such a
thril for a new
dancer - and so it should be for you too. I you want to do dances without new
dancers - save it for dance weekends.
If I know a medley is coming I, personally, tend to sit it out. I
seldom attend dance weekends.
Rich also wrote:
Just my opinion - but I am happy to say that new
dancers in our community are
not excluded from any dances. The credit not only goes to our
callers but also
to the wonderful contributions of our experienced dancers. Not wanting to be
'stuck' with a beginner on longer dances tells me you do not enjoy
dancing with
them. That is a shame some of my most memorable dance experiences have been
with a new partner.
I am sorry if my comments were confusing. I do enjoy dancing with
first-timers and newcomers. About half my dances are with
newcomers. As a caller I consider it my primary responsibility to
integrate first-timers and newcomers into the dance
community. That's one reason I don't call medleys. I work to make
sure that regular dancers who partner with first-timers feel
completely informed and empowered in their role as leaders. My goal
is to make it fun to dance with newcomers at dances I call. I
consider integrating first-timers to be the highest and greatest
challenge of contra dance calling. I judge callers on their ability
to integrate newcomers by making it fun to partner with them.
Part of the misunderstanding may stem from the cognitive frame that
started this thread:
That human beings are not civil or generous by nature. I reject that frame.
Another frame I would challenge is the following:
Most contra dancers don't enjoy dancing with first-timers.
In fact almost all contra dancers love to dance with
first-timers. What it takes is a caller who knows how to integrate
newcomers into the dance community effectively and who knows how to
empower the regulars as leaders.
Rich then asked:
So - how then do you handle the experienced dancers who
have not progressed
beyond the beginner level but consider themselves skilled enough to try any
dance?
I don't consider the term "beginner" to be a useful one with regard
to contra dancing. There is no definable "beginner level" in
contras. I consider anyone who has attended at least one night of
contras to be "experienced" and fully capable of partnering with
first-timers. I am comfortable with any dancer trying any dance I
call during the evening, even if they have arrived late.
- Greg
5385
days inactive
5386
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contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
5 comments
3 participants
participants (3)
-
Greg McKenzie -
Martha Edwards -
Richard Mckeever