Hi folks - I agree with most of the answers thus far, that dance attendees should indeed pay up according to ability, regardless of what specific part of the activity they're most drawn to (dancing, watching the caller, listening to the band, the brownies at the break...) But I must say I find the question itself curious. For me, there's not much separation between caller-apprenticeship and dancing. When I go to a dance, I find myself sitting in two minds, back and forth - both a dancer and a caller, and participate in activities that further both. I will deliberately watch the caller's teaching technique when I sit one out. And I'm also noticing it when I'm dancing - what works for those around me, what could be clearer. I will often try to remember (or ask to see the card for) one particularly great new dance to take home and learn myself. But I identify these dances as great through dancing them. It seems to me that we (OK, I) learn about callers' techniques through ears and eyes, but just as much through moving to their leading, since ultimately that's what it's about. Hm. So maybe someone like me should pay double, depending on the organizer's policy on coming to the event with intent to learn better calling. I guess it basically comes down to this: If the caller is that hot, there's no way I'd be able to just sit there throughout the evening! :-) Thanks for a provocative topic, Chrissy. Tina