20 May
2013
20 May
'13
3:03 p.m.
As usual, before the contra dance there is a half-hour session before the
starting time of the main dance. It is advertised, and beginners are encouraged
to come early. Depending on number of attendees and time left, rudimentary
basics are presented and 'lightly' practiced.
I would like this panel's recommendations for dealing with this situation:
the beginners session was offered and attended. The main dance had started
exactly on time when - ca. 20 minutes into the evening - a large group of
absolute newbies appeared and joined right in.
In light of this development the beginners session could have been repeated and
somewhat extended, even in an additional available hall in the same building.
Alas, no further help was offered except for the advice 'try to find an
experienced partner'.
Fortunately, the band for the evening was an absolute delight...
Hanny Budnick
20 May
20 May
3:59 p.m.
I have worked to limit the optional newcomer's orientation to 20 minutes or
less at our dances. This seems to work well for most schedules. This also
makes it clear that no separate classes are needed because 20 minutes
limits what can be covered and telegraphs to first-timers that this will be
easy. We also specify that the caller is expected to start promptly at 8
PM with live music starting no later than 8:02.
As an open public social event it seems prudent to accept all comers
graciously at any point during the evening and integrate them immediately
into the dancing.. Callers ought to be able to handle this...even if it
requires altering their planned program slightly.
My experience is that the regulars will integrate newcomers
enthusiastically if they know the caller will make sure that everyone will
be successful and that the process will be fun.
The worst thing anyone can do is to blame first-timer late arrivals for
"ruining it for everyone." All of the regulars are welcome to arrive late
for whatever reason. Requiring the first-timers to arrive early sends a
message of exclusivity and unfriendliness. I enjoy seeing first-timers at
any point during the evening--especially if there is a group of them. This
is what contra dancing is for.
It sounds to me like your caller handled it pretty well. Corralling the
latecomers for a special separate session would have been the worst thing
to do in that situation.
- Greg McKenzie
West Coast, USA
*************
On Mon, May 20, 2013 at 12:03 PM, Hanny Budnick <kyrmyt(a)cotse.net> wrote:
As usual, before the contra dance there is a
half-hour session before the
starting time of the main dance. It is advertised, and beginners are
encouraged to come early. Depending on number of attendees and time left,
rudimentary basics are presented and 'lightly' practiced.
I would like this panel's recommendations for dealing with this situation:
the beginners session was offered and attended. The main dance had started
exactly on time when - ca. 20 minutes into the evening - a large group of
absolute newbies appeared and joined right in.
In light of this development the beginners session could have been
repeated and somewhat extended, even in an additional available hall in the
same building. Alas, no further help was offered except for the advice 'try
to find an experienced partner'.
Fortunately, the band for the evening was an absolute delight...
Hanny Budnick
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6:25 p.m.
Hanny --
Not sure what you mean by "large group". Were there 100 people in the
hall and 20 first timers showed up? 30 people and two busloads from
Girl Scout camp showed up?
I don't much like the option of telling the first timers that they can't
join the party until they've had a half-hour lesson, typically without
music, while the hot party is going on in the main room.
For a number of newcomers less than, I dunno, 10% of the room, I think
"try to find an experienced partner" is an appropriate response,
although the caller should also evaluate the planned next dance in terms
of piece count, action outside of the set, whether you go some different
direction from your partner, etc.
For higher proportions:
Do a simple circle mixer right now. (Circassian Circle is great here;
helps to teach clear phrasing, finishing swings with the lady on the
right, practicing swings, etc. People enjoy it. It's a mixer so you
get the newcomers away from each other and maybe less freaked out about
dancing with strangers. And you, the caller, are evaluating how they do.)
If the space permits it, maybe do a Sicilian Circle - Haste to the
Wedding is pretty good here if the band has it - so they can get
progression, do-si-do, reemphasize phrasing, identify partner and neighbor.
(If you've got 100 first timers and 20 experienced, just carry on with
one-night stand dances. Do a Virginia Reel! Do a really simple
square! Your experienced dancers may or may not be thrilled, but if you
keep everybody moving and have hot music, they can have a good time if
they let themselves. But if it's 50/50 or less (eg, 40/60) then go to
longways contra and do something easy with allemandes.
And then do a longways contra with a hey in it but still no action
outside the minor set.
Now everybody's as up to speed as they're going to get, and it's
probably break time. Check who goes home and re-plan the second half
of your program.
In general, let your experienced dancers know you're counting on them.
Let your new dancers know they're welcome. Do stuff that everybody can
succeed with with minimal instruction - you don't want to do something
that takes three walkthroughs. Look happy
-- Alan
On 5/20/2013 12:03 PM, Hanny Budnick wrote:
As usual, before the contra dance there is a
half-hour session before the
starting time of the main dance. It is advertised, and beginners are encouraged
to come early. Depending on number of attendees and time left, rudimentary
basics are presented and 'lightly' practiced.
I would like this panel's recommendations for dealing with this situation:
the beginners session was offered and attended. The main dance had started
exactly on time when - ca. 20 minutes into the evening - a large group of
absolute newbies appeared and joined right in.
In light of this development the beginners session could have been repeated and
somewhat extended, even in an additional available hall in the same building.
Alas, no further help was offered except for the advice 'try to find an
experienced partner'.
Fortunately, the band for the evening was an absolute delight...
Hanny Budnick
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21 May
21 May
7:55 a.m.
I totally agree with Alan Winston (and not for the first time)!
Colin Hume
8:38 a.m.
The goal of the intro workshop is to give uncertain dancers the confidence
to get up and try it, and to convey certain basic information like "Don't
clamp down with your thumbs", "Drink lots of water." and "The restroom
is
down the hall on the left." It's not absolutely necessary, but it does help
a lot.
I've had a group of non-english speaking, never-danced-before people (~20%
of the crowd) come in five minutes after the beginning of the dance and
join right in without significant problems. Of course I adjusted my
program accordingly, but it's been a long time since I actually called an
evening's program the way I had it planned when I showed up. There's
always something....
(and aint it fun!)
Dale
On Tue, May 21, 2013 at 6:55 AM, Colin Hume <colin(a)colinhume.com> wrote:
I totally agree with Alan Winston (and not for the
first time)!
Colin Hume
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4 comments
5 participants
participants (5)
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Alan Winston -
Colin Hume -
Dale Wilson -
Greg McKenzie -
Hanny Budnick