New subject: Integrating Newcomers (Was "Calling debut")

19 Jul 2010

I happened to be the caller of our Thursday night dance (Seattle) the week after 9/11
occurred. I very specifically called a circle mixer, "Reconcilable Differences",
to bring our community together, to see and appreciate each other across the circle, and
to recognize what an important part of being together in a community is in such a scary
time.  It was very meaningful to me, and, I think, to all of the dancers who were there.

When I call a circle mixer, I try to mention and emphasize the community aspect of the
dance, and ask people to look at and recognize all of the wonderful people in the circle
who are part of this community, which is what I think makes this kind of dancing so
special.

Suzanne

-----Original Message-----
...
 From: Richard Allen Fischer
&lt;richardallenfischer(a)verizon.net&gt;
Sent: Jul 19, 2010 12:48 PM
To: Caller's discussion list &lt;callers(a)sharedweight.net&gt;
Subject: Re: [Callers] Integrating Newcomers (Was "Calling debut")

At my home dance I usually call a circle mixer as the second dance of  
the evening. I often use La Bastringue, and I generally teach it from  
the floor and dance it. (Fun for me, and a useful way to connect with  
the dancers.)  I don't sense any grumbling or resistance. (But then  
again I'm an insensitive guy...)

Aside from other plusses, a mixer like La Bastringue gives us a  
chance to dance all in one set (especially if one circle is possible)  
and feel united in a different way than contras allow for.

Richard

On Jul 19, 2010, at 12:36 PM, Bronwyn Woods wrote:

  As a dancer, I much prefer mixers to
no-partner-swing dances.  I  
 haven't
 called either much, but in my experience as a dancer in various  
 communities
 I have often seen mixers favorably received.  In fact, I've been to  
 a number
 of smaller dance weekends where mixers were welcomed as a way to  
 see who was
 there, "scout" for partners, add variety to the evening, etc.  In  
 those
 situations, the idea of "forcing" beginners to integrate wasn't  
 relevant.  I
 think mixers at regularly scheduled dances can serve the same purpose.
  Maybe in communities with a lot of booking ahead for partners  
 mixers might
 cause more of a stir.

 Another point:
 I (like many people) only dance with any particular partner once  
 during the
 course of a normal length dance evening.  If a no-partner-swing  
 dance means
 I don't get to swing with a good/favorite partner, I feel gypped.   
 However,
 I don't count a mixer as a dance with any particular partner so I  
 get the
 benefit of lots of interaction with many dancers without feeling  
 like I'm
 ignoring or missing out on dancing with my partner.

 That being said, I wouldn't totally discount dances without a  
 partner swing.
  If the dance were unique or particularly interesting in some way I  
 would
 consider it.  But if there were a similar dance with a partner  
 swing I would
 chose that one instead.

 -Bronwyn
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