Re: [Callers] Difficult dancers - Decision to ask not to return - Import1

8 Mar 2017

I want to be clear that when I suggest other dance venues, I have never
suggested that dancers stop attending a series.  My suggestion of other
(additional) venues is so that the dancer finds a user friendly place to
hone his/her skills.
Like Don, I believe that our communities should be inclusive.
Sorry for any misunderstanding.
Rich
Stafford, CT

On Wed, Mar 8, 2017 at 5:34 PM, Don Veino via Callers <
callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; wrote:

...
  On Wed, Mar 8, 2017 at 1:26 PM, Mark Hillegonds via
Callers <
 callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; wrote:

  Would you ever (or have you ever) asked someone
not to return based on
 their inability to dance?

 No. If we want to consider ourselves open and welcoming then, IMO, I
 believe we need to model that. There are venues that have a different
 mission and objective (the limited set of "experienced" dances) where this
 might be appropriate but for a general dance I'm uncomfortable with the
 idea of sending someone away because they struggle to perform as others
 might expect.

 In the dance series I help run we have several folks with challenges whom
 dance with us regularly. These include blindness, some memory impairment,
 perceptual/developmental issues, physical impairment and just plain slowing
 down. They are all welcome, even though that may cause others to have to
 adjust - and that's just what we do. Callers adjust their material and
 timing/calls. Dancers find ways collaboratively to surpass the challenges
 presented.

 We strive to keep the hall well mixed, or the dancers will naturally
 segment themselves such that the difficulties multiply rather than get
 mitigated. A lot of that has to do with material selection - fidgety
 fast-action dances will not encourage the mixing. Well constructed dances
 with great flow (and some space for flourishes/recovery) will. We also have
 generous experienced dancers who help in partnering.

 Is it easy to continue this way? Maybe not. It may cost us attendance.
 There are times I (and others) get frustrated. But then I take a deep
 breath and move on from the temporary issue knowing the bigger goal. I feel
 you need to set a view of what you want the culture of your series to be
 and act in accord. My dance strives to be a real community where we dance
 and engage *with* people and not just dance *next* to them.

 Of course there's a difference between lesser capability and inappropriate
 behavior. We don't tolerate the latter but fortunately we've had few issues
 in that regard.

 -Don

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