Re: [Organizers] admission price drop

At the Montpelier Contra Dance run by the "Contra Dance Umbrella", we don't offer an official price drop part way through the dance. However, after the ~9:30 break (dance runs 8:00 to 11:00), we often close up the money box (after taking out almost all of the cash, usually in one of the pants-pocket of one of the male committee members). A few people may come in after that; some of them will make change out of the box. We've discussed this at our committee meetings; one of the responses to "can I get in for less if I'm not staying the whole time?" is: "Well, the band plays all night, so we prefer to have you pay--most of the money goes the band and the caller, and the rest to rent the Grange Hall". I think all of us are somewhat flexible about this, and responsive to dancers who say they don't have all the admission price. I usually tell them to make it up the next time if they can; we like to have people keep coming. Our price is $8.00 for 16 and up, $5.00 for up to 15. Similar approach is used at the Traditional series--there, we offer 1/2 price admission to new-comers. --Tim Swartz