RE: Organizers Digest, Vol 6, Issue 6 Thanks Chris, I see here that you speak of including posts from the other group. Re Chris's message - I understand its really our responsibility to insure that folks understand what it means to be on time, to learn to hear the music and the beat and the way to do moves without harm to others. Speak more to talking frankly with dancers who show they have no clue. We have a pre-dance workshop each dance in three of our communities. Some of these folks actually still come to these which is great for the community but still impresses on me that they have no clue as to beat and rhythm and or timing or that they don't care if they have it or not. If we make a point of saying they'll be a style workshop these folks won't come. Of course our callers try to slip a style point in during a dance when its not intrusive, but again, that isn't addressing the folks we are speaking to here. That being said, I ask again, what is a positive, respectful direct way of dealing with it? Responding to Stephen and the others about Mr Dreamy, we have a few Ms.Dreamy's as well. And some hot-shots like Chris and Jeffrey talk about. And 2 Mr. Twirls the girls. It's my hope that other dancers will speak to the issue, or if I'm in conversation with other dancers and they bring this up, as things like this often are, I encourage that they mention it to the dancer, respectfully. I don't know what else to do except as caller or organize (and dancer) to make a mention that dance is about flow not just steps to get there. The last time I did this (I was introducing a dance with half heys which can be an awkward transition when used to Hey for 4) I saw alot of heads nod, and smiles from the better dancers or, rather, the dancers who "get it". When I dance with newer dancers, I make a point of showing them how moves they dance with me can flow a little easier, and I say, see how this feels, what do you think? and they have always thanked me either then or later. As for Mr. Twirls, there's no stopping them. I actually had a face to face talk with one gent to say I found a new dancer in the restroom dizzy because he thought he would take it upon himself to show her how great it is to be twirled incessantly. And that was after several dancers had asked him to let it go. Laurie ----------------------- Message: 1 Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2008 11:59:44 -0500 From: Stephen Moore <stevmoor(a)mac.com> Subject: Re: [Organizers] uncaring "bad" dancers To: A list for dance organizers <organizers(a)sharedweight.net> Message-ID: <9E1D913D-41BE-4479-B476-4069E8537D13(a)mac.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed When I read the post yesterday about the dancers (guys...) who are late because they're having fun flirting I immediately thought of one fellow at one of our local dances. Then Chris writing about a "hot shot" was a very different picture. The fellow I thought of does this dreamy kind of doe-eyed dancing/flirting and when I follow him down the set just about every woman he dances with arrives late, often because she's having to disentangle herself from his dreamy allemande or whatever figure. I don't know what can really be done about that... the power of the dance organizer is somewhat limited, and besides, I wouldn't want everyone to be just perfect, because then when I'm in a playful mood (which is not infrequent) I might have to overly restrain my impulses! I remember years ago someone saying to me, "Every woman who leaves dancing with you has a smile on her face.", which may or may not be true, but it's stuck with me as a measure of when a dance is going well... if people are smiling and laughing, the particulars of how the dance is going really doesn't make too much difference. Stephen Moore Lenox, MA Contra Dance On Jan 29, 2008, at 8:14 AM, Chris Weiler wrote: dancer is "hot community. Having people go through this community dancer. I'm fun" leads me to pressured and lectured with more positive you had been on time me get to the making my point. their actions and different that there are very people who haven't means. It just They deserve our this as well. some interesting ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping