Organizers March 2017

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1 participants
7 discussions

by Marie-Michèle Fournier via Organizers

Hi all, Both Montreal and Ottawa have seen lower attendance this fall and we got word that it's similar in Brooklyn. Are any other local dances seeing this too? Any idea what might be causing this? Since it happens to both Canadian and American cities I doubt it's the political climate. Thanks, Marie ContraMontreal

6 years, 4 months

Re: [Organizers] Organizers Digest, Vol 29, Issue 5

by Greg Allan via Organizers

Indeed, someone who's resistant to being helped is certainly a problem. Which means David' suggestion would be to ask him how he feels about that. Ask him if he wants help or not. And if he doesn't, maybe work up a few three-person alternative figures :P Greg On Tue, Mar 7, 2017 at 5:59 AM, via Organizers < organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Send Organizers mailing list submissions to > organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/organizers- > sharedweight.net > > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > organizers-request(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > You can reach the person managing the list at > organizers-owner(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Organizers digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: What to do with a really bad new dancer? > (Paul Pindris via Organizers) > 2. Re: What to do with a really bad new dancer? > (David Kirchner via Organizers) > 3. Re: What to do with a really bad new dancer? > (Marie-Mich?le Fournier via Organizers) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2017 21:31:29 -0500 > From: Paul Pindris via Organizers <organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> > To: Marie-Mich?le Fournier <mariemichele.fournier(a)gmail.com> > Cc: Marie-Mich?le Fournier via Organizers > <organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> > Subject: Re: [Organizers] What to do with a really bad new dancer? > Message-ID: > <CAFwDPfgBcaq6xxX5Ob_hxQb=a2ChfMJGwYNWJ2WrxyVJpHM60A@mail. > gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > I am quite astonished -- actually, troubled -- that anyone would have the > insensitivity to refer to another dancer as a "speed bump." I am proud to > relate that I have yet to see any physically challenged dancer at the > several monthly contra dances in my area of southern New Hampshire be > anything less than totally accepted as part of our community. Whether > dancers have had difficulty because of a medical condition, the > after-effects of a car accident, or simply the problem of "two left feet," > they have in every case that I am aware of been made to feel as comfortable > as possible. The adage I share with every new dancer I cross paths with is > that contra dancers are three things -- welcoming, helpful, and forgiving. > In New Hampshire that applies to everyone, and I have yet to encounter any > exceptions. > > Paul Pindris > Deerfield, NH > > On Mon, Mar 6, 2017 at 2:31 PM, Marie-Mich?le Fournier via Organizers < > organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > > > Hi everyone, > > Lately a new dancer has started coming to our dance and he is bad > > enough that he will often make the set break if the dance is moderately > > challenging. He seems to have some kind of impairment and walks very > > stiffly which means he will often not be on time for a figure and also > > often does not remember what is coming next. > > We want to be inclusive but at the same time his presence negatively > > impacts other dancers in his set and while some of the experienced > dancers > > will take one for the team and dance with him, it is an unpleasant > > experience to be his partner. Unfortunately, we always have many new > > dancers and having one couple not be where they should be can really > throw > > them off in some dances so I feel like I have to push and pull him around > > to be on time, despite the fact that it's a little rude. > > A recent caller to our dance called him a "speed bump" which was quite > > accurate. I'm sure other dances have had experience with similar > troubles, > > does anyone have advice on how to deal with this so that other dancers > > still have a good time yet we are nice to this problematic dancer? > > Thank you > > Marie > > ContraMontreal > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Organizers mailing list > > Organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/organizers-sharedweight.net > > > > >

7 years, 1 month

What to do with a really bad new dancer?

by Marie-Michèle Fournier via Organizers

Hi everyone, Lately a new dancer has started coming to our dance and he is bad enough that he will often make the set break if the dance is moderately challenging. He seems to have some kind of impairment and walks very stiffly which means he will often not be on time for a figure and also often does not remember what is coming next. We want to be inclusive but at the same time his presence negatively impacts other dancers in his set and while some of the experienced dancers will take one for the team and dance with him, it is an unpleasant experience to be his partner. Unfortunately, we always have many new dancers and having one couple not be where they should be can really throw them off in some dances so I feel like I have to push and pull him around to be on time, despite the fact that it's a little rude. A recent caller to our dance called him a "speed bump" which was quite accurate. I'm sure other dances have had experience with similar troubles, does anyone have advice on how to deal with this so that other dancers still have a good time yet we are nice to this problematic dancer? Thank you Marie ContraMontreal

7 years, 1 month

Re: [Organizers] Leading Contra Dances in non-english-speaking countries

by John Sweeney via Organizers

Hi Claire, This was the programme for the first session in Paris: Paris 31/05/2014 Afternoon: Short Lesson with everyone in a circle – focus on finishing swings well Family Contra – no swings – learn how to progress East Litchfield Volunteers – learn Allemandes & Long Lines (with 1,2,3, stamp) (with Stars instead of Circles as we used Circles in the previous dance) The Big Whoop - Circle Mixer - learn Balance & Swing, Balance the Wave (Box the Gnat/Pull By too disorientating, so replaced by Slide Left & Dosido) Flirtation Reel – Learn Hey, Gypsy New Age Petronella – Learn Becket, Petronella ABC – learn R & L Through Skaneateles – nice easy dance to use what you have learnt Evening: Short Lesson with everyone in a circle – focus on finishing swings well Moving Along – Circle Mixer with Allemandes, Dosidos and balance & Swings for all those who just arrived Ellen's Green Jig (Chris Page’s version) – fun dance with easy progression Tica Tica Timing - starting to dance easy dances now with more confidence Chaining Square – simple square to teach Ladies’ Chains, with Grand R&L Butter – Heys & Ladies’ Chains Trip to Lambertville Variation – all the fun of the Tidal Waves, but a modified, easier ending Double Bow Knot – crazy square with longer and longer lines going through arches – success not relevant – just fun without worrying about swings or progressions There Is No Way To Peace; Peace Is The Way – great dance with Star Promenades and Butterfly Whirls New Age Petronella – repeat from the afternoon so people can relax and have fun Flirtation Reel - ditto The Yellow Cat Jig – Circle Mixer – easy fun dance to make sure everyone dances the last dance and gets it – go home with a sense of satisfaction Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent From: Organizers [mailto:organizers-bounces+john=modernjive.com@lists.sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of Claire Takemori via Organizers Sent: 03 March 2017 19:35 To: organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net Subject: [Organizers] John Sweeney Hi John I’d love to see the program that you used for the beginner heavy French session. Thank you! Claire Takemori Dance Caller, Campbell CA On Mar 3, 2017, at 11:23 AM, via Organizers <organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:organizers@lists.sharedweight.net> > wrote: Let me know if you would like a copy of the dance programme that I used for the first session.

7 years, 1 month

John Sweeney

by Claire Takemori via Organizers

Hi John I’d love to see the program that you used for the beginner heavy French session. Thank you! Claire Takemori Dance Caller, Campbell CA On Mar 3, 2017, at 11:23 AM, via Organizers <organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: Let me know if you would like a copy of the dance programme that I used for the first session.

7 years, 1 month

Leading Contra Dances in non-english-speaking countries

by Karlsruhe Contra Dance via Organizers

Hi! I am in Germany and am new to event organizing. I have my first event planned for June. I have offered a few small workshops and family dances since November. An issue I have had with my smaller workshops (and am worried about my larger event) is language. With the smaller workshops, I just kinda wing it depending on who is there. But for a larger event, winging it is probably not the best tactic. I am wondering if there are a few other planners here that are not based in English-speaking countries and can share with me how things have worked out with for them. Do you stick to all English? or have the beginner lesson and/or walkthrus in the majority language? or everything except for the actual calling in the majority language? I am especially interested in the scenario of hiring a caller who doesn't speak German at all and curious if/how this will work out. Incidentally, the caller I have hired for my June event does speak German, so it won't be an issue. tia, Rebecca

7 years, 1 month

Leading Contra Dances in non-english-speaking countries

by Scott Higgs via Organizers

At 12:04 PM 3/3/2017, Rebecca wrote: I am in Germany and am new to event organizing ...An issue I have had with my smaller workshops (and am worried about my larger event) is language. With the smaller workshops, I just kinda wing it depending on who is there. But for a larger event, winging it is probably not the best tactic. ...Do you stick to all English? or have the beginner lesson and/or walkthrus in the majority language? or everything except for the actual calling in the majority language? My experience organizing and calling in France: 1) I decided in advance what English terms to use, and kept the list short and consistent (e.g., skip the word "allemande", just use "turn"). A limited vocabulary is pretty easy for folks to digest -- not really much different than English speakers learning "hey for 4" or "petronella". 2) During walk-throughs, I gave *explanations* in French, but used the English terms for the calls/prompts, so they would associate the terms from the start. 3) I used my body (and other people I could guide) *a lot* to demonstrate, rather than get caught-up in too many words (in part, because my French was not-too-great, but this is generally good policy) Overall theme; Keep the dances simple, and use the local language to set an easygoing mood in the room. It's most important to help folks feel comfortable with mistakes, and not worry about getting things 'right.' With language differences, some folks will be rather anxious already about misunderstanding, or doing the wrong thing -- reassure them that getting things right is not the point ... If you have a caller who does not speak the majority language, it can still work. I have attended a workshop in Argentine tango like this. A translator was beside the teacher, and checked-in to translate questions and answers as needed. Good for you getting dancing going in Karlsruhe ! Take care, Scott -------------------------------------------- Scott(a)ScottHiggs.com

7 years, 1 month

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Organizers March 2017