Organizers February 2019

organizers@lists.sharedweight.net

7 participants
5 discussions

Notes from the Dance Flurry organizer discussion on February 17th

by Emily Addison

I know some of you were at the Flurry discussion so I should have also flagged that the notes from that discussion are also out as part of the new Shop Talk. Flurry notes here: https://www.cdss.org/images/organizers-resources/dance-flurry-session-summa… <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_cam…> Virus-free. www.avg.com <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_cam…> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>

5 years, 9 months

February issue of Shop Talk - lots of organizer resources

by Emily Addison

Hi fellow Shared Weight organizers, The February issue of Shop Talk is now out! (Shop talk is a CDSS e-newsletter for dance, music and song organizers.) View the full issue here: https://conta.cc/2Ef3WqK NOTE: If you aren't yet subscribed, I encourage you to join. There is a link at the top of the latest issue. The February issue includes a number of new resources as well as information about upcoming learning opportunities. Three highlights are: 1. A new 'how to' resource on facilitating organizer discussions to help YOU organizer your own organizer discussion at dance weekends/festivals/camps OR on your own stand-alone event. 2. A collection of inspiring print promotional material from over 50 communities throughout North America. 3. A link to register for CDSS's next web chat on April 4th. The topic of the next chat is family and community dances! Enjoy :) Emily Addison Consultant for the Country Dance and Song Society <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_cam…> Virus-free. www.avg.com <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_cam…> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>

5 years, 9 months

The benefits of increased attendance --- your ideas?

by Emily Addison

Hi All! Can I pick your brain on a project that I'm working on for CDSS? It relates to revenue sources for dances. Probably the obvious way to increase revenue is by increasing attendance.... although I know this can be extremely hard. I'm wondering - other than revenue, what are other benefits to having more dancers at your event? Here's a list that I've started.... More dancers results in: -The dance feeling like a more exciting event …. “the place to be” -More people available to invite their friends next time. (As we know – the best way to get new dancers is through word-of-mouth) More people to support your events moving forward (i.e., as volunteers, donors, etc) -More options for dance partners – which can be helpful for certain dancers! -Potential for a more diverse crowd in terms of age, experience, ethnicity, gender identity, etc. Any insight welcome!!! With thanks :) Emily in Ottawa <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_cam…> Virus-free. www.avg.com <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_cam…> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>

5 years, 9 months

Re: [Organizers] Organizers Digest, Vol 46, Issue 1

by Emily Addison

Hi Chrissy et al :) Chrissy - Thanks so much for sharing Larry's words and your reflections on them! It's interesting as I've been thinking about related ideas over the last number of months but I hadn't stopped to sort them out. Your post slowed me down and gave space. :) What I've been lamenting is that, from my perception, there is a general push for contra dance to move towards an athletic and intense dance form. I was at the Dance Flurry last weekend and that's a perfect example ---> very intense music, people always moving at a fast speed, intimate connections, ways of moving bodies...etc. It seems as though the mindset of many dance gypsies is that this form of contra is the ultimate experience. (AGAIN - noting that this is my perception.) I do love this form of contra dance but I also find it overwhelming at times. Alternately - I take such great joy in a local dance with dances that are moving at a slightly slower speed, not such 'sexy' dancing (for lack of a better word), and more uplifting and joyous rather than trance-like music. And I also love the open band type scenario and chestnuts etc. Yes, I'm comparing a massive dance weekend to a little local dance but I think the point is valid... ... many folks who think of themselves as invested heavily in contra dance may gravitate to the intense experience and might forget that the local-community feel with lots of beginners and more straightforward music is a really beautiful thing. My hope is that as contra dance continues to evolve, there's is not only space but also admiration and support for the wide range of communities and enactments of the dance form. Just some personal reflections on a rainy afternoon up here in Ottawa. Emily Addison PS - sorry if my sentences are somewhat incoherent. Was up until 1am last night doing homework for our local contra dance --- of all things! :) > Message: 1 > Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2019 19:53:48 +0000 > From: Chrissy Fowler <ktaadn_me(a)hotmail.com> > To: organizers shared weight <organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> > Subject: [Organizers] remembering a valued dance administrator > Message-ID: > < > BL0PR02MB5602717B193E551F29F088EC8D7E0(a)BL0PR02MB5602.namprd02.prod.outlook.com > > > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252" > > Hi fellow organizers, > I just came across the below excerpt online. It reminded me of one of my > own strong opinions about dance leadership and dance organization -- > namely, that there are many paths to Nirvana, with Nirvana being in this > case a successful dance series. The essential thing organizers should do > is examine and articulate their own vision(s) and work very hard to > create/adapt their dance series to express that vision as beautifully as > they can. > The quote itself may not resonate for you, but perhaps it will inspire you > to pick up both of Larry's books (Zesty Contras and Give & Take) and pore > through the bits about dance administration. Such juicy food for thought! > Yours, with strong feelings about the objectives and techniques > appropriate to my own local situation, > Chrissy Fowler > Belfast ME > > ?I believe that administrators and leaders should have strong feelings > about the objectives and techniques appropriate to their local situation.I > certainly do, and I hope you will too. Thus I have scattered my own > opinions throughout the book, but I fully expect you to display a healthy > skepticism toward these opinions. Indeed, I request such skepticism! So, if > my subjective style riles you up?sets you pondering about your local > needs?gives you a few ideas to adapt?clarifies your own thinking, no matter > how different from mine?I?ll be well satisfied that my work has borne > fruit.? > ~ Larry Jennings in the ?Author?s Preface? to Zesty Contras > > <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_cam…> Virus-free. www.avg.com <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_cam…> <#m_8213837517740371327_DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>

5 years, 9 months

remembering a valued dance administrator

by Chrissy Fowler

Hi fellow organizers, I just came across the below excerpt online. It reminded me of one of my own strong opinions about dance leadership and dance organization -- namely, that there are many paths to Nirvana, with Nirvana being in this case a successful dance series. The essential thing organizers should do is examine and articulate their own vision(s) and work very hard to create/adapt their dance series to express that vision as beautifully as they can. The quote itself may not resonate for you, but perhaps it will inspire you to pick up both of Larry's books (Zesty Contras and Give & Take) and pore through the bits about dance administration. Such juicy food for thought! Yours, with strong feelings about the objectives and techniques appropriate to my own local situation, Chrissy Fowler Belfast ME “I believe that administrators and leaders should have strong feelings about the objectives and techniques appropriate to their local situation.I certainly do, and I hope you will too. Thus I have scattered my own opinions throughout the book, but I fully expect you to display a healthy skepticism toward these opinions. Indeed, I request such skepticism! So, if my subjective style riles you up—sets you pondering about your local needs—gives you a few ideas to adapt—clarifies your own thinking, no matter how different from mine—I’ll be well satisfied that my work has borne fruit.” ~ Larry Jennings in the “Author’s Preface” to Zesty Contras ** ** ** Dance Calling | Transcription | Belfast Flying Shoes chrissyfowler.com<http://www.chrissyfowler.com> | westbranchwords.com<http://www.westbranchwords.com> | belfastflyingshoes.org/blog<http://www.belfastflyingshoes.org/blog> <http://www.chrissyfowler.com> (207) 338-0979

5 years, 10 months

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Organizers February 2019