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Re: [Organizers] Tips for a swing workshop

by bobfab＠aol.com

Hand on back of shoulder prevents the dreaded elbow clamp, And reinforces that the follow needs to support SOME of their own weight. Both of those issues have caused me shoulder problems. On Wednesday, June 19, 2019 John Sweeney via Organizers <john(a)modernjive.com> wrote: #yiv6746132607 #yiv6746132607 -- _filtered #yiv6746132607 {panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;} _filtered #yiv6746132607 {font-family:Calibri;panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;} _filtered #yiv6746132607 {font-family:Consolas;panose-1:2 11 6 9 2 2 4 3 2 4;}#yiv6746132607 #yiv6746132607 p.yiv6746132607MsoNormal, #yiv6746132607 li.yiv6746132607MsoNormal, #yiv6746132607 div.yiv6746132607MsoNormal {margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:sans-serif;color:black;}#yiv6746132607 a:link, #yiv6746132607 span.yiv6746132607MsoHyperlink {color:blue;text-decoration:underline;}#yiv6746132607 a:visited, #yiv6746132607 span.yiv6746132607MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple;text-decoration:underline;}#yiv6746132607 p.yiv6746132607MsoPlainText, #yiv6746132607 li.yiv6746132607MsoPlainText, #yiv6746132607 div.yiv6746132607MsoPlainText {margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:sans-serif;}#yiv6746132607 pre {margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:10.0pt;color:black;}#yiv6746132607 span.yiv6746132607HTMLPreformattedChar {font-family:Consolas;color:black;}#yiv6746132607 p.yiv6746132607msonormal0, #yiv6746132607 li.yiv6746132607msonormal0, #yiv6746132607 div.yiv6746132607msonormal0 {margin-right:0cm;margin-left:0cm;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:sans-serif;color:black;}#yiv6746132607 span.yiv6746132607PlainTextChar {font-family:sans-serif;}#yiv6746132607 span.yiv6746132607EmailStyle22 {font-family:sans-serif;color:windowtext;}#yiv6746132607 .yiv6746132607MsoChpDefault {font-size:10.0pt;} _filtered #yiv6746132607 {margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;}#yiv6746132607 div.yiv6746132607WordSection1 {}#yiv6746132607 In the video that Larry recommends (great video in general), re the lady’s left hand, Sue says, "and pushes into his shoulder blade". Please don’t! It is unnecessary and uncomfortable! In fact I disagree with getting the lady to try and reach the man’s back at all. Her hand resting on his upper arm is a far nicer connection. For the details, read on: = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = An essay on the lady's left hand in a swing: Yes, I know some very well-respected American callers who teach a swing with the lady's left hand on the back of the man's shoulder blade. I believe that there are many challenges associated with this: 1) The man, who, on average, has longer arms, reaches under the lady's arm to very easily reach her shoulder-blade. The lady, with her (on average) shorter arms and probably starting from lower down, has to reach OVER the man's arm to get to his shoulder-blade. Yes, some ladies can reach. But in my experience many ladies cannot easily reach and still be comfortable. 2) If they can just reach, many ladies then, instead of just placing their hand on the man's shoulder-blade (so that when centrifugal force increases they can resist it) they actually press into the man's shoulder-blade. I am not sure if this is just bad technique, but I suspect it may be partially to do with the fact that they can only just reach so they press so that their hand doesn't slip. It can be quite uncomfortable for the man. 3) Even if the lady's arm is the same length as the man, and she is the same height, she still has to reach over his arm, so it automatically pulls you closer together than you need to be, and even closer if her arm is shorter. While there are fun swing variations where we get really, really close, in a standard buzz-step swing I don’t believe that being forced closer together is desirable. 4) It is not necessary if the man's hand is well placed. Each person should support their own weight, so all the connection is doing is resisting centrifugal force and, in 50 years of swinging, I have never found that a problem. 5) It is quite common for the lady to twirl under the man's arm at the end of a swing. If the lady twirls counter-clockwise that is not a problem. But if she twirls clockwise then she will break her arm. Probably not a problem if the lady is completely in control of the twirl - she just prepares for it by moving her arm, but if the man takes some part in initiating the twirl (which I believe is very common) then if he tries to twirl her and she reacts slowly, then either the twirl fails or she gets hurt. Of course if the lady's left hand is just resting on the man's upper arm she can twirl either way without a problem. The hand just slides off easily. 6) In complex flourishes, such as a Texas Tommy/Apache Whip exit from a swing, then you really do need some lead and follow, and it is nearly always the man leading the lady. A move like that is impossible if the lady's left hand is on the man's back. Believe me I have tried it! I hope that helps you understand why I always teach the lady to leave her relaxed left arm resting on the man's upper arm. :-) = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 http://contrafusion.co.uk/KentCeilidhs.html for Live Music Ceilidhs http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive DVDs From: Organizers <organizers-bounces+john=modernjive.com(a)lists.sharedweight.net> On Behalf Of Larry Koplik via Organizers Sent: 18 June 2019 22:32 To: organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net Subject: Re: [Organizers] Tips for a swing workshop Here's a video that Princeton Country Dancers created about the buzz step swing that might be helpful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaVSVtPRwlA Larry Koplik On 6/18/2019 4:01 PM, Karlsruhe Contra Dance via Organizers wrote: HI all, I know, we learn to swing by swinging with other experienced dancers. But my problem is a lack of experienced dancers. I would love to help my dancers get a bit more out of their swings the next time I have the chance to offer a proper workshop (other than "the basics") There is potential there. I was thinking of possibly selling it as "swings and swing flourishes" - but based on the level, the flourishes won't have to be terribly creative. I have never participated in a workshop of this type. Can any of you point me to some resources or tell me about experiences that you have had? Or other ideas? Thanks! Rebecca in Karlsruhe, D. _______________________________________________Organizers mailing listOrganizers@lists.sharedweight.nethttp://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/organizers-sharedweight.net _______________________________________________ Organizers mailing list Organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/organizers-sharedweight.net

6 years, 1 month

Re: [Organizers] Tips for a swing workshop

by John Sweeney

Hi Rebecca, Have a look at http://contrafusion.co.uk/Contra.html#swinging Hopefully that will be helpful. The key to flourishes at the end of swings: Men need to stop early, facing the right way, so that there is time to do the flourish and for the lady to finish, facing the right way, on time. (That assumes the lady is performing the flourish - which is the common way in basic flourishes - men can, of course, perform flourishes as well!) Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com <mailto:john@modernjive.com> 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 http://contrafusion.co.uk/KentCeilidhs.html for Live Music Ceilidhs http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive DVDs From: Organizers <organizers-bounces+john=modernjive.com(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:organizers-bounces+john=modernjive.com@lists.sharedweight.net> > On Behalf Of Karlsruhe Contra Dance via Organizers Sent: 18 June 2019 21:02 To: organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:organizers@lists.sharedweight.net> Subject: [Organizers] Tips for a swing workshop HI all, I know, we learn to swing by swinging with other experienced dancers. But my problem is a lack of experienced dancers. I would love to help my dancers get a bit more out of their swings the next time I have the chance to offer a proper workshop (other than "the basics") There is potential there. I was thinking of possibly selling it as "swings and swing flourishes" - but based on the level, the flourishes won't have to be terribly creative. I have never participated in a workshop of this type. Can any of you point me to some resources or tell me about experiences that you have had? Or other ideas? Thanks! Rebecca in Karlsruhe, D.

6 years, 1 month

Getting families out to dance in the early evening... timing thoughts?

by Emily Addison

Hi All, I'm looking for advice on timing our evening community dances for families. This season we had four community dances (barn dances) from 630-730 and then had a contra beginner lesson from 730-8pm and contra from 8-11pm. (There were also potlucks from 5-630pm.) We're going to continue community dances next year but change the timing around a bit. We're thinking of advertising them as 630-8pm, and have the last half hour a few very basic contra dances that also act as a beginner lesson for the evening contra. Is 630pm too late a start to get school-aged families out? Might 6pm be better? Or is 6pm too early for folks to have dinner and get to the dance. I'm wondering what others have found works well for them! With much thanks :) Emily Addison Ottawa, Ontario

6 years, 1 month

Gender Free organizers summit

by Penelope Weinberger

Hi All, I'm exploring the idea of hosting/organizing a gender free dances organizers summit, if you are interested please go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/J3GVMYQ and complete the survey. please forward if you know someone else who might be interested. [https://www.surveymonkey.com/collect/images/default_custom_meta_image.jpg]<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/J3GVMYQ> Gender Free Organizing Summit<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/J3GVMYQ> Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free. www.surveymonkey.com Thanks, Penelope

6 years, 1 month

Directors and Officers insurance for a medium-size dance organization with a volunteer BOD

by Craig Meltzner

North Bay Country Dance Society (NBCDS) is a medium-size CA dance organization (about 90 dances per year - contra, ECD, family, Morris team, two dance weekends), a CDSS affiliate, with a volunteer Board of Directors. NBCDS has been around 25 years. Our Board is discussing whether to purchase Directors and Officers liability insurance. We have a quote from a local broker for a $1 million limit of liability, claims-made policy with a $5,000 deductible for annual cost of $850. Reputable insurance company - same one which provides general liability coverage for NBCDS through CDSS insurance program. We've researched D&O, understand what it covers and what it doesn't, had one Board discussion without a decision. Not a cost we couldn't cover but not insignificant either. Arguments for obtaining coverage - protects individual Board members thereby encouraging participation, particularly among higher net-worth individuals; provides for defense costs in case of frivolous suits. Arguments for not obtaining coverage - 1) our 25 year history of having no actions taken against us; 2) the fact that our mandate is so narrow - we put on dances; 3) the people who come to our dances understand that they are social events and we don't seek a community with special needs or vulnerabilities; 4) we're an all-volunteer run enterprise; 5) we don't make (much) money which makes us much less of a target; 6) if there was a suit, it is unlikely that personal assets would be sought. Do any of you involved with similar non-profit organizations have information to share about D & O coverage? Do you have it/thought about getting it? Decided not to get it? Know of any dance/music/song organizations and their Board of Directors which have faced a suit of any kind which would be covered by D & O insurance? Thanks.

6 years, 1 month

Handouts on contra figures + history?

by Emily Addison

Hi Folks, One of our new dancers has asked if we could have a handout on the history of contra dance as well as a list of the figures with a brief description of each. Does anyone have examples of these types of resources? Any leads? Thanks! Emily <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>

6 years, 2 months

Shared Weight - looking for a web designer

by Seth Seeger

Dear Shared Weight organizers, Do you have experience in WordPress design? Do you love Shared Weight? Shared Weight is looking for a volunteer to help us on a well-defined website development task. Essentially, we need someone to create a wordpress site that will serve as a new website for: https://www.sharedweight.net Here are a few details: --> There would be a few additional pages to what is on the current site, but as you can see, our needs are relatively basic. (Template/model pages for each of the lists, FAQ for the whole site, etc) --> The Shared Weight team would like to have some say into the look of the site but we also welcome your ideas. --> You will not need to be responsible for maintaining the site - simply creating the templates will be a great help! We will provide all the content for the site and can even populate the content once you have created the template if you don’t want to do the initial upload of text. Please email Emily at emily(a)cdss.org if you are interested in helping us on this project. ***An exciting heads up about Shared Weight*** The new wordpress site is part of an exciting new initiative for Shared Weight. Seth Seeger and Chris Weiler (Shared Weight founders) have partnered with Ridge Kennedy (Trad Dance caller listserv), Alan Winston (English Country dance listserv), and Weogo Reed (Contra Sound Forum) to collectively update and enhance the lists. All six lists will be hosted on an upgraded Shared Weight software platform with the new website and better mailing list software. We will also be doing lots more promotion of these lists. Emily (CDSS Consultant) is helping to coordinate some of this work and so am the contact for finding a wordpress volunteer. Watch for more updates from the Shared Weight team over the next new months! Seth & Chris

6 years, 2 months

Little follow up idea re Shop Talk -- plugging organizing with your dancers

by Emily Addison

Hey fellow organizers, I know some of us struggle with getting more organizers on our team. (We're currently looking for more folks to help with outreach/promotion here in Ottawa!) Just wanted to share a quick strategy relating to the CDSS Shop Talk that I sent out a few minutes ago. I've posted info about Shop Talk as well as this list, the CDSS organizers resource portal and the FB group for organizers on our local dance community facebook group. I thought that a quick 'we can always use more help' and 'check out these cool resources' might set the seed in some dancers' minds.. ... ... even just making them aware of the broader conversations is worth it. I don't know how much merit there is in this idea but I just wanted to share in case you liked it. I've included my post info below. (I made an initial post and then followed up with a few comments underneath.) Emily in Ottawa ----------------------------------- A plug for those of you who might be interested in helping organize our dances... ... ... we can always use more help! A neat way to catch the bug is by watching (and even participating) in some conversations that happen around organizing. As part of this, you might might want to sign up for Shop Talk - it's CDSS's free quarterly e-blast for organizers. Here's a link to the May issue that just came out yesterday: https://conta.cc/2HlZOXA <https://conta.cc/2HlZOXA?fbclid=IwAR2N4jWQTE5IvafWfSIl3DF8Ys8sa0zcTzT1Brsln…> In the issue.... - Heads up regarding an article in the upcoming June CDSS News which outlines how to easily plan organizer discussions. - Announcing the CDSS Web Chat: Building Safe Dance Communities which is happening on July 11th - CDSS Scholarships still available for camp sessions! - News about an exciting collaboration among organizer, caller, and musician listservs - A survey for Open Bands to support resource development. - Heads up regarding the upcoming CDSS Group Affiliates survey - A call for volunteers interested in developing organizer resources. - Join CDSS as an affiliate and individual member to help make resources and supports like these possible! =============================== And here are three other great links.. ============================ There's a FB group for contra dance organizers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/111126912393768/ <https://www.facebook.com/groups/111126912393768/?hc_location=ufi> ================================= There's an email listserv for organizers at Shared Weight https://www.sharedweight.net/index.php?pagestate=org_about <https://www.sharedweight.net/index.php?pagestate=org_about&fbclid=IwAR2wM4g…> ===================================== And the Country Dance and Song Society has a big collection of resources for organizers here: https://www.cdss.org/resources/how-to/organizers <https://www.cdss.org/resources/how-to/organizers?fbclid=IwAR1H5cWZNb6RQBxyE…> <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>

6 years, 2 months

CDSS' Shop Talk (e-blast for organizers) now available!

by Emily Addison

Big hello fellow Shared Weight organizers, The May issue of Shop Talk just came out yesterday! Here is a link: https://conta.cc/2HlZOXA There are a number of items that I think you might find interesting including an announcement about a collaborative project between Shared Weight, some of the other traditional dance/music listservs, and CDSS. With thanks! Emily Addison Consultant for CDSS and local organizer in Ottawa, Ontario *In the May issue:* - Heads up regarding an article in the upcoming June CDSS News which outlines *how to easily plan organizer discussions*. - Announcing the *CDSS Web Chat: Building Safe Dance Communities* which is happening on July 11th - *CDSS Scholarships* still available for camp sessions! - News about an *exciting collaboration among organizer, caller, and musician listservs* - A *survey for Open Bands* to support resource development. - Heads up regarding the upcoming *CDSS Group Affiliates survey* - A *call for volunteers *interested in developing organizer resources. - *Join CDSS as an affiliate and individual member to help make resources and supports like these possible!* <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>

6 years, 2 months

Following up from the CDSS family/community web chat - questions and stories?

by Emily Addison

Hi fellow Shared Weight organizers, I was curious as to whether anyone on this list had lingering questions coming out of the CDSS Family and Community dance web chat last month? There were a number of great ideas I was excited to learn about including many suggestions on adding non-dance features to events in order to make them feel special. Related to community dance organizing, I also wanted to share a story from our community dance this past Saturday here in Ottawa Ontario. The story relates to the Belfast Flying Shoes community dances ---> They were one of the groups featured in the CDSS web chat. Note... the story is long... apologies! The backstory: Ottawa Contra Dance has been hosting afternoon family dances for approximately 8yrs. These are well attended (70-100 people each time) but there is big turn over with kids aging out around 7yrs old and no bridging into our evening contra dances. This year, we launched four community dances using a very similar model to Belfast Flying Shoes (and a few other community dances) in the hope that we could create a truly intergenerational dance that would encourage school-aged families in particular. The timeline is as such: 3-5pm afternoon advanced dance, 5-630 potluck for all, 630-730 community dance, 730-8 beginner lesson, 8-11 contra dance. (People who pay for the community dance can stay for the contra beginners + first two dances for free; People who pay for the contra can come to the community dance for free.) It took us a whole year to plan the new series (e.g., the timing; pricing; how the open band would work; sound; type of dances; etc). Mostly our planning has paid off as the dances have been a blast. We just need more school-aged families + a few more volunteers. The cool thing: During the planning of the new series, our Board couldn't imagine not having a beginner contra lesson before the 8pm dance. This is a long tradition in our community and there were a number of us who felt that the skills that are built in that workshop are too important to give up and we couldn't see how else they could be taught. Well.... Will Mentor was calling our afternoon advanced dance as well as the evening contra dance this past Saturday and when he arrived, he suggested we 'do as in Belfast'. Instead of running a beginners lesson, simply bridge the community dance into the contra dance with some basic dances from 730-8pm. That's exactly what we did (after checking with some Board members). Instead of having a formal break & switch at 730, Will took over the calling from Esther (our community dance caller) and continued with those same dancers + others who were arriving in the hall. He taught a couple of beginner contras and built the skills right in. And our all comers band got to play with Will calling contras - a great experience. I know lots of contra dance series don't have beginner lessons AND we didn't have as many beginners that night as we sometimes have but it was so exciting to try something new to us and that we had been unsure of, with the suggestion coming from such an experienced caller who wanted to make it happen. I love these moments in dance organizing! Emily PS - I don't know if we'll keep the beginner workshops on community dance nights next year or whether we'll give this model some more testing time... we'll see! :) PPS -> Shout out to Belfast! When Will suggested the idea, he said that he feels the great success of that series has to do with the community dance and how they've structured their model!

6 years, 3 months

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