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.
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<#m_8213837517740371327_DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
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
Another quick question about youth.
Have any of you had success including youth in your boards/committees?
If so, how did you do it?
We've had some success here in Ottawa but I'd love to learn more.
We have two people in their 20s on our Board and one is also on our
outreach/publicity team. Plus a teenager on our outreach team. All of
those were direct asks to those individuals, inviting them to get involved.
We created a 'youth' position on our Board many years ago and that's what
got the ball rolling.
I do find that a few of our youth volunteers aren't super reliable on tasks
(even well defined ones) but that can happen with older volunteers too and
I try to remember what I was like as a teenager. :)
Anyway - would love your thoughts!
Emily
Hi all :)
In case you're interested, the CDSS youth involvement web chat from last
Wednesday is now online here:
https://www.cdss.org/resources/how-to/organizers-resources#cdss-web-chats
Have any of you held 'work days'???
Lisa and Clara mentioned that youth really like coming together for their
'work days' (they have free pizza!) ... ... ... I was thinking this could
be fun here in Ottawa. However, we don't have a hall or that much equipment
to maintain. So I was wondering about something like a promo work party??
???
Have an afternoon and evening before the season starts where a bunch of us
get together with our computers and prep all sorts of promo stuff (e.g.,
online calendar postings, news articles, etc).
I find that it's hard for only 1-2 of us to do that work by ourselves...
... it's just so much. So having a party and share the workload in a fun
way sounds great.
Plus with youth 'living the online life', they might really enjoy working
on the social media stuff etc.
Crazy idea??? ???
Hey Shared Weight organizers,
The Belfast Flying Shoes made was I think is a REALLY cool "By the Numbers"
summary of their 13th year (... it was sent out in December).
I asked Chrissy Fowler if I could share it here and she said sure.
So here it is:
http://belfastflyingshoes.org/belfast-flying-shoes-by-the-numbers-celebrati…
<http://belfastflyingshoes.org/belfast-flying-shoes-by-the-numbers-celebrati…>
I'd love to try something like this at our local dance here in Ottawa.
Seems like a great idea to dancers an idea of what has been happening with
the organization (and all the work by the organizers). ... .... could also
feed into a request for donations too I guess!
Anyone else do something like this?
And does anyone know of free/cheap graphic software to make images like
this?
Anyway... just wanted to share as it seemed so cool.
Enjoy :)
Emily
Hello Contra Dancers:
Researchers Jonathan Sivier and Jan Buhrmann are currently conducting a
study on contra dance, in preparation for developing an article that
will introduce contra dancing to a wider audience. Their goal for this
article is to help promote the benefits of this form of dance to those
who aren’t currently familiar with it.
They would like to gather information from as many dancers around the
country as possible, and be able to compare the experiences and dynamics
of contra dancers in different parts of the country. They would greatly
appreciate your participation in a survey on contra dance that asks you
to share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences with contra dancing.
This survey is anonymous, and will only take a few minutes to fill out.
Please click on the link below to take this survey.
Contra Dance Survey
- Copy and paste the following address into your browser:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YYRJCNJ
Sincerely,
Jonathan Sivier and Jan Buhrmann
Jonathan Sivier, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
jsivier(a)illinois.edu / 217-359-8225
Jan Buhrmann, Ph.D.
Department of Sociology, Illinois College
jbuhrman(a)ic.edu / 303-503-0858
Hi fellow organizers,
I'm sending this out on behalf of Linda Henry (Community Resources Manager
at CDSS).
Registration is open for the next Web Chat ---> topic: Increasing Youth
Involvement!
More details below.
With thanks,
Emily Addison
Wearing my CDSS hat this morning
=====================================================
We have been thrilled that participants from over twenty states and two
provinces have joined each of the first two CDSS web chats! If you are
interested in *Increasing Youth Involvement* at your dances, please join
our next web chat on *Wednesday, January 16 from 8:30-9:30 pm EST*. The
following guests will share successes from their communities on this topic:
Louise Siddons (English country dance organizer from Stillwater OK), and
contra dance organizers Bradley Smith (Louisville KY), Lisa Faryadi &
Kenneth Bartholow (Charlotte NC), and Max Newman (Boston). We’ll also
include time for Q&A.
To join the web chat (by computer or phone), use this link to *submit an
online RSVP form by WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9th*: goo.gl/vPTTQ6
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12jD6DCNgZ6tTISa3qF5ED7yaKIL_kGjwRW6q8kNxbz…>.
We will send instructions via email on Friday, January 11th about how to
join the call on the 16th. Please fill out the form even if you can’t join
us but want to hear about future webchats.
Recordings of the first two CDSS web chats are available on our website. To
hear groups from coast to coast sharing their experiences with *Boosting
Attendance* and *Creating a Thriving Open Band*, check out:
/resources/howto/organizers-resources#cdss-web-chats
<https://www.cdss.org/resources/how-to/organizers-resources#cdss-web-chats>.
Please share these links with any organizers you know who might benefit
from this valuable resource.Hi
Emily
Can you describe or send a photo of you collect emails from your 2nd dance free cards?
I am just switching from first time ever trying contra with the intro lesson can dance free to 2nd time free pass. I have heard that other dances collect emails from new dancers when giving out the pass but not sure how is best.
Thanks
Claire Takemori
Sent from my iPhone
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Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2018 12:21:24 -0500
From: Emily Addison <emilyladdison(a)gmail.com>
To: organizers shared weight <organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: Re: [Organizers] Organizers Digest, Vol 44, Issue 16
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Sorry it's taken a bit to chime in here from Ottawa!
Some of the ideas below are likely repeated by others but here are a few
ideas that we have found successful for the Ottawa Contra Dance:
- *Beginner lesson:* We always have a beginner lesson... some of the
messaging that is part of that includes the practice of asking anyone to
dance, long-time dancers liking to dance with newbies and how that is
beneficial if a first-timer, that the terms lady & gent are for positions
in the dance and that anyone can dance whatever role they wish... ...
We don't have it as a policy but some of our board members participate
in the lesson. Modelling for the other regulars to do so.
- *Board ID:* Our board all wear a different colour of button and our
pictures (with roles) are posted at the back of the hall so that we are
easily identifiable. We announce that we love to hear from all.
- *Board members model dancing with a wide range of dancers: * We try
(to differing degrees) to model dancing with partners of all experience
levels, genders, etc.
- *Name tags for all: *This includes buttons for members, sticky name
tags for others. ... ... colourful markers to make them fun
- *More about beginners in particular: *
- Welcome at the start of the dance: We introduce the band and caller
(enthusiastically!) at the start of the dance and at that point
one of our
board members gives a warm welcome and a few tips to the brand new folks.
- We have a second dance free card (announce why on the mic).
However, we also have quite a new handout to us for beginners
explaining a
bit about our community.. .... I see this as inclusion as a contra dance
community is SO different from many other communities that we
experience in
daily life. Thus, having a bit of an 'in' to read about us and an invite
to volunteer, etc.
- *Last spring we started having small colourful smiley stickers on
the name tag table. We promote these to brand new folks as a way to
self-identify as a new dancer (if they want). It's been
FANTASTIC as I can
quickly glance around in a room of 100 people and find folks that want me
to know that they are new... ... then I can go ask them to dance. (For
those who want to self-identify as new, it also takes some
pressure of them
as they then know that all the experienced folks will know they are new.)
- As president, I send an email to all new folks who have provided us
their email through the second dance free card or our email sign
up list.
I welcome them, ask them for feedback, etc.
- *Re inclusivity around gender*, we are not a larks and ravens
community. However, as mentioned above, we talk about the terms of
gents/ladies being danc roles/positions and anyone welcome to dance any
role. We are trying larks & ravens twice this year. Many of our
experienced dancers model dancing with same-sex partners and taking on
different dance roles.
- *Mixer + squares in an evening:* We offer/encourage callers to call a
mixer early in the evening and also a square or two to provide not only a
bit of variety but to create a different sense of connection throughout the
community of dancers there that night (e.g., squares work as a team).
There's lots that we do in terms of building a strong sense of community
(e.g. lots of potlucks) which adds to the sense of inclusion.
I think I'll stop rambling now though...
Hope this is helpful.
:) Emily
Ottawa Contra Dance
Sorry it's taken a bit to chime in here from Ottawa!
Some of the ideas below are likely repeated by others but here are a few
ideas that we have found successful for the Ottawa Contra Dance:
- *Beginner lesson:* We always have a beginner lesson... some of the
messaging that is part of that includes the practice of asking anyone to
dance, long-time dancers liking to dance with newbies and how that is
beneficial if a first-timer, that the terms lady & gent are for positions
in the dance and that anyone can dance whatever role they wish... ...
We don't have it as a policy but some of our board members participate
in the lesson. Modelling for the other regulars to do so.
- *Board ID:* Our board all wear a different colour of button and our
pictures (with roles) are posted at the back of the hall so that we are
easily identifiable. We announce that we love to hear from all.
- *Board members model dancing with a wide range of dancers: * We try
(to differing degrees) to model dancing with partners of all experience
levels, genders, etc.
- *Name tags for all: *This includes buttons for members, sticky name
tags for others. ... ... colourful markers to make them fun
- *More about beginners in particular: *
- Welcome at the start of the dance: We introduce the band and caller
(enthusiastically!) at the start of the dance and at that point
one of our
board members gives a warm welcome and a few tips to the brand new folks.
- We have a second dance free card (announce why on the mic).
However, we also have quite a new handout to us for beginners
explaining a
bit about our community.. .... I see this as inclusion as a contra dance
community is SO different from many other communities that we
experience in
daily life. Thus, having a bit of an 'in' to read about us and an invite
to volunteer, etc.
- *Last spring we started having small colourful smiley stickers on
the name tag table. We promote these to brand new folks as a way to
self-identify as a new dancer (if they want). It's been
FANTASTIC as I can
quickly glance around in a room of 100 people and find folks that want me
to know that they are new... ... then I can go ask them to dance. (For
those who want to self-identify as new, it also takes some
pressure of them
as they then know that all the experienced folks will know they are new.)
- As president, I send an email to all new folks who have provided us
their email through the second dance free card or our email sign
up list.
I welcome them, ask them for feedback, etc.
- *Re inclusivity around gender*, we are not a larks and ravens
community. However, as mentioned above, we talk about the terms of
gents/ladies being danc roles/positions and anyone welcome to dance any
role. We are trying larks & ravens twice this year. Many of our
experienced dancers model dancing with same-sex partners and taking on
different dance roles.
- *Mixer + squares in an evening:* We offer/encourage callers to call a
mixer early in the evening and also a square or two to provide not only a
bit of variety but to create a different sense of connection throughout the
community of dancers there that night (e.g., squares work as a team).
There's lots that we do in terms of building a strong sense of community
(e.g. lots of potlucks) which adds to the sense of inclusion.
I think I'll stop rambling now though...
Hope this is helpful.
:) Emily
Ottawa Contra Dance
