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.
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.
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
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
Hi fellow organizers...
I've got a question about membership...
1. If you have membership, what are its perks (to the dancer and also to
the wider community if you promote that)
2. If you have membership AND sliding scale at the door, how does that work?
Backgrounder:
- Our door fee has been $12 regular // $10 members and students // 16
and under free)... .... we also have a seasons pass which includes
membership and is where dancers pay for the whole season in advance
(there's a bit of a discount).
- Membership is $30 (for about 25+ events); we also have sustaining
membership at $50 for those who want to support the organization even more.
- We typically have 80-100 members a year.
- We promote membership as not only a way for dancers to get a $2
discount on each dance and get a cool button but that it's also a way to
really support the organization's work. It allows us to take risks in
programming (family dance series; afternoon dance workshops) and to
strengthen the community in other ways (e.g., musician/caller workshops).
We're thinking of changing our door entry fees and I'd like us to consider
a sliding scale. Maybe something like suggested fee of $12-16, $10 low
income, $6 12-16yrs old... ... also include messaging about the cost of the
dance. BUUUT... it seems like if we do sliding scale, the membership perk
of $2 off/dance is naturally removed.
I'd like to hope that we could keep our 80-100 members if we put the
membership at say $20 and really promoted the the community betterment
piece. But I'm not sure... ... ...
Thoughts? Other member perks to build in that aren't directly $$ related?
With thanks!
Emily with Ottawa Contra
Hi fellow shared weight organizers :)
Apologies that it's taken me a few more days to get notes out from the
Flurry discussion session. 'Tis been a busy week!
For those who were at the session .... PLEASE send me ANY FEEDBACK on how I
could have made the session better/more effective/useful to you.
All - I've attached my notes in a word document. There's a lot to sift
through but I wanted to catch all the little details in case you found a
particular idea helpful. Where possible, I put the speaker's name/community
beside their idea.
There's a lot that I think Ottawa contra will be discussing. Yea!
Thanks to those who were present and I hope you all enjoy.
Emily in Ottawa
Hi Bob and others,
Bob - thanks so much for the great notes. T'is super helpful!
I hope to add a few more comments including a summary of where main
concerns/topics of interest lay for the 40-50 or so organizers in the room.
We got home very late Sunday and our kiddo promptly was feverish yesterday
so it will likely take me until Thursday to post something.
Until then...
Emily
On Mon, Feb 20, 2017 at 4:08 PM, via Organizers <
organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
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> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2017 10:36:04 -0500
> From: via Organizers <organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
> To: organizers(a)sharedweight.net
> Subject: [Organizers] Organizers meeting at Flurry.
> Message-ID: <15a5c2a5a9c-2c4b-18137(a)webprd-m71.mail.aol.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
>
> Well THAT was fun.
>
> I took a few notes, sharing per Claire Takamori's request
> Sorry, didn't get there in time to hear everyone's name, and I did not
> include my
> vociferous comments in my own notes.
> Others, please edit to fill in the blanks and correct my version.
>
> And, I apologize for monopolizing the conversation...I was so energized by
> the dancing
> that it was difficult for me to contain my enthusiasm.
>
> I do have follow-up questions for the group that does the Co-Host events...
> What is the format? First Half Contra, Second half Swing, or is it an
> every other dance
> sort of switching? We do Contra/English combined for special events,
> and typically it is 2 and 2, alternating, but some people are not happy
> with this...
> If it is half and half, do you experience people coming just for the half
> they normally dance?
> Do you charge those people full price?
>
>
> Regarding Attendance: Attracting/Retaining New Dancers, younger dancers,
> etc.
> (Top concern for this meeting)
>
> One dance group gives a free dance to members who bring a NEW dancer,
> as well as the Next Time Free to the new dancer. They find it works very
> well.
>
> Another group tries to have regulars all bring a friend to particular
> dances
> when the caller is really good with teaching beginners. (NYC?)
>
> A few? groups have had success with helping to host a free dance at local
> colleges.
> Others have "College Night" with a deep discount when showing a Student ID.
>
> At least One group who does the Next Dance Free thing has a tear-off where
> the person
> gives their email or contact info at the first dance. They follow up with
> a personalized
> email thanking them and inviting them back, possibly with details about
> the next dance or two.
> (Who is performing...) (This may be two similar responses mashed together)
>
> Some groups have "Taxi Dancers" with lead/follow indicators.
> They are people who wear some kind of indentifier (pin, colorful marker,
> something)
> and at sign-in the new dancers are shown what that looks like. The taxis
> will
> dance with new folks, and be there if there are any questions.
>
> Another group has regulars who dance with new people and try to make sure
> they have a partner for the next dance...
> Bob: "Thank you for that dance, have you met Jean?"
> Jean: "Hi, nice to meet you, would you like to dance?"
>
> One group does a skit after the 2nd or 3rd dance about how to handle
> situations:
> Topics: Saying no gracefully, how to stop the twirling, etc. (NYC or
> MontpielierContraExchange?)
>
>
> Money stuff:
>
> {Seems Rochester is an outlier, with regard to the cash box being
> unattended all evening, and self-serve sign-in.}
>
> More than a couple groups have found that a Sliding Scale payment makes
> more money than a fixed rate.
> The most successful seem to communicate the cost of running the dance.
> Something like:
> Your money pays for Band/Caller/Rent/Insurance...and if we get 60 dancers
> paying $10 each,
> we will break even...(Fill in the correct numbers).
>
> One contra group works with Swing N Blues groups in their viscinity to
> co-host events.
> {I view this very similar to what we are doing with English/Contra half
> and half dances.
> Not sure of their format for an evening...}
>
> Take the top exec of the local PBS radio station to lunch and talk about
> your dance.
> They will become your advocate. (Probably works better in smaller New
> England towns)
>
> Volunteers:
>
> Everyone is aging or burning out.
>
> Have to get people started with small jobs with distinct short term
> objectives.
> (Fill water jugs, sweep floor, put away chairs, etc.)
>
> Extend PERSONAL Invite to be part of organizing team.
> Volunteer requests over mic go in one ear and out t'other.
>
>
> Misc.
>
> Good idea to get a coach for the Open Band.
>
> Learned a new term: Ambi-dance-terous
>
> Bob
>
>
>
> (Rochester NY Weekly Thursday Contra)
>
Thank you so much Bob and for any who can add more details & comments! I really really appreciate your reporting back.
I’m in a hard position, as our Dance Series Manager (oversees the whole dance organization) is stepping down (and will still help in big ways, but not the Manager role). The other major part of the organization does publicity and that person is not clear they can continue past 2017. This is a small local dance that we’ve doubled since taking it over last year (20ish to ~50). But it’s still losing money and lacks enough volunteers to feel sustainable. I was doing Programming (booking bands, callers, sound) as well as talent hospitality at the dance, setting up dinner location for after the dance, making quarterly flyers & going to the quarterly flyer distribution meeting. What I’d like to be doing more of is making the dance easy, enjoyable for all and finding ways to recruit new dancers. With taking on the Manager role as well as Programmer, and without a new volunteer on our team to take up some slack, I’m feeling even more like it’s not sustainable.
I will try more asking in person for help & write out job descriptions of simple tasks as well as organizer roles.
We did get a couple more people (the ones that are already doing things to save every other dance for many years) to help fill manager/snack slots.
Any other ideas to get folks to step up to save a dance from ending? I can see ending the dance at the end of summer if there is no change in the help.
Thanks for hearing me….. and any help or inspiration you can offer. I do realize that sometimes one dance can change a life. A family that came on Sunday said they heard of our local Family Week camp from our dance last year and they went and their kids LOVE music and dance now!!!
Claire Takemori
Dance Caller
(Campbell CA)
Message: 1
Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2017 10:36:04 -0500
From: via Organizers <organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net>
To: organizers(a)sharedweight.net
Subject: [Organizers] Organizers meeting at Flurry.
Message-ID: <15a5c2a5a9c-2c4b-18137(a)webprd-m71.mail.aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Well THAT was fun.
I took a few notes, sharing per Claire Takamori's request
Sorry, didn't get there in time to hear everyone's name, and I did not include my
vociferous comments in my own notes.
Others, please edit to fill in the blanks and correct my version.
And, I apologize for monopolizing the conversation...I was so energized by the dancing
that it was difficult for me to contain my enthusiasm.
I do have follow-up questions for the group that does the Co-Host events...
What is the format? First Half Contra, Second half Swing, or is it an every other dance
sort of switching? We do Contra/English combined for special events,
and typically it is 2 and 2, alternating, but some people are not happy with this...
If it is half and half, do you experience people coming just for the half they normally dance?
Do you charge those people full price?
Regarding Attendance: Attracting/Retaining New Dancers, younger dancers, etc.
(Top concern for this meeting)
One dance group gives a free dance to members who bring a NEW dancer,
as well as the Next Time Free to the new dancer. They find it works very well.
Another group tries to have regulars all bring a friend to particular dances
when the caller is really good with teaching beginners. (NYC?)
A few? groups have had success with helping to host a free dance at local colleges.
Others have "College Night" with a deep discount when showing a Student ID.
At least One group who does the Next Dance Free thing has a tear-off where the person
gives their email or contact info at the first dance. They follow up with a personalized
email thanking them and inviting them back, possibly with details about the next dance or two.
(Who is performing...) (This may be two similar responses mashed together)
Some groups have "Taxi Dancers" with lead/follow indicators.
They are people who wear some kind of indentifier (pin, colorful marker, something)
and at sign-in the new dancers are shown what that looks like. The taxis will
dance with new folks, and be there if there are any questions.
Another group has regulars who dance with new people and try to make sure they have a partner for the next dance...
Bob: "Thank you for that dance, have you met Jean?"
Jean: "Hi, nice to meet you, would you like to dance?"
One group does a skit after the 2nd or 3rd dance about how to handle situations:
Topics: Saying no gracefully, how to stop the twirling, etc. (NYC or MontpielierContraExchange?)
Money stuff:
{Seems Rochester is an outlier, with regard to the cash box being unattended all evening, and self-serve sign-in.}
More than a couple groups have found that a Sliding Scale payment makes more money than a fixed rate.
The most successful seem to communicate the cost of running the dance. Something like:
Your money pays for Band/Caller/Rent/Insurance...and if we get 60 dancers paying $10 each,
we will break even...(Fill in the correct numbers).
One contra group works with Swing N Blues groups in their viscinity to co-host events.
{I view this very similar to what we are doing with English/Contra half and half dances.
Not sure of their format for an evening...}
Take the top exec of the local PBS radio station to lunch and talk about your dance.
They will become your advocate. (Probably works better in smaller New England towns)
Volunteers:
Everyone is aging or burning out.
Have to get people started with small jobs with distinct short term objectives.
(Fill water jugs, sweep floor, put away chairs, etc.)
Extend PERSONAL Invite to be part of organizing team.
Volunteer requests over mic go in one ear and out t'other.
Misc.
Good idea to get a coach for the Open Band.
Learned a new term: Ambi-dance-terous
Bob