Similar to other dances, what I say at the door is: "We have a pay what you can system, minimum is $8, recommended is $15, all the money apart from the cost of the hall and a maximum of 10% of the door sales go to the talent"

The sign and email says
Pay what you can!
Minimum: $8
Suggested: $15
Sponsor: $20 (the extra goes straight to the musicians!)
Children under 13: Free

We also have a sign with details that explain what the costs are and where the money goes, although I need to update it

Pre-pandemic our average was about 16$, I think these days it's higher than that, a lot of people give us $20
Marie-Michèle
ContraMontreal

On Wed, Sep 28, 2022 at 9:19 AM Emily Rush via Organizers <organizers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Here's ours. We also have a $10 pay-it-forward option so members of the community can pre-buy tickets for any dancers. Since we have QR codes for digital payments (website/WooCommerce, Venmo, Cashapp, Zelle, etc.) it means fewer wrangling of $1 bills, though people can do cash if they want, where we just ask either what they'd like to pay or how much change they want.

This way no one has to talk about their financial situation or feel like they need to justify what they're paying. Lots of people pay $20, a fair number pay $10. The website defaults to $15 but has a drop-down to choose a price or volunteer slot: https://firstsaturdaycontra.com/product/october-1-2022-contra-dance/


First Saturday Contra Price List.png




On Tue, Sep 27, 2022 at 8:12 PM Patty Giavara via Organizers <organizers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hi Everyone, 

Excellent topic.  The Montpelier Contra Dance (Vermont) moved to a tiered pricing model several years ago.
Our wording is . . . . .  Admission is $12 for adults, $5 for kids or low-income, $20 for dance supporters–choose the right price for your budget!

We decided not to go with a complete "sliding scale" because some people are uncomfortable with the wide open nature of sliding scale and we know our target is $12 per person so that is what we ask for.

People pay many different amounts!  Though most people pay $12; others are not constrained by the suggestions of $12, $5, $20 and they  pay $10, $6, $7, $15 -  whatever works for them. 

Patty Giavara
MCD Organizing Committee





On Mon, Sep 26, 2022 at 9:11 AM Mary Collins via Organizers <organizers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
We too are struggling with concepts. Currently we have a non-member price, a lesser member price (incentive) a student price and have added "pay more if you can, less if you cannot".  Maybe not the best wording. We've been getting ~ $20-$40 in "over" donations which we track at the door.

On Sun, Sep 25, 2022, 10:59 PM Tepfer, Seth via Organizers <organizers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
In Atlanta for our contra dance, we are moving away from a set price to a donation / sliding scale / pay what you can afford model. We are having a surprisingly challenging time finding the specific language we would like to use. It seems like every short pithy way we put it leaves some important concept out. 

I'm curious - how many other dances out there are using a sliding scale or donation model instead of one price for all? If so, what language do you use on signs and advertising and at the door? Do you have a jar that people put cash into, or do they still give the money to someone at the front door? 

Does anyone have any data about whether this changes your usual gate receipts - lower, same, higher - initially or over time?

How do you handle the stigma of someone paying less at the door than your 'suggested donation'?

Other thoughts, comments, and experiences?

Thanks
Seth Tepfer

Seth Tepfer, MBA, CSM, PMP (he, him, his)

Senior IT Manager, Emory Primate Center

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