24 Feb
2019
24 Feb
'19
8:03 p.m.
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
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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
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