Hi David and others,

Quick but interested response...I have a sleeping baby I'm anticipating will wake up any moment!

We did a survey of our dancers last year (ottawacontra.ca).

Some of our questions were targeted at those who come our rarely/infrequently. All questions are below (minus options if there were boxes to click).

We know that while we wouldn't be hitting all of our infrequent or past (but not dancing now) folks but we do have 700 people on our email list and do know that many of those are infrequent dancers.

Of 65 respondents, 25 people said they came less than 6X in that year (we have about 20 dances a year). So the infrequent crowd.

I can't type too many reflections at this time but I've included our rough notes on two questions. I think these might be helpful.

Emily

Q4: What impacts your decision when choosing to come to contra dance or do something else on a Saturday night?

EM's SUMMARY/WHAT LEARNED:

· Some people are busy and have other commitments (family, other hobbies, etc) while others will make contra a priority over everything else.

o CONSIDER: Is there a way to encourage contra being a 'habit' for more people? (Rather than a choice thing on the night, they are just in the habit)

· Weather is an issue, both winter travel as well as it being too hot

o CONSIDER:: Is there a way to make the hall cooler for all dances? Some people feel it's too hot sometimes so will decide not to come. (Comes up in other questions)

· Some people have no one to come with (both carpooling but ALSO *getting out the door*

o CONSIDER: How could we have a buddy system or something to help some people get out of their house and to the dance hall?

· Other people are travelling out of town, are tired after a long day, or have health issues

· OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER:

o Keep evening prices as is or even alt options for people who can't/don't want to pay that much

o Double events draw people from out of town, keep

o Clarify if price to get in changes throughout the evening (someone quoting me (Emily) and I have no recollection)

o Maintain community, fun, family, smiling faces atmosphere

o Continue careful effort in programming of callers/bands. (multiple comments on bands rather than callers!)

Q5: If you don't come that often, what would need to change for you to attend more regularly?

EM's SUMMARY/WHAT LEARNED:

· Majority of respondents said that they would have to prioritize dancing over other commitments if they were to come more.

o CONSIDER: How to encourage that prioritize dance above?

o CONSIDER: Make more family-friendly so don't have to priority family over dance or vs.

· Some of our dancers are getting older the point where hard to dance (e.g., hip replacements etc)

· For beginners

o CONSIDER: " practice sessions (with music) for beginners because its really embarrassing when you mess up the whole line and have difficulty catching up. Although the ambiance is welcoming and friendly, some people are very impatient with beginners. The 30 min prior to the evening dance is not sufficient and not representative of the actual dance moves with music playing."

· OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER:

o Keep evening prices as is or even alt options for people who can't/don't want to pay that much AND/OR volunteering options in lieu for getting in. (One dancer compairing to other styles of dance and how this more expensive… maybe we could communicate why better????)

o Carpooling options (we've tried in the past, maybe a better way to set this up?)

o Venue could use a bit of work

o Make sure we sent out reminders

o Find ways to support people in having a social circle to go out to the dance with (e.g. buddy system)

o Again, ensuring that the hall is always cooler (it being a reason some dancers stay away sometimes… … maybe also a reason why some new people don't come back?)

o Better directions + info on parking

o Make sure atmosphere is welcoming

=====ALL QUESTIONS==============

Contents

2014 Ottawa Contra Dance Survey. 1

INTRODUCTION.. 2

Q1: How long have you been contra dancing?. 2

SECTION 1: Saturday Night Dances. 3

Summary. 3

Q2: How many Saturday dances did you attend this season?. 3

Q3: What do you like best about the Saturday night dances?. 3

Q4: What impacts your decision when choosing to come to contra dance or do something else on a Saturday night?. 4