I think that there is a helpful role here for the organizer. The organizer can check in with touring bands, say that some of the local musicians are always looking for chances to sit in with visitors, and ask the touring bands what they are comfortable with. This actually makes it easier on the touring band, because if they would rather not, it's a lot easier to say that to the third-party organizer than it is to say it to the musicians directly. It also allows them to ask some questions that are harder to ask a musician directly -- "well, how good is she?" I suspect many bands will say sure, for a dance or two. Those that won't are likely going to be bands with carefully scripted arrangements that are hard to convey to others on the fly.

I think questions of when and how, on mic or off mic, and number of sets should be totally at the discretion of the band hired for the evening. An organizer trying to dictate any of those things would be seen as going outside his/her sphere of influence. (Though the sound tech has to know what is going on and may have some limitations on what is technically feasible.)

David

On Thu, Apr 9, 2015 at 9:37 PM, Emily Addison via Organizers <organizers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

Hi Dance Organizers,

One more question stemming from my work on our callers handout here in Ottawa... except this query relates to musicians!

Do any of your dances facilitate local musicians sitting in (either on OR off mic) with visiting bands? This came up at Puttin' On The Dance 2 and we have a few keen musicians who would like to do this as part of their strategy for improving their chops. I've since talked to two touring musicians who are very open to this and think that some other bands may also be open. However, I anticipate that other bands may not be open.

So ... if you do something like this...

1. How do you structure it? Is anyone allowed on stage? Do the musicians get permission from organizer ahead of time (e.g., book their spot)? Is there a max number of sets a night that are 'sit in'? Are any 'sit ins' on mic or are all off mic? ???? ????

2. Also, how do you pitch the idea to the hired band?

I'm particularly talking about TOURING BANDS and then local musicians who already have some dance experience (not random musicians).