24 Feb
2019
24 Feb
'19
4:28 p.m.
Hi Emily and others
Thanks so much for writing what I am thinking but cannot express nearly as well
I am hoping to see the day in which those hard core contra junkies ( I was one of them
myself!) will eventually be able to experience the joy of a circle, square or longways
dance and the music of a straight ahead band that plays to bring joy to dancers without
fancy tricks all the time. I do love both types of bands but I do worry about the possible
demise of the straight ahead band
Paul Rosenberg
Albany, NY
www.homespun.biz
Sent from my iPhone
On Feb 24, 2019, at 3:03 PM, Emily Addison via
Organizers <organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
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
Virus-free. www.avg.com
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