24 Mar
2025
24 Mar
'25
8:07 a.m.
Hi fellow organizers :)
Latest news from the POTD3 team!
Emily in Ottawa
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Puttin' on the Dance Team <puttinonthedance(a)gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Mar 24, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Subject: 📣Looking forward to the WOW of POTD3! ….Registration filling up!
To: POTD organizers' conference <puttinonthedance(a)gmail.com>
Hello fellow Dance Organizers,
“Learning new ideas to bring back to my dance community”
“Building a network of other dance organizers, hearing their issues and
solutions”
“Brainstorming, time by the ocean, dancing, new friends”
These are a few of the things that Puttin’ On the Dance 3 registrants have
said would make a “WOW” experience.
Here’s how POTD3 <https://www.puttinonthedance.org/potd-3/> is shaping up
to meet these expectations… and more:
-
In just over three weeks, the conference is half full!
-
So far, there are organizers representing 24 different groups from 7
states and provinces. That’s a lot of knowledge, experience, ideas, and
opportunities for new connections and friendships.
-
We’ll dance together on Friday to Rick Mohr & Thunderwing. On Saturday,
we’ll dance to the calling and music of fellow conferees.
-
The conference schedule includes 8 workshop sessions, 3 full-group
sessions, and LOTS of small-group and 1:1 conversation time.
-
And all this at a hotel on the ocean’s edge
<https://www.firesideinnbelfast.com/> with a beautiful view, mineral
pool, hot tub and sauna.
Priority registration for organizers from New England, New York and the
eastern Canadian provinces is in effect until March 31. (We’ll start
admitting organizers from other parts of North America and other dance
traditions on April 1.)
And there are still scholarships and exchange rate offsets available!
Click here to learn more and to register
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScXVFeCRqUdQgsQcMh8aMQLJvrAN-DW0ZuEh4uoFEgCnY4xwQ/viewform>
.
Let us know what would make POTD3 a “WOW” experience for you: Program
survey link
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScOIg_Qpqqg9Fs106NdaPJKBxgMMVLJ9uXlRJiir0Gj97iMhg/viewform>
POTD Planning Team - Patty Giavara, Chrissy Fowler & Emily Addison
--
puttinonthedance.org
facebook.com/PuttinOnTheDance
*You're on the POTD email list because we think you're interested in
conferences for dance organizers. Let us know if you want your address
removed. *
11:07 a.m.
New subject: owning a stage
There's a couple of potential uses for a stage. I've called in a couple of
places who clearly prioritized the caller being able to see the floor,
rather than the dancers seeing the band, or the band seeing past the first
few sets, or onstage dance performance.
Those locations provided an elevated platform for the caller with the band
at floor level. Super fast setup and likely little cost. As a caller it
mostly worked (must allow for easy up/down access and a small shelf or
table for cards, etc.), but feels a little weird to be up there alone. One
could argue it harkens back to the old days of the fiddler/caller being up
on the table at kitchen junkets...
FWIW,
Don
On Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 9:19 AM Tepfer, Seth via Organizers <
organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hello organizers
The cost of renting a stage (along with everything else) have increased
substantially in comparison to inflation. When we compare the cost of
buying a stage and paying for a rental unit to renting a stage for 3 events
each year (two contra weekends and an ECD weekend) it doesn't seem to make
sense.
Do other organizations own their own stage? Thoughts about hidden costs
besides storage unit and setup / take down?
We are meeting Thursday night to discuss! Any thoughts prior to then would
be welcome. Thoughts after that are still welcome, just not as timely.
Seth
Seth Tepfer, MBA, CSM, PMP (he, him, his)
Senior IT Manager, Emory Primate Center
<https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/fcd3f5d71da848759228584d1a49babd@emory.edu?anonymous&ep=signature>
Book
time to meet with me
<https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/SethTepfer@mscloud.emory.net/bookings/>
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10:18 a.m.
New subject: owning a stage
Not a stage owner, but I've set up quite a few over the years.
Homebuilt is an option, but these tend to be even heavier and bulkier
than commercial stages. Having a commercial stage gives you a load
rating and maybe some liability coverage.
Thinner stage decks are lighter, and fine for a panel of people
speaking, but are more bouncy and can sound more like drums.
Thicker decks absorb more sound, better for bands. 3/4" minimum, 1" is
better.
Plywood is strong. MDF fiberboard is strong enough, absorbs more sound,
and is heavier.
A felt carpet pad and a carpet can significantly reduce the drum noise.
Decks with honeycomb cores can be a good option:
https://se.stageright.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2015/09/stageright-all…
Individual 4'x6' decks are lighter than 4x8 decks, but the total package
can be a bit heavier since there are more legs and framing.
Some stage legs are adjustable for setting up outdoors on uneven ground.
Shimming with plywood under the legs may be an option.
16" height is good for regular dances and smaller festivals.
I know one custom stage a festival uses that is 21" high.
Bigger events get taller stages.
Over 8" high you want solid steps, with a handrail, that attach securely
to the deck.
A 12'x16' deck will store in a space about 3'x4'x8'.
Get the velcro skirt.
Two strong people can manage 4x8 stage sections.
Use hand-trucks and dollys to move sections from place to place.
Two experienced people can have a 12x16 stage together in 1/2hr.
An in-experienced crew of three might take an hour.
Folding legs setup faster than installing legs, but may not be height-
adjustable.
Time to transport includes driving, maybe 15 minutes to load and
un-load, plus extra for stairs, elevators, long distances from storage
to truck/van, weather considerations, etc.
Speaking logistically, a lot of audio setup can only happen after the
stage is completely, safely set up.
What other organizations would you feel comfortable sharing the stage
with? Don't rent to a harley biker party!
Maintenance is mostly just keeping the stage clean.
Do NOT let anybody put staples in your stage!
Clean beer spills right away.
My guess is rentals are expensive because many stages don't go out that
often. And few people want to store, move, set/strike.
Or somebody comes in and wants a stage that's bigger than you have, or
they need it to be taller. Or...
Thanks and good health, Weogo
9:28 a.m.
New subject: owning a stage
Building on Seth's question, we are curious about other groups' experience
with owning a stage, such as:
- *What kind* of stage do you own? (please provide a link or photo, if you
have one)
- Where do you *store *it, and how much space does it take?
- Transportation, installation, and breakdown:
. How do you *transport *it to the venue? (vehicle type, number of
trips)
. Do your *volunteers install* it, or do you pay someone to
transport and install it?
. *How many hours* does it take to transport and install? (and how
many people)
. How many hours and people does it take to breakdown the stage and
put it back in storage?
- Has any *maintenance or fixing* of the stage been required?
- Do you have any general comments on the "rent vs. own" decision?
We have a rental company that does a good job, but the price has gone up to
about $1500 per weekend, so we are considering the pros and cons of owning.
Any input you can give before tomorrow (3/27) at 6:30 ET is appreciated!
Amanda Setili
Atlanta Contra Dance (same group as Seth)
On Wed, Mar 26, 2025 at 9:23 AM Tepfer, Seth via Organizers <
organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hello organizers
The cost of renting a stage (along with everything else) have increased
substantially in comparison to inflation. When we compare the cost of
buying a stage and paying for a rental unit to renting a stage for 3 events
each year (two contra weekends and an ECD weekend) it doesn't seem to make
sense.
Do other organizations own their own stage? Thoughts about hidden costs
besides storage unit and setup / take down?
We are meeting Thursday night to discuss! Any thoughts prior to then would
be welcome. Thoughts after that are still welcome, just not as timely.
Seth
Seth Tepfer, MBA, CSM, PMP (he, him, his)
Senior IT Manager, Emory Primate Center
<https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/fcd3f5d71da848759228584d1a49babd@emory.edu?anonymous&ep=signature>
Book
time to meet with me
<https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/SethTepfer@mscloud.emory.net/bookings/>
_______________________________________________
Organizers mailing list -- organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to organizers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
8:19 a.m.
New subject: owning a stage
Hello organizers
The cost of renting a stage (along with everything else) have increased substantially in
comparison to inflation. When we compare the cost of buying a stage and paying for a
rental unit to renting a stage for 3 events each year (two contra weekends and an ECD
weekend) it doesn't seem to make sense.
Do other organizations own their own stage? Thoughts about hidden costs besides storage
unit and setup / take down?
We are meeting Thursday night to discuss! Any thoughts prior to then would be welcome.
Thoughts after that are still welcome, just not as timely.
Seth
Seth Tepfer, MBA, CSM, PMP (he, him, his)
Senior IT Manager, Emory Primate Center
[cid:f3b7d8bf-f4db-49bc-9ba1-10ac032f609f]<https://outlook.office.com/boo…
Book time to meet with
me<https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/SethTepfer@mscloud.emory.n…
9
days inactive
11
days old
organizers@lists.sharedweight.net
5 comments
6 participants
participants (6)
-
Amanda Setili -
Don Veino -
Emily Addison -
Tepfer, Seth -
Tncontracaller -
Weogo Reed