21 Sep
2022
21 Sep
'22
4:05 p.m.
Hi Seth and Doug + All :)
Seth and Doug - Thanks so much for sharing some ideas and tips on house
concert organizing! I had to set that project aside for a few weeks but
I've dug into some planning today and your advice and links are really
helpful.
All - I'm wondering about house concerts being an additional way that we
can support dance musicians + bring together our communities during this
time when some people feel able to dance while others can't. For a long
time, our contra community (in Ottawa ON) would book a little tour for
dance musicians, with them playing in Montreal the day after, and sometimes
doing an afternoon workshop. I know lots of dance musicians are ready to
play but there aren't as many dance gigs (at least yet) than before the
pandemic. Having the option of house concerts seems like a really great
option.
Anyway - I don't want to take up too much bandwidth on this list as it's
about dance organizing but Seth and Doug... thank you! I'll follow up as
I'm sorting out details. :)
Hope you're all doing really well. I got in my first in-person dancing
this past weekend since the start of the pandemic. It was the Adirondack
Dance Weekend. What an incredibly well organized event it was... .... so
many lovely details making the whole weekend very magical.
:) Emily
Writing from Ottawa ON
21 Sep
21 Sep
4:47 p.m.
I often harvest a touring band for a house concert gig. I’ve had Genticorum, Buddy System,
Syncopaths, Faux Paws, and Countercurrent all playing in my living room. The dance bands
love playing repertoire that they can’t play for a dance. I reach out to them, but what
would be useful is a database of house concert hosts willing to hear from touring artists.
Or at least a way for local organizers to know who hosts concerts in their area.
The pandemic is still making hard to get people to come indoors and sit close to each
other. I have a concert tonight for a touring artist from Ireland that ought to have 40
people at it. I have only 20. I have abundant Covid precautions in place, but people
aren’t used to being in a crowd anymore. I live stream too on Facebook, but people are
sick of staring at a screen and hardly anyone shows up for those. I feel less nervous
hosting concerts for local artists who don’t have the travel nut to cover.
Doug Plummer
Doug & Robin’s House Concerts
https://www.facebook.com/DougandRobinHouseConcerts
<https://www.facebook.com/DougandRobinHouseConcerts>
On Sep 21, 2022, at 9:05 AM, Emily Addison via
Organizers <organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hi Seth and Doug + All :)
Seth and Doug - Thanks so much for sharing some ideas and tips on house concert
organizing! I had to set that project aside for a few weeks but I've dug into some
planning today and your advice and links are really helpful.
All - I'm wondering about house concerts being an additional way that we can support
dance musicians + bring together our communities during this time when some people feel
able to dance while others can't. For a long time, our contra community (in Ottawa
ON) would book a little tour for dance musicians, with them playing in Montreal the day
after, and sometimes doing an afternoon workshop. I know lots of dance musicians are
ready to play but there aren't as many dance gigs (at least yet) than before the
pandemic. Having the option of house concerts seems like a really great option.
Anyway - I don't want to take up too much bandwidth on this list as it's about
dance organizing but Seth and Doug... thank you! I'll follow up as I'm sorting
out details. :)
Hope you're all doing really well. I got in my first in-person dancing this past
weekend since the start of the pandemic. It was the Adirondack Dance Weekend. What an
incredibly well organized event it was... .... so many lovely details making the whole
weekend very magical.
:) Emily
Writing from Ottawa ON
_______________________________________________
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26 Sep
26 Sep
2:58 a.m.
New subject: sliding scale / open payment language for your dance?
In Atlanta for our contra dance, we are moving away from a set price to a donation /
sliding scale / pay what you can afford model. We are having a surprisingly challenging
time finding the specific language we would like to use. It seems like every short pithy
way we put it leaves some important concept out.
I'm curious - how many other dances out there are using a sliding scale or donation
model instead of one price for all? If so, what language do you use on signs and
advertising and at the door? Do you have a jar that people put cash into, or do they still
give the money to someone at the front door?
Does anyone have any data about whether this changes your usual gate receipts - lower,
same, higher - initially or over time?
How do you handle the stigma of someone paying less at the door than your 'suggested
donation'?
Other thoughts, comments, and experiences?
Thanks
Seth Tepfer
Seth Tepfer, MBA, CSM, PMP (he, him, his)
Senior IT Manager, Emory Primate Center
3:24 a.m.
New subject: sliding scale / open payment language for your dance?
We have a slightly different take on "sliding" scale to make the process
easier:
http://mondaycontras.com/pages/you-pick-admission.php
We average just over the midpoint of the choices.
-Don
On Sun, Sep 25, 2022 at 10:58 PM Tepfer, Seth via Organizers <
organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
In Atlanta for our contra dance, we are moving away
from a set price to a
donation / sliding scale / pay what you can afford model. We are having a
surprisingly challenging time finding the specific language we would like
to use. It seems like every short pithy way we put it leaves some important
concept out.
I'm curious - how many other dances out there are using a sliding scale or
donation model instead of one price for all? If so, what language do you
use on signs and advertising and at the door? Do you have a jar that people
put cash into, or do they still give the money to someone at the front
door?
Does anyone have any data about whether this changes your usual gate
receipts - lower, same, higher - initially or over time?
How do you handle the stigma of someone paying less at the door than your
'suggested donation'?
Other thoughts, comments, and experiences?
Thanks
Seth Tepfer
Seth Tepfer, MBA, CSM, PMP (he, him, his)
Senior IT Manager, Emory Primate Center
_______________________________________________
Organizers mailing list -- organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to organizers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
10:49 a.m.
New subject: sliding scale / open payment language for your dance?
What we have at the door:
"
$5: Low Income
You are a valued member of our community, and we’re so happy you’re here!
$10: Dance Sustainer
You make BIDA a sustainable dance by paying enough to help us break even!
$15: Dance Supporter
You help make it possible for others to come to our dance! Thank you!
" -- https://blog.bidadance.org/2018/01/raising-our-prices.html
Online we have "cost $5-$15 (sliding scale)" and then on our page with more
details:
"All our dances are sliding scale, on a pay what you can basis. If you
can't afford to pay at least our minimum, let us know in advance and we're
happy to have volunteers. You can join our volunteer mailing list to get
notified when we're looking for people for upcoming dances.
If you show up asking to volunteer without talking to us in advance we may
be able to find a role for you, but we also may not. So please write to us
ahead of time so we can coordinate!" --
https://www.bidadance.org/accessibility
Jeff
On Sun, Sep 25, 2022, 11:25 PM Don Veino via Organizers <
organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
We have a slightly different take on
"sliding" scale to make the process
easier:
http://mondaycontras.com/pages/you-pick-admission.php
We average just over the midpoint of the choices.
-Don
On Sun, Sep 25, 2022 at 10:58 PM Tepfer, Seth via Organizers <
organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
In Atlanta for our contra dance, we are moving
away from a set price to a
donation / sliding scale / pay what you can afford model. We are having a
surprisingly challenging time finding the specific language we would like
to use. It seems like every short pithy way we put it leaves some important
concept out.
I'm curious - how many other dances out there are using a sliding scale
or donation model instead of one price for all? If so, what language do you
use on signs and advertising and at the door? Do you have a jar that people
put cash into, or do they still give the money to someone at the front
door?
Does anyone have any data about whether this changes your usual gate
receipts - lower, same, higher - initially or over time?
How do you handle the stigma of someone paying less at the door than your
'suggested donation'?
Other thoughts, comments, and experiences?
Thanks
Seth Tepfer
Seth Tepfer, MBA, CSM, PMP (he, him, his)
Senior IT Manager, Emory Primate Center
_______________________________________________
Organizers mailing list -- organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to organizers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
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To unsubscribe send an email to organizers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
1:10 p.m.
New subject: sliding scale / open payment language for your dance?
We too are struggling with concepts. Currently we have a non-member price,
a lesser member price (incentive) a student price and have added "pay more
if you can, less if you cannot". Maybe not the best wording. We've been
getting ~ $20-$40 in "over" donations which we track at the door.
On Sun, Sep 25, 2022, 10:59 PM Tepfer, Seth via Organizers <
organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
In Atlanta for our contra dance, we are moving away
from a set price to a
donation / sliding scale / pay what you can afford model. We are having a
surprisingly challenging time finding the specific language we would like
to use. It seems like every short pithy way we put it leaves some important
concept out.
I'm curious - how many other dances out there are using a sliding scale or
donation model instead of one price for all? If so, what language do you
use on signs and advertising and at the door? Do you have a jar that people
put cash into, or do they still give the money to someone at the front
door?
Does anyone have any data about whether this changes your usual gate
receipts - lower, same, higher - initially or over time?
How do you handle the stigma of someone paying less at the door than your
'suggested donation'?
Other thoughts, comments, and experiences?
Thanks
Seth Tepfer
Seth Tepfer, MBA, CSM, PMP (he, him, his)
Senior IT Manager, Emory Primate Center
_______________________________________________
Organizers mailing list -- organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to organizers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
28 Sep
28 Sep
12:11 a.m.
New subject: sliding scale / open payment language for your dance?
Hi Everyone,
Excellent topic. The Montpelier Contra Dance (Vermont) moved to a tiered
pricing model several years ago.
Our wording is . . . . . Admission is $12 for adults, $5 for kids or
low-income, $20 for dance supporters–choose the right price for your budget!
We decided not to go with a complete "sliding scale" because some people
are uncomfortable with the wide open nature of sliding scale and we know
our target is $12 per person so that is what we ask for.
People pay many different amounts! Though most people pay $12; others are
not constrained by the suggestions of $12, $5, $20 and they pay $10, $6,
$7, $15 - whatever works for them.
Patty Giavara
MCD Organizing Committee
On Mon, Sep 26, 2022 at 9:11 AM Mary Collins via Organizers <
organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
We too are struggling with concepts. Currently we have
a non-member price,
a lesser member price (incentive) a student price and have added "pay more
if you can, less if you cannot". Maybe not the best wording. We've been
getting ~ $20-$40 in "over" donations which we track at the door.
On Sun, Sep 25, 2022, 10:59 PM Tepfer, Seth via Organizers <
organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
In Atlanta for our contra dance, we are moving
away from a set price to a
donation / sliding scale / pay what you can afford model. We are having a
surprisingly challenging time finding the specific language we would like
to use. It seems like every short pithy way we put it leaves some important
concept out.
I'm curious - how many other dances out there are using a sliding scale
or donation model instead of one price for all? If so, what language do you
use on signs and advertising and at the door? Do you have a jar that people
put cash into, or do they still give the money to someone at the front
door?
Does anyone have any data about whether this changes your usual gate
receipts - lower, same, higher - initially or over time?
How do you handle the stigma of someone paying less at the door than your
'suggested donation'?
Other thoughts, comments, and experiences?
Thanks
Seth Tepfer
Seth Tepfer, MBA, CSM, PMP (he, him, his)
Senior IT Manager, Emory Primate Center
_______________________________________________
Organizers mailing list -- organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to organizers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Organizers mailing list -- organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to organizers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
1:19 p.m.
New subject: sliding scale / open payment language for your dance?
Here's ours. We also have a $10 pay-it-forward option so members of the
community can pre-buy tickets for any dancers. Since we have QR codes for
digital payments (website/WooCommerce, Venmo, Cashapp, Zelle, etc.) it
means fewer wrangling of $1 bills, though people can do cash if they want,
where we just ask either what they'd like to pay or how much change they
want.
This way no one has to talk about their financial situation or feel like
they need to justify what they're paying. Lots of people pay $20, a fair
number pay $10. The website defaults to $15 but has a drop-down to choose a
price or volunteer slot:
https://firstsaturdaycontra.com/product/october-1-2022-contra-dance/
[image: First Saturday Contra Price List.png]
On Tue, Sep 27, 2022 at 8:12 PM Patty Giavara via Organizers <
organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hi Everyone,
Excellent topic. The Montpelier Contra Dance (Vermont) moved to a tiered
pricing model several years ago.
Our wording is . . . . . Admission is $12 for adults, $5 for kids or
low-income, $20 for dance supporters–choose the right price for your budget!
We decided not to go with a complete "sliding scale" because some people
are uncomfortable with the wide open nature of sliding scale and we know
our target is $12 per person so that is what we ask for.
People pay many different amounts! Though most people pay $12; others are
not constrained by the suggestions of $12, $5, $20 and they pay $10, $6,
$7, $15 - whatever works for them.
Patty Giavara
MCD Organizing Committee
On Mon, Sep 26, 2022 at 9:11 AM Mary Collins via Organizers <
organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
We too are struggling with concepts. Currently we
have a non-member
price, a lesser member price (incentive) a student price and have added
"pay more if you can, less if you cannot". Maybe not the best wording.
We've been getting ~ $20-$40 in "over" donations which we track at the
door.
On Sun, Sep 25, 2022, 10:59 PM Tepfer, Seth via Organizers <
organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
_______________________________________________
Organizers mailing list -- organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to organizers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
In Atlanta for our contra dance, we are moving
away from a set price to
a donation / sliding scale / pay what you can afford model. We are having a
surprisingly challenging time finding the specific language we would like
to use. It seems like every short pithy way we put it leaves some important
concept out.
I'm curious - how many other dances out there are using a sliding scale
or donation model instead of one price for all? If so, what language do you
use on signs and advertising and at the door? Do you have a jar that people
put cash into, or do they still give the money to someone at the front
door?
Does anyone have any data about whether this changes your usual gate
receipts - lower, same, higher - initially or over time?
How do you handle the stigma of someone paying less at the door than
your 'suggested donation'?
Other thoughts, comments, and experiences?
Thanks
Seth Tepfer
Seth Tepfer, MBA, CSM, PMP (he, him, his)
Senior IT Manager, Emory Primate Center
_______________________________________________
Organizers mailing list -- organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to organizers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
Organizers mailing list -- organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to organizers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
3:09 p.m.
New subject: sliding scale / open payment language for your dance?
Similar to other dances, what I say at the door is: "We have a pay what
you can system, minimum is $8, recommended is $15, all the money apart from
the cost of the hall and a maximum of 10% of the door sales go to the
talent"
The sign and email says
*Pay what you can!*
Minimum: $8
Suggested: $15
Sponsor: $20 (the extra goes straight to the musicians!)
Children under 13: Free
We also have a sign with details that explain what the costs are and where
the money goes, although I need to update it
Pre-pandemic our average was about 16$, I think these days it's higher than
that, a lot of people give us $20
Marie-Michèle
ContraMontreal
On Wed, Sep 28, 2022 at 9:19 AM Emily Rush via Organizers <
organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Here's ours. We also have a $10 pay-it-forward
option so members of the
community can pre-buy tickets for any dancers. Since we have QR codes for
digital payments (website/WooCommerce, Venmo, Cashapp, Zelle, etc.) it
means fewer wrangling of $1 bills, though people can do cash if they want,
where we just ask either what they'd like to pay or how much change they
want.
This way no one has to talk about their financial situation or feel like
they need to justify what they're paying. Lots of people pay $20, a fair
number pay $10. The website defaults to $15 but has a drop-down to choose a
price or volunteer slot:
https://firstsaturdaycontra.com/product/october-1-2022-contra-dance/
[image: First Saturday Contra Price List.png]
On Tue, Sep 27, 2022 at 8:12 PM Patty Giavara via Organizers <
organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hi Everyone,
Excellent topic. The Montpelier Contra Dance (Vermont) moved to a tiered
pricing model several years ago.
Our wording is . . . . . Admission is $12 for adults, $5 for kids or
low-income, $20 for dance supporters–choose the right price for your budget!
We decided not to go with a complete "sliding scale" because some people
are uncomfortable with the wide open nature of sliding scale and we know
our target is $12 per person so that is what we ask for.
People pay many different amounts! Though most people pay $12; others
are not constrained by the suggestions of $12, $5, $20 and they pay $10,
$6, $7, $15 - whatever works for them.
Patty Giavara
MCD Organizing Committee
On Mon, Sep 26, 2022 at 9:11 AM Mary Collins via Organizers <
organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
_______________________________________________
Organizers mailing list -- organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to organizers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
We too are struggling with concepts. Currently we
have a non-member
price, a lesser member price (incentive) a student price and have added
"pay more if you can, less if you cannot". Maybe not the best wording.
We've been getting ~ $20-$40 in "over" donations which we track at the
door.
On Sun, Sep 25, 2022, 10:59 PM Tepfer, Seth via Organizers <
organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
_______________________________________________
Organizers mailing list -- organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to organizers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
In Atlanta for our contra dance, we are moving
away from a set price to
a donation / sliding scale / pay what you can afford model. We are having a
surprisingly challenging time finding the specific language we would like
to use. It seems like every short pithy way we put it leaves some important
concept out.
I'm curious - how many other dances out there are using a sliding scale
or donation model instead of one price for all? If so, what language do you
use on signs and advertising and at the door? Do you have a jar that people
put cash into, or do they still give the money to someone at the front
door?
Does anyone have any data about whether this changes your usual gate
receipts - lower, same, higher - initially or over time?
How do you handle the stigma of someone paying less at the door than
your 'suggested donation'?
Other thoughts, comments, and experiences?
Thanks
Seth Tepfer
Seth Tepfer, MBA, CSM, PMP (he, him, his)
Senior IT Manager, Emory Primate Center
_______________________________________________
Organizers mailing list -- organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
To unsubscribe send an email to organizers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net
_______________________________________________
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8 comments
9 participants
participants (9)
-
Don Veino -
Doug Plummer -
Emily Addison -
Emily Rush -
Jeff Kaufman -
Marie-Michèle Fournier -
Mary Collins -
Patty Giavara -
Tepfer, Seth