Hi Rickey,
Starting a new dance series is always difficult, especially if there are
a number of other dances nearby. Here are few of my (sometimes
conflicting) thoughts.
In general, I don't think there is a big problem if the dances are not
on the same night. In fact, sometimes adding another dance can help both
dances because they help to reinforce thoughts of dancing in the
public's mind. There's a better chance of a nearby dance happening on
the night someone wants to dance. If both dances attract the same crowd
(families, modern, or old time, whatever dancers, etc.) they probably
will attend both dances. Two dances a month is not to much for most
people or most towns. If the dances attract different crowds, there will
be no conflict either. You just need to find a way to attract the dancers.
I know of one dance that was having trouble attracting dancer. Although
they feared they might need to close, instead they added a second dance
each month. This increased attendance at both dances perhaps because it
was more often in dancers' minds.
It all depends on how many dancers there are in the area, and how many
more beginners you think you can invite in. A good dance grows by word
of mouth. Friends bring friends. Organizing that "good" dance is always
the issue for dance organizers.
It often helps if the two dances in the same location work to assure
different music and different callers each month. Keep the dances
different and keep them inviting.
Quite a few dances happen twice a month, or even every week, in smaller
towns and they seem to do fine. If 2 dances happen to be a few block
apart and on different days of the month, there should not be much
difference. Maybe the competition will help to keep things lively, as well!
The only thing to avoid is two dance the same night in nearby locations,
otherwise more dances is usually a good thing.
Rich Hart.
Rickey wrote:
....
Finally, I would like to ask your opinion about starting a new dance series
in a town that already has a series. In the case I am thinking of there
already is a well established dance in the same town, and it is not at all
clear that the town can support two dance series every month.
Thank you all in advance for your replies,
Rickey Holt.
--
Rich Hart
It's hopeless (but I may be wrong).
