I happened to be the caller of our Thursday night dance (Seattle) the week after 9/11 occurred. I very specifically called a circle mixer, "Reconcilable Differences", to bring our community together, to see and appreciate each other across the circle, and to recognize what an important part of being together in a community is in such a scary time. It was very meaningful to me, and, I think, to all of the dancers who were there.
When I call a circle mixer, I try to mention and emphasize the community aspect of the dance, and ask people to look at and recognize all of the wonderful people in the circle who are part of this community, which is what I think makes this kind of dancing so special. Suzanne -----Original Message----- >From: Richard Allen Fischer <[email protected]> >Sent: Jul 19, 2010 12:48 PM >To: Caller's discussion list <[email protected]> >Subject: Re: [Callers] Integrating Newcomers (Was "Calling debut") > >At my home dance I usually call a circle mixer as the second dance of >the evening. I often use La Bastringue, and I generally teach it from >the floor and dance it. (Fun for me, and a useful way to connect with >the dancers.) I don't sense any grumbling or resistance. (But then >again I'm an insensitive guy...) > >Aside from other plusses, a mixer like La Bastringue gives us a >chance to dance all in one set (especially if one circle is possible) >and feel united in a different way than contras allow for. > >Richard > >On Jul 19, 2010, at 12:36 PM, Bronwyn Woods wrote: > >> As a dancer, I much prefer mixers to no-partner-swing dances. I >> haven't >> called either much, but in my experience as a dancer in various >> communities >> I have often seen mixers favorably received. In fact, I've been to >> a number >> of smaller dance weekends where mixers were welcomed as a way to >> see who was >> there, "scout" for partners, add variety to the evening, etc. In >> those >> situations, the idea of "forcing" beginners to integrate wasn't >> relevant. I >> think mixers at regularly scheduled dances can serve the same purpose. >> Maybe in communities with a lot of booking ahead for partners >> mixers might >> cause more of a stir. >> >> Another point: >> I (like many people) only dance with any particular partner once >> during the >> course of a normal length dance evening. If a no-partner-swing >> dance means >> I don't get to swing with a good/favorite partner, I feel gypped. >> However, >> I don't count a mixer as a dance with any particular partner so I >> get the >> benefit of lots of interaction with many dancers without feeling >> like I'm >> ignoring or missing out on dancing with my partner. >> >> That being said, I wouldn't totally discount dances without a >> partner swing. >> If the dance were unique or particularly interesting in some way I >> would >> consider it. But if there were a similar dance with a partner >> swing I would >> chose that one instead. >> >> -Bronwyn >> _______________________________________________ >> Callers mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > >_______________________________________________ >Callers mailing list >[email protected] >http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
