Rich wrote:
That's fine for a dance weekend. I would NEVER do anything at a
community dance
event that excludes anyone - especially new dancers.
Yes. This is why I don't call medleys.
Rich also wrote:
Consider this...
When you know a medley is coming - make it a point to dance with a
new dancer.
What an accomplishment to help them successfully navigate through a series of
dances without the benefit of a walk thru. That would be such a
thril for a new
dancer - and so it should be for you too. I you want to do dances without new
dancers - save it for dance weekends.
If I know a medley is coming I, personally, tend to sit it out. I
seldom attend dance weekends.
Rich also wrote:
Just my opinion - but I am happy to say that new dancers in our community are
not excluded from any dances. The credit not only goes to our
callers but also
to the wonderful contributions of our experienced dancers. Not wanting to be
'stuck' with a beginner on longer dances tells me you do not enjoy
dancing with
them. That is a shame some of my most memorable dance experiences have been
with a new partner.
I am sorry if my comments were confusing. I do enjoy dancing with
first-timers and newcomers. About half my dances are with
newcomers. As a caller I consider it my primary responsibility to
integrate first-timers and newcomers into the dance
community. That's one reason I don't call medleys. I work to make
sure that regular dancers who partner with first-timers feel
completely informed and empowered in their role as leaders. My goal
is to make it fun to dance with newcomers at dances I call. I
consider integrating first-timers to be the highest and greatest
challenge of contra dance calling. I judge callers on their ability
to integrate newcomers by making it fun to partner with them.
Part of the misunderstanding may stem from the cognitive frame that
started this thread:
That human beings are not civil or generous by nature. I reject that frame.
Another frame I would challenge is the following:
Most contra dancers don't enjoy dancing with first-timers.
In fact almost all contra dancers love to dance with
first-timers. What it takes is a caller who knows how to integrate
newcomers into the dance community effectively and who knows how to
empower the regulars as leaders.
Rich then asked:
So - how then do you handle the experienced dancers who have not progressed
beyond the beginner level but consider themselves skilled enough to try any
dance?
I don't consider the term "beginner" to be a useful one with regard
to contra dancing. There is no definable "beginner level" in
contras. I consider anyone who has attended at least one night of
contras to be "experienced" and fully capable of partnering with
first-timers. I am comfortable with any dancer trying any dance I
call during the evening, even if they have arrived late.
- Greg
