Hi Greg and others,
From the perspective of distance from contra dancing heartland, SW lets me
get a feel of what contra dancing is about. From what I've learned from
this list, Conta dancing, the attitude of callers, and "frame" of list members
is one of encouragement, constructive feedback, and sharing.
As we have no contra dance tradition here in NZ, we have the advantage of
starting
from scratch. So I rely on what I learn on SW, watching youtube contra videos,
and the
infrequent visits by contra dance gypsies for the model of what I want the
tradition to
become.
I didn't see the response to your post as criticism, but rather
expressions of not relating
to your frame. I have learned from many SW posts that the "common wisdom" about
contra dancing traditions is not universal: there is sometimes a center set
syndrome, some dancers
want variety, some want challenges, some are not helpful, some callers like
claps on petronella
others don't etc. But I'm am not so interested in debating these points, they
are interesting
and give me insights, but I am more interested in taking note of what I feel are
useful for
what I want to build up here.
One final point, I think there is a difference between "authoritarian"
and "having authority."
The key in your statement: "people who are pleased to do virtually everything
the caller tells them to do" is that people are pleased. They enjoy the callers
help in facilitating the activity and thus
allow them to tell them what to do.
Everyone have a great holiday season and New Year.
Cheers, Bill
PS Please read my next post.
