In the "Sidelines" thread Jill wrote: > I think everyone would agree that callers and organizers can work together > to influence the behavior of the dancers and to set the tone for a fun and > inclusive evening of dancing. I agree with Greg: > > "If anyone wants to discuss the ways callers...and others can lead, I would > love to have such a thread." >
I'm game. This is a core purpose of what, I think, callers do. Jill also wrote: > Although we might not all agree on what is acceptable dancer behavior, do > you have more ideas for callers and organizers, perhaps a list of what has > worked for you to make your dances more inclusive and friendly to all. > I think we probably *can *agree on what many *desirable *behaviors or qualities are: Graciousness, civility, kindness, respect, gentleness, support, confidence, etc. I suggest we focus on how to encourage what is desirable rather than on trying to extinguish undesirable behaviors. Kalia wrote, in reference to her newcomer orientation: > ... I make a point of demonstrating how to ask someone to dance. A lot of > new dancers may not have done this since high school or earlier, and it's a > very different ball of worms at a contra dance. It can be super simple > (offer a hand, raise the eyebrows) or you can say "would you like to > dance?" But it doesn't have to be a big deal. That can take some > learning, so I like to give folks a head start on that very important > process. > Great point! I have seen George Marshall do this and I'm going to include it in my own orientation sessions. Thank you for reminding me of this idea. Maia wrote: > "I have a challenge for you: at least once tonight, dance with someone you > don't know; and at least once tonight, dance with someone of a different > experience level than yourself." Something along those lines. > This is also very good. Here is how I do it. I try to avoid ever telling the regulars how to behave...directly. Instead I direct my comments to the first-timers and speak *on behalf of the regulars while assuming their full support. *The fact is that the first-timers have no way to identify people of a "different experience level" so any reference to that is, by implication, directed at the regulars. At the start of the dance evening I say: "If you are new to this kind of dancing please find someone who has danced contras at least one night, and form two contra dance lines." This is a strongly implied cue to the regulars--who already know exactly who the newcomers are--to take a leadership role and to partner with first-timers. (Note that I do NOT tell them how to form lines. I do NOT say "...with the lady on the right, facing the stage" or "please join at the bottom of the line" etc. The regulars know all of this. To include any such information would imply that I expect, at least, *some *of the first-timers to be partnered with other first-timers. I want to imply that *all *of the first-timers will be partnered with regulars. This is what I mean by assuming the full support of the regulars.) As callers we are more effective when we use our words very carefully and judiciously. At an open, public social event eliminating excess verbiage is always helpful in holding the attention of the hall. Implied messages are very powerful. You can have much more influence with what you do NOT say than with what you do say. More on this later. - Greg McKenzie (who, having a degree in speech communication sometimes gets a bit wonkish about it.)
