> Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2013 09:14:39 -0700 > From: Greg McKenzie <[email protected]> > To: "Caller's discussion list" <[email protected]> > Subject: Re: [Callers] Glen Echo FND beginner lesson plan > Message-ID: > <CAFqkWLvueeywdP=geEy+62=c2l9tksk0fzcjvppvvrm-mwo...@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > Jeff wrote: > >> I think the fraction of dances with a beginners workshop is more like 30%. >> >> (With the Free Raisins I notice when there are workshops because while >> we're not generally asked to play for a workshop we do need to be >> quiet and stop soundchecking. We've played dances at about 45 >> different dance series, and think about 15 had workshops.) >> > > Keep in mind that some venues have the option of holding a newcomer's > orientation in a separate room. You may not have been aware of it. > Nevertheless this does sound encouraging. I would love to see some harder > numbers regarding dance series with no orientation session for newcomers. > That would be helpful. > > In what geographical area do the "Free Raisins" play? > > - Greg McKenzie > West Coast, USA >
At our Jamaica Plain gender free dance we have noticed that often beginners don't show up until after the dance has started which is one of the reasons we decided to not do beginners workshops. The door sitter sometimes directs new dancers who do come early to an experienced dancer for a very informal workshop in the corner. Also sometimes we have a mini-workshop at the break although we have been trying to keep breaks short since if they are long newcomers tend to leave since they don't know many people there. The door sitter often tells beginners to make sure they dance with experienced dancers. One thing I have noticed is sometimes a pair of people come together and since they don't know the contra dance culture they assume they are supposed to dance with the person they came with. We do have some signs around the room (patterned after the ones that BIDA has) that say various things like: dance with different partners, smile, everyone makes mistakes,...
