You can hear some thoughts from sixty years ago relating to topics in this
thread in this recording of a 1962 Q&A session with the late great square dance
caller Ed Gilmore:
http://squaredancehistory.com/items/show/702
You might start by listening for a few minutes beginning from 17:53.
The early MWSD scene that Ed was involved with had some differences from our
current contradance culture, including structure of clubs and classes among
other things, so some things Ed says may not translate directly. Nonetheless, I
believe Ed was a keen observer and an insightful thinker and worthy of a listen.
--Jim
(Santa Clara, CA)
> On Apr 17, 2023, at 9:57 AM, Julian Blechner via Contra Callers
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> I've given this some thought. I've been a dancer in this situation, and heard
> other organizers ask this question.
>
> I don't like the idea of asking someone to leave. I do think this is
> antithetical to my values as a dance organizer.
>
> I don't like the idea of gatekeeping and presuming I know how well a person
> may succeed not - especially since contra is a team sport.
>
> I also want to raise the idea of economic injustice - many folks carpool, or,
> in NYC it may be a pain to get to a location - even by mass transit a new
> person could really need the help of a friend. Especially if it's a person
> from out of town; having lived in and around NYC for a decade, it can be
> _daunting_. So I can totally see some experienced dancers wanting to bring a
> friend, and having them come later is not an option. Forcing them to come
> later may be easier for folks with financial means, which is why I'm saying
> this may touch on an issue of economic justice and privilege.
>
> An alternative I might have - and, totally with the benefit of hindsight and
> reflection:
>
> I think if I'm in this situation in the future, I will do the following:
> 1. Caution the dancer of the expected skill level.
> 2. Offer them to sit and enjoy the music for free / donation instead of
> required entry fee.
> 3. Recommend that if they're set on trying it out, to do so, but if they're
> not getting it, come hang out and stay, with fee refunded. (Like a
> satisfaction guarantee.)
>
> Ideally, if they do stay and sit, some dancers will need breaks and sit with
> them and make them feel welcome.
>
> In dance,
> Julian Blechner
>
>
>
> On Sun, Apr 16, 2023, 9:50 PM Maia McCormick via Contra Callers
> <[email protected]> wrote:
> I attended an advanced dance this afternoon that was intermediate at best,
> and had a few raw beginners in there, and it got me wondering:
>
> 1. As callers, what do you do when a bunch of intermediate and/or beginner
> dancers show up to an advanced session?
> 2. As organizers, what do you do to try and keep your advanced sessions...
> advanced? (Either in messaging or at the dance itself?) Obviously I'm not
> advocating for kicking anyone out, but if a bunch of newbies show up at an
> advanced session, both they and the dancers who came for gnarly stuff are
> going to have a less-than-ideal time.
> 3. As dancers (/organizers/callers), how do we elevate the dance level of our
> local communities? I'm talking about increasing familiarity with some of the
> less common moves (contracorners, left hand chains, etc.) but also about
> building awareness of the dance and recovery skills, and technical things
> like giving satisfying weight, swinging correctly, guiding linemates into the
> next figure, etc.
>
> I welcome any thoughts and musings!
>
> Cheers,
> Maia (Brooklyn, NY)
> --
> Maia McCormick (she/her)
> 917.279.8194
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