Hi Emily and others Thanks so much for writing what I am thinking but cannot express nearly as well
I am hoping to see the day in which those hard core contra junkies ( I was one of them myself!) will eventually be able to experience the joy of a circle, square or longways dance and the music of a straight ahead band that plays to bring joy to dancers without fancy tricks all the time. I do love both types of bands but I do worry about the possible demise of the straight ahead band Paul Rosenberg Albany, NY www.homespun.biz Sent from my iPhone > On Feb 24, 2019, at 3:03 PM, Emily Addison via Organizers > <organizers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > > Hi Chrissy et al :) > > Chrissy - Thanks so much for sharing Larry's words and your reflections on > them! It's interesting as I've been thinking about related ideas over the > last number of months but I hadn't stopped to sort them out. Your post > slowed me down and gave space. :) > > What I've been lamenting is that, from my perception, there is a general push > for contra dance to move towards an athletic and intense dance form. I was > at the Dance Flurry last weekend and that's a perfect example ---> very > intense music, people always moving at a fast speed, intimate connections, > ways of moving bodies...etc. It seems as though the mindset of many dance > gypsies is that this form of contra is the ultimate experience. (AGAIN - > noting that this is my perception.) > > I do love this form of contra dance but I also find it overwhelming at times. > Alternately - I take such great joy in a local dance with dances that are > moving at a slightly slower speed, not such 'sexy' dancing (for lack of a > better word), and more uplifting and joyous rather than trance-like music. > And I also love the open band type scenario and chestnuts etc. Yes, I'm > comparing a massive dance weekend to a little local dance but I think the > point is valid... ... many folks who think of themselves as invested heavily > in contra dance may gravitate to the intense experience and might forget that > the local-community feel with lots of beginners and more straightforward > music is a really beautiful thing. > > My hope is that as contra dance continues to evolve, there's is not only > space but also admiration and support for the wide range of communities and > enactments of the dance form. > > Just some personal reflections on a rainy afternoon up here in Ottawa. > > Emily Addison > PS - sorry if my sentences are somewhat incoherent. Was up until 1am last > night doing homework for our local contra dance --- of all things! :) > > >> Message: 1 >> Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2019 19:53:48 +0000 >> From: Chrissy Fowler <ktaadn...@hotmail.com> >> To: organizers shared weight <organizers@lists.sharedweight.net> >> Subject: [Organizers] remembering a valued dance administrator >> Message-ID: >> >> <bl0pr02mb5602717b193e551f29f088ec8d...@bl0pr02mb5602.namprd02.prod.outlook.com> >> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252" >> >> Hi fellow organizers, >> I just came across the below excerpt online. It reminded me of one of my >> own strong opinions about dance leadership and dance organization -- namely, >> that there are many paths to Nirvana, with Nirvana being in this case a >> successful dance series. The essential thing organizers should do is >> examine and articulate their own vision(s) and work very hard to >> create/adapt their dance series to express that vision as beautifully as >> they can. >> The quote itself may not resonate for you, but perhaps it will inspire you >> to pick up both of Larry's books (Zesty Contras and Give & Take) and pore >> through the bits about dance administration. Such juicy food for thought! >> Yours, with strong feelings about the objectives and techniques appropriate >> to my own local situation, >> Chrissy Fowler >> Belfast ME >> >> ?I believe that administrators and leaders should have strong feelings about >> the objectives and techniques appropriate to their local situation.I >> certainly do, and I hope you will too. Thus I have scattered my own opinions >> throughout the book, but I fully expect you to display a healthy skepticism >> toward these opinions. Indeed, I request such skepticism! So, if my >> subjective style riles you up?sets you pondering about your local >> needs?gives you a few ideas to adapt?clarifies your own thinking, no matter >> how different from mine?I?ll be well satisfied that my work has borne fruit.? >> ~ Larry Jennings in the ?Author?s Preface? to Zesty Contras >> > > > Virus-free. www.avg.com > _______________________________________________ > Organizers mailing list > Organizers@lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/organizers-sharedweight.net
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