Hi Jackie, If I were organizer A, I'd do one heck of a job promoting my instructors for the workshop. But I also wouldn't go overboard and give people the feeling that their asking to choose loyalties (it doesn't do anyone any good if the attendees don't feel good about their choices). Not everyone is going to be able to make (or might be interested in) going to the workshop. So what would it matter if they went to the city event instead? The city event could still be a great opportunity to promote future workshops for organizer A, perhaps even getting new people to the milonga later that night.
It's very likely that people would choose the workshop over the city event. For the city event, I get the impression that all organizer B needs is to represent the tango community. If people feel that there is at least some representation of tango at the free event, then they'll feel comfortable going to the workshop. And of course, out-of-towners (who tend to be the better dancers in a community) will go to the workshop/milonga. Here, when a promotional event happens, only a small segment of the tango community ever goes. Most people aren't interested in being on display, so they won't go. Many people are also not comfortable going up to perfect strangers and doing a sales pitch for tango. Those people are not going to go to the city event. And as long as organzer B gets 2-6 good friendly dancers, then he/she will be happy. It's much better to have a small group of quality dancers than a large number of mediocre/bad dancers. (That's how I would look at it as organizer B.) Some people would also not be interested in driving to two different places. Those people would choose the workshop. I'm making some assumptions, here, such as the pre-milonga classes are normally well-attended. I've never have much luck with those, so I don't do them. There'll be some loss of attendance, but it will just be small. Personally, I enjoy a little competition because it makes me have to think more sharply and more creatively than I otherwise might. That could create some excitement and make a better final product. That might not work for everyone. Whatever happens, be positive to the public and keep your fears to yourself (complain only in private to a few trusted people). You'd want an environment of excitement and good vibes for the workshop. Of course, if I was organizer B, my thoughts might be a little different. But since you asked about A... Trini de Pittsburgh PATangoS - Pittsburgh Argentine Tango Society Our Mission: To make Argentine Tango Pittsburghs most popular social dance! http://patangos.home.comcast.net/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ _______________________________________________ Tango-L mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/tango-l
