strathspey@strathspey.org:27390

SMiskoe

attracting new/young folks

Sept. 16, 2001, 11:22 p.m. (Message 27390)

We have had much lately about getting new folks and young folks to come 
dancing.  This weekend I played for a dance in a situation where about 1/4 
folks had little or no experience but got a ticket for the dance to do 
something for the evening.  I noticed a number of things.
The MC was trying to get 4 couple sets organized.  In the contra world people 
would be encouraged to join hands in a ring of 8.  And then be told this is 
the set and these are the folks you dance with.  It took a while to organize 
the sets.
Several young people asked about doing round the room dances and Dashing 
White Sergeant.  As a gesture to them Strip the willow was done but not til 
after intermission.
A philosophical decision had to be made, does the dance organizer 
re-structure the program so that all the people can get up and dance at least 
every other dance, and perhaps irritate the expeienced folks, but perhaps 
entice beginners to go dancing again.
Or does the dance organizer continue with the published program, do 2 or 3 
easy dances and please the experienced dancers.
While I don't know the correct answer I feel that an opportunity to attract 
newcomers was lost.  
Cheers,
Sylvia Miskoe, Concord, NH USA