That's fine for a dance weekend. I would NEVER do anything at a community dance event that excludes anyone - especially new dancers.
Consider this... When you know a medley is coming - make it a point to dance with a new dancer. What an accomplishment to help them successfully navigate through a series of dances without the benefit of a walk thru. That would be such a thril for a new dancer - and so it should be for you too. I you want to do dances without new dancers - save it for dance weekends. These are community events - not athletic contests. Just my opinion - but I am happy to say that new dancers in our community are not excluded from any dances. The credit not only goes to our callers but also to the wonderful contributions of our experienced dancers. Not wanting to be 'stuck' with a beginner on longer dances tells me you do not enjoy dancing with them. That is a shame some of my most memorable dance experiences have been with a new partner. So - how then do you handle the experienced dancers who have not progressed beyond the beginner level but consider themselves skilled enough to try any dance? Mac ________________________________ From: Greg McKenzie <greken...@gmail.com> To: Caller's discussion list <call...@sharedweight.net> Sent: Tue, February 1, 2011 2:48:03 PM Subject: Re: [Callers] Developing a Culture of Inclusiveness. Was: Calling medleys Richard wrote: >This is all interesting - can someone explain where this leaves the less >experienced dancer? > >A medley is the place where they need the most help from the more >experienced. > >Unless we put them all in the same line and watch them scramble. > >Or should we just invite them not to dance? > >It really doesn't bother me to dance with a newer dancer for a couple extra >minutes. Unfortunately, medleys don't bode well for newcomers. That is the point. When a caller announces the warning: "For the next dance there will be no walk-through," this is almost surely interpreted by newcomers to be an invitation not to dance that slot. Rich wrote: >Perhaps we're talking about a different sort of medley. That may be the case. I have never seen the "short" medley you speak of. Do you announce your medley's in advance? Do you warn the dancers that there will be "no walk through?" - Greg _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list call...@sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
