my 2 cents worth: Found contra dancing in 1992 at Glen Echo in Md. They did a newcomer's session there --- moved to No. California in 1999 - they did them out here at all the dances.
whenever I am doing a newomer's workshop before a dance - I always tell those folks present - Contra dancing is EASY - you don't need lessons to contra dance - it's Not about being perfect -- it is about having FUN - and sharing the joy of the music and the dance with the other folks on the dance floor. - we offer the session to give folks an opportunity to lesrn how the dsnce flows - what progression is - how to swing comfortably and end where you need to be safely -- what a courtesy turn is - hand holds that don't hurt -- what gets taught is dictated in part by how many newbies show up and how early they arrive. I talk fairly quickly thru the session so they have to listen closely - cause when the music and dancing starts - things move rather quickly. I think of the 'newbie' session as a bridge --- helps to move an individual towards hearing/listening to a Caller - and more importantly towards becoming a member of a [4 person]group - accomplishing a figure together -- then moving along to form another group - and doing that over and over again thru the dance. I call in Northern California and fortunately many experienced dancers step up and participate in the newcomers sessions and they are good about partnering the 'newbies' so they are taken care of during those crucial first dances and thru the evening. Mavis L McGaugh 510-814-8118 (answering machine-leave message) --- On Fri, 9/2/11, Hanny Budnick <kyr...@cavtel.net> wrote: > From: Hanny Budnick <kyr...@cavtel.net> > Subject: [Callers] When did pre-dance beginners' workshops start in YOUR area? > To: millst...@valley.net, "Caller's discussion list" > <call...@sharedweight.net> > Date: Friday, September 2, 2011, 1:04 PM > I have encountered these pre-dance > introductions only outside of New England. When I > reintroduced contra dancing in Philadelphia in the early > seventies, we did only traditional dances which are - in my > opinion - very beginner-friendly anyway and didn't need > extra introductions, not even the triple minors. > I've noticed the change to offer a pre-dance workshop ca. > 20 years ago. > When I'm calling in other areas, I usually let the local > leaders handle the early intro because they are familiar > with their scene. The Glenside Thursday night dance in the > Philly area always has an introductory 20 minutes for > newcomers either by the caller-coordinator of the evening or > the out-of-town caller. > When calling abroad, I start with easily accessible dances > and build on them, but I don't use pre-dance workshops. > Hanny, Danzmeestersche > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > call...@sharedweight.net > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >
