When calling I try to remember to call attention to the band several times during an evening. I'll say something enthusiastically, like, "How about this band?!" I will try to introduce them more than once by individual names. I will even go as far as to step away from the mic and whoop during a dance and clap at the end of dances to try to set an example.
When sitting out, or when dancing, if the crowd is unresponsive I will whoop. It often reminds dancers that they are dancing to live music and that they are enjoying it. If I am teaching a lesson I mention that it is customary to thank the band after each dance before finding another partner. I will even remind them to do so after the first couple of dances. Once in a while I make a real point of it, asking people to stop and really applaud. I think now I will also mention the positive feedback loop. -Amy > On Apr 22, 2015, at 7:08 PM, Erik Hoffman via Callers > <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > > Hi All, > > There are several places where almost no applause occurs after a dance. In > some communities, when I've been subjected to that experience, I've asked, > "were we off tonight?" The reply usually is something like, "no, the dance > was fine (or even great), we just head for our next partner..." I know > sometimes it's just the night. Sometimes, though, it's the community's habit. > I spoke with a renowned musician the other day, who will no longer play for a > certain series. One of the reasons: lack of applause -- lack of that palpable > sense of appreciation. > > I think dancers don't often know that applause really makes the band and > caller feel better. If they feel better they play better. And, as a dancer, > applause usually makes me feel better, too. Any ideas on how to encourage > applause? Or, if you're in one of those communities where applause is > minimal, does it bother you? > > ~erik hoffman > oakland, ca > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > Callers@lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
