While our story with the Lenox (MA) Contra Dance isn't one of
rescuing a dimishing dance, it is a story of transition, like Lisa's
below. Doing it over time helped up. the original organizer for our
dance, Michael, did most of the work himself for about three years.
But he was tiring of it, so he decided to ask for some people to help
him. The group ended up being 6 of us, which is really a good
working size group. We met with him sporadically as his needs
dictated, but we also each took on pieces here and there. Still, it
was his baby, and while he sought input on some questions, we all
agreed that decisions were really his to make. We functioned in this
way for maybe 18 months or so... I'm a little shaky on the timing,
but basically we did it this way for a long enough time that our
group got to know one another better, and got to know about what
Michael was doing, etc. When the time came for Michael to quit, the
result mostly of taking on a new and challenging job, but also being
tired of doing the dance, we were able to pick up quite smoothly. We
had performers booked for several dances ahead, we had a committment
from the owners of the hall where we danced, so there were no crises
immediately in front of us.
And then as a group things blossomed in ways that a single organizer
would have a difficult time doing all on his/her own. We got a
website up, we got more publicity going, we were able to book further
ahead (just that job takes a lot of time and attention to
communications and changes in peoples' schedules) and we solidified
some policies. Moving out from that point we've focussed on getting
new dancers (which obviously is the key for a failing dance, but is
also just as vital for a successful and ongoing dance...) with some
significant gains there.
The lesson in our story is that the originator of the dance didn't
burnout and jump ship. When he began to build a group to support him
there were no immediate responsibilities for the new members. By the
time we needed to step in, we were really ready.
One last perspective, and I know that I've mentioned this in earlier
postings, is that our group feels like we're the custodians of our
dance... and that we're doing it for the sake of the dance
community. We try to keep the dancers informed with what we're doing
(potential special dances, guarantees policy for bookings, efforts to
attract and keep new dancers, financial considerations, etc.), and we
invite participation where it makes sense. Alan or Jeffrey made
reference to dancers who are just consumers... and that's a valuable
way to look at it. Consumers are fickle. Community members bring a
sense of belonging and connectedness. One leads to constant
scrambling to attract new buyers, and the other leads to creating an
environment that generates interest in each other, and networks of
friendships. One strives to maintain, the other works to be
sustainable.
Stephen Moore
Lenox (MA) Contra Dance
On Mar 6, 2008, at 7:19 AM, Chris Weiler wrote:
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [Callers] dance in transition
Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2008 06:58:59 -0500
From: Lisa Sieverts <[email protected]>
Reply-To: Caller's discussion list <[email protected]>
To: Caller's discussion list <[email protected]>
References: <[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
And I'll just add one short story:
I founded and ran the dance in Boise Idaho for about 8 years. We had
a committee, but I took care of most of the details. When I was
getting ready to leave and move east, I was worried about what would
happen.
Not only did the committee step up to the plate, but they got many
more people involved, with the result that the dance is FAR STRONGER
now than when I was running it single-handedly.
Sometimes the best thing is for the obsessive-compulsive founder to
stop. The reality is that she doesn't need to do everything, and the
dance is much better off if a bunch of people share the work.
Or, as Alan says, let it die. (great post, Alan)
Lisa
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