Re: [Callers] Applause or Not...

[Erik Hoffman via Callers]

Sometimes it's hit and miss -- it seems like it's in the stars, no 
applause, next time raucous appreciation. Sometimes you know you're not 
up to your best, or you can tell the band is lagging or lacking. Still, 
that's the night when everyone comes up and says, "Great Dance, That was 
Better than Wild Asparagus," (comparagus, as Peter Barnes used to say -- 
don't know if it happens much any more...). Sometimes you're on top of 
everything, the band is hot, your teaching is good, your right with the 
music when calling, and people come up and say, "what's wrong tonight." 
Sometimes there's not much you can do. But:


As I mentioned earlier, certain communities develop certain habits.

* If I'm dancing, I make sure I applaud with aplomb.
* I do quiet down when the teaching starts.
* I, too, don't teach in the walk-thru. If there really is a problem, I 
ask the caller to address it. If I can get away with it, I teach 
non-verbally.


(Comments addressing other comments and threads.)

But I do still wonder, how to get a community to alter their habits. 
And, if their habit is non-applause on a regular basis, I'd like to 
teach them. Habits, one of the most challenging things to alter...


Now, if they looked at each other and bumped hips, or gave each other a 
high-five, or hugs all around, as mentioned about square dancing, I'd 
take that as applause. But if they just wander off, it still leaves me 
wondering.


~erik hoffman
oakland, ca


On 4/23/2015 10:18 AM, Kalia Kliban via Callers wrote:

On 4/22/2015 7:08 PM, Erik Hoffman via Callers 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?



I had that experience a while back at one of our local contras, when I 
was calling with a really hot band.  We'd finish a dance, get a few 
claps and then just crickets.  It was really depressing and upsetting. 
The dances were going ok, the music was smoking and then... nothing. 
I've just looked back into my dance log and the comment I wrote later 
that night was "I don’t know what was up, but it felt bad-weird from 
the stage."  Applause really does make a difference.


Kalia
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Re: [Callers] Applause or Not...

[Donald Primrose via Callers]

Good morning,

Its been my experience that dancers routinely applaud after each set.. I do
so as well even when calling..turning to the band and acknowledging them. I
go one step further and ask for additional acknowledgment/applause not just
for the band, I ask for a hand for the hall. Paying respect for the hall,
reaches out to the community at large and acknowledges the contribution
from those whom preceded us making the dance possible.

-don primrose
Nelson, NH

On Thu, Apr 23, 2015 at 11:24 AM, Linda Leslie via Callers <
callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> This is a great topic! Thanks for bringing it up, Erik.
> A few thoughts:
> **I introduce the band before the first dance. "Let's give a warm welcome
> to."  I like to gently set up expectations.
> **If the dancers don't remember to applaud, I remind them, even if it
> means doing this more than once in an evening.
> **Especially during the waltz, I will get off the stage, and mix among the
> dancers, and then applaud like crazy when they end. I've also been known to
> hoot. Nothing like a role model!
> **I, too, have stopped calling for a few series because of not getting
> anything back. I'ld rather spend my time and energy calling for a group
> that has decided that it is just as important to take care of me and the
> band, as it is for me and the band to take care of them., even for a lot
> less money.
> **And for this last reason, I respectfully disagree with Barb, who said "you
> were rocking - but i just needed the community tonight.  don't be offended
> :-D"I don't think these two things are mutually exclusive: dancers can
> get their needs met, and still help the band/caller have their needs met.
> Linda Leslie
>
> On Apr 23, 2015, at 8:57 AM, Perry Shafran via Callers <
> callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
> Erik (and all),
>
> You certainly hit on one of the issues for me.  I remember calling in one
> community with a pretty well-known popular band, and I gave the band their
> props, as I usually do, but I could not get the dancers to applaud the
> band.  Maybe a bit more at the end of the night, but not much during the
> dance.  OK, I might not be the most well-known popular callers but the band
> is and travelled a long way for not a lot of money and some appreciation
> would be nice.
>
> OTOH, I was in another community, with a local band, and I and the band
> got TONS of applause that night.  It really made me special and as a result
> put that community in a special place in my heart.  I was grateful.  The
> other community kind of gave me that "eh" feeling.  Maybe I called better
> dances in the place I got applause, or maybe I explained things better, I
> don't know.
>
> I know that when I'm dancing I always give applause to all bands and
> callers.  Even if they had off nights.  They are all part of our community,
> too, and communities support bands and callers.
>
> Perry
>
>
> 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
>
>


-- 
Don Primrose
Founder, Board Chair
Hundred Nights Inc.  Cold Weather Shelter and Open Doors Resource Center

[Callers] Applause or Not...

[Kalia Kliban via Callers]

On 4/22/2015 7:08 PM, Erik Hoffman via Callers 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?



I had that experience a while back at one of our local contras, when I 
was calling with a really hot band.  We'd finish a dance, get a few 
claps and then just crickets.  It was really depressing and upsetting. 
The dances were going ok, the music was smoking and then... nothing. 
I've just looked back into my dance log and the comment I wrote later 
that night was "I don’t know what was up, but it felt bad-weird from the 
stage."  Applause really does make a difference.


Kalia

Re: [Callers] Applause or Not...

[Linda Leslie via Callers]

This is a great topic! Thanks for bringing it up, Erik. 
A few thoughts:
**I introduce the band before the first dance. “Let’s give a warm welcome 
to…..”  I like to gently set up expectations.
**If the dancers don’t remember to applaud, I remind them, even if it means 
doing this more than once in an evening.
**Especially during the waltz, I will get off the stage, and mix among the 
dancers, and then applaud like crazy when they end. I’ve also been known to 
hoot. Nothing like a role model!
**I, too, have stopped calling for a few series because of not getting anything 
back. I’ld rather spend my time and energy calling for a group that has decided 
that it is just as important to take care of me and the band, as it is for me 
and the band to take care of them., even for a lot less money.
**And for this last reason, I respectfully disagree with Barb, who said "you 
were rocking - but i just needed the community tonight.  don't be offended :-D” 
   I don’t think these two things are mutually exclusive: dancers can get their 
needs met, and still help the band/caller have their needs met.
Linda Leslie

On Apr 23, 2015, at 8:57 AM, Perry Shafran via Callers 
 wrote:

> Erik (and all),
> 
> You certainly hit on one of the issues for me.  I remember calling in one 
> community with a pretty well-known popular band, and I gave the band their 
> props, as I usually do, but I could not get the dancers to applaud the band.  
> Maybe a bit more at the end of the night, but not much during the dance.  OK, 
> I might not be the most well-known popular callers but the band is and 
> travelled a long way for not a lot of money and some appreciation would be 
> nice.
> 
> OTOH, I was in another community, with a local band, and I and the band got 
> TONS of applause that night.  It really made me special and as a result put 
> that community in a special place in my heart.  I was grateful.  The other 
> community kind of gave me that "eh" feeling.  Maybe I called better dances in 
> the place I got applause, or maybe I explained things better, I don't know.  
> 
> I know that when I'm dancing I always give applause to all bands and callers. 
>  Even if they had off nights.  They are all part of our community, too, and 
> communities support bands and callers.
> 
> Perry
> 
> 
> 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
> 

Re: [Callers] Applause or Not...

[Perry Shafran via Callers]

Erik (and all),
You certainly hit on one of the issues for me.  I remember calling in one 
community with a pretty well-known popular band, and I gave the band their 
props, as I usually do, but I could not get the dancers to applaud the band.  
Maybe a bit more at the end of the night, but not much during the dance.  OK, I 
might not be the most well-known popular callers but the band is and travelled 
a long way for not a lot of money and some appreciation would be nice.
OTOH, I was in another community, with a local band, and I and the band got 
TONS of applause that night.  It really made me special and as a result put 
that community in a special place in my heart.  I was grateful.  The other 
community kind of gave me that "eh" feeling.  Maybe I called better dances in 
the place I got applause, or maybe I explained things better, I don't know.  

I know that when I'm dancing I always give applause to all bands and callers.  
Even if they had off nights.  They are all part of our community, too, and 
communities support bands and callers.
Perry

  From: Erik Hoffman via Callers <callers@lists.sharedweight.net>
 To: trad-dance-call...@yahoogroups.com; callers 
<callers@lists.sharedweight.net> 
 Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2015 10:08 PM
 Subject: [Callers] Applause or Not...
   
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


___
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Re: [Callers] [trad-dance-callers] Applause or Not...

[Judy greenhill via Callers]

My line is always "Live musicians appreciate live applause". It usually gets
a laugh-and applause!



Judy Greenhill





> To: trad-dance-call...@yahoogroups.com; callers@lists.sharedweight.net
> From: trad-dance-call...@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2015 19:08:11 -0700
> Subject: [trad-dance-callers] Applause or Not...
> 
> 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
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> The Traditional Dance Callers List: Subscribe by sending a blank e-mail
message (no subject, no message) to:
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> 
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> https://info.yahoo.com/legal/us/yahoo/utos/terms/
> 



---
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Re: [Callers] Applause or Not...

[Winston, Alan P. via Callers]

As a caller I model applauding the band - I just stand there and clap.  
I also try the occasional "and how about this music!" over the mic, 
especially after they've done something good; that usually gets some 
results.  And I usually manage to remember reintroducing the band at the 
break; the fact that I'm introducing them enthusiastically seems to hit 
the applause button.


But I've rarely hit the locations you refer to.

-- Alan

On 4/22/2015 7:08 PM, Erik Hoffman via Callers 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
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Re: [Callers] Applause or Not...

[Maia McCormick via Callers]

I often announce the band again, possibly with a "give a big hand to..."

On Wed, Apr 22, 2015 at 10:08 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
>

Re: [Callers] [trad-dance-callers] Applause or Not...

[barb kirchner via Callers]

u...just got a notification that i was not a member...but i've been a 
member for a long time.  why did i get the notification if i wasn't a member???

To: trad-dance-call...@yahoogroups.com; callers@lists.sharedweight.net
From: trad-dance-call...@yahoogroups.com
List-Post: callers@lists.sharedweight.net
Date: Thu, 23 Apr 2015 02:16:23 +
Subject: RE: [trad-dance-callers] Applause or Not...














 

 



  



  
  
  


very good point!
but i would also like to point out that dancers have many different reasons for 
coming to dances.  some of them are to hear you play, but a lot of them are not!
are you talking travelling talent?  or local dance?
seriously - spent a LONG time as a dancer before i ever thought of call or 
playing.  although i may have absolutely loved a caller or band, i may have 
just come because i needed a hug. 
you were rocking - but i just needed the community tonight.  don't be offended 
:-D
cheers,
a plain old dancer


> To: trad-dance-call...@yahoogroups.com; callers@lists.sharedweight.net
> From: trad-dance-call...@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2015 19:08:11 -0700
> Subject: [trad-dance-callers] Applause or Not...
> 
> 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
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> The Traditional Dance Callers List: Subscribe by sending a blank e-mail 
> message (no subject, no message) to: 
> trad-dance-callers-subscr...@yahoogroups.com
> 
> 
> Yahoo Groups Links
> 
> <*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/trad-dance-callers/
> 
> <*> Your email settings:
> Individual Email | Traditional
> 
> <*> To change settings online go to:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/trad-dance-callers/join
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> https://info.yahoo.com/legal/us/yahoo/utos/terms/
> 
  




 


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Re: [Callers] [trad-dance-callers] Applause or Not...

[barb kirchner via Callers]

very good point!
but i would also like to point out that dancers have many different reasons for 
coming to dances.  some of them are to hear you play, but a lot of them are not!
are you talking travelling talent?  or local dance?
seriously - spent a LONG time as a dancer before i ever thought of call or 
playing.  although i may have absolutely loved a caller or band, i may have 
just come because i needed a hug. 
you were rocking - but i just needed the community tonight.  don't be offended 
:-D
cheers,
a plain old dancer


> To: trad-dance-call...@yahoogroups.com; callers@lists.sharedweight.net
> From: trad-dance-call...@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2015 19:08:11 -0700
> Subject: [trad-dance-callers] Applause or Not...
> 
> 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
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> The Traditional Dance Callers List: Subscribe by sending a blank e-mail 
> message (no subject, no message) to: 
> trad-dance-callers-subscr...@yahoogroups.com
> 
> 
> Yahoo Groups Links
> 
> <*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/trad-dance-callers/
> 
> <*> Your email settings:
> Individual Email | Traditional
> 
> <*> To change settings online go to:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/trad-dance-callers/join
> (Yahoo! ID required)
> 
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> 
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> 
> <*> Your use of Yahoo Groups is subject to:
> https://info.yahoo.com/legal/us/yahoo/utos/terms/
> 
  

[Callers] Applause or Not...

[Erik Hoffman via Callers]

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