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Katy
11 Posts |
 Posted - 10/10/2006 : 5:45:50 PM
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AKA- playing well with others.
So in CT we have a somewhat unique issue of multiple swing organizations in a small amount of area. Not only within connecticut, but extending to adjacent states as well. Our swing community is not within one city, it isn't even within one state, we truly are a regional dance community. Which provides us with many wonderful dances, which is a great thing.
Lately, we've had a few of the local scenes in the region really start to grow. This is a great thing! I don't think you can ever have too many dancers. But, it strains the issue of what I like to call "playing well with others"... with so many more dances popping up, how do we continue to play well with a larger group of organizations and keep it from being a competition for attendance?
Thoughts? Opinions? Suggestions?
~Katy |
~KVL~ |
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bandanaguy
74 Posts |
Posted - 10/17/2006 : 09:32:03 AM
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Most of the swing dance organizations are aware of the others' events, and we try not to schedule conflicting ones. CSDS will usually call around if we are bringing in an out of state instructor to make sure no one else is planning anything around that date.
Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending how you look at it!) there are so many swing dance events happening in CT and the surrounding area (MA, NY, RI) that is has become impossible to schedule something without any conflicts. |
I wish I knew now what I knew then... |
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Dancelot
USA
4 Posts |
Posted - 10/18/2006 : 12:38:17 PM
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There's several variables which make a difference. The reason for the multiple swing scenes is to serve different geographic areas. Generally, casual dancers are readily willing to drive 1/2 hour to an event, more passionate dancers, one hour and there's fewer of them. New Haven, West Hartford and East Lyme are all an hour from each other so that's about right to serve the different areas. Vinnie's is in between them all - 1/2 to 3/4 hour and serves it's own crowd although there are a higher % of passionate dancers that travel further to get to Vinnie's than the other venues.
The flavor of music matters also. Vinnie's plays music slanted more towards experienced dancers. CT Swing, Hartford Swing and Shoreline Swing present music chosen for less experienced dancers to enjoy.
In any case, there are millions of people in CT. New dancers show up regularly. A question for every group is how to keep people coming back. If each scene keeps both their new and existing dancers coming back, there will be plenty of support for each venue. There's a handful of reasons why people continue and why they don't. Some we can affect, some we can't.
CSDS started the practice sessions to help people grow which has been helping. We have experimented with a "Dance Buddies" concept to get people dancing and mixed in when they're new, we haven't focused on that lately and probably should look at it again. That can make a big difference when we do it right. We are looking for ways to do better still. |
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swing "politics"
