Let's try this again....

[lenora_rose]

So, I never did get back to the computer after choir practice (The part of my excuse I can say in public is that my brother ran into abacchus  and Brenna, and they came over for a while. The rest is a nevermind.)

Let's see if I can recreate what I was trying to say yesterday.

Now that VP is not only done but decidedly so, I wanted to once again air a couple of ideas I'd put on the backburner.

Idea # 1 - Dance!

While part of this is that I just need to get out to the Barony's dance practices again (When I was going more regularly, a lack of ladies was an ongoing problem, so this may be good for more than myself, but winter is coming, but I could surely use the exercise).

But I had another, bigger, thought, which is that I would really like to organize one week when all, or as many as possible, of the dancers who were regulars about two years ago would all come out to a Wednesday practice en masse, preferably with the tape set that isn't Thrym's (The ones Brannie used to bring out) with them.

The idea isn't to take over from Thrym (In fact I specifically anticipate him still running most of the practice, though different teachers may take over for the dances he doesn't know), it's just to get these folk out and dancing again. There are a great many of them I never see socially, and I've missed. The second set of tapes is so requests from all sides can be covered; Thrym has some music Brannie never had, Brannie has some that Thrym is missing.

When I mentioned this to Chen, he pointed out that, since Dance is somehow the Magical Political Sticking Point of the Barony, this will inevitably be seen as a political thing. So I want to make this abundantly clear:

The political point of this is as follows: DANCE IS FUN. It's more fun with a greater number of people. Those who used to come out every week seemed to know this. I'd love to see a dance practice with 19 or 25 people again. That's all the point on my part, that's all I want.

But because I know the personalities of the people I'm dealing with, I have to add:

I've been to dance under Thrym, Luanie, Brannie, and now Thrym again. I've done demos run by Faerisa and Gabriella. I've seen plenty of people refuse to give a new teacher a chance based on something that happened early on before they were even settled in, or some grievance that has nothing to do with the steps. Yet one thing I've noticed; points of technique and focus may change, but the steps stay the same, and the steps stay fun. I want those who coem to be OPEN to this idea. Anyone who thinks this is a chance to "show them" (But doesn't finish the sentence with "-our hospitality/friendliness/willingness to learn"), air my old grievances or imagined grievances, etc, is NOT welcome. Anyone who says "Well, I won't cause trouble, but if s/he says one word, I'll..." is actually in this for trouble, but doesn't want to be blamed. Also not welcome. The only attitude to bring is, "I won't cause trouble, and if someone else looks like they'll start, I'll smile at them and suggest another dance!" I want people, those who are current regulars, and those who've been out before, to be willing to listen to other points of view, and discuss things, not flat demand their way.

I've been in this Barony for ten years, and I know I have to put that paragraph in, but I so so so don't believe I should ever have to.

 

Item # 2 - MUSIC!

Much less controversial. I've been in music circles with the SCA, with the filkers, with the folkies (Who pretty much *are* the filkers 'round here), and a sing-along with people from my church. There's a lot of common ground, and I think some of these groups would have fun hearing more of what the others do. It would give old standards a new audience, and it would be, hell, fun.

I have no idea where to hold a music circle, though, as our place isn't big enough. But if anyone can come up with a good idea, it would be a kind of fun thing to get together.

The "rules" would be about those you get in any circle: everyone who wants a turn can have one, anyone who doesn't want to play, or wants to wait a while, is not pressured, but is encouraged, joining in on another person's performance is okay so long as the original perfomer remains centre stage. (The way to decide whose turn comes next varies...but it's easy enough to agree on at the moment).

So, thoughts?