Again With The Men Back
Aug 20, 2010
Some community driven folk within the Cleveland Dance Family have ventured out to offer dancers in the area and outlet and opportunity to socialize and boogie (Woooohoooo). Tyrone Brown & Family offer a FREE weekly set at really nice venue in one of Cleveland's suburbs. This venture is the motivation for one dance family member's topic of interest...
How can we make Steppin' more attractive/ appealing to more men. We have done free classes, and workshops, free music, and food. I would like to hear from anyone who feels that the Free Friday Set at Capers is working to attract new men. It is excellent exposure for us in a new Venue packed with Bootie Shakers and Line Dancer. We are getting new women in Ballroom and Steppin', but no men!
The Dance Doctor has spoken at length on this subject so I refer any & all to that commentary if you haven't already read it… he talks about how we treat our men on the set, especially the beginners, they aim to please and to not feels as failure would… BAD. He goes on to say that being a bit more sensitive to their plight, more nurturing and encouraging could go a long way to alleviating the issue. I haven't given his piece a bit of justice in this bitty blurb so please, if you're interested, check out the Dave Maxx the Dance Doctor to get the context in its entirety.
As for my take… I think we should ask the men who are presently engaged (and thus at some point had to have been attracted) what made the difference for them. What got them interested and what kept them coming. I'm all for a Steppin' Men Think Tank and Street Team to collectively hash out the problem, brainstorm possible solutions, then come back to the greater community to let us know what they need from us to get the job done. GO TEAM!
From my limited perspective (not being a man and all, lol) all I can offer is some observations. It seems that men want to be able to get on the floor quickly. Now obviously, the neo is not going to be fluid with all the "super turns & tricks" they think the women so heartily enjoy, straight out the gate. But the basic pattern… maybe a personal turn in time… that's doable - early. So what if we (ladies) could take the pressure off the men to "perform"? Hows about we show our appreciation of the process by expressing our enjoyment with just "dancing" while they work out putting the pieces together? We say we want attentive partners but when do we give them an opportunity to pay attention to what we say we want them to pay attention to? In the meanwhile, we could get to this "footwork" we've been screaming about for years. Here's your chance to fit it in (cause goodness knows you won't make it happen in the middle of that triple lute). Remember…"social" dance… it's about music, interaction, expression. So enjoy (if not listen) to the music, interact with your partner, express your joy and allow your partner to do the same. Let his Steppin' proficiency be the by product instead of the main focus...
A good friend in the Cleveland Dance Family started a mentoring initiative. Basically, the point was for all the "advanced" men to take a few newbies under their wing… work with them on their dance, hang out, introduce them to the community, host them on the scene, etc. I thought it was a wonderful idea but I didn't see many actually seeing it through. The initiator did and most of his men show me a really good time on the floor. even without all the "tricks".
A member of the Akron Dance Family considered starting a social club that had nothing to do with Steppin' (or even dance for that matter) as a means to bring men together first and foremost then eventually introduce them to Steppin'. I don't know that the idea ever got any feet but the idea seems valid… if guys are into that sort of thing. What are guys into anyway?
I think this whole bit is a matter of awareness and creativity. Become aware of what is causing the hold up and create ways to squash all that. Create an environment that is attractive, and more importantly engaging to men… then tell them about it… show them and appreciate them… Collectively I'm sure we can pull this off.
So here's the call to action… if you're going to post a potential "hold up" in the system, I also need you to post a possible "solution" to alleviate the block. Put your thinking caps on and see both sides…
Ready, set, GO!
How can we make Steppin' more attractive/ appealing to more men. We have done free classes, and workshops, free music, and food. I would like to hear from anyone who feels that the Free Friday Set at Capers is working to attract new men. It is excellent exposure for us in a new Venue packed with Bootie Shakers and Line Dancer. We are getting new women in Ballroom and Steppin', but no men!
The Dance Doctor has spoken at length on this subject so I refer any & all to that commentary if you haven't already read it… he talks about how we treat our men on the set, especially the beginners, they aim to please and to not feels as failure would… BAD. He goes on to say that being a bit more sensitive to their plight, more nurturing and encouraging could go a long way to alleviating the issue. I haven't given his piece a bit of justice in this bitty blurb so please, if you're interested, check out the Dave Maxx the Dance Doctor to get the context in its entirety.
As for my take… I think we should ask the men who are presently engaged (and thus at some point had to have been attracted) what made the difference for them. What got them interested and what kept them coming. I'm all for a Steppin' Men Think Tank and Street Team to collectively hash out the problem, brainstorm possible solutions, then come back to the greater community to let us know what they need from us to get the job done. GO TEAM!
From my limited perspective (not being a man and all, lol) all I can offer is some observations. It seems that men want to be able to get on the floor quickly. Now obviously, the neo is not going to be fluid with all the "super turns & tricks" they think the women so heartily enjoy, straight out the gate. But the basic pattern… maybe a personal turn in time… that's doable - early. So what if we (ladies) could take the pressure off the men to "perform"? Hows about we show our appreciation of the process by expressing our enjoyment with just "dancing" while they work out putting the pieces together? We say we want attentive partners but when do we give them an opportunity to pay attention to what we say we want them to pay attention to? In the meanwhile, we could get to this "footwork" we've been screaming about for years. Here's your chance to fit it in (cause goodness knows you won't make it happen in the middle of that triple lute). Remember…"social" dance… it's about music, interaction, expression. So enjoy (if not listen) to the music, interact with your partner, express your joy and allow your partner to do the same. Let his Steppin' proficiency be the by product instead of the main focus...
A good friend in the Cleveland Dance Family started a mentoring initiative. Basically, the point was for all the "advanced" men to take a few newbies under their wing… work with them on their dance, hang out, introduce them to the community, host them on the scene, etc. I thought it was a wonderful idea but I didn't see many actually seeing it through. The initiator did and most of his men show me a really good time on the floor. even without all the "tricks".
A member of the Akron Dance Family considered starting a social club that had nothing to do with Steppin' (or even dance for that matter) as a means to bring men together first and foremost then eventually introduce them to Steppin'. I don't know that the idea ever got any feet but the idea seems valid… if guys are into that sort of thing. What are guys into anyway?
I think this whole bit is a matter of awareness and creativity. Become aware of what is causing the hold up and create ways to squash all that. Create an environment that is attractive, and more importantly engaging to men… then tell them about it… show them and appreciate them… Collectively I'm sure we can pull this off.
So here's the call to action… if you're going to post a potential "hold up" in the system, I also need you to post a possible "solution" to alleviate the block. Put your thinking caps on and see both sides…
Ready, set, GO!
