So this one time (Febuary 3rd 4th and 5th 2006) I am throwing a huge swing dance party workshop thing. It will be called the Quebec Swing Rendez-Vous. But this thread is not intended to be advertising, that will come later. I wanted to lay out my artistic thoughts and get some feed back from dancers and other organizers.
I started thinking about this crazy plan about a year ago. I start with a little back ground on the swing scene in Quebec. *Note also that when I say Quebec here I mean the city not the provence.
Quebec's Swing scene started 5 years ago. It went something like this:
Nothing
Crappy dancing
Bejamin
Good Dancing
Portoswing
Amazing performance dancing, but everyone dancing the same
Present day - Good dancing with a little diversity but not alot.
Since I'm from Detroit where everyone has there own style and all the other style's suck, this was a little wierd at first. One of the other weird things was that the only workshops that people attended were the events with Natalie and Uval. Which is great, but I couldn't figure out why when people tried to bring other instructors no one came to the events.
So I'm going to try and get them to come to my event. Since Quebec is so isolated I understand that it is hard for everyone to traval, hence similar styles. So I am bringing the travaling scene to them. I want to encourage diversity and get people dancing in different ways and styles.
Learning in Detroit I got a little bit of everything and could fake my way through anything, I guess that's what I want to give to Quebec for a weekend.
So I plan on using the format of the Oberline Jazz Dance Festival. Meaning: Lots of dancing, a good amount of classes and 1 fun competition no more.
Oh and I want to encourage drinking as well! I almost forgot that one, I learn that in Detroit too!
I plan on having classes on 5 styles; Lindy Hop, Balbo, Shag, Charleston and The Blues. I want enthustiastic teachers so far I have contacted Adam and Marcie (Detroit/Flordia), Jason and Julie(Detroit/Windsor), Kelly and Laura(Detroit), and Solomon(Where ever the hell he is now).
I'm planning on reaching alot of the beginner dancers in Quebec with the classes and the advanced ones with the music at the dances. I'm hoping for a bit of out of towners to show up as well. We planned it on the middle weekend of Carnaval to get the tourist draw of Quebec. We already have some europeans interessed.
So... sorry about that stream of consciousness. But what advice / ideas do you have for keeping the idea of showing the rest of the dance world to quebec with out going bankrupt at the same time. What would make you traval to Quebec in the cold and what would defenatly keep you away?
Thank you in advance,
Nathan Detroit
P.S. - I'm not proof reading so sorry about all the error's that I'm sure are there.
Originally posted Tuesday, July 26, 2005 (6 years ago)
I'd say the Carnival would be the biggest draw to make me come, as any kind of dancing is good dancing. Whenever I travel, I check the area for things I'm interested in and plan my trip around them accordingly. So if I'm thinking of traveling to Quebec for the Carnival, I'd definitely try to make the dance workshop. Any way you could advertise jointly with them, or other attractions?
Originally posted Wednesday, July 27, 2005 (6 years ago)
You might want to look at some of the more popular dance camps: Beantown, Swing Out New Hampshire, Oakland Swing Dance Festival, etc. and get some ideas of popular instructors, schedule format, etc. You mentioned that Nathalie and Yuval were popular workshop instructors - they are dance champions, most dancers recognize their names, and dancers are often attracted to that. If you want to attract a national crowd, you might want to get instructors who are well known nationally - just my 2c.
I wish you huge success!!
"Change your thoughts, and you change your world" - Norman Vincent Peale.
Originally posted Wednesday, July 27, 2005 (6 years ago)
Hey Nathan! waves
Congrats and good luck on this huge undertaking!
Ok so here's the deal: People want to go where people are going. But no one wants to be the first one going to get the ball rolling. Therein lies your biggest battle.
If you have good programming (good teachers, good live bands, good djs, good venues, etc) then half your work is done - but only half.
The biggest thing that has worked for me is to get people on your payroll. (Payroll really being a metaphor since we all know there is no actual pay involved in running swing events.) :wink:
Just get people on your team.
Start by identifying your audience. Do you want a local draw? Regional? National? International?
Generally, local and regional are the easiest and if you do well there it can spill over on its own to national and perhaps even international.
Start by figuring out who the VIPs are in the cities you're looking to target. Do you have friends who are dance teachers or well known dancers in those cities or people who are cruise director types who often organize road trips? Are they people who, if they were coming, might convince other people to come as well? (that is the big key, really)
Once you zoom in on who those people are, reach out to them personally and individually and ask them to be a part of what you're doing in some way. If all your programming slots are filled (teachers, DJs, etc.) then offer them free attendance in exchange for them doing promo for you. Ya know, let them come and hang out and enjoy themselves at no cost. Not a bad offer, really.
But they really should do the promo. They should be in charge of posting in on their web boards, passing out flyers, announcing it at dances, talking it up to friends, etc.
I've definitely had significant success using this method. Some people poop out, but most people hold up the end of their bargain, really promote, and end up bringing in a few people each. Who in turn might bring in a few people each. And then, well, you get the idea from there.
It's weird, but a flyer or a website might make someone interested while a friend saying they're going makes someone buy a ticket.
And don't be afraid of the idea of comping people in like this. If they're actually doing work for you (promo) then they are part of the event and they deserve the free ticket. Plus if they do bring in a few bodies then it's well worth the money.
I guess in the end, buzz is key. But the right buzz, not just lots of loud random buzz. That's really just annoying. (Such a BIG lesson so many swing events should learn, but that's another thread)
Like I said above, individuals talking about going within their peer groups/cities/scenes is what will actually get someone interested in going.
All of this assumes you have planned a worthy event with a ticket price that's in people's budgets, of course. And if this is the case, then I suggest making my ideas a big area of focus for you. It's amazing what it can do.
Originally posted Wednesday, July 27, 2005 (6 years ago)
Quoted from "nathan_detroit" Quebec's Swing scene started 5 years ago. It went something like this:
Nothing
Crappy dancing
Bejamin
Good Dancing
Portoswing
Amazing performance dancing, but everyone dancing the same
Present day - Good dancing with a little diversity but not alot.
First thing: Get yourself some loungers.
Don't know if it will help the event, but in terms of the scene. You need yourself some damn loungers. :P
Originally posted Thursday, July 28, 2005 (6 years ago)
Nathan, I'll be there... and I'll bring as much of the Ottawa scene as I can muster.
Being that I also learned to dance in Detroit and then moved to an isolated scene were there is very little diversity (not Ottawa, before anyone takes that the wrong way), I understand and empathize with your mission. I'll support it in whatever ways I can. Just let me know if you need any help.
Originally posted Thursday, July 28, 2005 (6 years ago)
First, it's awesome that you are organizing a workshop, it sounds like your plans are on the right track.
I've never been to Q.C. so I can't comment on the specific situation however one of the issues with other instructors is they may not be recognizable names. Even on your list, Solomon is the only name I recognize (sorry, I've never danced in the detroit area). Given that dancers are used to Nat and Yuval, it would probably take a similar level of name recognition to get the same response. Steven and Virginie, Kevin and Carla, perhaps anyone associated with the Rhythm/Harlem Hot Shots would be examples. Anything less might be a tough sell.
Now, if you objective is to show that there is more to the world of Lindy Hop, might I suggest showcasing the instructors during the dance events. One of my favorite events is Camp Jitterbug, CJ is traditionally not a camp that has top tier instructors although the invited instructors are generally excellent. A few things Tonya does that probably relate to your goals are:
- Creative, engaging instructor bios. in promo. material
- Instructors jam during the evening dance before camp begins
- Unique/intriguing class offerings and creative class descriptions
- Lots of badass out of town dancers coming to the event
- a few spontaneous/semi-spontaneous jams
- dance routines/demos and/or competitions at one or more of the evening dances
Another idea, different than a traditional workshop weekend that we tried at PLEX (our (micro) exchange last March) was to have some of the visiting instructors teach one class on one of their specialties. We managed to introduce blues, Bal and Carolina Shag to a lot of people who otherwise wouldn't have taken a dedicated class. The classes were pretty low-key and were incorporated into the exchange so there was no obvious cost. It was pretty successful sparking interest to learn more. Perhaps in your case, you could do some low-key stuff in the fall as a lead-in to the main weekend.
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So this one time (Febuary 3rd 4th and 5th 2006) I am throwing a huge swing dance party workshop thing. It will be called the Quebec Swing Rendez-Vous. But this thread is not intended to be advertising, that will come later. I wanted to lay out my artistic thoughts and get some feed back from dancers and other organizers.
I started thinking about this crazy plan about a year ago. I start with a little back ground on the swing scene in Quebec. *Note also that when I say Quebec here I mean the city not the provence.
Quebec's Swing scene started 5 years ago. It went something like this: Nothing Crappy dancing Bejamin Good Dancing Portoswing Amazing performance dancing, but everyone dancing the same Present day - Good dancing with a little diversity but not alot.
Since I'm from Detroit where everyone has there own style and all the other style's suck, this was a little wierd at first. One of the other weird things was that the only workshops that people attended were the events with Natalie and Uval. Which is great, but I couldn't figure out why when people tried to bring other instructors no one came to the events.
So I'm going to try and get them to come to my event. Since Quebec is so isolated I understand that it is hard for everyone to traval, hence similar styles. So I am bringing the travaling scene to them. I want to encourage diversity and get people dancing in different ways and styles.
Learning in Detroit I got a little bit of everything and could fake my way through anything, I guess that's what I want to give to Quebec for a weekend.
So I plan on using the format of the Oberline Jazz Dance Festival. Meaning: Lots of dancing, a good amount of classes and 1 fun competition no more.
Oh and I want to encourage drinking as well! I almost forgot that one, I learn that in Detroit too!
I plan on having classes on 5 styles; Lindy Hop, Balbo, Shag, Charleston and The Blues. I want enthustiastic teachers so far I have contacted Adam and Marcie (Detroit/Flordia), Jason and Julie(Detroit/Windsor), Kelly and Laura(Detroit), and Solomon(Where ever the hell he is now).
I'm planning on reaching alot of the beginner dancers in Quebec with the classes and the advanced ones with the music at the dances. I'm hoping for a bit of out of towners to show up as well. We planned it on the middle weekend of Carnaval to get the tourist draw of Quebec. We already have some europeans interessed.
So... sorry about that stream of consciousness. But what advice / ideas do you have for keeping the idea of showing the rest of the dance world to quebec with out going bankrupt at the same time. What would make you traval to Quebec in the cold and what would defenatly keep you away?
Thank you in advance,
Nathan Detroit
P.S. - I'm not proof reading so sorry about all the error's that I'm sure are there.
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I'd say the Carnival would be the biggest draw to make me come, as any kind of dancing is good dancing. Whenever I travel, I check the area for things I'm interested in and plan my trip around them accordingly. So if I'm thinking of traveling to Quebec for the Carnival, I'd definitely try to make the dance workshop. Any way you could advertise jointly with them, or other attractions?
You might want to look at some of the more popular dance camps: Beantown, Swing Out New Hampshire, Oakland Swing Dance Festival, etc. and get some ideas of popular instructors, schedule format, etc. You mentioned that Nathalie and Yuval were popular workshop instructors - they are dance champions, most dancers recognize their names, and dancers are often attracted to that. If you want to attract a national crowd, you might want to get instructors who are well known nationally - just my 2c. I wish you huge success!!
"Change your thoughts, and you change your world" - Norman Vincent Peale.
Hey Nathan! waves
Congrats and good luck on this huge undertaking!
Ok so here's the deal: People want to go where people are going. But no one wants to be the first one going to get the ball rolling. Therein lies your biggest battle.
If you have good programming (good teachers, good live bands, good djs, good venues, etc) then half your work is done - but only half.
The biggest thing that has worked for me is to get people on your payroll. (Payroll really being a metaphor since we all know there is no actual pay involved in running swing events.) :wink: Just get people on your team.
Start by identifying your audience. Do you want a local draw? Regional? National? International? Generally, local and regional are the easiest and if you do well there it can spill over on its own to national and perhaps even international. Start by figuring out who the VIPs are in the cities you're looking to target. Do you have friends who are dance teachers or well known dancers in those cities or people who are cruise director types who often organize road trips? Are they people who, if they were coming, might convince other people to come as well? (that is the big key, really)
Once you zoom in on who those people are, reach out to them personally and individually and ask them to be a part of what you're doing in some way. If all your programming slots are filled (teachers, DJs, etc.) then offer them free attendance in exchange for them doing promo for you. Ya know, let them come and hang out and enjoy themselves at no cost. Not a bad offer, really. But they really should do the promo. They should be in charge of posting in on their web boards, passing out flyers, announcing it at dances, talking it up to friends, etc.
I've definitely had significant success using this method. Some people poop out, but most people hold up the end of their bargain, really promote, and end up bringing in a few people each. Who in turn might bring in a few people each. And then, well, you get the idea from there. It's weird, but a flyer or a website might make someone interested while a friend saying they're going makes someone buy a ticket.
And don't be afraid of the idea of comping people in like this. If they're actually doing work for you (promo) then they are part of the event and they deserve the free ticket. Plus if they do bring in a few bodies then it's well worth the money.
I guess in the end, buzz is key. But the right buzz, not just lots of loud random buzz. That's really just annoying. (Such a BIG lesson so many swing events should learn, but that's another thread)
Like I said above, individuals talking about going within their peer groups/cities/scenes is what will actually get someone interested in going.
All of this assumes you have planned a worthy event with a ticket price that's in people's budgets, of course. And if this is the case, then I suggest making my ideas a big area of focus for you. It's amazing what it can do.
Again, GOOD LUCK!!!
First thing: Get yourself some loungers.
Don't know if it will help the event, but in terms of the scene. You need yourself some damn loungers. :P
Martinis do not contain vodka. —Rachel Maddow
Nathan, I'll be there... and I'll bring as much of the Ottawa scene as I can muster.
Being that I also learned to dance in Detroit and then moved to an isolated scene were there is very little diversity (not Ottawa, before anyone takes that the wrong way), I understand and empathize with your mission. I'll support it in whatever ways I can. Just let me know if you need any help.
First, it's awesome that you are organizing a workshop, it sounds like your plans are on the right track.
I've never been to Q.C. so I can't comment on the specific situation however one of the issues with other instructors is they may not be recognizable names. Even on your list, Solomon is the only name I recognize (sorry, I've never danced in the detroit area). Given that dancers are used to Nat and Yuval, it would probably take a similar level of name recognition to get the same response. Steven and Virginie, Kevin and Carla, perhaps anyone associated with the Rhythm/Harlem Hot Shots would be examples. Anything less might be a tough sell.
Now, if you objective is to show that there is more to the world of Lindy Hop, might I suggest showcasing the instructors during the dance events. One of my favorite events is Camp Jitterbug, CJ is traditionally not a camp that has top tier instructors although the invited instructors are generally excellent. A few things Tonya does that probably relate to your goals are: - Creative, engaging instructor bios. in promo. material - Instructors jam during the evening dance before camp begins - Unique/intriguing class offerings and creative class descriptions - Lots of badass out of town dancers coming to the event - a few spontaneous/semi-spontaneous jams - dance routines/demos and/or competitions at one or more of the evening dances
Another idea, different than a traditional workshop weekend that we tried at PLEX (our (micro) exchange last March) was to have some of the visiting instructors teach one class on one of their specialties. We managed to introduce blues, Bal and Carolina Shag to a lot of people who otherwise wouldn't have taken a dedicated class. The classes were pretty low-key and were incorporated into the exchange so there was no obvious cost. It was pretty successful sparking interest to learn more. Perhaps in your case, you could do some low-key stuff in the fall as a lead-in to the main weekend.
Not top tier instructors at CJ? Dave, what planet are you living on?
Good suggestions, though. I recognize all of the instructors but that's because I was a local. Nevertheless, they would all do a fantastic job.
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