{"items": [{"author": "Cory", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/205728402818554?comment_id=205732169484844", "anchor": "fb-205732169484844", "service": "fb", "text": "tough decision, the davis square dance I went to it was pretty hard to dance on that uneven brick. I guess it depends how much harder it is to discover. Anything that makes the dancing better in general (more even floors, etc.) will make it both more likely for experienced dancers to show up and more likely for new dancers to stay and want to come back (the former of which will also make the latter more likely). However, if you're not getting the new dancers in the first place, that makes it rather moot.", "timestamp": "1313678792"}, {"author": "Jim", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/205728402818554?comment_id=205750969482964", "anchor": "fb-205750969482964", "service": "fb", "text": "This started out as a joke suggestion but the more I think about it the more serious it seems: what about the Davis Stn. platform itself? It's wide, has some relatively unoccupied ends, is used to having performers, and would definitely put you in view of many many passersby...", "timestamp": "1313681662"}, {"author": "John", "source_link": "https://plus.google.com/100633726263571579985", "anchor": "gp-1313682249205", "service": "gp", "text": "It was lots of fun - though dancing on bricks is tough on my feet. The band had 3-4 fiddles, string bass, 2 squeeze boxes, penny whistles, and a melodica.", "timestamp": 1313682249}, {"author": "Jeff Kaufman", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/205728402818554?comment_id=205756102815784", "anchor": "fb-205756102815784", "service": "fb", "text": "@Jim: I suspect we would get kicked out.
I've also considered trying to have a dance in a train car. Or at least a jam session.", "timestamp": "1313682347"}, {"author": "John", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/205728402818554?comment_id=205758989482162", "anchor": "fb-205758989482162", "service": "fb", "text": "It was lots of fun. How about some form of amplification for the caller - even a megaphone would definitely help especially for new dancers?", "timestamp": "1313682772"}, {"author": "Jean", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/205728402818554?comment_id=205770769480984", "anchor": "fb-205770769480984", "service": "fb", "text": "If the dance can't be in the center of the square, have big signs with CONTRA DANCE and adjustable arrows, to hang on lamp-posts & redirect people?", "timestamp": "1313684545"}, {"author": "Jeff Kaufman", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/205728402818554?comment_id=205771412814253", "anchor": "fb-205771412814253", "service": "fb", "text": "@John: I've tried calling with a megaphone, but I don't like that it blocks the view of the dancers.
Amplification is possible, but I'd rather experiment in the direction of more people. For a few dances last night we had one caller at each end of the set. I think that worked pretty well. I also want to get more people into calling, and I think being the second caller is good towards that end. I've written up some dances in a notation designed for people who don't call yet: http://sccs.swarthmore.edu/.../dances/simple_dances_full.pdf", "timestamp": "1313684629"}, {"author": "Jeff Kaufman", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/205728402818554?comment_id=205771552814239", "anchor": "fb-205771552814239", "service": "fb", "text": "@Jean: that's a good idea", "timestamp": "1313684654"}, {"author": "Phillip", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/205728402818554?comment_id=205798126144915", "anchor": "fb-205798126144915", "service": "fb", "text": "Jeff, while from a personal convenience point of view I like Davis, I think Holyoke Center in Harvard Sq would be more visible and allow for more dancers. At some point I would like to discuss calling with you. I am interested, but not sure how well I could actually do it (back to my not always listening to the phrasing).", "timestamp": "1313688696"}, {"author": "Danner", "source_link": "https://plus.google.com/114987071963782993407", "anchor": "gp-1313691242446", "service": "gp", "text": "I think the amount of newcomers was comperable to when it is held at spot a. The issue is they are more likely to leave because there is not as much space to sit and wait. Otoh, getting people to dance when they are already standing is easier. I danced with 2 newcomers, 2 more experienced dancers, called 1 dance and helped call 2 more. A pretty good evening all in all!", "timestamp": 1313691242}, {"author": "Jeff Kaufman", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/205728402818554?comment_id=205828749475186", "anchor": "fb-205828749475186", "service": "fb", "text": "@Phillip: I agree that holyoke center would be nice. Unfortunately, cambridge is a lot more strict about street performance, so we'd be more likely to be told to leave. It's also private property and the owners don't like dancing -- they've kicked off the morris dancers who used to dance there every may day morning.
As for calling, I'd be happy to talk to you about it some time. A way to see how you feel about the prompting component would be to come to one of these and I can give you a sheet like this (http://sccs.swarthmore.edu/.../dances/simple_dances_full.pdf) that has the dance written out with when to say what. Then you could try calling at the same time as someone more experienced from the opposite side of the \"hall\", helping people hear.", "timestamp": "1313692681"}]}