[IVFDF] Re: Content

Elizabeth Conder conder at fas.harvard.edu
Sat May 27 16:55:27 BST 2000


Unfortunately I missed Glasgow IVFDF due to being on the wrongside of the
pond and a small mountain of work.

I have always loved the workshops and trying out new styles that I don't
usually get a chance to do. I also think that a lunchbreak would be a good
idea so that people aren't torn between needing to eat and wanting to do
another workshop.

On the issue of the Saturday night dances - how about holding two types of
dance and alternating each year of the choice of dance (Scottish, formal
English or Ceilidh). I have always (when possible) split my time 50:50
between the ceilidh and one of the formal dances. Since there is always
ceilidhs on the Friday night and Sunday afternoon, then maybe the ceilidh
element could be rethought. The only problem with removing a ceilidh from
the Saturday evening, is that many newbies to IVFDF might not have the
knowledge to feel comfortable attending a formal dance - maybe having a
workshop designed as a crash course to the formal dances might be a
solution.

On getting newbies to attend - I found when I was attempting to organize
buses to IVFDF, that for many dancers at St.Andrews, there had just been
several formal Scottish Dances (Highland Ball etc), and a combination of
work deadlines and the travel element seemed to put newbies off. Once a
newbie had attended then they usually wanted to go again. So maybe a date
change might facilitate more attendance by newbies?

I think that inviting other non-university folk groups would be a good
thing, since most of us ex-students tend to join these groups. Having
spent a year in Boston, where the only places I could dance were with
non-university groups, I found an enormous amount of energy, enthusiasm
and love of folk festivals. NEFFA (New England Folk Festival) was a great
weekend festival with mainly non-student groups.

It might also be fun to invite groups from USA etc to join us.

Lizzy


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