Post by Mme de Beaufort on Dec 3, 2007 13:47:40 GMT -5
Cosmoblue brought up the local Portland Oregon ECD group on a prior thread, and I think they deserve their own. I inquired about their classes. Apparently they hold dances every Friday, and I wanted to know if there were classes aside from the dances. Erik was very kind to reply promptly and here's what he said:
"Hi Stephanie,
The Friday dances are open and welcoming to new dancers. The caller typically programs more accessible dances early in the evening so that if a mew dancer is there by the 7:30 start, the whole evening can be considered a "class". Each dance is taught as carefully as necessary for everyone to participate. In addition, the experienced dancers are eager to partner with any new dancers so as to help them learn and become integrated into the dance. When you arrive, please introduce yourself to the caller; he or she will make sure that you're well taken care of.
The ECD community subscribes to the concept of learning by doing. The Friday dances are NOT conducted in the manner of a Ball or other such event where proficiency is expected for the event to be enjoyable to all. Instead, the Friday dances are meant for teaching, learning, meeting new friends, and of course, dancing to live music. It is my opinion that the regular Friday dance is a wonderful learning environment; it's easy to
learn among friendly experienced dancers who want to help and a caller who is looking out for your needs.
I invite you to come give ECD in Portland a try and I hope that you find the Friday dances as welcoming and encouraging to new dancers as I have portrayed. Please let me know if I can provide more help or insight and do let me know how it goes when you or your members give it a try.
Cheers,
Erik"
So portland Regency enthusiasts, if you want to learn the dances we will most certainly be doing at our events, here's your group.
"Hi Stephanie,
The Friday dances are open and welcoming to new dancers. The caller typically programs more accessible dances early in the evening so that if a mew dancer is there by the 7:30 start, the whole evening can be considered a "class". Each dance is taught as carefully as necessary for everyone to participate. In addition, the experienced dancers are eager to partner with any new dancers so as to help them learn and become integrated into the dance. When you arrive, please introduce yourself to the caller; he or she will make sure that you're well taken care of.
The ECD community subscribes to the concept of learning by doing. The Friday dances are NOT conducted in the manner of a Ball or other such event where proficiency is expected for the event to be enjoyable to all. Instead, the Friday dances are meant for teaching, learning, meeting new friends, and of course, dancing to live music. It is my opinion that the regular Friday dance is a wonderful learning environment; it's easy to
learn among friendly experienced dancers who want to help and a caller who is looking out for your needs.
I invite you to come give ECD in Portland a try and I hope that you find the Friday dances as welcoming and encouraging to new dancers as I have portrayed. Please let me know if I can provide more help or insight and do let me know how it goes when you or your members give it a try.
Cheers,
Erik"
So portland Regency enthusiasts, if you want to learn the dances we will most certainly be doing at our events, here's your group.
Where so many hours have been spent in convincing myself that I am right, is there not some reason to fear I may be wrong? ~ Jane Austen