Peace out

[DanceMentor]

I have often suggested merging the two forums!


How do you imagine that, DanceMentor? Will you poach Folkdancers and Lindy Hoppers from other forums? I've also noticed that a lot of very young Hip Hoppers get lost on DF. Maybe you can inspire them, apparently there is a need because they had no chance to know the forum format.

We can get more traffic simply by creating topics that are popular with a wider (dance) audience. And some percentage of those people will start to post, especially if we are consistent with producing content in that area. We are getting a lot more WCS enthusiasts looking at the forums now, but not necessarily posting yet.

 

[DanceMentor]

Isn't this true for all social media though? Facebook is definitely less friendly and inclusive. I think people are more wary of online forums now, for good reasons.

It just depends. There are some huge Facebook groups with hundreds of posts per day. Reddit is another one with large groups. People are more educated now about protecting themselves from scammers and the like.

 

[singndance]

Come back after a while and see what we've done. And sorry about what happened.

I really do hope that @DoWrongRight cimes back to check into this thread. I always enjoyed their posts. The love of dance was very clear. But it looks like they have signed off and haven’t been back since starting this thread.

 

[Purr]

Isn't this true for all social media though? Facebook is definitely less friendly and inclusive. I think people are more wary of online forums now, for good reasons.

All true. I adjusted my FB settings so I don't see much negativity. Mostly I look at the same few things, then move on. I also review/edit sites that I like or follow periodically. Awhile back I went through my friend list and purged a lot of people, and I'm careful now about people that I accept a friend request.

I am not on X (formerly known as Twitter), TikTok, Pinterest, or Instagram, and I have no interest in being on any of them. Quite honestly, I look forward to the "me" time that I'm not online.

 

[Zhena]

I sympathize with DoWrongRight. I am also uncomfortable with many of the aspects of competitive ballroom dancing, and that has colored my participation in these forums. I joined in 2006. For a while I posted a fair amount about other types of dance, but it didn't generate similar posts and I gradually stopped. I admit to lurking - I check in almost every day to see what's happening here, but I log in only when I want to comment and only as long as it takes to write the comment.

As a long-time observer of DF I've seen many changes in the community. People tend to participate as long as necessary to find the support and information they need or communicate the insights and experiences they are inspired to share ... and then they scale back or disappear. There have been many amazing participants who have provided unique perspectives and have contributed enormously to the wealth of knowledge accumulated here, but few who have stayed truly long-term. DoWrongRight's contributions are valuable and will remain available for those who are willing to scroll through past posts.

 

[opendoor]

..but it didn't generate similar posts and I gradually stopped..

Sorry for repeating myself: we need a folk dance section!

 

[Dance Redeemer]

I just want to add that I will miss you and your updates! I was glad to hear that you will continue dancing.

I love dancing, the act of dancing, working together with another person to share an experience, and working alone to get a better sense of myself. As you have, I have found some environments (whether online or in person) supportive and positive and welcoming, and some not. It's so important to take care of yourself and let yourself grow in a way that works for you.

I have found that environments - and my own goals and needs - change over time. I hope we will hear from you here again, someday.

And as with others, I wish you all the best.

 

[DanceMentor]

Sorry for repeating myself: we need a folk dance section!

I don't have a problem with that. Would you be willing to help create a couple of topics per week, and perhaps be the moderator there?

 

[opendoor]

..Would you be willing to help..

Your answer is logical. However, I don't dance folklore dances. I just replied to Zhena's post. I always enjoyed following her posts about folk dances. I don't have enough knowledge or imagination to get involved creatively in this area.

 

[DanceMentor]

Ok, if we can find one or more people who want to help move this along, I am willing to setup this forum, and maybe I can find a couple of people myself.

 

[tancos]

Finally, a Folk Dance thread! I'm an avid folk dancer and folk dance teacher. I've learned to never disparage other people's taste in dancing. That said, I've always been uncomfortable with the commercialization of ballroom dancing. I've sometimes wondered if friends would achieve silver before they've achieved bankruptcy. Folk dancing is cheap, social and accessible to dancers of all abilities. It's also great to be able to visit foreign countries and dance with the locals, instead of just walking thru museums.

 

[opendoor]

..also great to be able to visit foreign countries and dance with the locals..

That's right, the folklore scene is very open and internationally networked. And although the ballroom world has international in its name, there are no comparable weekly social events where you are welcomed like an old friend.

 

[DanceMentor]

Finally, a Folk Dance thread! I'm an avid folk dancer and folk dance teacher. I've learned to never disparage other people's taste in dancing. That said, I've always been uncomfortable with the commercialization of ballroom dancing. I've sometimes wondered if friends would achieve silver before they've achieved bankruptcy. Folk dancing is cheap, social and accessible to dancers of all abilities. It's also great to be able to visit foreign countries and dance with the locals, instead of just walking thru museums.

Thank you, yes. Dance Forums now has a Folk Dance forum. I have found a couple of people to help get it going, and appreciate your participation too! Hopefully, this will also lead me personally to go try some folk dancing!

 

[lucia_l]

I wanted to observe something similar. I compete and I dance socially.

It is a feature of life that some events are sort of "reportable" and some are "every day" "what is there to say" type events. Competitions and showcases are easy to highlight. We can tell people we are preparing, going, how we placed, why we placed as we did, who else was there, what the cool new fashions were. The events "sparkle". People who do these thigns are going to post.

Meanwhile, my husband and I got to social dances regularly-- nearly every weekend. But there isn't much to "highlight". I went to West Coast Wednesday this week. Danced WCS with my husband, four other guys. There is a decent balance of men/women. Watched some of the really good Westies-- as always, I'm in awe. Got tired. Went home. It was fun. If you live in the West Burbs of Chicago and like West Coast, I can recommend it.

But really, unless something weird happens at WCWednesday (and weird is often bad) there isn't all that much to report. This weeks WCWednesday wasn't a lot different from last weeks WCWednesday.

Lowlights: Some of the leads don't seem to have taken lessons and don't seem to anchor. I'm constantly feeling like they are suddenly moving forward on 1 without ever doing " "5 and 6". (Maybe this is me.)

Highlights: all the leads are friendly, and most have good sense of timing and don't seem to need to out dance me. The true beginners seem game enough too.

 

[Steve Pastor]

I'm constantly feeling like they are suddenly moving forward on 1 without ever doing " "5 and 6".

Looked for a good place for this under Swing, but...
Are they skipping those last two beats entirely, or just doing something that doesn't feel like an anchor?
And... Are they taking their 1st step on a "down beat?" Like, after completing the previous 6 or 8 count?