Organising a dance

A few simple tips for making a dance a success.
If you are interested in organising a dance, or have the responsibility for arranging one then read on. If you have no idea, come along and talk to any of our committee members. They have a vast store of knowledge that only accumulates over time about callers and live bands, (if you want), in many parts of the country, but chiefly in the midlands where we are based. We are not selling our services, we have members who have been dancing for a considerable number of years. They have an extensive knowledge of the callers in the area. Simply picking their brains will reveal a list of callers who do dances to suit your desired style. Traditional english folk, American square, or a good general mix, for example. Some of the callers that visit (or are resident) at the club have allowed their details to be put on this site. Have a look at the Need a caller link. They may not be available on your date, but there is a good chance that they will know someone else for you to try.
Start well in advance - the more time you have to prepare the smoother things will go. Try and get fairly accurate numbers of the people who will be attending so you can look for the correct size hall/room. Will children be attending - they get bored in a few minutes and then start running around, you might like to consider somewhere with a second room (or padded cell) for the children to play safely. Social services don't appreciate the benefits of a ball and chain these days. Book a hall that does not have a carpeted area for dancing - you don't want any accidents because of people tripping. Check the size and facilities for yourself, don't take someone else's word about a place. Does it have sufficient toilets, is the parking space adequate, are there restrictions such as no alcohol (Methodist church halls for example), is there a time restriction for music being played? Are you having a bar - check with whoever will run the bar about licencing. Are you having food - will you use caterers or do it yourself. Alternatively how about an American or Pool supper where people attending bring along a supper contribution. This may work best when those attending have previously decided amongst themselves what to bring, but in most cases there is no problem at all. Don't forget to advertise your dance in local shops if it is open to the public, specify where, when, and how much. If it is for a charity say which charity it is in aid of. You may find people will buy a ticket to support the charity but not actually turn up to dance. Make allowances for this (20% to 40% perhaps). Don't schedule your dance at the same time some big sporting fixture is on, you'll never get the men from their chairs (or bar). Do check that the hall has public liability insurance. Even though we don't want to use it, occasionally accidents do happen and you need to know that in these days of litigation you have protection.
Have a nice dance.


	The club is affiliated to the English Folk Dance and Song Society who are dedicated to the promotion and long term preservation of our culture and heritage.