contracorners@googlegroups.com wrote:
> Howdy Partners and Neighbors!
> I've realized from numerous discussions with many concerned contra
> dancers over the past few months that there is an unfulfilled need to
> promote contra dancing to new people around the greater Bay Area. Over
> the past few years, dance attendance at many venues has been declining
> while expenses have risen. Some dances are already operating at a
> loss. This is an unsustainable situation. It's time for grass roots
> community action in the spirit of a traditional barn building!
> I'm soliciting the help and cooperation of the extended contra
> community in an effort to strengthen and expand our entire community
> and to work together to counter these trends. Only we can rebuild our
> community. We know that contra still holds its magic and that it can
> bring joy and excitement to many more people in the general community.
> We need to work on ways of getting the word out and getting the new
> folks in.
> This is all very tentative at the moment, and is just a starting point
> to get things off the ground. I hope this process will:
> * Build our existing extended community of contra dancers
> * Bring the fun of contra to new people outside of our existing
> community
> * Ensure the future of contra dancing for generations to come
> I'm looking for support from folks that have similar ambitions and
> that are willing to help achieve these goals. Some project ideas are
> listed below.
> To facilitate communication, sharing, and planning, I've created a
> discussion group at:
> http://groups.google.com/group/contracorners
> You can participate via the web interface or via email subscription.
> The email subscription does not contain ads or spam nor does it
> require a Google account. Write me if you have questions about that.
> I'd very much prefer you address your replies to the discussion group
> rather than me personally. That way, everyone can benefit and comment
> on them.
> contracorners@googlegroups.com <mailto:contracorners@googlegroups.com>
> Or you can contact me, Davey, directly and privately at:
> da...@nozen.net <mailto:da...@nozen.net>
> This project is not sponsored by any official contra organization but
> is meant to be a place where people can work cooperatively and
> hopefully avoid the politics and bureaucracy of individual
> organizations and venues. Please feel free to forward this email to
> other people or organizations that you feel might be interested.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
> Examples of Projects:
> 1. Short Term
> a. Collection and assessment of material and personnel resources
> b. Design and distribute generic fliers for contra dancing
> c. Generate ideas and plans on how to attract and retain new members
> 2. Medium Term
> a. Press releases for local media outlets
> b. Intro packages for other organizations (Sierra clubs, Singles
> groups, ect)
> c. New member welcome packages (Intro to Contra)
> d. Online Contra educational resources (e.g. video clips of
> contra moves)
> 3. Longer Term
> a. Performance/demo teams
> b. Interactive outreaches to other organizations and events
> c. Intro workshop series
> How can you help? We need:
> 1. Talented and enthusiastic folks:
> a. Graphic Design & Artist folk
> b. Photographers
> c. Videographers
> d. Web Design gurus
> e. Ad folk
> f. Writers
> g. Fundraisers
> h. Folk with access to related equipment and resources.
> i. Folk with connections to media or other organizations where
> we can publicize contra
> j. Folk willing to help in many, many ways- from mundane to
> magnificent- as broad as your imagination!
> 2. Material Support
> a. Samples of good fliers, notices, and ads
> b. Graphics and artwork
> c. Ad copy
> d. Photos
> e. Video clips
> f. Audio Clips (music/calling)
> g. Production Equipment (cameras, video, audio, lighting, ect)
> (Materials should be non-copyrighted and/or have owner's permission to
> use and distribute. If none exists, we can create new materials using
> demo dancers in a controlled environment.)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
> An immediate need is a short, catchy, easy to remember (for folks that
> aren't familiar with contra) web site name. Something that a person
> might remember after reading it from a flier. Contradancing.org or
> .com are available. Or should it be area specific? CalContra? BAContra
> NCalContra?
> The name 'contra' itself is a little problematic as few outside of
> contra seems to know what it is, and it has closer mental
> 'associations' with Iran Contras and Contra Costa County. Or they
> think of 'County' Dance which has different associations (line
> dancing, 2-step). Something that conveys the spirit of contra in a
> more general and recognizable way. And perhaps a larger 'umbrella' for
> other dance styles? Barndance? www.dancecall.org Setdance.org?
> Setdancing? Communitydancing? Familydancing? Traditionaldance(ing)?
> VintageDancing? Calltodance, call2dance? Downhomedancing? ORG conveys
> our non-profit nature, but COM is easier to remember. Help please!
> For expediency and as a starting point I've created the starts of a
> publicity website:
> http://www.downhomedancing.org/
> That name could change later, of course. And there's no reason we
> can't have multiple names pointing to one website. There's a printable
> copy (pdf) of the first flier there, I'd appreciate some feedback. The
> website itself is functional but pretty pathetic! Maybe people will
> take pity on me and help out?? ;-) It's a far cry from the multimedia
> extravaganza I have envisioned! I just threw it together in about an
> hour so I'd have a working website to put on the flier. I put out
> about 20 fliers today and plan to continue.
> For clarity, the http://groups.google.com/group/contracorners website
> is for in-house discussion and planning,
> http://www.downhomedancing.org <http://www.downhomedancing.org/> is
> the public website for publicity.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
> I'm looking for support from folks that have similar ambitions and
> that are willing to help achieve these goals. To facilitate
> communication and planning, I've created a discussion group at:
> http://groups.google.com/group/contracorners
> You can participate via the web interface or via email subscription.
> The email subscription does not contain ads or spam nor does it
> require a Google account.
> I'd very much prefer you address your replies to the discussion group
> rather than me personally. That way, everyone can benefit and comment
> on them.
> contracorners@googlegroups.com <mailto:contracorners@googlegroups.com>
> Or you can contact me, Davey, directly and privately at:
> da...@nozen.net <mailto:da...@nozen.net>
> This project is not sponsored by any official contra organization but
> is meant to be a place where people can work cooperatively and
> hopefully avoid the politics and bureaucracy of individual
> organizations and venues. Please feel free to forward this email to
> other people or organizations that you feel might be interested.
> Thanks!
> Davey
> 3/31/07-3
