What Does Hot Hot Mean?

> Hello Neal,
> 
> We are considering coming to CDW '05, and considering trying to get our extended family to come as well.
> 
> HOWEVER -----
> 
> We are a bit put off by the HOT music and HOT HOT dancing terminology used in the flyer.
> 
> What is your definition of HOT in this context?  That term often has inappropriate connotations.  
> 
> Does this perhaps mean that you are promoting a rowdy style of dancing?

REGARDING MUSIC: We don't hire complete bands like "Wild Asparagus" or "Nightingale". Since we require our staff to shift from doing Contra to English to Scottish to Macedonian to whatever it just doesn't work to engage a contra-only band. We do hire very versatile musicians, some of which are also in the Ruffwater String Band, The Avant Gardeners, and other well known bands. This flexibility lets us staff the classes as needed.

Now, one might expect that the music created by a "Non-Name" band would be less spirited, because they don't play together. However, that's not the case with the music at CDW. The musicians we select are able to play in an ensemble approach where they play off each other, do variations, do harmonies, get softer, get louder, do crazy things that energizes the dance floor. That energetic and constantly changing music is what we mean when we say "Hot". It's something that people expect when they attend a big dance weekend with a big name band, and we do provide that at CDW.

At the same time, I need to note that you can expect to have to "Hot" contra dances, followed by perhaps a sedate English dance, and that same band will switch gears to playing lyrically and sweetly.

Interestingly, "Hot" music isn't necessarily Faster. More interesting, more dynamic, yes.

REGARDING DANCING: There is a first impression of people that haven't attended that since CDW is a camp oriented towards welcoming all ages of people, that of necessity it must be watered down to the lowest common denominator, and we all dance "Patty Cake Polka" or "Gallipede" all day. For a young adult dancer, perhaps single or with young children, they yearn for the high energy of a dance weekend. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the older dancers don't want to get slung around and injured.

We say "Hot Dancing" because we feel the evening program at CDW provides dances which compare well to an adults-only dance weekend in complexity, in intensity, and pace. The difference is that we do NOT provide 8 straight hours of Contra dances, we mix them in with other dance styles.

I would roughly categorize the attendance at CDW as:

• 1/4 small children under 12
• 1/4 teenage children
• 1/4 adults in the 25-45 age range
• 1/4 adults in the 46-99 age range.

We have always had a significant number of older dancers at CDW. That works because we have had a considerate group of attendees, that are able to shift their own energy as they go down the line and encounter younger or older dancers. Also, we have a variety of dances in the evening program.

For those that really want very energetic dancing, we have a Late Night dance several nights, which places a emphasis on unusual dances, as well as guest callers and musicians. These tend to faster and more energetic than the regular evening dance. (That would qualify as "Hot Hot".) Also, without any planning on our part, there is usually one contra line with mostly teens in it, and you had better be prepared for energetic dancing if you get in that line.

Anther perspective on "Hot" is how advanced the dances are and how much time is spent in walkthroughs. My experience both dancing and occasionally teaching at CDW are that the dancers are quicker to learn and that callers will use more advanced material with confidence.

At the same time, I have to say that CDW has welcomed absolute rookies. In fact Eric (our registrar) and his wife Lynn never danced before their aunt drug them to CDW. We have several sets of extended families with older adults that probably only dance once a year - at CDW. The only negatives I can honestly mention is that CDW is a dance/music/singing event. There is no TV in the rooms, and it's miles to the general store. If you are not engaged in the CDW program, I hope you can enjoy the peace and scenery and entertain yourself - because there's nothing else to do out here.

Something else you might be asking is if there might be behavior which would offend your extended family. At CDW we don't drink or take illegal drugs. We do not get nekkid and jump in the lake. We might have a beer late at night after the children are in bed. I cannot recall anyone dancing while under any influence, other than kids with more complex carbohydrates than they needed.

Something else you might be asking is if this is really a rock concert in disguise. Some dance weekends can leave you near deaf. CDW has aimed for the opposite. We believe you cannot subject dancers to high volume levels for a week long event. For several years our musicians were totally non-amplified. In recent years we've gone in the direction of a small amount of sound reinforcement to balance soft instruments against loud ones. The key is really emphasiing to the dancers that their own talking during walkthroughs is what determines the overall sound level and the quieter they are the lower we run our sound.

So, you have choices at CDW on how "Hot" you want your dance experience.