Thread: "Labeling" an Event

Let's say that I want to host an event featuring music and dance. I wouldn't feature acts from ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop and the like, because those are more "standard" forms of dance here in the US. Instead, I'd look at other forms including flamenco, and those from the Middle East (of course!), Greece, the Baltic area, North and Central Africa, the Far East, Southeast Asian, polynesia, Hawaii, and Central and/or South America. Heck, could cloggers or Morris dancers fit in? Maybe some Swedes would want to reinact a midsommer festival ...

All these forms are considered "world dance," are they not? Without going into the appropriateness of calling these dance forms "world dance" and leaving out other forms of dance done in the world (specifically "western" dance forms as listed above), would a label or title including the idea of "world dance" be a draw? Is it a turn-off? Do people know what it means?

Your thoughts are appreciated.

Note: this would be a full theatrical production, not a variety show in a church basement.

Deborah

I would call it a 'Festival of World Dance' and in the description I'd say '...forms of dance that are rarely showcased on US stages' or some such thing to justify excluding the commonplace Western forms.

I would focus my attention on those forms that:
1) have a great troupe representing them in my area
2) that troupe responds to my request
3) I can afford to book them.

I'd seek out and invite troupes to represent as much variety as possible, of course -- hopefully at least each contintent would be represented???? -- but those three criteria would be limiting. If I was finding it difficult to fill the show with great dancing, I'd open myself up to including one great representative from some of the standard Western forms as well -- ballet, ballroom, jazz, modern, etc.

Can you tell I've given the matter some thought? As usual, our brains are overlapping, Deborah.

In two places where I've lived, the various [ethnic]-American groups have gotten together for larger "International..." festivals. These events were much larger than a single show--they had vending tables selling souvenir-type items from the various countries, food booths, etc. By the way they were structured, anyone who wanted to contribute to the show had to bring something "ethnic" to the stage in suitable costumes. (As for the ME, there would typically be both a group of belly dancers in cabaret costumes, and a Lebanese group doing debke in folkloric costumes.) I think if you bill your event as an "International Cultural Festival" or a "Showcase of International Music and Dance" or something playing up the idea of different world cultures, people should gravitate in the direction you want naturally. I assume you are not so much against the idea of Western dance forms, but just wanting to avoid the mundane and mainstream, and if some Native Americans or a hardcore group of traditional Appalachian cloggers wanted to do their own thing in the show, you wouldn't feel their cultural contributions were unworthy.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

I would call it a 'Festival of World Dance' and in the description I'd say '...forms of dance that are rarely showcased on US stages' or some such thing to justify excluding the commonplace Western forms.

I would focus my attention on those forms that:
1) have a great troupe representing them in my area
2) that troupe responds to my request
3) I can afford to book them.

I'd seek out and invite troupes to represent as much variety as possible, of course -- hopefully at least each contintent would be represented???? -- but those three criteria would be limiting. If I was finding it difficult to fill the show with great dancing, I'd open myself up to including one great representative from some of the standard Western forms as well -- ballet, ballroom, jazz, modern, etc.

Can you tell I've given the matter some thought? As usual, our brains are overlapping, Deborah.

"Can you tell I've given the matter some thought? As usual, our brains are overlapping, Deborah."

Again???

:Abiggrin: .w.: :Abiggrin:

Deborah

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

I think if you bill your event as an "International Cultural Festival" or a "Showcase of International Music and Dance" or something playing up the idea of different world cultures, people should gravitate in the direction you want naturally. I assume you are not so much against the idea of Western dance forms, but just wanting to avoid the mundane and mainstream, and if some Native Americans or a hardcore group of traditional Appalachian cloggers wanted to do their own thing in the show, you wouldn't feel their cultural contributions were unworthy.

You are right on the money, Tourbeau. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Deborah

World dance is exactly the right name.