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West Side ContraNovember 12 - 14, 2010 |
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Saturday Night Costumes
Q: Should I dress up on Saturday night?
A: Absolutely!! You'll feel pretty! Oh so pretty! PLUS you'll never get a better opportunity to let your inner Shark or Jet loose.
Gender Balancing
Q: Is registration gender balanced?
A: Not deliberately. And even when equal numbers of men and women register for the weekend the balance among potential partners can be skewed at any given time since everyone isn't on the floor at the same time. Given that our collective goal is to dance as much as possible you are urged to ignore issues of gender when asking or being asked to dance.
Should you find yourself dancing an unfamiliar gender role, keep these tips in mind:
- The lady is usually on the right
- Gents hold hands palms up, ladies hold hands palms down
- Gents extend their left arm in a swing, ladies extend their right arm
New Dancers
Q: Do you have to be a really experienced dancer to attend this weekend?
A: Absolutely not!! If you have been to our regular Friday dance even once you are strongly encouraged to come to the Festival; you'll be fine! And while there is no time set aside for first time dancer lessons, fast learners are invited to pair up with an experienced partner* and give it a try too -- the other dancers will help keep them afloat.
*WARNING: If you are a first time dancer do NOT make the mistake of pairing up with another inexperienced dancer -- that risks creating the contra equivalent of the Bermuda Triangle as you go up and down the line.
Housing
Q: Is there a deadline for requesting housing?
A: Yes. If you haven't requested housing by the early registration cutoff (October 18, 2010), you are on your own to locate housing.
Download a PDF list of local hotels and motels.
Q: Whom do I contact with housing-related questions?
A: Please contact our Housing Committee at Atlanta.Dance.Weekend.Housing@gmail.comAtlanta.Dance.Weekend.Housing@gmail.com
Q: When will I hear who is providing my housing / Who my guest(s) are?
A: The housing coordinator will contact you as soon as the early registration cut off has passed and assignments are made. We will have a rendezvous location at the Hall so that you can meet up with your host/guest at the beginning of Break on Friday evening.
Q: What if I can't get to the dance until really late on Friday night or even until Saturday morning?
A: You will be given email and telephone contact information for your host as soon as the assignments are made, please use it to get in touch ahead of time, particularly if you don't think that you are going to make the rendezvous at the beginning of break on Friday. It causes hosts a lot of anxiety when guests don't warn them in advance that they will be coming late or not coming at all. NOTE: We keep a list of no-shows and if we get a report from your host that you failed to show without notifying them in advance it is unlikely that we will provide you with housing in the future.
Money
Q: I'm not sure I can make it for the whole weekend. May I register in advance for just certain sessions?
A: Absolutely. See the registration form for details.
Q: Something has come up and I can't come to West Side Contra after all. May I get a refund?
A: Yes, you can get a refund minus a $15 cancellation fee if you notify the registrar (in writing) prior to our “no turning back” deadline of November 8, 2010.
Q: I'm short on cash, but I'd love to help out -- do you have work scholarships available?
A: Unfortunately not. Please don't petition for an exception to this -- as hard as it will be to say “No,” we'll say it anyway.
Food
Q: Is the Sunday breakfast Potluck?
A: Yes. Our Sunday community breakfast is a cherished opportunity for dancers to gather, relax, chat, and re-charge between Waltzes in the main hall. WE NEED YOUR HELP in putting food on the table.
CCD will provide English Muffins, Orange Juice, Coffee, Vanilla Yogurt, Granola, plates, cutlery, serving utensils, and ambiance. That leaves a LOT of room on the table!! Please help us fill it!!!
Q: Who can come to the potluck breakfast on Sunday morning?
A: Everyone!! Entry to the breakfast is complimentary for dancers with a full weekend registration and is also included in the pay-as-you-go price for Sunday. Entry for individuals who are coming only for breakfast and a waltz is a contribution of food for the potluck.
Q: Where should I eat my other meals?
A: We will have maps available at the Registration Desk showing local restaurants within walking distance of the dance hall.