Southern UK Jive

[drunkenjiver]

I post this question to the forum,but in particular organisers,on another thread in the forum jive riot are seeking a demonstrator for a new night they are opening soon.they are requesting a photo,height,age,dance experience etc.
In my experience coaches are usually brought up through the ranks of customers at venues,then demonstrators are promoted from the coaches,generally you don`t have to win beauty contests to be eligible,your dance ability & personality are the key requirements to such positions if you want to take your dancing to these levels,I rest my case,your thoughts from the forum please

[Dr Dance]

I've already posted an answer to this on the other thread. I would like to say that I do understand this and I guess its a question of theorectical against practical. Theorectically, it should be that your ability to do the job is far more important. The way you treat your customers etc...should be the number 1 reason. However, practically this doesn't happen. There has been countless examples of this, for example 'strictly come dancing' when the older lady was replaced by the younger one. Are we questioning her ability, no, but the other one is far more attractive.

So does this tell us the kind of society we live in... I'm afraid yes it does

[drunkenjiver]

Thanks for your input Dr Dance,there has probably been an underlying trend for many years on how organisers select their crew for their nights,do you think though it could be the start of a slippery slope if organisers actually advertise the fact,also where does it stop,modern jive is enjoyed socially by people of all ages mixing together,will organisers start targeting groups of people they want to frequent their classes & freestyles for image shall we say & putting off people that don`t fit that image,although these people may have been lining their pockets for years

[Southern Jiver]

Drunkenjiver, I think you are getting a bit carried away here. Personally I can understand that it helps if demonstrators are not only capable dancers but attractive. However, in this case I think that Kelly wants to make sure that Kat is paired with someone suitable and obviously a person's presentation does play a part, hence asking for the photo. I don't think it's unreasonable. One of the main advantages of Modern Jive over other dance styles is that anyone can do it with relatively little training. This includes people of all shapes, sizes and ages and it's very cynical, drunkenjiver, to suggest that organisers might ever try and tailor their customers to a specific type. All the organisers that I know are happy to have anyone come through their doors, they cater to everyone and I can't see this ever being otherwise.
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"We're fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance."
~Japanese Proverb

[The-G-Man]

I understand the point of the picture as i wouldnt want Mr Blobby to demotrate for anyone.....

[drunkenjiver]

Fair comment SJ,I was only taking it to an extreme as an example to make my point,but I will still be interested in any more views from the forum

[Nicky]

The-G-Man wrote:

[Dr Dance]

I absolutely agree with Nicky. Her point is well made. The other point that I would llike to make is that we all, if we're honest, do it from time to time and have selected against one form over another based on either age/sex/etc... I know that if I was to sit in a cafe and 2 people were walkiing towards me, one was young and attractive and the other old and not, then of course I would look at the young person.

However I wouldn't necessary tell the person that I'm doing it. So I guess what I'm trying to say is that you may be selecting your demonstartor based on looks/age/sex/height/how many fingers they have/do they snore etc... you don't necessary have to advertise it.

[lilblue]

It seems to me that this particular thread is quite similar to the 'people don't ask old/fat/short people to dance' thread. In my experience there are many able demonstrators who don't fit this definition of lack of experience - in fact I think I remember you Nicky, strutting your stuff at Hamworthy and I class you amongst the best dancers to watch - also the fellow who demo's at Wilton on a Thursday is pretty good too , he is one of my favourite people to dance with! Generally I think the person asked is the person most able and willing to do the job.

The other thing I draw from this thread is the underlying implication that because I am young (23) that can be the only reason I have become a demonstrator. If asking for particulars is offensive on the grounds of appearance, how is a young demo supposed to react reading this? I appreciate I have not been dancing for a particularly long time but I do not think I would be demonstrating if the organisers did not feel I was capable of doing an effective job.

[Nicky]

I don't think that anybody is suggesting that ALL demo's are chosen in this way Lilblue. I have watched you demonstrate several times, and I don't think that anybody could suggest that you were chosen to do so just because you are young and attractive. I think its very clear that you have both the ability and perfect personality to be a demonstrator. However, there are several examples of very inexperienced, but young and attractive dancers, (male and female!), that I can think of who are quite obviously learning on the job....Great for them, i've no doubt, but not ideal for those of us who have to plod our way through a 'dumbed down' class.

Quite simply, my argument is that a persons skill and experience should be top of the list of requirements when considering applicants for such a position. The message I, and I think plenty of others, will have got from the original post is that physical appearance would appear to be top of the list in this case......If not, why ask for a photo at all?

Thank you for your very flattering comments lilblue Yes, I did demo once at Hamworthy, but i'm sure that I fudged my way through the whole thing!

[RichardP]

[The-G-Man]

[lilblue]

Thanks Nicky! I think perhaps I replied in haste to this thread, of course ability and experience are massively important, as are enthusiasm and friendliness (a grumpy unapproachable demo who is an excellent dancer may not be ideal either!) and I agree that these should be the first criteria for selection. Having just read Kelly's reply to the offending thread the request for the picture seems considerably more reasonable; there are people I would recognise on sight but have no idea of their names!

And I agree completely with Richard P, you are a natural fluid dancer and that came across superbly from the stage - definitely no fudging in sight!

[Nicky]

The-G-Man wrote:

[Kelly]

Oh my god.... drunken jiver....doctor dance and nicky..... I think there is a case of judging others by your own standards here!

I and Jive Riot have never in 15 years employed someone for what they looked like.... and anyone that knows me and attends Jive Riot classes will know that.

I am proud of every member of my staff whether young tall and goodlooking (In your eyes) or old fat and ugly (In your eyes)... I think every one one of them is fabulous and would never label any one of them in any way!

This was all started by advertising a job vacancy.... how very very sad!!!
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