Performing at a Demonstration

Arrive at the stage or meeting point 30min before show time, so that we know who is there and can choose dance routines that suit your level.

Find out the order of the dances, and which ones are cued, so you know which ones to sit out. It is much better to get on or off the stage in the music breaks between routines. Sneaking off after a routine has started can be embarrassing, (but is bound to happen to you at some time).

To the non-clogging audience it is the easy dances look most impressive. More advanced dances contain faster more complex steps that non-dancers do not observe. Complex steps often means less leg lifting and less overall movement. The dances that everyone can dance will be impressing the crowd the most.

If we all dance each routine perfectly at a demo, then we will get few new dancers. This is because the spectators assume they could never be like that. To attract beginners it is actually good to make mistakes on stage, and laugh about it.

Make your tap sounds loud (unless you are out of time), lift your legs high, and introduce more arm movements and clapping, if you can.

Yell from time to time.

Smile all through the demonstrations. If terror or concentration hinders your smiling, at least smile when you are in the wings sitting out a routine. Showing you are in pain from dancing too many routines in a row is not good, so sit out a few even if you can do them all. Bright red cheeks don't look good either.

If all this is too much to remember the summary is as follows -

Make mistakes, enjoy your self, smile, yell, and clap. Oh, and dance!

Responding to enquires from the Audience

Just handing out pamphlets is a waste of time! When someone comes up to you and wants information they need more than a pamphlet to give them the confidence to turn up on the prescribed day. Try to talk to the person for as long as possible to answer all their questions. More time with fewer people gives the best results. (Other interested people listen in anyway)

Find out what club/s they are closest to and if they can make it on the day/hour of the beginners classes. If not suggest other beginner classes/days that are available from the Hillbillies or other clogging clubs around the area. Based on the final choice, if the club leader/teacher they will be getting is in the demo, point the leader out. Where possible let the leaders talk to them.

If the leader cannot talk (or cannot even breathe), then tell the prospect at least the following:

	How easy it is at the start (mixer dances, no double toes etc.)
	Taps not needed until sure the activity is for them. Non slip sport shoes or other comfortable shoes good.
	Comfortable, cool clothes
	Classes 1 Hour, as improve can stay on with experienced cloggers, for no extra charge.
	Preferably pay the first six weeks up front, then pay weekly on the nights they attend.
	If you will be attending at their first beginners night, tell them, and introduce your self, so they know a face

Offer to take their phone number so their leader can call them to reconfirm the start date of their class. Then give them the pamphlet detailing their specific class and the telephone number of their instructor.

Congratulations you have just introduced a new dancer to our great activity!