pennsicdance: OOP Dance

[alaric at pobox.com]

Greetings!

Out of period dance (as with any other out of period subject) should not
be encouraged officially (or unofficially) within the SCA.  I find it
disturbing when blatantly OOP dances occur at events, Pennsic or
otherwise.  

So, you say, what is the difference between an OOP dance and
an OOP instrument, such as a plastic recorder?  Well, cost, for one.
There is an order of magnitude difference between a plastic recorder and a
wooden renaissance recorder.  Secondly, durability.  I am willing to take
my instruments to face the abuse at Pennsic because I know that they can
take it.  I see no similar comparison that can be made for OOP dances
versus period dances.  Time spent is time spent, no matter what dance is
being done.

This issue causes great pain for me as the following two issues come to
head:

Live music is better than no (or canned) music.
Dancing is better than no dancing.

I have played as a dance musician at Pennsic for at least 10 years and I
have seen it in all sorts of states (from, "we have a whole bass SECTION",
to "we can't hear you, lets try the boom box").  The lack of organization
in the past few years has driven away many a musician;  the dancing of OOP
dances doesn't help, either - have you noticed the exodus of musicians
around midnight?  Our group is meant to recreate the Middle Ages and
Renaissance periods.  If the needs of those who want to dance the OOP
dances are not being met, perhaps they should form a group more suited to
their needs.  I know that I am not perfect when it comes to periodness but
I have learned over the years to make a better effort.  I can only ask
that everyone else do the same.

In Service to Music & Dance,

Alaric MacConnal, OL

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Robert P. Smith                                       Alaric MacConnal
alaric at telerama.lm.com                                 Debatable Lands
http://www.lm.com/~alaric                 West AEthelwald, AEthelmearc
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