How to attract younger dancers

  • If you have children or young friends have them bring a group of their peers to a dance. It is much asier to entice them with others of their age there.
  • Cookies/Ice Cream/Pizza!
  • We gave free admission to freshmen who arrived in the first 1/2 hour of the dance.
  • Don’t compare to square dancing!
  • Don’t disparage contra or other dance forms
  • Pop really hot contra music in the stereo when you have non-dancer friends over. Then invite them to the dance.
  • Have special events and invite your friends.
  • Student rates
  • Not just students! Recent grads are paying off loans!
  • Say contra dance party on the flyer
  • Don’t answer when asked “what is it?”
  • be vague
  • Advertise
  • Tell people they’ll get a fun workout to music
  • Tell them that even people who don’t like any other kinds of dancing like contra – it worked for me!
  • Make it a fundraiser for a cause i.e. square dance for mountaintop removal
  • It’s a dance designed for white guys who “can’t dance”
  • Be family friendly – it’s ok to have little kids at dances