Would you rather dance or be on head staff at a powwow??

[ndnMSW]

Just wanted to see how people feel about this. Would you rather dance at a powwow, or be a part of the arena staff? (such as head judge, AD, MC, head dancer, etc.)
And why?

I'll post my preference later.

[dmoccasin]

Dance or head staff

In my personal experience it helps me and my family to know that I am a resource and a help to the committee by being head staff. On the other hand I have been to pow wows to just dance and it proved to be more work than being head staff. At least if your head staff you get the benefits of being head staff.
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[ndngirl70]

I've done both and enjoy both. I think that it depends on the powwow and who you are going to be working with.

[ndngirl73]

i agree with the other ndngirl^^^^ i've worked alot of powwows and it was fun. actually it seems lately i am working more powwows than i dance so i'm going back to dancing for awhile. i love to dance and always have a good time especially since bringing my daughter out--because shes very enthusiastic about it all. i like to work the powwows just because i am usually working with my friends and we have a good time no matter what we do !!

[Kiwehnzii]

It could be fun to be A.d., head dance judge, head drum judge. It could be and should be. But.......... many times it's not. Everyone tries their best to run a fair contest. Try to select fair judges who are not related or close friends with any of the participants.

There is no possible way to please everyone. There is always at least one person who'll complain. Mainly becuz their kids didn't get in, they didn't get in, their drum didn't place where they think they should have.

Well, sorry folks. Ya can't win every time.

Nobody knows this better'n me. Sometimes I get something, sometimes I don't. I have a grand-daughter who listens to everything I say. She develops her thinking by what she hears from her parents, her g-parents, etc. What kind of example would I set if I complained everytime I don't place? We all get older. As I slow down, it happens more'n more. Not placing is getting more frequent. So what?!! I still love to dance. I ain't going to stop unless a serious health problem prevents me.

So what am I getting at? I prefer to dance. Sometimes I get asked to work. I turn some down just becuz.

It's good to just sit back, relax...................... and watch, listen to somebody else get dumped on by unsatisfied dancers/singers. Aye.

[ndngirl70]

It could be fun to be A.d., head dance judge, head drum judge. It could be and should be. But.......... many times it's not. Everyone tries their best to run a fair contest. Try to select fair judges who are not related or close friends with any of the participants.

Sometimes you just have to excuse yourself from a particualr contest or have a replacement step in for that catagory

[Kiwehnzii]

Thanks for the advice.

[WhoMe]

There is no possible way to please everyone.


Ya can't win every time.

Kiwehnzii,


These are the two wisest words of advice - anyone could give!!!

[WhoMe]

Just wanted to see how people feel about this. Would you rather dance at a powwow, or be a part of the arena staff? (such as head judge, AD, MC, head dancer, etc.)
And why?

I'll post my preference later.

ndnM,

My personal preference would be to be a part of the head staff. I enjoy helping out in this capacity.

I have a full time job and I have to be very picky with my limited annual leave.

[bahnisiain]

i think i would like to be part of the head staff, that si something i have not done that yet.

[CHEROSAGE]

I enjoy being able to help the Committees in anyway I can. If that means serving as a head staff then I am happy to help. I enjoy dancing and when I am headman I still get to dance. This position is a very responsible position, we must remember we are the leiasons between the other dancers and the committee. I just have fun, and when powwowing is no longer fun, well I'll just have to do something else about it.

I enjoy the dance whether head staff or not.

[Eagle Plumes]

I have been both as well..

I to have been both I find im more relaxed when im not Head-Lady but i am honored that i am asked and do the best job I can ,plus being head-lady i of course get to dance more where when im not i find i dont dance as much with chasing kids and visiting.

[bahnisiain]

i never been head lady dancer.

[WhoMe]

i never been head lady dancer.

Me either.

So don't worry, we BOTH have never been head women dancers ....

[ndnMSW]

After working alot of powwows, both as a committee person and arena staff, and dancing for years, my preference is to dance. I always find it an honor to be asked to serve on a committee or on head staff, but it's alot of hard work. I loved working that hard for an event before I had a baby, but now I would rather dance. I find myself able to relax, to visit, to dance intertribals all I want, and really enjoy my family and friends. My husband and I worked a powwow in MN for several years and we would just be wishing we were dancing when they sang all those good intertribals and contest songs! When we went back to that same powwow just to dance it was just WONDERFUL!!!!

We don't get to travel as much anymore with work and baby, and now even less with my new job and baby-on-the-way, so I appreciate the times when I can dance. I've always been one of those dancers that loves to dance intertribals, so I've developed a better appreciation for that after working so many powwows.