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

[dmoccasin]

Head staff


Well, the best action is to be back in the game. I would rather be an active participant and head staff is really where the action is. INIT

d

[MizzJingleChic19]

I've done both and its hard. I don't know rather I would like to be on the staff or not but it looks like I am again this year. I know for sure I love to dance and that wouldn't change a thing.

[TKMJ Productions]

Best of Both Worlds

Most of the powwows that I am involved in, I am usually running the sound system. Sometimes I get paid. Other times I do not. (yes I do free sound system stuff sometimes) Most of the time when I do sound, at least my gas expenses are paid for by the powwow comittee. Some powwows consider me part of the staff, others consider me a vendor or contractor. Some just consider me the "sound guy" that's always been here.

I love to dance as well so it's a tough call. However I think I have the best of both worlds. At any given powwow, I can run sound and dance. No one ever says a word when I leave the sound board and enter the circle to dance. Usually I bring a sound tech with me to help setup and taredown the sound system. We also take shifts running sound so I get free time to dance or just hang out.

I guess I got it good. I do sound, hang with the drums, dance, usually eat for free, and have free electric for my motorhome and run the air conditioning so I can take a break in comfort.

However............ When we are doing a powwow CD for the comittee, It's work, work,work. We record all day on Saturday. Then after the evening dance session, when ever that ends, we start the mixdown and mastering process. That can take all night. Then we start duplacation of the CDs early Sunday morning and package them ready for sale before the gates open on Sunday morning.

I guess you can say that I can "have my frybread and eat it too" except when we do a powwow CD. Then I can only dream about the taste of frybread.

Oh well! What ya gonna do! LOL

[Steffan Redhawk]

rather be head man or just be singin

[RedShield]

I'd rather dance or sing... but if asked to be head anything I would do it to the best of my ability... but... would rather sing than anything!

Paselo

[traddancer2021]

I'd rather dance at the pow-wow...

[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.

[WhoMe]

i never been head lady dancer.

Me either.

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

[bahnisiain]

i never been head lady dancer.

[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.

[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.

[bahnisiain]

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

[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.

[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!!!

[Kiwehnzii]

Thanks for the advice.