[MayHeydays] Points of Interest

[Announcements for May HeyDays]

An Update on How We Are Doing - and Points of Interest.

1. Attendance

It's a pleasure to report we have just received our 150th weekend  
booking - ahead of last year at this time (131). Over 35% of these are  
newcomers to us - including two from Brisbane! But, we'd like at least  
50 more (100, says Mecki !). Lots of our regulars are still to put pen  
to paper - so, remember you have until 31st January to book at £85 a  
ticket - then it goes to £97.

2. Callers' Showcase

As in the past few years, we will be running the Callers' Showcase.  
So, if you are a newish caller who would like to call at May Heydays,  
please reply to this mail, and we'll pass your name on to Rhodri and  
John who will be leading the workshop. Feedback will be given behind  
the scenes, while the next caller starts explaining their dance. That  
way we'll get through more dances than was the case last year, and it  
should be a more satisfying experience for everyone involved.

3. The Hard of Hearing

We've had a mail from a dancer affected by hearing loss, and we want  
to ensure all can enjoy the weekend. The points raised have been  
discussed with callers, the sound team and the school; all will do  
their level best to make our
weekend a pleasurable experience for EVERYONE, not just those who have  
no trouble with their hearing!

An advice sheet has been developed for callers and the sound team  
which will give tips on how to facilitate the process of enabling  
everyone on the dance floor to have the chance to hear what the caller  
is saying. This will include using a microphone on the dance floor  
when demonstrating a figure, for example. However, it is important  
that everyone in the room is considerate and keeps the noise down,  
especially during walk-throughs. As we all know, noise levels can be  
high and difficult for all dancers, not just those with hearing issues!

 From looking at the venue pictures, fears were raised that there will  
be reverberation issues with some of the halls.

We have spoken with - and been round - the school twice, with a member  
of the sound team. The smaller gym has had some remedial work done  
which, we have been assured, has addressed reverberation issues in  
that particular hall. The only other hall known to suffer from  
reverberation is the Large Gym. This is a space suitable for over a  
hundred dancers but in view of current number expectations we do not  
anticipate its use this year. Should numbers rise substantially, such  
that we need this Gym, we'll look into working on the reverberation  
issue beforehand.

The guide for callers regarding hearing loss issues will be published  
shortly on Facebook.

The whole team is keen to hear of further points anyone would like to  
see added.


4. Carol's Workshop Programme.

Once you have booked to come, you get the chance to participate in the  
Programming Process! Carol Ormand has sent us a list of 9 possible  
workshops. Unfortunately, we only have space for six!
Have a look at this page: http://www.mayheydays.org.uk/choices.html.   
It gives you the chance to state your preferences. Voting closes on 31  
January!


Mecki Testroet, Director
Monty Crook, Ticketing
-- 
Tel 01308 423 442