CHEROSAGE

What in your opinion makes an Arena Director a good AD?

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BOB

TKMJ Productions

First of all the AD needs to understand the people in the circle. There are many reasons why we dance. Second the AD must understand all aspects of the dance circle and must be able to control the whole area. This includes dancers, drums, MC, head vet and the powwow comittee. What the AD says goes when it comes to the circle. All request for dances should go thru the AD. Remember the MC is only a mouth piece and should take all cues from the AD. When it comes to vets the head vet should take care of whatever needs to be done with approval of the AD where the circle is concerned.

There are so many times when a person with a request for dance or songs goes to the MC. That's the wrong way to go. The request must go thru the AD and approved.

A good AD will listen to what the people want and grant special requests as time permits. A good AD will also keep events going and keep the circle full as much as possible. A good AD will also communicate with all principle parties with the powwow to make sure everyone knows what is going on.

Most of all the AD must be organized and plan for all events that will take place in the circle. With that organization and planning the AD should not tolerate late an event be held up because people do not show up on time at the circle.

In my oponion, If you ask the AD for a special event in the circle and it is granted, It is your responsibility to be at the circle on time. If not on time the AD should have the guts to cancle your event because you were late.

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Don't ask me what I think about something unless you want a truthful anwser. It may not be the anwser you are looking for.

It's better to fly with the eagles then drive with the turkeys.

SuzzeQ4

Pretty much what TKMJ said but I would also add that they should be visable & approachable.

It's hard when you are wanting ask for a special, knowing there is alot to be done that day & not knowing where the AD is.

...Oh they should also know the customs for that area. I was at one powwow where the AD was from very far away & kept trying to re-direct thigns that he assumed would happen, & when they didn't, because that wasn't how this Nation did things, he would try to re-direct it, & everyone was wondering what he was doing, having not seen thigns done that way. Whew, what a disorganized day that was.
Suzze

Fat Albert

TKMJ brings up a good question: "In my oponion, If you ask the AD for a special event in the circle and it is granted, It is your responsibility to be at the circle on time. If not on time the AD should have the guts to cancle your event because you were late." I agree with this when it comes to extra specials and requested events...

But what about the entire event (I know this is not what you were referring to)? I have been to dances where we were waiting on the drum or head staff before and I am interested in hearing what the group thinks about approaching this issue. Also I was taught it was on the head staff to be on time so this was not a problem but things happen it seems. Do you replace them, wait for them, go on without then, cancel (not likely I think) or something else? Is this a decision for the AD or the committee or both? Thanks!

TKMJ Productions

Good Question FA!

Powwows do run late a lot of the time due to one problem or another. For example the head vet is late because he is still rounding up the vets to carry in flags and such. There are also Grand Entry line up problems that the AD must deal with.

Thats why we have "NDN TIME". About 15 minuits before Grand Entry, the MC should be directed to announce that we are now on "NDN TIME". He should also explain that all time pieces except for the sun reflect an incorrect time for the duration of the powwow. This gives the AD and staff more time to assemble and start the Grand Entry. If things are running very late the AD can direct the drums to do a second warm up song to fill time. This keeps the spectators occupied and excited untill Grand Entry. If a drum is late and it's the only drum, Then it's time to sweat a bit. You can start a powwow with a recorded Grand Entry song but that's a tacky thing to do. If your host drum is late, start the powwow with another drum that's onhand at the arbor. It's been done before and will be done in the future.

I also feel that a requirment of the MC is to announce "First", "Second" and "FINAL" calls for dancers, drums, and staff. "FINAL CALL" should be made no later then 20 minuits before Grand Entry. Final Call should also be repeated with a time check every 5 minuits there after before Grand Entry. This usually makes things run somewhat on a reasonable time structure. Calls for specials should also be made this way because we are now on "NDN TIME".

One more thing: If you have a good AD and a good MC, working together the MC can fill time with announcements and powwow facts and protocalls for the day. A good MC can make the spectators feel that it is part of the show. So are you really running late?????

__________________
Don't ask me what I think about something unless you want a truthful anwser. It may not be the anwser you are looking for.

It's better to fly with the eagles then drive with the turkeys.

TKMJ Productions

One more thing that should be added to my pervious comment is that a good AD can look very bad due to the balance of the powwow circle staff. ie Head Vet, MC, Whipmen and such.

I do a lot of MC work being a sound man. When I do MC work, I take all my cues from the AD. If he needs fill time, I try my best to stretch it out. I also remind him of the order of specials and give him time cues from my notes. I usually give the AD at least 2 to 3 songs worth of time to line up specials and such. I also announce exabition and competition dances 2 to 3 songs beforhand with calls to the dancers to be ready. This also gives the AD cues of what is happening ahead of time. Before Grand Entry, I always make sure that there is a head staff meeting so everyone knows what to expect. I also copy my notes and give a copy to the AD so we are always on the same page.

If the head staff at the circle work together, The powwow comittee can attend to other duties and not worry about the circle. That's why they hired the circle staff in the first place.

Do your job and do it well. That's why you were hired in the first place!

Remember if Sitting Bull didn't have his stuff and staff together, Custar may have won the battle.

__________________
Don't ask me what I think about something unless you want a truthful anwser. It may not be the anwser you are looking for.

It's better to fly with the eagles then drive with the turkeys.

Coyot_In_The_House

Especially at Larger Celebrations.....AD's have to move.....Fast....Quick judgements and on and on.I.E. thinking on your feet, juggling 10 things at once and making it look easy...They need a staff that works with them, not againest them. They should be assertive, yet cordial and understanding. No power trips, but know where to draw the line....Knowlegable of a wide variety of ways, so toes are not stepped on. Calm, Cool, and Collective.....Just to name a few....

George "Crickett" Shields
Ronnie D.
R.G. Harris
Jonathon Windy Boy
Kenny Merrick Jr.
Wade Baker
Jim Red Eagle
Michael Roberts
Gabe Derrosiers (sp?)
Randy Medicine Bear
Terry Fiddler
Royce Kingbird

TKMJ Productions

Better add Logan Steele to your list. He is one of the best ADs I have ever worked with. This guy can wrangle 250 dancers by himself. The guy is quick, cool, and keeps it together all the time. All you need to do is tell him what you want and he makes it happen.

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Don't ask me what I think about something unless you want a truthful anwser. It may not be the anwser you are looking for.

It's better to fly with the eagles then drive with the turkeys.

SuzzeQ4

Well if we're listing great AD's now I'd like to add Joe Canoe Jr. he does my fave powwow, (Algonquin park, small but so so nice) on top of being on top of every thing else he's great with the kids who are dancing.
Suzze

MayChe

hmmmm...Definitely one who isn't on a power trip, like coyot said. Someone who actually pays attention to the arena and not off wondering somewhere chatting with friends. I've seen this happen a couple of times. Someone who will keep the arena clean and get on people who disrespect it by eating and smoking in it.

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Chukchansi_Chick

Young to move fast around the circle.
Nice to get along with everyone.
Handsome to make the down time worth while.

MERLE EAGLESPEAKER fitts all the above! Very,very,very,very easy on the eyes! oh and JULIUS NOTAFRIAD to. and NATHAN LARGO to.

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