Concert/Theatre Etiquette

1. Refrain from talking.  This is the most important rule.

2. Turn off your cell phone!  Vibrate mode is still not good enough and always refrain from texting during the performance.

3. If it is a school concert and your child is performing, you should NOT stand up and wave at them while they are on stage.  Also, it is considered rude to get up and leave as soon as your child's portion of the concert is over.

4. Do NOT walk down the center of the aisle with a video camera.

5. Applaud at appropriate times.  Typically, concerts are broken down into sections of similar pieces, or pieces by the same composer.  Only applaud at the end of an entire grouping or section.

6. It is best to NOT eat during a concert.  However, if you need to unwrap a noisy candy wrapper, it is best to do it before the music starts.

7. Dress appropriately! Dressing up to go to a concert or a play shows respect for the performers.  No jeans or t-shirts!

New Cotillion Promotional Video

Jon D. Williams Cotillions is proud to release our brand new Cotillion promotional video.  We would like to thank the ladies from phatpencil in Boulder, Colorado for doing such a wonderful job on the video.

Thank you to all of the wonderful families who have supported JDWC over the last 62 years.  You are the reason why we do what we do.

JDWC staff

Halloween Etiquette with Daniel

Things have been quite busy here at JDWC.  Annabel is traveling all over the East coast teaching in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Washington DC.  Katherine is opening our Utah programs in Salt Lake City and Park City.  Jon D. is headed to Dallas as we start preparing for one of the biggest Cotillion programs in the country.

While most of the instructors are off teaching, I am here in Denver getting ready for one of my favorite holidays...Halloween.  While I may have grown out of trick-or-treating, I don't think I will ever grow out of dressing up, watching Hocus Pocus, and enjoying the holiday with my family and friends.

As an etiquette/social skills instructor I can't help but see the importance of our actions on Halloween.  Whatever you choose to do, it is important to think of others and always show courtesy and respect.  Knowing the dos and don'ts of Halloween will also ensure your safety and the safety of those around you.

Trick-or-Treating for Children

1. Wear an appropriate costume that is not offensive.
2. Use an eco-friendly, reusable trick-or-treat bag.
3. Trick-or-treat in a safe area that you know well.  It is always a good idea to have a parent or an older sibling with you.
4. Only walk up to houses with the porch light on.
5. Ring the doorbell or knock no more than two times.
6. It doesn't matter how old you are...if you decide to trick-or-treat, you must say "trick-or-treat."
7. Only take one piece of candy from the bowl and never ask for more.
8. Always be respectful and say thank you!
9. If there is a dog or cat, you should not pet them (unless the owner gives you permission).
10. Stay on the sidewalk and make sure not to tromp through a person's yard, flowers, or garden.
11. Only eat individually wrapped candy that has not been opened.

Trick-or-Treating for Adults

1. If you are handing out candy to trick-or-treaters, make sure to turn on your porch light.  This is not only to show the children that your home is chock full of candy, it is also for the children's safety as they walk up to your front door.
2. If you dress up in costume and decorate your yard to scare the trick-or-treaters, make sure it is appropriate for all ages and toddlers.
3. If you know you have a rambunctious dog, try to keep him in another part of the house.  You don't want your dog to turn a 4-year old dressed like a pumpkin into a chew toy.
4. This is not the time to try out your new cookie recipe.  Only hand out individually wrapped candy that is store bought.
5. If you run out of candy, make sure to close your curtains and turn off your porch light.

If you go to a Halloween party, it is customary to bring a fun host/hostess gift to the party and always remember to dress appropriately.

The JDWC family wishes everyone a fun and safe Halloween!

The Fall Is Upon Us

For thousands of families every year, receiving a cotillion invitation is a special moment with a unique meaning.  For some it means being handed down the blue blazer worn by your big brother or picking out a new cotillion dress.  For others it means arranging the cotillion carpool after hockey practice or seeing old friends whom you haven't seen in a year.  For some it means a new adventure while for others it brings back the excitement of dancing with your child at the final party.  For most, cotillion is not just a class; it's a tradition.

This summer has been a busy one at the JDWC corporate office in Denver.  As a collective staff we have been working to better the programs and create the best possible experience for every student.  We have added two new dances to the curriculum along with several new patterns in the dances the students know and love.  We feel the dances we have added will be beneficial in helping the students practice their coordination and teamwork.  While we believe in continually updating our curriculum, it is necessary to continue teaching the essentials that have been taught since the first JDW cotillion in 1949.  These essentials provide an important foundation for a person's social skills.  The social skills learned in cotillion will impact a person's success at any stage in life and will nurture meaningful and lasting relationships.

With Labor Day just moments away, I'm sure most parents and students are dealing with the anticipation of another school year while shopping for backpacks and calculators.  Here at JDWC, we are gearing up for the big fall cotillion season.  JDWC will be hosting programs all over the country in places like Salt Lake City, Houston, Denver, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Corpus Christi, New Jersey, San Antonio, and many others.  Six full-time professional instructors teach all of our 50 programs nationwide.  As instructors, we devote our time and energy into making a difference in young people's lives.  In a world where words like courtesy, respect, and civility are sometimes lost, we remind young people that their actions do make a difference in creating a better world.

The Cotillion Chronicles is a portal into the world of cotillion and the adventures of our instructors as we seek to tackle incivility in the 21st century.