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Have kendama jams grown stale? *ideas*

Discussion in 'The Sesh' started by Cheech_Sander, Apr 26, 2018.

  1. Cheech_Sander

    Cheech_Sander Administrator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2016
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Talking about jam sessions here, not official events.
    In thinking about most Jams I've been to, they're kind of all the same. People straggle in, maybe there's a surprise guest maybe not, some mini games, everyone gets together for a photo, the end.

    Don't get me wrong, they are a ton of fun. Nothing wrong with getting together to play kendama. But if the goal is to spread and promote, I wonder if they have to be such formulaic endeavors. So I want to hear from you guys some new ideas to bring to your next jam. Some examples:

    • "White Elephant"- everyone who wants to play brings a (wrapped) 7/10 or better kendama. Hilarity ensues as people steal the one they want and damas change hands until the last one is unwrapped.
    • "n00b off" - everyone has to bring a non player and get that person to (big cup, spike, etc) winning n00bz get a kendama
    • unorthodox locations- organize a jam at a nursing home, or homeless shelter, or even a state park.
    • dama dinner- have everyone bring $5-10 and get the thing catered, set up picnic tables and chit chat over a meal after you sesh
    keep the ideas flowing!
     
    Apr 26, 2018
  2. Sirwillcode

    Sirwillcode Slayer

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2017
    Location:
    Atlanta, GA
    I do agree that most are exactly as you mentioned. Since i play be myself for the most part and don't really have any friends around me that play, I find it uncomfortable to walk into a jam where everyone knows everyone and I have to just walk up and start playing alone. That is, until I start talking to someone and games of ken start happening. So I think if jams could be less "grouped" and welcome random folks I think that would be awesome. But I also have no idea how to do that so I'm just throwing out my experiences.
     
    Apr 26, 2018
  3. Nick Lectura

    Nick Lectura Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2016
    Location:
    Santa Cruz, CA
    Interesting topic, I've kind of been thinking the same thing. I think that a lot of the jams I go to though are just to hang out with the dama fam, it's less about the stuff for me.
    But yes, if the goal is to spread and promote, the jams should be somewhere in a public place that gets a lot of traffic as opposed to the secluded part of the park or something.
    For example, when kgtueswas in Japantown underneath the pagoda, there were always people kind of watching from afar or those that even came to peek their head in. It was a great way to spread kendama.
    Even now, kgtues in San Mateo is right by the Caltrain, so we're trying to get some of the commuters interested. It's just hard when they're all the stereotypical Silicon Valley tech workers that have headphones in and are glued to their phone screen.

    I know the feeling. It can be awkward walking up to people you don't know. I felt that when I went to one of the Sacramento jams that Dave Mateo threw a couple years back that just so happened to be 10 minutes away from my cousins house.

    One thing I'm slowly learning though is that if you're awkward when talking to people, they're probably going to be awkward when talking to you. It's kind of like the energy you give off is the energy you receive. If you're super tired when you go to a jam and kind of give the impression that you're tired, it will definitely affect the other people around you and make them tired. I know because I've been in that situation. The day could be super nice out but if everyone is just tired and wants to go home, the jam won't be as fun.
    Obviously I can't just tell you to not be awkward, easier said then done. But if you approach people with a smile, introduce yourself, are nice/personable, and maybe even engage them in conversation, they'll most likely accept you or at least want to keep talking to you. However, there are some people who just aren't built like that; they're more closed off to people that they don't know, so you can't just expect people to welcome you with open arms. You kind of have to extend your hand first sometimes.
    I will say though that there are people who are just so naturally welcoming about kendama and do welcome newcomers with open arms. Jake Wiens is a prime example; I've seen him welcome full grown adult men and shy little 10 year olds to come and play kendama with him. It just depends on the people around you really
     
    Apr 26, 2018
  4. Sirwillcode

    Sirwillcode Slayer

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2017
    Location:
    Atlanta, GA
    I def. Agree. I went to a jam a few months back in a huge park and the insta post just said this at this time. And I walked around for an hour before I found the small group playing in the shade on a hill in the back. By the time I got there I was tired but wanted to jam because that's what I came to do and just walked up and said what's up to a bunch of folks and just started playing. Everyone was clicked out and didn't bring anyone so I just kinda squeezed in someplace and started talking. They were cool but I didn't stay all that long. I wish I could have called someone who could tell me where it was in the park or something but you live and you learn. Haven't really been to another one since. But yea I know if someone walks up with a weird attitude, any person isn't going to just stay and hang with them. Playing dama or not. And I try to be outgoing in the situation but it seems like everyone knows everyone there and then I walk like "what up?" Haha. It's tough sometimes. I kinda equate it to going to a club by yourself. Except it's not nearly as bad as that. But same principle. Always better when you have a friend or girlfriend with you. Sorry for the long post.
     
    Apr 26, 2018
    Jedi_man and Matteo Schulz like this.
  5. goenKendama

    goenKendama Administrator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2016
    Location:
    Metro Manila, Philippines
    Is the goal of a jam to spread and promote? It seems that the formula itself is mainly just to bring together like-minded individuals rather than bring in new players or promote the sport to those who might not have ever seen it. I've not been to jams in the US so part of my knowledge here is more from photos, vids and discussions but it seems most jams are inward looking not outward.

    There don't seem to be people on the edges of the groups facing outward so that passers by can see them easily. Everyone tends to be doing harder tricks which if viewed by first timers can be kind of intimidating. There's no sign that says Kendama - Free to Play so people in the area won't really have any idea that they would be welcome to join in.

    Perhaps making contacts with school admins, toy stores, or other businesses in the area and getting them to post/promote the jams specifically mentioning n00bs are welcome then having a fold up sign or something that tells passersby that they're welcome to join in, ask questions, etc. would help. Maybe have flyers made with websites and FB pages where people can go to get more info, maybe with a short intro about kendama too.

    You might even call them something else since "jam," at least in my mind, is more about players connecting with other skilled players rather than about spreading, promoting, and bringing in new players. Maybe call them "skill sessions" or something like that and leave the "jams" for the people who already play and just want to go hang with other players not necessarily teach kendama or perform.
     
    Apr 26, 2018
    Jedi_man and Cheech_Sander like this.
  6. Cheech_Sander

    Cheech_Sander Administrator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2016
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    @goenKendama I'm not even saying that the goal is to promote necessarily; if you just want to set a time to play KEN with equally skilled players, that is reason enough to jam. But maybe it's possible to do both.
     
    Apr 26, 2018
  7. goenKendama

    goenKendama Administrator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2016
    Location:
    Metro Manila, Philippines
    No doubt it is possible to do both but I think it will take a concerted effort to include outward looking prep as mentioned above if we want to create more promotion/n00b friendly events/jams/etc. To steal and paraphrase a line from a commercial over here, maybe make shirts with "Want to play kendama? Ask me how." :D
     
    Apr 26, 2018
  8. Nick Lectura

    Nick Lectura Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2016
    Location:
    Santa Cruz, CA
    It is tough. There are certain things that I still won't do by myself, like going to the movies. I eat alone all the time in between classes but for some reason, the thought of going to the movies alone is something I still won't do.
    It's hard to introduce yourself to people, I get that. There were people at Sakura Classic last weekend that I've seen online before and wanted to meet while they were in town, but I just never introduced myself. You kind of have to believe in yourself first because if you don't think you're worth knowing, who else will? (and yes there are people who are just intrinsically good-hearted and will introduce themselves to you first, but I feel like they're rare so you kind of have to rely on yourself to do it)
    Also, maybe its not even you. Maybe the group of people you went to jam dama with were just assholes lol. There are certainly some dama people that I've met and jammed with that I just don't like, straight up, and its always a little bit sucky when I see them at events. I feel like there are people who play kendama and have changed because its opened their minds but then also people who just jam kendama because its something to do, and they still remain the same person they were before it, which could be an asshole.
    I feel like I'm rambling but the main point is that you just gotta put yourself out there, even though its hard. Of course its easier if you have someone with you, but straight roads don't make skilled drivers or some other semi-cheesy but kind of true quote. If people think you're weird, so be it! Really doesn't matter in the end
     
    Apr 27, 2018
  9. Sirwillcode

    Sirwillcode Slayer

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2017
    Location:
    Atlanta, GA
    Awesome quote. Haha yea I feel you. May be cheesy but it is correct.
     
    Apr 28, 2018
    Nick Lectura likes this.
  10. Cheech_Sander

    Cheech_Sander Administrator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2016
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    You have to believe in yourself first because if you don't think you're worth knowing, who else will?

    ^Taking this with me to my next pitch meeting(s)
     
    Apr 29, 2018
  11. goenKendama

    goenKendama Administrator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2016
    Location:
    Metro Manila, Philippines
    Now immortalized in the "Favorite Quotes" thread. :D
     
    Apr 29, 2018