Here’s a usenet thread on retaining dancers: How do we get new dancers to come again?

It specifically refers to contra dancing, but the discussion is relevant to all participatory dance groups.

Got a Palm OS PDA? Want to have your call definitions with you at all times? You can get the definitions in Palm Reader format: Gene’s eBook-shelf. Looks like Gene dances with the Border City Squares in Nashua, New Hampshire, with caller Patty Greene.

Check out these pictures taken at a winery in Temecula: Square Dancing

The photographer says:

Americans have made the square dance unique by adding callers who call out cues and prompts to the dancers so no one has to memorize a complex routine of moves (easy on the stupid American jokes, ‘k?).

Huh, if he only knew how much more challenging square dancing is than dances where you just memorize some moves…he should try responding in real time to a hundred (or more) calls that the caller’s putting together any old which way.

Well, how about that. I found a PDF version (greatly “straightened” up) of the square dance recruiting plan that Ian Henzel wrote back in the ’90’s. It’s probaby still valid, but it’s a lot of work.

From the Chicago Reader (but I’m sure this is a temporary link):

“Be there and be square” is the rallying cry for tonight’s second annual Open End Barn Dance Apocalypse and Box Social. Besides lots of do-si-do-ing to music by the Golden Horse Ranch Square Dance Band, there will be beer, chili, and possibly a mechanical bull; organizers suggest dressing western. The hoedown starts at 7 and runs “until we all fall down” at Open End Gallery, 2000 W. Fulton, suite 310. There’s a suggested donation of $5; call 312-738-2140.

I wrote about this previously: The 2nd Annual Open End Barn Dance Apocalypse (and my article is #1 in a google search on Open End Apocalypse Barn Dancing.

Wish I could teleport!

Check out these pictures taken at a winery in Temecula: Square Dancing

The photographer says:

Americans have made the square dance unique by adding callers who call out cues and prompts to the dancers so no one has to memorize a complex routine of moves (easy on the stupid American jokes, ‘k?).

Huh, if he only knew how much more challenging square dancing is than dances where you just memorize some moves…he should try responding in real time to a hundred (or more) calls that the caller’s putting together any old which way.

From Andrew Sullivan, a conservative blogger:

This president wants our families denied civil protection and civil acknowledgment. He wants us stigmatized not just by a law, not just by his inability even to call us by name, not by his minions on the religious right. He wants us stigmatized in the very founding document of America. There can be no more profound attack on a minority in the United States – or on the promise of freedom that America represents. That very tactic is so shocking in its prejudice, so clear in its intent, so extreme in its implications that it leaves people of good will little lee-way.

So here’s the result of yet another stupid quiz:

You are Lucy!

Which Peanuts Character are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

A few days ago, I wrote about Rich Reel’s new caller all-day workshop. Yesterday was the day, and here’s the first report I’ve found: excessor