Dear All,
I'll send something longer and more informative in a while, but this is a
heads up.
We are planning to make a change with the trad-dance-caller list. It will
move away from yahoogroups and over to the "SharedWeight" platform. The
general operation of the list will be pretty much the same. All that will
be missing will be ads and fussing with a Yahoo ID.
the list content will continue in the direction it has followed in recent
years. We'll be dealing dances in formations other than contra -- squares
in particular, as we have a fair number of folks with strong square dance
backgrounds on the list. And we'll be a resource for dance parties -- one
night stands, wedding dances, community dances -- and all that sort of
thing.
When the transition comes -- after it -- I intend to make a little effort
at stimulating communication on those topics. I have a few old things that
I want to complete -- eg. a checklist for dance party communication. And
I'm interested in building and sharing repertoire in the everything but
contra world -- especially the things that work for dance parties.
I am also interested in locating a few brave individuals who might be
interest in becoming moderators and regular contributors to this list. If
you think you'd like to be involved in helping in the revitalization
effort, contact me off list at mailto:ridgek@gmail.com .
Thanks, as ever, for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Ridge
--
Ridge Kennedy [Exit 145]
www.ridgekennedy.com
When you stumble, make it part of the dance.
Of interest to those interested in the history and evolution of the country
dance: A Time To Dance: Country Dancing from Hornpipes to Hot Hash.
Originally published by St.Martin's Press in 1977, new paperback edition
published by Bauhan Publishing in 2017. 2 Accompanying films Country
Corners and Full Of Life A-Dancin' DVD. made with NEA funds.
"A well thought-out, carefully put together volume on an important part of
Americana." -Library Journal
Featured on "Good Morning America" and "Studs Terkel's Almanac"
We have a few copies of both the new edition of the book and the DVD
available. Inquiries welcome! Discount for callers and dance organizers
interested in multiple copies for re-sale at special events
Richard at atimetodance2017(a)gmail.com
--
Richard Nevell & Ni Wayan Suarni
40 Sugarbush Road, Hancock, NH 03449
www.thepondok.comwww.facebook.com/giftsfrombaliwww.facebook.com/richardnevellATTD/
Hi all,
Query from a friend:
In a pamphlet called "Cutler’s Collection" (Song Dance & Music from South Yorkshire), there is a dance called "Charter Square" in which a Mexican Star is mentioned:
“Ladies right hand Mexican Star all the way round”. No further information is provided.
Does anyone have any insights into what a Mexican Star might have been?
Thanks.
John
Hi Friends,
I am excited to announce the dates for Helvetia Hoot 2019! We used to call
it Dare to Be Square, but we wanted to make it an event for more than just
musicians and dancers (so bring your friends). Food, craft, and mountain
culture workshops have been added to the usual gamut of music and dance
opportunities.
Helvetia, settled by Swiss in 1869, is a sweet mountaintop town with a
current population of 59. The community is known for maintaining Swiss
cultural traditions in their seasonal gatherings such as Fasnacht and
monthly dances. Rustic camping is available in a tree lined field alongside
the creek between the town's two dance halls, general store, and Swiss
restaurant. It's 1 hour from Elkins and a 3 hour drive from the Pittsburgh
airport.
I hope you'll put it on your calendar and try to bring the whole family.
I'm happy to help coordinate ride-shares and work trade if that makes it
easier for you to come. Even if you can't make it this year, we could
really use help promoting, so we get enough folks to keep it affordable.
Send me your mailing address if you want handbills to distribute.
https://www.facebook.com/events/661652307617330/
Hold Fast and Never Let Go,
T-Claw
___________________________________________________________
HELVETIA HOOT
HELVETIA,WV
August 31 – September 2, 2019
Looking for a Labor Day Weekend adventure? This weekend, formally known as
Dare to be Square, is designed for aspiring and advanced callers, dancers,
musicians, singers and those eager to try something new. Foodways, craft,
and mountain culture sessions are also in the works. Workshops will be held
Saturday and Sunday. Come up for just a day, or the whole weekend! Come
experience a local West Virginia square dance Friday night at the Jackson
Mill Jubilee in Weston. Camping will be available Friday – Monday morning.
Workshops will be offered by Ginny Hawker, Val Mindel, Jesse Milnes, Mack
Samples, Bill Ohse, Lou Maiuri, Becky Hill, T- Claw, Ellen & Eugene
Ratcliffe and many others yet to be determined! Workshop highlights include
Helvetia Fiddle Tunes with Jesse Milnes, a Gospel Sing with Ginny Hawker,
Old Time Helvetia Baking, Calling 101 & 102 with T-Claw, Glenville Style
Square Dances with legendary WV Callers, Flatfooting 1 & 2 with Becky Hill
& friends, Appalachian Foodways with Mike Costello & Amy Dawson, Old-Time
Singing with Val Mindel and so much more!
There are two beautiful dance halls and there will be many opportunities to
practice calling! Evening dances are open to the public on Saturday &
Sunday nights with jam sessions at all hours.
EVENT CHECK-IN: will start at 10am on Saturday, August 31 in the Community
Hall
Please bring CASH or CHECK when registering at the gate.
VOLUNTEER: Please let us know if you can't come due to not being able to
afford the admission price. There are several volunteer opportunities
available for partial and full tuition. There are also several scholarships
available to eager beginning callers!
calling.t.claw(a)gmail.com for inquiries.
SCHEDULE
Public Nightly Dances start at 8 p.m. Admission is $10.
Friday, August 30 – Jackson Mill Jubilee Square Dance
Saturday, August 31 – Jesse Milnes & Friends
Sunday, September 1 – Big Possum Stringband
More details about workshops and schedule coming soon...
SLEEP
Rooms are available for rent at the Hutte: 304-924-6435
and Kultur Haus: 304-924-5160. To reserve a room please tell them you are
with “Dare to be Square/ Helvetia Hoot”. For more information visit
www.helvetiawv.com
CAMPING
Rustic camping is a $15 – 20 donation for the weekend.
No showers are available, there is a small creek to play around in.
There are real restrooms within walking distance of camping field.
DIRECTIONS!
Be warned that GPS to Helvetia doesn’t always work. There have been several
hilarious adventures that involve people getting stuck in swamps. Please
use these directions from the Hutte. There will be signs posted. Most cell
phones will not get reception in Helvetia.
>From Elkins:
Take Route 219 to 250 South for 16 miles to Mill Creek.
In Mill Creek Turn Right on County Route 46 (Helvetia Road)
20 Miles to Helvetia.
>From Buckhannon:
Take Route 20 South for 12 miles to the West Virginia Wildlife Center.
Turn Left onto County Route 11 (Alexander Helvetia Road)
20 Miles to Helvetia.
MEALS
Saturday August 31st
Breakfast: We will have COFFEE available (please bring a mug)
Lunch is on your own.
Dinner: POTLUCK 6 – 8pm (please bring a dish to pass)
Sunday September 1st
Breakfast: We will have COFFEE available (please bring a mug)
Lunch is on your own. Hutte will be open noon to 7pm.
Dinner: TBD
Snacks, beer, t-shirts, postcards and other small items are available at
the Helvetia General Store. There is no ATM, gas station or large grocery
store in Helvetia.
http://helvetiawv.comhttps://mountaindancetrail.org/364-2/https://www.facebook.com/events/661652307617330/
