Houston Area Traditional Dance Society Newsletter September 2002
Contents
Searching for a Bigger Hall
... And Help with New Ideas
Bayou Bedlam 2003 "A dash of wickedness, and a whole boatload of knowhow"
Board Meeting August 2002
HATDS Contra Dances
Other Local Dances
Organization and Newsletter Information
Searching for a Bigger Hall
- - By Julia Land
HATDS is outgrowing its current dance hall at Grace Church. There were so many people at the dance on August 27 that we could easily have had three lines for part of the evening _ except that the dance hall was too small.
The Board is issuing a request for help in locating a new location to hold our regular dances. Dorcas Hand, Vice President of the Board said, "We hope for a wood floor (with no drain!!), a decent kitchen, and safe parking for singles as priorities. We seem to enjoy the Heights but are willing to look at many areas. We are limited to Saturday nights because many of our bands come from out of town and cannot be here weeknights, or even Fridays. Rent is negotiable, depending how great the hall is _ well, within limits."
The Board will continue to lead the search, but it needs help from the members with ideas and energy to go looking at possible halls. Please think about church halls and gyms that you know of, and talk to a Board member. Remember, bigger is better.
... And Help with New Ideas
- - By Dorcas Hand
At the Board meetings we have lots of new ideas to make HATDS a better organization and to improve our dances. We've had good ideas from the members, too. But we noticed at the last Board meeting that all we do with these ideas is record them in the minutes. No one goes back to read the minutes often enough to keep all the ideas in play. The Board decided to start a file with recent ideas that merit further consideration. Dorcas is maintaining the file. So far, the ideas are:
- Consider seeking a grant for a HATDS function. The CACH (Cultural Arts Council of Houston) might be a good source.
- A contra at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Chili Cookoff!
- A Leisure Learning course taught by a caller and sponsored under HATDS auspices, perhaps in the River Oaks Park building. Live music would be great, but CDs could be used in part.
- Check with other dance groups for publicity ideas.
Send your ideas to Dorcas so she can add them to the file. If you want to help make one of these ideas happen, the Board would love to hear from you. Just talk to any Board member or send email to board@hatds.org.
Bayou Bedlam 2003
"A dash of wickedness, and a whole boatload of knowhow"
- - By Julia Land
That's how the flier for 2000 Woodstock, Connecticut, Fall Weekend described Lisa Greenleaf. Lisa will be calling at Bayou Bedlam next January so we will experience that knowhow and wickedness for ourselves.
Lisa, known for her high energy calling and articulate teaching, has called in locations as diverse as California, Denmark, Indiana, and Canada. She calls regularly the Boston and New England areas.
Lisa Greenleaf
Here's what other dance groups have had said about Lisa.
"Lisa Greenleaf has been treating dancers across the country to her high spirited, witty calling and is known for precise walk-throughs of zesty and flowing dances. " 1997 Harvest Moon Dance Flier, Santa Barbara, CA
"Lisa's playful style makes everyone feel welcome. ... Particularly skillful at calling to the level of the dancers, she'll be showing us how to achieve dance ecstasy through simple points of style as well as leading challenging and no-walk through sessions." 1998 Slugs at Sunrise Flier, Seattle, WA
"One of the best in the biz, caller Lisa Greenleaf gets the point across with fun, panache, a dash of wickedness, and a whole boatload of knowhow. She's a favorite with bands, who appreciate her discerning ear, and she's a hit with the dancers, who rave about her exciting dance programs, not to mention her ace teaching skills." 2000 Fall Weekend Flier, Woodstock, CT
Board Meeting August 2002
- - By Dorcas Hand
The board met on August 25. It is membership renewal season so look for a form in this newsletter. We also discussed the Hall Search (see article on page 1), which is not progressing as we had hoped. Lauren Singer regretfully resigned the chair of the Hall Search Committee. We discussed the HATDS web page in some detail as we sought better ways to speed communication between the Board and the webmaster as well as to the larger group. Solutions to communication in large volunteer organizations can be hard to find, but we are continuing to work towards them. There will be a meeting on PR ideas and progress in early September which will include Barb Muller; other interested folks are welcome also. Call Dorcas for more info.
Thanks to Cheryl Cleary for managing the August 24 dance, and Steve Roberts for taking on the August 10 one. We would love to see more of you volunteer to help with dance managing, and it isn't very hard. Call Dorcas for more info.
HATDS Contra Dances
Date: September 14
Caller: Barb Smith
Band: The Young Family Strings
Date: September 28
Caller: Keith Holmes
Band: Mockingbird
Date: October 12
Caller: TBA
Band: TBA
Date: October 26
Caller: TBA
Band: Contra Dan's
Where to Go and When
Dances are held at the Grace United Methodist Church at the corner of 13th Street and Heights Boulevard. Dances are from 8 to 11 p.m. Please come early to help set the hall up or stay late to help clean up. Food for the break is provided by generous dancers who bring goodies with them.
The cost is $5 members, $6 non-members, $4 students over 16 with ID, $4 non-members 12-16, $3 student members, and free for under 12. First time dancers receive a coupon for a free second visit.
Other Local Dances
Houston International Folk Dancers
Mondays, 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. (Beginners)
Fridays, 7:30 to 10:00 p.m.
www.folkdancers.org
Royal Scottish Dance Society
Tuesdays, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
www.houstonrscds.org
Scottish Country Dancing and More
Wednesdays, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
www.home.att.net/~diannashipman
Contra Dancing in Texas web page
http://blake.prohosting.com/austinbd/contra/tx
Houston Area Traditional Dance Society
http://www.hatds.org
PO Box 701235
Houston, TX 77270
Board Members board@hatds.org
Bill Budell (713) 270-8670
Dorcas Hand
Roy Simmons (713) 921-7387
Lauren Singer
George Eggleston (713) 988-9698
Webmaster webmaster@hatds.org
Willie Simmons
Newsletter hatdsnews@jltwriter.com
Editor: Julia Land
Graphics: Lauren Singer
Proofreaders: Eleanor Gutterman and Lida Keene
Reproduction: Alice Bohlae
Distribution: Joan Robins