Mark's Notebook

Square Dancing...in Space?

by Paul Asente

Hello earth dancers! El Camino Reelers wants to invite you all to Star Thru the Silicon Galaxy, the 22nd annual convention of the International Association of Gay Square Dance Clubs!

We'll be transforming the Santa Clara Marriott over the July 4th weekend into an intergalactic space portal for a weekend of dancing and excitement. There will be 6 full-time halls running from the morning of Saturday, July 2, through the evening of Monday, July 4: Mainstream, Plus, Advanced, C1, C2, and C3AC3BC4. All dancing will be on professional dance floors--no carpet.

We're very pleased to feature a calling staff of intergalactic super-stars! Dance to Saundra Bryant, Vic Ceder, Andy Finch, Rob French, Neil Heather, Mike Jacobs, Michael Kellogg, Kiyoshi Kikuchi, Andy Shore, Anne Uebelacker, Dave Wilson, and Bronc Wise. We're especially happy to be bringing Andy Shore back from Florida for the weekend, and for challenge dancers, Kiyoshi will be bringing his special kind of magic all the way from Japan.

Almost everyone is welcome! We're asking the three-eyed slime beasts from Nebulon 7 to stay away, but other than that, we welcome aliens and humans, robots and organic beings, women and men, youths and adults. However, those caught teleporting between squares or implanting mind parasites will be severely dealt with.

Even if you're not able to join us for the full weekend, we hope you'll come to our free Trail-In Dance on Friday, July 1, from 7:00 to 10:00. Dance to Saundra Bryant, Mike Jacobs, Andy Shore, and Bronc Wise for nonstop dancing at Mainstream through Advanced, with C1 star tips. This dance is being sponsored by All Join Hands Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, promoting, and educating about gay and lesbian square dancing. Day rates are also available, and full information on the Trail-in Dance and day rates and hours can be found on our web page. Please plan to carpool, because the Marriott charges $6 to park for non-registered guests. The Grand March (which you're welcome to participate in) will be at 5:00 on July 2.

Square dance attire is optional at all sessions, although people usually dress up for the Grand March.

Full registration includes all three days of dancing, a banquet, brunch, very special free gifts, and admission to after-hours entertainment. Not to be missed is the annual Honky-Tonk Queen contest, an extravaganza of bad drag and even worse taste!

If you have a few days before convention, we'll be holding tours to Yosemite, Monterey, Santa Cruz, the Winchester Mystery House, and other places. Some guerrilla square dancing almost always springs up during these tours!

You can find lots more information, sign up for tours, and register on-line at our web site, http://www.silicongalaxy.org. Or call 650-747-0622 and we'll send you a registration form or answer any questions you may have.

So please come join us...we're hosting dancers from Australia, Canada, Denmark, England, Japan, Sweden, Taiwan, and the United States...and beyond!

(Article reprinted from The Prompter with the permission of Paul Asente)

Articles

Last updated Tuesday 13 May 2008