Nova Scotia Dancers are asked to consider registering for FESTIVAL 2010 as soon as possible. This will not onlyhelp pay the early bills, but also make planning that much easier. There will be registration forms at most of thesummer events such as METRO and VALLEY summer dances and the summer "special" dances. For those withaccess to the Web, the Registration form is available at: www.squaredance.ns.ca and click on the 2010 in the upperright corner. The discounted fee will be available only until 31 August this year!
ALLIANCE OF ROUND, TRADITIONAL, and SQUARE DANCE (ARTS)
For the information of our members, a new organization has been formed in the United States. ARTS has broughttogether the leadership of eleven US National organizations. They represent the Dancers, Callers, Cuers, & Teachersfrom the Round, Traditional, & Square Dance Communities. The ARTS programs include such things as thedevelopment of marketing & recruiting programs to encourage non-dancers to join the activity. A toll-free number hasbeen established (similar to our Canadian Society's 1-866-206-6696). Efforts are underway to develop a video todepict the fun of our dance, to develop in-school programs, and an ARTS Travel program. The initial ARTSNEWSLETTER and further information is available on the ARTS website www.arts-dance.org
UPCOMING MAJOR EVENTS (also see the Calendar of Events at www.squaredance.ns.ca)
55th US National Convention - 21/24 June - San Antonio, Texas - www.55thnsdc.org
15th Canadian National Convention - 13/15 July - Montreal, QC - geocities.com/convention2006
37th Maritime Square & Round Dance Convention(MCCA) - 10/11 Nov. - Fredericton, NB
NEWS FROM THE SPRING FEDERATION BOARD MEETING
The Federation Board members met on 6 May at the Sackville Heights Community Centre. Discussed items:
- There have been no bookings for the Federation Parade Trailer so far. This Trailer represents an investment ofseveral thousand dollars and yearly expenses. Clubs, Callers, & Cuers are encouraged to consider using thisvaluable publicity assest to bring our activity to the public at parades or other events. Bookings for the trailer canbe made with either: Harold & Clara Redden 538-9513 buttons@ca.inter.net
- Board members expressed concern that one operating NS club had not registered with the Federation, and thereforetheir members are not covered by liability insurance nor are the members considered as Federation members.Efforts to ensure all NS dancers and clubs are paid-up Federation members will continue in the Fall.
- The Publicity Officers reported that the Canadian Society is preparing promotional DVDs for use by members. Itwas suggested that the Federation consider purchasing a DVD/TV for use by clubs at shows and events.
- The Board members agreed that the Square dancers need to make their presence evident, as the general publicdoesn't know we exist! Colourful, eye-catching posters need to placed on public bulletin boards everywhere; flyers& business cards should be placed where the public can pick them up; and dancers should take part in events &shows. A Summer to Fall timetable for various marketing & promotional activities was presented:
June & July - Take part in Exhibitions, Festivals, Parades, Shows.
August - Parades, Demonstrations, Flyers/Poster/Cards blitz.
September - Public Service Announcements(PSAs), Exhibitions, Fairs, Open Houses. - The Board agreed to take part in this year's 50+ EXPO at the Halifax Exhibition Grounds on 9&10 June. Inaddition to speaking to the public at the booth, there may be an opportunity to dance on the main stage. NS squaredancers are invited to come to the 50+EXPO in their square dance outfits on either day. Here is a good chance toshow over 5000 people per day that we exist!
- The New Dancer Handout that was prepared by Ron & Dot Connell is now available at no cost to all NS clubs.
Clubs, Callers, & Cuers should contact Ron & Dot at 434-3023 or 7 Terrace Court, Dartmouth, NS B2W 3J3. - The Board approved the selection of one couple for the annual Mayflower Award. It is planned to present it atthe Cumberland Twirlers Blueberry Fling, 9 Sep.
- Ron & Dot Connell volunteered to chair the Nominating Committee to seek volunteers for the positions of Federation Vice President and of Secretary to be elected at the AGM.
- The Board Summer meeting will be held at the Ardoise Community Hall, Hwy1 & School Rd., Ardoise, at1:30pm. 2 July.
- The Annual General Meeting of the Federation will be held at the Bible Hill Fire Hall, 30 Sep. at 1:30pm. Allclubs should plan to have a representative at this meeting to determine the future of our activity.
THE HIGHLAND SQUARES CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS IN APRIL!
The Highland Squares, Stellarton, recently honoured their former caller Herb Muir on the occasion of his 80thbirthday. Herb & Kathleen were pleasantly surprised upon arriving at the Heather restaurant for a Club Xmas dinner tofind Herb the Guest of Honour. After a turkey dinner with dancing friends including some who hadn't danced withthem for over a decade, Herb elegantly expressed his thanks. Following the dinner, everyone gathered at theCommunity College for an evening of dancing. The Xmas Candy Cane Caper party had to be cancelled last Decemberdue to a storm, so on this evening dancers gathered from Truro thru to Antigonish to Honour Herb & Kay as well ascelebrate the Christmas season that was! With a Christmas tree and gifts and candy canes decorating the hall, Ed Gilesand Jack MacArthur ably led the dancers thru an enjoyable evening of dancing to all the favourite Christmas tunes.During the evening, guests were led on a satirical walk through Herb's life. Later Santa arrived (looking suspiciouslylike Marshall Dunn) and handed out candy canes to everyone. Prizes were won for the most unique costume: Firstplace went to Emile Boudreau, as the candy cane man, Strathmore Stutters: Second to Ken Murray, for his candy caneearring ensemble, Cobequid Twirlers. Winning door prizes were: Hank & Laverne MacGann, Wally & BonnieMcKay, COBEQUID Twirlers and Eva Cameron Maple Leaf Whirlaways. The prize to the club with the mostmembers visiting was the Cobequid Twirlers. Jack MacArthur reminisced about the adventures he and Herb hadenjoyed during their 30 odd years as a square dance callers. Jack also addressed the age-old controversy on just howmuch women have improved men's lives. Final consensus is pending on that topic! To conclude the evening a buffetlunch was enjoyed complete with Christmas fruit cake. And so, the Pictou County Christmas that was, concluded, asChristmas wishes mingled with birthday wishes as guests departed for their homes.
NEWS FROM THE SUNRISE SQUARES
The Sunrise Squares Dance Club held their closing dance on May 12, with over four squares. We had a very good yearand are looking forward to another one next year. We had a few dances cancelled this winter due to the weather. Westarted the year with two new couples but due to illness one couple had to drop out. During the year we had specialdances The Honolulu Hoedown is one that shouldn't be missed. Our Club also held a Benefit Dance in support of theTransition house for abused women and children, Harbour House in Bridgewater and we raised over $100. On ourclosing dance Neil lead us in the Friendship Song followed by a lovely lunch and a birthday cake for Gordon Lowe,and Jack MacNeil, this ended our season of square dancing. Hope to see you in a square. Good Squares and HappyDancing. Have a safe and wonderful summer to all.
Sunrise Squares - Mainstream Friday nites 8PM to 10PM Plus alternate Tues nites 7.30 PM to 9.30PM MARC. InDayspring. Caller Neil & Kathy Dorey 644-2757, Contacts Neil & Kathy Dorey or Ralph & Valerie Brown 543-5278
Written by Hazel Hebb/ Club Historian
Photos from the Sunrise Squares January Silly Dance:
NEWS FROM THE APPLE VALLEY DANCERS
On Tuesday, May 16, the Apple Valley Dancers held their Wind up Dance for this season with a pot luck dinner anddance. Everyone wore their club colours of red and black for the occasion. It was a fun night with Nelson calling to 7squares of dancers and Pat having about a dozen couples on the floor for rounds. The club will resume dancing nextseason on Tuesday, October 3.
METRO ASSOCIATION SUMMER DANCES - HALIFAX - DARTMOUTH NS
Thursdays: 7:30-10:00pm. Mix of Easy MS, MS, Rds., & Contras, as appropriate for the attendees. WestphalRoom, Cole Harbour Place, 51 Forest Hills, Cole Harbour, NS, $5/person, Square Dance attire, please, or tastefulcasual on hot nights. AIR CONDITIONED !!!! Contact: Dottie & Gary Welch, 435-4544 dwelch@orion.stmarys.ca or: Don Scott, 865-5780, dwscott@ns.sympatico.ca (See Webpage)
| DATE | CALLER |
| June 8 | Kerry Fletcher |
| June 15 | Barry & Claire Walker |
| June 22 | Mark & Jackie Savage |
| June 29 | Ralph & Barb MacDonald |
| July 6 | Dottie & Gary Welch |
| July 13 | (No Dance - Montreal Convention) |
| July 20 | Alex Ritchie |
| July 27 | Kerry Fletcher |
| Aug 3 | Paul & Reta Blades |
| Aug 10 | Mark & Jackie Savage |
| Aug 17 | Dottie & Gary Welch - LIVE MUSIC - METRO FUND RAISER for next year |
ANNAPOLIS VALLEY SQUARE DANCE CLUBS SUMMER DANCE PROGRAM
Morden Community Centre (Exit 16 off Hwy #101) - Tuesdays, 8:00 to 10:00pm.Mainstream with one Plus and easyRounds where noted. Admission: $7.00 per couple. Dress: Casual. Contact: Nelson & Pat Labor (902) 765-2247 (See Webpage)
| DATE | CALLER | LEVEL |
| June 13 | Barry Walker | MS, 1 Plus, Rds. |
| June 20 | Nelson Labor | MS, 1 Plus, Rds. |
| June 27 | Fran Archambault | MS, 1 Plus |
| July 4 | Laurie Illsley | MS, 1 Plus |
| July 11 | Tom Collins | MS, 1 Plus |
| July 18 | Barry Walker | MS, 1 Plus, Rds. |
| July 25 | Fran Archambault | MS, 1 Plus |
| Aug 1 | Laurie Illsley | MS, 1 Plus |
| Aug 8 | Nelson Labor | MS, 1 Plus, Rds. |
| Aug 15 | Tom Collins | MS, 1 Plus |
| Aug 22 | All Callers | MS, 1 Plus, Rds. |