May 17: HRC Closed. Dancing at Stephanie’s.

This Friday at dancing:
No dancing at HRC.
Music and dancing at Stephanie’s!!!

Stephanie AndersonHancock Rec Center will be closed for maintenance. But we will PARTY and DANCE at Stephanie’s house. Food, drinks, and musicians welcome!! 7:00 – 11:00 pm, 4907 Lynndale Drive, Austin.
For more information and loads of other fun stuff, check out this week’s newsletter.

May 10: John DJ,s Janie assists.

This Friday at dancing:
John DJs, Janie assists.

John ScalesJanie HopkinsEnjoy a lively evening of folk dancing this Friday DJ’d by John Scales. John will be assisted by Janie Hopkins.
Teaching: Come at 7 pm as Misi Tsurikov and Celsa Sanchez review the two dances they taught last week — Pasacatre and Polka Mazurca De Tejina — and originally learned at SAFDF 2019. Then, Misi teams up with Elizabeth Wong to teach Tango Poquito, a tango-themed mixer dance that Nelda Drury originally taught and that Andy Taylor-Blenis brought to us at SAFDF 2019.
Misi Tsurikov Celsa Sanchez Elizabeth Wong
Marc AirhartContra: Our Contra this week will be called by Marc Airhart.
For more information and loads of other fun stuff, check out this week’s newsletter.


Friday, May 10, 7-9:45 pm.
Admission fee is $5 for those 18 and older.
There is no fee for those under 18,
but they must be supervised by a designated person 18 or older.
Hancock Recreation Center (HRC)

May 3: Mayfest and Birthdays

CakeMaypole danceThis Friday at dancing:
Mayfest and May Birthdays!!
Michel DJs, David assists.

Michel_BregerDavid LiangEnjoy a lively evening of folk dancing this Friday as we celebrate May with a Grand March to live music by Don Weeda. We will also enjoy the birthday cakes as well as some special May Dances and music surprises. Michel Breger will DJ this delightful evening. He will be assisted by David Liang.
Teaching: Come at 7 pm as Misi Tsurikov kicks off the evening with a newcomers’ class. Then, Celsa Sanchez and Misi will present two couple dances from the Canary Islands — Pasacatre and Polka Mazurca De Tejina — that our village learned at SAFDF 2019.
Misi Tsurikov Celsa Sanchez
Elizabeth StehlContra: Our Contra this week will be called by Elizabeth Stehl.

Psssst .. did you enjoy the Hambo and Schottische teaching in April? Check out “Wednesday Scandi Jams” in the “Other Dance” section in this week’s newsletter for more chances to practice.

For more information and loads of other fun stuff, check out this week’s newsletter.


Friday, May 3, 7-9:45 pm.
Admission fee is $5 for those 18 and older.
There is no fee for those under 18,
but they must be supervised by a designated person 18 or older.
Hancock Recreation Center (HRC)

April 26: Holly DJs, Jeff assists.

This Friday at dancing:
Holly DJs, Jeff assists.

Holly PlotnerJeff KesselEnjoy a lively evening of folk dancing DJ’d by Holly Plotner. Holly will be assisted by Jeff Kessel.
Stephanie AndersonTeaching: Come at 7 pm for Stephanie Anderson’s teaching of Hambo as part of the April Scandinavian dance skills class.
For more information and loads of other fun stuff, check out this week’s newsletter.


Friday, April 26, 7-9:45 pm.
Admission fee is $5 for those 18 and older.
There is no fee for those under 18,
but they must be supervised by a designated person 18 or older.
Hancock Recreation Center (HRC)

Nelda Drury

Nelda Drury
April 23, 1918 – February 21, 2019.
Nelda Drury It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of Nelda Drury. Nelda left us peacefully on February 21st.

We extend our condolences to her daughter Elizabeth Newton and her son Jimmy Drury.

Nelda’s inspiration and passion for folk dancing cannot be overstated. A 1995 Ford Salute to Education Award summarizes this contribution nicely:

“Nelda Guerrero-Drury is recognized nationally and locally as one of the most prominent figures in performing arts – specifically International Folk Dance. She is an inspiring individual who has contributed over 40 years of her life teaching folk dance to many students and educators in San Antonio and throughout the world.”

Nelda was a founder of the San Antonio Folk Dance Festival, which celebrates is 61st anniversary on March 14-17.

A wonderful biography of Nelda can be found on the socialfolkdance.org website.

A church service will be at Covenant Presbyterian Church on 211 Roleto Dr., Saturday March 9, 2-4 pm. Luncheon and dance after the service.

From Our Prez

Tips for new, and not so new, dancers
from your president.
Denise FynmoreMy goal for all dancers on Friday nights is for them to spend as much time as possible doing the dances they enjoy. I want to give you a few tips here that may help you do that.

(1) Come at 7:00 for the teaching whenever possible.
(2) When you learn a dance you like, also learn the name of the dance. Write it down if necessary.
(3) Over the following weeks, request that dance by writing it on the request list on the music table.
(4) If you see a dance being done that you like, but don’t know it, ask someone or find the name on the board, then you can request that it be taught! There are now two forms at the music table:. One to request dances to be done that night and one to request dances to be taught.

We WANT you to request dances!! The programmers can’t read your mind, so let them know what you want. Yes, I know the dance names are difficult(!), but the names of the dances done each week are written on the board, so write them down or take a photo of the board. I have recently started including the names of dances taught the previous week in the newsletter, along with VIDEOS of them when available. This gives you the opportunity to review and practice at home. A website, folkdancemusings.blogspot.com, has the history, dance notes, and videos of almost every dance I’ve ever heard of, so you can look them up at home if you want to review or learn dances

Teaching requests?

From your AIFD Teaching Director:

Sharon CasteelIs there a dance you especially want to learn, or that you can’t quite get by following behind the line? Send your teaching requests to Sharon at teaching_director@aifd.cc; she’ll see what can go on the teaching schedule for summer and fall. – Sharon Casteel
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