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)

April 19: Bunny Hop!!!

Bunny Hop Party 2018This Friday at dancing:
Bunny Hop Party!!!
Dee DJs, Mike assists.
Mike ReveszDee McCandlessEnjoy a lively evening of folk dancing DJ’d by Dee McCandless. Dee will be assisted by Mike Revesz. This week we will celebrate our Second Annual Bunny Hop! Will the Bunny show up this year and lead us in the Bunny Hop or Bunny Pravo? Snacks will be served.
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 19, 7-9:45 pm.
Admission fee is $5 for thoshttp://aifd.cc/wp-login.phpe 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 12: Sharon DJs, Kathleen assists

CakeCakeThis Friday at dancing:
Sharon DJs, Kathleen assists.
April Birthdays and Anniversaries!!
Sharon CasteelKathleen McDonaghEnjoy a lively evening of folk dancing DJ’d by Sharon Casteel. Sharon will be assisted by Kathleen McDonagh. Do you or a fellow dancer have a birthday or anniversary in April? Come to folk dancing to celebrate with song, dance, and cake!
Madeline BrockStephanie AndersonTeaching: Come at 7 pm for teaching designed for people new to folk dancing, and those looking for a refresher on dance basics. In addition, Stephanie Anderson will continue her April series for basic Scandinavian dance skills and Hambo.
Elizabeth StehlContra: Our Contra this week will be called by Elizabeth Stehl.
For more information and loads of other fun stuff, check out this week’s newsletter.


Friday, April 12, 7-9:45 pm.
Admission fee is $5 for thoshttp://aifd.cc/wp-login.phpe 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 5: Franklin DJs, Denise assists.

This Friday at dancing:
Franklin DJs, Denise assists.
Franklin HoustonDenise FynmoreEnjoy a lively evening of folk dancing DJ’d by Franklin Houston. Franklin will be assisted by Denise Fynmore. Be sure to get your requests in early so Franklin can add them to a mix of recently taught dances and old favorites.
Madeline BrockStephanie AndersonTeaching: Come at 7 pm for teaching designed for people new to folk dancing, and those looking for a refresher on dance basics. In addition, Stephanie Anderson will teach the first of her month-long classes for basic Scandinavian dance skills and Hambo.
Nana LopezContra: Our Contra this week will be called by Nana Lopez.
For more information and loads of other fun stuff, check out this week’s newsletter.


Friday, April 5, 7-9:45 pm.
Admission fee is $5 for thoshttp://aifd.cc/wp-login.phpe 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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