Nov 22: Sharon DJ’s, David assists.

This Friday at dancing:
Sharon DJs, David assists!!
Sharon CasteelDavid LiangJoin us for a fun night of dancing DJ’d by Sharon Casteel. Sharon will be assisted by David Liang.
John AlexanderTeaching: John Alexander will teach/review the lively Bulgarian dance Sitno Severnysasko Horo.
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, November 22, 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)

Nov 15: Madeline DJs, Denise assists.

CakeCakeThis Friday at dancing:
November Birthdays and Anniversaries.
Samodivas performs
Madeline DJs, Denise assists!!
Madeline BrockDenise FynmoreJoin us for a fun night of dancing. We will be treated to live singing performance by Samodivas. Our DJ will be Madeline Brock. Madeline will be assisted by Denise Fynmore. This week we’ll also celebrate our dancers who have a birthday or anniversary in November with song, dance, and cake.
John AlexanderTeaching: John Alexander will teach the lively Bulgarian dance Sitno Severnysasko Horo.
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, November 15, 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)

Nov 8: Texas Camp Band!!!

TrumpetThis Friday at dancing:
Texas Camp Band!!
John DJs, Kathleen assists.
Join us for a fun night of dancing, with music provided by The Texas Camp Band. John Scales Kathleen McDonagh This is an annual tradition the evening after the band gets together in Austin to rehearse for Texas Camp. Our DJ for this fun evening will be John Scales. John will be assisted by Kathleen McDonagh.
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, November 8, 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)

Nov 1: Moldavian Dance Party!!!

Moldavian NightThis Friday at dancing:
Moldavian Dance Party!!
Franklin DJs, Janie assists.
Franklin HoustonJanie HopkinsJoin us for an evening of Moldavian dancing with special guest musicians all the way from Hungary! No partner or experience is necessary to enjoy these high-energy dances. Franklin Houston will be our DJ. He will be assisted by Janie Hopkins
Vera PinterMisi TsurikovVera Pintér and Misi Tsurikov will conduct some quick teaching and walk-throughs during the evening to help you make this most of this great music and dancing.
There will be a short couples’ Mezosegi as a sneak preview for the Hungarian Tanchaz happening the next night. See Upcoming Other Dance features below for more details!

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


Friday, November 1, 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.

AIFD’s New Equipment Cabinet!!!

AIFD’s New Equipment Cabinet
July, 2019.
AIFD Storage Cabinet.One of the many behind the scenes activities at AIFD is storage of our equipment at HRC. A recent fire code change made the size of AIFD’s old cabinet a safety and fire hazard. Jeff Kessel came to the rescue by building a new one. Jeff KesselWorking closely with HRC staff, Jeff designed a cabinet that met the needs of both the city and AIFD. Then, applying his woodworking talents, he produced a cabinet that will last for the long haul. You can see a few picture of the end result here. Thanks Jeff!!!

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

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