Sep 20: Open House!!!

This Friday at dancing:
OPEN HOUSE (FREE)!!!
Franklin DJs, Celsa assists.
Join us this week for AIFD’s annual FREE Open House!!! Bring your kids, your friends, and your neighbors!! We’ll have lots of teaching and walk-through’s, so it will be fun for everyone!! Franklin HoustonCelsa SanchezOur DJ for this fun evening will be Franklin Houston. He will be assisted by Celsa Sanchez. Franklin will program an international assortment of lively dances, including several recently taught Bulgarian dances, and will also be one of the teachers, along with Sharon Casteel, Kathleen McDonagh, Lisa Dielman, and Madeline Brock.

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, September 20, 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)

Sep 13: John DJs, Denise assists.

CakeCakeThis Friday at dancing:
John DJs, Denise assists.
September Birthdays and Anniversaries.
John ScalesDenise FynmoreEnjoy a lively evening of folk dancing DJ’d by John Scales. John will be assisted by Denise Fynmore. This week we’ll celebrate our dancers who have a birthday or anniversary in September with song, dance, and cake.
Franklin HoustonTeaching: Franklin Houston will again present the two classic Yves Moreau Bulgarian dances that he introduced last week – Bicak (thorough review) and Batuta (review the first step and teach the stamping step with variations).
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, September 13, 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)

Sep 6: Holly DJ’s, Dee assists.

This Friday at dancing:
Holly DJs, Dee assists.
Holly PlotnerDee McCandlessEnjoy a lively evening of folk dancing DJ’d by Holly Plotner. Holly will be assisted by Dee McCandless. In honor of Bulgarian Unification Day (Friday, Sept. 6), Holly’s program will focus on Bulgarian dances. Bring your favorite Bulgarian requests!
Franklin HoustonKathleen McDonaghTeaching: Come early for a final review of Siriysko Horo, the fun Bulgarian dance Kathleen McDonagh has been teaching the past two weeks. Then, stay and enjoy Franklin Houston teaching two classic Yves Moreau Bulgarian dances that have been popular in the past and have been requested for teaching Bicak and Batuta!
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, September 6, 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)

Aug 30: Live Music By HOMEGROWN!!!

This Friday at dancing:
Live Music by HOMEGROWN!!!
Dee DJs, Jeff assists.
Dee McCandlessJeff KesselEnjoy a lively evening of folk dancing with LIVE MUSIC by HOMEGROWN!!! Our DJ will be Dee McCandless. Dee will be assisted by Jeff Kessel.
Lisa DielmanTeaching: Lisa Dielman will teach Dos Besitos, a cute Mexican couple dance, after a few newcomer dances.
For more information and loads of other fun stuff, including details about HOMEGROWN, check out this week’s newsletter.


Friday, August 30, 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

« Previous Entries