March 22: John DJs, Jasmine assists.

This Friday at dancing:
John DJs, Jasmine assists.
John ScalesJasmine Guha-CastleEnjoy a lively evening of folk dancing this week DJ’d by John Scales. John will be assisted by Jasmine Guha-Castle.
Holly PlotnerTeaching: Holly Plotner will teach dances learned at last week’s San Antonio Folk Dance Festival.
Elizabeth StehlContra: Our Contra this week will be done at 8:35 (just after announcements) and will be called by Elizabeth Stehl.
For more information and loads of other fun stuff, including links to pictures of last week’s SAFDF festival, check out this week’s newsletter.


Friday, March 22, 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)

Mar 15: No dancing. See you in SA.

AIFD will not be meeting at Hancock Rec Center on Friday, March 15.

We hope to see you at the San Antonio Folk Dance Festival!!!
For more information and loads of other fun stuff check out this week’s newsletter.

March 8: Mardi Gras Party!!!

Mardi Gras Hat This Friday at dancing:
Mardi Gras Party!!
Madeline DJs, Jeff assists.
Madeline BrockJeff KesselCome party with us! We will do some Cajun and Zydeco dancing and “Laissez les bons temps rouler.” We’ll have beads for everyone, but feel free to wear your Mardi Gras colors, masks, hats, costumes or anything else that will add to the party spirit. There is no teaching, so come at seven and Get the Party Started! Madeline Brock will be our DJ for this lively evening. She will be assisted by Jeff Kessel.
Nana LopezContra: Our Contra this week will be done at 8:35 (just after announcements) and will be called by Nana Lopez.
For more information and loads of other fun stuff check out this week’s newsletter.


Friday, March 8, 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)

March 1: Franklin DJs, Dee assists.

This Friday at dancing:
Franklin DJs, Dee assists.
Franklin HoustonDee McCandless
Enjoy a lively evening of folk dancing DJ’d by Franklin Houston. Franklin will be assisted by Dee McCandless. In honor of Texas Independence Day, Franklin will feature dances popular over the years in Texas, including those done along our borders to the south and east. Get your boots on for some polkas, schottisches, waltzes, and two-steps!

Teaching: Madeline Brock will host the fourth and final 30 minute classes designed for newcomers to folk Madeline BrockMichel_Bregerdancing and for those looking for a refresher on some basics. If you have friends or family who have wanted to try out folk dancing, this class is a great starting point. Afterwards, Michel Breger will teach basic German Landler figures, which can be danced free-style to any slow waltz or Landler music, or can be used in German dances such as the Zillertaler Landler.
For more information and loads of other fun stuff check out this week’s newsletter.


Friday, March 1, 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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