June 21: Summer Solstice Party!!

SunThis Friday at dancing:
Madeline DJs, Denise assists.
Summer Solstice Party.
Enjoy a fun and lively evening of All Request folk dancing this Friday as we celebrate the Summer Solstice. Madeline BrockDenise FynmoreClothes the colors of the sun (yellow, orange, red or gold) are suggested, or clothes with flowers on them, or flowers in your hair, or dress as the sun! Costumes are always optional, so come, enjoy, and dance!! Madeline Brock will DJ, assisted by Denise Fynmore.
Lisa DielmanTeaching: Lisa Dielman and Madeline Brock will each teach a few beginner dances and and review some previously taught dances.
For more information and loads of other fun stuff, check out this week’s newsletter.


Friday, June 21, 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)

June 14: June Birthdays!!!

CakeCakeThis Friday at dancing:
Sharon DJs, David assists.
June Birthdays and Anniversaries.
Sharon CasteelDavid LiangEnjoy a fun and lively evening of folk dancing this Friday DJ’d by Sharon Casteel. Sharon will be assisted by David Liang. This week we’ll celebrate our dancers who have a birthday or anniversary in June with song, dance, and cake.
Teaching:We welcome Madeline Brock back to continue Madeline BrockElizabeth Stehlher teaching of easy dances for new (or not-so-new) dancers for the first half hour. Then Elizabeth Stehl will review the two English Country dances that she taught last week. If you missed it last week, join us this week. It was fun!!
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, June 14, 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)

June 7: Mystery DJ.

This Friday at dancing:
Mystery DJ and assistant.

Mystery PersonEnjoy a fun and lively evening of folk dancing this Friday. We are not sure who will be our DJ and assistant, but we know that we will have a great evening of dancing!!!
Elizabeth StehlTeaching: Want to learn and practice more Contra moves? This Friday our teaching hour will be Contra Time with Elizabeth Stehl to review common steps and maybe learn some new ones. We may even try a little English Country Dancing!
For more information and loads of other fun stuff, check out this week’s newsletter.


Friday, June 7, 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 31: Holly DJs, Janie assists.

This Friday at dancing:
Holly DJs, Janie assists!!!

Holly PlotnerJanie HopkinsEnjoy a lively evening of folk dancing this Friday DJ’d by Holly Plotner. Holly will be assisted by Janie Hopkins.
Lisa Horn Dielman Teaching: Lisa Horn Dielman will review some of the beginner dances taught last week and then teach a few new dances for beginners.

For more information and loads of other fun stuff, including results of last week’s AIFD Board Elections, check out this week’s newsletter.


Friday, May 31, 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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