Aug 16: Live Music!!!

SlavadilloThis Friday at dancing:
Live Music with Slavadillo.
Jeff DJs, Celsa assists.
Jeff KesselCelsa SanchezEnjoy a lively evening of folk dancing DJ’d by Jeff Kessel and will be assisted by Celsa Sanchez.Slavadillo will play for your dancing pleasure. This group of talented musicians is made up of AIFD regulars, including Don Weeda, Anne Alexander, Kathleen McDonagh, and Mike Revesz. Slavadillo’s repertoire includes many folk dance classics and their music guarantees a fun and lively dance event.

Madeline BrockTeaching: Madeline Brock will review the delightfully fun English Country dance Hole In The Wall.
For more information and loads of other fun stuff, check out this week’s newsletter.


Friday, August 16, 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 9: Mike DJs, Jeff assists.

CakeCakeThis Friday at dancing:
Mike DJs, Jeff assists.
August Birthdays and Anniversaries.
Jeff KesselMike ReveszEnjoy a lively evening of dancing DJ’d by Mike Revesz. Mike will be assisted by Jeff Kessel. This week we’ll celebrate our dancers who have a birthday or anniversary in August with song, dance, and cake.
Madeline BrockKathleen McDonaghTeaching: Madeline Brock will kick off the evening with some newcomers dances. Later Kathleen McDonagh will teach teach Siriysko Horo.
For more information and loads of other fun stuff, check out this week’s newsletter.


Friday, August 9, 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 2: Madeline DJ’s, Celsa assists.

This Friday at dancing:
Madeline DJs, Celsa assists.
Madeline BrockCelsa SanchezEnjoy a lively evening of dancing DJ’d by Madeline Brock. Madeline will be assisted by Celsa Sanchez.
Elizabeth StehlTeaching: In addition to being our DJ this week, Madeline will also kick off the evening presenting a couple of newcomer dances. Then, Elizabeth Stehl will present an English country dance.
For more information and loads of other fun stuff, check out this week’s newsletter.


Friday, August 2, 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)

July 26: Franklin DJ’s, Lila assists.

Franklin HoustonLila LuceEnjoy a lively evening of your favorite dances from around the world, as well as some seldom-seen Balkan classics, DJ’d by Franklin Houston. Franklin will be assisted by Lila Luce.
Misi TsurikovElizabeth StehlTeaching: Misi Tsurikov will kick off the evening presenting a couple of newcomer dances. Then, Elizabeth Stehl will present an English country dance.
Nana LopezContra: Our Contra this week will be called by Nana Lopez.

For more information and loads of other fun stuff, including information about AIFD’s new equipment storage cabinet, check out this week’s newsletter.


Friday, July 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)

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