Frequently Asked Questions:

• How much does it cost?
• To cover the cost of room rental we ask for a $5 donation to cover room rental from those 16 and up.
• What is the evening schedule?
• We are at Hancock Center from 7pm until 11pm. However the first 30 minutes and last 15 minutes are usually spent setting up and putting away the equipment. Halfway through the evening we have announcements and often a Contra.
• Who sets the program?
• The Programmer — the person frantically running the sound equipment in the corner of the room.
• How do I know what will be played next?
• The list of dances coming up is on the dry erase marker board next to the programmer. They are color coded to indicate which is a line dance and which is a couple dance.
• Do you play line and couple dances?
• Yes! About half the dances we do are line dances. The rest are couples, mixers, and set dances.
• Can I request a specific dance?
• Yes! There is a request list by the programmer in the corner of the room.
• Who do I see if I have questions?
• Start with the person next to you. If they don’t know, they usually can point you in the right direction. Or try someone you saw leading or teaching a dance.
• Do all those people really know that dance?
• Not necessarily – they have done the dance (or dances like it) enough to quickly pick up the steps. Many of our dances you can learn by just jumping in and doing them.
• How do I know if I can do the dance?
• The programmer will generally announce if the dance is easy. If it is, do it! Otherwise ask someone.
• How do I join a line dance?
• It is best to join at the end of the line (opposite from where the dance is being led). Some dances are better learned by dancing behind someone in the line.
• Will I be able to learn all the dances?
• Sure! Bust most people don’t. Instead people learn how to learn a dance – identify the rhythm, patterns, and footwork so they can pick up the dance after just a few phrases of the music. This comes with experience.
• Should I ask someone to do a couples dance?
• Yes! And be prepared to be asked.
• How do I learn more dances?
• The best way is to attend beginners night(currently the first Saturday of the month). Alternatively, ask someone to lead you through a dance or practice behind the line.
• Can I request that a specific dance be taught?
• Yes! We have a dance teaching request sign up sheet on the table near the door.
• Should I come back next week?
• Yes!
• What is the best way to find out who is programming next week?
• We try to keep the website updated as much as possible, however the best way to stay in touch and be informed about events at AIFD is to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.