What’s the biggest excitement of the Indiana State Fair? No! Not finding out what this year’s trendiest fried food is! It’s when the Indiana contra dancers gather on the Dance for Health Stage, 8 p.m., Tuesday August 7th, and dance to music by Hoosier Hill Boys with David Ernst calling!
We hope to see lots of friends from other contra dances in Indiana, including Bloomington, Goshen, and Vincennes.
Just three months to Gypsy Moon Ball 2012!
Saturday evening’s a costume party (feel free to change back to regular dance clothes after the grand march & costume judging). If you’re an Indiana resident, you can find costume making ideas in the Hobbies and Crafts Reference Center, which is one of the databases in INSPIRE.in.gov. (It also has recipes, for things like cookies & bars, hint, hint.)
On July 31st we’re going to try dancing in the basement, where there’s air conditioning. There’s also a hard, terrazzo floor, which isn’t as comfortable to dance on as the wood floor in the gym. So, in addition to a water bottle and clean/dry shirt, dancers might want to bring a pair of clean sneakers or running shoes, or something with a little spring in them.
We’re also not sure how the acoustics downstairs will work out. After the dance the board will want opinions on whether to try and dance down there until it cools off, or to stay in the gym. (Except for August 7th, when we’re at the State Fair.)
Trevor’s calling to the fiddler & the guitar player, on Tuesday, July 31st: httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB-2n-drRN0
Ken calls to John & Twy on July 24th. Here’s Entwyned with a different caller:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX_OWnaH-qE
Just a couple of weeks until we contra at the Indiana State Fair. We’re there early this year, Tuesday August 7th, dancing on the “Ford Dance Stage,” in the southeast corner of the fairgrounds. It’s the same place we’ve been for years, on the east end of Main Street, near entrance #6, but with a new sponsor.
If you’re a member of Indy Contra, BOTMDG, or another nearby contra dance group you can have a pass for free fair admission that day – if you promise to come dance! We’re distributing passes at weekly dances between then & now.
Arrive by 6 and meet at the stage to go share deep fried fair food, or just hang out and watch the dance groups before us.
Emily Ann Thompson with Frank Buschelmann calling.
July 10th we have an unexpected change of band: music by Entwyned with Vickie Stohl
& caller John Teskey.
Even though it won’t be in the 100’s, it’s still summer. Guys especially may want to bring a 2nd (or 3rd) shirt, as dancing can be sweaty. Gals, especially, might want to wear something with a little texture, as silky smooth clothes can be slippery, especially when touched with moist hands. These tips are not gender exclusive! Ladies who perspire and men whose partners have to dig in to hold on are equally encouraged to consider how wardrobe choices influence everyone’s dance experience.