CITY STAGES in Birmingham is a fantastic music and Craft Festival! Among many other offerings, Red Mountain White Trash plays Fri., the 14th at 7 PM; James Bryan & Carl Jones play Sat. at 5:40; and Henri's Notions of Tuscaloosa play Sun. at 5:25. Dance opportunities are: Contra Dance Sat. at 4:10 PM; Cajun Dance Sat.at 5:50 PM; and Zydeco Dance on Sun at 6 PM.
Some folks are bringing SNACKING GOODIES to the dances, and with the weather warming up, we need people to bring in their FANS to plug in along the walls. You will get a $1 discount for providing either of these contributions ($2 if you come laden with both!)
NACDS PUBLISHES A DIRECTORY of members' addresses and phone numbers, and there may still be time for you to get any changes, or e-mail addresses, to Chuck Weber (534-4047) or cweber4047@aol.com.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE:
We want to have a very open organization, and encourage the active participation of all our members. The board will continue to meet occasionally, as needed (and at least quarterly, in accordance with our bylaws. Please feel free to contact me (883-7453) or any of the other officers with your ideas, concerns, questions, and comments, whatever they might be. The dance belongs to you! -
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING NOTES
Our newly-elected Executive Board met for the first time on the afternoon of Sunday May 26, 1996, in what turned out to be a pot-luck supper, jam session, and party as well. In addition to the elected Board members, other members attended who had expressed interest in various matters such as the dance schedule, the sound system, etc. Noteworthy topics included:
The next regular Executive Board meeting should take place in August, shortly after the first-Saturday dance.
Bob White has forwarded a useful description of our kind of recreation, entitled "The Virginia Reel." It appeared in the Virginia City Territorial Enterprise, Jan 10, 1863.
The dancers are formed into two long ranks, facing each other, and the battle opens with some light skirmishing between the pickets, which is gradually resolved into a general engagement along the whole line; after that you have nothing to do but stand by and grab every lady that drifts within reach of you and swing her. It is very entertaining, and elaborately scientific also. We consider that any man who can fiddle all through one of those Virginia Reels without losing his grip, may be depended upon in any kind of musical emergency.-
-Mark Twain
THE CELTIC MUSICAL ARTS FESTIVAL, organized by Chuck Weber and held at Eastside on March 16, was a great success. The program was emceed by Billy Sullivan, and included performances by Scottish and Irish dancers, singers, solo musicians, and string bands. The event raised seven hundred dollars in donations, which went to benefit Habitat for Humanity. Habitat is interested in having this become an annual event, and NACDS may wish to sponsor it next year
IS IT TIME TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP? Check your mailing label for the year and month when your membership expires. If your time is approaching, make your check for $8.00 payable to Katrina Coupland and mail to 3604 Mae Dr., Huntsville, AL 35801 for a one year renewal; or pay at the next Eastside dance. (You don't have to wait till the last minute: we tack early renewals onto the end of your current subscription). Comes with $1 discount for each family member on all NACDS dances (excluding the Christmas Dance), and may be honored by other dance groups.
North Alabama Country Dance Society
Editor: Katrina Coupland 3604 Mae Dr. Huntsville, AL 35801Page Curator & Net Contact: Bryan Walls, bwalls@pobox.com