2004 the western star

8/14/2019 2004 The Western Star

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Your Board of Directorsis delightedto announce the 2004 dance schedule.Western Star Dancers will host three dances,as well as our monthly Club Nights.

The first dance will be the clubs 22nd

Anniversary Dance on Saturday, March 27.Dancing will be from 7:30 to 10:30 at theSan Francisco Friends Meeting (65-9

th

Street). Vic Ceder has been confirmed as thecaller.

Our annual Pride dance will be held on the Saturday before the parade, June 26. In conjunction withthe Folsom Street Fair will be our Leather & Lace dance on September 25. Details of these two dances are being

negotiated. The latest information on these, and all the dances in the Bay Area is available atwww.bayareadancecalendar.org.

Administrator Steve Scott announced that he has confirmation of callers for allthe Club Nights this year. Club Nights are held on the third Wednesday of each monthfrom 7:30 to 9:30 at the friendly Mission Playground (19

thStreet between Guerrero and

Valencia). The schedule is:February 18 Fen TamanahaMarch 17 Peggy Shumway April 21 Michael LevyMay 19 Fen Tamanha June 16 Peggy Shumway July 21 Fen Tamanaha

August 18 Michael LevySeptember 15 Peggy ShumwayOctober 20 Fen TamanahaNovember 17 Michael LevyDecember 15 Peggy Shumway

Annual membership renewal forms have been sent to everyone up for renewal. If you did not receive a FormMembership Renewal, please download copy from our web site (www.westernstardancers.org). Please return the forms February 29. The forms should be mailed to the address on the form, or they can be given to any board member. Sbelow for contact information.

The next Board of Directors meeting will be on February 21 at 1:30 p.m. at the abode of Jim Dewsnap. Amembers are invited to attend.

Green Class

Update

The Green Mainstreamclass is advancing quickly andoing very well. Dancing

enthusiastic and spirited. The five nestudents are dancing very well, thanks to th very able teaching of Rich Reel, and support of several fantastic Angels. Rich hcommented several times on the excelleprogress. The class zipped past Basic anshould finish Mainstream by April. We'expecting all of them to be able to go on tPlus without any hesitation.

Dont Stop! Dont s low down!

Newsletter of Western Star Dancers, a Contemporary American Square Dance Club primarily serving the San Francisco gay and lesbian community. International

Association of Gay Square Dance Clubs member. Address: PMB 480, 584 Castro Street, San Francisco, CA 94114-2588. Visit our site: www.westernstardancers.org

February 2004

2004 Dance

Calendar

Announced


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February 77-10 pm Foggy City Dancers Valentines Dance Betsy Gottacaller . (MS, P, A) $7/ 8 , Ebenezer Lutheran, 678 Por to laDr ive, San FranciscoFebruary 82-5 pm

Midnight Squar es Winter Dance Betsy Gottacaller . (C1, C1, C3A) $8 / 10 . SF Friends Scho ol, 117 Diam ondStr eet, San Francisco

February 12 Happy Birthday Joe IserFebruary 13-15 D.C. Lam bda Squar es (Washington) ACDC V, East Coast Gay A&C Weekend R. French, B. Gotta, G. Jedlicka,

E McAfeecaller s. Email acdc@dclambdasquar es.or gFebr uar y 1410 -12 am

International Bear Rendezvous Squares for Bears Andy Shorecaller . (MS) Free Whitcom b Ballr oo m,Ram ada Plaza, 123 1Market Str eet, San Francisco

Febr uar y 187:30-9:30 pm

Club Night Fen Tama naha caller . $ 3/ Students f r ee. Miss io n Playgr o und

February 25 Happy Birthday Jake Romero IIIFebruary 25 Happy Birthday Nobu YamajiMarch 1 Happy Birthday Russ KingMarch 7 Happy Birthday Dan SmithMarch 12-14 Puddlletown Dancers (Seattle) Rain FestivalRevenge of Geoduck M. DeSisto, A. Uebelacker Email

seattleor bus@ho tmail.comMar ch 137:30-10:30 pm

Diablo Dancers Flip the Flow ers Eric Hener laucaller . (MS, P, A*) Jewish Community Center, 20 71Tice ValleyBoulevard, Walnut Creek

Mar ch 147:30-9:30 pm

Club Night Peggy Shumway caller . $3 / Students f r ee Miss io n Playgr o und

March 21 Happy Bir thday Tom OphardtMarch 25 Happy Bir thday Ed MahMarch 26 -28 Independence Squares (Lake Harmony, PA) Slide Thr u the Woods. S. Br yant, T. Fellegy, N. Mar tellacci

caller s. Email [email protected] gMarch 26 -28 Finest City Squar es (San Diego) Pass the Sea IX P. Car nathan, M. Levy, C. Robertson, A. Uebelackercallers

Email santo [email protected] 27

7:30-10:30 pm

Western Star Dancer s 22 nd Anniversar y Dance Vic Ceder caller . (MS, P, A*) $8 / 10 SanFrancisco Fr iends Meeting, 65-9 th Str eet, San Francisco

March 27 Happy Birthday Alana CraryApr il 1 Happy Birthday Creig SmithApr il 1 Happy Birthday Dino WrightApril 2-4 Grand River Squares (Grand Rapids, MI) Ropin the River K. Bur ke, A Uebelacker caller s. Email

grsquar [email protected] 37:30-10:30 pm

El Cam ino Reelers Walk & Dodge into Spr ing (MS, P) Jeannette Staeuble (fr om Zur ich, Switzer land)caller ST.Andr ews Metho dist Chur ch, 4111Alma Str eet, Palo Alto

April 5-7 31t Annual Caller lab Convention , Reno Hilton, Reno, NV. Email info@caller lab.or gApr il 8 -11 Magic Diamond Squar es (Birmingham, AL) A Dixie Diamond Weekend R. Kir kland, P. Placecaller s. Email

mcdiamo [email protected] il 9 Happy Birthday Abbi Cour solleApr il 15 Happy Birthday Matt ThomsonSpr il 16 Happy Bir thday Mar k Scott JohnsonApr il 17 Foggy City Squares Califor nia Twir l into Spr ing Dance Caller TBA, (MS, P, A*) Location TBAApr il 182-5 pm

Midnight Squar es Spr ing Dance Caller TBA (A2, C1, C2, C3A*) $8 / 10 San Fr ancisco Fr iends School, 117Diamo nd Str eet, San Francsico

April 217:30-9:30 pm

Club Night Michael Levy caller . $ 3 / Students f r ee. Miss io n Playgr o und

April 25 Happy Birthday Mario TorriginoApril 30-May 2 Cathedr al City Bo ys Club Peel Off in Palm Spr ings VIII A. Shor ecaller Email peeloff@ear thlink .net


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Western Star Dancers

PMB 480

584 Castro StreetSan Francisco, CA 94114-2588


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Special Marriage IssueCongratulations to all club members

In committed relationships!See inside to read about two such couples in the

WSD family

News from the Board of DirectorsThank you to all of you who joined in our 22nd Anniversary Dance. We had arousing night of lively dancing, and it is all because of you and your continuingsupport over the past 22 years. Your Board of Directors is counting on at least thatmany more years of Western Star Dancing.

The Green Mainstream Class of 2004 will celebrate class completion on Monday,

May 24, 2004. Please mark the date on your calendar, and come and welcome theexcellent new dancers into the club. The Class Completion Party will be held inconjunction with class at Mission Playground from 7:30-9:30 PM. WSD traditioncalls for members to host a potluck for the new dancers, so please bring somethingto share. The Board will also provide victuals.

All club members are now listed on-line athttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/WSD-Members. Thanks to Joe Iser, we are now all electronically connected. The Yahoogroup will be used for sending official club announcements.

New club uniform shirts are in the making. The club no longer has a vest maker, soadjustments in the club uniform arecalled for. Members who have thetraditional vests are encouraged to

continue to wear them at dances and inclub photos. Dancers who do not haveWSD vests will be encouraged to buy thenew uniform shirts. The new shortsleeved white shirts will have the clublogo embroidered on the left breast.Watch your mail in the coming weeks fordetailed information and an order form.The board hopes to have the new shirtsin time for The Pride Dance.

Dont Stop! Dont Slow Down! April 2004Newsletter of Western Star Dancers, a Contemporary American Square Dance Club primarily serving the San Francisco gay and lesbian community. International

Association of Gay Square Dance Clubs member. Address: PMB 480, 584 Castro Street, San Francisco, CA 94114-2588. Visit our site: www.westernstardancers.org

22nd

Anniversary Dance PhotosSee Inside

Wester n Sta r Dancer s

spo nso r ed a New

Caller Workshop on

Febr uar y 21, 20 0 4 .

Eight eager stud ent

caller s lear ned essent ial

consider at io ns in

choreographing

squar es fr o m Peggy

Schum w ay and Rich

Reel. In the evening,sever al club m em ber s

j o ined t he new caller s

and their f r iends for a

r o llicking evening o f

dancing.


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Tacks & Grey: A Vermont Civil UnionBy Dan Smith{Editors Note: Tacks Feliciano and Grey Todd are in the current Green Mainstream class. Dan Smithinterviewed them about tying the knot}D: How did you two meet?

T: We met at The Caf four years ago.G: Its the last time I ever went inthere! The short version is that Fred,my best friend, and Tacks startedgoing out together after we three had

met at The Caf. They hadsomething going on for four or fivemonths. I was just getting over athree-year relationship. It was roughon me so I really wasnt interested inpursuing anything. I had grown tolike Tacks through Fred and when

thing didnt work out between them I asked Fred if it would cause anyproblems for our friendship if I were to ask Tacks out. Fred said,Absolutely not. In fact, Fred was Best Man for both of us at thewedding.

I didnt want to get emotionally committed because I was intherapy to deal with my previous breakup. I was pretty clear about thatwith Tacks. Then, when it looked like Tacks was kind of getting moreattached than I wanted him to be I harshly pushed him away. Twice. I

told him I was afraid I was going to hurt him. Theres a great e-mailthat Ill never live down. I wrote him enumerating all the ways in whichwe would never be able to be in a relationship. Ive been proven wrongin so many ways.D: How long have you together?

T: Three years. That whole on and off thing was about a year. Id beenstaying at his house since we started dating. However, it was sixmonths before we decided that Id move inD: When did you know that the relationship was firm?

G: Tacks moved-in in January of 2002. We moved to Mexico in May.We were in very close quarters there, basically each others onlycompanions for about six months. We didnt speak Spanish but Tacksspeaks Tagalog, which has a lot of Spanish in it so he did pretty well.Those six months were a sure test of our relationship because wedidnt really make many friends nor have much to do. When we came

back, it was pretty clear to me anyway that we could last over the longhaul.D: When did you decide to get married?

G: It happened in sort of a backward fashion. My family is in Vermontand Tacks had never been to New England or seen the fall foliage, so Isaid lets go to Vermont. I guess Id like to say it was unromanticbecause it was. Oh. By the way, while were in Vermont why dont westop in at the Town Hall and get a marriage certificate. But when wetold my family, particularly my Mother, that we were going to City Hallto get a marriage certificate, she said, No, no, no! I want a wedding!She wanted to make it more of an event then just stopping by the TownHall.D: Any people from your family attend?

T: We wanted my Mother to be there but my Dad doesnt know that Imgay. So, we were wondering how Mom would tell Dad. She couldnt

find a way so she didnt come. We also tried to get my sister a visa tocome here as a visitor from the Philippines but she was denied. So, myonly friend to come was Fred.G: Also, weve decided that no matter where they make it legal well gothere and get married. We already have an appointment to get marriedin Massachusetts this October on the anniversary of our Civil Union inVermont. You know, one state at a time.D: How did the Civil Union go?

G: We were married in the Mountain Campus of Middlebury College ina big barn. It was the October 18. Ten minutes before the ceremonythe Justice of the Peace, who is my Mothers friend, came up to us andsaid, Could I see a copy of the Marriage License? You have to have a

license before I can marry you. I had no idea. Thats how innocennaive I was about it. I said, Well, I dont have it! She sTechnically I cant marry you. But, everybody was there and we win our tuxedos so we had a ceremony. Two days later on a Mondaygot the license, went over to the JPs home, and got married agThe Justice gave us a form and we filled it out (see below). Then,

Justice of the Peace said, Do you take this person to be joined to in Civil Union? I said yes and then she said the same to Tacks. then pronounced, By the power invested in me by the State

Vermont I now join you in Civil Union. Thats the official language Vermont requires.D: Tell me the story of trying to get married here in San Francisco.

T: It was frustrating. Grey started calling at one minute to eight inmorning trying to get an appointment. The line was always bAround nine, Grey decided to go to City Hall while I stayed horedialing.G: We dialed every five seconds until 9:30. I finely said, You kredialing, Ill go see whats going on. There was a crowd of peopfront of City Hall. They all had their cell phones trying to get througtalked to one lesbian couple that had gotten through. By then it about 10:30 and their appointment was in late March. It had g

from getting married now to getting married in six weeks from nand it was only an hour and a half into it. Before that day peoplebeen lining up as you saw on TV, but I was in Chicago and didntback until that weekend so we said, Well well do it on Monday. werent able to get through so we finally gave up around eleEventually, they fixed the website and started taking appointme

You got through butT: Appointments were not available until April when Grey will bMexico.D: How did the two of you come to square dancing?

G: We used to square dance when I was a little kid at some of the bdances. I thought it would be fun to have square dancing atwedding in Vermont. Tacks didnt even know what square dancing We had someone come and teach us how, because no one at wedding had any idea how to do it. Actually, they taught us how t

the Virginia Reel and we also did a contra dance. I enjoyed mysemuch that when we got back I did a web search and found Foggy but their Mainstream class had already began. Luckily, Western was starting a beginning class. Thats how we got star


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Kathy & Marie: A San Francisco WeddingBy Dan Smith(Editors Note: Marie Mohr and Kathy Healy Started dancing with Western Star Dancers in

1987 and 1991, respectively. Both currently dance A2 with our sister club, Midnight

Squares. They had a conversation with Dan Smith about their relationship.)

D: How did you meet?

K: Western Star Dancers had a social event at Angel Island. Iwasn't square dancing at the time but I had two friends who were,Robert and Felix. They invited me to go on the Angel Island trip inJuly of 1991. I first saw Marie on the ferry. And they danced in the

water when people could stand it.M: I first noticed her as she was napping under a tree! I said I likethat woman. There was just something there even though wedidn't even talk that day. I made a mental note to ask Robert andFelix about her. I thought, If she starts square dancing maybe I'llask her out. We ran in to each other a couple of times when wewere doing things with Felix and Robert.M: Robert had a booth at the Pacifica Street Fair. Kathy went tohelp him. I also helped. The three of us staffed the booth for theday.D: Who was the teacher when you started square dancing?

K: Ron Masker. We started class in the beginning of October andshe was supposed to call me and never did. So, I called on the 15thof November.

M: Our first date. We had danced together a little bit at class, butthere was a woman who was after her. The women threwdaggers at me. But, she never completed the class.D: How long did you date before you decided...?

M: Not long, just two dates.K: Shes a nurse and was going to be off for a week so we decidedto live together at her place for that week just to see how thingswent. We could get to know each other better and whatever. Inever did go home.D: Did you ever think when you were getting together that you

would end-up getting married?

M: I did. I knew the minute I saw her.K: But not actually married because in our lifetime we neverthought that would be possible. Our first commitment was a

private ceremony just between the two of us. We climbed GlacierPoint and danced with the six other square dancers up there andthen we went off on our own.M: It was a very strenuous hike up. That hike was symbolic of lifesups and downs. We went through many emotions on that hike: joy& frustration; elation & exhaustion; uncertainty & trust, giving in &triumph. It is a very beautiful, peaceful place, surrounded by such

beauty and thesymbolism, thestaying power ofthe hard graniteand the stayingpower of us.That's how life

has been, we gothrough yearsand suddenlywe'll besomewhere andsay, Look at thattown over there,isn't that pretty.K: We wearplatinum anddiamond rings.Platinum is therarest precious

metal, and youcan't break aparta diamond.Symbolicallythat's us. We

exchanged a setof earrings. Minewere largerhearts with asmaller heart cutout within them.The smallerhearts that were cut out of mine are the ones Marie wears. now, on Valentines Day 2004 we were married at City Hall!K: The first weekend [of gay marriages in San Francisco], you got on line and waited your turn. Friday night we talked aboand went in on Saturday morning and got on line at 11:30. were about four hours on line.M: It was wonderful. God, it was wonderful. We went over to

City Hall. We didn't realize how long it was until we actually goit. The line went almost all the way around City Hall.K: Outside it was fantastic. It was like the Summer of Love withthe drugs. Everybody was talking to everybody, people goinghonking horns...M: Kids running around, dogs running around.K: People came around and gave out flowers, balloons, water, candy. They took pictures and gave them to the couples for fAs people got closer to the door, they began telephoning people who were going to be their witnesses. The four hours dseem like four hours.M: What amazed me was that the people on line were couplelongevity. The guys in front of us were together for six years,guys in front of them for 27 years, the girls behind us were fo

years, and the ones behind them were for 17.K: The couples weren't doing it for a lark or because it wsomething new to do. They were people who were recommitted to each other. The commitment was there long bethe possibility of the license.K: And the volunteers--so many people gave up their holweekend to make it possible for as many people to get marriedpossible. They gave you a form to fill out while you were outside. They were trying to get as much of the paper work dbefore you got into City Hall so that they could speed up process. They had it checked by two people before we got toCounty Clerks office. It told you how much to pay. Once youinside things moved smoothly and very quickly. There were eighten people behind the counter taking the papers. They chec

them and gave them to people at computers where it was typedinto a neat form. You double checked the typed form and them $82 for that certificate. Then, you went up to the fourth fwhere they performed the service. Twelve people had bdeputized to do the service. Six were on each side of the balcperforming services so twelve marriages were going on at same time but they were individual services. It was like a priceremony even though there were others going on at the satime. We took the paperwork down to the Assessor's Office turned it over to another group of volunteers and paid $13 forlicense. Then, they gave us the official license. Later, we all wto Robert and Felixs home for champagne. Then, we went oudinner and celebrated our day.


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April 2-4Ropin the River, Grand River Squares, Grand Rapids, MI. Callers: K. Burke, A. Uebelacker. Info: Robert Hazen (6356-2455 Email: [email protected]

April 3

7:30-10:30 PM

El Camino Reelers Walk & Dodge into Spring. Jeannette Staeuble from Zurich, Switzerland calling. MS/P. $8/$St. Andrews Methodist Church, 4111 Alma Street, Palo Alto

April 5-7 31st Annual Callerlab Convention, Reno Hilton, Reno, NV. Info: Jerry Reed (321)639-0039 Email info@callerlab.

April 87:30-9:30 PM

Special Club Night with Howard Richman. Co-sponsored with Foggy City Dancers. MS/P/A* tip.$5/$8. San Francisco Friends School, 117 Diamond Street, San Francisco. See Back Page for Details

April 8-11Dixie Diamond Weekend, Magic City Diamonds, Birmingham, AL. Callers: R. Kirkland, P. Place. Info: Frank McC(205)595-4414 Email [email protected]

April 177-10 PM

Foggy City Dancers California Twirl into Spring. Saundra Bryant calling. MS/P/A* tip. $7/$8. Ebenezer LutherChurch, 678 Portola Drive, San Francisco

April 182-5 PM

Midnight Squares,Spring Dance. Saundra Bryant calling. A2/C1/C2/C3A* tip. $8/$10. San Francisco FriendsSchool, 117 Diamond Street, San Francisco

April 217:30-9:30

Club Night! Fen Tamanaha calling. $3/Students Free Mission Playground

April 23-25 California State Square Dance Convention, Sacramento

April 30-May 2Peel Off in Palm Springs VIII, Cathedral City Boys Club, Palm Springs, CA. Caller: A. Shore. Info: Gordon Macaw(602)674-3239 Email: [email protected]

April 30-May 2Pass the Ocean, Hon!, Chesapeake Squares, Rehoboth Beach, DE. Callers: B. Clasper, P. Diven, T. Fellegy, T.Marriner. Info: Michael Deets (410)206-6857 Email passtheoceanhon@ hotmail.com

May 14-16Beantown Teacup Chain Party, Boston Uncommons, Boston, MA. Caller: A. Uebelacker. Into: Eric Mulder (617)28816. Email [email protected]

May 197:30-9:30 PM

Club Night! Michael Levy calling. $3/Students Free. Mission Playground

May 21-23Capital City Squares,Stumptown Stomp, Guerneville, CA. Callers: Mike Kellogg, Bronc Wise. MS/P/A/C1* tip.Info: George Fox (916)929-8697 Email [email protected]

May 247:30-9:30 PM

Green Mainstream Class Completion Party Members please bring potluck

May 27 -30Scoot Across the BorderMad Hatters Teacup Party, Triangle Squares, Toronto, ON. Callers: A. Uebelacker, J.Uebelacker. Info: Bob Nesbitt (416)698-3155 Email [email protected]

May 28-31 Moon Over Maryland (for men), Camp Ramblewood, Darlington, MD. Caller: H. Richman. Info: John Herriot(877)429-6368 Email [email protected]

June 57:30-10:30 PM

Diablo Dancers, 12th Anniversary Dance. Anne Uebelacker calling. MS/P/A* tip. La Cheim School, 1700 Oak PaBoulevard, Pleasant Hill. BART pickup availablesee www.diablo-dancers.org for details

June 6TBA

Midnight Squares A2, C1, C2 Graduation. Caller TBA. A2/C1/C2/C3A. Free/$8. San Francisco Friends School117 Diamond Street, San Francisco.

21st Annual International Association of Gay Square Dance Clubs (IAGSDC) ConventionArizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, Phoenix, AZwww.remaketheheatwave.com

Birthdays

April 16 Mark Scott JohnsoApril 30 Mario Torrigino

May 5 Fen TamanahaMay 30 Gary Young


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PMB 480

584 Castro Street

San Francisco, CA 94114-2588


11/34

WSD Angel Island PicnicA tradition is being revived

Long time members get a gleam in their eyes when reminded about the Western StaDancers Fourth of July Angel Island Picnics in days gone past. July Fourth was snatched bythe IAGSDC International Convention, and the Angel Island tradition faded away. Theres anew tradition and a new date: August 21.

Western Star Dancers will sponsor a picnic on Angel Island on Saturday, August 21

Mark your calendars. Invite your partners and friends, dancers and non-dancers. Pack up thbarbie. Prepare for a memorable adventure. Be ready to dance on one of the jewels of SanFrancisco Bay.

Angel Island, now a state park, was once the center for immigration on the WestCoast. It has been called Ellis Island of the West. There is a tram that circles the island (5miles), but some hiking may be required to reach our picnic area. Bring your bicycle; they awelcome on the island.

Ferry service will be provided by the Blue & Gold Fleet, departing from Pier 41 at9:45 a.m. Rich Reel will call a few tips throughout the day. Bring your own food and drink(potluck, if you like), but there is a concession stand on the island, if you dont want to carrya lot of things. Barbecues and charcoal are permittedon the island. Pets, alas, are not. The return ferryleaves at 3:20 p.m.

Reservations will be required. In July, you willreceive a form to send in for booking reservations. Ourfriends from the other Bay Area gay square dance clubswill also be invited. The maximum number ofreservations is 80 due to logistics and space. Ticketsfor the days adventure will cost only $20. Dangles willbe awarded!

Green Mainstream classcelebrates completion

The very talented Green Mainstream Class 2004 celebrated class completion on May 2Pictured on the left are (standing) TacFeliciano, Grey Todd, Instructor Rich Reel, JoLacayo, Dave Murphy, Ammon Corl, CraMahaffey, Daryl Daniels, and Archangel Joe IsIn front are Matt Thomson, the lovely KevLarson, Lou Troga, and Cole, class mascCongratulations for your achievement.

Rich Reel, right, models the new WSD uniform shirt.

These, and other items with the WSD logo

embroidered at no extra charge, should be ordered

directly from www.embroideryjustforyou.com.Order item number SP16 (S500T for 100% cotton).

Be sure to ask for the WSD logo.

Newsletter of Western Star Dancers, a Contemporary American Square Dance Club primarily serving the San Francisco gay and lesbian community. InternationalAssociation of Gay Square Dance Clubs member. Address: 584 Castro Street #480, San Francisco, CA 94114-2588. Visit our site: www.westernstardancers.org


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Gary YoungThe t-shirt message manAn Interview by Dan Smith

D: How long have you been square dancing?G: I started in November of 2002 with Western Stars Yellowclass. My partner, Steve, who dances, tried for several years to getme to go but I refused. I wanted nothing to do with it. It didntsound like something I would be interested in. But he helped meout with a project at work and as payback I said Id go to Intronight at the El Camino Reelers. I had a really good time there, butI had to go out of town so I couldnt start with their class that fall.

Western Star had a class beginning in November, so I tookWestern Stars Yellow class.

D: Did you find it easy to dance right off the bat?G: I cant do any other kind of dancing at all but I can followdirections OK. I started out pretty much like everybody else, justgoing every week and I could remember it. I was doing prettywell at it. Id go down on Wednesdays to El Camino Reelers andwatch Steve dance; their class was a couple of weeks ahead of our

Yellow class so I just set and watched and picked up things.I knew I wanted to be able to dance Plus at convention that

coming July. Western Stars Mainstream class was ending just alittle bit after Foggy Cities Plus class was to begin so I studied andstudied, learning all the Mainstream Calls so that I could takeFoggy Cities Plus class. I got Betsy Gottas Mainstream and Plus

videotapes titled Gotta Danceand watched them. I watched online animations and studied the definitions. I went to all the clubnights that were available and that got me up to speed to take thePlus class with Foggy City. I continued to take Mainstream at

Western Star. After awhile I also started dancing with El CaminoReelers because Id pretty much caught up with their Plus class. Idanced with Western Star Mondays, Foggy City Tuesdays and ElCamino Reelers Wednesdays, up through Convention in July. Idanced Plus at Convention but I only knew the girl role.

Switching genders is sometimes the most confusing thing,thats true even at higher levels. Even now its Right and LeftThrough that gets me, but at first it was swinging. I took me a longtime to swing as a girl and then I had to learn it as a boy!

D: Youre unusual among all the dancers that Ive met. You weon to Plus while you were still taking Basic and MainstreaWhen did you start taking Advanced?G: I stuck with doing Plus as a girl through Convention in Ju

When I got back, Western Star started a Plus class. I figurecould go ahead and angel that as a boy. I was hesitant at fiand only did one or two tips a week as a boy. Down at Camino Reelers that summer Andy Shore did some workshowith Plus students and one of the workshops was Gender SwNight so if you normally dance girl you dance boy for that nigand vise-versa. I did that and after a couple of more weekscould do both parts. Also during that summer El Camino Reelewas doing their Advanced class at the same time as their Plus, sojust watched them and looked at their call list to see what th

were going to call that week and studied the definitions. Id sand hear the teacher and do it in my head. Toward the end the summer, Id stand toward the back and dance by myself whthey were dancing. Rich Reel saw me doing that and when I weup to Peel Off in the Redwoods he invited me to come to t

Advanced workshops. With his encouragement, I started to some Advanced dancing. I went ahead and signed up for t

Advanced class with Midnight Squares in the fall because thawhen my partner Steve was going to take Advanced.

D: How do you manage to learn so quickly?G: It isnt from just going to the different clubs and the differeclub nights. I also go to a lot of fly-ins. Dancing three nig

weekends really helps; its better then just going two hours a weto one club. I was dancing three or four times a week. Nowdance five days a week and sometimes up to seven days a week.

Then I started the C1 class because Id learned Advanced wenough to take it. I didnt know when the C1 class would offered again, so I thought, Id better do this now or else I mighave to wait a year before I can take it. Midnight Squares Cclass is held in Redwood City because some students are from tEl Camino Reelers.

Twenty-four people signed up for the class and about half the class members are straight. Ive danced with a few straigpeople before but never so many. That was an interestiexperience. I finally got the opportunity to dance in a squa

where 4 men danced the boy part and four women danced tgirl part. Id been dancing for about a year before Id seen thhappen.

D: Is there anything else youd like to say about square dancingG: I havent had a passion for anything, this much, for the longetime. I didnt even think Id like it. Once I tried it, I found othat this is something I can do and it challenges me. I got tmental thing going on, I got the social thing going on, and gmusic going on. I really dont know what Id be doing if I wasdoing square dancing. I do it so many times a week.


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Venus and MarsBy Matt Thompson

Choose to dance.

What is dancing? Who dances? Do I dance alone?Do others dance with me? Is there a reason to

dance? Shall we dance? Would you like to dance?Dance with me, please.

Who are those two guys across from me in thesquare, my opposite or my mirror?

My partners handhold is warm and casual. Wechat lightly, waiting for remaining squares to formcompletely. Raucous laughter occasionally burstsforth from other squares, causing heads to turn witcurious smiles. Half of the square I have dancedwith before. The other four are total strangers

although two seem vibrantly familiar. They havebecome difficult to recognize with their clothes. Istep closer to others in the square, releasing my

partners grip, greeting the other dancers with a bit of chat or a hug. I glance at two dangling nametagsand say hello to their owners.

A Faerie dusting of electricity floats over the dance floor as the Caller publicly notes the last square iscomplete. Leaping back to our respective partners, we find the reassuring handhold, sometimes relaxed,sometimes firm, sometimes just barely touching, aware yet independent of the others presence. No timeleft now for anxiety, we bow to our partners, bow to our corner, smile at everyone, and dance naked to thefirst call of this tip. At once, we lose ourselves to mental and physical reverie yet dancing find ourselves aneach other. We dance our elemental dance. Clearly, we are having fun.

A stained glass window whimsically provides a view of woodland waters, two dancers meeting naked in aHighland Fling Do-Si-Do. Their styling showing restraint or physical intimacy as the voyeur wishes. The twodancers playfully engage, momentarily forming part of a fantasy Moonshine Tip dancing to the Caller.Venus and Mars cast diamond points ofinnuendo from above, the yin and yang ofour beings softly backlit by the moon,sometimes cast in shadow, sometimesprominently displayed.

Venus and Mars exchange dancers fromneighboring squares in a star tip spin of the

gears. The call is rooted in early originalAmerican Square Dance choreography. Thedance is preserved through time as Callersof Gay Square Dance move the dancersthrough this wonderful flowing tip.Albuquerque, New Mexico is credited as thefounding home of Moonshine Tips with GaySquare Dancers. Bill Eyler preserves muchof the American Square Dance genre,including the Venus & Mars call.


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By Daryl DanieSince becoming editor of this newsletter, I have resisted exercising my prerogative of editorializing. The Pride Edition seemed the id

time to end my silence. My inspirations were Tomas Todd and Dan Smith (and others) who are creating beautiful stained glass windowith square dance themes and telling their stories. Here is one of my stori

azarus r is ing from the dead is a famil iar story; Jesus heard his fr iend was s ick, but waited unti l he wathree days dead before ordering Lazarus to come out of the tomb. I am Lazarus . In any event , I wnearly dead when the antiv i ral cocktai l summoned me from my tomb. The Bibl ical story ends with Jesordering Lazarus untied and set free. Whatever becomes of the r isen Lazarus is not revealed. Certainl

his l i fe was never going to be the same as i t once was . For me, work, money, and competit ion no longignited any great emotion. I fel t adri f t , as did the earl ier Lazarus .

A dear fr iend, another Lazarus , often moaned that he no longer fel t any pass ion. Somewhere in hi l lness , he had lost his . When concentrat ing so much energy and emotion in batt l ing an insidious v irusurv ival i tsel f is the pass ion. When surv ival becomes a reasonable possibi l i ty , f inding an interest that ignita f i re within becomes a compell ing drive. Feel ing adri f t and without pass ion, I embraced a chi ldhooobsession, basebal l . Basebal l f i l led a need; the Giants were a good team, and I could feel excitemenBasebal l at my age, alas , is largely sedentary . I was ready for something else .

When I turned 50, I decided I was too damn fat . Three wonderful f r iends would talk about how mufun they had square dancing. Every t ime I saw them, they would rave about what a wonderful t ime they wehaving . I snobbishly res isted for a while, but joined the Western Star Dancers Yel low Mainstream Class 2003. The f i rs t thing I noticed was that al l the hugging was GOOD. I appreciated the exerc ise . I wdel ighted that alcohol wasn t involved. Very soon, I real ized that I had found a new passion.

My two former boyfr iends were both dancers , and very sexy ones , to say the least . I fel t l ike a codancing with them (Thin or skinny are NOT adject ives one would use in describing me ever in my l i feSquare dancing has taught me how si l ly I was . Body shape has nothing to do with dancing. My body shapbothered me considerably more than i t bothered anyone else, that s for sure. Dancing has helped me boimprove the shape of my body, and feel better about how I look. While I have danced with bodies of eve

shape and form, I m sot sure that I am ready for a Moonshine Tip .

The most wonderful part about square dancing is the people. Squaredancing attracts folks for many dif ferent reasons, but I have encountered onlykind people. The people I meet dancing demonstrate integri ty , compassion,dedicat ion, and affect ion. I especial ly enjoy the way that energy and goodfeel ings seems to bui ld in a good square or during a l ively t ip . The bonding thatoccurs during dancing is del ic ious .

Becoming newsletter editor and Western Star Dancers board member hasstoked my enthusiasm. I entered the post with some trepidation, but feelsat is fact ion with my meager contributions to the c lub, and zeal to promote WSDand gay square dancing . The posit ive feedback I ve gotten from the groupconcerning the newsletter and f l iers has inspired me to str ive for more, bigger ,

and better .

After a year of dancing , I ve lost over forty pounds . Inc luding c lass nights , dances , c lub nights , f ly- inand convention in my schedule keeps me act ive and inspired. Even when I am t ired and achy, I l l go out on f loor, because, to quote one of my favori te corners , Dave Murphy, i t s so d amn much fun.

Square dancing has provided me with a pass ion that was miss ing form my l i fe . This pass ion, I bel ievwil l enable me to better enjoy l i fe . I ve already l ived longer than I was supposed tobetter l iv ing througchemistry , as the old commercials said. I ve also been afforded an opportunity to learn to l ive l i fe . Squadancing g ives me sat is fact ion, comfort , confidence, joy, and contentment .

And, that is what square dancing means to me.

L


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June 57:30-10:30 pm

Diablo Dancers 12th Anniversary Dance. Caller Anne Uebelacker. M,P,A* La Cheim School, 1700 OakPark Boulevard, Pleasant Hill

June 61-5 pm

Midnight Squares A1, C1, & C2 Graduation. Caller Anne Uebelacker. A2, C1, C2, C3A. Free/$8. SanFrancisco Friends School, 117 Diamond Street, San Francisco

June 167:30-9:30 pm

CLUB NIGHT Caller Peggy Shumway. $3. Mission PlaygroundJune 16-19

Academy of Advanced and Challenge Enthusiasts IV, Columbus Ohio. Multiple caller. Info: Lloyd Sparks(888) 523-7586 Email [email protected]

June 197-10 pm

Foggy City Dancers Pre-Pride Dance. Caller Seth Levine. M, P, A* $7/$8 Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 678Portola Drive, San Francisco

June 23-2653rd National Square Dance Convention, National Western Complex, Denver, CO. Multiple callers. Info:Dan Pantano (303)722-6474 Email [email protected]

June 267:30-10:30 pm

Western Star Dancers Pride Dance Caller Rick Hampton. M, P, A* $8/$10 FriendsMeeting, 65-9th Street, San Francisco

June 28-3016th GCA Caller School, Phoenix, AZ. Callers S. Bryant, A. Uebelacker, V. Ceder. Info: Nick Martellacci(718)624-5665 Email [email protected]

July 1-5

21stAnnual IAGSDC Convention. Sponsored by Desert ValleySquares, Phoenix, AZ. Multiple Callers. Arizona Biltmore Resort &

Spa. Info: Gordon Macaw (602) 674-3239

July 12 7:30-July 19 9:30 pm

FREE Introduction to PlusGreen Plus Class begins Mission Playground

July 217:30-9:30 pm

CLUB NIGHT Caller Fen Tamanaha. $3. Mission PlaygroundJuly 23-25

Follow Your Neighbor IXChristmas in July. Cadillac Squares, Detroit, MI. Callers J. Oldfield, H. Richman.Info: Jay Steffka (313) 837-7966 Email [email protected]

July 29-3114th Canadian National Square Dance Convention, Calgary, Alberta. Multiple Callers. Info: Charles &Bev Moore (877)850-2004 [email protected]


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Western Star Dancers584 Castro Street #480San Francisco, CA 94114


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Convention

ReportWestern Star Dancers made a most respectableappearance at the 21

stannual convention of the

International Association of Gay Square Dance Clubs(IAGSDC) at the luxurious Arizona Biltmore Resort & SpPhoenix, Arizona on the Fourth of July weekend. More20 Stars made the trip, and had the time of their lives. addition, Tom Tripp, a club member from long ago, waawarded a 20-year medallion, signifying 20 years of IAGconventions. Tom joins WSDs Michael Stokes and FreeStamper in the exclusive 20-year club.

From the Trail In Dance on Thursday evening, the Closing Ceremonies on Sunday night, the Frank LloWright influenced hotel throbbed with the vibrancy ofthan a thousand LGBT square dancers from Denmark, Canada, and across the US. Six rooms churned with dafrom 9 each morning until 10 every night, with breaks f

eals, including a sumptuous banquet and hearty brunch business meeting. A seventh room was often used for specialty tips. Extremopular were the Leather Tip, Bear Tip, Moonshine Tip, Munchkin Tip, Redwood Tip, and two Womens Tips.

Steve Scott and Daryl Daniels were WSDs delegates to the IAGSDC Delegate Meeting. Besides various financial reports, the

elegates voted on the location of the 2008 convention. Cleveland was chosen. ChiTown Squares (Chicago), DC Lambda SquaresWashington), and Times Squares (New York) have bid for the 2009 convention. Contact your delegates with any guidance on choosingmong those outstanding candidates. Four new clubs joined the IAGSDC: Gateway Squares from St. Louis, MO, Sun Coast Squares frometersburg, FL, Spin Cycle Squares from Eugene, OR, and Seaway Rainbows from Cornwell, Ontario. The Petersen Fund reported robustealth. This fund provides loans to clubs to assist in recruitment efforts. All Join Hands Foundation also reported a successful year. Theoundation publishes the IAGSDC newsletters and ships fold-out display units to clubs around the country (with one additional displayanada) to assist in promoting gay square dance.

No less an expert than Anne Uebelacker raved about the skill of our Mainstream dancers, offering special kudos to the instructostructor/Caller Rich Reel deserves to feel pride and satisfaction with his students performances.

Desert Squares of Phoenix, with an assist from the T Squares from Tucson, did a marvelous job in hosting this years conventionach conventioneer got a handy canvas tote bag and a folding cooler, two very useful items. The convention apparel was attractive.

Some people found the many pools and the water slide more of an attraction than the dancing. Pool parties punctuated eachvening, as conventioneers attempted to cool off in the 105

oPhoenix heat. However, reports claim that some of those parties got prett

hat might not be a comment on the weather.

Monday, after the convention, as people trickled to the airport and back to the real world, many were planning for next year inSanta Clara when the El Camino Reelers host Star Thru the Silicon Galaxy (reduced registrfees apply until August 15). Registration is available at www.silicongalaxy.org.

W


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Gary Young: A Good Man is Worth a Second LookAn interviewed by Dan Smith, the second of two parts

It was my first club and I got to see a different way of learning. Thereere several people in my class who really, really struggled. Theyd beenrough it several times, and its just harder for them to learn. Ron Masteras the teacher and he likes to sing so we always got lots of singing callsth him. Steve (my partner) prefers to go to nights when it is all singinglls.

Yes, and I was learning at a faster pace. That was when I said, Well,K, let me learn some stuff on my own. I looked at the square danceimations on the Internet. I also went ahead and joined Foggy City foreir Plus class so I could continue at the speed I was learning. I kept

oing to Western Star and got different experiences with the various callsd dancers.

You told me that one of the reasons was to learn how to beThats right and thats one of the things Im still learning. You can learnthe calls, but its a team sport so you learn to dance with different

ople. Some people do it so much better then me but they keep a smilen their faces. It makes everything better when you smile. I dont smile

ough.

Im trying too. When I first started dancing I was just worried aboutyself, now that Ive learned some steps Im thinking, Ive got to be atter angel then that!at four other clubs. Have you noticed any differenceThe clubs have different purposes. I really like dancing down at El

amino Reelers because they get 5 or 6 squares every week. Its Siliconalley and a lot of people work down there and people also drive fromayward, San Jose, and all over.Tell me about your experience with them.

In February of last year, Foggy City invited people from Western Starsainstream class to come over to Foggy Citys Club Night and getactice. They werent having much attendance sometimes only four

ncers showed up. Their Thursday night Club Nights helped me out a lotcause sometimes I was the only student dancing with three angels.

heir Club Night callers, like Peggy Shumway and Fen Tamanaha, wentead and taught me a whole bunch of calls. They gave me the floor timed taught me. That helped tremendously. By the time a call was taughtclass, Id already been through it and gotten some floor time. Having

veral Club Nights helped.ell me about Midnight Squares. Whats your experience withI started Advanced class at Midnight Squares. The class was team

ught; Peggy would teach one week and Fen would teach the next week.hat was different for me. Whenever I hear different callers explaining andaching different calls I sometimes hear two opinions on things andHAT really helps me. Going to different dances, and hearing differentllers really helps you.

First, its handholds are different then Mainstream and Plus. Indvanced you dont keep your hands up. You keep them down towardour sides. Thats how Caller Lab defines it. Ive heard about a lot ofople getting hurt with their hands up, and people locking their thumbsd stuff like that. As long as I get enough pressure pushing againstoples palms, I prefer hands down.

Midnight Squares Advanced class was one thing, but when Iarted their C1 class (Challenge) I really, really had to study aheadcause that was a big jump. For me Advanced was just an extension ofus. Id learned the definitions very well at Mainstream and Plus sodvanced came fine. Challenge has a lot more calls. They dont call ithallenge for nothing, so I was a little apprehensive about showing up.en again, I knew if I didnt take it then I might have to wait another year.

went ahead and jumped right in. I studied for several hours a week.

Also during the 45 minute CALTRAN trip to Challenge class in Redwood studied. I was prepared, but there are people there whove been danci years and years and Id been dancing for about one year. I was a linervous about looking silly, but after a few weeks I got my confidence anup with class just fine.D: Ive noticed that most people who reach a new level dont go back toat lower levels. Why do you angel Basic and Mainstream classes?G: I learn from example. Don Queen has always come down to the intro and to the Basic/Mainstream/Plus classes as an angel, and Ive learnedfrom him. He always emphasizes learning definitions as opposed to justto class and learning it by feel. Mainstream and Plus are what the rest levels are built upon. If you have your Runs and Slides and Stars down it dancing easier. Another thing is that if I angel the Mainstream and Plus and they have more then enough to make a square, I can do what I sawQueen doing, which is dancing in the back by himself. I picked that ustarted doing that myself.

D: Have you ever considered being a caller yourself?G:Yes, I would like to do that eventually. I went to a one-day caller wothat Rich Reel had at the Friends School and that was a lot of fun. Inothing about calling. He taught sight resolution and just being omicrophone. After that I went back to my classes with more appreciaticallers. It also helped me to keep up with what the callers were dothought, Now I see why theyre doing that. Im not planning to call for abut I plan to go to Callers School in 2005. My partner Steve had Andydo an intro to square dancing at the International Bear Rendezvous in FeLots of people showed up and several of those people are anxious totaking classes.D: Tell me about the two concepts, bear and peel-off.G: Im a bear and bears are hairy guys for those who dont know. When down to El Camino Reelers I found that they were heavily populated withIt seems that a lot of bears are in the Tech field. Also at fly-ins I notice bears. At Convention they had a bear tip with maybe 200 people?D: Were all 200 bears?G: No, there were also people who like bears; it goes with the territorheard about Peel-offs from a couple of people who had been. Last year at Palm Springs was the first I was able to attend. I studied ahead so tknow all the Plus calls by then. So the first fly-in that I went to was a PId stayed at that Nudist resort before and had had a nice relaxing week tremembered that and I liked dancing so it seemed like a nice combinatme. I was worried about styling. I figured one wrong kick during WeaRing could be damaging but that didnt seem to be the case. The only prwas the first year I tried to go bare foot on the dry grass and my feet got cMost people wear shoes and socks when they dance. Make sure tosunscreen and a hat.

D: Thats right and also remember that a good man is worth a second look


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Board of Directors Elections, Membership Meeting Slatedand

eneral Membership Meeting will be held in conjunction with Clubight on September 15, 2004. Members interested in serving on theoard are asked to contact any current board member to be includedn the ballot. Ballots will be mailed to all members on September 1.allots can be mailed in or hand delivered if you are unable totend the meeting. You will be voting for seven board members.

Dance Coordinator Kip Mackey has announcedretirement from the board, with the possibility that one other powill also be vacated. Club By-Laws call for a seven member however, the board has been operating with six members for mthe previous year.

The membership meeting promises to be short and point. Major business will be voting on minor revisions to thLaws, as well as reports on the state of the club.

Castro Fair Booth Funding Setestern Star Dancers application for financial support from the Petersen Fund for the Castro Street Fair was successful. The PetFund was established by the IAGSDC upon receipt of a sizable bequest. The funds are specifically designated to be used forrecruitment and gay square dance promotion. Our partners in this projectDiablo Dancers, Foggy City Dancers, Midnight Squa

nd El Camino Reelers have been informed and urged to prepare recruitment brochures. Kip Mackey received the donation of a foldingooth on behalf of WSD. The covered booth will be useful, not only for the street fair, but also other events. Additionally, arrangements een made with the IAGSDC to borrow their traveling display for our use during the fair.

We are currently organizing sign-ups, and we'll be asking for help from both our membership and our partner clubs for help dure Fair itself. We have plenty of time to organize, but we want to request your support in advance. Contact Dan Smith (Dansmit@pacbe15-551-8134) or Joe Iser ([email protected], 415-268-9449) to volunteer or otherwise support our efforts.

Angel Island Picnic Ready to Get UnderwayReservations are closed, but you can still join us on a

vival of the Western Star Dancers Angel island Picnic on August1. You will have to purchase your own ticket at full price and rune risk of the ferry being completely booked by tourists. If youake alternate arrangements to reach the island to join us, you wille asked for a $10 donation.

Potluck is planned and being organized. The club willrovide plates, cups, and plasticware. Those with reservations willrange to bring a variety of food to provide a scrumptious feast.hose who will be booking their own passage to the island arequested to bring picnic food to share. Everyone is encouraged toing their own beverages. The club will not provide drinks.

We will assemble at Pier 41 on Fishermans Wharf at 9::15AM for a 9:45 AM departure. Blue & Gold Fleet has denied usermission to dance on the ferry. After we reach our picnic site (Hill

1, near the landing at Ayala Cove) and get organized, Rich Reecaller, will lead us in a couple tips. Later, after lunch, there wmore dancing, but there will be plenty of time for hiking arounisland or enjoying the tram tours. WSD is not responsibbooking tram tours or making arrangements for other activitithe island. Our return ferry leaves Angel Island at 3:20 PM.

Angel Island has a caf with an extensive, but pricey,out menu. Food and drinks will be only a short walk frompicnic site. Go to www.angelisland.com and www.angelisland.oisland information, as well as the caf menu.. Bikes are welcomthe island. Dogs, skates, skateboard, and scooters are prohOnly charcoal can be used in the barbecues at the picnic ar you chose to cook something, you must being your own chaDont forget to bring sunscreen!

Leather & Lace to Feature Silent Auctionring your checkbooks along when you come to WSDs Leather & Lace Dance on September 25 from 7:30-10:30 p.m. The dance wbe held at San Francisco Friends Meeting (65-9th Street, between Market and Mission). Dave Decot from Santa Clara will be the c

Bob Brundage is organizing a collection of fine items for you to browse and bid on during the evening. A list of items up uction will not be available before the night of the dance. If you have items or services you can donate to the auction, please contact [email protected], 415-826-0879). The club Board of Directors endorsed the silent auction as a means to raise funds to increase amenr club members and better promote Western Star Dancers.

In addition, members are strongly urged to bring food to the dance to share. The dearth of food at our last dance was an

mbarrassment. Your support is essential, and your generosity is greatly appreciated.

New Caller Workshop Heldich Reel conducted a New Caller Workshop sponsored byWestern Star Dancers on Saturday, July 17 at the San Francisco

riends Meeting. Although the turnout was smaller than expected, avery talented group of novice caller took advantage of thepportunity to hone their skills. In the evening, dancers arrived, andnjoyed dancing to the calling of the rookie callers. Despite theeager turnout, Rich was pleased with the workshop. Futureorkshops are being planned. Watch your email and snail mail fornnouncements.

EDITORS NOTE: I received a clipping from my sister:An 85-year-old woman wrote to a friend: I am trying very hato put off or hold back anything that would add laughter and to the lives of my family and friends. And every morning wopen my eyes, I tell myself that it is special. Every day, minute, every breath is truly a gift from Goid. Life may not bparty we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well da

Dont Stop! Dont Slow Down!

B

R


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German VisitorsEnlivened

June Club Night

lub Nights are always interesting, but theJune Club Night was especially enjoyablebecause we were graced with four gentlemen

uare dancers from Germany. The men, picturedn the right with caller Peggy Shumway, had heard

bout our club, were in the city, and asked if theyould dance with us. The men, representing tworaight clubs (there are no gay clubs in Germany),nly danced the lead position, and evidentlynjoyed learning some of the gay styling we use.

Especially interesting were the squareance passports they carried. Each time theyance with a new club, they get a new stamp orgnature in their passport. Inspired by this, WSDas instituted a special Guest Star dangle forsitors from clubs outside Northern California.

Come to Club Night. You never knowho you might meet!

C


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August 75-10:30 pm

Star Across Summer, El Camino Reelers. Mike DeSisto caller. 5 pm Potluck, 6:30 Intro/Demo, 7:30 P, A, C-1*.$8/$10. St. Andrews Methodist Church, 4111 Alma Street, Palo Alto

August 147:30-10:30 pm

Shore Leave Andys Farewell Dance, El Camino Reelers. Andy Shore caller. Floor level-C1. $5. St. AndrewsMethodist Church, 4111 Alma Street, Palo Alto

August 187-9 pm CLUB NIGHT Michael Levy caller. $3. Mission Playground

August 219:15 am-4-ish pm

ANGEL ISLAND P ICNIC Rich Reel caller. Meet at Pier 41 If you do NOT have a reservation, yomust arrange your own ferry passage (Blue & Gold Fleet). Please bring lots of food!

August 27-29Peel Off in the Redwoods IIfor men, Wildwood Retreat, Guerneville, CA. Bill Eyler caller. Phone (602)674-323Email [email protected] URL www.gaystyle.com/peel-off

September 41-8 pm

Special Event Kip Mackeys Pool Party. Potluck, Bring your own intoxicants, Soft drinks provided. 10Las Gallinas Avenue, San Rafael. RSVP: [email protected] or 415-479-4759

September 3-6Great Chicago C rossfire XVChariots of Crossfire, ChiTown Squares, Chicago. S. Bryant, K. Jensen, J. Oldfield, &Uebelacker callers. Phone (708) 757-3751 Email [email protected] URL www.iagsdc.org/chi-townsquares

September 117-10 pm

Plus/Advanced Dance, Midnight Squares. Anne Uebelacker caller. Plus, A2, C1* $8. San Francisco Friends Scho117 Diamond Street, San Francisco

September 157-9 pm

CLUB NIGHT Peggy Schumway caller. $3. Mission PlaygroundMembership Meeting & Board of Director Elections

September 17-19Women s Gathering at Silver Falls, Salem, OR. K. Jensen, TBA callers. Phone (925) 923-4062 [email protected] URL www.squaredancewomen.org

September 17-19Moon Over Mailbu (for men), Malibu, CA. TBA caller/ Phone (877) 683-4781 Email [email protected] www.GaySquareDance.org

September 187-10 pm

Harvest Dance, Foggy City Dancers. Eric Henerlau caller. MS, Plus, A*. $7/8. Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 678Portola Drive, San Francisco

September 257:30-10:30 pm

Leather & Lace Dance with Silent Auction . Dave Decot caller. MS, Plus, A*. $8/10. San FranciscoFriends Meeting, 65-9th Street, San Francisco

Twins?

Ammon Corl and Steve Scott celebrate San Francisco Prnear the gay square dance booth which did a boomingbusiness in temporary tattoos. Ammon and Steve will albe celebrating on August 29, when they both commemortheir birthdays.


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Western Star Dancers84 Castro Street #480an Francisco, CA 94114


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Ammon Bob Dan Grey Steve Daryl Joe

Corl Brundage Smith Todd Scott Daniels Iser

YOUR NEW WSD BOARD OF DIRECTORSour 2005 Western Star DancersBoard of Directors was

announced at the General

Membership Meeting held on September 15.

Grey Todd was awarded the seventh seat

on the board courtesy of a vigorous write-

n campaign. All of the other candidates

won unanimously (What a surprise!). Steve

Scott, Club Administrator, chaired the

meeting; about 20 members were in

attendance.

An acknowledgement that the club

by-laws call for quarterly general meetingswas the first issue. General Membership

Meetings have become annual affairs, and

there seems no compelling reason to hold

them more often. A proposal to amend the

by-laws has already been presented to the

board.

Steve happily announced that all

three dances WSD sponsored last year, and

the Angel Island Picnic, made a profit for

the club. He recalled each of the three

dances, churning up pleasant memories. In

the club financial report, as of September

10, the club had $2252.94 in a checking

account and $2058.96 in a CD, reserved for

a future fly-in or other special event.Achievements Steve recognized

from the past year included a new club logo

and uniforms, a new club banner,

outstanding newsletter, and the return

the WSD Angel Island Picnic. S

announced that Daryl Daniels will

organizing the picnic again next year,

hoped the revitalized tradition wo

continue. A vigorous campaign is alre

underway to recruit for the

Mainstream class (see below).

There being no new busi

before the club, the meeting was sh

After introducing the new board mem

to the club, the meeting was adjourned, club night dancing resumed. Your clu

healthy, and in capable hands.

Y


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HHaappppyy CCaammppeerrssOOnn AAnnggeell IIssllaanndd


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October 4

7:30-9:30Green Plus Class Completion, Mission Playground

October 8-10Zoom to the Beach in a Yellow Submarine, Shoreline Squares, Long Beach. D. Carroll-

Jones, M. Kellogg, M. Levy Callers. Call (714) 534-3124, [email protected]

October 8-10Chase the Chili, The Wilde Bunch, Albuquerque. B. Eyler, K. Jensen, J. Jestin Callers.

Call (505) 255-2150, [email protected]

October 8-10Load the Boat XIVVoyage of the Minnow, Cleveland City Country Dancers, Cleveland.

V. Ceder, D. Hodge Callers. Contact [email protected]

October 9

7:30-10:30

Spin Chain & Exchange the Seasons, Diablo Dancers. Dick Henschel Caller. MS, P, A*.

Jewish Community Center, 2071 Tice Valley Boulevard, Walnut Creek

October 18

7:30-9:30Free Introductory Mainstream Class, Mission Playground

October 20

7:30-9:30Club Night, Fen Tamanaha Caller, Mission Playground

October 22-24Peel the PumpkinTimes Squares Goes Broadway, Times Squares, NYC. B. Gotta, T.

Miller, C. Phillips Callers. Call (718) 624-5665, [email protected]

October 257:30-9:30

Blue Mainstream Class Begins, Mission Playground

October 29-31Scares & Squares IX, Rosetown Ramblers, Portland, OR. D. Carroll-Jones, A. Shore

Callers. Call (503) 777-6442, [email protected]

November 6

7-10

Anniversary Dance, Foggy City Dancers. Mike DiSisto Caller. MS, P, A*. $7/$8 Ebenezer

Lutheran Church, 678 Portola Drive, San Francisco

November 12-14Harpers Perry Hoedown X, DC Lambda Squares, Harpers Ferry, WV. D. Carroll-Jones, E.

McAtee, T. Miller Callers. Call (202) 986-7083, [email protected]

November 13Trade by Fall, El Camino Reelers. Steve Minkin Caller. St. Andrews Methodist Church,

4111 Alma Street, Palo Alto

November 17

7:30-9:30 Club Night, Michael Levy Caller, Mission Playground

November 20

Afternoon of Dancing & Anniversary Dance, Prime 8s/Capital City Squares. B. Eyler

Caller. A1/A2/C* afternoon, MS/P/A* evening. Location TBA. Contact Capital City

Squares

November 26-28Weave the Rain, Squares Across the Border, Vancouver, BC. T. Crawford, A. Uebelacker

Callers. Call (604) 254-8994, [email protected]

December 4

7:30-10:30

Relay the Reindeer, Diablo Dancers. Jet Roberts Caller. MS, P, A*. Jewish Community

Center, 2071 Tice Valley Boulevard, Walnut Creek


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BOARD APPROVES BYLAW TWEAKSThe Western Star Dancers Board of

Directors approved three amendments to

the club bylaws. The changes redefine

certain issues to better reflect the reality of

our present operations.

The changes will not take effect

until such time as ballots can be mailed, and a

Membership Meeting with a vote can be

scheduled, probably next spring.

The bylaws were last amended in

1998. Contact Daryl Daniels if you wish a

copy of them.

The three amendments are:

1. Article 4: General Meetings, Section A currentlyreads:A general meeting open to all membersshall be held at least once every four (4)months with the cycle beginning inJanuary of each calendar year.

It is proposed that this section be amended to read:A general meeting open to all membersshall be held at least annually in September.

2. Article V Board of Directors Section D Subsectionb currently reads:Treasurer. In addition to maintaining thefinancial records of the Club, the Treasurermust be one of the co-signatories of theClub's bank accounts and is authorized to

release information as tot the Club'sfinancial status. The Treasurer may beappointed from among any of the membersof the Club.

It is proposed that this subsection be amended to read:Treasurer. In addition to maintaining thefinancial records of the Club, the Treasurermust be one of the two signatories of theClub's bank accounts and is authorized torelease information as to the Club's

financial status. The Treasurer will issufinancial report to the Board of Directorat each Board of Directors meeting. TheTreasurer shall be appointed from amonany of the members of the Board.

3. Article VII Finances Section A currently readsA checking account shall be maintainedTwo signatures shall be required on allchecks. These two people shall not be cresidents (whenever possible).

It is proposed that this section be amended to readA checking account shall be maintainedThe Treasurer is responsible for themaintenance of the club accounts. Asecond Board member will also have chewriting privileges, but two signatures wnot be required on checks. These twopeople shall not be co-residents (whenepossible).


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Do you come to Club Night?

What would it take to get you to come?

How can we attract more dancers to Club Nigh

Interviews by Dan Smith

Grey Todd: Sure. The only one Ivemissed is last Months, actually. Ihave mixed feelings about them. Iwant to support them and I wantthem go. Unfortunately Im going tomiss this months too.

Steve Scott: I see Club Night as continuingmy active participation in this club. Ifeel like if I did not regularly attend Iwould not be fully supporting the club. Isee it as a place to workshop somethings that we maybe have just learned.Also I see it as a place to party andsocialize with my friends.Matt Thomson: I dont go to Club Nights.Well I come rarely. Western Stars ClubNight is on Wednesday, which is inconflict with El Camino Reelers.

Dan Smith: I know that for myself, being apoor personWell, whose go lots of moneysometimesI have everything I want in life,right. Im not complaining about not beingrich. I have everything and all the time inthe world. But there are some times I cantcome to Club Night because I havent gotthree dollars. Perhaps we should putDonation on the money jar.

David Murphy:I wish more peoplewould go. I think in class itshould be mentioned that theresClub Night and students could go

to solidify their dancing.

Ammon Corl: Club night is tricky for meto make during the work week. I usuallywork late and when I do get off ofwork I often just feel like gettingback home, eating dinner, and catchingsome face time with Joel before hegoes to bed. It would be much easierto make club nights if they were on aweekend.

Russ King: Ah yes, the eternal Club Night problem... Asyou may remember from that Interview I gave you,it's nothing new. I think the present location doesn'thelp, but that will eventually improve, and there'snothing to be done about it in the meantime. One thingoff the top of my head--in those various [email]reminders we get, find a way to mention the featuredclub-night caller that month. If I'm toying with theidea of going but I don't know who the caller is (I mayhave misplaced my newsletter, etc), that info sometimescould make a difference.


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An Editorial by Daryl Daniels

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of the WesteStar Dancers or the Board of Directors.

ince taking up square dancing a short two years ago, some my greatest joys and some of mytestiest frustrations are because of Club Night. As soon as I could, I was attending Club NigI immediately saw it as a good place to get floor time and more dancing. Im grateful to the

Club Night callers who would preview calls before they were taught in class. I felt more confidenon class nights because Id rehearsed the calls. On the other hand, there was the night we werelocked out due to some miscommunication, and the night with only five dancers.

Western Star Dancers by no means is the only club that has difficulty getting a full square oClub Night. Diablo Dancers merged their Club Night with their class night. El Camino Reelers juhave class nights. Foggy City Dancers and Midnight Squares both have two Club Nights schedulea month, but attendance is spotty. Clearly, in our case, Club Night attendance has lagged since

leaving Eureka Valley Rec, which can be attributed to being away from 18th & Castro, i.e., the centof the universe, and being in a neighborhood with little parking.

Club Nights were instituted as an opportunity for club members to get together for dancingworkshopping calls, sharing a bit of pot luck, and socializing with old friends. How different to hsomeone say they only showed up to fill out the square. Club Nights have lost their attraction formany members. People dont attend for reasons ranging from work to dancing with other clubs topersonal time. The competition for time is fierce in the 21st Century. Life goes on, conditionschange, commitments develop. Club Night may not be your highest priority.

The objective for the Board of Directors is not to coerce or persuade members to come to CluNight, but to find how to best provide the social activities to support club members. Perhaps theclub would better be served by something like one of these options:

Sponsoring joint club nights with other clubsMore scheduled weekend dances and cancel Club NightsHosting more social activities (picnics, etc.)Hiring different callersMerging Club Nights with class nights, as other clubs have done

Traditionally, members have been asked to pay $3 admission for Club Night. The purposewas to raise enough money to pay the caller, akin to passing the hat at the end of the dance to pay

the musicians. Club Nights are not intended to make money. No one should absent themselvesbecause their cash flow dried up. The $3 is a donation. The Board has decided to do away with ClNight sign in sheets since they serve little purpose, except emphasizing who doesnt have cash.

Ultimately, the issue is not what to do about Club Night, but what activities can get moreclub members involved. Western Star Dancers is a club with excitement and vibrancy. Keeping itso is the challenge.

Your opinions and comments are welcome.

S


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Redesigned Badges Available SooNew, white badges are being crafted based on the clubs new

colorful logo. Shortly after the debut of the club banner, Tony Attard asfor a badge of the same design. With slight modifications, the designed is

making its translation, as shown on the left. The badge will have rhinesto

on the tips of the star, just as our present badge has.Administrator Steve Scott, an enthusiastic supporter of the new

white badges, pointed out that they will set us apart from the other twogroups in the city who have black badges.

The Blue Mainstream class will receive the new badges. Clubmembers will have the option of buying their own.

Test yourself and see if you can find the 35 square dance terms hidden in the puzzle. The words may run horizontavertical, diagonal forward or backward. Circle those you find.

A B C D W R O N G W A Y G R A N D E F GH B E N D T H E L I N E I J K I L M N O

L P Q P R S T U V W X G Y T R A D E B YE Z C A A C E G I K M N O Q S H U S L UF C A S T O F F W C Y I W E L C Y C E RT B L S D F H J L N L H E P R S U O E HA W I T H A R X A C F O A H K E M O H TL V F H S D O P A S O J V A C I E T W NL G O R J L N P R C V U E E W D B B S IE D R U B O X T H E G N A T R A F A I AM H N I P R O M E N A D E A K L P C R HA L I J L N P R A T V X Z L A B E K R CN A A K N P L A R E G H P U H G E A E N

D E T A K E P A S R Q Z O C H D L O F IE D W A F T T D O S I D O R I T O P M PA D I T B S C D Z O O M E I F G F H I S J N R K L R U N M U N P Q C S T F V W XZ A L C B D I V E T H R U D F G H J K LR L T I U I O P Q T A G T H E L I N E ZX E V R Y E L L O W R O C K C V B N M AS E F C G H J K F L U T T E R W H E E LK L Q L W E R T U R N T H R U Q W O P GH W G E P O T E H T N A F A E I O U X N

BEND THE LINEBOX THE GNATCALIFORNIA TWIRLCAST OFFCENTERS OUTCIRCLECIRCULATECLOVER LEAFDIVE THRUDO PASODO SI DOFAN THE TOPFERRIS WHEEL

FLUTTERWHEELFOLDHINGELADIES CHAINLEFT ALLEMANDEPASS THRUPEEL OFFPROMENADERECYCLERUNSCOOT BACKSPIN CHAIN THRUSTAR

TAG THE LINETHARTRADE BYTURN THRUVEER LEFTWEAVEWHEEL AND DEALWRONG WAY GRANDYELLOW ROCKZOOM


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December 47:30-10:30

Relay the Reindeer Diablo Dancers. Jet Roberts Caller. MS, P, A* Jewish CommunityCenter, 2071 Tice Valley Boulevard, Walnut Creek

December 10-12TBA

PACE Caller Appreciation. Saturday C2. Oak Park Center, 1700 Oak Park Boulevard.Pleasant Hill

December 157:30-9:30

Club Night & Holiday Party with White Elephant Gift ExchangeRich Reel Caller, Mission Playground

January 7-9

TBA

PACE Mike Jacobs Caller. Saturday C1. Oak Park Center, 1700 Oak Park Boulevard.

Pleasant HillJanuary 14-16

Promenade Down Peacetree IVHotlanta Squares, Atlanta, GA. Callers: D. Carroll-JoneG. Monday, J. R. St. Jean. Info: 770-934-6388, [email protected]

January 14-16Swing Thru ArizonaDesert Valley Squares, Phoenix, AZ. Callers: B. Eyler, A. Shore.Info: 602-331-8839, [email protected]

January 15TBA

Swap Around the ClockEl Camino Reelers. St. Andrews Methodist Church, 4111 AlmStreet, Palo Alto

January 197:30-9:30

Club Night! Ron Masker Caller. Mission Playground

January 227:30-10

New Years Ball Capital City Squares. MS, P, A*. Email Capital City Squares fordetails.


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2004 the western star

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