What a great party we had on September 26 in the superb church hall at FPC!
Most of the dances were ones that Lita has been teaching and reviewing. High
points were the exciting Russian trio dance *Troika*, a high-energy
Bulgarian *Cacak*, and the Greek *Miteritsa*, simple and pure fun for all.

The refreshments were superb. We had mini-muffulettas; a wild rice and pecan
dish that looked like plain dirty rice but was a gourmet delight;
fresh-baked rye bread with cream cheese; a large delightful wedge of Brie;
several fine desserts, and a few nice bottles of wine. As the last person
out of the hall, I collected the left-overs and made three excellent meals
from them, thanks!

I am pleased to report that NOIFD's experimental 5-week run has been a
success. We have learned that there are enough dancers to create a group in
New Orleans. In FPC's fine hall, we could easily accomodate over 100
dancers, if the right muses (Euterpe and Terpsichore?) smile on us. Of the
22 dancers who joined us in the last five weeks, 13 came three to five
times. Of the remaining 9, at least four could become regular members.

We could go on dancing every Saturday… except for two things. One is
equipment. We need a second laptop to run the iTunes juke box software. My
own personal computer is what we are using now… and I can’t loan it out, I
need it for my webmastering business. I have an older laptop that needs
repairs, or we could buy an experienced machine on Ebay. I want backup, both
equipment and programmers, so I won’t have to be there every Saturday, sick
or well, heck or high water.

Once we get a second computer for the club, we will need two or more people
willing to run the program when I can’t be there. I think we will find them.

I want to thank all who came, especially those who brought friends. Thanks
to the kind souls who came early and/or stayed late to set things up and
close down. A special thanks to our teachers Lita and Barry, and to Elliott
who loaned us a good amp and speakers.

We will not meet in early October. I will ask FPC management if we can book
a Halloween party on October 31st. Lita will be at a dance camp, but Barry
Ivker will be available for teaching. Then I plan to book at least one
Saturday per month -- more, when we get a second computer and programming
help.

Many in the group discussed attending the Oktoberfest at the Deutsches Haus
on Saturday October 3, 7:30pm. If you go, I’ll see you there, for wurst,
kraut, schnitzel, beer, ooom-pa-pa bands, waltzes, polkas, and the chicken
dance.

It has been a delight to serve all of you. Thank you for your support and
encouragement! Long live New Orleans International Folk Dance!

--
Reggie Dawes   <r...@dawesbiz.net>   504-322-4703
New Orleans tour guide, web designer, folk dancer.
Visit the New Orleans International Folk Dancers
web page at www.folkdancers.net/noifd/ and
blog at www.noifd.blogspot.com/