Indianapolis Contra - kinda quarterly update - important stuff!
kathryn millis
Here are a few quick news items about contra in Indy. For more info
about any of this, email IndyC...@gmail.com, or see our website,
IndyContra.org, or ask any board member.
BEACH PARTY - FEB. 6TH
On Saturday, February 6, 2010 starting at 8 p.m., we have Beach Party
Contra Dance, music by the Tune Hounds & calling by Rachel Shapiro. We
dance at Earth House, 237 N. East St., Indianapolis, IN.
The Tune Hounds are Ben Schreiber on fiddle & mandolin, Edward Wallace
on fiddle, Michael Shapiro on guitar, and Eric Schedler on piano &
accordion. Beach wear is welcome but not required (there will be
prizes). We can't have a snack buffet because Earth House has a Cafe,
which will be serving coffees, teas, smoothies, sweets, and a few
vegetarian entrees during our dance. Some folks are going out to
dinner at Chatham Tap around 6 (with an earlier 5 p.m. seating for
those doing setup - volunteers are needed, no experience required).
RHYS JONES - HAMMER AND STRINGS - FEB 16TH
On Tuesday, February 16, starting at 8 p.m., we have a visiting band,
"Hammer and Strings," who are Rhys Jones, Cleek Schrey, and Joel
Wennestrom. Rhys has been described by a FolkFire reviewer as "the
most consistently brilliant, exciting, and generally kick-ass
late-night fiddling of any performer at dance after dance." Cleek,
Irish fiddler and step-dancer, has been featured on Irish TV
documentaries about Irish music. Joel plays banjo in and around New
York, and can be heard on numerous CDs. We expect amazing music that
night. Feel free to bring music-loving, non-dancing friends.
2010 MEMBERSHIP
Indianapolis Traditional Music and Dance Group (ITMDG) membership
costs only $15 per year, may be tax deductible (we are a charity, but
can't give tax advice) and gets you $1 off each week's admission,
which is quite a deal for regular dancers. You can get our membership
form at http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B4wrPjQslFgzYzY1NzI5M2QtNTJmYS00NDljLWI2ZmUtODRmYjc2OGE2MmIx&hl=en
and mail or bring it to a dance.
BOARD ELECTIONS
On Tuesday February 23, 2010 we have the annual election for the
Board. Dianna Davis and Juliet Port have agreed to run, and Kathryn
Millis is running for re-election. Terms are two years, and Ken Gall,
Doug Engle, Glenn Grove, and Barry Levitt each have one year left in
their terms. We will hold voting during a brief break in the middle of
the evening, and we welcome other nominations. To vote, you must have
paid membership dues for 2010. Forms and pens will be available at the
dance (BYO checkbook and/or cash.)
WE NEED YOUR FEEDBACK
The board is exploring ways to increase attendance, including the
possibility of more dances on weekends, or changing the time of our
weekly dance. We have no specific plans, but if you live close enough
to downtown Indy that you could regularly come during the week, or to
dances on the weekend, please, by February 16th, answer a few
questions about days and times, and things that do or don't make you
more likely to come to contra dance with us, at our anonymous poll:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dGVWVV9iR0wxMVZXTmp6RVpPSVM0clE6MA
SPRING SCHEDULE
Our spring schedule of bands and callers is still in flux, but will be
finalized asap. If you are interested in playing or calling in the
future, contact Dianna and Juliet at indycontr...@gmail.com
OTHER WAYS TO "JOIN"
We welcome you to follow us on Twitter, to add our Google Calendar,
or, if you're on Facebook, to join our Group.
For more info about any of this, email IndyC...@gmail.com, or see
our website, IndyContra.org, or ask any board member.
Hope to see you on a dance floor soon,
Kathryn C. Millis
kathryn....@gmail.com
IndyContra VP