contra dance news from indianapolis, including gypsy moon ball
kathryn c. millis
This is your once in a blue moon email, sent to our "announcements
only" list and to some regional contra dance lists and regional dance
groups.
Here's some news about Gypsy Moon Ball, Indianapolis' annual contra
dance weekend, and about our weekly contra dances (and an upcoming
radio interview).
First, IndyContra's Gypsy Moon Ball 2010 is coming up, November 5 - 7,
with contra dancing ALL 3 DAYS this year (recent years we've had just
Saturday & Sunday, with Friday's dance held down in Bloomington).
Our main band is Perpetual e-Motion, main caller Diane Silver, and we
also have music by the Coffee Zombies and calling by David Ernst.
There will be about a dozen hours of contra dancing for everyone, some
waltzing & couple dancing, and an advanced contra session for
experienced dancers. Also a pitch in dinner and brunch.
We're at the usual scout camp on Saturday and Sunday, but at Zion
Evangelical United Church of Christ in downtown Indianapolis for
Friday night's dancing.
Early registration admission for the whole weekend is $45 for those 26
and older, $30 for those 25 and under, and $15 per child. We have
bunks (no showers, but available nearby) for just $5/night. Nearby
hotels have 2 bed rooms for approximately $45, $65, and $99, depending
on the "quality." We need some kitchen, setup, and cleanup help, so
work scholarships are readily available.
As always, we welcome walk in dancers and people who can only attend
parts of the event. It's the week after halloween, but we'll still
have a costume contest on Saturday night (costumes are optional,
clothing is required). Other details are on our website,
http://www.indycontra.org/gmb and we'll be glad to answer any
questions.
There's also exciting news about our regular Tuesday night contras,
with a wide mix of musical and calling styles available for your
dancing pleasure.
Pretty much every month we have a visiting band and/or caller. This
week, for instance, 9/14, Vickie Herndon of Chattanooga TN is calling.
(info about her is at http://vickiherndon.com). On October 19th Susan
Petrick and the OpporTunists are visiting from California and other
places out west. November 23, Wendy Graham, of Durango, Colorado
calls.
We've also got one or two callers or bands from a nearby contra city
every month. For instance, Ryan Smith from Cincinnati calls on 9/21.
We generally meet for dinner at 6 p.m. at a nearby restaurant when the
band or caller is visiting, so check the website www.indycontra.org,
or email indyc...@gmail.com for location.
Once a month we're doing Open Band, so if you play an instrument come join us!
And we've got several new and/or different bands playing for our
dances, including Appleknockers, Entwyned, Haylofters, Indianapolis
Ceili Band, and Iota.
Finally, you can hear Juliet (our board president) and Dianna (v.p.,
scheduler, and musician) being interviewed about contra dance on "The
Art of the Matter" on WFYI, 90.1 FM
Friday October 8 @ 8 pm; Saturday October 9 @ 4 pm; & after that
online at www.wfyi.org
We would love to see you on the dance floor any Tuesday night at Earth
House (at the intersection of E. New York St. and N. East St. -
address is 237 N. East St.), or at GMB. You don't even have to attend
our board meetings (generally 2nd Tuesdays at 6) or help with sound
setup (gets free admission!), or distribute contra fliers at other
arts events, your house of worship, school, club, or other location.
Just come dance!
--
Kathryn