Square Dance Club Night

Last night went well overall. The Plus tips were kept at class-level to accommodate one dancer who is enrolled in DC's Plus class, a short list of 10-11 calls; while I could improvise the patter around that, I quickly realized composing singing formations on the fly would be a disaster, so I kept those at a high level of Mainstream.

( Details and a caller question... )

Dayle has the next two Tuesdays (barring last-minute rescheduling) so my next time on the mic will likely be in the GCA slots at ACDC.

Square Dance Club Night

Last night went well overall. The Plus tips were kept at class-level to accommodate one dancer who is enrolled in DC's Plus class, a short list of 10-11 calls; while I could improvise the patter around that, I quickly realized composing singing formations on the fly would be a disaster, so I kept those at a high level of Mainstream.

( Details and a caller question... )

Dayle has the next two Tuesdays (barring last-minute rescheduling) so my next time on the mic will likely be in the GCA slots at ACDC.

DCLS Plus Class

Last Saturday was the first of three all-day class sessions for our new Plus dancers.

In all, we had 12 new dancers and an embarrassing number of angels: we could have put three squares on the floor if there was enough space. I was on hand to angel, but was content to let others dance while I alternated between studying Warren's instructional methodology and composing A2 material for my next calling gig.

Through the course of the day, we got through acey-deucey, teacup chain, ping pong circulate, load the boat, spin chain thru, extend, peel off, linear cycle, coordinate, track II and diamond circulate. Warren is intentionally keeping each of spin chain thru, spin chain the gears and spin chain & exchange the gears in separate class sessions to prevent confusion; I believe he's also doing the same for cut the diamond and flip the diamond. I'm torn between putting relay the deucey into the 2nd session (to allow maximum repetition through the course) or the 3rd session (since it's the hardest call of the lot, IMHO).

( Click for a photo of our happy bunch... )

DCLS Plus Class

Last Saturday was the first of three all-day class sessions for our new Plus dancers.

In all, we had 12 new dancers and an embarrassing number of angels: we could have put three squares on the floor if there was enough space. I was on hand to angel, but was content to let others dance while I alternated between studying Warren's instructional methodology and composing A2 material for my next calling gig.

Through the course of the day, we got through acey-deucey, teacup chain, ping pong circulate, load the boat, spin chain thru, extend, peel off, linear cycle, coordinate, track II and diamond circulate. Warren is intentionally keeping each of spin chain thru, spin chain the gears and spin chain & exchange the gears in separate class sessions to prevent confusion; I believe he's also doing the same for cut the diamond and flip the diamond. I'm torn between putting relay the deucey into the 2nd session (to allow maximum repetition through the course) or the 3rd session (since it's the hardest call of the lot, IMHO).

( Click for a photo of our happy bunch... )

Ties Optional/Lesbian & Gay Chorus of Washington DC

Following Saturday's Plus class, I headed into downtown DC for a concert by the Lesbian & Gay Chorus of Washington DC, joined by LGCW ensembles Ties Optional (Kent's group), Nuance and Not What You Think. In a move I thought was long overdue, our new accompanist performed two musical numbers as well. While there's ample performance time to showcase voices, other important talents in the group are sometimes overlooked; the accompanist puts in just as much time as the singers and I like ensuring the role has some recognition.

( Click for photos. )

I'm not happy with either photo but at the moment, I'm unsure if I'm asking too much of my new digital camera or if I simply haven't figured out how to use it effectively in the given environment. Thank god for the extreme optical zoom: I couldn't have done it otherwise.

Ties Optional/Lesbian & Gay Chorus of Washington DC

Following Saturday's Plus class, I headed into downtown DC for a concert by the Lesbian & Gay Chorus of Washington DC, joined by LGCW ensembles Ties Optional (Kent's group), Nuance and Not What You Think. In a move I thought was long overdue, our new accompanist performed two musical numbers as well. While there's ample performance time to showcase voices, other important talents in the group are sometimes overlooked; the accompanist puts in just as much time as the singers and I like ensuring the role has some recognition.

( Click for photos. )

I'm not happy with either photo but at the moment, I'm unsure if I'm asking too much of my new digital camera or if I simply haven't figured out how to use it effectively in the given environment. Thank god for the extreme optical zoom: I couldn't have done it otherwise.

"After You Die" Meme

OK, I didn't see this coming...

( My results )

"After You Die" Meme

OK, I didn't see this coming...

( My results )

Brain Fart

Ever have one of those moments while shopping for groceries & household supplies when you can't recall if you need to buy a particular item or not, so you do because, hey, if you're out of stock at home you're in trouble, and if you're not, well, it'll get used eventually.

Ever have that happen twice in one week on the same item? While shopping at a bulk supplies store?

I'm now the proud owner of 60 rolls of paper towels.

Doh.

Memo to self: no paper towel purchases until, oh, 2008 or so.

Brain Fart

Ever have one of those moments while shopping for groceries & household supplies when you can't recall if you need to buy a particular item or not, so you do because, hey, if you're out of stock at home you're in trouble, and if you're not, well, it'll get used eventually.

Ever have that happen twice in one week on the same item? While shopping at a bulk supplies store?

I'm now the proud owner of 60 rolls of paper towels.

Doh.

Memo to self: no paper towel purchases until, oh, 2008 or so.