Friday Night Waltz's topics - tribe.net

Flemish mazurka videos

gotrhythm — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 06:01:23 GMT

Videos of Flemish social dancers in their natural habitat, referenced by Richard Powers on the occasions when he taught the Flemish mazurka choreography:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rAulLj4QaQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGw20oLTV5I

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Waltz Party- Thurs. Nov 19, 8:00-10:00p.m. with Silver Strings Mandolin Ensemble

Lalia — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:41:15 GMT

An Invitation To All Waltz Lovers For a Thursday Night Waltz Party! Please join me! I'm organizing and hosting this dance party as a way of celebrating life, dancing, and a birthday, mine and several other dancing friends who were born in Nov.

What better way to celebrate any event, than by waltzing to the beautiful music of the Silver Strings Mandolin Ensemble, from Redwood City, who played at the first Mountain View Waltzing Society event last spring.

When: Nov 19, 8:00-10:00 pm- Where: St. Marks Church at 600 Colorado Ave, just off Middlefield. Palo Alto. In the parish hall (at the back) Attire: dressy, of course!

Bring your waltzing friends and partners. All are welcome. No gifts please, although you may bring refreshments to share.

Hope you can come and share my love of waltzing, and please feel free to forward this email to all of your friends who love to dance.

Lalia

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Halloween dance - Fri Oct 23 Friday Night Waltz

scott — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 04:36:15 GMT

Our annual Halloween party. Friday Oct 24 Palo Alto

Richard Powers and Mirage Marrou teach intermediate classes from 7 to 9 pm. Richard is our dance music DJ from 9pm to midnight. 7 and 8pm - A special double class: New On-the-Fly Waltz Variations, Part 2. This has been an especially creative month with an explosion of new rotary waltz variations. Richard has been both collecting and developing new waltz variations, between Friday Night Waltz, his Tuesday night classes, and his out-of-town waltz weekends. Tonight's 14 variations will include triple free spins (they're surprisingly easy), new crossed-hand variations, new wraps, transitions to wedding cake, face loops, and which ones also work with cross-step waltz. You need not have taken Part 1 to enjoy this second set - just know a basic turning waltz.

Decadance is performing some of their spookiest routines! Welcome back Decadance! Decadance is a social dance performance group that strives to make traditional couple-dancing less traditional. Our purpose is to be interesting and inspirational for all types of audiences, and to make our audiences want to dance as much as we do.

Tom Hill teaches an introductory waltz class from 7 to 9 pm . To get the most from this class, try to start at 7pm. Excellent first time class

$12 for both the classes and the dance. $8 students. Sorry due to additional costs for food for our Halloween party, no special pricing for dance only. No partner necessary. All Ages. Casual comfortable attire. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, CA. Upstairs, Fellowship hall, entrance on right of courtyard, facing away from street.

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THE 16TH ANNUAL LE BAL DES VAMPIRES

Lady Jane — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:12:50 GMT

LE BAL DES VAMPIRES
(sponsored by PEERS - the Period Events & Entertainments Re-Creation Society)
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Location: Alameda Elks Lodge
2255 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501
Doors Open: 6:30 p.m.
Dancing on Two Floors:
Dance Lesson: 7:00 p.m.
Dancing: 7:45 p.m. to Midnight in the Grand Ballroom
Band: Bangers & Mash
Dracula's Daughter Discotheque & Bar: 6:30pm-midnight
Hosted by DJ Dark Moon
Ball Website: http://www.peers.org/vamp09.html

Please Note: Buy your ball tickets early. We expect this event to sell out.

Tickets may be ordered by sending a check or money order to the following address:
PEERS
2144 B Buena Vista Avenue
Alameda, CA 94501

You may also purchase tickets online by accessing the ball web site at http://www.peers.org/vamp09.html and clicking on the PayPal icon for directions.

Ticket Prices:
$25.00 from October 1 - October 24, 2009
$30.00 from October 25 - November 6, 2009
(Ticket sales will be discontinued when the event is sold-out.)

Meanwhile, here is our latest ball write-up

Waltz the night away in a beautiful candlelit ballroom with the San Francisco Bay Area’s most glamorous Undead at the 16th Annual Le Bal des Vampires.

Suggested costume is evening dress of the century and country of your “rebirth.” This may include dress uniform, period costume (authentic or fantasy), vintage attire, or modern evening dress. There is no dress code for the ball (We certainly don’t expect Spike to attend in black tie!), but you will see some of the most gorgeous and creative costumes of the social season at Le Bal des Vampires. For some fun photos and useful costume tips, please see our ball website at http://www.peers.org/vamp09.html

This year there will once again be simultaneous dancing on two separate floors:

Our band in the elegant upstairs ballroom is the stylish but always dashing chamber ensemble Bangers & Mash. As usual, haunting waltzes dominate the program, but the evening will feature a variety of dance music from across the centuries – from 18th century Baroque contredanses to 19th century Victorian rotary and Viennese waltzes, polkas, and mazurkas to elegant early 20th century tangos, blues, and fox trots and even some classic rock and roll Swing. Please note that the band’s first dance set will start at 7:45 pm sharp – 15 minutes earlier than usual. The dance sets will be unusually long, even by Bangers & Mash’s high standards, so if you do plan to dance, please be certain to wear shoes or boots you can actually dance in.

For those preferring a more modern style of dance music and free-style dancing, join us downstairs in Le Bal des Vampires’ Dracula’s Daughter’s Discotheque for a wonderfully varied repertoire of music to stir the blood and spirit from 6:30 p.m. to Midnight. Hosted by our principal DJ, Dark Moon, the disco also features a no-host (cash) bar and light refreshments for our mortal guests.

Our half-time show in the ballroom is a performance by the celebrated Le Theatre des Vampires. Not recommended for the faint of heart but highly recommended for fans of the genre.

If you have any questions, please email peers@peers.org or call (510) 522-1731.

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Gold Rush Days Photos Posted 2009

Leilani — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:29:01 GMT

Here are some Gold Rush Days photos. Thanks to everyone who helped out the Sacramento Ballroom Society, and the Old Sacramento Living History Program.

Sacramento Ballroom Society's:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sacramento_ballroom_society/sets/72157622269116047/
More will be added soon.

Kim Yasuda, a photographer extraordinaire has captured 100s more photos of all aspects of the event:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7181690@N03/sets/72157622120264791/

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Another waltz opportunity with live music at the Oakland Veterans Memorial Grand Ballroom

inkvision — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 06:08:15 GMT

The folks who hold the Zydeco Cajun Waltz Thursdays in Oakland (with live bands, free lesson) and first Saturday dance, have offered us a special student rate, plus a first-time dancer rate...

I've started going to these events - lots of great waltzes and cajun-styled two-step, with great people and music, in our favorite lakeside Oakland ballroom space. Hope to see more of you there on Thursday nights and first Saturdays...

I created a facebook group for them, with info on the bands, classes, etc. - they may be able to do a special set of classes with waltz variations for us...

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=154355036696

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Friday Night Waltz all Fridays

gotrhythm — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:53:38 GMT

If Friday Night Waltz will be all-Fridays in Palo Alto starting in September, does that mean it will not be holding events in the East Bay any more?

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Dancers Needed!

Jennifer — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 02:16:36 GMT

Lyric Theatre announces auditions for

Rodgers & Hammerstein's

Cinderella

Music by RICHARD RODGERS

Book and Lyrics by OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II

A Lyric Theatre Mainstage Production

Fully staged with orchestra

Audition dates

Tuesday, June 23 ● Wednesday, June 24 ● Monday, June 29

7:00 - 10:00 pm

Callbacks: Wednesday, July 1 beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Rehearsals will begin in early August.

Performances at the Montgomery Theater in Downtown San Jose: October 3-11, 2009
possible show Wed, October 7, 9:30 am (for San Jose schoolchildren)

Stage Director: Barbara Murray
Music Director: Paula Sanchez
Producer: Jean Marie Perchalski

Non-AEA. All roles are open. No pay.

Auditions and rehearsals will be held at the Lyric Theatre Rehearsal Facility, 430 Martin Ave., Santa Clara (just off De La Cruz Blvd.) Callback location is TBA.

Please fill out our online form at http://www.lyrictheatre.org/support/auditions (preferred method) or call 408-986-9090 and leave a message to schedule an appointment. Please allow 48 hours for a response. Arrive early for your appointment to fill out our paperwork. Bring a conflict calendar to the audition.

Prepare a piece to demonstrate your vocal range and skill. Bring music in your own key for the accompanist. An accompanist will be provided; unaccompanied auditions are not allowed. Songs from Cinderella are okay, however songs from other shows are strongly encouraged.

Roles:

Cinderella: Mezzo soprano (B3 to D5), 18-25, Young, sweet, optimistic, generous. Needs to be able to dance.

King: Baritone (B2 to F4), 40-65 (Comic), A little frumpy, very "down Home", a bit of a child.

Queen: Mezzo soprano (B3 to D5), 40-65, loves a good party. Knows what is owed to her position. Elegant but a bit motherly.

Stepmother: Mezzo soprano (D4 to D5), 40-65 (Comic), Imperious, "Nouveau Riche" Has a faded beauty that she is holding on to, but after a bit one doesn't want to be around her.

Portia: Mezzo soprano (C4 to D5), 20-30 (Comic), not too bright. Likes to boss Cinderella—because it makes her feel superior.

Joy: Mezzo soprano (C4 to D5), 20-30 (Comic), Unlike her name she is very solemn, sad all the time.

Prince Charming: Baritone (C#3 to E4), 20-30, every girl's dream of a Prince: handsome, charming — well, you get the picture. Needs to be able to dance.

Fairy Godmother: Mezzo soprano (D4 to D5), Ageless. She is a sensible, no nonsense type, with a quirky sense of humor.

Herald: Tenor (F3 to F#4), Very formal and proper—but easily side tracked.

Chef and Steward: Baritones (C3 to D4 and C3 to C4), A Mutt and Jeff, Laurel and Hardy team. Must be able to dance.

Townspeople (also additional chefs, maids, etc): All Voice Types and a variety of types and ages. All of the townspeople will have unique characters and business. Some must be able to dance.

If you would like to participate in the production staff or crew, please let us know by phone or email. Lyric Theatre is a nonprofit community theater organization. Cast members will be expected to contribute time to the mounting of the production (sets, costumes, etc.) in addition to rehearsal and performance time.

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Seeking Governor's Mansion Dancer

Leilani — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 06:59:22 GMT

Cross Post: Looking for a certain volunteer on our stand-by roster.

The Sacramento Ballroom Society is hosting a show & dance at the Governor's Mansion Preservation Celebration. A spot for a male/lead dancer just opened up. I am trying to contact I guy I have on the stand-by list as his email in various forms is bouncing back and I do not have his number. If you're this guy, please contact me via the feedback page on our website at www.sacballroomsociey.org. If the name you give me matches my record, great, you're in like Flint. Contact me by next Friday evening or I must release your spot to the next guy.

Thanks,

Leilani

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THE SECRET AGENTS' BALL - Saturday, June 6

Lady Jane — Fri, 22 May 2009 21:37:14 GMT

THE SECRET AGENTS’ BALL
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Location: San Mateo Masonic Temple Ballroom
100 N. Ellsworth Avenue (at Tilton), San Mateo, CA 94401
Doors Open: 6:45 p.m.
Dance Lesson: 7:00 p.m.
Dancing begins: 8:00 p.m.
Band: Sara & Swingtime
Advance Tickets: $15.00 (by May 30, 2009)
Tickets: $20.00 at the door
Ball website: http://www.peers.org/secret.html

Swinging on the Riviera one day,
And laying in a Bombay alley next day.
You let the wrong word slip
Through kissing persuasive lips,
Odds are you won’t live to see tomorrow.

Secret Agent Man! Secret Agent Man!
They’ve given you a number
And taken away your name!

Don’t miss the most swinging ball of the season for those spies who live a life of danger and romance. Secret agents, femme fatales, megalomaniac villains and innocent bystanders are all invited to this musical tribute to the Cold War Secret Agent.

Sara & Swingtime play a varied and always suspenseful evening of vintage ballroom dance music, hot Swing, and cool blues, including a few secret agent movie song classics. Dance East Coast Swing and Lindy Hop, elegant fox trots, blues fox trot, and tango, the cha-cha and rumba, the night club two-step, and a number of truly haunting waltzes.

Suggested attire is vintage or modern evening dress or 1940’s through 60’s costume (from early Hitchcock to “The Avengers.”). Day dress is always perfectly acceptable for you innocent bystander types who have just wandered into the adventure and have, perhaps, seen too much for your own good! (Remember “The Man Who Knew Too Much”?!). In deference to Mrs. Peel’s impeccable fashion sense, the ladies may choose to adopt either traditional evening dress or a trouser suit!

There will be a no host (cash) bar, and a light snack buffet (your potluck contributions are very welcome! Even 00 operatives have to eat!). At intermission there will be musical and dance performances by the famous Danse Libre and notorious PEERS Flying CirCUS and dance music provided by our mystery DJ.

To order advance tickets for the ball, please send a check for $15.00 each to PEERS at 2144 B Buena Vista Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501. To order tickets online via PayPal, go to the ball site at http://www.peers.org/secret.html and click on the PayPal icon for instructions. The deadline for advance ticket purchases is Saturday, May 30. Tickets will be $20.00 at the door.

If you have any questions, please email peers@peers.org or call (510) 522-1731.

Be seeing you.

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THE UNSEEN UNIVERSITY BALL - Saturday, May 2

Lady Jane — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:12:57 GMT

THE UNSEEN UNIVERSITY BALL
A Graduation Ball for the Wizards of Ankh-Morpork
Inspired by the Disc World novels of Sir Terrence Pratchett
(Sponsored by the Period Events & Entertainments Re-Creation Society)
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Masonic Lodge of San Mateo Ballroom
100 N. Ellsworth Avenue (at the corner of Ellsworth & Tilton)
San Mateo, CA 94401
Doors Open: 6:45pm
Dance Lesson: 7:00 pm
Formal Dancing begins at 8:00pm
Band: Avalon Rising
Tickets: $15.00 in advance (by Tuesday, April 28)
Tickets at the Door: $20.00
Ball Website: http://www.peers.org/unseen.html

Arch-Chancellor Mustrum Ridcully of Unseen University requests the pleasure of your company at a grand ball in the University's Great Hall in honour of its current crop of graduating wizards (those who have actually managed to survive until graduation, that is!).

We are once again proud to announce that the evenings' guest band is Avalon Rising - one of the most magical dance bands on this or any other world - equally at home playing Victorian and vintage ballroom dance music, hauntingly beautiful Celtic and Celtic Fusion, and Renaissance rock (Yes, you heard that right!).

We will be dancing waltzes, polkas, schottisches, mazurka waltzes, reels, contradances, and other popular couple and set dances of the 19th century; some elegant Renaissance dances; and even some "music with rocks in it," as the Arch-Chancellor himself describes it. While some of the dances are choreographed set dances (which will be taught or called), others are open to free-form improvisation (Everything from free-style rock to Victorian polkas and Irish polka sets are some times danced to the very same music when Avalon Rising plays. We're not sure how, but think it's some form of magic!).

Fantasy costumes from the Disc World novels of Terry Pratchett, fantasy costumes from any universe, and, of course, magical or wizard costumes are admired but not required. Yes, here's your chance to sport your Harry Potter costumes! Guests may also come in period costume and still be in style. In the city of Ankh-Morpork, fashions range from Renaissance to Edwardian. Since the University also has a budding computer science department (which is a kind of magic in itself), Victorian Steampunk costumes (and gadgets) are also very appropriate. And, as always, vintage or modern evening dress is welcome.

There will (of course!) be a no-host bar and a light snack buffet (We know very well how seriously the Faculty of Unseen University take their meals, and your potluck contributions to the buffet are most welcome!).

To order advance tickets to the ball, please send a check for $15.00 each to PEERS at 2144 B Buena Vista Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501. To order tickets online, please go to the ball website at http://www.peers.org/unseen.html and click on the PayPal instructions for instructions. The deadline for purchasing advance tickets is Tuesday, April 28. Tickets will be sold at the door for $20.00 each.

If you have any questions or need more information, please call (510) 522-1731 or email peers@peers.org

And remember our school motto: "Nunc id vides; nunc ne vides!"

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BayCeltic pictures finally up

tsgeisel — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 13:14:22 GMT

I finally sorted through, posted and tagged pictures from BayCeltic. They're available here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tsgeisel/sets/72157614421136261/

If I got yours (or someone's) name wrong, or you don't want the picture I took of you up there, let me know, and I can fix that. Also, I have larger sizes available if you're in a picture and want a copy.

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Bay Celtic Music and Dance Festival Sat Feb 21 Oakland Veterans Hall

scott — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 03:47:57 GMT

The San Francisco Bay Area Celtic Music and Dance Festival is happening this Saturday, February 21st at the Oakland Veterans Hall 200 Grand Avenue Oakland, 94610, X Harrison.

BayCeltic is an annual reunion of Bay Area Celtic musicians, singers, dancers and performers.

We have a wide range of very popular and well established musicians and performers.

The Black Brothers, Tempest, Molly's Revenge, Cullan's Hounds,Avalon Rising, Steve Baughman,and Siamsa, a bay area Celtic dance performance group, are in the main Ballroom.

In the musical showcase, new and emerging bands and musicians are are Three Mile Stone, Jim Nelson,Patrice Haan,Megan McLaughlin,Valerie Rose,West of Shannon,Susan Mashiyama and Lani Herrmann.

Steve Baughman will perform and lead the music session afterwards.

Dancing in the Dance Hall are an Irish Ceilidh with Ammy Hill, Irish Set dancing with Michael Murphy, hard shoes introductory dance class with Shirleigh Brannan.

We will have waltz and polka and irish dancing at 10pm to Culann's Hounds.

Lunchroom downstairs and Celtic vendors also.

The website is http://www.BayCeltic.com

Tickets available at the door: $20 general, $10 students, free under 12, $10 after 9:30 to waltz and polka dancing to Culann's Hounds

contact Scott at scottFNW@pway.com

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Scarlet Pimpernel Ball - Advance Bargain Tickets Are Still Available!

Lady Jane — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 20:46:52 GMT

THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL BALL
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Location: San Mateo Masonic Temple Ballroom
100 N. Ellsworth Avenue (at Tilton), San Mateo, CA 94401
Doors Open: 6:45 p.m.
Dance Lesson: 7:00 p.m.
Dancing begins: 8:00 p.m.
Band: Bangers & Mash
Advance Tickets: $15.00 (by January 31, 2009)
Tickets: $20.00 at the door
Ball website: http://www.peers.org/Pimpernel.html

They seek him here,
They seek him there,
Those Frenchies seek him everywhere.
Is he in Heaven or is he in Hell?
That demmed, elusive Pimpernel?

Sir Percy and Lady Blakeney and her grace, Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, request the pleasure of your company at a ball in honour of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. M. Chauvelin, the witty but ruthless French Ambassador, will be there. Will his arch-nemesis – the daring superhero and master of disguise, the Scarlet Pimpernel –
also make an appearance? And what will the beautiful Georgiana wear to the ball? Only time will tell.

The Duchess decrees that late 18th century, Directoire, or Regency costume is admired but not required (The year is 1792 but she won’t hold you to that) and, as usual, modern evening dress is also welcome (Sir Percy has just invented it, after all!).

The celebrated chamber ensemble Bangers & Mash plays an evening of gorgeous waltzes and dashing but elegant 18th century French and English country dances. There will be a pre-ball workshop in 18th century country dance and early Waltz – highly recommended since we’ll be teaching some of the ball dances during the class. Those of you planning to arrive fashionably late, however, can be assured that all country dances will also be briefly taught and called during the ball.

Punch and a complimentary light buffet of French and English snacks will be served (As always, your potluck contributions are much appreciated).

To order advance tickets for the ball, please send a check for $15.00 each to PEERS at 2144 B Buena Vista Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501. To order tickets online via PayPal, go to the ball site at http://www.peers.org/Pimpernel.html and click on the PayPal icon for instructions. The deadline for advance ticket purchases is Saturday, January 31. Tickets will be $20.00 at the door.

For costume inspiration and background, we recommend “The Duchess,” (2008), the 1931 version of “The Scarlet Pimpernel” with Leslie Howard, and the less faithful but very pretty 1982 version of “The Scarlet Pimpernel” with Anthony Andrews and Jane Seymour, and, of course, “Blackadder 3,” the third and most hilarious season of the British miniseries. The original “Scarlet Pimpernel” novel by Baroness Orczy is a fun read and available both online and in most good public libraries and there are several sequels still in print.

If you have any questions, please email peers@peers.org or call (510) 522-1731.

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Contra + Waltz with band KGB with Richard Powers at Friday Night Waltz Sat Jan 10

scott — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:22:17 GMT

Back again! We are having another wonderful evening of great music and dancing at the "Contra+Waltz", this time with a wonderful band from Seattle, KGB.

Our "Contra+Waltz" is an evening filled with many fun wonderful dances- half the dances are contras and line dances, and the rest are waltzes, polkas, one steps. Our special band for the night, KGB from Seattle, composed the music for one of Friday Night Waltz standard dances, our cross step waltz mixer, "A Clocked Stopped". We can't wait to dance to it with live music!

We are planning on having about 10 waltzes, a few of polkas, some latin and tango- all played by KGB. A great band. not to be missed! Listen to their music here.

Our last Contra+Waltz had over 230 dancers-one of the largest contra dances in California over the last few years. People were eager for another dance- here we are with a delightful band that has played superb dance music for nearly two decades. They get to the bay area every five years or so.
This is a must-go dance!

We are delighted to present KGB, a favorite contra band with a loyal and long time following. They will play about half contras and line dances and about half social couple dances with 10 waltzes, several Polkas,and other dances like a tango, Hambo, and Schottische. Not to be missed! KGB has not been in the Bay area for a really long time. KGB is the Seattle-based trio of Julie King, Claude Ginsburg and Dave Bartley, whose surname initials provide the group's name (KGB). They've been playing contradance music since 1993.

Richard Powers will be calling the contras. He started out calling contra many years ago in Cincinatti and is now returning to his roots. Richard will also be teaching two hours of social dances from 7 pm to 9 pm.

7pm class: pivoting schottische

8pm class: Cross step waltz with an introduction to cross step waltz mixer, which will be played live with KGB, who wrote the original music.

Tom Hill teaches his excellent Introductory waltz class from 7 to 9pm.

$20 for the evening. $10 for students with id. No partner necessary. All Ages. Casual comfortable attire. Sorry due to live band, no discount for dance only. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

We will have our traditional celebratory selection of cherry pies, double chocolate devine mousse, raspberry cheesecakes, lemon merengue pies, and a zingy selection of ice creams.

Oakland Veterans Hall 200 Grand Avenue Oakland CA X Harrison.
A beautiful dance hall, with 3,500 square foot hardwood floor, extra room for socializing and meeting new people, easy access, great parking.

http://www.FridayNightWaltz.com

Friday Night Waltz is a high energy dance that features mainly waltzes in the dances and classes, along with other dances like polka, one step, swing, cha cha, Lindy, schottische, mazurka, merengue, samba, and tango. People are friendly, and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. Attendance is between 130 and 190. Average age is about 30. People from San Francisco, Berkeley, San Jose, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and Oakland

Richard Powers is one of the world's foremost experts in American social dance, noted for his choreographies for dozens of stage productions and films, and his workshops across the country, in Paris, Prague, London, Rome, Geneva, Russia, and Japan. He has been researching and reconstructing historic social dances for twenty-five years and is currently a full-time instructor at Stanford's Dance Division. Selected by the Centennial Issue of Stanford Magazine as one of Stanford University's most notable graduates of its first century. Awarded the Lloyd W. Dinkelspiel Award for distinctive and exceptional contributions to education at Stanford University. (1999). Teaches social dance forms of North America and directs the 70-member Stanford Vintage Dance Ensemble. Faculty liason to Friends of Dance at Stanford. Joined the Dance Faculty in 1992.

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Over the Rainbow pictures

tsgeisel — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:52:56 GMT

A relatively new camera and lack of a real flash meant that it was a night of photo challenges - unfortunately I didn't find that out until I downloaded them onto the computer.

In any case, the ones I feel fit for human consumption are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tsgeisel/sets/72157612211741597/

Enjoy.

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Carpool from the peninsula to the New Year's Eve Ball in Berkeley

Tom — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:00:11 GMT

Looking to carpool from the peninsula to the New Year's Eve "Over the Rainbow" Waltz Ball in Berkeley. You can contact me at 732-501-8317 (silverbay@att.net)
Thanks,
Tom

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THE DICKENS FAIR REUNION BALL: Saturday, January 3

Lady Jane — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 21:31:43 GMT

A VICTORIAN TWELFTH NIGHT BALL
The Dickens Fair Reunion Ball
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Masonic Lodge of San Mateo Ballroom
100 N. Ellsworth Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94401
Doors Open: 6:45 pm
Dance Lesson: 7:00 pm
Formal Dancing Begins: 8:00 pm
Tickets: $15.00 in advance (by December 29)
Tickets at the door: $20.00
Band: Bangers & Mash
PEERS’ Website: http://www.peers.org
Ball Website: http://www.peers.org/12th09.html

Dance, sing, feast and game at the season’s loveliest old-fashioned holiday party – a 12th Night Ball hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Bangers and Mash, the Bay Area’s most irresistible country dance band, will play a variety of Viennese and rotary waltzes, polkas, mazurkas, schottisches, the Lancers, reels, and other set dances popular in the early and mid-19th century (As usual, all set dances will be taught or called and partners are not required. Indeed, Introductions to partners will be cheerfully provided!).

Suggested costume is evening or day dress from 1837 through 1870 (the heyday of Dickens’ literary career), any class. Modern evening dress is, as always, a completely acceptable substitute for period costume, and there is no dress code for the evening. Ladies, if you’re wearing a ball gown or evening gown, please be sure to bring a wrap since the ballroom will be cold before the dancing starts. Once we start dancing, the ballroom warms up beautifully!

Intermission entertainment includes performances by the Peerless Music Hall (including some very French Cancan) and our guest of honour, Mr. Charles Dickens. Gamers may enjoy either an intellectual game of whist or a rollicking game of Wink, and the evening will conclude with a glorious Hallelujah Chorus sing-a-long.

Complimentary Punch and a light Old English snack buffet will be served (As usual, your potluck contributions to Mrs. Fezziwig’s kitchen are very welcome).

To order advance tickets to the ball, send a check for $15.00 each to PEERS at 2144 B Buena Vista Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501. To order tickets online via PayPal, please go to the ball website at http://www.peers.org/12th09.html and click on the PayPal icon for directions. The deadline for purchasing advance tickets is Saturday, December 29.

If you have any questions or need more information, please email peers@peers.org or call (510) 522-1731.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 1 reply

FNW moving for December 5th ONLY

Tom — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:03:54 GMT

We are moving for tonight only to the Palo Alto Masonic Hall, 461 Florence Palo Alto.

That's about five blocks further down university, if you are coming from highway 101, and make a right on Florence.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

"Dance of the Seven Veils"

Hipknow-Heidi — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:42:00 GMT

I'll be doing my "Dance of the Seven Veils" this Friday! Come and watch!

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

"Over the Rainbow" garb ...

carywtucker — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 06:00:12 GMT

Alright, so I've got an itch to sew a new waistcoat or something for New Year's Eve. As a former physics geek, thinking about "Over the Rainbow" suggests the ultraviolet spectrum, of course. (And if it was the "Under the Rainbow" dance, then I would look to the infrared, though the red will likely all come out for the February Gaskells.) So, I was thinking I could make a purple vest and then put some 9 Volt batteries in the pockets to power several small UV lamps clipped onto the lapels and be sure to bleach my white shirt so that it will really fluoresce and maybe ...

<ahem>

Uh ... Cary, this is a formal New Year's Eve dance, not a Steampunk Ball.

Oh, right ... well ... um ... Say, I did have another idea. See, we get a group of a dozen people together and go to Jo Ann or some discount fabric store and buy a whole bunch of fabric in some stripe or brocade -- no, not in pink or teal :) -- in a half dozen* different colors of the rainbow. Then we can use the fabric to make matching pairs of waistcoats, ties, and gowns running all the way from red to violet ... Well, okay, yeah, we could just resurrect the green Emerald City thing from a recent PEERS dance. But rather than a half dozen Dorothy costumes and one flying monkey, I'm trying to imagine a half dozen couples dressed to the nines and lined up in matching colors covering the whole visible spectrum and ... wouldn't that make a fabulous picture? :)

* Wait, aren't there seven colors in the rainbow? Yeah, I'm quite aware of ROY G. BIV, though I'm betting it might be easier just to leave indigo out. Not that I have anything against indigo -- I was at the very last Indigo Swing concert =) -- but I imagine it would be difficult to find matching fabric available in blue and purple *and* indigo, which would leave just the six common colors (i.e., ROYGBV), Newton numerology be damned.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 1 reply

FIFTEENTH ANNUAL LE BAL DES VAMPIRES - Saturday, November 1

Lady Jane — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:57:17 GMT

LE BAL DES VAMPIRES
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Alameda Elks Lodge
2255 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501
Dancing on Two Floors
Doors Open: 6:30pm
Vintage Waltz Lesson: 7:00 pm in the Grand Ballroom
Formal vintage ballroom dancing: 7:45 – midnight
Featured Band: Bangers & Mash (Grand Ballroom)
Dracula’s Daughter Discotheque & Bar: 6:30 – midnight
Tickets: $17.50 in advance (by October 25)
$25.00 at the door
Ball Website: http://www.peers.org/vamp08.html

Waltz the night away in a beautiful candlelit ballroom with the San Francisco Bay Area’s most glamorous Undead at the 15th Annual Le Bal des Vampires held once again in the Alameda Elks Lodge, a stately neo-Colonial mansion with a stunning Edwardian ballroom, a photogenic Edwardian parlor and staircase, and a film noir style discotheque.

Suggested costume is evening dress of the century and country of your “rebirth.” This may include dress uniform, period costume (authentic or fantasy), vintage attire, or modern evening dress. There is no dress code for the ball (We certainly don’t expect Spike to attend in black tie), but you will see some of the most gorgeous and creative costumes of the social season at Le Bal des Vampires.

This year there will once again be simultaneous dancing on two separate floors:

Our band in the elegant upstairs ballroom is the stylish but always dashing chamber ensemble Bangers & Mash. As usual, haunting waltzes dominate the program, but the evening will feature a variety of dance music from across the centuries – from 18th century Baroque contredances to 19th century Victorian rotary and Viennese waltzes, polkas, and mazurkas; to elegant early 20th century tangoes, blues, and fox trots and even some classic rock and roll Swing. Please note that the band’s first dance set will start at 7:45 pm sharp – 15 minutes earlier than usual. The dance sets will be unusually long, even by Bangers & Mash’s high standards, so if you do plan to dance, please be certain to wear shoes or boots you can actually dance in.

For those preferring a more modern style of dance music and free-style dancing, join us in Le Bal des Vampires’ Dracula’s Daughter’s Discotheque in the hall’s Ratskellar for a wonderfully varied repertoire of music to stir the blood and spirit from 6:30 p.m. to Midnight. Once again our hosts and D.J.s at Dracula’s Daughter will be the debonair Robin Scott Forbes and the beautiful Ariyana Le Fey. The disco also features a no-host (cash) bar and light refreshments for our mortal guests.

Our half-time show in the ballroom is a performance by the celebrated Le Theatre des Vampires. Not recommended for the faint of heart but highly recommended for fans of the genre. Also featured are special guest performances by the legendary Vampire Lestat and the always amazing Alameda Vintage Dancers.

To order advance tickets, please send a check for $17.50 to PEERS at 2144 B Buena Vista Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501. To order advance tickets online, go to http://www.peers.org/vamp08.html , click on the PayPal icon and follow the instructions. The deadline for advance ticket purchase is Saturday, October 25.

For further information, see the ball website, call (510) 522-1731, or email peers@peers.org For information on PEERS’ 2008-2009 season, please see http://www.peers.org

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 2 replies

Wednesday Night Hop - Hot Club SF - Richard Powers teaching swing-waltz

gotrhythm — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:27:19 GMT

The Wednesday Night Hop dance in Sunnyvale will be hosting the band Hot Club of San Francisco on November 5, featuring Django Reinhardt / Jazz Manouche-style swing music and waltzes.

Richard Powers is scheduled to teach "Swaltz" (which I believe means dance survival skills for dancing to this style of music, covering both swing and waltz); that will be 7:00 - 8:00 PM. Other instructors are teaching the level-1 Lindy hop lesson 8:00 - 9:00 PM. The band performs 9:00 - midnight.

This should be excellent, as HCSF is a solid band that hardly ever plays at dances any more. I've attended many of their concerts, though, and consistently find that people who have never heard this type of music end up very enthusiastic about the genre. This event is especially unusual for having a waltz lesson beforehand.

This is at the Starlite Ballroom in Sunnyvale.

Web site for the dance: www.wednesdaynighthop.com
Web page for the November 5 event: www.wednesdaynighthop.com/events/20081105.php

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Men needed for Nutcracker

Hayes — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 22:06:15 GMT

The Santa Clare Ballet is seeking men for their Nutcracker production. This is the 34th year (or maybe the 35th or 36th) of the production and men are needed for the first act party scene. You don't have to know ballet, as the party scene dances aren't too hard. Rehearsals are in Santa Clara.

www.geocities.com/Vienna/St...allet.html

PERFORMANCES:
December 13, 2:00 & 7:00pm
December 14, 1:00 & 5:00pm
Santa Clara Convention Center Theater

Please reply if you are interested.

Thanks

Hayes A.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

tribe is dying. sign up on Friday Night Waltz email list

scott — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 22:33:57 GMT

send your email address to: ScottFNW@pway.com

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Tropical?

gotrhythm — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 02:12:20 GMT

FNW seemed a bit tropical last Friday. Was the air conditioning working?

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 1 reply

SPACE 1889: A VICTORIAN STEAMPUNK BALL - Saturday, September 6

Lady Jane — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:45:21 GMT

SPACE 1889: A Victorian Steampunk Ball
(The Adventure of Le Cirque de Venus)
Sponsored by the Period Events & Entertainments Re-Creation Society
Saturday, September 6, 2008
San Mateo Masonic Lodge Ballroom
100 N. Ellsworth Avenue (at the corner of Ellsworth & Tilton)
San Mateo, CA 94401
Doors Open at 6:45 p.m.
Dance Lesson: 7:00 p.m.
Dancing begins: 8:00 p.m.
Advance General Tickets: $15.00
Tickets at the Door: $20.00
For information: Call (510) 522-1731, email peers@peers.org or see www.peers.org
Ball Website: http://peers.org/space1889.html

Rule, Britannia!
Britannia rule the stars!
Britain’s flag extends to Venus, Mercury and Mars!

Don't miss PEERS' third venture into the world of Victorian Steampunk: Space 1889 - a Victorian Ball in Space. Program your Babbage Analytical Engines, sail the luminiferous ether between the worlds to this Nineteenth Century science fiction ball, and keep Venus British!

The year is an alternate 1889 in which, thanks to inventor Thomas Alva Edison, computer engineer Thomas Babbage, software developer Ada, Countess of Lovelace, visionary scientists Herbert George Wells and Jules Verne, and many other distinguished men and women of science and engineering, the Victorians have air and space travel, high technology, computers (analytical engines), calculators (difference engines), efficient software (the versatile and elegant ADA), and even email (“electric messaging”). The Great Game has extended to Outer Space with Great Britain, Germany, Russia and those intrepid Americans rushing to colonize every planet in sight. Welcome to Space 1889. This is the milieu of our ball.

Join His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and His Excellency, the Governor of Her Majesty’s Crown Colony of Venus, for a formal ball to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of British rule on the planet. Diplomats, explorers, scientists and artists from Earth and from around the galaxy are cordially invited to attend.

Bangers & Mash, that most British of American dance bands, plays the greatest dance hits of the 1880’s, 1890’s, and early 1900's for an evening of vintage ballroom dancing. Dance beautiful waltzes, polkas, mazurkas, schottisches, reels, The Lancers, and some of those dashing new American dances (the Ragtime Two-Step and the Tango from Argentina). All “new” dances and pattern dances will be (briefly) taught or called, and partners are not required. For those of you wishing to brush up on the ballroom dances of the late 19th century, there will also be a pre-ball dance class at 7:00 pm.

Suggested costume is late Victorian or Edwardian evening dress, dress uniform (the year is technically 1889 but this IS an alternate universe so you can use your imagination), “Venusian” evening dress or science fiction/fantasy costume appropriate to the balls theme. As usual, however, costumes are admired, not required. You scientists, engineers, and inventors are also most welcome to bring your latest gadgets and portable inventions (We’d love to see your Victorian laptops, cell phones and pagers, for instance!).

We are honoured to announce a special guest performance by the Queen of the Venusian Trapeze and star of the Cirque de Venus, Ariyana le Fey, and an appearance by our guests of honour, the celebrated Le Legion Fantastique.

The evening also features a no-host (cash) bar, a light snack buffet (your potluck contributions are, as always, very welcome), and an interactive performance by the Peerless Music Hall. Reminder: the deadline for advance bargain tickets for PEERS’ September 6 Space 1889 Ball (a Victorian Steampunk Ball in Space) is Saturday, August 30. To order advance tickets, please send a check to PEERS, 2144 B Buena Vista Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501. To order tickets online via PayPal, please go to the ball website at http://peers.org/space1889.html for instructions.

For further information, please call (510) 522-1731 or email peers@peers.org.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Ride from near Berkeley to FNW?

Chris — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:50:20 GMT

Is there a way I can get a ride from near Berkeley to FNW ? (and back ?)

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

brassworks at Friday Night Waltz Oakland Veterans Hall Sat July 26

scott — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 01:48:58 GMT

Brassworks is back for another wonderful night of waltzes, polkas and some latin, swing and tango. Brassworks is the nations premier vintage dance band. They have played at Gaskells ball for 25 years.

Tom Hill is teaching polka from 7 to 8 pm and Bohemian National Polka form 8 to 9. We have had many requests for yet another class of BNP.

John Schmidt teaches introductory waltz class from 7 to 9pm. Thank you John!

casual attire. $13 general, $9 students. sorry due to live band, no discount for dance only.. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

Oakland Veterans Hall, 200 Grand Avenue Oakland CA X Harrison .A beautiful dance hall, with 3,500 square foot hardwood floor, extra room for socializing and meeting new people, easy access, great parking.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 1 reply

FREE PEERS EVENT: The Impressionists' Picnic Dance, Saturday, August 2

Lady Jane — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 00:42:15 GMT

If you’ve always been curious about PEERS events and are interested in trying one out, our next dance might actually be a good one to try: It’s absolutely free! Here’s our latest event update:

THE IMPRESSIONISTS’ PICNIC DANCE
-A Picnic in the Park with PEERS
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Location: Lincoln Park
1450 High Street, Alameda
(Near the Rose Garden)
Suggested Set-Up Time: 11:00 am (or earlier)
Picnic Luncheon begins: 11:30 am
Formal Dancing: 1:30 – 4:30 pm
Band: Bangers & Mash (David Strong, Stan & Susan Kramer, & guest artist Charlie Hancock)
Admission: Free!
Website: http://peers.org/picnic.html

Le Salon des Refusés invites painters, models, artistic subjects, and interested members of the artistic-minded public to join us for an outdoor picnic, fete, and dance in shady, picturesque Lincoln Park.

Guests are urged to bring a period-looking picnic and plenty of beverages to sustain them through an afternoon of elegant but lively dancing. Since the picnic tables at Lincoln Park are at the opposite end of the park from the Rose Garden, where we shall be gathering, we suggest bringing blankets to spread on the ground for your picnic luncheon, and chairs or tables if you wish them.

Just for clarification: This event is not a potluck. Do bring your own luncheon! Our own chefs and their kitchen staff will be on holiday. To add to the fun and ambience of the event, we urge our fellow picnickers to make their picnic sites look as 19th century and picturesque as possible. For inspiration, we highly recommended the BBC miniseries, “The Impressionists,” which will also give you some great costume tips.

Mid to late 19th century dress (1860-1900) is admired but not required, and “artistic” costume, Pre-Raphaelite attire, or modern dress is also perfectly acceptable. Given the changeable nature of our lovely Alamedan Parisian weather, you may find it useful as well as ornamental to wear a hat or bonnet and bring both a parasol and a wrap. Since this is, after all, an informal event, straw boaters or even berets may take the place of top hats and fancy bonnets. Above all, please wear sturdy, comfortable shoes you can dance in outdoors.

After the luncheon, the always elegant Bangers & Mash will play an afternoon of 19th century waltzes, polkas, quadrilles, and French and English country dance music for your dancing pleasure (All pattern dances will be briefly taught or called). We are also pleased to announce that there will also be a special dance performance by the always delightful Alameda Vintage Dancers, who will be performing two excerpts from their “Renoir Suite.”

Artists, both professional and amateur, are encouraged to set up their easels and to invite their models. Witty, artistic conversation and elegant flirtation are also encouraged.

This event is a thank you to all of our devoted fans, and we will not be charging a fee for admission. Donations for our brilliant and hard-working musicians will be gratefully accepted, however, both before and during the event. To make an advance donation, simply go to the event website at http://peers.org/picnic.html, click on the PayPal icon and follow the directions.

If you have any questions, please email peers@peers.org or call (510) 522-1731.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

EMERALD CITY BALL - SATURDAY, JULY 5 (FUN UPDATES)

Lady Jane — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 02:43:03 GMT

Tickets are still available for PEERS’ Emerald City Ball and will be sold at the door for $20.00 each. We have a few other fun updates on the ball that we’d like to share with you:

The Emerald City Ball
(sponsored by the Period Events & Entertainments Re-Creation Society)
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Doors Open at 6:45 p.m.
Dance Lesson: 7:00 p.m. (Edwardian and Ragtime Dances)
Dancing begins: 8:00 p.m.
Band: The Divertimento Dance Orchestra
Tickets at the Door: $20.00
Ball Website: http://peers.org/emerald.html

We're off to see the Wizard at a ball in the glorious capital city of Oz. Come join us in honouring the singular courage of Dorothy Gale and her intrepid companions as they prepare to embark on their dangerous mission to the West.

There is definitely no need to stress about costumes for this ball. You have a huge range of choices: Fantasy costume, period costume (Medieval to Edwardian), or a combination of the two is admired but not required and, of course, green attire and costumes inspired by the Oz universe will be very welcome. While the ball is technically set in 1900, the citizens of Oz wear a variety of costumes ranging from Medieval gowns and tunics all the way up to late Victorian and Edwardian frocks and frock coats. Vintage or modern evening dress is also appropriate since the most unusual visitors do occasionally arrive in the Land of Oz.

Our Emerald City band is the Divertimento Dance Orchestra, a vintage dance band known for their elegance, authenticity and versatility. Dance music for the evening will range from graceful Edwardian ballroom dance music to the Great Wizard’s own favorite Ragtime tunes from his distant native star Omaha, Amerika. Dance waltzes, polkas, schottisches, reels, contradances, mixers and other popular turn of the century dances as well as the newer Ragtime one-step, two-step and tango. The Wizard will provide music for every taste (If you’re familiar with the 1939 film version of “The Wizard of Oz,” you will definitely recognize some of the tunes.).

For those wishing a brush-up in the latest dances, the pre-ball dance class will focus on the “new” dances of the Edwardian and Ragtime age: The lively One-Step, the sinuous One-Step Tango, the beautiful Hesitation Waltz, and the Turning Two-Step, an smooth and fun 1890’s alternative to the Polka.

The ball will also feature our famous No-Host (cash) bar, serving both alcoholic and soft drinks. The Wizard will also provide a complimentary light snack buffet (Your potluck contributions to the buffet are most welcome. The Emerald City is very expensive to maintain!).

For more information, please call (510) 522-1731 or email peers@peers.org before Saturday.

Driving Directions:
Take the 3rd Avenue exit off 101, going west into San Mateo. Follow 3rd Avenue across the railroad tracks and turn right on Ellsworth Avenue. The Masonic Lodge - a white three-story Colonial style Edwardian building - is located on the corner of Ellsworth and Tilton.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

BAERS Great Regency Shipwreck Ball - June 21, 2008, Kensington, CA

Alan — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 02:09:29 GMT

The Bay Area English Regency Dance Society (www.baers.org) Presents:
The Great Regency Shipwreck Ball (or "Regency Survivor")

We can't get off this island, so we might as well entertain ourselves!
Caller Alan Winston (who led the Pride and Prejudice Ball this March and has taught for Friday Night Waltz) with
The Divertimento Dance Orchestra (who'll play at the Emerald City Ball in July)
Saturday June 21, 2008 8:00-11:30pm
Arlington Church (52 Arlington Ave, Kensington, CA)

The Divertimento Orchestra will provide jolly music. The marooned elite, in
any remaining finery, are invited to dance arm-in-arm with the ships'
captain and crew. Meet up at 8PM sharp aboard the ruins for dance, drink
and good company!

There'll be community oriented longways and set dances, and probably more of them
than you'd expect at, say, Gaskell. There'll be Congress of Vienna and some free
waltzes; probably about a dozen. Most of the dance time will be in quick teaching and
extended dancing of country dances. Alan's good at putting these across efficiently.

Come as you are, whether Passenger, Pirate, Native, Merfolk or member of Her
Majesty's Royal Navy. If your wardrobe was relocated to Davy Jones' Locker
during the fateful storm, fashion yourself new togs from local flora (grass
skirts are all the rage among the natives!).

We've made peace with the island inhabitants and the merfolk in the bay, so
we will feast with them on seafood, fresh fruits, springwater and provisions
salvaged from the hold. The contribution of exotic new delicacies from
forays inland are welcome - as long as *you* have already tried them first.

Subscriptions are $20 at the door, $15 in advance.
$2 discount for GBACG, and BACDS members.
Advance mail registrations must be received by us no later than June 18th.
Costumes admired but not required. All dances taught during the ball. No
partner required.

Make out checks to "BAERS", and send them to
BAERS c/o Vanessa Schnatmeier 1122 Hudson Street Redwood City, CA 94061

Name(s): __________________________________________________________
Street Address: ________________________________________________
City, State, ZIP: ______________________________________________
Phone: (____________) ____________ - ________________

Email: ______________________________________________

Mark if new address for mailing list: __ Number of admissions desired ______

See the flyer: http://flickr.com/photos/dancingisland/2490962848/sizes/l/

Preview the dances at the June 13 dance party in Palo Alto: http://www.baers.org/fridays.html

What is the English Regency? See http://www.baers.org

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Palo Alto Resident Seeks Regular carpool to Alameda and Oakland FNW!!!!

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 17:39:50 GMT

Hi, I"m a nice normal person and like any nice normal person, I'm not a fan of driving long distances all by myself, upping my carbon emissions or refilling my gas tank every other day. Is there anyone in the Palo Alto area (I live a few blocks from downtown) who would like to carpool from June until the end of August to the Alameda and Oakland waltzes, or to SF for starlight ballroom? Please??

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 2 replies

Barn dance (waltz/polka set-dance) in Oakland 5/30, 7:00 pm - beginner-friendly

Alan — Fri, 30 May 2008 04:22:04 GMT

Looking for a bit of cheerful dancing this Friday night? Come over to the
barn dance in Oakland.

Community dance (also called "barn dance" or "ceilidh") is a dance style
from Great Britain that lets you dance not just with your partner of the
moment but with a room of happy people. Erik Hoffman and Alan Winston will
lead the dancing, with live music by Across The Pond (Dick Bagwell, Alan
Loughead, and Jody and Colette Veahman), a band steeped in the hearty
rhythm of English traditional music.

Comfortable waltzes and polkas and easy group dances . If you can manage at
Gaskells or PEERS, you'll be all over this. Beginners welcome, all dances
taught and called (on the fly, not in a separate lesson), casual dress -- wear comfortable shoes.
You don't need to bring a partner. Dancing accessible for children 8 years old and over.
This is a good place to bring your previously non-dancing friends.

Admission $10, $5 for students/low-income/kids.
Family and group discounts available.

When: Friday, May 30th, 7 p.m.
What: Community Dance Party
Who: Erik Hoffman and Alan Winston calling, music by Across The Pond
(Dick Bagwell, Alan Loughead, Jody and Colette Veahman, Alan Loughead)
Where: Humanist Hall, 390 27th Street, Oakland, CA 94609
Info: 650-365-2913, http://www.bacds.org/series/ceilidh/oakland/

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

GONE WITH THE WIND BALL

Lady Jane — Sat, 17 May 2008 06:13:45 GMT

THE GONE WITH THE WIND BALL
(sponsored by the Period Events & Entertainments Re-Creation Society)
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Doors Open at 6:45 p.m.
Dance Lesson: 7:00 p.m.
Dancing begins: 8:00 p.m.
Band: Bangers & Mash
Advance Tickets: $15.00 (by May 31)
Tickets at the Door: $20.00
Ball Website: http://peers.org/gwtw.html

Join us for the ultimate 19th century romantic fantasy experience - a ball inspired by the Charity Ball in Atlanta from the first part of Gone with the Wind.

Bangers & Mash plays an evening of exquisite waltzes and quadrilles, lively polkas and schottisches, mazurka waltzes, breathless reels and contradances popular in both the North and the South during the American Civil War. There will be a pre-ball dance lesson at 7:00 pm and, as usual, all set dances will be briefly taught or called.

Suggested costume is mid-Victorian evening dress (1850’s or ‘60’s) or modern evening dress. European or Southern gentlemen in uniform are also most welcome. As usual, however, costumes are admired, not required.

Punch and a light snack buffet will be served throughout the evening (Your potluck contributions to the buffet during these difficult times are greatly appreciated!).

To order advance tickets for the ball, please send a check for $15.00 each to PEERS at 2144 B Buena Vista Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501. To order tickets online, please go to the ball website at http://peers.org/gwtw.html , scroll down to the PayPal icon, and click on it for directions. Tickets will be sold at the door for $20.00 each.

For more information, please call (510) 522-1731 or email peers@peers.org.

Driving Directions:
Take the 3rd Avenue exit off 101, going west into San Mateo. Follow 3rd Avenue across the railroad tracks and turn right on Ellsworth Avenue. The Masonic Lodge - a white three-story Colonial style Edwardian building - is located on the corner of Ellsworth and Tilton.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 1 reply

For those of us that are heavy sweaters

think_balance — Mon, 26 May 2008 00:45:24 GMT

I've recently started wearing underarmor shirts under my usual dance clothing - be it casual, black tie or costume, and have found that I am no longer thoroughly soaked through with sweat while dancing.

Cheers!

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 1 reply

After FNW why not stop by Swing Goth's Embrace

yavin — Sat, 24 May 2008 20:02:59 GMT

Tomas Diablo play will be playing all of the best dark modern music fit for partner dancing, the event starts at 9pm, and should go until 2am. After which, the real partiers will head to an after hours club!

Swing Goth has spent a year of being on Tuesday night at The Cat Club and Julie's Supper Club and this is our first weekend event, and it promises to be pretty well attended by goths and partner dancers from all over the Bay Area!

For more info, check out our Tribe posting:
http://sanfrancisco.tribe.net/event/Swing-Goth-SF-presents-Embrace-every-4th-Saturday/san-francisco-ca/3fcb8abd-bf27-4481-bab7-62f0b293ad4c

or find us on a social networking site near you (Tribe, MySpace, Facebook) under SwingGoth!

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Ride Request (Berkeley to Palo Alto, No ride back)

Fri, 16 May 2008 14:33:59 GMT

Hello All,

I'm coming from south Berkeley (Ashby and San Pablo) down to FNW tonight. I can take the trains, but if someone else is headed that direction, I'd love to tag along. I don't need a ride home, don't smell funny, and pay my way in bridge toll.

I can leave anytime after 5:30pm.

Thanks if you can.

MacKenzie

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Pictures

tsgeisel — Tue, 13 May 2008 01:48:06 GMT

I finally got a Flickr account, and I'm starting to put some of my more recent pictures there. (I hit my quota for free space on Picasaweb.)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tsgeisel is the URL.

I still have a small backlog to upload, and, of course, whatever new pictures I take will wind up there.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Stan Isaacs teaching at FNW this friday!

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:22:27 GMT

From the email:

Ashley and Whitton are our co-djs. Waltz and polka music from 9pm to midnight.

Tom Hill teaches an introductory waltz class from 7 to 9 pm in the downstairs room. To get the most from this class, try to start at 7pm. Excellent first time class

Stan Isaacs is teaching intermediate classes from 7 to 9pm

7-8: Dance with the Castles - steps from Vernon and Irene' Castles one step and Castle waltk, especially work on pivot turns. Pivoting is one of the fun dance steps in waltzing.

8-9: Mazurka-waltz variations including the Redowa step, which is a 'jumping' step very popular with long term Friday Night Waltz dancers. Highly recommended.

Stan has been teaching Vintage Waltz since 1958. In the mid-1980s, he discovered Vintage Dancing when he sponsored a workshop with Richard Powers at his folk dance group. In 1987, Stan and his wife, Karen Kalinsky, started the Pomander Club, a venue for Vintage Dancing in Palo Alto, California. The club met weekly on Monday nights to learn and dance vintage dances. Stan has taught at numerous folk festivals and weekend workshops

$12 for both the classes and the dance. $8 dance only. No partner necessary. All Ages. Casual comfortable attire. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, CA. Upstairs, Fellowship hall, entrance on right of courtyard, facing away from street.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

CHICAGO ALL-THAT-JAZZ BALL WITH LEE PRESSON & THE NAILS

Lady Jane — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 01:33:47 GMT

THE CHICAGO ALL-THAT-JAZZ BALL
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Location: San Mateo Masonic Temple
100 N. Ellsworth Avenue, San Mateo
Doors Open: 6:45 p.m.
Vintage Dance Lesson: 7:00- 8:00 pm.
Formal Dancing begins: 8:00 p.m.
Band: Lee PressOn and the Nails
Tickets: $15.00 in advance (by April 26); $20.00 at the door
Ball Website: http://peers.org/chicago.html

Rouge your knees, roll your stockings down, start the car, and come join us and host Billy Flynn, Esquire, at the hottest party in Chicago for All That Jazz! PEERS is proud (and truly amazed) to announce that the evening's band will be the one, the only, the incomparable Lee Presson and the Nails.

1920’s or 30’s costume or vintage or modern evening dress (white or black tie optional) is admired, but not required. The year is 1931 but we won't hold you to that.

The music will range from elegant vintage ballroom dance music (waltzes, tangos, fox trots, and even polkas!) to cool blues and hot Swing of the 1920's and early ‘30's – perhaps with a few musical surprises along the way. For guests wishing to brush up on their vintage dance skills, there will be a pre-ball dance lesson in vintage Foxtrot and Swing at 7:00 p.m. with Persephone and Charles. Even if you’re a novice, they’ll soon have you gliding along the floor like young Fred Astaire and swinging like a gate.

Intermission entertainment includes both a half-time floor show and DJ dance music for you insatiable dancers. To fortify us for these vigorous dance sets, a complimentary light snack buffet will be served throughout the evening. (In our current Depression, your potluck contributions are always appreciated!).

Special Announcement from Mr. Lee Presson himself: “The first 100 people who attend the May Chicago Ball will get a free Lee Presson and the Nails CD.”

To order advance tickets, please send a check for $15.00 each to PEERS at 2144 B Buena Vista Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501. To order tickets online via PayPal, please go to the ball website at http://peers.org/chicago.html, scroll down, and click on the PayPal icon for instructions. Tickets will be sold at the door for $20.00 each.

For information, please call (510) 522-1731 or email peers@peers.org.

Driving Directions:
Take the 3rd Avenue exit off 101, going west into San Mateo. Follow 3rd Avenue across the railroad tracks and turn right on Ellsworth Avenue. The Masonic Lodge - a white three-story Colonial style Edwardian building - is located on the corner of Ellsworth and Tilton.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Music Video help?

Dolly — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:35:48 GMT

I have a Video Final and I need a cast and crew. I am doing a music video for my final. This music video is for a band I have been working with for about a year and they are called ' The Domino Effect '. Their Song ' Sympathies and Condolences ' is what I was asked to produce. I need a flexible cast and crew that are willing to give up a few weekends to help out. I am going to most likely be filming in San Jose for most of it. I will know for certain when i get a call back from the dance studios I asked to film at.

If you would care to donate, Help out, Be in this video, Keep me sane, or teach PLEASE CONTACT ME ON TRIBE!!!!

I need People. People willing to dress up in their Ren Faire attire and would be willing to have a war. I need about 5 people with two swords. And I am hoping that you are willing to help Teach a bit of sword Fighting to two of the band Members because they want to pop up randomly through out the music video. And I do Very much hope for people to supervise. I will have the band members most likely green screened into the shot so we can watch them and make sure that they don't kill each other.

I need People who are willing to dress up in regal attire, and walk through a garden. Very simple, Very fun and a pretty Place I plan to film at. Just contact me if you are willing to help out.

Now my favorite part. I need DANCERS!!! We are having a Dance scene where we have a ' ballroom ' filled with people dancing the Congress Of Vienna. Of course we are in need of people dressing up in Victorian attire. And I need people willing to teach a group how to Dance Congress!!! So Fezziwigger's are in High demand. I need a good chunk of people. I want at least 15 couples in this scene so I do hope at least 10 people who know Congress forwards and Backwards can come.

I also would like help with Camera and set work. If you can do anything involving Camera work, Audio, Lighting and semi light carpentry work, then PLEASE TALK TO ME!!!

I will have dates up soon. Hopefully in the next 5 weekends I will be filming. so PLEASE help out. I would really much appreciate it.

~ Dolly ~

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

New West Coast Swing tribe!!!!

Julie — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 02:58:59 GMT

I have created a new tribe specificaly for west coast swing and I would love to see all of you there.

This group is for all those westies out there who need/want someplace to get together and talk about anything and everything West Coast Swing. Including events in local areas, clubs, workshops, competition, carpooling to and from events, costumes, opinions, music, shoes, Instructors, schools, classes, patterns, basics, etc.. From Beginners to Champions and everything inbetween. This is a forum to help grow and connect the West Coast Swing community.

tribes.tribe.net/westcoastswing

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

ROYAL DEBUTANTE BALL - Saturday, April 5

Lady Jane — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 22:34:19 GMT

Just a reminder that the deadline for purchasing advance bargain tickets to the Royal Debutante Ball is Saturday, March 29. To order advance tickets to the ball, please send a check for $15.00 each to PEERS at 2144 B Buena Vista Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501.
If you would like to buy tickets online, go to the ball website at http://peers.org/debutante.html , scroll down to the PayPal icon and click on it for instructions. Tickets will be sold for $20.00 at the door.

The Royal Debutante Ball
(Sponsored by the Period Events & Entertainments Re-Creation Society)
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Site: The San Mateo Masonic Temple, 100 N. Ellsworth Avenue (at Tilton), San Mateo
Doors Open at 6:45 p.m.
Dance Lesson: 7:00 p.m.
Dancing begins: 8:00 p.m.
Advance General Tickets: $15.00 (by Saturday, March 29)
Tickets at the Door: $20.00
Band: Bangers & Mash
Ball Website: http://peers.org/debutante.html

Their Royal Highnesses, Edward Albert, Prince of Wales, and Alexandra, Princess of Wales, request the pleasure of your company at a ball in honour of the debut in Society of their eldest daughter, Her Royal Highness, Princess Louise.

Suggested costume is mid- to late-Victorian evening dress, dress uniform, or vintage or modern evening dress (the year is 1885 but please don't feel compelled to have a new gown made just for this occasion, ladies, unless you really wish to!). As usual, costumes are admired, not required.

Young ladies wishing to make their debut along with the Princess Louise are extremely welcome. Although the customary ensemble for a debutante is white, we can stretch a point for those preferring ivory or cream (and Her Majesty certainly won’t expel you from Court if you insist on wearing another colour). Ladies already "out," of course, have an unlimited choice of colors for their ensemble.

Bangers & Mash plays an evening of elegant Victorian dance music, focusing on waltzes, quadrilles, reels, grand marches, and other set dances, but also including polkas, schottisches, and mazurka waltzes. There will be a pre-ball dance class at 7:00 pm, but all set dances will be briefly taught and called at the ball.

Punch and a light snack buffet will be served throughout the evening (Your potluck contributions to the Royal Kitchen will be very welcome!).

For further information, please call (510) 522-1731 or email peers@peers.org.

Driving Directions to the Ball:
Take the 3rd Avenue exit off 101, going west into San Mateo. Follow 3rd Avenue across the railroad tracks, and turn right on Ellsworth Avenue. The Masonic Lodge is the large, 3-story Colonial style Edwardian building located on the corner of Ellsworth and Tilton.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Richard Powers teaches One Step and New Waltz Variations Friday Night Waltz Feb 15

scott — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 06:30:15 GMT

At Friday Night Waltz in Palo Alto this Friday February 15:

Richard Powers teaches:

7pm Intermediate: A flurry of One-Step variations. This easy vintage dance, popular at FNW, is still alive today thanks to a wide array of variations. Learn both the original Ragtime variations and some of the newest ones.

8pm Intermediate/Advanced: Premiere - the B&B Waltz Variations. These are new and *very* different freestyle waltz variations developed by Bill and Beata, two of Richard's former students who are now teaching in San Diego. You'll like them.

Special Performance by Academy of Danse Libre,the nations premier vintage dance group. From their website,"Danse Libre is dedicated to the lively exhibition of vintage social dances.Danse Libre performs a variety of breathtaking pieces from the 19th and early 20th centuries in authentic period costume. Each of our dances brings to life a period in history, complete with the music, dance, dress, and mannerisms of the time."

Tom Hill teaches an introductory waltz class from 7 to 9pm. For best results, start class at 7pm.

Richard is our Dj. Waltz music from 9 to 12 in the Main Ballroom.

All ages, Comfortable attire. No partner necessary. We rotate rapidly in
class. $12 for both the classes and the dance. $8 for seniors or
students or after 9pm.

First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., corner of Byron. Palo Alto, CA.
Upstairs, Fellowship hall, entrance on right of courtyard, facing away from street.

http://www.FridayNightWaltz.com

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

ride request from Palo Alto FNW this Friday (Feb 15th) to Noe Valley, SF

composerjk — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:29:07 GMT

A friend staying in Noe Valley in SF is hoping to attend FNW in Palo Alto this Friday, Feb 15th, and could use a ride back to Noe Valley. Getting to FNW may happen via Caltrain unless a ride down appears. Getting back to SF is what's really needed, though.

Let me know if you might be able to offer a ride.

-Jeff

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Country dance and waltz with the courtesans of Regency-era London : February 16, 2008, San Mateo, California

Alan — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 07:42:54 GMT

If you want an introduction to country dancing - same kind of thing we'll be doing at the PEERS Pride and Prejudice Ball
in March, but more flirtatious, with some waltzing, come to the Cyprians' Ball!

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2008

at the

SAN MATEO MASONIC LODGE
(San Mateo)
100 N. Ellsworth, at Tilton

Doors open 7:30

The ball starts with "Congress of Vienna" at 8:00
$15 in advance
$20 at the door

Scandalous early-1800s costume - the era of "Pride and Prejudice" admired
but not required. We cannot, in good conscience, recommend that young ladies
damp their muslins in the Bay Area in February.

For more information, call 650/365-2913 or visit
www.baers.org (where you can download a registration form)

Directions: From Highway 101, exit at 3d Avenue. Go west on 3d, turn right
at N. Ellsworth. The temple is at the corner of N. Ellsworth and Tilton.

(Note: "The Cyprian" was a Regency nickname for Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, who
was associated with the island of Cyprus. Cyprians, then, were devotees of
Aphrodite; in other words, courtesans, who held an annual ball to shop for new
"protectors" who could keep them in good style. So there's an extra degree of
flirtatiousness at the Cyprians' Ball.)

All country dances taught and prompted. Fun will be had!

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

SALE AT DARK GARDEN UNIQUE CORSETRY

buick-qualityandservice — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 01:27:31 GMT

Happy Valentine's Day from Dark Garden! To celebrate this fun holiday with something longer-lasting and better for you than chocolate, come down to the store and get 10% off all accessories, and 10% to 30% off selected garments! We have beautiful jewelry, satiny gloves, and sexy hosiery to dress up your new corset purchase. We have just gotten in the cutest array of ruffly panties and sheer mesh garter belts, as well as parasols and fans perfect for a romantic photo shoot! To suit your needs, we are offering 10% off all custom corset orders during this time as well.
Need a last minute gift? Gift certificates purchased between February 8th and 14th will include a coupon for 10% off a custom corset order.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 1 reply

Theatrical film clips of line dances

gotrhythm — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 06:12:41 GMT

If you were at Friday Night Waltz on January 18, or have taken a class with Richard Powers on "Swing after the Swing Era", you may have heard him refer to dance scenes in movies. Here are a few film clips available online.

--------------------------------------

1. The scene of dancing the Hully-Gully in the Jean-Luc Godard movie "Bande à Part" / "Band of Outsiders" (1964):

http://youtube.com/watch?v=I6pOXjQLh7Y

--------------------------------------

2. Dancing The Madison in the original John Waters movie "Hairspray" (1988):

http://youtube.com/watch?v=5MiMrtI3aQ4

The way the girls swish their hands back and forth while doing the toe-taps in the basic step was sometimes called "drying the nails".

--------------------------------------

3. The Night Fever / Electric Slide line dance in "Saturday Night Fever" (1977):

http://youtube.com/watch?v=EoZgxCEmmmg

--------------------------------------

4. To those I will add one more film clip that I find well worthwhile. This movie is from an earlier generation: "Buck Privates" (1941). Here we have a scene that begins with a group dancing The Big Apple. This line dance (usually a circle) was one of the major dance crazes of the 20th century. The scene also has Dean Collins and Jewel McGowan doing Lindy Hop and the Andrews Sisters doing their pastiche of Irish Step-Dancing :D .

http://youtube.com/watch?v=y5H7F2Zsxl0

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Winter Solstice Waltz: Carpool from Berkeley

Jo — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 05:59:25 GMT

Hi! I'm pretty new to dancing and I'm really looking forward to my first FNW this week! but I don't have a car and I'm not looking forward to a 3hr trip to Palo Alto on BART and Caltrain so I'm looking for a ride to and from the dance this Friday. I'll pay for your entrance to the class and dance in exchange for the ride from Berkeley and back. If you know anyone who can help out, please send them my way. Thanks!

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 1 reply

Joan Walton Teaching & John Bauer DJing tonight

Tom — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 19:52:48 GMT

John Bauer will be DJing tonight.

Joan Walton and Kimber Rudo teach Traveling Cross Step variations at 7pm
and Intermediate level Cha Cha at 8pm.

7pm: Traveling Cross-Step Variations - Long, graceful steps that move
rapidly across the room: direction changes, pivots, zig zags and
grapevines of all sorts. Come dance.

8pm. Cha Cha Cha - Intermediate level playfulness with the Cha Cha.

The Academy of Danse Libre performs tonight. Danse Libre is the nation's
premier vintage dance ensemble group http://www.DanseLibre.org

Tom Hill teaches an introductory waltz class from 7 to 9 pm in the
downstairs room. To get the most from this class, try to start at 7pm.
Excellent first time class.

$11 for both the classes and the dance. sorry no separate price for just
the dance. $8 just for the dance. No partner necessary. All Ages. Casual
comfortable attire

First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, CA.
Upstairs, Fellowship hall, entrance on right of courtyard, facing away
from street.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Barn dance (waltz, easy country dances) with musicians from Bangers & Mash: Oakland, 10/26, Humanist Hall

Alan — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:35:43 GMT

Get revved up for the weekend at the barn dance in Oakland!

Community dance (also called "barn dance" or "ceilidh") is a dance style
from Great Britain that lets you dance not just with your partner of the
moment but with a room of happy people. Alan Winston will lead
the dancing, with live music by Stan & Susan Kramer (the flute and fiddle from
Bangers and Mash, the band you know from Fezziwig's and PEERS dances.)

Comfortable waltzes and easy group dances. Beginners welcome, all dances
taught and called, casual dress -- wear comfortable shoes. You don't need
to bring a partner. Dancing accessible for children 8 years old and over.

Admission $10, $5 for students/low-income/kids.
Family and group discounts available.

When: Friday, October 26th, 8 p.m.
What: Community Dance Party
Who: Alan Winston calling, music by Stan & Susan Kramer
Where: Humanist Hall, 390 27th Street, Oakland, CA 94
Info: 650-365-2913, www.liveavatar.com/ceilidh

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

I'm teaching at FNW this Saturday!

MrDarcy — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 00:19:51 GMT

This Saturday at the East Bay FNW location - 200 Grand Ave, Oakland.
http://www.fridaynightwaltz.com/
Website blurb:
Sam Simmons and Rene Rodgers will teach Redowa Waltz in the main ballroom 7-9pm. Redowa has long been considered the ultimate waltz step at Friday Night Waltz and throughout vintage dance. Most often described as the closest you'll get to flying with a partner, come see what all the fuss is about. Sam and Rene will teach Redowa from the ground up. If you've never taken a Redowa class before, or just think your Redowa step might use a few pointers to perfect it, this is the class for you. Experienced Redowa dancers are appreciated - remember, if you're in the class, you'll know all the new Redowa partners by the end! Sam is one of the leading bay area Redowa teachers - after perfecting the step, he's moved on to Redowa performance choreography, as well as writing and teaching many popular Redowa step variations.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 1 reply

I'm teaching at FNW this Friday!

MrDarcy — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 17:39:37 GMT

Please come out to my PA-FNW teaching debut!
Since this is the day before FNW's Brassworks Strauss Ball in Oakland (which you should attend also), they think attendance might be low. Please come take my classes before the dance, as I'd really like to give them a good reason to invite me back. You want them to invite me back too, because I'm awesome. But I'm not awesome without you, because I'd just be dancing by myself (hmm, that's not so bad actually...), so come out to the class! You'll learn some awesome steps so you can be more awesome like me!
OK, I'm retiring that word now.

Mazurka!

Sam Simmons is teaching intermediate Mazurka steps and variations at Friday Night Waltz!

Rene Rodgers will be assisting teaching for the evening.

Intermediate Mazurka steps are very similar to everyone's favorite "flying" Redowa steps, while being easier to learn.

7pm Beginning/Intermediate Mazurka – We'll start at the very beginning, learning the "Gaskells/Fezziwigs" Mazurka step, before quickly moving on to replacing the basic waltz with fun Mazurka steps and variations!
Knowledge of basic turning rotary waltz required.

8pm Intermediate/Advanced Mazurka – Starting where the last class left off, these steps will take you soaring around the floor in a variety of ways in a great alternative to the Redowa.
Knowledge of basic (Gaskells/Fezziwigs) Mazurka a must. Willingness to fly and 7pm class highly encouraged.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Stolen car and more -- June 9 Oakland FNW (very long)

warren — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 02:53:54 GMT

I'm cross-posting this to FNW and BACDS discuss; I apologize to those receiving multiple copies as a result. Catherine and I, both of us enthusiastic contra dancers (and I'm also a long-time contra dance caller), decided to drive up from Monterey to attend and support this special contra + waltz event. We loved the idea, and both of us found it to be a delightful evening of music and dance; a wonderful mix of contra dances and couple dances and simply beautiful accompanying live music.

That said, the evening did not have a good outcome -- and I think it's a story that anyone ever thinking of going to a future event at this venue (or elsewhere in Oakland, for that matter) should be aware of.

We stayed and danced until the end, and then headed out to the parking lot -- at which point we discovered my car had been stolen. If you've never had this experience, and in 30 years of driving I hadn't until last night, it's quite a shock to return to where you had recently parked and find nothing but empty asphalt.

We did park in the Veterans Hall lot, at the Grand Avenue end (just 2 spots in from the street), and very close to a bright streetlamp on the building side of the lot. We made sure the car was completely locked before heading in to the dance. It was a 4-door white Honda Civic, by the way, and we got there about 9:30 pm. If anyone going between the hall and the parking lot happened to see anything suspicious, please contact me as soon as possible (weathercaller@aol.com). All I know is that it was taken sometime between then and when we returned to the parking lot just after midnight.

Anyway, when we found the car gone, we immediately called the Oakland police. Actually, we called 911, got put on hold, eventually got routed through to the Oakland police, got put on hold again... If someone had actually been like dying or something, well nothing was happening in a hurry...

In fact, nothing happened at all. When we did get through and reported that our car had been stolen, we were told they would send an officer by as soon as they could. But after another 40 mins then passed, with us just hanging around in that post-midnight empty parking lot, we called back. We were then told that it would be at least a couple of hours before they could get anyone there because...well because there had just been a shooting right in that area and all available officers were tied up with that. (This shooting theme comes up again later in the story, by the way...)

They also told us to get the heck out of there, that it wasn't then safe for us to be outside in that area. Now here I really need to acknowledge someone who stayed with us throughout, assisting in any and every way he could, driving us where we needed to go, and generally just being a great person and friend. That individual is Jim Saxe, long-time Bay Area contra dancer and contra dance caller, and someone who really pulled yeoman's duty that night. Thank you, Jim. And I also want to thank the several other dancers who hung around with us and provided moral support until it was clear there was nothing more at the moment to do and that Jim could take care of the rest.

Anyway, the police then suggested we either come by the police headquarters at 7th and Broadway to file a report, or simply head home and then the next day ask our local police on the Monterey Peninsula if they could take care of it as a courtesy. Kind of reminds me of what police service was like back in the days I lived in L.A.

Well, Jim took us over to the police dept, all the way down Broadway at 1 am on a Saturday night. That's quite a scene, by the way; kind of reminds me of what I once saw late on a Saturday night on the southside of downtown L.A., though at least without the bonfires in the middle of the street.

The problem then was figuring out how to get in -- the building is essentially a huge sealed and locked blockhouse, and there was no one around. Loved all the signs on the side of the street, by the way, that warned that parking was restricted to homicide police only. Oh, and adding to the general charm of the surroundings was the bright neon-lit sign for the only place where there was any sign of life or activity -- a rather unfortunate-looking bail bonds office across the way.

Won't belabor the story of how we finally managed to get inside, but we did after a while. And there the evening got stranger still... We found ourselves in a vast cavernous space, all painted in retro(?) 50s black and white, with a giant Oakland police shield high up on the wall. At a giant dark desk down below sat the sole occupant of the room -- a dispatch sergeant with a rather striking appearance: a burly late-middle-aged African American fellow, with a long, curly flaming-white beard and wizened graying hair. An officer who happened to arrive there between crime scene visits took pity on us and very nicely put everything else aside for a bit to write-up the police report (thank you Officer Coglio).

While standing there at the desk providing the information needed for the police report, there was a flurry of police radio and phone activity with the dispatch sergeant rushing between conversations with various officers out in the field. When there was finally a brief pause, he looked over at us with the expression of someone who's seen everything encountering a new horror, and in a very soft voice simply said: "in just 10 minutes..." and then trailed off, too soft for us to hear. Officer Coniglio and I paused in working on the stolen vehicle report, and looked over at him with quizzical expressions. He shook his head slowly from side to side and told us that in just the last 10 minutes there had been 4 shootings in Oakland.

I asked if they were all at the same location and he said no, that 2 were at one location and 2 at another...and that the 2 at the first location were "down" (believed to be dead) while at the other location 1 was "down" and the other looked as if he would make it. I believe one of the locations was near Veteran's Hall.

Anyway, with the police report finally done, the question became hot to get home to the Monterey Peninsula. After more phone calls, we found that the Hertz rental car agency at Oakland Airport was open until 2 am and it looked like we had just enough time to get there.

It turns out they don't actually have a presence at the airport terminal, but rather at an off-airport site way up past the old Oakland airport complex. The 2 Hertz folks still there were very nice to us, and after hearing our story essentially just invented a very reasonable rate for us to do the 1-way rental down to Monterey. The fellow who was the night manager also told us that he in fact often hears gunfire when standing outside their rental car facility at night -- not real nearby, but close enough.

We finally got home at 4:30 am. Four hours later the Oakland police called to say they had found the car -- or rather what was left of it. I asked the woman who called what kind of shape the car was in, and she said all she could tell me was what was on the report filed by the officer who found it: "badly stripped but not burned." Great, huh? She then referred us to the towing yard it had been taken to. They told us that the radiator(!), tires, hubcaps, fenders, stereo and everything that had been left in the car had been taken. The latter includes my glasses, cell phone, some books, a lot of maps, and the gate access card for the Navy base I work on (adding in the fun of a military security breach to deal with). I also lost what I consider to be a priceless collection of CDs of great contra dance bands over the past 2 decades, which I kept in my car as I tended to listen to them while driving -- especially when traveling between calling gigs.

I'm sure I won't ever be seeing my beloved Honda Civic again. The costs of repairing the damage will well-exceed the blue-book value of the car, and so I expect that's what I'll get from the insurance company...and then have to go through the joy of car-shopping.

So that's the story. And for those of you who made it through to the end, thank you for reading it all. And now I have a few final things to say as a result of all this:

First, I'm very glad no one was physically hurt. The individuals that stole my car were clearly professional car thieves, and may well have been armed.

Second, in my opinion the part of Oakland that Veteran's Hall is in is presently too unsafe for evening events to reasonably be held, at least without additional security being provided. Long ago, I used to regularly attend the Denver contra dances which are held in a part of Denver that at least back then was clearly of questionable safety and security. After an incident or two similar to mine, the dance community hired security guards to watch and monitor the parking lot for the duration of the evening's event -- and all fliers, announcements of the dances held there, etc, warned people that it was an unsafe neighborhood and that everyone attending should be sure to park in the guarded lot. Given the shootings and other serious crimes that have recently occurred right in that Grand Ave/Lake Merritt area, I think the same sort of approach is needed – and I would also recommend that anyone who does continue to go to events there walk to and from the building in groups, and/or that any guards hired be armed and also employed to monitor the safety of the individuals going between the hall and their cars.

Third, Catherine and I will not ever be attending any future dance events anywhere in Oakland, except perhaps for those held in the few remaining semi-safe areas up in the hills, unless either event security like that described above is provided, or Oakland as a city manages to get its crime situation under control.

I'll conclude with final personal comment by saying that I think it's reflective of a fundamentally pathetic societal state when we're left seriously questioning whether attendance at an evening of traditional music and dance at a beautiful ballroom in the middle of a major American city is no longer tenable simply due to concerns over safety of life and property.

Warren

----------------------------------
Warren Blier
weathercaller@aol.com

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 4 replies

Display iTunes info in a web page.

iHod — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 18:32:04 GMT

I put together a little package that allows one to create web pages from iTunes libraries and playlists. It only requires iTunes and a web browser. You can find instructions for downloading and using it at:

http://www.greeley.org/~hod/dj/iTunes.html

It's pretty easy (I think). Comments and suggestions are welcome.

One nice thing about this is you can generate a self-contained web (html) page of a playlist, complete with links to iTunes, which you can then share with people. No web server needed. Just e-mail them the web page (or whatever).

I did this because I wanted to be able to look through other people's playlists easily. I'm sure there are other tools out there to do so. (In fact, if you know of one you like, please let me know). What I wrote isn't the world's most polished thing, but it has a few advantages. As I said, it requires nothing more than what you already have available if you use iTunes. Also, it is relatively easy to modify, since it's all done with text files read in to a browser (no programming tools needed).

One caveat: I don't use Internet Explorer much. Because iTunes saves its information in a way that makes processing really inefficient, I transform it to a different structure. This must be saved from the browser (see the instructions to understand what I mean). I don't currently know of a way to get IE to do this. I recommend FireFox. But then, I recommend FireFox anyway. :-)

I hope people find this of value.

Hod

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 5 replies

The FNW Anniversary Address ...

carywtucker — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 06:05:22 GMT

Four years and a dozen Gaskells ago, our founders brought forth on the Bay Area,
a new dance venue, conceived in Waltzing, and dedicated to the proposition that
all dancers are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great anniversary, judging whether that dance venue, or
any dance venue so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on
a great evening of that anniversary. We have come to dedicate a portion of that
evening, in recognition for those who here gave their time that that dance venue
might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

It is for us now, the present dancers, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work
which they who taught here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be
here dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that this venue, under Dance,
shall have a new birth of collective joy – and that waltzing of the people, by the
people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 2 replies

Share Ride to/from Ceilidh Alameda from Mt. View area

Hayes — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 22:39:55 GMT

Hi. Wondering if anyone is interested in sharing a ride/car pooling to/from Ceilidh Alameda
(http://tribes.tribe.net/ceilidhalameda) from the Mt. View Area? Yes, this is posted to more than one tribe, sorry about that.

Cheers

Hayes A.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Dancing at Burning Man?

Cici — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 20:24:06 GMT

Does anyone know the names of camps that will have FNW-like dancing at Burning Man?
-- Cici.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Need some assistance.

la_chanteuse — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 01:07:10 GMT

A lot has happened over the past week or so. Read my most recent blog entries for details.

My family and I have come to the mutual understanding that I need to move out. I don't know whether I'll still get money for college. I do know that I have someone to live with, and that I probably will not be getting a car from my family as the original plan went.

Therefore, if anyone has a vehicle they need to sell or otherwise get rid of, or if anyone knows someone who does, please reply to this message or PM me and let me know. I probably can't pay a whole lot of money right away, but I can make payments over time. The fact is, if I don't have transportation, I can't get to and from a job. If I don't have a job, I can't pay for anything. If I can't pay for anything, I can't survive.

I am fully aware of what I'm doing. My home situation is intolerable, and will not be getting better. So as a friend to some and fellow to all, I am asking you all to please help me in this matter.

Thank you.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Persephone djing and teaching at Social Sampler/Multi Dance this Saturday July 28

scott — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 22:33:42 GMT

Persephone, one of the founder of Friday Night Waltz, is back to teach and dj Social Sampler/ Multi Dance this Saturday, Oakland Veterans Hall 200 Grand. Classes from 7 to 9 pm, Persephone dj waltz, polka from 9 to 12 midnight.

Persephone will teach introductory and intermediate waltz from 7 to 9.

Also, Ammy Hill will lead Irish Celiedh in the side room from 7 to 9.

We will have another Social Sampler with games and ice cream.

Social Sampler in the main Hall

Ice cream from Hagen Daz:
Bazilian Acai Berry Sorbert
Amazon Valley Chocolate
Hawaiian lehua honey and sweet cream
toasted coconut sesame brittle
pomegranite and dark chocolate bar
butter pecan
creme brulee

Light refreshments including grapes, crunchies, cookies, watermelon, strawberries and more.

games:
Ouja board
apples to apples
battle of the sexes
cranium
monopoly
racko
malarky
stage II
guesstures
outburst
quizzard
scattegories
balderdash
Jenga

Select a game, invite others to play.

$12 for all dances, games, refreshements

All ages, Comfortable attire. No partner necessary. We rotate rapidly in class. $12 for classes and dance, $8 for dance only.

Oakland Veterans Hall, 200 Grand Avenue Oakland CA X Harrison .A beautiful dance hall, with 3,500 square foot hardwood floor, extra room for socializing and meeting new people, easy access, great parking.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Shoe lost at July 20th FNW

momstable — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 17:54:37 GMT

My friend, Renee, lost a single shoe at FNW last Friday. It is a sneakerish dance shoe, black, with a leather heel, size 8 or 9 (she couldn't remember and we couldn't read the size on the mate). She really needs it back soon!!! Please email me at the_momstable@rocketmail.com or leave a message at 408-848-5748 if you have the shoe. We'll make some sort of arrangement to retrieve it.

Thanks

Mer

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

This Friday's my birthday . . .

Daniel — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 21:46:50 GMT

This Friday's my birthday, so Jen and I are coming down to Palo Alto. I was wondering who was going to be there.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 1 reply

Pictures from 7/6

tsgeisel — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 09:53:30 GMT

I've got a few pictures from the 7/6 FNW in Palo Alto up on my photo-sharing site: http://picasaweb.google.com/tsgeisel/FNW7607

Huzzah for digital cameras. And if some of them look excessively "artistic", well, it's a new camera and I was trying a few things.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Barn dance (waltz / polka /schottische / easy set dances / live music) in Oakland, Friday 6/22

Alan — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 09:57:08 GMT

Come on Friday June 22nd to Humanist Hall in Oakland for a modern-dress
evening of easy dances and friendly fun.

Alan Winston will call and Across the Pond (Dick Bagwell, Alan Lochhead,
Jody and Colette Veahman) will play for an evening of community dancing.

(Alan is the house caller for the Bay Area English Regency Society,
and a frequent caller of modern-dress English Country and contra dance. He's taught
for Friday Night Waltz (Dance Macabre, Dance Sampler, PEERS, the Free Folk
Festival, etc.) He says "this stuff is waaaay easy, but you'll still end up sweaty.)

The dances will be the same kind of set dance that you get at Gaskell (and
we may do Strip the Willow or Roger de Coverly, but also other easy dances
you probably haven't seen, like Nottingham Swing or Demon's Rant.)

No brainbenders, and these dances will typically run fairly short - you're not
stuck with your set or your partner for fifteen minutes.

There'll be some polkas and waltzes and schottisches interspersed, but it's
not like Gaskell with one set dance to 8 couple dances; there's lots of set
dances. Many of the dances are Victorian in origin but this is a modern day event -
wear comfortable clothes and danceable shoes.

See the flyer: www.liveavatar.com/ceilidh

The band is Across The Pond. They're deeply interested in the English
folk tradition, and will be playing tunes from the English countryside -
polkas, reels, waltzes, and a few jigs. Very different from the classical style
tunes that the Regency group plays. Members of Across The Pond play for
Deer Creek Morris and Bufflehead Morris. They'll give punchy, driving tunes
that get your heart rate up.

Next Friday, June 22d, at Humanist Hall in Oakland, 8:00 pm.
(Keep reading for details)

Community dance (also called "barn dance" or "ceilidh") is a dance style
from Great Britain that lets you dance not just with your partner of the
moment but with an entire room of happy people. Alan Winston will lead
the dancing, with live music from the Berkeley band Across The Pond.
Comfortable waltzes and easy group dances. Beginners welcome, all dances
taught and called, casual dress -- wear comfortable shoes. You don't need
to bring a partner. Dancing accessible for children 8 years old and over.
Admission $10, $5 for students/low-income/kids. Family and group discounts
available.

When: Friday, June 22d, 8 p.m.
What: Community Dance Party
Who: Alan Winston, performing with the band Across the Pond
Where: Humanist Hall, 390 27th Street, Oakland, CA 94
Info: 650-365-2913, www.liveavatar.com/ceilidh

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

San Francisco Free Folk Festival this weekend June 15,16 City College

scott — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 23:29:21 GMT

New location for the Sf Free Folk Festival
city college of San Francisco
Ocean and Phelan

FREE!

http://www.sffolkfest.org/2007/index.html

dozens of dance, music workshops and dances

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 1 reply

local contra dancing and English country dancing events

scott — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 10:49:47 GMT

Recently Friday Night Waltz hosted a new format of dance, a ContraWaltz. Contra dancing is a fun, easily learned social dance that is danced all around the US. Nearly all communities have contra dances, which are similar to the "Virginia Reel" and dances done in the movie "Gone with the Wind" . Two regular dances at Gaskells, Sir Roger de Coverly and Strip the Willow, are typical of certain kinds of contra dances. Peers also teaches and hosts contra style dances fairly regularly.

At the ContraWaltz we combined the basic contra format and added a substantial number of waltzes, polkas, hambos, and two Congress of Vienna. A typical contra has usually only 2 waltzes and one polka: ContraWaltz had 10 waltzes, 4 polkas, 4 contras, 2 hambos, and 2 Congress of Vienna dances. It was a nice mix of social dances and line dances.

Many attended the introductory contra class and danced the combination of waltzes and 4 called contra during the evening. Several asked for more information about local contra dancing. So here it is:

The local contra dance organization "Bay Area Country Dancing Society" lists local classes, dances, balls, and workshops at http://www.BACDS.org. Please tolerate the website as best you can: it is very difficult to use. Go to the link in the left navigation bar to select "printable calendars" and print the listing. Their online calendar is user unfriendly and often out of date or incorrect, or at best very misleading.

Other local contra dances groups are northern bay http://www.nbcds.org/index.html
and the Santa Cruz area: http://www.santacruzdance.org/

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 1 reply

Newport Vintage Dance Week August 6 to August 12

scott — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 09:57:59 GMT

From the website;

Experience the elegance and charm of yesterday's ballroom when society was in its heyday and dance was a favorite pastime. Since 1983, the Commonwealth Vintage Dancers have been reconstructing, performing and teaching social dances of the Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries. Instructors are Marc Casslar, Susan de Guardiola, Richard Powers, Antonia Pugliese, Barbara Pugliese and Joan Walton as instructors. The focus of the classes will be the dances from the mid-Nineteenth through the Early Twentieth Centuries.

hosted by the Commonwealth vintage dancers:
Combining exquisite costuming with a fine sense of period manners, style and customs, the Commonwealth Vintage Dancers bring to life the most popular dances of their day. In addition to providing performances of these dances, the Commonwealth Vintage Dancers can help organize and run Grand Balls, Tea Dances, Garden Parties and other period amusements. We are experienced at teaching classes and leading workshops for beginner through advanced dancers. Each summer our company hosts the Newport Vintage Dance Week, a week-long extravaganza of dance and amusements in and around the mansions of Newport, Rhode Island.

We will be offering balls in some of America’s most elegant and splendid ballrooms. The lovely Astors’ Beechwood will host the 1890’s soirée on Wednesday evening, the formal dinner and Ragtime ball will be at Glen Manor House and the mid-19th Century ball will be returning to Ochre Court, the original site of our 19th century balls at the Dance Week. Live music for all three evenings will be provided by the New River Dance Orchestra. The theme for the final night’s fancy dress ball will be Celestial Worlds.

Other events scheduled during the week include an optional group tour of one of the Gilded Age mansions, afternoon teas, a formal dinner, a New England lobster fest, outings, a vintage swap and sell, and informal lectures on period topics, including a costume workshop on period dress trimmings.

http://www.vintagedancers.org/newport/

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Los Angeles Vintage dance group: Social Daunce Irregulars

scott — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 20:22:51 GMT

http://victoriandance.org/

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Los Angeles historical and vintage dance events

scott — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 20:21:48 GMT

http://lahacal.org

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Stanford Waltz WEEKEND June 22 - June 24

scott — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 15:03:02 GMT

http://socialdance.stanford.edu/danceweeks/waltzweekend.htm

A total immersion in waltzing, the most romantic partner dance of all.

Richard Powers and Angela Amarillas
Joan Walton
Ryan and Monica Shen Knotts
and a dance Sunday night with live music by
The Royal Society Jazz Orchestra

The Waltz Weekend combines waltz technique and variations with secrets for great partnering. The material surpasses that offered in the Dance Division's social dance classes and will include:
• Viennese Waltz
• Shadow figures in Rotary and Viennese Waltz
• New Cross-Step Waltz variations
• Air Redowa
• Waltz Blues
• Underarm turns in Viennese and Rotary Waltz
• Cross-Step Oddities
and more, while having a wonderful time
in the arms of great dance partners

THE SCHEDULE for the Waltz Weekend will be
Friday 7-10pm
Saturday 9am-4:30pm
Sunday 10am-2pm.
Sunday Ball with live music 8-11pm.
More than 16 hours of dancing!

Material covered in the weekend will be different from last year's Waltz Weekend.
Most sessions will be taught by Richard and Angela, with shorter classes by Joan, Ryan and Monica.

Experience Level: Intermediate or higher
Prerequirement: Know a basic turning waltz (any kind)
Tuition: $90 per person, which includes the Sunday night Ball.

THE SETTING: The Roble Studio (map) features one of the largest sprung wooden dance floors in Northern California. The cool, sunny South Bay climate has proven to be ideal for both indoor and outdoor settings.

HOUSING: The on-campus dorm is ten minutes from the Roble dance studios. All housing and food information is here. (click this)

Click for information on transportation to the Stanford campus.

Registration update: The Waltz Weekend is filled but the waiting list for single men is short.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Peers Free daytime dance party Pride and Prejudice picnind August 4

scott — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 10:17:13 GMT

from our friends at Peers:

Peers for the first time in memory is having their Saturday dance OUTDOORS in the DAYTIME from 1:30 pm to 5pm August 4 in Lincoln Park Alameda,

IT IS FREE!!!

http://peers.org/pride.html

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Richard Powers teaches Zwiefacher, Samba Friday Night Waltz June 15

scott — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 10:13:22 GMT

Richard Powers teaches intermediate waltz classes at 7pm and 8pm in the large upstairs room

7pm Zwiefacher blitz. You'll learn some technical pointers to make this waltz-pivot dance easier and more fun, but mostly you'll have a rare chance to spin with partners to odd rhythms for an hour.
8pm Samba! It's essentially polka which was Africanized in Brazil then became a worldwide craze after it was introduced in Paris in the 1920s. Learn both basic steps and many improvised variations. Samba is a great party dance -- don't miss it.

Tom Hill teaches an introductory waltz class from 7 to 9 pm in the downstairs room. To get the most from this class, try to start at 7pm. Excellent first time class.

Richard Powers is tonight's dj. Waltz and polka music from 9pm to midnight.

$11 for both the classes and the dance. $8 for just the dance. No partner necessary. All Ages. Casual comfortable attire

First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, CA. Upstairs, Fellowship hall, entrance on right of courtyard, facing away from street.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Live band at Palo Alto Friday Night Waltz?

gotrhythm — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 16:48:12 GMT

I was wondering if there are plans in the works for another live band night at the Palo Alto Friday Night Waltz.

It seems like it has been a while since we had a band there. There was Tom Rigney and Flambeau two years ago at the Foresters Hall, and I do not recall any bands after that.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 1 reply

contra + waltz FNW Saturday June 9 Oakland Veterans Hall

scott — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 14:09:58 GMT

What is contra dance? Why do people dance contra for decades, sometimes their entire lives? Why do contra dancers travel hundreds of miles for contra weekends and workshops?

Contra is a fun, lively highly social dance found in hundreds of cities and towns all across the US. There are some 300 contra dances in the bay area and many thousands in the US every year. Think Virginia Reel. Recall the line dances in "Gone with the Wind".

On June 9 we will combine our regular Friday Night Waltz with 4 contra dances called by Ken Olcott (who has called over 250 contra all over the country since 1991) to give you a taste for the fun of contra dancing others have enjoyed for decades. Anyone can dance the contra dances we have selected. No prior experience or skill needed.

Ken Olcott will teach a one hour introductory contra class from 8 to 9pm that will cover basic knowledge helpful to dance contra anywhere in the country.

Long time Friday Night Waltz friend Karen Tierney ( an long time member of Danse Libre and Alamda Vintage Dance Troupe performance groups) is teaching introductory waltz and Congress of Vienna in the Dance Lounge from 7 to 9 pm. Thanks Karen!

Our band tonight, a popular and long time contra band, "Fear of Commitment" ( Kathrine Gardner on violin, Craig Johnson on piano (Bangers and Mash), and Charlie Hancock on accordion (Euphonia, Swing Farm, Contrabandits) All are highly experienced dance musicians, and are eager to play waltzes.

In addition, our blues dancing is back! We will have Dj blues music in the Dance Lounge from 9 to 12 midnight. more information on blues dancing: http://www.FridayNightBlues.com

As a special treat, we are having some of the Oakland's Famous Fenton's Ice Cream:
Coconut Pineapple
Cream Caramel Almond Crunch
Rocky Road

By the way, Fentons invented Rocky Road Ice Cream!

$12 for the class and dance. Sorry due to band, we are not offering a discount for dance only.

$8 for students and seniors

FIRST SET
-------------------
1. Waltz (9:00 pm)
2. Polka (9:05)
3. Waltz (9:10)
4. Contra (9:15)
5. Waltz (9:30)
6. Schottische (9:35)
7. Congress of Vienna (9:40)
8. Hambo (9:45)
9. Waltz (9:50)
10. Contra (9:55)
11. Zweifacher (fairly simple pattern) (10:10)
12. Waltz (10:15)

BREAK (20 minutes)

SECOND SET
---------------------
1. Waltz (10:40)
2. Contra (10:45)
3. Waltz (11:00)
4. Polka (11:05)
5. Tango (11:10)
6. One-step (rag) (11:15)
7. Waltz (11:20)
8. Contra (11:25)
9. Waltz (11:40)
10. Polka (11:45)
11. Congress of Vienna (11:50)
12. Waltz (11:55)

All ages, Comfortable attire. No partner necessary. We rotate rapidly in class.
Oakland Veterans Hall, 200 Grand Avenue Oakland CA X Harrison .A beautiful dance hall, with 3,500 square foot hardwood floor, extra room for socializing and meeting new people, easy access, great parking

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

ride from the east bay?

brookswift — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 06:13:35 GMT

I'm taking a friend with me to FNW from the oakland/berkeley area. is anyone headed that way who could help out with a ride for us? my friend doesn't need a ride home, but needs one going out there.

thanks

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Pictures from FNW 5/18

Lilli Ann — Wed, 30 May 2007 18:02:22 GMT

Hello everyone,
I'm looking for the photographer/photos that were taken when Angela and I taught. Was it Patrick? Who knows?
Thanks,
Lilli Ann

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

We need someone to teach a waltz this weekend!

Riyana-Rebecca — Fri, 18 May 2007 04:55:29 GMT

Hello, all!

I know it's a long shot, but I was wondering if anyone might be available to lead a group waltz at our event this Saturday evening in Berkeley, the Fairy Mask Ball. It's a fundraiser for a pagan family camp, and we would love to have someone come and show us how to dance elegantly and simply. I'm thinking about 45 minutes to an hour, tops. The event starts at 7 and we could do it anytime thereafter.

As a fundraiser, I don't have a lot of money to offer. In addition to the amazing time I guarantee that you'll have, I'm happy to donate $75 to you for your assistance. If you brought a partner, I'm sure I could swing $125 for the two of you.

If you aren't available but know someone who might be, please pass along their contact info to me.

Thanks!
Riyana
707-569-4606

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Richard Powers teaches Hambo FNW May 4: Danse Libre performs

scott — Thu, 03 May 2007 15:15:48 GMT

Richard Powers with Angela Amarillas teach Intermediate waltz classes at 7pm and 8pm in the large upstairs room.

7pm - Role Reversal in Cross-Step Waltz. There's more than an hour of techniques and partnering involved in role reversal but Richard and Angela will be especially concise so that you can be happily dancing from the other side in only one class.

8pm - Hambo. The last time Richard taught Hambo at Friday Night Waltz was March, 2003 to a very large crowd! Been a long time he taught it - time to fix that! Hambo features a waltz-pivot that uses the same principle as the Wankel engine. Millions of dancers worldwide dance Hambo, so once you learn it here, you'll be able to dance it anywhere.

Tom Hill teaches an introductory waltz class from 7 to 9 pm in the downstairs room. To get the most from this class, try to start at 7pm. Excellent first time class.

Richard Powers is our DJ tonight. Waltz and polka music from 9pm to midnight.

The Academy of Danse Libre is performing tonight. They are the nation's premier vintage dance performance group. Catch them at their biennial dance performance May 31st and June 1st. . Always a treat! a Must Go event. From their website, 'The Academy of Danse Libre is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the lively exhibition of 19th and early 20th century social dances. We aspire to create a vivid picture of the mayhem and joyful passion of the Victorian ballroom, in the spirit of our namesakes."

Danse Libre’s next biennial spring dance concert will be held Thursday May 31 and Friday June 1, 2007. In this year’s show, "The Da Vintage Code, intrepid dancers embark on a journey through vintage eras on a quest for the holy grail of dance. Pursuit of the cherished chalice becomes a journey through time and a return to the roots of the art. As the daring dancers wend their way through the mazurkas of the Victorian era, the one-steps of the Ragtime period, the Charlestons of the 1920s, and the tangos of the 1930s, they learn that there is more than just footwork at the heart of dance". Tickets

$11 for both the classes and the dance. $8 for just the dance. No partner necessary. All Ages. Casual comfortable attire

First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, CA. Upstairs, Fellowship hall, entrance on right of courtyard, facing away from street.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 1 reply

Is anyone driving through San jose?

Mack — Thu, 03 May 2007 02:39:47 GMT

and might could give two people a ride to FNW?
It would be loveley. I could take the bus, but its an hour and a half. Its only 20 minutes from there driving.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 1 reply

Polka Class wish list

Hipknow-Heidi — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 05:59:33 GMT

Is there any way to have a class taught on "how to Polka small"? So many times I get partners that kill me on the floor (especially newbie polka people) who just can't understand the concept of a small polka.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 27 replies

Ballroom Blitz Tonight in Alameda

Terza — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 18:50:22 GMT

Doors open at 6:45, first dance set at 7:30
Dinner is 6:45 to 7:30
Lasagna and hot dogs for sale
Dance admission: $10 adults, $8 students, $5 kids

Immanuel Lutheran Church Parish Hall
1910 Santa Clara Ave, Alameda
immanuelalameda.org
510-523-0659

Ballroom Blitz!
Come Dance
Waltz, Swing, Polka, Latin
English and Irish Country Dance
Set dances taught 7-7:30
Music by DJ, Casual attire

Here's a few of the dances for tonight...

Star Wars Grand March
YMCA
Sellinger's Round
Congress of Vienna (of course!)
Sleeping Beauty Waltz
In the Mood
Cuban Pete
The Devil is Dead Gallop
Jolly Dogs Polka

Next Dance Friday June 8.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Walz Blues Oakland FNW

Hipknow-Heidi — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 20:20:11 GMT

Just to say: I loved the blues dancing room along side the waltzing etc. room. It was great to beable to switch back and forth. Will there be another FNW Oakland where that will happen? Could in the future that become part of the regular program at the Oakland venue? Also for my first Oakland FNW event it was GREAT! What a wonderful place with a wonderful turn-out crowd. Thanks Scott for making it happen!

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 4 replies

Tune Suggestions for Set List

rpage — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 21:16:35 GMT

For some point in the future, I am building a set list for FNW.
I have the waltzes, but I would love suggestions for the
other dances.

Please identify tune, album, and artist (and version, if there
is a possibility of getting the wrong one), and what type of
dance to use it for.

All suggestions are very much appreciated.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 11 replies

BAERS presents a Diverted Jane Austen Ball, April 28th in San Mateo

Alan — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 21:53:33 GMT

We grandly invite you to Sensible Prejudices, "The Bad Jane Ball" with
Congress of Vienna, Waltzes, and Jane Austen era dances on Saturday
April 28th at the San Mateo Masonic Lodge (100 N. Ellsworth at Tilton, San Mateo)

Music by Divertimento Dance Orchestra under the direction of James Langdell
Accessible country dances taught on the fly by Alan Winston

Flyer with discount for advance ticket purchase is here:
www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gneid=364935910&size=l

The date will be Monday, Oct 21st 1811. The night of Mr.
Lucas's Assembly where Elizabeth and Darcy first meet.
And any other Jane Austen characters who want to come along!

For those looking for color themes for outfits, the stage will be
dainty in a white with floral print, somewhat of a
tearoom in look, not too grand, but certainly respectable:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancingisland/419669496/
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=419669781&size=o

Will open with Congress of Vienna, 8pm sharp!

General Bay Area English Regency Society (BAERS) info: www.baers.org

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 1 reply

Richard Powers, Decadance tomorrow FNW Palo Alto

scott — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 12:30:07 GMT

nice article about Friday Night Waltz in the San Jose Mercury News:
http://origin.mercurynews.com/entertainment/ci_5657657

Next Friday Night Waltz this Friday April 20

Richard Powers with Angela Amarillas teach intermediate waltz classes at 7pm and 8pm in the large upstairs room.

7pm a Friday Night Waltz premier: 1950s Rock'n'Roll Waltz and Cha Cha. Direct from American Bandstand, fifty years later: the way fifties teens did the waltz and cha cha, both very different from the way their parents danced it - - fifties teen cha cha ("Chalypso") was closer to swing. And both are still good to know today. You'll love it. For All levels. no prerequirements.

8pm New Cross-step Waltz variations. Add some new variations to your repertoire. Prerequisite: knowing basic cross-step waltz or being a fast learner.

Tom Hill teaches an introductory waltz class from 7 to 9 pm in the downstairs room. To get the most from this class, try to start at 7pm. Excellent first time class.

Richard is tonight's Dj. Waltz and polka music from 9pm to midnight.

Special performance by Decadance, an innovative and exciting dance group founded by former Stanford dancers. From their website, "Collectively, our dance experience includes competitive ballroom dancing, ballet, modern, hip-hop and more, and our other performance experiences range from martial arts to musical theater to synchronized swimming."

$11 for both the classes and the dance. $8 for just the dance. No partner necessary. All Ages. Casual comfortable attire

First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, CA. Upstairs, Fellowship hall, entrance on right of couryard, facing away from street.

Next dances:
May 4 Palo Alto Richard Powers. performance by Academy of Danse Libre
May 12 Oakland Edo Maragliano , John Bauer
May 18 Palo Alto Lilli Ann Carey and Angela Amarillas

from our Friends at Peers: May 5 Sleeping Beauty's Christening Fantasy Ball band Avalon Rising
June 15 Free Folk Festival San Francisco City College San Francisco http://www.sffolkfest.org/2007/frameset.html
June 24 Stanford Waltz week http://socialdance.stanford.edu/danceweeks/

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Friday Night Waltz news article in San Jose Mercury News

scott — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 18:15:03 GMT

http://origin.mercurynews.com/entertainment/ci_5657657

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Contra Dancing on April 29--Breaking in the Hall

Joyce — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 02:04:03 GMT

Contra Dancing with Anne Goess on fiddle, Art Peterson on accordion, and Debra Tayleur on piano. Callers Ken Olcott and Karen Fontana. April 29, Sunday, 4-7 p.m., 1808 B Street, Hayward, CA. $8 or pay what you can. Directions--I580 to Center Street in Castro Valley. Drive south 1 mile. For info--www.downhomedancing.org.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Free contra dance in SF 4/21, Free English dance in Berkeley 4/25

Alan — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 23:53:06 GMT

BACDS www.bacds.org is participating in the Bay Area National Dance Week, which promotes
dancing of all types in the Bay Area.

We're offering two introductory dances, which are free, and if you attend the whole introductory dance,
you can come to the regular dance that follows for free, even if you're a regular dancer.
(Unlike our usual half-hour orientation, these are hour-plus mini-workshops and can give you a solid
footing for your first night.)

For each night, the introductory dance has the same caller and band as the regular
dance. Show up early, meet new people, have fun!

And bring your previously non-dancing friends! (Or tell people from work about
it, or whatever.)

No partner or previous experience required!

About BACDS dance events: www.bacds.org/newcomers

Here's the contra dance deal:

Saturday, April 21, _6:15-7:45: SPECIAL FREE SAN FRANCISCO CONTRA INTRO
8:00-11:00 REGULAR CONTRA DANCE (Free with class, ordinarily $10)
http://www.bacds.org/series/contra/san_francisco/
St. Paul's Church, 43d and Judah in San Francisco
FREE! An introduction to Contra Dancing Class for Bay Area National Dance
Week, with live music; Dancers who attend the entire free workshop will
also receive free admission to the regular dance following with the same
band and caller. Get 4.5 hours of contra dancing for free! And this is
a great time to bring your non-dancing friends!
with caller Susan Petrick (in town from Reno)
and music by W. B. Reid (Seattle), Kathrine Gardner, Craig Johnson

Here's the English dance deal:

Wednesday, April 25, 6:30-7:45 pm: SPECIAL FREE BERKELEY ENGLISH INTRO
8-10:30pm: REGULAR ENGLISH DANCE (Free with class, ordinarily $9)

http://www.bacds.org/series/english/berkeley_wed/
Grace North Church, 2138 Cedar St. (near Oxford), Berkeley
with caller David Newitt
Music by The Figments
(Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (Brattleboro, VT), Anna Patton (Brattleboro),
Owen Morrison (Nashville, TN))
FREE! An introduction to English Country Dance Class for Bay Area National
Dance Week, with live music. Dancers who attend the entire free workshop will
receive free admission to the regular dance following, with the same band and
caller. The Figments toured here last year, and they're a terrific,
energetic band of 20somethings who'll get your feet moving.

Please help to get the word out!

-- Alan

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Waltzing to different music: Advanced Tickets Available for PEERS' Sleeping Beauty Christening Ball.

Prue — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 22:37:32 GMT

Avalon Rising, with our own, our very, very own, Cat Taylor.

$15 advance tickets are available until April 28th, and may be purchased by going to
peers.org/beauty.html
and clicking the PayPal link,

OR send check or money order to

PEERS
2144 B Buena Vista Ave
Alameda CA 94501

May 5th: PEERS' Sleeping Beauty Christening Ball
A Faery Tale Masquerade Ball

Saturday, May 5, 2007
Masonic Lodge of San Mateo
Doors Open: 6:45p.m.
Dance Lesson: 7:00 p.m.
Dancing Begins: 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15.00 in advance (by April 28)
At the door: $20.00

Don't miss this magical May ball in honour of her royal highness the
Princess Aurora, the kingdom's long-awaited heiress. Fairy, fairy
tale, or fantasy costume is admired, not required and historical or
semi-historical costume (Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Regency,
Victorian, or Pre-Raphaelite) or modern evening dress is also
welcome. Masks and wings are optional. In the interest of dancing,
our fairies may want to avoid anything with a huge wingspan, but our
guests' creativity is encouraged.

PEERS is honoured to present one of the world's most glorious Celtic
Fusion rock bands - Avalon Rising - as our featured band, playing waltzes, polkas, jigs, reels,
country dances, and both traditional and original music for an evening of
both vintage ballroom dancing and free-style dancing. Some of the
dances will be highly structured (and will be briefly taught or
called at the ball) but there will be a number of dances in which the
guests may exercise their creativity. It's not uncommon to have a
polka, an Irish reel-athon or polka set, Swing and free-style rock
going on at the same time on the dance floor to the very same tune at
our fantasy and fairy tale balls! For a sneak preview of the
evening's magical music, we highly recommend any and all of
Avalon Rising's currently
available CD's.

Please see the band's website for more information:
www.flowinglass.com/avalon/

There will be both musical and dance performances and DJ dance music
at intermission. To sustain us through such a vigorous evening of
dancing, their Majesties will be serving a semi-period buffet of
sweets and savories. Gifts for the Princess and potluck contributions
to the buffet are also admired, not required.
peers.org/beauty.html

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Barn Dance in Oakland, 4/27

Alan — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 21:26:24 GMT

Want to try an easy, bouncy community dance style that doesn't need
costumes? English Ceilidh ("kaylee" or barn dancing ) dancing is simple
enough for children and drunks, yet rewarding fun for dancers.

(If you enjoy "Strip the Willow" and "Roger de Coverley" at Gaskells, come to one of
these barn dances; that's the level of complexity barn dancing is about.)

There'll be a lot of set dances like those, and a sprinkling of waltz / polka / schottische
kinds of dances; if you only want to do couple dancing, this isn't a good choice for you,
but if you enjoy community dancing, it's a lot of fun.

No lessons needed. Leader Erik Hoffman will tell you what to do, clearly and simply.
Erik is a very competent and relaxed dance leader who always helps you have a good
time.

www.liveavatar.com/ceilidh

The band is Across The Pond (Dick Bagwell, Alan Loughead, Jody and Colette Veahman).
They're deeply interested in the English folk tradition, and will be playing tunes from the English countryside -
polkas, reels, waltzes, and a few jigs. This is the traditional rural style of England, not the Victorian ballroom
sound of Brassworks.

Members of Across The Pond play for Deer Creek Morris and Bufflehead Morris. They'll give punchy,
driving, highly danceable tunes that get your heart rate up. You may have heard Jody and Colette
as part of Paddy West's at Dickens.

Next Friday, April 27th, at Humanist Hall in Oakland, 8:00 pm.
(Keep reading for details)

Contact: Vanessa Schnatmeier, vanessa@moocow.com

Community dance (also called "barn dance" or "ceilidh") is a dance style
from Great Britain that lets you dance not just with your partner of the
moment but with an entire room of happy people. Erik Hoffman will lead
the dancing, with live music from the Berkeley band Across The Pond.
Comfortable waltzes and easy group dances. Beginners welcome, all dances
taught and called, casual dress -- wear comfortable shoes. You don't need
to bring a partner. Dancing accessible for children 8 years old and over.
Admission $10, $5 for students/low-income/kids. Family and group discounts
available.

When: Friday, April 27th, 8 p.m.
What: Community Dance Party
Who: Erik Hoffman, performing with the band Across the Pond
Where: Humanist Hall, 390 27th Street, Oakland, CA 94
Info: 650-365-2913, www.liveavatar.com/ceilidh

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Article in "San Jose Mercury News"

gotrhythm — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 16:38:21 GMT

Today's "San Jose Mercury News" has an article about Friday Night Waltz, "Bay Area couples waltz the night away", with some photographs and video from August.

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_5657657

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 2 replies

this sat, in oakland, n'est pas?

Promise74 — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 18:40:00 GMT

I was planning on going, still happening, yes?

Thanks~

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 1 reply

late notice east bay ride?

brookswift — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 19:20:27 GMT

anyone going to FNW from the east bay? my usual rides aren't going down this week and it's been quite a while since I've been down to FNW. either post here or give me a call at 510-499-8196. thanks.

|christophe

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 2 replies

Joan Walton teaches Waltz frame, style and musicality Friday Night Waltz March 2

scott — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 19:35:32 GMT

7pm - Waltz: Frame, Style and Musicality - This class covers topics that help
newer dancers look more like Intermediate dancers. We'll cover all kinds of
waltzing, including footwork, knowing when to start dancing, signalling
to/interpreting from a partner which style you're going to do, posture, and
other helpful issues.

8pm - ROTARY AND REVERSE - Fine-tune your clockwise and counter-clockwise
turning waltzes, including variations for each type. Rotary/Clockwise waltz
was invented first; the Counterclockwise waltz was introduced in the late 19th
Century, and is sometimes called the Viennese Waltz.

Sam Simmons is back again as tonight's DJ. Waltz and polka music from 9pm to midnight.

Friday Night Waltz
March 2

Tom Hill teaches an introductory waltz class from 7 to 9 pm in the downstairs room. To get the most from this class, try to start at 7pm. Excellent first time class.

$11 for both the classes and the dance. $8 for just the dance. No partner necessary. All Ages. Casual comfortable attire

First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, CA. Upstairs, Fellowship hall, entrance on right of couryard, facing away from street.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 3 replies

Waltzes, polkas, schottisches and (mostly) set dances in Oakland 2/23

Alan — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 03:18:33 GMT

So Friday Night waltz isn't doing an event on Friday, February 23d?
Come out and have fun at a community dance at Humanist Hall!

Alan Winston will call and Across the Pond (Dick Bagwell, Alan Lochhead,
Jody and Colette Veahman) will play for an evening of community dancing.

The dances will be the same kind of set dance that you get at Gaskell (and
we may do Strip the Willow or Roger de Coverly, but also other easy dances
you probably haven't seen, like Nottingham Swing or Demon's Rant.)

No brainbenders, and these dances will typically run fairly short - you're not
stuck with your set for fifteen minutes.

There'll be some polkas and waltzes and schottisches interspersed, but it's
not like Gaskell with one set dance to 8 couple dances; there's lots of set
dances. Many of the dances are Victorian in origin but this is a modern day event -
wear comfortable clothes and danceable shoes.

See the flyer: http://www.liveavatar.com/ceilidh

The band is Across The Pond. They're deeply interested in the English
folk tradition, and will be playing tunes from the English countryside -
polkas, reels, waltzes, and a few jigs. Members of Across The Pond play for
Deer Creek Morris and Bufflehead Morris. They'll give punchy, driving tunes
that get your heart rate up.

Caller Alan Winston has 20 years of experience, and has presented classes in the
Bay Area for Friday Night Waltz, PEERS, BAERS, BACDS, NBCDS, the Free Folk Festival,
the Jane Austen Society, and many others. In 2006 he did an East Coast tour that
included leading workshops, dances, and balls in Wiliamsburg, VA, Baltimore, Princeton NJ,
New Haven, and Concord. He leads barn dances, English country dances, contra dances,
Regency dances, Early American, Early California, English sequence dances, and other
forms. Concise and good-humored, he'll teach the dances briskly and let you enjoy the
music.

Next Friday, February 23d, at Humanist Hall in Oakland, 8:00 pm.
(Keep reading for details)

Community dance (also called "barn dance" or "ceilidh") is a dance style
from Great Britain that lets you dance not just with your partner of the
moment but with an entire room of happy people. Alan Winston will lead
the dancing, with live music from the Berkeley band Across The Pond.
Comfortable waltzes and easy group dances. Beginners welcome, all dances
taught and called, casual dress -- wear comfortable shoes. You don't need
to bring a partner. Dancing accessible for children 8 years old and over.
Admission $10, $5 for students/low-income/kids. Family and group discounts
available.

When: Friday, February 23rd, 8 p.m.
What: Community Dance Party
Who: Alan Winston, performing with the band Across the Pond
Where: Humanist Hall, 390 27th Street, Oakland, CA 94
Info: 650-365-2913, http://www.liveavatar.com/ceilidh

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 6 replies

Found jacket at last FNW (P.A.)

Tom — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 21:28:38 GMT

Black, "Claiborne". You can pick it up friday.

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Cyprians' Ball (waltz and set dances) - this Saturday, 2/17, San Mateo

Alan — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 02:29:27 GMT

The Bay Area English Regency Society (BAERS)
< www.baers.org >
is pleased to present the Cyprians' Ball
on SATURDAY, February 17, 2007 in San Mateo.

Don't miss this year's best chance for flirtatious country dances and
scandalous waltzes -- everything taught and called by dancing master Alan
Winston with music by the Divertimento Dance Orchestra under the direction of
James Langdell.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2007

at the

SAN MATEO MASONIC LODGE
(San Mateo)
100 N. Ellsworth, at Tilton

Doors open 7:30

The ball starts with "Congress of Vienna" at 8:00
$15 in advance (by 2/14)
$20 at the door

Scandalous early-1800s costume - the era of "Pride and Prejudice" - admired
but not required. (Dress festively - it's a ball!) No partner required.

There'll be a mix of easy, flirtatious English country dances and a dozen free waltzes, plus
"An Easy Competence" (taught) and "Congress of Vienna) twice.

BAERS balls require no prior experience. (Admittedly, if you don't know how to
waltz, you can't do the waltzes. But the English dances are taught from
scratch, and range from easy to *really* easy.)

If you're an experienced English dancer, expect no challenges, but enjoy easy,
flirtatious, flowing dances with people who are happy to be there. These
are very suitable evenings to which to bring previously non-dancing friends.

For more information, call 650/365-2913, 510/465-0533, or visit
www.baers.org (where you can download a registration form)

Directions: From Highway 101, exit at 3d Avenue. Go west on 3d, turn right
at N. Ellsworth. The temple is at the corner of N. Ellsworth and Tilton.

(Note: "The Cyprian" was a Regency nickname for Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, who
was associated with the island of Cyprus. Cyprians, then, were devotees of
Aphrodite; in other words, courtesans, who held an annual ball to shop for new
"protectors" who could keep them in good style. So there's an extra degree of
flirtatiousness at the Cyprians' Ball.)

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 0 replies

Great Night Saturday

dancecardfilled — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 17:23:06 GMT

Lots of people in one space, but I wouldn't have missed the "Sing It Yourself" Congress for the world!

posted in Friday Night Waltz - 14 replies

Friday Night Waltz's topics - tribe.net

Flemish mazurka videos

Waltz Party- Thurs. Nov 19, 8:00-10:00p.m. with Silver Strings Mandolin Ensemble

Halloween dance - Fri Oct 23 Friday Night Waltz

THE 16TH ANNUAL LE BAL DES VAMPIRES

Gold Rush Days Photos Posted 2009

Another waltz opportunity with live music at the Oakland Veterans Memorial Grand Ballroom

Friday Night Waltz all Fridays

Dancers Needed!

Seeking Governor's Mansion Dancer

THE SECRET AGENTS' BALL - Saturday, June 6

THE UNSEEN UNIVERSITY BALL - Saturday, May 2

BayCeltic pictures finally up

Bay Celtic Music and Dance Festival Sat Feb 21 Oakland Veterans Hall

Scarlet Pimpernel Ball - Advance Bargain Tickets Are Still Available!

Contra + Waltz with band KGB with Richard Powers at Friday Night Waltz Sat Jan 10

Over the Rainbow pictures

Carpool from the peninsula to the New Year's Eve Ball in Berkeley

THE DICKENS FAIR REUNION BALL: Saturday, January 3

FNW moving for December 5th ONLY

"Dance of the Seven Veils"

"Over the Rainbow" garb ...

FIFTEENTH ANNUAL LE BAL DES VAMPIRES - Saturday, November 1

Wednesday Night Hop - Hot Club SF - Richard Powers teaching swing-waltz

Men needed for Nutcracker

tribe is dying. sign up on Friday Night Waltz email list

Tropical?

SPACE 1889: A VICTORIAN STEAMPUNK BALL - Saturday, September 6

Ride from near Berkeley to FNW?

brassworks at Friday Night Waltz Oakland Veterans Hall Sat July 26

FREE PEERS EVENT: The Impressionists' Picnic Dance, Saturday, August 2

EMERALD CITY BALL - SATURDAY, JULY 5 (FUN UPDATES)

BAERS Great Regency Shipwreck Ball - June 21, 2008, Kensington, CA

Palo Alto Resident Seeks Regular carpool to Alameda and Oakland FNW!!!!

Barn dance (waltz/polka set-dance) in Oakland 5/30, 7:00 pm - beginner-friendly

GONE WITH THE WIND BALL

For those of us that are heavy sweaters

After FNW why not stop by Swing Goth's Embrace

Ride Request (Berkeley to Palo Alto, No ride back)

Pictures

Stan Isaacs teaching at FNW this friday!

CHICAGO ALL-THAT-JAZZ BALL WITH LEE PRESSON & THE NAILS

Music Video help?

New West Coast Swing tribe!!!!

ROYAL DEBUTANTE BALL - Saturday, April 5

Richard Powers teaches One Step and New Waltz Variations Friday Night Waltz Feb 15

ride request from Palo Alto FNW this Friday (Feb 15th) to Noe Valley, SF

Country dance and waltz with the courtesans of Regency-era London : February 16, 2008, San Mateo, California

SALE AT DARK GARDEN UNIQUE CORSETRY

Theatrical film clips of line dances

Winter Solstice Waltz: Carpool from Berkeley

Joan Walton Teaching & John Bauer DJing tonight

Barn dance (waltz, easy country dances) with musicians from Bangers & Mash: Oakland, 10/26, Humanist Hall

I'm teaching at FNW this Saturday!

I'm teaching at FNW this Friday!

Stolen car and more -- June 9 Oakland FNW (very long)

Display iTunes info in a web page.

More pictures posted...

The FNW Anniversary Address ...

Share Ride to/from Ceilidh Alameda from Mt. View area

Dancing at Burning Man?

Need some assistance.

Persephone djing and teaching at Social Sampler/Multi Dance this Saturday July 28

Shoe lost at July 20th FNW

This Friday's my birthday . . .

Pictures from 7/6

Barn dance (waltz / polka /schottische / easy set dances / live music) in Oakland, Friday 6/22

San Francisco Free Folk Festival this weekend June 15,16 City College

local contra dancing and English country dancing events

Newport Vintage Dance Week August 6 to August 12

Los Angeles Vintage dance group: Social Daunce Irregulars

Los Angeles historical and vintage dance events

Stanford Waltz WEEKEND June 22 - June 24

Peers Free daytime dance party Pride and Prejudice picnind August 4

Richard Powers teaches Zwiefacher, Samba Friday Night Waltz June 15

Live band at Palo Alto Friday Night Waltz?

contra + waltz FNW Saturday June 9 Oakland Veterans Hall

ride from the east bay?

Pictures from FNW 5/18

We need someone to teach a waltz this weekend!

Free contra dance in SF 4/21, Free English dance in Berkeley 4/25