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When In Doubt, SWING! (WIDS)
Contra Dance Weekend
Dallas, Texas, April 24-26, 2026


Will Mentor
Will Mentor
Caller
The Figments
Figments
Owen Morrison (Guitar)
Ben Schreiber (Fiddle)
Anna Patton (Clarinet)

Will Mentor is a contra and square dance caller from Northern Vermont, known for his clear teaching, upbeat wit, and relaxed stage presence. He loves to choreograph evenings with a variety of dances and tempos that at times surprise and always delight, all the while keeping intact his guiding principle as a caller: "It's about the dancers!"

The Figments are Anna Patton on clarinet, Ben Schreiber on Fiddle, and Owen Morrison on guitar. Besides playing as The Figments, these three are familiar from other bands including Elixir, the Dam Beavers, and the Faux Paws. They incorporate an eclectic mix of styles into their inspired performances of music for dancing or listening. Whether grooving on an Old-time, Irish or French Canadian fiddle tune, trading daring improvisations on a swing number, or exploring the nuances of a graceful waltz or elegant English country dance tune, this trio of versatile musicians makes dynamic, spontaneous, and electrifying music.

WIDS is a fragrance-free event (this includes perfume, smoke, and alcohol).
Your cooperation is appreciated.

LOCATION

SOKOL Athletic Center, 7448 Greenville Ave, 75231
There are two entrances to the SOKOL Hall grounds: the main one on Walnut Hill, and a secondary one on Greenville Avenue.
From Central Expressway (US 75), take Exit 6 for Walnut Hill Lane and go East on Walnut Hill to Greenville Avenue.
Walnut Hill entrance: Continue a very short distance past Greenville Ave, and turn right at the Sokol sign.
Greenville Ave entrance: Turn right on Greenville Ave, and take a left on the first (unmarked) street.
There are parking lots on the West and South sides of the building.
There is also a parking garage next to the Sokol West parking lot ($2 fee, no time limit, enter from the unmarked street that goes to Greenville Ave).

COVID Policy

NTTDS is adopting a trust-the-dancers health policy.
You acknowledge that the close physical contact inherent in contra dancing involves risks, including the transmission of infectious diseases. You accept those risks and take responsibility for your own safety and the safety of others.
We are NOT requiring vaccination or testing. Masks are optional, at your own discretion.

We will have a sign-in sheet for contact tracing purposes.

If you have COVID symptoms or test positive in the week prior to the dance, PLEASE DO NOT COME! We will issue you a refund.

While at the dance, if you begin to have symptoms or test positive, please let the organizers know, and self-quarantine immediately!

If you begin to have symptoms or test positive within a week AFTER the dance, please send an email to the organizers (wids@nttds.org) as soon as possible, so that information may be shared anonymously with all attendees.

Calling Terminology Will will be using the Larks and Robins terminology during the weekend, instead of the more traditional "gents and ladies".
This terminology is based on POSITION instead of GENDER.
There is nothing inherently Male or Female about the dance positions or figures, so why use Gender terminology?
Simply remember that LARK starts with L, same as LEFT, and refers to the person standing on the LEFT in the starting position.
ROBIN starts with the letter R, same as RIGHT, and refers to the person standing on the RIGHT in the starting position.
NOTE: Gender-role-free calling is NOT about switching roles. Everyone dances their preferred role, as usual, just different words are used to describe the figures.
Schedule (tentative)

Friday April 24
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Registration, Sign-In
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Contra Dance, with Will and The Figments

Saturday April 25
9:00 am - 10:00 am Light Breakfast (muffins, etc.)
10:00 am - 12:00 pm Contra Workshop, with Will and Bambi on the Grille
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Lunch, ON YOUR OWN
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm Contra Workshop, with local callers and The Figments
3:15 pm - 4:45 pm Contra, with Will and The Figments
4:45 pm - 8:00 pm Supper, ON YOUR OWN
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Contra Dance, with Will and The Figments
11:00 pm - ??? am Pizza Party, at the dance hall

Sunday April 26
10:00 am - Noon Fabulous Brunch
Noon - 2:00 pm Farewell Contra Dance, with Will and The Figments

Fund Raisers

We are having TWO special fund raisers during the weekend:
a Silent Auction, and a Nearly New and Other Goodies Resale Shop.

Contribute your treasures, collectibles, cool stuff -- art, crafts, jewelry, useful stuff, fun stuff, skirts and other dance items for both our Silent Auction and Nearly New Sale, with all proceeds going to NTTDS.
Bring donations to WIDS on Friday evening, OR bring them to the English Country Dance on April 11 or to the Contra Dance on April 18.

Bid and/or Buy:
Silent Auction: Cash, Checks, and Credit Card will be accepted.
Newly New Sale: Cash Only.

Silent Auction:
We're expecting donated works by local artists, new, vintage and unusual items, jewelry and wonderful craft pieces.
Bidding starts Friday evening, and ends Saturday night at the break, when high bids will be announced and winners will claim their new favorite possessions!
Contact: Dwight - dwibdwib@gmail.com

Nearly New & Other Goodies Resale Shop:
This will be a skirt/clothing SALE, plus fun, random "buy it now" items.
Items will be full price from Friday evening through the first half of the Saturday night dance. After the Saturday evening break, everything will be 50% off.
Contact: Neva - Neva.Lindell@gmail.com

Cost

Entire Weekend:
Adult: $125 ($15 discount before April 1)
Student (age 13-25): $40
Non-Dancer: $40
Child under 13: FREE
These prices are less than last year!

Individual Sessions: (no pre-registration needed)
Adult
Friday Night: $30,
Saturday Morning: $10;    Saturday Afternoon: $20    Saturday Night: $35 (includes Pizza Party afterwards)
Sunday: $35 (includes fabulous Brunch)
Student (age 13-25): $15 each session (except Sat Morn $10)
Non Dancer: $15 each session (except Sat Morn $10)
Child under 13: FREE

Children under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Registration

Registration is only used for the entire weekend.
Register before April 1 for the early-bird discount (Adults only, does not apply to Students or Non-Dancers).
Registration deadline is midnight Sunday April 19.
After that, just pay at the door. Same prices, you just won't get a custom name tag.
Walk-ins are welcome to attend any or all of the sessions.
 
There are two ways to register:
Use the ONLINE Registration Page    OR    Print, fill out, and mail the Paper PDF Registration Form.

Refunds:  Refunds are available on a case by case basis. Please contact the registrar, or NTTDS via the "More Information" below.

Registrar: Lee Dixon, 5507 Anita Street, Dallas, TX 75206
, 214-725-9575 (cell)

Hospitality:
Zooey, , 903-503-0539 (cell)

More Information:
NTTDS Email , or Phone 972-546-8858
OR Neva Lindell,


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North Texas Traditional Dance Society is a 501(c)(3) organization with registered offices in the State of Texas.
How to contact NTTDS:    972-546-8858    OR       OR    PO Box 820203, Dallas, TX 75382
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