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When In Doubt, SWING! (WIDS)
Contra Dance Weekend
Dallas, Texas, April 26-28, 2024


Wendy Graham
Wendy Graham
Caller
The Gaslight Tinkers
Gaslight Tinkers
Peter Siegel (Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo)
Garrett Sawyer (Bass), Karina Wilson (Fiddle), Joe Fitzpatrick (Drums)

Self-described "dance maniac", Wendy Graham's passion for music, song and dance caught fire on a youth dance tour of Denmark in 1991. Today, Wendy leads English, American, Community, and couples dance (Frankie Manning's Lindy Hop and Latin dances in particular) in her hometown, Durango, Colorado, throughout the country as far away as Alaska, and abroad in England and Denmark. She proudly served on the Country Dance and Song Society (CDSS) board and is a Lifetime Contribution Award committee member. She also served on the Lloyd Shaw Foundation board. Find out where in the world Wendy is via her Facebook page.

The Gaslight Tinkers' blend of global rhythms creates a joyously danceable sound around a core of traditional New England old time and Celtic fiddle music, merging boundless positive energy with melody and song. Since its formation in 2012 the band has lit up the East Coast, the West Coast, and the Caribbean, headlining clubs, dances, and major festivals. Playing what The Valley Advocate describes as "Music that consistently fizzes and pops with unexpected textures and turns", The Gaslight Tinkers' shows are packed with delightful surprises, elated crowds, and exuberant musicianship. African, Caribbean, Funk, Reggae, and Latin grooves meet traditional fiddle music. It's the genre-bending future of the music of the past.
More Info: Gaslight Tinkers web site, and Gaslight Tinkers Facebook page.

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 Wendy has been calling her own style of gender-role-free calling since 2017, using positional terms like partner, neighbor, corner, etc. (but not Larks and Robins).
Her terminology is concise, fluid, and easy to understand. It has been well received across the country.

Wendy will be using her gender-role-free terminology during the WIDS weekend.

NOTE: Gender-role-free calling is not about switching roles. Everyone dances their preferred role, as usual, but different words are used to describe the figures.
Schedule

Friday April 26
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Registration, Sign-In
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Contra Dance, with Wendy and The Gaslight Tinkers

Saturday April 27
9:00 am - 10:00 am Light Breakfast (muffins, etc.)
9:00 am - 9:50 am Callers Workshop with Wendy
10:00 am - 11:45 am Contra Workshop: Wanna Play? Be a Great Partner!, Wendy and The Gaslight Tinkers
11:45 am - 1:30 pm Lunch, ON YOUR OWN
1:30 pm - 2:15 pm Waltz Workshop, Wendy with music by Allison Hicks
2:30 pm - 4:30 pm Callers Workshop Contra, with The Gaslight Tinkers
4:30 pm - 8:00 pm Supper, ON YOUR OWN
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Contra Dance, with Wendy and The Gaslight Tinkers
11:00 pm - ??? am Pizza Party, at the dance hall

Sunday April 28
9:45 am - 11:45 am Open Jam for musicians
10:00 am - Noon Fabulous Brunch
Noon - 2:00 pm Farewell Contra Dance, with Wendy and The Gaslight Tinkers

NTTDS will provide water and snacks throughout the weekend. Soft drinks are available for purchase any time, and beer and wine are available for purchase at the Saturday Night Party.

Workshop Details

Saturday 9 am - Callers Workshop
Are you curious what it takes to call a gender-role-free dance? Would you like to expand and finesse your teaching and calling toolkit? Get hands-on guidance, tips and tools during this highly interactive, participatory class. Everyone is welcome, both budding and seasoned callers will learn something new.
If you want to call during the Callers Workshop Contra session on Saturday afternoon, you must attend this workshop. Bring the dance you intend to call, or one can be provided.
Please RSVP for the Callers Workshop on the Registration Form.

Saturday 10 am - Wanna Play? Be a Great Partner!
Tips for dancing in a safe and ergonomic manner, connecting with the music and your partner, role/partner swap, third wheels, and other fun activities.

Saturday 1:30 pm - Waltz Workshop
Learn Wendy's "30-Second Waltz Lesson" that gets new dancers waltzing quickly. The workshop will then progress to more advanced steps including rotary/turning, etc.

Saturday 2:30 pm - Callers Workshop Contra
Callers who participated in the 9 am Callers Workshop get to strut their stuff with The Gaslight Tinkers! This is only for callers who attended the workshop.

Cost

Entire Weekend:
Adult: $120 ($10 discount before April 1)
Student with ID (age 18+): $50
Non Dancer: $60
Child under 18: FREE

Individual Sessions: (no pre-registration needed)
Adult
   Friday Night: $30,
   Saturday Morning: $15;    Saturday Afternoon: $25
   Saturday Night (includes after party): $30
   Sunday (includes brunch): $30
Student with ID (age 18+): $10 each session
Non Dancer: $15 each session
Child under 18: FREE

Children under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Registration

Registration is now closed. You are welcome to come to any/all of the weekend and pay at the door.

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

More Information:
NTTDS Email , or Phone 972-546-8858
Flier without Registration in PDF format


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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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