EDITION 2
VOLUME 1
HEADLINES VOLUME 1
DOUBLE CLICK Weblinks For MORE! Info On Each Story In This Edition — or — PRINT THIS EDITION — or — VISIT OUR WEBSITE For Full Version At www.GSIInternational.org — or — CALL 704-375-5554 For More Information.
EVENTS UNITED STATES SWEDEN
★
GREAT BRITAIN ★ AUSTRALIA ★ JAPAN ★ GERMANY
Great global news! In the last edition of Square Dancing Today News,
we told you that the spirited little operation which started here in beautiful Charlotte, North Carolina, has now spread from Great Britain to Japan to Australia! Now, that expansion is beginning to show dividends with a dedicated new worldwide effort from Grand Square International. We call it the GSI Caller Education Program. And you wouldn’t believe the response we’re receiving from new or up-and-coming callers around the globe. Our efforts continue in the U.S. with schools at the National Square Dance Convention™ as well as other regional and local seminars. Everyone can participate in this essential and exciting arm of GSI by 1) recommending our programs to those who have interest in becoming a caller or expanding his or her abillities as a caller and 2) contributing what you can to the GSI Caller Education Program (with checks of any denomination made payable to the same, mailed to our offices in Charlotte). You can visit our website or contact us directly for more information. This, fellow dance enthusiasts, is truly a call heard ‘round the world! Read on...
JULY 31ST-AUGUST 1ST, 2009
CHARLOTTE, NC OUR 10TH ANNIVERSARY MARDI GRAS GALA
www.GSIInternational.org S C R O L L D O W N TO N E X T PA G E P L E A S E
SPREADING THE NEWS ABOUT YOUR CLUB
How to start a web
FACEBOOK Club plus other priorities for your club... ™
Five years ago, everyone was talking about using new media—the web, e-mail and text messaging—to promote your club. It was a good idea then, but it’s a GREAT idea now. Here’s why:
exposure for FREE? Right. As with anything else on the web, you’ll have to wade through the pitfalls of extending a simple “hello” to the rest of the world. Admittedly, everyone is not for everyone. But, networking sites are maturing and almost any club or business entity can benefit from the largest sites if our little slice of it is managed correctly. Some to consider, in order of relevance:
GOTTA GET A CLUB WEBSITE
A website was essential then, but now it’s an unavoidable must and—the good news—easier-than-ever and very inexpensive. Plus, you’ll see savings in other areas of marketing and communications almost immediately. It also demonstrates to both prospects and current members alike that this is a commited group. Here are a few quick-start suggestions: 1) Try contacting fellow square dancer, caller and all ’round great gal Patty Greene at www.PKGDesignworks.com. Patty has provided personable service and pro level guidance for GSI and affiliates for our websites for over ten years. It’s likely that Patty can point your club in the right direction quickly and help you get the most out of your site, whatever the budget. 2) Register your domain (www.?) and design your own site, AND host it all in one location with one of the inexpensive and reputable companies listed below. You can visit their home page and do it all from one location— they even have the software you need to build your site as part of your monthly, quarterly or annual package. Plan to invest a reasonable amount of time learning, but you can count on customer support to guide you through the beginning stumbles. www.1and1.com, www.godaddy.com www.jumpline.com TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOCIAL NETWORKING WEBSITES
Where else can you reach prospects from around the world, with 24/7/365
1) www.Facebook.com Pros: Easy to use, very populated, existing square dance clubs to communicate with, FREE, available anywhere around the world. Cons: Expect traffic to your page immediately—not really a negative, but do be prepared to interact and assign individuals from your club to be responsive in order that you get the best results.
2) www.MySpace.com Pros: Fairly easy to use, very populated, existing square dance clubs to communicate with, FREE, you can add music and video FREE. Cons: While MySpace is a wonderful invention, it’s start was marred by negative reports of teens misusing the social network. It is heavily policed at this time, but do be wary of disingen-
THE
4
GOLDEN RULES OF ONLINE PROMOTION
1) Check e-mail and respond to appropriate and relevant inquiries. Dismiss others politely, immediately. 2) Promote the site to square dancespecific sites and exchange links when possible. 3) Update your own site/pages so that visitors will be inspired to visit frequently. 4) Formulate a firm schedule to take care of these activities and don’t vary. It takes time and some thoughtful input to create an online presence. With both, this may just become your club’s biggest asset.
uous offers to join your myspace.com club...simply reply “no, thank you” to anyone that seems out of place in your group. It’s great overall.
3) www.CraigsList.com Pros: Easy to use, very populated, existing square dance clubs to communicate with, FREE, available anywhere around the world. Also gives your club the ability to purchase necessary goods at a potential discount, if somewhat used. Cons: As with any online venture, you’ll have to keep your eyes open and avoid any There are others out there, so have a look around. Also, most importantly, be sure that once you have a website built, and/or a social networking site, that you follow the...
HELP US KEEP SQUARE DANCING ALIVE! PLEASE PARTICIPATE IN THIS ANNUAL NATIONWIDE SURVEY SUPPORT FUNDRAISING
Community Survey Primary Respondent Name (Optional)_____________________________ Please note, your answers are most important to all of us in the square dance community—your identity, while safe, is not necessary. Thank you in advance for participating to the fullest extent.
City (Township, etc.)__________________________ State _______________________________________ ❏ Male ❏ Female Age Group ❏ 18-24 ❏ 25-34 ❏ 35-50 ❏ 51-65 ❏ 66-80 ❏ 81+ Dance Partner (if applicable) ❏ Male ❏ Female Age Group ❏ 18-24 ❏ 25-34 ❏ 35-50 ❏ 51-65 ❏ 66-80 ❏ 81+ Activity History & Participation Years I have participated in Square Dancing (may be off and on) ❏ 1 or less ❏ 1-2 ❏ 2-5 ❏ 5-10 ❏ 10-20 ❏ 20+ If you would like to list # of years ______________ Number of square dances I attend annually
It’s Your Newsletter
TELL US WHAT
YOU’D LIKE
TO SEE EACH ISSUE!
1) National Square Dance Events ❏ Very Interested ❏ Somewhat Interested ❏ Not Interested
8) Dance Hall Decor & Staging ❏ Very Interested ❏ Somewhat Interested ❏ Not Interested
2) Regional & Local Square Dance Events ❏ Very Interested ❏ Somewhat Interested ❏ Not Interested
9) Dance Training ❏ Very Interested ❏ Somewhat Interested ❏ Not Interested
(may be off and on) ❏ 1 or less ❏ 1-2 ❏ 2-5 ❏ 5-10 ❏ 10-20 ❏ 20+ If you would like to list # of dances______________
3) Callerlab Education ❏ Very Interested ❏ Somewhat Interested ❏ Not Interested
Club History
4) Dance Club News ❏ Very Interested ❏ Somewhat Interested ❏ Not Interested
❏ I currently belong to 1 or more active clubs. ❏ I previously belonged to 1 or more active clubs. Family Involvement
❏ I am the only member of my family participating in the activity of square dance. ❏ 2-5 family members participate in this activity. ❏ 6-12 family members participate in this activity. ❏ 13-20 family members participate in this activity. More? Please list number _______________ Local Community Involvement
Estimated Community Members Who Dance ❏ 10-20 ❏ 20-30 ❏ 30-50 ❏ 50-100 ❏ 100+ ❏ More? List ____________________ Amount Spent On This Activity Monthly (average including any annual dances and/or travel)
❏ $10-$50 ❏ $50-$100 ❏ $100-$250 ❏ $500-$1000 ❏ $1000+ ❏ More? List ____________________
5) Club Marketing Tools & Techniques ❏ Very Interested ❏ Somewhat Interested ❏ Not Interested 6) Travel Tips & Savings ❏ Very Interested ❏ Somewhat Interested ❏ Not Interested 7) Square Dance Attire & Accessories ❏ Very Interested ❏ Somewhat Interested ❏ Not Interested
10) Square Dance Classifieds ❏ Very Interested ❏ Somewhat Interested ❏ Not Interested 11) Sponsors & Special Offers For Square Dancers Please check areas of interest.
❏ Health Care ❏ Insurance ❏ Retirement ❏ Hotels & Lodging ❏ Tours ❏ Attractions ❏ Tickets ❏ Dining & Entertainment ❏ Dance CDs, DVDs 12) Special Offers For Square Dance Clubs ❏ Dance Hall Decor ❏ Sound & Lighting ❏ Marketing Support
MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND
The 58th Annual
National
Square Dance ★
CONVENTION
★
WHEN June 24-27, 2009 WHERE Long Beach, California WHO Everyone’s Invited! The Queen Mary is just one of many bright and shining attractions that make Long Beach a gem.
The Waterfront Center of Southern California
L
ong Beach is where the action begins and the fun never ends. From the regal Queen Mary and spectacular Aquarium of the Pacific to stirring Broadway shows, live
music venues and hundreds of exclusive dining destina-
WANT TO GO? See the website below or mail information requests or registration to the following: 58th National Square Dance Convention® P.O. Box 460388 Escondido, CA 92046 WANT MORE INFORMATION?
(858) 395-4202
WANT TO FAX YOUR INFO? FAX to (760) 738-6140 GENERAL CHAIRMAN: RAY & SANDY HUTCHISON 1220 E. CALETA WAY PALM SPRINGS, CA 92262
tions—all centrally located. Airport-close, a brief and pleasant cruise away from Catalina Island and a short distance from Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood and everything Southern California has to offer—Long Beach is the perfect destination!
W W W. V I S I T L O N G B E A C H . C O M
www.58nsdc.com
June 2009
Cambridgeshire, England June 7-11, 2009 just before the GSI United Kingdom Festival in Cambridgeshire,
CALLER SCHOOLS For details anytime visit:
or email info@GSIInternational.org www.GSIIternational.org/CallersSchool
England. In addition to the callers school, this will be the first time a cuer’s program is offered! Be sure to see the flyer on this one. Find it at: www.GSI-England.Co.Uk
Who we are... Grand Square International Grand Square International is a Charlotte, North Carolina based 501 (c) 3 non-profit company, which began with the charge of “Preserving and Protecting, the Great American Heritage of Square Dancing” a decade ago. We’ve accomplished a lot in those ten short years. Here’s a short list of some of the initiatives:
★ Organizers of hundreds of International, National, Regional and Local Square Dances ★ Organizers of Dozens of Free Caller Schools ★ Publishers of Square Dancing Today magazine ★ Publishers of Square Dance News e-newsletter ★ Raised substantial donations for square dance fundraisers and square dance events For more information visit www.GSIInternational.org
CALL
US FOR A FREE BROCHURE AT
1-800-926-8191
For 10 fantastic years Grand Square International has counted on Patty Greene to keep us in touch with square dancers in all 50 states, and dozens of countries all around the globe. In internet years, that’s like, what? Several centuries? If you need a website that works —all of the time, you need look no further.
www.PKGDesignWorks.com
TRIED-AND-TRUE RECIPES FOR SUCCESS
SERVES Eight | MADE IN ABOUT AN Hour
Fancy Fried Chicken 2 cups buttermilk 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 2 1/4 teaspoons salt 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce 8 split bone-in chicken breasts (10 to 12 ounces each), skin removed and ribs trimmed with kitchen shears
Everyone loves fried chicken, right? And you can bet this recipe will be a hit with everyone at the table. It has all of the taste, all of the crunch and a LOT less of the things we don’t need. Perfect!
By The Numbers Traditional Fried Chicken
Calories 552 Fat: 34g Saturated Fat: 10g Oven-Fried Chicken (This Recipe)
Calories: 216
Fat: 9g (Wow!) 1) Whisk buttermilk, mustard, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and hot sauce together in large bowl. Add chicken, turn to coat well, cover, and refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight. 2) Adjust over rack to upper-middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Line rimmed baking sheet with foil, set wire rack on sheet, and coat rack with non-stick cooking spray. 3) Gently toss corn flakes, bread crumbs, remaining 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, remaining 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, poultry seasoning, paprika, and cayenne in shallow dish until combined. Drizzle oil over crumbs and toss until well-coated. Working with one piece at a time, remove chicken from marinade and dredge in crumb mixture, firmly pressing crumbs onto all sides of chicken. Place chicken on prepared rack, leaving 1/2 inch of space between each piece. Bake until chicken is deep golden brown, juices run clear, and instant-read thermometer inserted deep into breast away from bone registers 160 degrees, 35 to 45 minutes.
No Fryer Needed!
WITHOUT the FAT
2 1/2 cups crushed corn flakes 3/4 cup fresh bread crumbs 1/2 teaspoon ground poultry seasoning 1/2 teaspoonpaprika 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 tablespoons vegetable oil Note: Crush corn flakes inside plastic bag. Use rolling pin to break pieces no smaller than 1/2 inch.
Truly, as good as Gold. Benefits for you and your dance partner. And EVERY other square dancer for generations ahead. A minute of your time will insure decades of fellowship and dance in the future. This is our moment.
Give and Receive. Great for YOU—our next MEMBER! Attend five of the finest annual events in the Southeast as a V.I.P. with no registration fees—ever again. Please, come every year! Great for FUTURE GENERATIONS OF SQUARE DANCERS—right now, right away! Ongoing programs are a direct product of Gold Square Lifetime Membership funds. Great for FUTURE GENERATIONS OF SQUARE DANCERS—essential, trained individuals who will exist solely because or your donation. Great for PARTICIPATION & FUNDING —showing strength and continued interest in this great American heritage via a lifetime commitment is a powerful statement—which assists in numerous focused efforts to gain minimal—and sometimes monumental—donations from corporations, funds and individuals in pursuit of preservation. It takes two to tango, but all of us to form a square for everyone to see.
Everyone wins! LIMITED OFFER-$500 PER COUPLE LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP Framed Exclusive Certificate Of Membership V.I.P. Entrance to All GSI Events Below—FREE-Forever Exclusive Embroidered Long-Sleeve Member Shirts Gold Square Partner Lifetime Member Card & Badge Eternal Listing on International Square Dancing Webportal Free Subscription to Square Dance News for Life Exclusive Gold Square Web Page at www.GSIInternational.org
SQUARE DANCING AT IT’S BEST SUPPORTING EACH OTHER AND OUR HERITAGE
Want To Know More? Just Click To See A SUPER-SIZED Ad, With a Handy Link to Each Supportive Vendor’s Company Website. It’s That Easy. Just by clicking on any advertisement in Square Dancing Today NEWS, you’ll immediately launch your web browser (Internet Explorer or other popular internet software) and find an expanded advertisement with additional information on that featured square dance-related vendor. What’s more, once you’re looking at the expanded ad, you’ll see a direct link immediately below the ad which will take you to the vendor’s own website —with just one click! Nothing could be easier. Save editions of SDTNews in a folder on your computer’s hard drive, and ANY TIME you open them, the links will still be available! Forward current or past editions to a friend, and they can click right through as well.
BRINGING SQUARE DANCERS
CLICK NOW!
are best for your school or clinic! CLICK NOW!
T OGETHER
FINALLY, A WORLD DATABASE. NOW, WE’RE CLOSER THAN EVER. We here at Grand Square International have but one single, focused, mission—to keep square dancing alive! Listed below you’ll find like-minded individuals as well as prominent groups from across the U.S. and around the globe. If you’d like access to our full database of clubs, organizations and individuals, please click here: www.GSIInternational.org/TOGETHER If you’d like to add contacts to our growing national/international list, please e-mail us at: KeepSquareDancingAlive@GSIInternational.org Please visit these organizations and support them when and where possible. Thank you.
WORLD
It’s all here...CLICK NOW!
D I R E C T O R Y More info...CLICK NOW!
www.GSIInternational.org
Q U I T E N O TA B L E Learn more...CLICK NOW!
The World’s Largest Square Dance Organization
See Our Programs Today! Click Now!
Join Us! Click for more info...
Classifieds Sell your GOODS or SERVICES in our next issue. Easy, affordable, and right on-target to square dancers worldwide. Call or e-mail us to get started.
Quotes ■ You have all of the characteristics of a popular politician: a horrible voice, bad breeding, and a vulgar manner. Aristophanes (450 BC-388 BC) ■ Now I know what a statesman is; he’s a dead politician. We need more statesmen. Bob Edwards ■ I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians. Charles De Gaulle (1890-1970) ■ Since a politician never believes what he says, he is quite surprised to be taken at his word. Charles De Gaulle (1890-1970) ■ Government is too big and too important to be left to the politicians. Chester Bowles (1901-1986) ■ Under every stone lurks a politician. Aristophanes (450 BC-388 BC)
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Square Dance Outifts & Petticoats Rhythm Creations on the web: www.squaredanceclothes.com Brantley’s West Supply Apparel, jewelry and footwear on the web: www.brantleyswesternsupply.com
A Beautiful Alaskan Cruisetour Complete with Our Favorite Pastime, Of Course. rab your partner July 8th – 20th, and join fellow square dancers and caller Dave Walker for a Do-Sa-Do to an Ocean Wave around a Princess Alaska Cruisetour. Celebrate Alaska’s 50th year of statehood with a vacation that combines the breathtaking views and experiences of this beautiful state with the fun and excitement of square dancing. Friends, family and even non-square dancers will also enjoy this land and sea cruisetour. Dave Walker began his square dance calling career at age 15 and has 50 years of experience, including calling for the Sunset Squares, Merry Mixers, Western Whirlers, Swinging Saguaros, the Green Valley Squares and The Voyager RV Resort in Tucson, AZ where he currently conducts a full program. If you ask Dave what draws him to square dance calling, he will say it’s “the fun of it and the nicest people in the world.” The Do-Sa-Do Alaska cruisetour, an inclusive land and cruise vacation, is offered by Bon Voyage Travel, a leading leisure travel agency which has been providing unique travel experiences—cruises, tours and vacations—for over 30 years. Bon Voyage Travel has over 75 knowledgeable travel consultants who specialize in custom vacation planning. As a top producing Princess Cruises agency in the country, Bon Voyage has been awarded the prestigious Princess Summit Award and has over 30 designated Princess Commodore Specialists. Bon Voyage Travel is a member of the Signature Travel Network. This unique 12-night square dance cruise begins with an aweinspiring 5-night land tour, including two nights in Fairbanks and three nights in Denali National Park. You’ll discover Fairbank’s history and legend as you experience the life of old-time prospectors at the popular
G
and unforgettable El Dorado Gold Mine Tour. Then, you’ll sail aboard the nostalgic Sternwheeler Riverboat Cruise, which includes a stop at an Athabascan village where the crafts people are busy at work. You’re relaxing visit to Denali National Park includes one night at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge SM and two nights at Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness LodgeSM, with its breathtaking views of the mountain. Next, the Princess Rail will take you across the countryside to enjoy Alaska’s majestic wildness and a bit of home-style comfort at Denali Princess Wilderness LodgeSM. And you’re just getting started. You’ll round out your adventure with a 7-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise aboard the Island Princess®. You and your square dance friends and family will sail from Anchorage to Glacier Bay National Park, College Fjord and three of the Inside Passage’s best ports: Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. While aboard, you’ll enjoy all the fun and excitement Princess Cruises is known for. In addition, your host Dave Walker and his wife Ginny will offer exclusive social and square dance activities. Do-Sa-Do to an Ocean Wave is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that is sure to bring together new square dancing friendships and is guaranteed to make memories we promise you’ll never forget. To learn more about this exciting “square dance themed” cruisetour, please contact Terry Oremland of Bon Voyage Travel. Terry has over 20 years experience as a cruise and tour expert and specializes in group cruising for families, incentive travel, civic and church organizations and fundraising cruises. She has extensive experience and great success in organizing and booking themed cruises such as country music, dance, and rock and roll cruises. Terry can be reached at toremland@bvtravel.com.
EVENTS
Our ROOTS A BRIEF HISTORY of
SQUARE DANCING Square dancing, the American Folk Dance, is not an American invention, but is a combination of many dances. Mainly, the Morris dances which were English, yet believed to have originated from the Moors before the year 1450 and French Contras mated to the French ballet.
There are remnants of the minuet, German Landler, Polish Polka, and Austrian Waltz, a variety of quadrilles as well as Schottische, dances of the Mexican court. All of these combinations were danced as one during and before the Revolution of 1776. From the first Colonists, people wandered to parts unknown, taking their customs with them. Dancing and singing, their music can be traced. Thus, you find the Appalachian dance in the American Southwest, Middlewest, Oklahoma, and Texas. In Texas, it took on a two-step, which probably came from Spain by way of Mexico. All of these, with variations, can be considered true square dancing with the addition of the square, or group of 8 people. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ford were dancers and promoted dancing by building a hall with a teak wood floor and hired Ben Lovett to teach and keep records in book form. One young fellow in Colorado, named Lloyd Shaw, read this book and found the full story was not there and id additional research, found in the mining camps and farming communities—a real American folk dance. So enthralled with square dancing, Lloyd Shaw conducted classes. These people taught others in their own communities and set-up classes and clubs.
That’s All Folks!
But there’s plenty more to this edition at www.GSIInternational.org/SDTNews2
World War II caused a movement of people to big cities that hungered for entertainment and found it in Western music and, of course, square dancing. Record companies, seeing the desire of the people, served well and were pleased with profits. The need for organization of the clubs took form in associations. These associations set rules of dress an conduct as well as negotiating for public facilities, such as halls and schools for square dance clubs to dance in. Associations have done a great job of protecting and promoting square dancing at every opportunity. Not to be overlooked are the callers. They are the very important part of what square dancing is today. There are some very fine callers associations that always strive to upgrade square dancing. This is done by introducing new steps, modern music and always keeping dances in mind by holding their interest. One new step is introduced each month. Instead of “turkey in the straw” type music, the music we hear today is played and calls are adapted to it for square dancing. Callers and dancers alike are getting school boards and even colleges to teach square dancing in physical education classes. Believe me, in these times educational administrators welcome and inexpensive approach to exercise of the mind and body that is fun. The answer to that is square dancing. Last, but certainly not least, is Round dancing. Round dancing is perhaps a little more refined type dance that is for the man and woman alone, but done in a large circle of other couples, each doing a set pattern of steps as a couple, very much like ballroom dancers. It is a very beautiful and colorful display that is second to none. When we say “going to a square dance,” it is always automatic to have round dancing every other dance. So with your girl you dance with eight people in a square, then with your gal alone in a round dance. It is small wonder people are becoming enthralled with square dancing because they have a closeness that is rare in most other groups. Where can they get so much for so little, but in square dancing?
Incorporate history into your promotional campaign for new members.
TIP: USE THIS ARTICLE
Look for Square Dancing Today News regularly in your e-mail box. Make copies and post them. KEEP SQUARE DANCING ALIVE!
★ FORWARD THIS TO A FRIEND BEFORE YOU FORGET! ★