Remembering the Year 2011
TONY TIME

The 2011 inductee into The Order of the Two Left Feet brought panache to the proceedings of Western Star events. Tony wishes all a Happy New Year!

Madhatter Party: Tony's debut as Theme Night host in January.
   
Tony ushered in the Lunar New Year at the February 3 class. Tony played Cupid for the Valentine Party.
In March, Tony was beadazzled for Mardi Gras Party
      
Tony turned Leprechaun for St.Pat's Party
Tony Cottontail at the Easter Party in April
   

Tony celebrated Cinco de Mayo on Mainstream Graduation night
   

Accident prone, nerdy Tony at the Halloween Dance
   

Holiday spirited Tony at the InterClub Social
   

o

Past Homepage Highlights

Previously Published Stories

PREVIOUS WEBSITE EDITIONS
--News Items from July 2011

Pot-Luckers Squared Up

The WSD Mid-Summer Pot Luck hosted by Lorenzo on July 24 included two squares and plenty of good food. (27 seconds)

Tribute Was Held at PLAYLAND
Remembering Richard Tuck

Several of Richard's friends attended the celebration of his life on July 23 at Playland-Not-At-The-Beach in El Cerrito.

In the video clip, dancers outside in the parking lot can be viewed on an indoor table top as projected by the camera obscura. (35 seconds)

If a video clip stalls, click on PAUSE and allow for it to buffer for a few moments, then click on PLAY.

__________________________.

PREVIOUS WEBSITE EDITIONS
--News Items from August 2011

How Steve Spent His Birthday

Steve's birthday on August 29 was the same day that Rich Reel was calling for FCD during the Chase the Rainbow Series; so it was a good opportunity to celebrate. Steve is a former WSD Administrator and is a Lifetime Member of the club.

How Tony Spent His Summer Vacation. Part 1 of a Series.

Recalling that in past eras people would make a day of visiting the cemetery with picnics and music, square dance conventioneers to Atlanta went to Oakland Cemetery and danced near the grave site of Margaret Mitchell. Tony made a pilgrimage to the Sleeping Lion of the Confederacy. VIDEO CLIP: The Mitchell grave; dancing; Tony & the Lion.

August Board Meeting Minutes

John, WSD Secretary, has issued the Minutes of the most recent WSD Board of Directors Meeting. They can be viewed from the Board Page.
[Minutes LINK]

Plus Grads

Tony, Steve and Lewis, pictured with instructor Rich Reel, graduated from the WSD Plus Class on August 18.

Skateboard Squares

The Plus graduation took place in the HMRC Photo Exhibit Room where windows overlook the park. During the dancing, watch for the skate boarders outside the window.

Scenes from the Squarecrow's Ball

The August 20th event with caller Scot Byars was a major success with several squares and many potential dancers trying out the intro tips. Western Star's upcoming beginner class was promoted at the ball.

Ann & John enjoyed the Squarecrow's Ball Nancy arriving at the ball Matt with James
VIDEO CLIP: Dancing in the Dark. Scenes from the Squarecrow's Ball.
MORE VIDEO: The video clip of The Queens Waltz performed at the ball can be viewed on WSD/TV Channel 4 [LINK].

"Sunday Streets"

Sunday Streets on August 14 included square dancing with Caper Cutters caller Jim Osborne.

ABOVE: Cecilia &TonyL, Jane & SteveS, TonyC

VIDEO CLIP: Bill & Sylvia were guests at WSD Plus Class on August 11. Here they are dancing in a square with SteveM and TonyC.

Huntington Square Dance
Circulate S.F. 2011 Video Clips

[Mouse-over and click on group photo to see full-size]

Dancing in Huntington Square on Nob Hill is featured in the video below. Clips of the Mexican Bus Ride with visit to Japan Town, and dancing at Aquatic Park, Alamo Square, and also Civic Center are displayed on the PHOTOS/VIDEO Page [LINK]. Thanks to Rich and Paul for a great day!

When the Devil Comes A-Courtin'
Olde Tymes with Vicki and Andy

FCD's first Chase the Rainbow session of the summer ended the evening with Vicki Woods calling Pickle Up A Doodle-- always a challenge since there is a sudden ROLL PROMENADE quickly followed by a GENTS ROLL BACK. Andy spent an hour work-shopping it at convention before the crowd got it right.
(VIDEO CLIP: 55 seconds)

PREVIOUS WEBSITE EDITIONS
--News Items from September 2011

Harvest Moon Dance
FCD Plus/Advance Event Had Good WSD Representation

At the September 17th dance with caller Vic Cedar, several WSD dancers showed up, including 50/50 winner Steve, and Lewis (pictured with Elise, BELOW).

Handing Over the Wings
New Class Gets New Archangel

At the new term Introduction Session on September 15, Class of 2011 Archangel John posed with new dancer Elissa. Class of 2012 Archangel Steve began his term by welcoming the new students, including Gerard [BELOW LEFT].

Remembering 9/11

            

Beth and Stephanie at the September 11 Opera in the Park-S.F. Civic Observance Commemorating the Tenth Anniversary of 9/11

How Tony Spent His Summer Vacation. Part 4 of a Series.

         
 ABOVE: Atlanta's Finest escorts Tony.
After mounting The Lion of the Confederacy, establishing his reputation as a chick magnet, and re-enacting the Battle of Atlanta while attending his first Square Dance Convention (read of those adventures below), Tony had a heart to heart talk with Officer Dallas. Back at the hotel, Tony learned that square dancing culture embraces a variety of dance forms as he watched the square dancers perform Contra steps to live music. If a video clip stalls, click on PAUSE and allow for it to buffer for a few moments, then click on PLAY.

How Tony Spent His Summer Vacation. Part 3 of a Series.

    
 CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Tony, James & Willie, Steve.

While at the Atlanta Square Dance Convention, Tony and the group on the Fun Badge Tour enjoyed the spectacle of the Atlanta Cyclorama. It is not possible to capture the wonder of the 40 ft. x 360 ft. painting that depicts The Battle of Atlanta in a photograph or on film. The audience members assumed the diorama figures were life size until live spectators were invited to step up to the display.

VIDEO CLIP: Fun Badge Tour visit to the Cyclorama. [20 seconds] If a video clip stalls, click on PAUSE and allow for it to buffer for a few moments, then click on PLAY.

How Tony Spent His Summer Vacation. Part 2 of a Series.

              
ABOVE: Chick Magnet Tony
The Junior National Volleyball Championship athletes were housed at the same hotel as the square dancers during the Atlanta Convention. In a most unusual juxtaposition of dancers, the Volley Ball Girls and the conventioneers enjoyed the ballroom together during the "Leather Tip."
VIDEO CLIP: Perhaps the most joyous combined dance moment ever. Brown-eyed girls and brown-eyed boys. Michael Kellogg (in white fedora) can be seen in the square behind the girls. [69 seconds] If a video clip stalls, click on PAUSE and allow for it to buffer for a few moments, then click on PLAY.

There Was Dancing at Davida's

While the Rec Center was "dark" on September 1, the recently graduated Plus class was invited to dance on Davida's rooftop deck with caller Rich Reel.Thanks to Rich and Davida for providing the class with extra floor time.

PREVIOUS WEBSITE EDITIONS
--News Items from October 2011

Scenes From WSD Fall Dance
Joint Dance on October 29th celebrated Foggy City Dancers 28th Anniversary.

ABOVE: Administrators Gary (WSD) & Steve (FCD) cut the Joint Dance cake.
RIGHT: Nancy of Midnight Squares, posing with caller Ken Ritucci, won the 50/50 raffle. BELOW: Davida as Hitchcock blonde Tippi Hedren, battled The Birds.

This Is Alice

Alice, who has served as an "angel" off and on for the past few months, has joined the club and is now Western Star's newest member. Alice had previously danced with Midnight Squares, belonged to a tap dancing performance group, and is an accomplished round dancer. See the tap dance video clip of a performance in the ballroom at HMRC. Alice is in the center of the back row in the first segment, and also after the fabulous costume change.

Never one to be outdone, and giving Alice a run for the money, Steve performed at the Fall Dance.

        

Erik, the Round Dance cuer for The Western Starlets, posed with the banner at the Fall Dance.

On The Town
"Bad Seeders"

WSD member Marilynn Fowler performed as Rhoda Penmark at the Castro Theater on October 15 in a spoof of The Bad Seed. Steve, who often channels Patty McCormack, congratulated Marilynn after the show.

Caroline of the Crinolines breaks box office records

        
       Caroline and Steve at Circulate San Francisco.
The video featuring Caroline caught up in a swirl of queens, kilts and crinolines is the most popular clip of the season with 100 hits--an impressive record considering a very recent premiere on the WSD Website.

If a video clip stalls, click on PAUSE and allow for it to buffer for a few moments, then click on PLAY.

 

Scenes from Quads Hoedown

James, Caroline, and Capper Cutters caller Jim Osborne at the Hoedown.
The Challenging Plus Hoedown presented by the Stanford Quads in Palo Alto on October 8 included a lot of left-handed calls and unusual formations. A few seconds of easier calls from Rob French and two-step cuer John Flora are included in the video clip. [42 seconds]

Postcard from Lorenzo

        

These pictures are from the Mountain Mix fly-in in Winter Park Colorado: Lorenzo and Rusty in Rocky Mountain National Park; and callers Bronc Wise and Bear Miller with the mountains in the background.

        

New Member: Joe Cherry

In the photo below, WSD staff caller Rich Reel welcomes Joe Cherry into the club on September 22. Joe is also WSD's newest "angel" volunteering to help fill the squares at the Basic/Mainstream class.
            

Annual Member's Meeting
and September Board Meeting Minutes

John, the WSD Secretary, has issued the Minutes of the two meetings held in September. They can be viewed from the Board Page.
[Minutes LINK]

Castro Street Fair C/W Dancing

For the first time in many years, WSD did not have a dance booth at the fair. Instead, some dancers tried out the two-steps and waltzes at the Sundance area. In the video clip, watch for square dancers Mick, Willie & James, and Tony & Steve.

 

How do you spell Y.M.C.A.?

This clip is a bit longer than most that are presented here, but it becomes more comical as it progresses and everyone ends up facing different directions. Watch for good old Sol leading the group, Jane, Bill, Ann, Steve Meyer, and the bemused Willie.

PREVIOUS WEBSITE EDITIONS
--News Items from November 2011

WSD Board of Directors Election Results.

WSD Elections Director Steve Scott announced that 22 club members had voted in the November 17 election. He and Tally Mistress Elise verified that all 6 candidates had been elected. Steve Meyer and Art Bradley (in photo) are now new members on the Board. Four incumbents were re-elected.

Mayor Square

Because WSD does not endorse civic candidates for office, these pictures were held for publication until after the local election. San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee came out from City Hall to "join our square" during Sunday Streets.
Above: WSD Administrator Gary with the mayor.
Below: WSD member Tony (Caper Cutters Vice President), Mayor Lee, and Former WSD Administrator Russ.

Pride Beverage Booth Earnings

Bob, WSD Treasurer, reports that a total of $555 (including tips) was raised for WSD at the beverage booth. Following a year of financial concerns, these earning will help the club to enter 2012 in good shape.
    
Steve, Louis and Bob were among the beverage booth volunteers.

PREVIOUS WEBSITE EDITIONS
--News Items from December 2011

Scenes from WSD Holiday Party

Potluck buffet at the Holiday Party

Holiday Elf with Bad Seed braids interviews Elise

Alice and Atia at WSD Holiday Party

InterClub Holiday Social Dance
$805 raised for All Join Hands

John Kenny (above left) was the host and Steve Meyer (right) represented the Western Star Dancers at the event on December 26.
VIDEO CLIP: A few moments of the dancing. 38 seconds.

Squareoling

Square dancers welcomed the season by dancing to holiday songs along a route through the Castro neighborhood.

Posada at Casa Tomás

Although not a club event, Tomás invited all WSD members and students to this festive event at his home.
Ron, Atia and Elise enjoying Posada.

 

Relay the Reindeer
Moments from the Diablo Dancers Event

        
ABOVE: WSD members Craig and Lorenzo get into the holiday spririt at Relay the Reindeer dance.
VIDEO CLIP: See Santa dance. Hear Deborah yodel.
If a video clip stalls, click on PAUSE and allow for it to buffer for a few moments, then click on PLAY.

............................................................

PREVIOUS WEBSITE EDITIONS

2010 News Items

Items are indexed in reverse chronology. At end of index, scroll down to story by date.

• Web TV Promotes New Class. September 14, 2010

• Plus Class Finishes. September 23, 2010

• Circulate the Golden Gate. August 28, 2010

• Dan Interviews Louis. July 28, 2010

• Dan on Peter's TV Show. July 24, 2010

• Hawaiian Club Night. July 21, 2010

• Medallion Dancers. July 8, 2010

• WSD Members in Androcles June 18, 2010

• Mainstream Grads. May 25, 2010

• Stumptown: CottonEye Joe. May 17, 2010

• WSD Anniversary Dance: Where Were You in '82? March 7, 2010

• New Home: Hello to HMRC. January 5, 2010

Web TV Promotes New WSD Class

September 14, 2010

Click on photo below to jump to the WSD/TV Page and watch John and Marilynn in a special program promoting the upcoming class.

Also now playing on WSD/TV: Dan Smith discusses how square dancing has inspired his art form. Link to WSD/TV Channel 2.

Plus Class Finishes

September 23, 2010

Circulate the Golden Gate

August 28, 2010

CIRCULATE PHOTO & VIDEO GALLERY
For Circulate photos and video clips, go to the Photos Page [LINK].

WSD Member Profile: All About Louis

July 28, 2010

Read about a life with early years in a segregated school juxtaposed to a special Inauguration Day trip to Washington, D.C. [LINK]

Dan & Peter Do Du Fu

July 24, 2010

Dan appeared on Peter's community access TV program, A View for You, to discuss the poetry of Du Fu. View on YouTube.
Part 1 of 3 [LINK].

Hawaiian Club Night

July 21, 2010

The July 21 Hawaiian-Theme Club Night.

The video clip includes moments of Fen calling, Davida twirling, Cliff singing, and David at the piano. Tomás, the Yellow Year inductee into The Order of the Two Left Feet, announced that his selection for the Green Year recipient is Davida. The award is given to a person who brings joy, humor or a special whimsy to the club.

Medallion Dancers

July 8, 2010

At the Chicago Convention, Michael (photo above) was awarded a 10-Year and Felix (below) was awarded a 20-Year Medallion. The video clip shows Bob congratulating Michael, and a few seconds of Felix on the dias; and 20-Year recipient Ed, the Midnight Squares liason to WSD, was the final honoree.
  

Social Scene: Androcles and the Lion

June 18, 2010

WSD members Elise, Cindy, Dan and DavidH were all involved in the SFFCT production of Androcles and the Lion.

Mainstream Class of 2010

May 25, 2010

Link to YouTube to see the blindfold tip celebrating class completion.
[Blindfold Link]

Scenes from
The Stumptown Stomp

May 17, 2010

As seen in the following video clip, WSD's Anniversary Dance caller Eric and Fiesta Club Night caller Michael joined in the fun between tips at the Stomp.

Where Were You in '82?

March 7, 2010

In 1982, some of us were in Western Star's first Mainstream class. On March 6, we celebrated the occasion at our 28th Anniversary Dance, called by club-favorite Eric Henerlau. Here are some video highlights:

Hello HMRC

January 5, 2010

We're up and running at our new class location, the upstairs Dance Studio at Harvey Milk Rec Center (HMRC), 50 Scott Street, at the west end of Duboce Park. Reaction to the new space has been positive, and the parking situation has'nt been bad at all.

We introduced ourselves to the other HMRC folks at the Open House Celebration. See highlights from our demo tip:

 

 

 

Updated Jan. 2012

January Events at WSD