What Is New In Edmonton Square Dancing

SQUARE DANCING NEWS

Convention 2009 Confirmed. The 2009 Convention will be sponsored by the EDSDA.

Convention 2009 Cancelled. Because the Edmonton Organizing Committee wants to limit the number of callers and pay for two out of province callers, the Alberta Association has decided to not hold a Convention in 2009. The Labour Day Weekend will instead see a Square and Round Dance Jamboree.

Jamboree at the Fort
All Alberta will gather for the 2009 Labour Day Weekend at Fort Saskatchewan
The EDSDA is hosting next years Alberta Wide Party – Get In Line for 2009
Read the latest Chair Couple Report
Brochure (front) Brochure (back) Simply left click to view or right click on the link and save

Next Dancers Meeting February 08, 2009 2 pm St. Peter’s Church Hall 11035 127 St

80th Birthday – Norma Halowski, Vi Holts, Al Holts, Auddie Taylor, Judy Christie (Williams)

95^th Birthday – Madeline Romanchuk

55 Anniversary – Herb and Audrey Rinas

50th Anniversary – Al and Marion McKort

Alberta Sage Award for community building – Harold Shaw

Alberta Rose Award- Fern Willis & Ken Crighton

Presidents Report January 10, 2009

As I reflect back on the 2008 Square Dance year I see many positives for 2009. Jamboree 2009 at Fort Saskatchewan September 4, 5, 6 & 7, 2009 is moving forward with approximately 140 registrations sold by Christmas and a ribbon dance planned for Calgary on Saturday January 31, 2009 at Calgary and district dance. Come, join us and have some fun at this and another ribbon dance in Edmonton in the spring. There is also a good possibility of a dance on Wednesday, June 17 with Jerry Jestin calling if a hall can be found. Watch for further information soon. We have a immediate need for some new people to let their names stand for positions on the EDSDA Executive. As of now we need to fill Vice President, Social Convenor & Dance Directors and there are others who have informed us this is their last year. I trust that everyone is looking at this year as a year to look forward to positives that make Square Dancing a enjoyable activity for all. As I enter my last year as president of EDSDA it is my ongoing commitment to look at my duties with the question is this what is best for Square Dancing. Dorothy & I continue to attend many 80th birthday & 50th anniversaries. We trust that everyone had a great Christmas and wish all our dancers, callers & cuers a Joyous and Prosperous New Year. See you across the dance floor.

Murray & Dorothy Framingham

President Couple

EDSDA

Past Presidents Report

Now that the Christmas and New Year holidays are behind us, it is time to once again focus on our favourite activity, square dancing.

Dances have been fairly well attended and we have heard some creative ideas for recruiting new dancers. The EDSDA executive members have all been doing our part to promote the friendship,fun and social aspects of square dancing to anyone who will listen.

Our major problem seems to be within our own community. This organization is YOURS and it takes input from all dancers to keep the activity moving forward. We, the elected members of the executive committee, have put a lot of time and effort into doing what we feel is best for square dancing BUT we need the help and support of the general membership to carry on.

Elections must be held every year at the Annual General Meeting and it is imperative that new people step forward to take some ownership in the organization. With new board members come new ideas, new ideas that will help to promote and hopefully revitalize the activity in this area.

Please take time to consider how you can help and do your part for the betterment of square dancing.

Fern and Ken Crighton

Jamboree 09 is moving forward with a lot of excitement and enthusiasm. The Jamboree 09 committee is promoting with their focus being on the dancers.

The committee consists of 24 dancers who are sold on square dancing and want to make a difference.

With participation dropping at conventions over the past number of years the committee felt changes were necessary. We decided to make a couple of major changes.

We think these two changes will have a huge impact on the dancers experience for the jamboree weekend.

We have scheduled a caller clinic for all callers in attendance hosted by Jerry and Barry.

We also have three volunteer callers. Gary Winter, Murray Few, and Jerry Pierce to complete our caller line up. Next time you see these guys please thank them for donating their time and talent to make Jamboree 09 a weekend we will remember for a long-long time.

We have not forgotten the round dancers either. The dancers first choice Ron and Donna Baba will be the round dance cuers for the weekend.

Adel Brewer also a fan favourite has volunteered her time and talent to be the clogging co-ordinator for those who specialize in clogging.

The committee is promoting Jamboree 09 with ribbon dances. A ribbon dance is one where if you wear or purchase a registration at one of these dances your admission will be free to this and all remaining ribbon dances.

Our first ribbon dance was held at the West End Seniors Center with Gary, Murray, and Jerry calling. It was a great success with 12 squares and everyone having a lot of fun. Watch for details on the EDSDA website for our next ribbon dance in the spring with the same three great callers.

The next ribbon dance was held in Red Deer on Nov.22 again very successful with 14 squares attending. We took a full bus of dancers with everyone having a lot of fun. Thanks to the Red Deer Square Dance Club for setting up the Nov.22 ribbon dance in Red Deer.

We have a ribbon dance set up in Calgary on Jan.31 at Foothills Academy 745-37 st. NW. The Calgary dance directors were very helpful in setting up this dance. If you are in or around Calgary on Jan. 31 go have some fun. Don McPeak is the caller and it is a Calgary and District dance.

The last ribbon dance will be held in the spring with Gary, Murray, and Jerry calling at The West End Seniors Center. You do not want to miss this one because it will be a dance to remember. Join us and help promote the sport we all love.

We need your help to make Jamboree 09 the best dance experience in the Edmonton area in memory.

MEMO to ALL Dancers
Please keep in mind that ALL of the E.D.S.D.A. Dances are
now being held at
West Edmonton Seniors Activity Centre
9629 - 176 St.
Edmonton
We ask that ALL dancers carry a pair of soft sole shoes to change to so that we can protect the hardwood floor and keep dancing in this facility for many years to come.

Dancers' Meeting
Sunday, Nov 16, 2008
2:00 P.M.
St. Peter's Church Hall
11035 - 127 St.
Edmonton, AB

If you have comments or suggestions, email the Edmonton District Square Dance Association at edsda@edsda.org