HOW many clubs does Allan belong to, again?
I'm a member of several different clubs, all of which are meaningful to me. Here they are, in the order in which I joined them.
El Camino Reelers (Palo Alto, CA)
ECR is my first and "home" club. I resisted joining square dancing for many years, despite the fact that many of my friends danced. One year, during a march in the San Jose Gay Pride Parade, I experienced a weak moment when Warren & Stewart simultaneously gave me neck and tummy rubs, and I agreed to attend "just one intro night." Me? In a l/g/b/t square dance club populated largely by geeks? Uh-huh. The rest is history. I learned Mainstream through A2 from ECR's club caller, Andy Shore. ECR's class caller is currently Rich Reel. (Plus, Advanced)
Foggy City Dancers (San Francisco, CA)
During my original set of lessons at ECR, our class was encouraged to get more floor time in up in SF at Foggy City. I was a bit nervous about going to another club, but the friendly and open reception from FCD members was calming and wonderful. Foggy City's twice-yearly Mainstream classes and once-yearly Plus classes feed new dancers into many of the other (higher-level) clubs in the area. For that reason - and because after eight years, they're still as warm and friendly as the first night I wandered in there - I make it a point to renew my FCD membership every year. (Mainstream, Plus)
Midnight Squares (San Francisco, CA)
San Francisco's Advanced & Challenge L/G/B/T square dance club. Midnight Squares trains and entertains Advanced and Challenge dancers from all over the Bay Area. Many MNS members also attend PACE. Some years ago, MNS' members used to have a standoffish reputation, but I assure you, that's no longer the case. Midnight's members are friendly as well as being excellent dancers. New members and visitors are very welcome. In 2005, I was surprised to find myself becoming increasingly involved in Midnight Squares' inner workings, and in mid-2006, I took up the job of MNS Caller Coordinator, responsible for booking callers for club nights. (Advanced through C4)
PACE (Concord/Walnut Creek, CA)
PACE (which stands for "Pacific Association of Challenge Enthusiasts") is a "virtual club" comprised of Challenge-level dancers from all over Northern California, who gather once a month to dance to a favorite caller they've flown in for the weekend. PACE weekends begin on Friday evening, and run through Sunday evening. This is a mixed group, with both straight and L/G/B/T dancers. Singles are welcome. (C1 through C4)
Squares Across The Border (Vancouver, BC)
Many years ago, under doctor's orders, I was forced to take a vacation. On such short notice, my travel agent plopped me down in Vancouver, BC, which became one of my favorite cities in North America. On a subsequent trip, I stopped in to a Squares Across The Border club night, and returned the following November for their annual fly-in. Now, I generally spend at least a week to ten days in Vancouver every November, attending their fly-in and relaxing with my North of the Border family. My partner, Randy, and I intend to retire to Vancouver some day. (Basic through C2)
Chi-Town Squares (Chicago, IL)
When my father died quite suddenly in early 2001, I found myself spending a great deal of time in Chicago. I decided to check out Chi-Town Squares, whose members I'd only danced with at Convention and fly-ins. Everyone in the club was gracious, friendly, and welcomed me very warmly. I was so touched by the support they offered me during that difficult time, that I joined the club - and I've never regretted it for an instant. I've called guest tips at the last few Chi-Town "Crossfire" fly-ins, and recently volunteered to write the Fun Badge Tour script for their IAGSDC Convention in 2010. (Mainstream through C1)
Content © Allan Hurst 1995-2003 - Updated 07 September 2006