Dominic Gruetzmacher and four squares of dedicated dancers will be performing a special exhibition dance.  Two of the squares will be dancing the calls as expected.  The other two squares will perform the moves in a mirror image.  The result is a lovely kaleidoscope of reflective color and elegant symmetrical movement.  This is a demonstration that you will want to see in person. 

To see a sample of this technique visit http://brickvibedesigns.com/reflections/

then choose “Kaliedoscope” from the drop down menu.

New dancers are vital to both the continued growth of square dancing and our convention.  The 59^th Convention is doing something unique to assure that new dancers have a successful, fun and exciting experience. A few sessions in the Commons area will be dedicated to new dancers and those using the Club 50 calls.  These sessions are in addition to those in the regular Mainstream hall and the workshop session.  If you are a new or just graduated dancer this is a great opportunity to ease into the convention experience.

Thanks to the registrations taken at the Westport Squares’ Whistle Stop dance at Madison’s Maple Bluff Community Center, convention registration is at 412 dancers. We thank the Westport Squares for a great turnout and outstanding registration effort, as well as a very good time.  41 callers, 13 cuers, two Contra callers and four line dance instructors are on board.  Time is passing quickly.  If you don’t want to be left behind at the station, you’ll want to get your ticket now.

Showcase of Ideas Chairs Bob Dahnert and Barb Gugle are pleased to announce continued incentive to encourage this year’s display of ideas.  To encourage the exchange of square dance promotion ideas, Here ‘Tis is generously offering free advertising prizes in its well-known publication for dancers, clubs and organizations.  Showcase of Ideas displays will be impartially judged with awards going to those depicting the best square dance promotion ideas.  The first prize winner receives a full page ad, the second prize winner a half page ad and the third a quarter page ad.  Winners will arrange placement of their free advertising in a future issue with Here ‘Tis.

To reserve a display table, visit this link and submit your request by June 1, 2018

http://wisquaredanceconvention.org/showcase_of_ideas_form.pdf

Sadly, each year we lose square and round dancers and promoters as they pass away. To remember those we’ve lost, the Showcase of Ideas will have a memorial display table for clubs to honor anyone that they choose.  Any items that you wish to exhibit to honor departed dancers may be placed on the memorial table.

All Showcase of Ideas displays should be brought to the convention site on Thursday or Friday to be ready for viewing before the convention begins on Friday afternoon.  Please take your display home with you on Sunday afternoon.

Donate any of your unneeded, “vintage”, too small or too big square dance duds to a great cause. The youth committee has been raising funds all year by reselling donated square dance clothing.  This work supports the prizes, snacks and the special activities.  If you’d like to keep this unique effort going forward to help support youth activities at the next convention, bring any of your used, but unneeded square dance outfits to the Youth Hall at the convention.  If you donate it there, it becomes a gift that keeps on giving.

The Convention planners have noticed how many people have embraced reusable water bottles.  In the interest of environmental concerns, we ask that dancers bring their own water bottles to the convention.  There are bubblers and water bottle fillers available onsite.  Unusual bottles are a great conversation starter.

Of course, if you forget your bottle the bubblers still work for you. There will also be bottled water for purchase.

The Convention Committee encourages all square dance clubs to continue holding their own special Whistle Stop registration dance for the 2018 convention.Let’s see which clubs and areas can register the most dancers at their special registration dance! Here’s a bit of incentive.Any club registering 10 or more dancers may award one free three day registration to a dancer registering at the Whistle Stop.That’s a $46 value.To get a supply of registration forms and Marshfield information, please contact our Registration Chair, Barb Oelke at [email protected] or 715-574-3246.   

Your help allows us to concentrate on the local details.  If you have any questions about registering, please let us know. 

The Diary Trifecta Tour is sold out.  However, if you are still interested we are accepting names for a waiting list.  If you wish to do that, add the tour to your registration and send a separate check for a waiting list spot on the tour with your registration.  We will hold your tour waiting list check and return it to you, if we aren’t able to get you on the bus.

For those registering by mail who would like to receive a printed receipt, please enclose a return self-addressed stamped envelope with your registration.

A number of raffles and silent auction items will be available at the convention.  These special fundraising opportunities assure that the convention committee can cover the costs.  These items will be available for viewing, bidding and/or raffle at the convention.  If you’d like to contribute items for raffle or auction, see the flyer below. 

If you have a question or concern, chances are that someone else does, too.  If you’d like to see your question answered in an upcoming newsletter, please contact Publicity Chair, Lori Belongia at [email protected]

We’ll be glad to get an answer for you and put it into an upcoming newsletter.