tony at hands4.com wrote:
> Hello, calling friends...
>
> This is an invitation to meet the legendary square dance
> caller Rickey Holden, who is making one of his rare trips
> to the States.
>
> Rickey started square and contra dancing in Vermont in the
> 1930s. He attended Ralph Page's Boston dances while
> studying (along with Ted Sannella) at Tufts University. He
> became one of the first full-time callers in the nationwide
> square dance boom, acting as a consultant for the San
> Antonio, TX Recreation Department and eventually traveling
> around the world teaching squares, contras, and
> international folk dances.
>
> Some of you may recognize Rickey's name from his books _The
> Square Dance Caller_ and _The Contra Dance Book_. In the
> 1950s he edited _American Squares_, a national magazine; in
> my opinion Rickey's tenure was the high point of _AS_'s
> long history.
>
> In 1967 Rickey moved to Brussels, Belgium and founded
> Folkraft-Europe, which produces recordings and organizes
> seminars on folk dancing. However, he still claims square
> and contra dance as his first love, and this visit provides
> a rare opportunity to meet and learn from him.
>
> On Friday, September 26, Rickey will be my guest - and do
> some calling - at the first of my Fourth Friday square
> dances in Belmont, Mass. The dance runs from 8 to 11 p.m.
> at Payson Park Church, 365 Belmont Street. Admission is $8
> ($5 for students under 21).
>
> On Saturday morning, September 27, Rickey has agreed to
> meet with local callers and "talk shop." The format is yet
> to be determined. It could be (1) a potluck brunch, with
> Rickey sharing his story followed by Q&A / bull session, or
> (2) a workshop, with actual music and dancing, or (3) both.
>
> Please let me know ASAP if you'd like to attend such a
> gathering, as the number of "yes" replies will affect the
> type of space I need to reserve. In addition to a
> contribution of food (if we go through with the potluck
> idea), I suggest $10 toward Rickey's travel expenses ($20
> if we end up hiring a hall). Your comments and suggestions
> are welcome and valued.
>
> Feel free to pass this invitation along; I'm sure I've
> missed a few people.
>
> Tony Parkes
>
>