May 2026 Presidents’ Letter to HSRDC Club Members
Click this link to see the newsletter with photos: May 2026 HSRDC Presidents’ Letter
April was filled with much fun and many opportunities to learn, dance, and connect. May brings Club graduations, a special wedding reception, and many more opportunities to get out and dance! Remember that the HSRDC website is a valuable source of information to stay up to date on what’s happening with Square Dancing around our area. https://houstonsquaredance.com/
APRIL HIGHLIGHTS
The Saturday Night Square-Off was a fun evening with callers Billy “Box the Gnat” Grimsley representing the 75th NSDC in Waco in 2026, and Dave “Dive Thru” Vieira representing the 77th NSDC in Daytona Beach in 2028. Check out the story here: https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/04/20/75th-vs-77th-saturday-night-square-off/
A big crowd enjoyed good food, fun dancing and great fellowship at the Fairbee’s 69th Anniversary Love Boat Party! Check out the story and photos! https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/04/27/fairbees-the-love-boat-69th-anniversary-dance/
“April Allemande” HSRDC’S annual New Dancer Jamboree was a great success! Mike Bramlett led the afternoon “Funshop” and the evening festivities began with special recognition of new dancers, followed by a Grand March. Thank you to everyone who donated clothes for the Clothing Sale! There was a wonderful selection of ladies and men’s attire to choose from! To see more info and photos, go to https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/04/27/april-allemande-new-dancer-jamboree-was-a-great-success/
Thanks for participating in the Club Visitation Challenge! Congratulations to John Osborn and Sam Behrens who each won $25 in the drawing of completed cards at the HSRDC Second Quarter meeting on April 25!
MAY IS OFF TO A GREAT START!
Hanger Squares “Disco” Jubilee
The Hanger Squares “Disco” Jubilee Dinner and Dance on May 2 with Tim Tyl calling was a blast from the past! Check out the story and photos here: https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/05/05/hanger-squares-disco-jubilee-dinner-and-dance/
Featured Caller for 2026 Houston Hoedown
Dan Preedy, the featured caller for the 2026 Houston Hoedown, recently called at the Hey Lollies and Texas Renegades and the consensus is you won’t want to miss dancing to him at the Hoedown! Mark your calendars now for October 23 and 24! https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/05/05/dan-preedy-2026-houston-hoedown-featured-caller/
Steal the Banner
Steal the Banner Competition, a new twist on an old game, was announced at the HSRDC Second Quarter meeting. Clubs will compete for the most Banners (Certificates) that they can acquire between April 26 and August 16. This will be a great way for dancers to get floor time and meet other dancers in the Houston area. Attending the Saturday afternoon Mainstream Dances at Concordia Lutheran counts as a visitation. To see more info and print the certificate go to https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/04/27/steal-the-banner-competition/
Class Coordinator and Angels for Mainstream Lessons
We are looking for one more Class Coordinator to join Stash Tosio and Mary Lou Kiser at the mainstream lessons on Saturdays from 3:00-4:30pm. Angels especially men are needed for these lessons. Angels and students currently enrolled in area lessons attend free of charge. Please let us know if you are interested in helping!
Saturday Mainstream Dances at Concordia
Saturday Mainstream dances offer a fun and welcoming place for new dancers to practice skills and gain valuable floor time. Join us every Saturday from 4:30–6:00 PM at Concordia with David Bearden for an upbeat and encouraging dance experience. At just $7 per person, the sessions are designed to build confidence while connecting with fellow dancers. These dances also count towards the Steal the Banner Competition! Come early or stay after and peruse the square dance clothing for sale!
Graduations
Many new dancers will be graduating from lessons this month! Let’s give them a warm welcome to our Square Dance Community! Upcoming graduations include Hanger Squares on May 16, Brazos Bottom Belles and Beaus on May 19, Fairbees, Hey Lollies and Tomball Promenaders all on May 28, and Katy Prairie Promenaders on May 29.
Donations Requested for Texas State Festival Auction Basket
HSRDC is putting together a “Chocolate and Coffee Lovers” basket for the auction at the 64th Annual Texas State Federation Square and Round Dance Festival in Longview, June 4-6. We are asking members and Clubs to provide cash donations or items such as a Keurig, coffee pods, mugs, and all varieties of chocolate. We also need six items for the brown bag auction. If you would like to donate some money or an item, please contact Joyce and Mike Peters or give it to your club’s District Director. Donations are due by May 15. If you plan to attend the festival, please note that Early Registration Discount ends Friday, May 15, 2026. https://www.squaredancetx.com/fest_reg_order.html
Preparing for 75th National Square Dance Convention in Waco June 24-27
Is everyone getting excited? It’s only 50 days until the 75th NSDC in Waco! Claudia and Gary Lester and their committee have been working for over three years on this wonderful Jubilee Convention and it is almost here! We need your help to make sure this event is one of the best ever! Volunteer opportunity information will be emailed out in the next few weeks. Please sign up for a few hours during the convention! Your help will be greatly appreciated! https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/04/28/75th-national-square-dance-convention-in-waco-june-24-27/
HSRDC Received 501c3 Non-Profit Designation
After a year-long process, HSRDC received its 501c3 non-profit designation under the United Square Dancers of America (USDA) Group Exemption Program. This designation will extend to the clubs with a few requirements. Club Presidents or Treasurers are encouraged to contact Charles Thornburg for additional information.
Nominations for 2027 HSRDC Officers
Nominations for 2027 HSRDC Officers are due July 15. If you are interested in a leadership role with HSRDC, contact Carol or Charles Thornburg for more information. Elections will be held at the 3rd Quarter meeting on August 16.
LESSONS
Get a Headstart on the New Plus Calls
Tim Ploch’s First Tuesday Series is a great place to learn the new calls that have been added to the Plus list. Bluebonnet Squares and Tomball Promenaders are having lessons on the new plus calls later this year.
Round Dance Lessons
Have you thought about learning to Round Dance? Cha-Cha and Rumba lessons led by Stash Tosio are on Sunday afternoons at Concordia Lutheran Church and Marilyn Waguespack will begin round dance lessons at the Brazos Bottom Belles and Beaus on Tuesdays from 7:00-8:00pm after their current Mainstream classes end.
More information is available on the on the HSRDC calendar at https://houstonsquaredance.com/lessons/
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS AND OTHER DANCE OPPORTUNITIES
Hoedown Kick-Off Dance July 1
Mark your calendars now to attend the 2026 Hoedown Kick-off Dance on Wednesday, July 1 at Concordia Lutheran Church. The theme for this year’s Hoedown is “Dance Around the World” and the kick-off dance caller will be Jaden Frigo, who is from Australia. He is in the U.S. to attend the National Square Dance Convention. Don’t miss this fun event!
Save the Date for these Upcoming Events:
June 4-6, 64th Annual Texas State Federation Square and Round Dance Festival, Longview, TX
June 23, Trails End Dance with Tony Oxendine, 75th National Square Dance Convention, Waco, TX
June 24-27, 75th National Square Dance Convention®, Waco, TX https://75nsdctx.com/
July 1, “Dance Around the World” Houston Hoedown Kick-off Dance with Australian caller Jaden Frigo, Concordia Lutheran
Aug. 16, 3rd Quarter Meeting/Election of 2027 Officers and Scholarship Dance, Vernon Jones, Caller, Concordia
Oct. 23 & 24, “Dance Around the World” Houston Hoedown, with Dan Preedy, Caller, The Ski’s, Round Dance Leaders, Pasadena Convention Center
Nov. 15, 4th Quarter Meeting/Installation of 2027 Officers and Dance, Mike Seastrom, Caller, Concordia Lutheran
See the HSRDC calendar for more information about upcoming dances, lessons, and exhibitions at https://houstonsquaredance.com/calendar/
Keep on dancin’! We look forward to seeing you on the dance floor!
Carol and Charles Thornburg
President@houstonsquaredance.com
P. S. Thank you for joining the HSRDC email list! If you know any dancers who are not receiving the HSRDC emails, please share this link for them to sign up Newsletters – Houston Square Dance or email info@houstonsquaredance.com
Special Invitation
The Brazos Bottom Belles and Beaus invite you to a wedding reception dance
in honor of Paul and Debra LeBlanc who were married on April 25.
Tuesday, May 26, 7:30 p.m.
Faith Sugar Land Church
800 Brooks Street
Sugar Land, TX