HSRDC Club graduations begin this week and there are wonderful opportunities to dance with Jet Roberts, one of square dancing’s best callers. Check out these stories and much more this week! 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/
Don’t Miss Dancing to Jet Roberts this week!
Jet Roberts doesn’t come to Houston very often, but he is here this week to call for the Hey Lollies on Thursday, Katy Prairie Promenaders on Friday, the Texas Renegades on Saturday evening, and at the HSRDC Mainstream Dance on Saturday afternoon. Don’t miss your opportunity to dance with one of the most well-known and respected callers in the activity today. With his smooth singing style, lively personality, and great sense of humor, he will keep you smiling and moving from the very first tip to the last note of the dance. His combines modern music with traditional square dance calls and makes every dance memorable and exciting. We’re delighted to have Jet Roberts in Houston and look forward to some great dancing this week! https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/05/12/dont-miss-dancing-to-jet-roberts-this-week/
Graduations Begin This Week
Many dancers will be graduating from lessons this month! Please try to join these clubs for their graduations to welcome their new dancers into our Square Dance community! Upcoming graduations include Hanger Squares on Saturday, May 16, Brazos Bottom Belles and Beaus on Tuesday, May 19, Fairbees, Hey Lollies and Tomball Promenaders all on Thursday, May 28, and Katy Prairie Promenaders on Friday, May 29. Check the calendar for more information: https://houstonsquaredance.com/calendar/
Deadline for Donations for Texas State Festival Auction Basket is May 15
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 Donna Bowen or your club’s District Director. Donations are due by May 15 please.
Steal the Banner Competition Continues until August 16
Clubs are already acquiring Banners (Certificates) for the Steal the Banner Competition! This is a great way 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/
Décor Team for 75th National Square Dance Convention
The countdown is on for the 75th NSDC in Waco! There is a Décor Team Outing and Lunch this Friday, May 15. If you have an eye for decorating and ideas for making sure our out-of-state guests know they are in Texas, we would love your help! Contact Carol Thornburg hsrdcpresident@gmail.com if you’d like to join us.
Volunteers at the 75th National Square Dance Convention
We need your help to make sure this event is one of the best conventions ever! Volunteer opportunity information will be emailed out in the coming week. Please sign up to work 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/
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!
Clothing Sale at Concordia
Thank you again for donating clothes and accessories for the HSRDC clothing sale. There are still many great items for sale! Come early for the Saturday dance with Jet or stay after and peruse the clothing for sale!
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 Officers
Nominations for 2027 Officers are due July 15. If you are interested in the Second Vice President position or another leadership role with HSRDC, please contact Carol and Charles Thornburg or one of the other officers. 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. Bluebonnet Squares are offering free intro to Rounds with Trish Morley at 6:30pm on May 25, June 1 and June 8. More information is available on the on the HSRDC calendar at https://houstonsquaredance.com/lessons/
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!
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS AND DANCE OPPORTUNITIES
Check out the flyers at https://houstonsquaredance.com/flyers/
May 26, Wedding Reception Dance in honor of Debra and Paul LeBlanc at the Brazos Bottom Belles and Beaus. See information at the end of this email.
June 4-7, 64th Annual Texas State Federation Square and Round Dance Festival, Longview, TX Deadline for early/online registration is Friday, May 15.
June 15, Bluebonnet Squares 47th Anniversary Dance, Gary Belcik, Tricia Morley & Tim Ploch, Spring
June 23, Trails End Dance for the 75th National Square Dance Convention, Waco, TX
June 24-27, 75th National Square Dance Convention® – We’re Going To Texas Y’all, Waco, TX
July 1, “Dance Around the World” HSRDC Houston Hoedown Kick-off with Australian caller Jaden Frigo, Concordia Lutheran
Aug. 16, HSRDC 3rd Quarter Meeting/Election of 2027 Officers and Scholarship Dance, Vernon Jones, Caller, Concordia Lutheran
Oct. 23 & 24, “Dance Around the World” HSRDC Houston Hoedown, Dan Preedy, Caller, The Ski’s, Round Dance Leaders, Pasadena Convention Center
Nov. 15, HSRDC 4th Quarter Meeting/Installation of 2027 Officers and Dance, Mike Seastrom, Caller, Concordia Lutheran
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
Keep on dancin’!
Carol and Charles Thornburg
President@houstonsquaredance.com
