June 2026 Presidents’ Letter to HSRDC Club Members
Click this link to see a PDF: June 2026 HSRDC Presidents’ Letter
May was filled with Club graduations, a special wedding reception, and many 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/
MAY HIGHLIGHTS
Welcome to Our New Dancers!
Over 100 new dancers completed lessons and have joined our Houston Square Dance community! Graduations were held at 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 will be on June 19! Let’s give a warm welcome to all of these new dancers! See photos at https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/06/01/graduations-galore-welcome-to-our-new-dancers/
Newlyweds Celebrated at Brazos Bottom Belles and Beaus May 26
Debra and Paul LeBlanc and the Brazos Bottom Belles and Beaus thank everyone who attended and helped make Debra and Paul’s wedding reception dance a wonderful success, with special thanks to caller Gary Sanders, cuer Marilyn Waguespack, the decorators, and those who provided refreshments. Eighty square and round dancers celebrated the couple’s marriage and shared love of dancing with an enjoyable mix of mainstream, plus, and round dancing led by Gary and Marilyn. https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/06/01/newlyweds-celebrated-at-brazos-bottom-belles-and-beaus-may-26/
ARE YOU READY FOR JUNE?
64th Annual Texas State Federation Square and Round Dancers Festival June 4-6
The 64th Annual Texas State Federation Square and Round Dancers Festival, “Dancing Across Texas,” is June 4–6, 2026, at the Maude Cobb Convention Center in Longview, TX. Enjoy a weekend filled with lively music, friendship, and dancing with participants from across Texas! Texas State Federation Square and Round Dance Festival
75th National Square Dance Convention June 24-27
Is everyone getting excited for the 75th National Square Dance Convention in Waco June 24-27? HSRDC is proud to be the Sponsoring Organization! General Chairmen Claudia and Gary Lester are members of the Hey Lollies, and over 40 members of the Planning Committee are in HSRDC clubs! This committee has been working for over three years to bring this wonderful Jubilee Convention to life!
Here are some key things to know!
It’s not too late to register! Online registration is open until June 12. Walk-in Registration available at Waco. https://75nsdctx.com/long-form-registration/
Volunteers are needed! We need your help to make sure this convention is the best ever! Please sign up to work a few hours during the convention! Your help will be greatly appreciated! Check out the Volunteer Opportunities at https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/05/17/we-need-you/
Decorating Team is Seeking Texas-themed items! We want to make sure our out-of-state guests feel they are in Texas, so we are looking for items to create Texas scenes in the lobby. Do you have any of these items we could borrow? Texas flags, artificial bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush, rough wood fence, wagon wheels, barrels, longhorn steer photo or poster? We would love your help! All items will be returned! Contact Rhonda Harshbarger at rhondakay2013@yahoo.com or 713-447-1024 Carol Thornburg at hsrdcpresident@gmail.com or 713-824-7226.
Trail’s End Dances! Join the fun at the Trail’s End Dances on Tuesday, June 23 and Wednesday, June 24!
Exhibition Dances! Let the people of Waco know the convention is in town by participating in the Exhibition Dances on Wednesday, June 24. “Step out on the Brazos” on the historic suspension bridge at 9:00am or “Swing at the Silos” at 10:00am.
Special Theme Evenings! Wear your Red, White and Blue attire for the Celebrate America 250 evening on Friday, June 26 and wear Texas attire for the Parade of States on Saturday, June 27.
Steal the Banner Competition Continues Through the Summer!
The Steal the Banner Competition is heating up! Clubs are competing for the most Banners (Certificates) that they can acquire between April 26 and August 16. This is 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/
Nominations for 2027 Officers due by July 15
Don’t forget that nominations for 2027 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.
Saturday Afternoon Mainstream Lessons and Dances at Concordia Lutheran
Angels, especially men, are needed for the mainstream lessons on Saturdays from 3:00-4:30pm at Concordia Lutheran. Recent graduates are encouraged to attend and help the students! Then stay for the Mainstream dance from 4:30-6:00 PM with David Bearden. At just $7 per person, this is a fun and welcoming place for new dancers to practice skills and gain valuable floor time. The sessions are designed to build confidence while connecting with fellow dancers and count towards the Steal the Banner Competition! Come early or stay after to check out the square dance clothing for sale! Please note that the lessons and dance are DARK on Saturday, June 6 for Texas State Square Dance and on Saturday, June 27 for the National Square Dance Convention.
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
2026 HOEDOWN KICK-OFF DANCE AND ICE CREAM SOCIAL
The annual HSRDC Hoedown is October 23 and 24, and we are gearing up for a great event! The Hoedown Kick-off Dance and Ice Cream Social will be on Wednesday, July 1 at Concordia Lutheran Church. The Hoedown theme 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. Wear your vacation attire and join us for this fun evening! https://houstonsquaredance.com/flyers/
Upcoming Events:
June 4-6, 64th Annual Texas State Federation Square and Round Dance Festival, Longview, TX
June 15, Bluebonnet Squares 47th Anniversary Dance, Gary Belcik caller; Tricia Morley, cuer, and Tim Ploch, special guest; Klein Methodist Church, Spring, 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 and Ice Cream Social with Australian caller Jaden Frigo, Concordia Lutheran Church
August 16, HSRDC 3rd Quarter Meeting/Election of 2027 Officers and Dance, Vernon Jones, Caller, Concordia Lutheran Church
October 23 & 24, “Dance Around the World” Houston Hoedown, with Dan Preedy, Caller, The Ski’s, Round Dance Leaders, Pasadena Convention Center https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/05/05/dan-preedy-2026-houston-hoedown-featured-caller/
November 15, HSRDC 4th Quarter Meeting/Installation of 2027 Officers and Dance, Mike Seastrom, Caller, Concordia Lutheran Church
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
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