HSRDC 3RD QUARTER MEETING AND “SUMMER NIGHTS” DANCE
The HSRDC 3rd Quarter Meeting and “Summer Nights” Dance was held Sunday, August 16, bringing together dancers representing all HSRDC clubs plus some out-of-town guests. The meeting included an appreciation letter to HSRDC from the chairs of the 75th National Square Dance Convention, recognition of clubs participating in the Steal the Banner Competition, an announcement of a new Visitation BINGO challenge, and the election of HSRDC’s 2027 officers.
Guest caller Vernon Jones kept the dance floor moving with his smooth choreography, giving everyone plenty of opportunities to enjoy a great night of dancing. The evening also included a heartfelt tribute to Jim Earles. Donations received will help provide funding to strengthen and expand square dancing opportunities throughout the Houston area. It was a wonderful evening of fellowship, dancing, recognition, and celebration of the Houston square dance community. To learn more and see the photos, go to https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/08/18/hsrdc-3rd-quarter-meeting-and-summer-nights-dance-wrap-up/
STEAL THE BANNER COMPETITION WINNERS!
The Steal the Banner competition wrapped up on August 16. Thank you to all who participated! Congratulations to the Hey Lollies Square Dance Club who won the competition with an impressive 31 visits to other clubs! Brazos Bottom Belles and Beaus (4B’s) took 2nd place, and Tomball Promenaders Square Dance Club, 3rd place.
Accepting the prizes for their clubs were Brenda Fabian, President of the Tomball Promenaders, Phyllis Bird, President of the Hey Lollies; and Debra Garner, President of the 4B’s. https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/08/18/hsrdc-steal-the-banner-competition-winners/
HSRDC VISITATION BINGO
Join the fun and try the new VISITATION BINGO challenge that was announced at the 3rd Quarter HSRCD meeting. Dancers can visit other HSRDC clubs and participate in HSRDC special events and exhibitions between August 16 to November 15 to try to gain a BINGO (4 squares either horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) or a complete black-out. Bring your cards to the 4th Quarter HSRDC meeting on November 15 to be entered into a drawing to win prizes! There are 10 different BINGO cards. Print one or all ten. One card per person can be entered for prizes. All bingos on one card will be entered into the drawing. A complete black-out will be eligible for a Grand Prize drawing! Click here to print your BINGO cards: https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/08/18/hsrdc-visitation-bingo-challenge-august-16-november-15/
HOUSTON DANCERS’ TENNESSEE TAKEOVER
Check out the story and photos from the Tennessee State Dance! https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/08/10/houston-dancers-tennessee-takeover/
HANGER SQUARES HAWAIIAN LUAU DANCE
The Hanger Squares hosted their 5th Annual Hawaiian Luau Dinner and Dance on Saturday, August 15. Caller Matt Barnes kept everyone moving with a great mix of songs, making it a memorable night of square dance fun! Check out the fun photos: https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/08/18/hanger-squares-hawaiian-luau-dinner-and-dance/
CELEBRATION OF LIFE EVENT FOR JOHN STEWART AUGUST 22
Debbie Holmes would like to extend an invitation to honor John Stewart at a celebration of his life on Saturday, August 22 from 3:00-5:00 PM at the Westin Houston Downtown. The address is 1520 Texas Avenue. John was a member of Brazos Bottom Belles and Beaus and visited other clubs with Debbie.
Please respond email bbbbsugarland@gmail.com if you plan to attend as the hotel needs to know the headcount. Information is provided to purchase Astros tickets.
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CALLERS! LAST SATURDAY CALLER CLINIC ON AUGUST 22
This Saturday, Tim Ploch will lead the clinic and dancers are needed from 12 noon – 4pm. (Note the New Start Time)! You do not need to stay the whole afternoon – coming for even a couple of hours is a big help. The focus of this seminar will be improving teaching skills. The seminar will be held at Concordia Lutheran Church, 4115 Blalock Road, Houston, TX 77080 (same location as The Renegades).
If you are able to help on August 22, please click this link to sign up. August 22 Signup We need your response by Friday, 7am, so we can get a headcount for ordering lunch.
We really appreciate all the dancers who have supported the Saturday Caller Trainings this summer. THANK YOU! Your participation makes a real difference!
HOUSTON HOEDOWN “DANCE AROUND THE WORLD” OCTOBER 23-25
Have you registered to attend the 78th Annual Houston Hoedown “Dance Around the World!” on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, October 23–25 at the Pasadena Convention Center? Make plans now to attend this great event! Dan Preedy from Spokane, Washington is the guest caller, and the Ski’s will be leading rounds. Many Houston Caller Association callers and cuers will be leading dances as well!
Wear international-themed attire on Friday night and show your club spirit or dress to impress on Saturday! Stay for a pancake breakfast and dance on Sunday morning. Camping is $25/nt and rooms are available for $105/nt at the Fairfield Inn by Marriott. Ask for the “Houston Hoedown” rate. For more information, go to https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/07/06/78th-annual-houston-hoedown-dance-around-the-world-october-23-25-2026/ and https://houstonsquaredance.com/flyers/
PLEASE HELP DAN PREEDY’S DAUGHTER AND SON-IN-LAW
Dan and his family live outside of Spokane, Washington, where many people have been displaced because of wildfires. Dan’s daughter and son-in-law, Sydnee and Spencer, lost their home to the fire only one week after their wedding! Please consider donating to their GoFundMe to help them out! No contribution is too small to help. Here’s the link to the fundraiser: https://gofund.me/0dc59d7ec
ANNUAL AWARD NOMINATIONS DUE AUGUST 31
Nominations are now open for Dancer of the Year, Dance Leader of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Awards which are presented each year at the Houston Hoedown. Please send the nominee’s name(s) and qualifying reasons to HSRDCpresident@gmail.com by August 31. https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/07/05/dancer-of-the-year-caller-cuer-of-the-year-lifetime-achievement-award-nominations-due-august-31/
LESSONS
- Tim Ploch’s First Tuesday Series is a great place to learn the new calls that have been added to the Plus list.
- Fairbees are offering a 40-minute Plus lesson workshop on Thursdays at 7pm. The workshops include the 8 new Plus Calls and Rusty Hinges from previous week, Spring Branch Presbyterian Church, Houston
- Bluebonnet Squares are hosting one more workshop on the 8 Plus Calls with Pat Kotal on Monday, August 24, Klein United Methodist Church, Spring
- Hey Lollies “Introduction to Square Dancing” September 3, Tim Ploch, Caller, Chapelwood Methodist, Houston
- Bluebonnet Squares “Fun Nights” September 14 and 21, Pat Kotal, Caller, Klein United Methodist Church, Spring
- Brazos Bottom Belles and Beaus “Fun Nights” August 25 and September 1, Keith Klix, Caller, Faith Sugar Land Church
- Katy Prairie Promenaders “Free Intro to Modern Square Dancing” August 28 and September 4, Pat Kotal, Caller, Westland Baptist Church, Katy
- Tomball Promenaders will begin Plus lessons on Mondays starting October 5, Dennis Ray, Caller, VFW Hall, Tomball
More information is available on the on the HSRDC calendar at https://houstonsquaredance.com/lessons/
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS AND OTHER DANCE OPPORTUNITIES
August 20, Fairbees “Loving Arms Pet Rescue” Fundraiser Dance, Gary Sanders, Caller, Spring Branch Presbyterian Church, Houston
September 7, Bluebonnet Squares, Labor Day Dance, Tony Oxendine, Guest caller, Klein United Methodist Church, Spring
September 19, Tomball Promenaders 41st Anniversary Dance “Saturday in the Park” Brad Caldwell, Caller, Klein United Methodist Church, Spring
October 18, Dance Exhibition at Bayou Bend, 1 – 5pm, 6003 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX
October 23-25, HSRDC 78th Annual Houston Hoedown “Dance Around the World” with Dan Preedy, Caller, The Ski’s, Round Dance Leaders, Pasadena Convention Center https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/07/06/78th-annual-houston-hoedown-dance-around-the-world-october-23-25-2026/
November 15, HSRDC 4th Quarter Meeting/Installation of 2027 Officers and Dance, Mike Seastrom, Caller, Concordia Lutheran Church, Houston
See the HSRDC calendar for more information about upcoming dances, lessons, and exhibitions at https://houstonsquaredance.com/calendar/
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’! See you on the dance floor!
Carol and Charles Thornburg
HSRDCpresident@gmail.com