September 2026 HSRDC Presidents’ Letter
September is National Square Dance Month! Celebrate the history, culture, and community spirit of square dancing at your Clubs!
AUGUST HIGHLIGHTS
HOUSTON DANCERS ATTEND TENNESSEE STATE FESTIVAL
Houston dancers joined more than 1,400 dancers and 50 callers from across the country for the 51st Tennessee State Square and Round Dance Festival. If you missed the fun this year, start making plans now for the 52nd Tennessee State Festival, August 5–7, 2027!
https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/08/10/houston-dancers-tennessee-takeover/
STEAL THE BANNER COMPETITION WINNERS!
The Steal the Banner competition wrapped up on August 16. 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. https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/08/18/hsrdc-steal-the-banner-competition-winners/
CALLER CLINICS ARE A SUCCESS!
Thank you to the callers and dancers who participated in the HSRDC and Houston Caller Association Caller Clinics! The sessions, led by Tim Ploch, Vernon Jones, and Tim Tyl, provided valuable experience to strengthen our local calling community. https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/07/19/great-turnout-for-caller-clinic/
GREAT DANCING IN PARIS (TEXAS THAT IS!)
Fifty Houston-area dancers made the trek north for the Evening in Paris (Texas That Is) Plus, Advanced and Round Dance Festival. Check out more photos at https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/09/08/evening-in-paris-texas-style/
SEPTEMBER DANCE OPPORTUNITIES
I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM, WE ALL SCREAM FOR MAINSTREAM
If you’re looking for opportunities to practice your Mainstream dancing in a relaxed setting, there are two great options! Saturday Afternoon Dances resume Saturday, September 12, from 4:00–6:00 PM at Concordia Lutheran Church. Another opportunity is Daytime Squares, held Monday afternoons from 4:30–6:00 PM at the Trini Mendenhall Community Center. Both dances are open to everyone and FREE to attend! These dances are especially helpful for new dancers who want to build confidence and for those who want a slower-paced dance. Come join us for a fun afternoon of dancing and fellowship!
HOUSTON HOEDOWN IS ONLY SIX WEEKS AWAY!
Have you registered for the BEST DANCE PARTY IN HOUSTON? You won’t want to miss the 78th Annual Houston Hoedown “Dance Around the World!” on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, October 23–25 at the Pasadena Convention Center! Dan Preedy from Spokane, Washington is the guest caller, and Kay and Bob Kurczewski (The Ski’s) will be cuing rounds. Many Houston Caller Association callers and cuers will be leading dances as well!
Early Bird Registration ends September 30, so save some money and make plans now to attend this great event! Put your Hoedown ribbon on your badge and you may win free raffle tickets! More information coming soon!
On Friday night, wear international-inspired attire and savor international-themed cuisine at the Welcome Reception. On Saturday, enjoy a full day of Mainstream, Plus, DBD, fun squares, last square standing, clogging, rounds, and advanced dancing. At the evening dance, the annual award winners will be announced and we’ll celebrate 80 years of square dancing in Houston, so show your club spirit or dress to impress! On Sunday morning, enjoy a pancake breakfast and casual dance under the Pavilion. Camping is $25/night for full hook-up and rooms are available at the Fairfield Inn by Marriott for $105/night (includes breakfast). Ask for the “Houston Hoedown” rate. For more information, to see the dance schedule, and find the registration form, go to https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/07/06/78th-annual-houston-hoedown-dance-around-the-world-october-23-25-2026/ or https://houstonsquaredance.com/flyers/
KICK UP YOUR HEELS WITH CLOGGING!
Ready to try something new and add a little extra fun to your dancing? Dana and Jack McFarland are offering a 12-week Intro to Clogging class beginning Wednesday, September 16, from 6:15–7:30 PM at the Trini Mendenhall Community Center, 1414 Wirt Road. No experience is necessary! Come learn some lively new steps, enjoy great music, and have fun with fellow dancers. For more information, contact Jack at 281-216-0496 or Dana at 281-216-0559. Come join the fun—you might just discover your new favorite dance!
HSRDC VISITATION BINGO
Join the fun and try the new VISITATION BINGO challenge that was announced at the 3rd Quarter HSRCD meeting. Bring your card to the 4th Quarter HSRDC meeting on November 15 to be entered into a drawing to win prizes! There are 10 different BINGO cards. One card per person please. Each bingo 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 Card: https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/08/18/hsrdc-visitation-bingo-challenge-august-16-november-15/
NEW HOME FOR TIM’S GEMS
TIM’S GEMS and Tim’s First Tuesday Sessions have a new home at Concordia Lutheran Church, 4115 Blalock Rd, Houston, where the Texas Renegades dance. Starting time is 7PM, but please arrive early to register into the computer before the first tip.
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
Hey Lollies “Introduction to Square Dancing” September 10, Chapelwood Methodist, Houston, Tim Ploch, Caller
Katy Prairie Promenaders “Free Intro to Modern Square Dancing” September 11, Westland Baptist Church, Katy; Pat Kotal, Caller
Bluebonnet Squares “Fun Night” September 14 and 21, Klein United Methodist Church, Spring. Pat Kotal, Caller
Intro to Clogging Classes, Begin Wednesday, September 16, from 6:15–7:30 PM at the Trini Mendenhall Community Center, 1414 Wirt Road, Houston, Dana and Jack McFarland, leaders
Tomball Promenaders Plus lessons on Mondays starting October 5, VFW Hall, Tomball, Dennis Ray, Caller
More information is available on the on the HSRDC calendar at https://houstonsquaredance.com/lessons/
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS AND OTHER DANCE OPPORTUNITIES
September 11-12, Camping Squares Black and White Dance, Steve Blankinship, Caller; Terry Pimm, Cuer; Coushatte Recreation Ranch, Bellville TX
September 19, Tomball Promenaders 41st Anniversary Dance “Saturday in the Park,” Brad Caldwell, Caller, Tammy Lee, Cuer; Klein United Methodist Church, Spring
September 25, Dance Exhibition at Eagles Trace, 10-11am, 14703 Eagle Vista Dr. Houston, TX 77077; Pat Kotal, Caller
October 1, Fairbees Oktoberfest Dance, Gary Sanders, Caller; Spring Branch Presbyterian Church, 1215 Campbell Rd. Houston, Texas
October 2-3, Camping Squares Halloween Dance, Steve Blankinship, Caller; Terry Pimm, Cuer; Coushatte Recreation Ranch, Bellville TX
October 9, Katy Prairie Promenaders 56th Anniversary Rice Harvest Dance, Mike Bramlett, Caller, Marilyn Waguespack, Cuer; Concordia Lutheran Church
October 18, Dance Exhibition at Bayou Bend, 1-5pm, 6003 Memorial Drive, Houston
October 23-25, 78th Annual HSRDC Houston Hoedown “Dance Around the World” with Dan Preedy, Caller, Kay and Bob Kurczewski (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’! We look forward to seeing you on the dance floor!Carol and Charles Thornburg