| Reminiscing about the good times we had at the Rhythm Costa Rica 2 Adventure! I have so many memories and stories from the week but I'll just give you the highlights: gorgeous views, trips to the pool, bargaining on the beach, delicious food & drinks, too many games of left right center to count, shows, racoons, shopping....oh, and we even square danced too! We're already excited for next year! Stay tuned! #rhythmadventure |  |
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Just a few of the many memories from the 48th CALLERLAB Convention! I had the pleasure of chatting with so many of our members this week but I was terrible at taking pictures....can you believe that? Another huge shoutout to the CALLERLAB staff for making this week possible! #callerlab2023 I recently had the opportunity to be a guest on a new podcast! I had fun chatting with Charlie Petrea. We met at a Caller School in 2019. On the podcast, we chatted about how I got started square dancing and calling. We also talked about my work with Callerlab, the International Association of Square Dance Callers. You can watch the YouTube video below or check it out on Spotify. 21 squares of people got together to celebrate the amazing calling career of Wade Driver today at the Swingtime Center Square Dance Hall in Fort Worth, TX. I attended a caller school 11 years ago with Ken Ritucci & Wade Driver. If you want to take a trip down memory lane, you can read more about that trip in my blog post from 2012: Jubilee Callers School. In 2021, I was incredibly honored to join the calling staff on Rhythm Records that Wade owns and produces. It has been my privilege to work with Wade on 2 different singing calls on Rhythm. Wade is retiring from active calling to focus more on his music production. It was so special to see so many people get together to celebrate his amazing calling career! I can't imagine a better way to celebrate such an incredible person! Congratulations, Wade!
Happy St. Patrick's Day from the friendly dancers at Frontier Squares! This was my first time calling in the Cincinnati area. We had a great crowd and an absolute blast! Thanks to Marianne for sharing the video.
Today was a special day here in Indiana! We had a great turnout and a fantastic time at the fundraising dance for the Raleighs. So proud of how the square dance family comes together to help out. All proceeds collected went to the Raleigh family to help support Kati during her battle with stage 4 cancer.  These dance leaders all volunteered their time and put on a fantastic afternoon of dancing!
It was great to see so many friends at the Star Righters Christmas Dance! I absolutely love Christmas (and consequently, I love Christmas music too)! I even convinced Andrew to sing a few with me. My sweet friend Grace even joined in on the Christmas carols! Thanks to everyone who came out!
The 32nd Indiana Square & Round Dance Convention is one for the books! As always, there was no shortage of dancing, calling, laughter, fun, and just a few shenanigans. I was so busy most of the weekend that I didn't take many pictures but these are just a glimpse into the fun we had!
Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to put on such a great Convention! Already looking forward to next year!
I just got back from another great trip to The Villages in Florida. This is my second time to call for the Orange Blossom Squares. The Villages is a retirement community just outside of Orlando. Growing up, Mike & Wanda David were like adopted family to me. I was so sad when they moved to Florida but am so grateful to get to visit them. I had the best time pretending to be retired for a couple days! Thanks to Mike & Wanda for the hospitality and to the Orange Blossom Squares for a great dance!
It was an incredible week at the 71st National Square Dance Convention, Evansville, IN with more than 2,000 square dancers! I'm constantly reminded how much I love this activity and more importantly, the people in it.
Thanks, Jim for this video of one of the afternoon spots in the SSD Hall!
Thanks, Glinda for these videos in the live band hall from Friday and Saturday nights!
I had the privilege of recording the vocal for RR 435 - I Wanna Dance With Somebody! The closer is my favorite. Doesn't it just make you want to dance with somebody who loves you? Thanks to Wade Driver for this incredible opportunity! Exactly one week ago, I arrived in Pittsburgh, PA for the 47th CALLERLAB Convention - my first as Executive Director. As I'm heading home today, I can't believe the week is already over. I'm inspired by the passion and energy of our membership and thrilled by the enthusiasm to "Restart, Reconnect, & Restore" the square dance activity. I couldn't have done it without the support of my amazing team: from the Home Office, Dana Schirmer & Donna Schirmer and volunteers, Frank Elisa Berger & Avery Arnold. We had lots of other folks who jumped in to help along the way too. Please know how much you are appreciated! I'm lucky to serve an incredible organization and have many folks who have given me so much support, respect and encouragement along the way.  Hosting the Friday night skits. Photo Credit: Ray Owens
After a year off, it was so good to be back dancing at the Indiana Square & Round Dance Convention in French Lick!
Friday evening kicked off with the President's Ball called by Tim Tyl. Later that night, I hosted an after party full of shenanigans, skits and fun! Saturday I hosted 2 Hex workshops. The morning session introduced the idea of dancing with 6 couples in a hexagon formation. During the afternoon, we learned more about how to adapt calls to the hexagon. Everyone had a great time learning and practicing something new!
It was amazing to see so much of my square dance family at the 70th National Square Dance Convention in Jackson, MS. It felt so good to be back! |
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I had an absolute blast calling and cueing my first dance in Kansas! Exactly 10 years ago I attended my first caller school in this exact room - what a joy it was to share this afternoon with some new KS friends!
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Excerpt from the CALLERLAB DIRECTION Newsletter November-December 2020:
Executive Director Transition
The Board of Governors have approved Teresa Berger as the new Executive Director effective December 1, 2020. Dana will remain on staff as the Assistant Executive Director to assist Teresa.
Dana has served as the Executive Director of CALLERLAB since 2009. During his tenure, Dana had a tremendous impact on the organization. We are grateful for his leadership and continued expertise in the Home Office.
Executive Director Transition
The Board of Governors have approved Teresa Berger as the new Executive Director effective December 1, 2020. Dana will remain on staff as the Assistant Executive Director to assist Teresa.
Dana has served as the Executive Director of CALLERLAB since 2009. During his tenure, Dana had a tremendous impact on the organization. We are grateful for his leadership and continued expertise in the Home Office.
| Check out an article Teresa wrote that was published in the November December issue of DIRECTION. | 
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Teresa presenting during the 2021 CALLERLAB Virtual Meeting
So proud of our recent Mainstream graduates:
Chris, Grace, Karen, Ron, Teresa & Gene!
We didn't get to take a whole group picture but glad we got to celebrate all of you before the quarantine started. Can't wait to see you all back on the dance floor.
Chris, Grace, Karen, Ron, Teresa & Gene!
We didn't get to take a whole group picture but glad we got to celebrate all of you before the quarantine started. Can't wait to see you all back on the dance floor.
 Chris, Grace & Karen |  Karen, Teresa, Ron & Gene |
We had a ROARING good time at the Scatter 8’s New Year’s Eve square dance. It's always a good time calling for the Scatter 8's!
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So proud of our recent Mainstream graduates, Lois, Jeff, Frank, Sue, Larry & Peggy! We are having a blast dancing in La Porte each week.
Frank & Elisa Berger, General Chairman
2019 marked the 30th Anniversary for the Indiana Square & Round Dance Convention. This was also my 10th year to call at the Indiana Convention! Time sure flies when you’re having fun.
Not only was this a special year for the state and for me, it was also exciting because my parents were the General Chairman – they did an amazing job! Shout-out to the entire Convention Board for a great event!
Friday night my family hosted the after party. We had several performances and even a live showing of Dancer Feud (in the style of Family Feud). It was a great time!
Not only was this a special year for the state and for me, it was also exciting because my parents were the General Chairman – they did an amazing job! Shout-out to the entire Convention Board for a great event!
Friday night my family hosted the after party. We had several performances and even a live showing of Dancer Feud (in the style of Family Feud). It was a great time!
Saturday I hosted 2 Hex workshops. The morning session introduced the idea of dancing with 6 couples in a hexagon formation. During the afternoon, we learned more about how to adapt calls to the hexagon. Everyone had a great time learning and practicing something new!
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Andrew and I got to call some hot hash on Saturday evening. Thanks to Kristy for the video. Make plans to join us next year in French Lick – November 6, 7, 8, 2020! 
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My home club celebrated our 60th Anniversary! What a special night! Thanks so much to everyone who came out to celebrate. Check out the event album on the Star Righters Facebook Page for more photos from the night.
A huge shout-out to the dance leaders who shared their talents to help me with the dance: Chuck Witt, Bobby Poyner, Andrew Berger, Pat Bryant, Wanda Martin & Eddy Martin.
Regardless of where I travel, Star Righters Square Dance Club will always be home for me. Here’s to the next 60 years!
A huge shout-out to the dance leaders who shared their talents to help me with the dance: Chuck Witt, Bobby Poyner, Andrew Berger, Pat Bryant, Wanda Martin & Eddy Martin.
Regardless of where I travel, Star Righters Square Dance Club will always be home for me. Here’s to the next 60 years!
