Springforth Ball 2024 schedule
April 12-13-14, 2024
Friday |
7:00pm
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Registration in the Lower Lobby
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8:00pm – 11:30pm | Contra Dance – Drive Train with Gaye Fifer calling | |
Saturday | 10:00am – 10:45am | Open Waltz to recorded music |
10:00am | Registration & coffee in the Lower Lobby | |
11:00am – 12:20pm*concurrent events |
Workshop (Arents Hall): English Country dance with Kathy Wooldridge and Go Figure Workshop (Gym): Round Dancing beginner Two-Step cued by Calvin Crofford |
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12:30pm – 1:50pm*concurrent events |
LUNCH!
Discussion (Library) (1:15-1:50pm): “Springforth Ball: past, present, and future”
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2:00pm – 3:20pm*concurrent events |
Workshop (Arents Hall): Challenging Contras with Gaye Fifer and Drive Train Workshop (Gym): Round Dancing beginner Waltz cued by Calvin Crofford |
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3:30pm – 4:50pm
*concurrent events |
Workshop (Arents Hall): Awesome Squares with Janine Smith and Drive Train Workshop (Gym): Intermediate Waltz with Gaye Fifer and Go Figure |
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5:30pm – 7:00pm | SUPPER! The covered dish supper (potluck) returns this year in the downstairs hall. A list of local restaurants is also available. | |
7:00pm – 7:45pm | Discussion (Library): “What do you appreciate in a dance partner?” |
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8:00pm – 11:30pm | “The Ball” – Contra dance – Drive Train with Gaye Fifer |
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Sunday | 10:00am – 11:15am | Open Waltz to recorded music |
10:00am – 11:15am | Brunch with freshly cooked waffles and fresh fruit! | |
11:30am – 12:20pm*concurrent events |
Concert (Arents Hall) with Drive Train 11:30am-12:15pmShape Note Singing (Library) 11:30am-12:20pm |
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12:30pm – 2:30pm | Farewell Contra Dance – Drive Train with Gaye Fifer |
Workshop Descriptions
Arents Hall
English Country Dance: Kathy Wooldridge from Williamsburg leads you in dance to music by Go Figure.
Challenging Contras: Enjoy contra dances with challenging or unusual patterns called by
Gaye Fifer to the music of Drive Train.
Awesome Squares: Enjoy Squares called by Janine Smith to the Music of Drive Train
Gymnasium
Gym Shoe Restrictions: No hard soled or street shoes are permitted in the Gymnasium. Clean sneakers are recommended. Dance socks, to cover the balls of your shoes and reduce friction, will be available.
Round Dancing: A called or cued format of various ballroom dance forms is often used at
Western Square Dances as a break between sets of squares. Calvin Crofford from Virginia
Beach will teach a simple Two-Step and a simple Waltz. No experience is required.
Participants will be taught basic steps of Two-Step and Waltz, choreographed to specific tunes. If you are nervous about free-style dancing, round dancing can give you the comfort of a cuer (caller) prompting you with the next move.
Intermediate Waltz with Gaye Fifer: The waltz workshop will focus on beyond-the-basic waltz steps, with an emphasis on the nuances of clear leading and aware following. The goal is to build confidence and competence while having fun! Gaye and Wayne believe that waltzing is not only about fancy moves and twirls, but first and foremost, about connecting with the music and with your partner. The style of waltz they teach is contra, or American folk, waltz, rather than Viennese or ballroom. No partner necessary.
Library
Discussions: Two discussion sessions will be held in the over lunch and dinner break on Saturday.
Shape Note Singing: Learn a choral style of traditional group song in an introductory workshop, taught by Richmond Shape Note Singers. No experience necessary.