2005 The Western Star

8/14/2019 2005 The Western Star

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Mayor Gavin Newsomsbudgetary belt-tightening pressured theWestern Star Dancers Board of Directorsinto changing our instruction night fromMondays to Thursdays, effective January20, 2005. Fortunately, Instructor RichReel was flexible enough to make theschedule change.

Upon arrival for the festiveholiday party in December, boardmembers were informed by MissionPlayground Staff that City Hall had

decided to close facilities funded by S.F.Parks & Recreation Department onMondays beginning in January. We weregiven a choice of any other night of theweek to reschedule our class night.

Administrator Steve Scottconfessed to agonizing sleeplessnesstrying to find a solution. In theDecember Board of Directors meetingTuesday evening was rejected becauseits Foggy City Dancers (FCD) class night.Friday was rejected because, well, itsFriday night. Wednesday eveningseemed like a workable option, eventhough we would conflict with ElCamino Reelers.

Upon further reflection, Steve

realized that Wednesday is also classnight for the new square dance club inOakland, and the Blue Mainstream Classwould be reduced by moving class nightto Wednesday because of othercommitments of some class members.

Ultimately, Thursday evenings wchosen to accommodate most peoalthough it is in conflict with FCD CNights, and Midnight Squares (MChallenge Club Nights. FCD was invto join WSD for Club Nights on the fand third Wednesday of every monthour space, but they have declined forpresent, due to the lease on their daspace.

Club Night will continue on third Wednesday of the month, w

class night on Thursday evenings fr7:30-9:30 pm.

It is unknown what our schedmay be when we return to Eureka VaRecreation Center after its remodel.

2005 Callers AnnouncedDance Coordinator Joe Iser has announced the names of the callers for dances and club

nights for the remainder of the year. Eric Henerlau (whose sister was an early WSD dancer) wcall the Anniversary Dance. Kris Jensen will be on hand for the Pride Dance, and Darrin Gallin

will call for Leather & Lace.The scheduled club night callers are:

F e b r u a r y : A l l a n H u r s t

M a r c h : S o m e o n e S p e c i a lA p r i l : R o n M a s k e r

M a y : A l l a n H u r s t

J u n e : A l l a n H u r s t J u l y : S o m e o n e S p e c i a l

A u g u s t : P e g g y S h u m w a yS e p t e m b e r : R o n M a s k e r

O c t o b e r : F e n T a m a n a h a

N o v e m b e r : P e g g y S h u m w a y

D e c e m b e r : R i c h R e e l


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When Western Star co-founderScott Carey attended the 20th Anniversaryhoe-down of the San Francisco Rebels backn 1984, he little imagined that in 2004 hedbe attending our 22nd Anniversary Dance,and that the Rebels, like all but one otherstraight club in San Francisco, would be longgone. But a lot has changed, for gays andstraights alike, and Western Star, through acombination of good planning by thefounders, the determined efforts of latergenerations of dancers, and sheer dumb luck,has managed to hang in there. As a memberof the first WSD class back in 1982, and a

member of the old Foggy City Squares (notto be confused with Foggy City Dancers,though related) starting in September 1981, Isaw a lot of the action up close and personal,and recent conversations with Scott havehelped fill in a few gaps. So heres some ofour early history, and to paraphrase a bit,Fasten your seat-belts, its going to be abumpy ride.

It was a very different world when gaysquare-dancing first came to San Francisco in

1980. The Gay Band and the Gay Mens

Chorus were just two years old, ArmisteadMaupin was still cranking out new adventuresfor Mary Ann Singleton, Castro Clones wereremaking themselves into Urban Cowboys,and all things Country-Western, thanks to

John Travolta, were suddenly trendy. Therewere two major stores on Market Streetspecializing in nothing but cowboy gearboots, hats, shirts, the worksand the RenoGay Rodeo was off and running; for the nextfew years it would be Gay Country-WesternMecca, attracting hundreds from the BayArea alone. You could even admit liking thesongs of Tammy Wynette without fear ofridicule. At this point, an unknown, gravel-

voiced singer, full of ambition and good-ole-boy sex appeal, wandered onto the sceneand spotted a golden opportunity.

Skip Barrett didnt know much aboutsquare-dancinghe was not a dancer himself,let alone a teacher or callerbut he knewhow to work a room and work a crowd, andhe knew how to sell a song. He learned thesquare-dance versions of the kind ofcountry-rock vocals that were his specialty,got someone to teach the calls in the songs

he wanted to use, and set up shop at

Dreamland. Foggy City Squares was soonand running, and the performance exhibition teams became key componentthe fast-growing group. While Skip beout his high-energy vocals and struaround like a rock star, the teams did flahigh-kicking demonstrations of the dances to be taught at class, and functioas his back-up chorus in public appearanaround the city and beyond, as Skip sprthe square-dance gospel far and wide. November 1980, Scott Carey and his frand co-worker Agnes Smith wandered Dreamland for a square-dance demo/inevening, liked what they saw, and signed

for the next ten-week class starting January. And at the January class, Carey and Ron Douglass met up, liked wthey saw, and soon became a couple.

After the January class, the growing Foggy City Squares relocated toTrockadero Transfer on 4th Street, a lclub with raised stage, plenty of dance sprevolving disco ball, and a well-stocked on the mezzanine level, which the studwere encouraged to patronize during bre

By the time I started dancing in Septem


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classes numbered over a hundred, but anyresemblance to a contemporary Callerlabclass was purely coincidental. We learnedwhatever calls were in the new song Skipwanted to feature, so my class learned toteacup chain before we could spin the top.There was no hash, and stirring the bucketforget about it! Essentially, we didnt learncalls so much as memorize choreography,

and Brian, our teacher, freely modifieddefinitions to keep things simple. (Betchadidnt know that Load the Boat ends in anocean wavewell, it does, at least when thenext call is swing thru and you dont want tobother explaining why facing couples can doocean wave calls. And by the way, swing

thru always begins with the boys on the endsof the wave.) We were encouraged to stayn the same position in the same squarethroughout the ten-week class, so everyonecould dance up a storm with the same pin-point precision as the team members--evenwhen Skip got the calls mixed up, as hetended to do fairly often. It wasnt squaredance as we know it today, or as anyoneoutside of San Francisco knew it even then,but it was great fun. As we lived out ourfantasies of being in a high-energy BusbyBerkeley chorus, we all worked up quite a

sweat, and quite a few guys stripped down totank-tops or less; the atmosphere was hot inmore ways than one. But behind the scenes,a real-life backstage drama was developing.

Through his new boyfriend Ron,Scott met another couple at Foggy CitySquares, Roger Perry, a costume designer forCharles Pierce, and Dennis Ficken, whoowned a flower shop on Potrero Hill andhad once studied for the priesthood; withScotts friend Agnes, they became a tight

group of friends, with everyone except Scottwinding up on the teams. But being on theteams, or having your boyfriend on theteams, meant having to get up close andpersonal with Skip, and as they would soondiscover, Skip was a person better seen froma distance. Theres a reason that SanFrancisco has three gay square dance clubs,all founded within a fairly short timeperiodin two words, Skip Barrett. Skipwas charismatic, media-savvy and boundlesslyenergetic, introducing large numbers of gaymen (and a much smaller number of women)to the joy of dancing in a square with seven

other guys all working as a single cooperativeunit. But he expected everyone to beextremely grateful to him for giving them thisexperience, particularly the team members.

Because Skip had no ability as ateacher or a dancer, he was completelydependent on his various deputies to run the

cash cow that Foggy CitySquares had now become.

Skip was no idealist, and hisfirst priority was tomonopolize the square-dancemarket with an iron grip.There were rumors ofsubstance-abuse problems,and hints of his paranoia and

mood-swings began becoming visible even toclass members. If a member of the teamsgot on his bad side, which becameincreasingly easy to do, they wereunceremoniously given the boot, demotedovernight from flashy chorus cutie to square-

dance limbo. Ron, Scott, Dennis, Roger andAgnes decided theyd had enough of Skip,and it was time to break away before theyfound themselves in the same situation. Buttheyd fallen in love with square-dancing,werent about to give it up, and didnt seewhy it should be considered synonymouswith Skip Barrett. The newly formed GayMarching Band and Gay Mens Chorus weredemocratically run organizations, so whycouldnt gay square dancers have somethinglike that? So what to do, and where to start?

What Ron, Scott, Dennis, Roger andAgnes decided to do was to found anothergay square dance club in San Francisco. Theyknew nothing aboutCallerlab, and in any caseSkip had done his best topush the idea that standardsquare-dancing could neverwork for same-sex couples,that memorizing singing-callsfrom a single position wasthe only way to make it

possible. But they were fivethirty-somethings with lots of energy anddetermination, and they plunged in anyway.Scott scoured the Yellow Pages for storesthat might sell square-dance records orinstruction manuals, eventually BARTing overto Phil Marons dusty folk shop in Oakland,where he obtained a modest supply ofsinging-call records and a short square dancehandbook published in 1954. The little group,plus three obliging phantoms, met in Ron andScotts large kitchen space to walk throughcalls and try figuring out their actualdefinitions.

By February 1982, theyd been joinedtwo more dancers and had a lead on a space they could use. Discconversations with other dancers followesecond-floor ACT rehearsal space on Gwas secured, some inexpensive (but easily portable) used stereo equipment purchased, a name for the new group chosen, and finally the equipment was ha

downtown for the first Western Dancers drop-in square-dance eveningFriday, March 5. (I remember getting word passed to me by Alan Hall, one ofregulars in my square, where I had a lostanding commitment to the role of tlady.) There was a lot of good-natuhaggling about what to do when the callsthe records didnt produce exactly the sresults as when taught at Foggy City Squaor what do to about the calls that habeen taught at all, but on the second evena challenge-level dancer by the name of

Klein walked through the door and decto give the new group his help encouragement.

Bill was a short, opinionated leaqueen. He wasnt a caller, but he knewabout Callerlab and the world of strasquare-dancing, and he knew what the group would be up against, since hed alrehad his own run-in with Skip. Bill did approve of the teaching methods at FoCity Squares, and his opinions on the sub

were not well-received by Skip whenvolunteered to teach the calls correctly; tencounter may or may not have ended fist-fight, depending on which version

believe. In any case, Bill agreed to teareal class for the new group, based on Callerlab teaching order, and to help tconnect with the larger contemposquare dance community. On Monday 10, 1982, the first Basic/Mainstream classunderway in the 2nd floor lobby of the CCenter YMCA. They had hoped to rentauditorium, but Skip had beaten them trenting it himself for non-existent tpractices.

We were encouraged to stay

in the same position in the

same square throughout theten-week class

On Monday May 10, 1982, th

first Basic/Mainstream cla

got underway in the 2nd floo

lobby of the Civic Cent

YMCA


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Bill Klein was not the most patient ofteachers, as I can testify from personalexperience, but he was doing it without anykind of remuneration. We had no hashrecords, so Bill introduced the idea of all-position dancing by having us learn bothroles as soon as possible. When somedancers complained that they couldnt keeptrack of who was dancing what, Bill sternlyadmonished them: You will learn the calls

by definition. If you are doing your partcorrectly, it will not matter if its a man, awoman, or a Hanukah bush coming at you.Virtually every dancer in that first class was

also a member of Foggy City Squares, so wealready knew, or thought we knew, most ofthe calls, but we also had a lot of bad habitsto unlearn. (What do you mean, its okayfor the women to start a swing-thru on theend of the wave?!?) The schedule wasaccelerated, going all the way throughMainstream in 10 weeks. There were threesquares rather than the dozen or more wewere used to at the Trockadero, but herewe changed partners and squares every tip,and actually got to know everyone in theclass. Rumor had it that Skips lieutenantswere parked outside watching who wasattending this rival class, and whether true ornot, Skip seemed to know immediately whichof us were two-timing him.

Whetherhe liked it or not, theformation of Western Star was only the firstcrack in Skips empire. Another group ofdancers from Foggy City Squares had beenmeeting for extra practice in the El Cerritoiving-room of Richard Tuck, and that

summer they branched over to San Franciscoand became Midnight Squares. At the RenoGay Rodeo in August, gay square-dancersfrom all over the country made their firstmajor contacts with each other, and when agay caller from the Los Angeles area, DaveHappy New Year, set up his equipment forsome impromptu squares in the parking lotthat Saturday night, it quickly becameapparent that what Skip had taught us boreittle resemblance to what gay square-dancers were learning in the rest of thecountry. Those of us whod taken Bill Kleins

class had no problem, but those whod onlyhad classes with Foggy City Squares were leftfloundering, and Skip hastily hustled his teammembers onto their bus and back to theirhotel, to avoid being contaminated bysuspicious outside influences.

Shortly after the first WSD classgraduated, we elected our first Board ofDirectors. The five founders wanted to

immediately establish a new precedent for amember-run, non-profit group, and thatshow its been ever since. With Bill Kleinagain teaching at no cost to the club, a

second class wasstarted on September13, and in OctoberDave Happy NewYear was flown upfrom Los Angeles tocall the first officialWestern Starweekend dances on

October 22 and 23.Finally in December

1982 we were able to make it from theYMCA lobby into the auditorium to give thenewbies a proper graduation. (Those of usin the first class didnt have anyone ahead ofus to do hosting dutiesinstead of beinggraduated by the club, we became the club.)It was a slightly bittersweet occasion though,since Agnes, emceeing in dazzling whitecowgirl drag, had transferred to a new joband was moving to Seattle only days later.Steve Browning was on hand to videotape

and photograph the occasionthe first clubfunction in the YMCA auditorium, whichwould be our home throughout most of the1980s, the first WSD graduation night, andthe last club event to be attended by all fiveof the founders.

1983 would bring more changes; overa dozen WSDmembers would fly toa February fly-inhosted by the South

Florida Mustangs,where the ground-work for what wouldbecome the IAGSDCwas laid. The long andconvoluted process ofbuilding bridges withthe local straightsquare dancecommunity wouldbegin. In June,Western Star would be the primaryorganizer of the first major square-dancingpresence in the Pride Parade, with new

graduate Freeman (aka Steffany) Stamgetting his picture in the Chronicle in drag regalia. In July, Larry Brown worganize the first Western Star 4th of Angel Island picnic. Up in Seattle, Agwould join the Puddletown Squares, become a key player in the planning offirst IAGSDC Convention the following yshes now living in the Tacoma area. Foggy City Squares exhibition performance teams would finally rise up

masse against Skip, buy out his interrename the club Foggy City Dancers, move the new group towards Calleteaching and a cooperative relationship wthe clubs that had already broken away. would betray the terms of the buy-out start a rival group in direct competition wthem, but the tides of history and his opersonality would work against him, despite his enormous influence in the egrowth of gay square dancing in Francisco, hes largely forgotten today exby a few of us old-timers. Scott and

would break up amicably, remain friends,Ron would eventually move to Palm Spriwhere he now lives. Scott would remactive with the club for the first ten yeand also become active with the emerIAGSDC, serving a term as Chairman becoming an early recipient of the GoBoot Award. Roger and Dennis would bup less amicably and Roger would movMiami, where he briefly danced with Mustangs before moving on to other thWestern Star teachers, callers, dancers boards have changed over the years, no

mention our location, but the club managed to survive. If the personalitiesthe gossip havent been quite as juicy asearliest days, its because the foundbelieved, unlike the man they reacted agathat square-dancing, and the fellowshispreads when its at its best, is bigger tany one person, and ultimately the propof the dancers themselves. Its a philoso

thats served us well23 years counting

You will learn the calls by

definition. If you are doing your

part correctly, it will not matter

if its a man, a woman, or a

Hanukah bush coming at you.

If the personalities and th

gossip havent been as juicy a

the earliest days, its becausthe founders believed tha

square dancing is ultimately th

property of the dance

themselve


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February 52-5 pm & 7-10 pm

Pass Thru Paunsxutawney Prime 8s & Capital City Squares. Eric Henerlau caller. Afternoon A, C* $7

Evening MS, P, A* $8. Bell Avenue School, 1900 Bell Avenue, Sacramento

February 127-10 pm

Valentines Dance Foggy City Dancers. Deborah Carroll-Jones caller. MS, P, A* $8/$10. Ebenezer Lutheran

Church, San Francisco

February 167:30-9:30 pm Club Night! Allan Hurst caller. Mission Playground

February 18-20 PACE, Ben Rubright caller. C1-C3A. Oak Park Center, 1700 Oak Park Boulevard, Pleasant Hill

February 18-20ACDA VI, East Coast Gay A&C Weekend D.C. Lambda Squares, Washington, DC. Callers: S. Bryant, L.

Kendell, J. Marshall. Info: (703) 931-1849, [email protected]

February 19-201st Annual Central Coast Mini Fly-in Cuesta Squares, San Luis Obispo. Callers: D. Gallina, D. Rensberge

Info: (805) 543-4289, [email protected]

March 61-5:30 pm

Winter Dance Midnight Squares. Saundra Bryant caller. A1-C3A, $8/$10. Friends School, 117 Diamond Stree

San Francisco

March 11-13 PACE, Vic Ceder caller. Saturday C2. Oak Park Center, 1700 Oak Park Boulevard, Pleasant Hill

March 11-13Rain FestivalWet Dream Puddletown Dancers, Seattle, WA. Callers: S. Bryant, M. DeSisto. Info: (425)

687-8652, [email protected]

March 127:30-10:30 pm

Flip the Flowers Diablo Dancers. Gina Darcy caller. MS, P, A*. TBD

March 167:30-9:30 pm Club Night! Someone Special calling. Mission Playground

March 197:70-10-30 pm

23rd Anniversary Dance Eric Hennerlau caller. MS, P, A*, $8/$10. Friends Meeting House

65 9th

Street, San Francisco

March 21-23 32nd Annual Callerlab Convention, Louisville, KY Info: (321) 639-0039, [email protected]


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Western Star Dancers#584 Castro Street 480

San Francisco, CA 94114


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Scoot Back to Angel Islandvents Coordinator Grey Todd announcedthat the 2005 Western Star Dancers AngelIsland Picnic would be held on August 20

this year. Complete details will soon follow.Grey was able to reserve the same Hill

Picnic Area that we used last year, because it iseasily accessible from the ferry landing. Certainlongtime members, upon hearing this, shook theirheads and muttered wimpy! under their breaths.

Way back then, the WSD Angel Island Picnicwas regularly held on the opposite side of theisland from the landing. Getting to the picnicsite required a serious hike. Wimpy or not, ourability to hold our celebration in a centrallocation on the island speaks much for theacceptance of a gay square dance club by thegreater community. Our struggling foundersdeserve our thanks for that.

Details on ticket purchase for both theevent and the Ferry ride will be provided soon viaemail and club announcements. For now, markyour calendars and remember that partners, friends, loved ones, liked ones, spouses, buddies, and colleagues are all welcome to join us.

Watch your mailbox for more information.

E


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TIPS FOR BETTER DANCINGby Ed Foote (from The Western Star, July 1983)Dancers who follow these rules find they dance more, stand

less, and in general have a more enjoyable dancing experience.

1. Take hands with those standing beside you immediately after the

completion of any figure. This will help you to see the formation

you are in (line, wave, etc.) to do the next call. Hands should be

oined within 1/2 second after the completion of any call. Failure to

oin hands after a call will often result in sloppy lines or waves, which

will cause the square to break down trying to do the next call.

2. Believe the caller, no matter what he says. Often dancers will stop

cold if a caller tells them to do something and they do not know why

he told them to do it. This results in the needless breakdown of the

square. Forget worrying about "why" and just do as the caller says.

No matter what the caller says, do it. If a dancer refuses to execute a

given command, he has no one to blame but himself when this

causes his square to break down.3. If the caller calls a call you have never heard, do not give up and

quit. In the vast majority of cases the caller will tell you how to do

the call after he has said the name, especially if it is not one of the

"Basic Mainstream" calls. Even if you have never heard a call, if it is

not complicated, there is no reason for you not being able to do the

call if the caller talks you thru it.

4. If you become completely lost:

A. Do not turn around. This will make it difficult for someone

behind you to help you recover. It is much easier to guide

someone into place by guiding them from the back.

B. Turn your head in all directions to see where you should go;

and if someone says to turn around, then do it. Otherwise, retain

your facing direction and let someone guide you into place.C. Do not wander around. Stay put until someone either guides

you into place or tells you to go to a certain point. And do not

be surprised that you get this help--expect that you will get it and

be ready to respond to it quickly.

If you want to help someone who is lost, try to avoid talking and

instead use hand signals. A very effective method is to point to the

spot they should be in. If you talk, this may cause you and others in

the square to miss hearing the caller give the next call.

5. Whenever you pass thru with someone, always pass right

shoulders, never left shoulders. The only exception is from a left

hand wave--there you will step straight ahead.

b. In crossing trails with someone, always pass left shoulders. The

person on the right will always cut in front of the person on the left,

regardless of sex. Therefore, on the call 'Cross Trail Thru", after

passing thru with the people in front, you will now cross trails with

your partner by passing left shoulders.

7. If you are positive you have done a call correctly, do not let

someone who is unsure of the call make you change your position.

This will keep the square going. '

8. Do not rush thru a call. Many people seem so worried they will not

make it thru that they are pushing all the time. This disturbs others in

the square. It is better to relax and move to the beat of the music.

9. If a set consists of two strong couples and two weak couples, the

strong couples should be across from each other when squared up,

never adjacent. This will give each weak person a strong corner,

will provide each side of the square with strong dancers when d

figures. So if you and another couple visit a dance where the lev

higher than you are used to, if you dance together be sure to squ

up across from each other. Likewise, if two new graduates danc

your square, be sure that you and the other strong couple square

across from each other.

10. If your square breaks down get to facing lines. Do this by squa

back up and then have the head couples slide to the right to f

normal facing lines of four with each girl to the right of a man. N

watch the other squares. Often the caller will get the squares bac

facing lines a couple times before finally getting to a left alleman

when he does get them to facing lines, your square can now pick

the next call and you are dancing again. You may not wind up

your original partner or corner, but you are dancing and that isname of the game. This will not work every tile, as sometimes

caller does not bring people back to facing lines before a

allemande; but it works often enough to be worth doing. In fact, so

callers will intentionally bring people back to facing lines in orde

pick up those who have broken down early; if you do not accept

opportunity to get back dancing, you may have a long stand until

next left allemande.

11. Try to understand the definition of the call rather than j

memorizing a position. If you understand the definition, you will

able to do the call from any position; but if you have only memori

one position, you will be lost if the call is used from any oth

position. When a call is presented, it is often taught by telling

boys to do something and the girls to do something else. Howevthe definition of a call almost never involves a person's sex, but rat

is written for the outsides to do something and the insides to

something else or the left-hand person does one thing and the rig

hand person does something else, etc. The definition is what y

want to remember, not the particular teaching set up that was us

If after a call is taught you are not sure of the correct definition, a

the caller to explain it without using the terms boys or girls.

12. Please don't talk while the caller is explaining something. You

not need the help but others may, and you don't help the square

distracting people. If a caller is walking the floor thru a call, don't

ahead of the caller's prompting even if you know what is going on

isn't smartrather, it is inconsiderate of fellow dancers that need t

help. And if you deprive these dancers of a good understanding

the call, they lay break the square down later and you'll be stand

right along with them.

13. Don't knock your club; help it by being friendly and kind to

members and guests. If you are asked to help on a committee o

job, try and do so. If everyone refused to do any work, there wo

not be a club

Remember, all things considered, there are two primary reas

for squares breaking down:

I. Failure to take hands with adjacent dancers at the comple

of every call to form good lines or waves.

2. Failure to listen to or believe the caller.


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Maitri Hospice HoedownBy Paul Gonyea

Maitri AIDS Hospice hosted a hoedown on Saturday, March 19 with square dancing by Western StarDancers and Foggy City Dancers. The event was organized by Paul Gonyea.

Paul was excited with the results. Wow! I'm ecstatically pleased with how well this afternoon went.

Everyone showed up right on time, and gave the hospice residents a well-received gift of shared time, energy, andance. Afterwards, Maitri staff remarked that the Western Star and Foggy City dancers were really nice guys an

that we brought great energy anlife into the place.

Rich Reel did a couple ofintro calls and staff and volunteerjoined in. I think we made somesquare dance converts -- everyonhad a blast! Residents enjoyedwatching us move in patterns andsuspect they were vicariouslydancing with us. Even thoseresidents who couldn't leave theirbeds could hear and enjoy theenergy and the music.

Paul gave the dancers a toof the facility and they wereextremely impressed with howwonderful and beautiful Maitri is,and the amazing compassion &warmth that permeates the place

Maitri was founded in theearly 1980's by Issan Dorsey, a

former "drug-addled drag queenwho became a Zen Buddhist monand later, an abbot. He started thHartford Street Zen Center in theCastro around the time that AIDSfirst hit San Francisco. While the c

was embroiled in heated controversy over the epidemic, Issan rolled up his sleeves, and took in and cared for a shomeless student who had no one to turn to for help. He continued to take in more men who needed care andsupport, and an early form of Maitri hospice came into being and was most desperately needed. Maitri(pronounced like "my tree") is a Sanskrit word meaning "compassionate friendship". Issan died of AIDScomplications himself in 1990, after successfully building Maitri into a community of caretakers and volunteers. Hbiography, Street Zen,by David Schneider, chronicles Issan's remarkable life and illustrates how one gay man

created a legacy that has affected so many lives.Maitri has outgrown its Hartford Street facilities and is now is located in a beautifully renovated building

the corner of Church and Duboce. It houses 15 residents at any point in time, and focuses on providing AIDS hospand residential care for the most needy and destitute. Maitri is noted for using its donor contributions and fundinincome in very efficient and effective ways. It continues to provide superior compassionate care, even as fundingcuts force Maitri to rely increasingly on the generosity of individuals.

It's great to see how square dancing can reach out to the community with much-needed energy andfriendship. We added another dimension to square dancing, and gave a significant gift of fun and distraction tofolks facing illness and death.


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11/46

A Lucky Double WhammyInterview by dan smith

DH: Your name is?DS: Daniel Schweitzer. Ive been square dancing just aboutevery week since the middle of October. I heard about squaredancing from Ammon, the Arch Angel this year. Its funny butAmmon and his boyfriend are friends with this couple, Lanceand James, who I also knew through my boyfriend Jeff. So its

one of these friends of friends of friends things. Ammon gave usa flyer about square dancing and made me promise, promise,promise Id go. I got the double whammy when he got James toagree to go. I had the two of them saying, You have to come.You have to try this out. I told them that I would go to onedance.

I missed the intro night but showed up for the firstactual Class night. I had ablast. I couldnt stop laughing.I felt it was kind of corny andcheesy. I always thought ofmyself as a Big City boy, anUrbanite and here Im in San

Francisco doing gay squaredancing. I had a good timethat night. I found myselfreally enjoying it so I decidedto go back the next week to seeif I kept enjoying it.

I try to make sure I getto dance with lots of peoplebecause I like to dance witheveryone. I try to always get adance in with Matt and Darylbecause theyre very fundancers. I really like dancing

with Joe Iser. I think hes afabulous dancer, he movesvery well on his feet. I alsoenjoy dancing with Jim hes afun dancer. Its great to dancewith James not only becausewere friends but also becausewere sort of on the same level.That puts a little morechallenge on me. When Imdancing with an angel I feel I can rely on them to nudge me inone direction or another. With James were looking at eachother for help and guidance. That forces me to make sure thatknow what Im supposed to be doing.DH: Why didnt your boyfriend go?DS: Square dancing is something a lot of schools teach in the 3rdor 4th grade and lots of people learn to really hate it when theyreabout ten. Jeff also went through that and has this aversion tosquare dancing. When he does finally come to watch, everyonewill get to meet him and hell get to see me show-off my skills.DH: I cant get my boyfriend to come either.DS: Oh, were all widows, Jamess boyfriend Lance wont godancing and Ammons boyfriend Joel wont go dancing.DH: Where were you born?

DS: In Broward County, where the hanging chad andButterfly ballots were in the 2000 election. My parentsdivorced when I was 10 and Mother moved to Tampa, Floridto take law school. I guess you could say the apple doesnt falfar from the tree. Her mind is very predisposed to legal analysand so is mine. When I was 12 we moved to San Diego. Mo

and all my long time friends live there so I consider it home.DH: Have you ever mentioned to your friends that you square danceDS: Yes, I think all of my friends know. I actually enjoy tellinpeople because I like seeing their reaction. At first they laughand think Im joking. A lot of times it is just utter disbelief ansometimes they dont even think that there is such a thing as square dancing. Other times people dont know how to react

because the only way they cthink to react is kind of rudand disparaging so they juststand there. They think wedance to Billy Ray Cyrus. Imyself stand back, look at

square dancing and think,Yaw it is kind of hokey theway the dancing looks butalso think its very enjoyabl

DH: What social activities do y& your boyfriend have?DS: We like to travel a lot.Recently we took a weekentrip to Portland and weregoing to New York nextmonth to celebrate ouranniversary. Weve beentogether over two years.

We took a trip to Europe lafall and had a week inAmsterdam. I loved seeing the different colored tulips athought, Wow wouldnt itneat to start a garden in our

backyard! We brought batulip bulbs and I found myslooking forward to going inthe garden to see what colo

each tulip was going to become. I thought, Shoot if its beenthis much fun with the Dutch stuff why dont I do some moreflowers, so I bought seeds. Then I thought, Hay why not plasome vegetables. Now Ive got peas, tomatoes, eggplants, grepeppers and broccoli.

DH: Are there any final words youd like to add?DS: Only that Im having a great time square dancing and Imso glad Ammon got me to do it. Im really glad James talked into going and Im looking forward to Plus class. It starts at thend of April and Im very excited about that. It will go througSeptember or October. And then Ill decide what I want to dofrom there. I may stick with Mainstream and Plus just to solithem before I go on to Advanced. Im having a great timemeeting people at Western Star.


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13/46

April 1-3Philadelphia Freedom Fly-in XIIIGrand Swing Thru the Woods Independence Squares, Lake Harmony, PA. Callers:M. DeSisto, K. Jensen, T. Miller See website for details.

April 1-3 Pass the Sea XII Finest City Squares, San Diego. Callers: T. Crawford, M. Dee, A. Shore See website for details.

April 27-10 pm

Coming Out Dance Oaktown 8s Darren Gallina caller. M/P/A* $10 Leona Lodge, 4444 Mountain Boulevard, Oakland

April 8-10 PACE Saturday C1 Oak Park Center, 1700 Oak Park Boulevard, Pleasant Hill

April 14-17Pass Thru the Alamo ACWs Quinceanera Alamo City Wranglers, San Antonia, TX. Callers: B. Eyler See website fordetails.

April 167-10 pm

California Twirl into Spring Dance with Silent Auction Foggy City Dancers Anne Uebelacker caller. M/P/A* $8/$10Ebenezer Lutheran Church 678 Portola Drive, San Francisco

April 207:30-9:30 pm Club Night Ron Masker caller Mission Playground

April 217:30-9:30 pm Blue Mainstream Class Completion Party Mission Playground

April 237:30-10:30 pm

Walk & Dodge into Spring El Camino Reelers Pat Carnathan caller. P/A/C1* St. Andrews Methodist Church, 4111Alma Street, Palo Alto

April 244-6 pm

Spring Dance Midnight Squares Rob French caller. C2/C3A Friends School, 117 Diamond Street, San Francisco

April 287:30-9:30 pm Free Introduction to Plus Mission Playground

April 29-May 1

Pass the Ocean, Hon! Chesapeake Squares, Baltimore, MD. Callers: D. Carroll-Jones, D. Hodge, M. Jacobs See websitefor details.

April 29-May 1

Peel Off in Palm Springs IX (for men) CCBC Resort, Cathedral City, CA Caller: D. Gallina. See website for details.

May 57:30-9:30 pm Blue Plus Class Begins Mission Playground

May 13-25 PACE Barry Clasper caller Saturday C1 Oak Park Center, 1700 Oak Park Boulevard, Pleasant Hill

May 187:30-9:30 pm Club Night Allan Hurst caller Mission Playground

May 20-22Stumptown Stomp Capital City Squares Pat Carnathan & Joe Saltel callers. M/P/A/C1* Veterans Hall, Guerneville, CAInfo: George ((16) 929-8697

May 27-29Scoot Across the BorderQueen Victorias Secret Garden Triangle Squares, Toronto, Ontario. Callers: T. Crawford, N.Martellacci. See website for details.

For the latest dance information, checkwww.bayareadancecalendar.org and www.iagsdc.org


14/46

Western Star Dancers

584 Castro Street #480



15/46

ready for blast off to

Star Thruthe Silicon GalaxyWere in the final countdown. All systems are go for launch into the

Silicon Galaxy for the 22nd Annual convention of the International Association ofGay Square Dance Clubs (IAGSDC) in Santa Clara July 1-4. It is not too late toregister for the convention or to book a hotel room, but dont delay becausetime is running short. Due to warps in the time/space continuum, there wont

be any more IAGSDC conventions in this corner of the universe for quite sometime. It would be a shame to miss this one.

An assortment of merchandise and food options, as well as everyconceivable bit of intergalactic data pertaining the convention, awaits you at theconvention website: www.silicongalaxy.org . Ten outstanding callers will keepyou weaving, chaining, exchanging, spreading, and swinging throughout theweekend. Paramounts Great America amusement park, next door to theconvention in the Santa Clara Marriott, will have gigantic fireworks blow-outson both Saturday and Sunday evenings, July 2 and 3. Half price tickets areavailable for dancers who want to play hooky for a while and mingle with the Great American hoi polloi.

There is some exciting news about Friday night. All Join Hands Foundation is once again sponsoring

Trail-In Dance, so even if you can't make a full trip to the galaxy, please teleport in for a free night of dancingsome of your favorite callers. We'll also be having a contra dance that night with a live band, and after-hocountry-western dancing.

But there is so much to do before the convention!

Kris Jensen from Albuquerque will call for our Pride Dance on Pink Satur(see the back page for particulars). We are expecting visitors coming early for convention, so plan to host a festive occasion. Members are requested contribute food to share. Volunteers will be needed to help decorate, coladmission, and sell 50-50 tickets. Contact Joe Iser to volunteer.

Diablo Dancers will celebrate their 13th Anniversary on June 4, and Fo

City Dancers will host their Pre-Pride Dance on June 18. See Dance Calendathis newsletter for specifics.

Foggy City Dancers is sponsoring a contingent in the Pride Parade, and KJensen will be calling. They hope for a large contingent, representing many clubthe IAGSDC, as a prelude to the convention. In addition, they will need sevpeople to complete the mandatory monitor training in order to participate in parade. At press time, details are scarce. Tom Maher ([email protected])Foggy City is responsible for the organizing, and will pass on information whebecomes available. Checkwww.foggycity.org for more information, and watch yemail for updates.


16/46

I f you cou l d a s k a s qu a re d an ce w i z a rd an y th i n g ab ou t s qu a re d an c i n g b ecau s e you k n

h e / s h e / i t k n ows eve r y th i n g , wh a t wou l d you a s k M R. SQU!Z ARD?

Wh at l e ve l o f s qu a re d an c i n g d o you en joy th e mos t an d wh y?

Th ere you g o a g a i n u s i ng th a t w ord " l e ve l. " W h a t d o I h ave to d o

p e rmanen t l y f i x t h e no t i on th a t s qu a re d anc i ng h a s p rog r ams , no t l e ve l s . L eve l s s u g g e

th a t s ome th i ng i s b i g g e r , b e t t e r , g r ea t e r , h a rd e r th an s ome th i ng e l s e . P rog rams s u g g e s

s e t o f c r i t e r i a need ed to a c comp l i s h th a t p rog r am. Th e p rog r am I en joy th e mos t i s t

p rog r am b ei ng o f f e r ed th a t I vo l u n t a r i l y choos e to dance . I f I choos e to d ance t

M a i ns t r eam p rogr am now , th a t i s my ch o ice . I f I ch oos e th e P l u s p rog r am, s o b e

Know i ng more c a l l s d oes n ' t mean I h ave more fu n . Know i ng more c a l l s i s s i mp l y th a t ;

d oes n ' t mean I c an d ance th e c a l l s a t a l l- -mu ch l e s s w ith en joymen t . Squ a re d anc i ng i s n

j u s t a s e r i e s o f c a l l s ; i t i s f r i end s h i p , a d eep , c a r e s s i ng , comp as s i ona t e h u g w h en I f

d ow n . Squ a re d anc i ng i s s h a r ing my a ccomp l i s h men t s and k now i ng my p a r tne r and

co rne r a r e t ru l y hap p y fo r me . Squ a re d anc i ng i s commu ni ca t i ng w i th a s mi l e t o s omeow h en th ey fo r g e t h ow to ex ecu te th e c a l l t h a t you s t i l l l o ve th em and en joy th e i r comp an

Squ a re d anc i ng i s d anc i ng fo r you r s e l f and s omeone e l s e s o th a t a l l e i g h t o f you c

s u cceed . I en joy th e p rog r am I am d anc i ng b ecau s e I k now th a t I , w e , you , t h ey h ave

ch o i ce to b e a t t h i s d ance , and I 'm h ap p y th a t w e ch os e each o th e r .

Wh ere d o th ey g e t t h e f u n n y n ames o f c a l l s , l i k e D i x i e S t y l e t o a Wave?

W el l , t h i s one h a s a long h i s to r y beh i nd i t . S i nce you d i dn ' t a s k th e o r i g

o f t h e name wave , I ' l l a ss u me you k now th a t . Y ou mu s t t h i nk o f t h e s t a r t i ng and end i

fo rma t i on o f t h e c a l l . D i x i e S t y l e r equi r e s th a t you b e i n s ome fo rma t ion o f f a c i ng coup

Th i s i s r ep re s en t a t i v e o f t h e s t ru g g l e b e tw een th e Nor th and th e Sou th , t h e e s t ab l i s h me

o f th e M as on -D i x on L i ne , and th e u nre l en t i ng f i g h t t o no t s u r r end er th e f l a g o f D i xW h en one b eg i n s th e c a l l , t h e d ance r on th e r i g h t , r ep re s en t i ng th e a t t a ck i ng foo t s o l d i e

i s p rop e l l ed a c ro s s th e s e t l i k e a b u l l e t f rom a r i f l e d od g i ng each o th e r i n an a t t emp t to g

b eyond th e enemy l i ne . A t the s ame t i me , t h e l e f t -hand d ance r , r ep re s en t i ng t

command i ng fo r ce s , b eg i n s th e ch a r g e o f t h e r ema i n i ng fo r ce s t ow a rd s th e enemy l i n

W h en th e command i ng o f f i c e r s o f t h e op p os i ng fo r ce s mee t i n th e mi d d l e o f t h e b a t t l e f i e

th e re i s r e cog n i t i on o f t h e f u t i li t y o f w a r . Th ey j o in h and s and s a y , " H -e - e - r e ' s D ix i e ! " T

re s u l t i ng f o rma t i on i s an ocean w ave . C omp rend o?

(Originally published in WSD Quarterly Selections, Winter 1994)


17/46

Interview by dan smith

[Ed. Note: When Todd and Joe, very smartly dressed in the WSD uniform, steppedonto the dance floor at the Oaktown 8s Coming Out Dance, Caller Darren Gallinaannounced their entrance, The Mormon Boys are here! The appellation stuck.]

D: What are your names?

T: Todd Young.

J: Joe Casserly.

D: Where were you born Joe?

J: I was born in New Jersey just

across the river from Philly. Grew

up there, but went to

Connecticut and Philadelphia for

school. Then I went to NewOrleans to learn how to drink,

decided the silt was too hard to

swim out of, so I left there and

came to San Francisco. Ive been

here since the late 70s.

T: I was born in Manhattan,

Kansas and grew up in

Grandview, Missouri, a suburb of

Kansas City. Dads family was

one of the three foundingfamilies of that town; they were

all big farming families. When I

was in kindergarten or first grade

Father bought the Crest Drive-in

Theater so I grew up in the drive-

in. For more than five years I

saw EVERY movie that came out

and I saw them all 7 times. After

high school I went to college for

psychology in this little bitty

college town. When collegewasnt in session the town had a

population of about eight.

D: Why did you go for

psychology?

T: In high school they asked me

what I wanted and I had no clue

so I flipped to the very, very

back of the book to see what

made the most and it was a

psychologist. I

really like

psychology so it

was OK. One day in college I

realized that all the students in

my Psych class were crazy. I

thought, I dont want to be in a

study group with any of these

people. Then I realized that all

the teachers were crazy too. I

thought, You know I really dontwant to surround myself with

these types of people for the rest

of my life. So, I switched over to

art.

D: Joe, what do you do for a

living?

J: Right now Im a Mister

Computer fix-it guy. I got a job

doing desktop support with aninternational urban renewal

company. They design the

groundwork for the Olympics.

The Beijing Olympics is one of

our projects. We also did the

Atlanta Olympics. I also

developed a secondary position

within the company titled, The

Global Software Licensing

Management. Basically I keep

track of all the licenses of all thesoftware in all of our thirty so

offices in the world. So when

anybody wants to know how

many disks they have or they

want to buy new licenses they

call me and I make it happen.

D: Besides square dancing is

there anything you do together?

J: Were pretty scary boyfriends

in that we do everything

together. We breed gupp

Thats one of our big hobbies. W

have about a dozen tanks. Th

are very pretty, hearty and ea

to manage. We have f

decorating the tanks.

Christmas, Todd put one of th

little porcelain snow villages itank. It had the old time thin

like street signs, trains,

snowman and a candy store. T

fish would swim in and out

them and have a good time.

T: We also bird watch and

kites.

D: How long have you be

together?

T: Going on two years now. W

met on the Internet for sex.

J: We lived a half a block aw

from each other for six years a

wed never seen each other.

wouldnt recommend t

Internet for sex leading into

boyfriend, but we were just luc

because we had a lot in command hit it off. The relations

quickly developed in

something more then just

sexual intrigue.

D: How did you hear abo

square dancing?

T: We saw a demonstration tip

the Castro Street Fair. It look

like they were having the m


18/46

fun. It was fascinating because

like a Rubrics cube you get

knotted up and then it all comes

out. Joe was amazed also. Hes a

lot more mathematical so I think

he got interested in not only the

social aspect of it but also the

real intricacies of

J: But Im also a dancer! Ive doneprofessional dancing; Pop, Go-Go,

choreography. I danced with a

group called Oblong Rhonda.

For about twenty years it was the

counterpart to Voice Farm, a San

Francisco Performance Art band.

After my first lover died back in

the late 80s I connected up with

Oblong Rhonda and said, Hey, I

want to dance. We did shows at

the I-Beam, the Edge in Palo Alto,etc. We did stuff all over the

place.

Every dance was

choreographed with mild

improvisation but it would work.

We had rehearsals 3 or 4 times a

week. I always liked movement; I

was a theater major for a while.

I never really liked any

particular kind of dance. Id

taken mime, jazzbut ultimatelyIm a good barroom dancer. He is

too. Its been really nice being

with a guy who can dance

because we can really have a

good time together. And thats

what I consider good dancing, to

be able to let loose.

D: Why square dancing?

J: Well, he had square danced inschool a little bit when he was a

kid and so had I.

T: I was horrified that we were

actually going to do it, but it

looked like they were having so

much fun and he really wanted

to do it. So I think, You know I

didnt die in school doing it so, ok

Ill go. And its just so different

from what wed learned in

school.

J: In school you learn to do the

set moves on a record. Thats not

what were doing now. We have

a Caller spontaneously callingmoves. That is what makes it so

exciting. Also I like what are

called structured socials where a

group of people get together

and do some kind of activity and

build a community. Youre

making friends and through this

structure youre able to build

relationships.

Ive been hosting a poker

game for fifteen years now. Irotate different people through

but for me its a structured social.

Theres a pace to the evening.

Square dancing is like that.

D: Have you told your friends

that you square dance?

J: People are surprised. They

dont know how to take it. The

hokey quotient is one of thethings that I like about it. That

presses peoples button but not in

a bad way. Thats why I like bird

watching too, because theres a

certain hokey quotient to it. I

love challenging people in ways

that open them up. Usually

theyre very enthused about

square dancing. I think people

who resist it have a chip on their

shoulder. Ultimately its justhaving fun. We have a hoot the

whole time. We have a

guaranteed laugh for two hours.

If you go to a play downtown

youre not going to be

guaranteed that.

T: Nor will you make any friend

D: At most activities you do

laugh and have a good ti

when you make a mistake.

T: Exactly but thats the best pa

I was telling him when we we

to the dance last Saturd

[Anniversary Dance] that thwere times when things got

messed up and I just start

laughing and I just could

stop. For the next five calls

trying to listen to the next c

but still just laughing and hav

so much fun,

J: That was our first dance.

D: Well is there anything eyoud like to add.

J: Over all, I feel we got a r

deal here, definitely bang for t

buck. Now that weve cove

pretty much all of the calls

like to take the last few weeks

class and really solidify what I

learned. There are a number

calls that take me a while to g

because there are so manames. It just becomes rea

daunting. Im excited ab

going on to the Plus class.

bought tickets to go to t

Oaktown 8s dance.

T: Also we went to the Be

dance. We are not intimida

by the bear boys. The b

dance was great. Thats t

thing I like about Joe. Im alwopen for anything. Oh, Ill try

what the heck. And he is too

think thats how we ended

square dancing.


19/46

June 3-5Dynamite Weekend (Anniversary) TNTS Sacramento. Vic Ceder caller. Plus/C1/C2/C3A See www.bayareadancecalendar.orfor details.

June 47:30-10:30 pm

13th Anniversary Dance Diablo Dancers. Todd Fellegy caller. MS/Plus/A* $10 La Cheim School (aka Oak Park Center), 170Oak Park Boulevard, Pleasant Hill

June 51-5:30 pm

A2/C1/C3A Graduation Dance Midnight Squares. Todd Fellegy caller. $8/10/Class free. Friends School, 117 Diamond StreetSan Francisco

June 10-12 PACE, TBA. Oak Park Center, 1700 Oak Park Boulevard, Pleasant Hill.

June 15

7:30-9:30Club Night Allan Hurst caller. Mission Playground

June 15-18 Academy of Advanced & Challenge Enthusiasts V. Louisville, KY. Straight. Multiple callers. See www.iagsdc.org for details.

June 187-10 pm

Pre-Pride/Convention Dance Foggy City Dancers. Bill Eyler caller. MS/Plus/A* $8/10 Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 678 PortoDrive, San Francisco.

June 22-2554th National Square Dance Convention Oregon Federation, Square/Round Dance Clubs. Portland, OR. Straight. Multiplecallers. See www.iagsdc.org for details.

June 257:30-10:30 pm

Pride Dance Kris Jensen caller. MS/Plus/A* $8/10 Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 678 Portola Drive, SanFrancisco.

June 28-3017th GCA Caller SchoolEl Camino Reelers. Santa Clara, CA. M. Jacobs, B. Wise callers. PACE, TBA. Oak park Center, 170Oak Park Boulevard, Pleasant Hill.

July 1-4

22ndAnnual IAGSDC Convention Star Thru the Silicon Galaxy. Saundra Bryant, Vic Ceder,Andy Finch, Rob French, Neil Heather, Mike Jacobs, Michael Kellogg, Kiyoshi Kikuchi, AndyShore, Anne Uebelacker, Dave Wilson, Bronc Wise callers. MS-C4, Santa Clara Marriott, SantaClara, CA

July 8-10 PACE, TBA. Oak Park Center, 1700 Oak Park Boulevard, Pleasant Hill.

July 207:30-9:30 pm

Club Night Shimon caller. Mission Playground

July 29-31 Follow Your Neighbor XCadillac Squares Redford, MI. K. Burke, B. Eyler callers. See www.iagsdc.org for details.

July 304-8 pm

Picnic & Promenade Oaktown 8s Caller TBA. MS/Plus/A* $8/!0 Skyline Community Church, 12540 Skyline Boulevard,Oakland


20/46

Western Star Dancers

584 Castro Street #480



21/46

Western Stars Thru the Silicon Galaxyhe 22nd International Association of GaySquare Dance Clubs convention in SantaClara on July 1-4 included almost a thousanddancers, a plethora of fantastic callers, a

multitude of smiles, and tons of fun. There was anunexpected problem with the flooring during the Trail-n Dance, but it was fixed through a lot of hard workate into the night by the host club, El Camino Reelers.The Reelers spun a great theme of space oddities,ncluding six amusing robots, created by two ECR

members from trash they found, to make this aparticularly memorable convention.

On Saturday morning the annual delegatesmeeting was held. Steve Scott and Daryl Danielsrepresented Western Star Dancers. Two new clubswere accepted into the IAGSDC: Oaktown 8s fromOakland and Anywhere Squares (accepted as anaffiliate member) for dancers not affiliated with anyother club. One club, the Minnesota Wild Roses,folded in the past year. IAGSDC has 57 full memberclubs, and several affiliate and associate clubs. Theorganization has over $26,000 in the bank. Reportswere made by the convention committees from

Anaheim (2006), Denver (2007), and Cleveland(2008). Washington, New York, and Chicago made

presentations for the 2009 convention. Washington,D.C., was selected by the majority of the clubs to hostthe 2009 convention over Memorial Day weekend.

On the whole, the organization is in excellentshape. There is some concern about decliningmembership within 10 years or so, mirroring thedecline the straight square dance community hasalready experienced. Surveys are being studied and various options are being considered to promote our hobby and build membership.

Western Star Dancers Steve Scott presented a proposal on behalf of the three San Francisco clubs to permit new dancers (dancers who hcompleted Mainstream between conventions) to register for the next convention at the lowest advertised price. We further proposed that the status onew dancers could be designated by a club official. While we presented the proposal, no discussion was allowed. IAGSDC President John McKireferred the matter to the convention planning committee, because he did not want the IAGSDC to direct the convention committees regarding registrapricing. At any event, later in the meeting the Denver Red Rocks & Purple Mountains convention committee announced that they would implemenproposed policy for their convention. This could be the start of a tradition, we can only hope.

Meanwhile, back on the dance floor, gaiety prevailed. The specialty tips were ever popular. The leather tip was so crowded that the hall had expanded to accommodate the overflow crowd. Reportedly the Moonshine Tip was no big thing, but Russ King encouraged others to join in next year tosome of the interesting tattoos and piercing locations.

During the opening ceremonies, long time WSD Leon Dubois was awarded a medallion for attending 20 conventions. At the banquet, seWestern Stars were presented 10 year medallions: Ed Mah, Peggy Shumway, Rich Reel, and Ernest Dubois. Congratulations to all of you!

Star Thru the Silicon Galaxywas a joyous celebration, but the excitement is building for next years visit to the Magic Kingdom and Wish UpTharin Anaheim.

T


22/46


23/46

BETSYS BOYS

How often does a youngman actually get the op-portunity to meet his idol?Dedicated fans can hopeand wish, but it is only themost fortunate who actuallyexperience the fulfillment oftheir lifes dream. Somedancers in the conventionhalls thought that the GottaSpotting was just a rumor.

But the buzz quickly builtmomentum. Wow! BetsyGotta, Daniel exclaimed, Iactually sawBetsy Gotta!

Who can guess how manylate nights Daniel, James

Betsy and The Gotta Girls photo: Anne SpreadL-R: James, Herself, Daniel, Ammon

and Ammon spent watching those Betsy DVDs in their BVDs mesmerized by every subtle move and hangingonto every word? Did they actually spend their weekends going through the Betsy fan zines? giggling asthey combed each others hair into trendy Betsy Bangs?

What chance could her greatest fans have of capturing more than a glimpse when Betsy would be callingexclusively at higher levels, far out of the reach of the newbie cult boys?

Awestruck by the charm of Her Betsyness during the GrandMarch, Daniel fails to notice he is being cruised big time.

But miracles do happen. Reminiscent of MotherTeresa descending into the gutters of Calcutta,Betsy performed in the Mainstream Hall for a fewbrief moments. But that was enough time for herto work her devoted fans into a dervishingfrenzya virtual pilot square-cum-mosh pit.

The Gotta Groupies were allowed to pose for agracious photo opportunity and to gush to Betsyabout how they had seen all her movies. Dreamsdo come true and life can bestow an unexpectedthrill when it is least expected. And just to setthe record straight, the rumor that Daniel has aGOTTA DANCE tattoo in a private area is totallyunsubstantiated.

Betsy Gottas instructional DVDs are available for homestudy. See your archangel to borrow Betsy.


24/46

Steve ScottI will remember this convention fondly, because Iwent to Yosemite on a pre-convention tour. I hadntbeen to this beautiful park in many years. I hiked tothe top of Vernal Falls! On Saturday and Sundaynights I watched the fireworks from Great Americawith WSD members on the balcony of Grey andAmmons room oohs and ahhs from everyone! Improud that I had the opportunity to present a jointproposal by WSD, FCD, and MS at the IAGSDCdelegates meeting for lowest cost conventionregistration fees for new Mainstream graduates.

Merle AdamsI didn't dance much at the convention, except withthe Silver Foxes, a couple of times--I really enjoyedthat. Chris Jensen and another famous caller, weresinging dance calls such as : La da do 'Foreveryoung', la da do. Much laughter in the squares manytimes. There were Silver Foxes standing around, andI and a few others, didn't have any trouble beingspelled off.

I enjoyed doing a lot of service. It was nice meetingfolks from all around. A nice letter of appreication

was received from Tom Steele, of the 'Reelers'.

The leather dance was kind of fun to watch. I gmy leather belt, and large chain wallet to a friendwear, from the Oaktown 8's. We were separated a

I nearly got kicked out of the room by a very lawomen. When I found my friend just out in crowed hallway tee-heeing and having fun, a flashanger flushed in my face. A good friend said to m"Oh well dear, the worst that good have happenedyou is, that you would have needed to take off yocloths (the moonshine nude dance was next. I repl"NEVER! If you want it, you have to buy it, or ydon't get nothing at all. La ta do ta da. I say, if ycan't sell it, keep sittin on it"

I must say there was sort of a hunky guy at leather dance. He had a birth mark on his lower cheek. Yeeessss, the birthmark was very distinctiso you scat folks, don't get excited. Yuk!

Josef and his partner from down south, and I wthe first to walk over to the garage top to get group picture taken. I finally lost Josef and I couldfind any of my groups, so I just went ahead and stoin the front row. It's my time. My first conventionVancouver, I didn't even know there was a gro

picture, and In San Diego, the heat got to me outsi


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and I had to leave beforethe group picture. Ididn't make it toArizona. So now you allhave a remembrance ofGrandma Minnie Merle,right in the front row.

So many stories and so

little time, just likesooooo many men and....

PS. Thank you to all theguys who made it to myroom and kept mecompany for thefireworks. The 'Uzz andawes' coming from myroom, nearly got us allarrested-:)

Ammon CorlI had a blast at "Star Thru the Silicon Galaxy," myfirst convention! It was so amazing to see over athousand LGBT square dancers dancing in unisonafter the Grand March. I especially liked the "Take

No Prisoners" Plus tips called by Andy Shore - made it so you really had to think about each call anot just dance on "auto-pilot." I also very muenjoyed the energetic calling by Michael Kellogg aBronc - I will definitely be sure to attend their dan

in the future. Although I didn't dancethe "Leather Tip," I was very impres

by the turnout - perhaps someday in future if I ever own a leather outfit participate! (Hint hint, leather make

great gift!) I got to meet lots of grdancers from all over the woincluding square dancing legend BeGotta and dancers around my age frTexas and Alabama. I have lots of grphotos for the scrapbook and loforward to dancing at the nconvention in Anaheim!

Russ King

Okay, here are a few favoConvention memories, arranged day-day:

FRIDAY: Group hug with RoAlpenglow and Ed Conley during Trail-In Dance. When I archangethe WSD class that graduated in Ma'87, Robin was my second-in-comma(she moved to Sacramento shor


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thereafter, danced and taught with Capitol City, and

now lives in Madison, Wisconsin, where she dancesregularly with the straight community), and EdConley was one of that class's star students (he laterbecame a caller for awhile, and co-founded the

Diablo Dancers); lots of square dance history in ourlittle threesome, but these mini-reunions are one ofthe things Convention is all about...

SATURDAY: Being hypnotized by my psychedelicfan as we assembled for the Grand March. (As thesaying goes, It's never too late to have a happy

childhood.)

SUNDAY: Finally being relaxed enough to do theMoonshine Tip, and discovering for myself whatseveral friends had already told me--it's reallyno big deal. (And no, folks, I'm not going toshare information about who has tattoos orjewelry in unexpected places. It's like Las

Vegas--what you see inside stays inside; do ityourself next year if you're curious.)

MONDAY: Having Ruby from Seattle (in oneof her usual wonderful outfits) and Rick fromChicago, two of the friendliest and mostcharming people imaginable, in my last squareof the day Monday afternoon, and getting to seethem hug hips with each other during an hour-glass circulate.

OVER THE WEEKENDalso became aware that we hsome straight couples who attending the IAGSDConvention every year insteof Nationals (some are alreahalf-way to getting their tyear medallions!), because wmore fun to dance with, be

dancers in general, and (mimportant to the women) dohave a dress code. Thanks tvery pleasant woman frBaltimore named Linda, I nknow more than I want about what it's like to attemp

brief comfort break in swcrinolines, but at least I've hmy consciousness raised on subject. Now if our strai

allies can only band together, take on their leadershand get that silly dress code brought into the 2Century...

On to Anaheim!

James WilliamsThe convention boosted my enthusiasm for squdancing tremendously. The dancing was both and confidence-building. But what meant the mosme was that the more experienced dancers from club danced with us newbies most of the time. thankful for the friendships I've made (astrengthened-Daniel & Ammon) through squdancing.


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Interview by dan smith

D: Your name is?

J: James Williams. Im from Lebnun, Tennessee. Its a small

town about 35 miles from Nashville.

D: Oh, you mean Lebanon?

J: Yes like the country. But if youve lived there you say

Lebnum. I grew up there, out in the country actually. My familyhad been farmers and still had a lot of land when I grew up. I

went to college in Nashville, so not very far from home.

D: What kind of college?

J: A Southern Baptist private college. I majored in mathematics.

D: Are you from a Baptist background?

J: Yes I am but Im not actively attending church. Ive moved on.

I had a lot of Southern Baptist fundamentalism crammed down

my throat in the first 21 years of my life so its probably enough

to last me the rest of my life. (Chuckles)

D: Why mathematics?

J: Oh, I found it mentally challenging. After college I went to

Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh and got my MBA in Finance.

D: Do you have a lover, boyfriend?J: Yes Lance and I have been together for 12 years. We have a

tale that we always tell our parents and professionals about

how we met but the truth is we met at The Phoenix, the old bar

that is now part of Walgreens. It was a place that neither of us

had been to but we were each taken in that night by

friendsand we met. And so I guess it can happen that way.

D: Does Lance square dance?

J: Hes very supportive of me but hes not interested himself.

Lance has come to class a couple of nights to watch and he

came to our anniversary party. We have a good network of

friends. Were always going to dinner parties or hosting them.

He and I like to dance so we occasionally go to the Badlands

and other places to dance. We also both like to hike and have a

common interest in photography. We travel quiet a bit and havebeen quit a few unusual places. We spent a month in Egypt and

three weeks in Australia, been throughout Eastern Europe most

recently Romania and Croatia. Weve been to Paris and London

a few times. We take a lot of pictures and have enlargements

of them on the walls of our home

D: How did you find out about square dancing?

J: Im a friend of Ammon and his partner Joel. When Ammon

told me he square danced I couldnt help but laugh. Being from

Tennessee Im very familiar with square dancing although I did

only a bit in school. I could not see Ammon, the sophisticated

young urban guy going to UCSF, doing square dancing. But he

talked about it so positively the first year that he was in the club

that Im thniking, I really want to do this because I lovedancing, I love country music. Now of course I realize its not

all country music that we dance to. It sounded like something I

would really enjoy and I had the time sothats fine, Try it.

I was very pleased at how friendly and outgoing the people

were. Obviously its very intimidating when you go to an

organization and youre walking in from the outside. But

knowing Ammon and also our friend Daniel who started at the

same time as me made it much easier. The fact is that

everyone is so friendly. You walk in and immediately start

holding hands and hugging people. You cant help but get to

know them and feel good.

D: Have you gone anywhere other then Western Star?

J: No but on one of my many trips to Tennessee I plan

dancing at the gay square dance club that must exis

Nashville.

D: Are you taking the Plus class?

J: Yes Ive worked hard so far and Im not stopping now. In Daniel and I want to be ready for the convention, if at

possible. (They were.) What really decided it for me was

anniversary dance. I had so much fun it made me realize w

was doing square dance. After that night I knew I wanted to

to convention.

D: Have you told your friends that you square dance?

J: Yes and friends and family are not surprised beca

everyone knows that Im so into country music. But everyon

surprised that there is such a thing as a gay square dance c

in San Francisco. So I tell them that there are several and t

history. Its

always a fun

thing to tellpeople. Their

reactions are

basically positive.

If I can tell my

coworkers that

Im going to the

Dolly Parsons

concert with a

ticket I bought

through the Dolly

Parsons fan club

then Im certainly

not embarrassed

to say Im squaredancing.

D: How have the

angels helped

you?

J: People have very different dancing styles, so when Im fee

unsure about my knowledge of the moves I like to dance w

people like Steve because hes very helpful without confus

me. I also like to dance with Matt because hes fun

confident and he makes m

D: He looks like a square dancer too.

J: He does look like one! My biggest struggle has been to ca

up and memorize these dozens and dozens of new mo

because I missed several classes in a row. When youreyears old your mind doesnt pick up new things and remem

them as quickly as Daniels 26-year-old mind. Sometimes

very frustrated with my steps but Im committed to learning

Ive been to every class that I could.

One of my biggest disappointments is that theres not eno

time to get to know the other people because youre gener

always dancing or theyre making announcements and t

class is over and we all leave. I want to have time to tal

people. I really look forward to the Angel Island outing in Aug

That will be a great day to have a more relaxed time w

everyone.


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August 67:30-10:30 pm

Star Across SummerEl Camino Reelers. Howard Richman caller. Plus/Advanced/MS* $8/10. St. AndrewsMethodist Church, 4111 Alma Street, Palo Alto. IAGSDC Banner Dance

August 177:30-9:30 pm

Club Night Peggy Shumway caller. Mission Playground

August 209:45 am

Angel Island Picnic Rich Reel caller. Meet at Pier 41.

September 2-5The Great Chicago Crossfire XVI: Operation CrossfireAn ER Experience Chitown Squares, ChicagoS. Bryant, K. Jensen, M. Kellogg, J. Oldfield callers. www.iagsdc.org/chitownsquares/html/GCCF2005.html

September 9-11 PACE Anne Uebelacker caller. Saturday C1 Oak Park Center, 1700 Oak Park Boulevard, Pleasant Hill.

September 107-10 pm

Harvest Dance Foggy City Dancers & Midnight Squares. Mike Desisto & Anne Uebelacker callers.MS/Plus/A/C. Unitarian Center, 1167 Franklin Street, San Francisco

September 15-18Mountain MixRocky Mountain Rainbeaus, Denver. M. Kellogg, B. Miller, C. Robertson, A. Uebelackercallers. www.rainboeaus.org/mountain mix/index.html

September 21 Club Night Ron Masker caller. Mission Playground

September 247:30-10:30 pm

Leather & Lace Darren Gallina caller. MS/Plus/A* $8/10. EbenezerLutheran Church, 678 Portola Drive, San Francisco

September 23-24 Harvest Ball Ottawa, Ontario. S. Bryant, D. Moger callers. www.iagsdc.org/ottawa/


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Western Star Dancers584 Castro Street #480



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WSD Election

ResultsThere were no surprises in theSeptember Western Star Dancerselections. Each of the boardcandidates received an overwhelmingmajority of the votes, ranging from 92percent of the vote to 100 percent.The Board members and their

positions on the board are shown onthe right.

All three bylaw amendmentspassed easily. Article 4, changing themembership meetings from quarterlyto annually passed unanimously.Article 5, defining the role of theTreasurer had slight opposition.Evidently some felt that the Treasurerneed not be a board member, but if asituation arises in the future wheresuch a scenario might play out theboard at that time can make whatever

adjustments they might feel necessary.Article 7 had considerable opposition, although it passed 17-9. Article 7 was amended to allow two board members (currentlyAdministrator and the Treasurer) to have check writing privileges, but only one signature is required on each check. The board recognthat many organizations require two signatures; however, most WSD checks that are written are for less than $50. For such smallamounts, requiring two signatures placed undue hardship on the treasurer.

The bylaws changes were all intended to make the bylaws reflect the day-to-day operations of the club. The bylaws had last beamended in 1998.

Three Free Intro Nights at Temporary Location on Caesar Chavezhe Purple Mainstream Class of 2006 will square up withthree free introductory lessons on October 3, 10, and 17.

Yes, we are back on Monday evenings! Moving back intoEureka Valley Recreation Center is waiting for approval from theDepartment of Recreation and Parks. Officially, EVRC is slated toopen in October 2005, but we dont know when it will actually be.In the meantime, because Mission Playground is closed on Mondays,the Board authorized Joe Iser to find a low cost space to rent. Wewill be dancing at Studio 204 at 3435 Caesar Chavez, betweenMission and Valencia.

We are committed to this location for at least four weeks, andanticipate moving into EVRC as quickly as we possibly can. There is

parking in the area. Several Muni lines stop nearby12, 14, 26, 49, 67. The bathrooms are down the hall, and an upgrade from

what we have been accustomed to. The building is also residentso we must be respectful of the tenants.

The always-exciting, always-entertaining Rich Reel has again agreto be out class caller. The class per se will begin on October 24The schedule calls for 25 weeks of Mainstream, followed by 15weeks of Plus program.

See the back page for complete information. Bring your friends,partners, colleagues, classmates, roommates, comrades, buddieshomies, and amigos. They make the BEST dancers!

T


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Fashions for the FallWith the onset of autumn leaves, we are reminded to forsake the frivolous fashions of the idle months and consithe sophisticated styles of the social season: leather, lace and flesh. Current trends in the dance world are obvio

as the stodgy costumes of Dancing with the Stars have been abandoned for the revealing male bustlines on vin So You Think You Can Dance. As with any fad, once again it is the denizens of the demi-monde of squdancing who have been in the vanguard. From Ammons mammaries to Greys anatomy, it has been a great year

We the Un-Weaned. During the Labor Day Weekend, sunshine, margaritas, burgers, and Kips overwhelm

hospitality attracted two dozen wannabe pool boys, including some with perky bosoms that served as floatatdevices.

You Go, J-Lo!

Earlier in the year, suspicions of what was tocome were aroused when Joe Britney

Casserly, introduced bare-midriff to the

dance floor. By summertime, the plungingnecklines of Jeff Kavinta flirted with a certain

peek-a-boo sensuality. With moonshine andleather tips, pool parties and street fairs, nips

to navels (and beyond) have become derigueur on the runway. Aside from the

abundance of manboobs, a delightfuldivertissement has been the resurgence in

our Square Nation of the boyish figure,originally made popular by Audrey Hepburn.

Ever Audreyesque

And now, it is time to play Americas favorite parlor game:Match the Manboobs

1. Classic curves 6. A-CupA. Steve B. Dom C. Dave

2 Udder delight 7. B-Cup D. Kip E. Ron F. Gary

3. Obstructed view 8. C-Cup G. Ammon H. Rich I. Grey

4. Leather/laceless5. Laceless/faceless

9. My cup runneth over

SCORING: 10 points for knowing that center square is not Paul Lynde. 5 pofor each correctly identified nipple, andpoints for properly recognizing the dcotage of the buxom model in PhotoPossible Score: 100

ANSWERS:

Guest columnist Brenda Line is a respected journalist, international fashion correspondent, and nabob of nippery.


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S: Whats your name?D: David Potenti. Im better known as DavidaAshton.S: Where were you born?D: I was born in Stockton, California, one ofthe first Valley Girls, Big Valley Girls. Wemoved here from Stockton in 1962 so I feelSan Francisco is my home. I went to highschool at Mission Dolores and Polytechnic.S: How was Mission High?D: I lived on Dorland Street almost rightbehind Mission High and it was a little torough for me. Several friends and I decidedPolytechnic was a safer school. I was alreadyout of the closet and flaming; and MissionHigh school was not for me. Polytechnic wasgood. I made friends with all the bad girls in

school. They were called Bad Girls. Theywere the girls that would put out beyondnecking.S: And you were one of those?D: And I was one of those. I had severalboyfriends in High School becausePolytechnic had quite a few gay students.S: What happened when you finished highschool?D: I went to the Marnello Beauty School overin Oakland.S: Why a hairstylist?D: In high school I felt like Cinderella on

Friday nights at my house doing the Bad

Girls hair and make-up--those were the beehivedays you know. I learneda lot about make-up andhair. I also tested what Icould get away withmyself; I was outrageous asa teenager.

Whats that on yourface?

Oh its Clearasil.Pancake Clearasil.S: So you square dance.

What else do you do?D: Well in the early 80swhen AIDS first camearound I began losing somany friends. I was testedand I was negative and wasshocked that I was. Iwanted to give somethingback for the ones that Idlost and the ones who

were struggling, so I gotinvolved with fund raising.In 1990 I ran for the officeof Grand Duchess of SanFrancisco. The officialelection is quite a big dealjust like the ones forEmperor and Empress. Wedo a lot of fundraising.Basically these titles are

glamorous words for a lot of hard work. Idbeen raising money for the Emperors,Empresses, Grand Dukes and Grand

Duchesses since the 80s. I decided I wantedto give my input to it because I felt I hadenough knowledge to do it. That year weearned more money then had ever beenraised before. Basically I concentrated on

AIDS charity because we needed it so badly.Project Open Hand is my pet baby. Alsoaround Christmas, Easter and Thanksgivingwed do a Tenderloin Tessy Holiday Dinner.

Wed bring money and pass out small gifts,toiletries usually. We get about a thousandpeople, so you figure a thousand gifts at $2eacha lot of people would tell me that thatwas the only gift theyd received that year.S: Tell me about your Investiture.D: At the Investiture you meet your Court,the people that helped you get elected andwill work with you during the year. I hadalready worked my way all the way up tobeing a Princess, which is as far as you cango without being elected. At Investiture Iknelt on a little stool, they put the robes onme, arranged the necklace and earrings andwent through a whole ceremony. At the endof the year if youve fulfilled your term youbecome a number; Im Grand Duchess 18. If

I was to be announced it would be as 18th Grand Duchess.S: Wonderful. Tell how you heard absquare dancing.D: It was during a traumatic time in my lhad lost two very close friends of 30 and

years. They died almost within six montheach other. We had been teenagers togetI went into a heavy, heavy depression oveMy friend Carol, whos a square dancer,

very worried about me. She said, You besnap out of it. Im taking you square danc

You need to enjoy square dancing. I OK, maybe it will be good for me. Awatched I thought, Oh thats complicated. Its just unbelievable to wa

What was good for me was the hugging. Twas the best part of it. I got hugged hugged and hugged. I mean real good humean real good hugs. What fun to dawith all these gorgeous, friendly menthought, Oh this is really good. Ive dall this fundraising for so many other peo

but now this is good for me. Its jusabout me. Im a people person so afterfirst time there I knew I wanted to come b

All the dancing, hugging and twirling imuch fun. You dont think of it iromantic way like at a slow dancesomething. Its just fun with the boys.S: So youre now taking Plus?D: Im doing Plus and will continue undance as well as you.S: Well that wont be very long. (Dan chucD: Oh I always love dancing with you. Yoa good leader. After I learn female Ill

male so that I can alternate. The other Rich was playing with us and he sashayedThe females had to lead the males. I dknow what the hell to do. I thought, Ohgot to grab him this way and how do do it now? It was very awkward for because I really hadnt even thought abouI picked it up but I thought, Ive got to leboth. Paul is learning female this year. always done male and its a big transitionhim.S: Was there an especially memorable sqdance night?D: The night I graduated from Mainstreamhave the certificate framed and I treasur

Another time that comes to mind was wa friend said, Youre going square danon your birthday? Why not? It sounlike fun. Everyone sang happy birthdayme and that was so sweet. Those things sout. I call square dancing a guilty pleasIts something that I do for me, just me. not doing fund raising with it; I dont havcome in drag. When we all go into center with our hands for Ladies Centthink, Cant you hear the crinoline. C

you hear the crinoline? Wuss, Wuss.


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Favorite color: Purple wish theyd make moremens shirts in that color!

Favorite food: Pork tenderloin cut into thinslices, marinated in soy sauce, breaded withbreadcrumbs then fried. One of my moms recipes we called it Za rou rou, translated to friedmeat meat.

If you could be any animal, what would you be?

Hmmmaybe a panda bear or a koala bear theyre very cute and look pretty content in life.

Lucky number: Eight the standard number ofSteamed Shanghai Dumplings that come in anorder.

Favorite movie: Probably American Beauty.More recently Ive enjoyed Million Dollar Baby,Mystic River, and The Hours. Gotta love thoselight-hearted romantic comedies (just kidding).

Favorite song: Giving you up by Kylie Minogue its just so darned catchy!

Your hero/idol: Definitely my mother I canteven begin to describe what an inspiration shewas to me.

Other hobbies: Taking long, brisk walks, watchingcheesy reality TV, going out to eat, dancing.

Where born/raised: Born and raised inPoughkeepsie, NY, about 70 miles north of NewYork City. Poughkeepsie is like Mall Central ithas 2 indoor malls located right next to eachother and, oh, about 15 or so strip malls.

WORST subject in high school: Gym class I

absolutely sucked at every sport in high school(except for maybe Badminton but now is thatreally a sport?). My worst gym grade was thesemester where we were all required to takeweightlifting after like 2 sit-ups my friends and Iwould go off to the side and talk about MelrosePlace for the rest of the gym period. My gymteacher was not amused.

University degrees: I got a B.S. in biology (withconcentrations in Plant Biotechnology andNeurobiology and Behavior) from good ol BigRed (Cornell University) in Ithaca, NY.

Tell about Joel: Wow! I cant believe its been

almost 5 years now that weve been together. Joel

is so wonderful hehas a somewhatimposing exteriorfaade but insidehes really a sweetlittle teddy bear! Wemet right beforeHalloween on thedance floor of TheCaf (a club in theCastro) I knewthat he was a

keeper when I toldhim where I grewup (Poughkeepsie)and he actuallyknew where it was!

We made plans to see each other again onHalloween night in the Castro, and the rest ishistory

Tell about yourdrosophila: Ive always been a bitof an insect guy. I did 2.5 years of research as anundergraduate on Malayan Stalk-eyed flies andMadagascar Hissing Cockroaches (the big uglyones you see on shows like Fear Factor) it wasalso during my undergrad years that I got really

into fruit fly (Drosophila) genetics. As agraduate student at UCSF I wasimmediately drawn to the Heberlein lab we work with fruit flies and alcohol twoof my favorite things in life!

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2005 The Western Star