I was honored to be asked to lead a community dance at the Cave Degree Weekend in Yreka in early September, and delighted to get as many participants as we did. The weekend was nicknamed “Odd Con”, and of course the dance was the Odd Ball. There were about 50 people in and out of the hall, and in the dance breaks we had a cakewalk and a wine draw, so lots of participatory action. People were very game – I didn’t have much trouble getting dancers up for things like “Haste to the Wedding”, “Cumberland Square 8”, “Galopede”, “La Chapelloise”, etc.
The dance was in the historic Masonic hall in Yreka, and thanks to the Masons for the use of the hall.
The band was two Odd Fellows members I hadn’t met – Toby Hanson, who is a fantastic accordionist, and Ashley Hill, who turned out to be an excellent fiddler. The band and the attendee’s willingness made this a great event.
People were stopping me for the rest of the weekend to tell me what a good time they’d had, and I’ve had contact from two local lodges about getting community dance going in their halls.
Thanks to the Cave Degree organizers for trusting me to do this work!
— by Alan Winston, TF52