[Squaredancing] Re: [sd-callers] National Convention trip report

[Clark Baker]

On Jun 28, 2005, at 12:20 AM, Clark Baker wrote:

> Having just returned from the National Convention in Portland, OR I
> thought I would give you my impressions.

And I forgot to mention two important topics -- solos and clothing.

Unlike previous (recent) years, there was no solo hall or rainbow room. 
  Each large hall had a solo area where solos could congregate and find 
each other.  I did see lots of people with solo ribbons and I never had 
a problem finding a partner.  I have some advantages as I know a lot of 
callers and am comfortable asking their spouse to dance, and I also 
know many in my daughter's circle of friends and dance with them.  
Also, there is a large collection of people I have seen in previous 
years and at other events.  Finally, I often will ask those from other 
countries.  Bottom line, getting partners wasn't a problem.

I am not a big fan of the dress code stuff.  I did my usual which was 
to wear a t-shirt with a dance theme (usually a NEFFA t-shirt (see 
http://www.neffa.org/What_is_Festival.html) and long pants.  I believe 
this is appropriate attire for contra dancing (as it is what they wear 
at the local Portland contra dances).  I also danced square dressed 
like this.  I was never given a second look by those checking badges at 
the doors.

Normally I change into a western shirt for the evening sessions.  
However, Thursday someone knocked over a large coffee which soaked into 
my shoe bag, getting all over the bag, my shirt for the evening, my 
jacket, my program book, and my dance shoes.  I was not happy.  I 
washed everything and set them out to dry in each room I danced in 
(airing my laundry?).  I did not wear the shirt that night.  Saturday I 
never got around to changing, either.  So I was able to dance dressed 
as I wanted to.

That said, I did encounter one person who is better known than I who 
was told that she couldn't dance squares dressed as she was (not in 
square dance clothes), but dressed up (she had been working a vendor 
booth).  I would have been happy having her in my square and think it 
is too bad she was not allowed in.

--
Clark Baker, Belmont, MA
cmbaker at tiac.net