Looking Glass Music & Arts Association

Dancing in Lansing!

Hello! As many of our friends know, Julie Levy-Weston writes a short e-newsletter with current Lansing Contra Dance News, events and information, called Dancing in Lansing. Julie, or occasionally another board member, sends the e-newsletter to our list of interested members and friends on the Thursday evenings before the first and the third Saturday dances. We'll archive the messages here, with the most recent at the top. By the way - YOU can join that list by sending us your email address, noted with your name and city. We will never sell or share your email address to anyone, Dancer's Honor.

Julie LW sent on January 20, 2023

Dancing in Lansing, this Sat, Jan 21

Hi Friends- There is a contra dance this coming Saturday, Jan 21 in Lansing at The Central United Methodist Church- that’s 215 N. Capitol Ave. Mae Wilson will be calling with tunes supplied by Pimento Mori. The calling will be gender inclusive using Larks and Robins. New dancer intro at 6:30pm- dance is from 7pm-10.

Admission will be “Pay what you can” with $15 recommended The scale is from $5 to $20 - (though if you won the lottery and want to go higher, that is OK). This seems to be working pretty well- the dance Jan 7 was only $8 shy of breaking even. That is great! So, come on out and bring a friend or two. January is a great time to try something new!

Our next dance will be Sat, Feb 4 at CUMC. The Banjo Tramps will provide the tunes with calling by Rick Szumski. Same times and price as above.

We’re continuing Covid precautions- Ingham County actually moved up from Low transmission to mid level a couple weeks back, but numbers have come back to low that last time I looked. We keep an eye on the Ingham county Health Dept. site for current numbers.

I also have gotten in the habit of taking a look at the line to get into the testing space at the Old Sears store at Frandor. Longer line usually means numbers are going up (just 3 cars yesterday, mid-day)

Everyone must provide proof of vaccination, photo ID and contact info. We hope that you have gotten one or more boosters. If you were at earlier dances this Fall, we are maintaining a list to help speed up the check in process.
Masks MUST be worn in the dance hall, except when drinking water.
individually wrapped/bagged snacks are ok this time
If you are feeling off or SICK- DO NOT Come to the Dance.

Trillium Twirl Weekend is back for 2023. It will be April 21-23. Main caller is Darlene Underwood (she called our New Year’s dance) with tunes by The Mean Lids. lots more info at http://trilliumtwirl.org. Registration due by April 17

See you on Saturday! Julie LW

Julie LW sent on January 6, 2023

Dancing in Lansing, Sat Jan 7

Hi Friends- Hey- New Year’s Eve was a fine time! We shared a very fun evening of lively music, great dancing, party hats and snacking! I hope we can do it again next New Years!

On with 2023 –Start off the new year with a Contra Dance- Saturday, Jan 7 at The Central United Methodist Church- that’s 215 N. Capitol Ave in Lansing. The band will be “Tana and the Tall Boys” with Calling by Julie Levy-Weston. New dancer intro at 6:30pm- dance is from 7pm-10.

For latest Covid info, see the bottom of this email. Note- If you Feel like you have a Cold or Flu coming on, please don’t come to the dance.

Admission will be “Pay what you can” with $15 recommended The scale is from $5 to $20 - (though if you won the lottery and want to go higher, that is OK). We’re continuing “pay what you can” as we are getting closer to breaking even at most dances. Of course, the best thing would be getting some new dancers to join us. This is a good time of year to get your not-yet-dancing friends to come and check out this activity that has hooked so many of us.

The next dance in town will be in two weeks, Sat Jan 21- Caller will be Mae Wilson with tunes by “Pimento Mori”. Same Times, pricing and place.

There is not much going on in the world of dance weekends. Though I think there are a couple in Florida. More weekends will start popping up as we get closer to Spring.
I did get a notice from the Tropical Dance Vacation folks that their events will be Jan 31- Feb 7 for English Country Dance and Feb 8- Feb 15 for Contras and Squares. All this happens on the lovely island of St Croix- dancing under a big, beautiful tent on a specially constructed sprung wood floor. It sounds so nice and warm! More info at https://www.tropicaldancevacation.com/

See you on Saturday! Julie LW

COVID INFO Covid19 is still with us - did you hear about the latest variant that is rapidly spreading- sigh? Once again, since this kind of dancing requires such close contact- not to mention breathing really close to your partner’s face- we request that you wear a mask while in the Fellowship Hall. However, when you are outside the Fellowship Hall, you can remove your mask if you choose.

Continuing Covid Protocols

Everyone must provide proof of vaccination, photo ID and contact info. We hope that you have gotten one or more boosters. If you were at earlier dances this Fall, we are maintaining a list to help speed up the check in process.
Masks MUST be worn in the dance hall, except when drinking water.
individually wrapped/bagged snacks are ok this time
If you are feeling off or SICK- DO NOT Come to the Dance.

Julie LW sent on December 30, 2022

New Year's Eve Dancing!

Hi all- Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve and we’ll join together to dance Saturday night and celebrate 2023!

The planning committee has decided that we WILL have a New Year’s Eve dance (after cancelling the last two years due to Covid)

For 2022, Darlene Underwood will call to music from The Johns Where? - Valley Farms Community Center DeWitt Township. 16101 Brook Rd Lansing

NOTE- The City Pulse listing for this dance says there is a potluck. Nope, no potluck this year. December 31, 2022 7:30PM New dancer lesson 8PM Contra dance party begins 9:45PM Break for special yummy Desserts 12:00AM Welcome in the New Year! Snacks! Feel free to bring individually wrapped snacks to share. If it’s gluten or dairy free, please label it. Thank you! Place your name on any serving items, so your items are returned to you.

Gate Costs for 2022 $20 - Members of any traditional dance organization $25 - General public $10 - Students $0 - Kids get in free!

Again - There is No pre-dance potluck this year.

After much discussion, we (the dance committees of Looking Glass Music And Arts, and the Ten Pound Fiddle) have decided to leave our Covid precautions for New Year’s Eve as they have been since we started up last spring.
-We require Proof of Vaccination If you have danced with us this fall and presented your vaccination card, we have that recorded and you do not need to bring your card again. -Mask While Dancing -It is OK to take Masks off around the (individually wrapped) snacks

the New Year’s dance has long been my fav of the whole year. Can’t think of a better way to bring in 2023

The next dance in town will be Sat Jan 7 at Central United Methodist Church, 215 N Capitol Ave in Lansing. Julie Levy-Weston will call and Tana and The Tall Boys will provide the tunes. New dancer intro at 6:30pm, Dance starts at 7pm and ends at 10.
(You know, we have not talked about pricing, I’ll let you know next week if we are continuing “pay what you can” or going to a set price)

Ok- hope you had a nice Holiday season. See you on New Year’s

Happy Dancing, Julie LW

For more, see our archive.