Convention 2015

2015 Square Dance Convention

The 2015 convention is now over. We wish to thank all the callers, cuers and line dance leaders for volunteering their time and talent to help make the 53rd MI Square and Round Dance Convention so much fun! We also thank our committee members for your encouragement and support and the many hours of work you put in during the past year - we couldn't have done it without you! And to all of you dancers that attended, a huge THANK YOU for you are the reason Square Dancing exists.

If you attended Ceremonies you heard that we had 20 new people attend the "Intro to Square Dancing" on Saturday morning and all were smiling, laughing and having a great time. How exciting to know we could possibly see some of these people dancing at next year's Convention! If each person (or even couple) that attended the convention introduced one person to square dancing this year, think what an impact that could have on next year's attendance. Lessons are starting soon in most places - who will you introduce to the fun of square dancing?

Again, our thanks to EVERYONE! We had a great time and hope you did, too. See you in Dearborn next year!

Rick & Judy Magnuson, Chair

53rd MI Square & Round Dance Convention

Join us on August 20^th (Trail End dance), 21^st and 22^nd, 2015 for the 53^rd Annual State Convention. We'll once again be at the Grand Rapids Crowne Plaza Hotel.

If you're a history buff, you can find information on past conventions here.

What You Can Expect for 2015!

• Thursday Night Trail End Dance: Don’t miss this special dance with International Caller, Nick Hartley and Featured Cuers, Pat & Joe Hilton. Free admission with your “I’m Registered” ribbon.

• Friday: Caller’s Seminar; Die Hard Dance

• Saturday: "Star Promenade" Fashion Show

6 Halls of FUN DANCING FRIDAY & SATURDAY.... including:

• Main Dance Hall: Plus, High Energy Plus, Hex, Progressive Squares, Ph. II Rounds each hour Friday and Saturday evenings

• Mainstream Hall: High Energy Mainstream, Lines each hour Friday and Saturday evenings

• DBD/Advanced Hall

• 2 Variety Halls: C-1, Lines, Traditional, Intro. Workshops

• Rounds Hall: Ph. II-V Program, Showcase Teaches, Clinic with the Hiltons (register with this form).

• Theme baskets have always been a highlight of our State Convention. This year’s format will be a Silent Auction (not a raffle) and we invite your club to create and donate a basket by submitting this form by Aug 1. Proceeds will be used toward the cost of hiring a professional sound company for the convention.

Schedule

Thursday: Trail-In Dance 7:00-10:00 p.m. (casual attire acceptable)

Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. (casual until 6:00 p.m.)

Friday: 10:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. After Party Die-Hard Dance - High Energy Fun

Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. (casual until 6:00 p.m.)

Dance Registration

Get your advanced tickets early (before July 1, 2015) for the weekend package at an exceptional value of only $18 per person. At the door, weekend ticket package cost is only $22 per person.

Please download and complete the Convention Info and Registration Form, write a check payable to MCSRDC and mail your registration form and check to: Vickie Stewart & Dan Harris, Registration Chair, 4530 Doncaster Ave, Holt, MI 48842-2000. If you have any questions, just drop an email to squaredancersx2@yahoo.com.

Hotel Registration

Call the Convention Hotel - Crowne Plaza (5700 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI) directly at (616) 957-1770 by July 30, 2015 to get the convention rate of $96 (plus tax) per night (avlb 3 days before and after convention). As of Jul 29, there are only 3 rooms left for Thursday, Aug. 20th, 2 rooms for Friday, August 21st and 3 rooms for Saturday, August 22nd at the Crowne Plaza at the special Convention rate. After July 30th, they will go to the full hotel rate.

Camping Update

We have made arrangements to use the camping facilities at Kent County Youth Fairgrounds (KCYF.ORG) - 225 S Hudson, Lowell, Michigan

The campground is about 14 miles away from the Crowne Plaza Hotel where we will be dancing. Travel time is about 15 minutes. (Lowell is at exit 52 and the Crowne Plaza is at exit 43 off I-96). Sites will be available from Wed Aug. 19 through Mon Aug. 24 (or maybe Tue as there's lots to see and do in the GR area). Price is a very reasonable $20 per night. They do not take reservations so make your camping arrangements through us. (see contact info below)

There’s plenty of room on nice grassy areas and a large bathhouse. We’ve asked for an area where we can all be close to the bathhouse. There are a limited number of 50 and 30 amp sites but plenty of 20 amp sites. Let us know what amperage you need so that we can be sure you get the proper site. Since the electric /water hookups are clustered, you may want to include an extra hose and electric cord to be sure you can reach the poles where these are located. If you need 30 amps you may need an adapter since there are more 50 amps than 30’s. We will arrange the campers around the hookups so that everyone has the room and hookups that they need.

We are asking that you email us (patandervnab@att.net ) to let us know what you need so that we can save your spot. Please pass this information on to anyone you know of who might be interested in camping during the convention.

Pat and Erv Naber, Camping Coordinators

Email: patandervnab@att.net

Pat cell: 616-808-7273

Erv cell: 616-856-8413

Attractions

Gerald Ford Presidential Library & Museum, 303 Pearl Street NW

Fred Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, 1000 East Beltline NE

White Caps Baseball (minor league affiliate of the Detroit Tigers)

Home games are played at Fifth Third Ballpark.

John Ball Zoo, 1300 W. Fulton

Grand Rapids Public Museum and Van Andel Museum Center, 272 Pearl Street NW

Grand Rapids Art Museum, 101 Monroe Center NW

Richard and Marie Kolbe, our Advertising Chairs, invite you to place an ad and promote your business by connecting with the many dancers who'll be at the convention. Details here.

Convention questions should be directed to the Convention Chair at SquareDancersx2@Yahoo.com