2024 Mid-Tex Festival
If you haven’t already, make plans yet to attend the 2024 Mid-Tex Festival. The flyer with the registration form is available here. It’s just too much fun to miss!
Also, help is needed for various tasks during the festivities. Please consider donating a slice of your time to help the weekend run smoothly. Look for the yellow cells in this online spreadsheet for where help is needed and email Chuck Sherman to fill in.
May 2024 RCS
The May 2024 issue of the Round the Capital Square (RCS) newsletter has been posted to the
Newsletters page of the ASRDA website.
(Apologies that this notice didn’t go out sooner!)
Cruising Update
Another quick update on the adventures of Dan, Gail, Bruce, and Pam
Day 138 of 274 UWC - Today we docked in Penang. Malaysia . A very hot and humid day.
Penang is an island state off the coast of Northwest Malaysia . It is culturally diverse with a population that includes Chinese, Malays, Indians, Eurasians, Siamese and expatriates. There is so much British influence and building architecture here. Penang gained its independence in 1957 from Great Britain .
We had a private excursion today. Had a Malaysian Navy ship across the pier from us. So you know I can't pass up a picture of one. Through the cruise terminal was a Folkloric group welcoming us. Walked to our tour Air Conditioned bus and drove through the city of George Town, Penang. So much British influence and traditions. Our first destination was Penang Hill where we caught a funicular tram up to the top. Such a great view of the city and harbor from up there. At the top were a Hindu Temple and an Islam Mosque. Such beautiful architecture and sculptures and carvings. Caught the funicular back down and Bruce and I got an ice-cold A&W root beer at the restaurant below. So refreshing
The “restaurant below” sounds like my kinda place!… Mike
To see it all, browse and/or ask to join the Facebook group
Cruising with Dan & Gail and Bruce & Pam3211235
Funicular (a cable railroad, especially one on a mountainside, in which ascending and descending cars are counterbalanced) tram
Cruising Update
Another quick update on the adventures of Dan, Gail, Bruce, and Pam
Bruce:
I'm a couple of days behind. This past Saturday and Sunday we were docked in Yokohama Japan. We went to Disney Sea on Saturday. Talk about crowded. Most of the rides we went by had 2 hour or longer wait times. We finally found a 40 minute wait at the Marine Institute. We were getting hungry, so stood in line for 45 minutes to get a hot dog and soda. Finally decided we'd had enough, so we left, and with Gail's wonderful navigating, made our way to Shibuya Scramble Square in downtown Tokyo.
To see it all, browse and/or ask to join the Facebook group
Cruising with Dan & Gail and Bruce & Pam3211235
Disney Sea
Cruising Update
Another quick update on the adventures of Dan, Gail, Bruce, and Pam
From Bruce, Wednesday:
“We arrived this morning in Nagasaki Japan. We had a fairly short tour today. Only two stops today. Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park with Ground Zero. Another very sobering day. There were so many photographs showing the utter devastation and carnage that took place on August 9, 1945 at 11:02 AM, 3 days after the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. A lot of the photos were so graphic I couldn't take a picture of them.
After the museum we went to the Leave Peace Park and Ground Zero. The bomb detonated 500 meters above the surface. Many countries have donated memorials to be placed on the Park. We walked over to Ground Zero and saw the remains of a prison that was almost directly under the blast. They've moved the only remaining column of a Cathedral that was 500 meters away yet somehow survived the blast to the hypocenter.
Lastly, we went for a walk and found a street filled with pastry and candy shops. We then walked through their Chinatown area before heading back to the ship and a well deserved dinner in the Windjammer. A very worthwhile day.”
To see it all, browse and/or ask to join the Facebook group
Cruising with Dan & Gail and Bruce & Pam3211235
A pleasant view after an intense day!
Cruising Update
Another quick update on the adventures of Dan, Gail, Bruce, and Pam
From Bruce:
“Yesterday. Friday, we berthed in Incheon South Korea. There we boarded our bus, which was tricked out almost like a party bus, to Seoul and our excursion to the DMZ. We visited 4 major areas near the DMZ. The first area included what's cakes the Freedom Bridge and a gondola ride to the former American base in the area. Then see went to another area where there were binoculars to look into North Korea. We could see the NK flag on their 100 meter flag pole. Then we went to what's called Third Tunnel. Apparently NK dug at least 4 tunnels under the DMZ in preparation for an invasion of SK. Very interesting! Unfortunately no photos were allowed in the tunnel. Then we drive through a little village in the DMZ to get to a snack before the ride home. All in all, it was a very interesting day.”
To see it all, browse and/or ask to join the Facebook group
Cruising with Dan & Gail and Bruce & Pam3211235
Cruising Update
Another quick update on the adventures of Dan, Gail, Bruce, and Pam
‘Day 111 of 274 UWC… We had the second "Royal Escape" excursion today. For all of the Full Ultimate World Cruisers Royal planned 4 special escapes included with our cruise . The 1st one was to a Winery in Montevideo, Uruguay. Today's Escape took us to "Taipei 101" Skytower. It is formerly known as the Taipei World Financial Center. It is a skyscraper owned by Taipei Financial Center Corporation. The building was officially classified as the world's tallest building from its opening on 31 December 2004. However, the Burj Khalifa surpassed Taipei 101 in 2009. Upon completion, it became the world's first skyscraper to exceed a height of half a kilometer (about 0.3 miles). As of 2023, Taipei 101 is the tallest building in Taiwan and the eleventh tallest buildin g in the world . At the bottom floor waiting for the elevator they had percussionist and 2 (2-man) Dragons and a few other puppeteers performing and taking pictures with us. They were cute .
They took us up to the 88th floor in 37 seconds (super fast elevators) and had spectacular views from there of the city 360 degrees.”
To see it all, browse and/or ask to join the Facebook group
Cruising with Dan & Gail and Bruce & Pam3211235
Another Loss
Per Dennis Artz (Tricia Morley) Facebook page:
Tricia’s dear kind mama left this world yesterday.
We know she is in a good place now and she will forever be missed.
RIP PAM
Mike Crabill
From Carol Flynn via the Country Cuzzins Facebook group:
“It is with deep regret to advise that we lost a wonderful member of our club who was the life and soul of the party and a dedicated angel. Mike Crabill brought so much life and fun to the floor wherever he was! You’ll be sorely missed RIP my friend”
Cruising Update
Another quick update on the adventures of Dan, Gail, Bruce, and Pam
What a day. We started to enter into Sydney harbor around 7:30 and I think the entire ship 🚢 was up on deck forward to watch and take pictures 📸. I took a few videos 📹 and pictures 📸 from deck 12 as we started to head in. Lots of great sites, special buoys, beautiful houses and tall buildings.”
To see it all, browse and/or ask to join the Cruising with Dan & Gail and Bruce & Pam3211235/ group on Facebook
One guess where they are!
March 2024 RCS
The March 2024 issue of the Round the Capital Square (RCS) newsletter has been posted to the
Newsletters page of the ASRDA website. Check it out. FYI, it’s in 2 parts.
Cruising Update
Another quick update on the adventures of Dan, Gail, Bruce, and Pam
Dan: “Day 35 UWC - Antartica today was spectacular. We departed Paradise Bay and went to Elephant Island.
It is an ice-covered, mountainous island off the coast of Antarctica in the outer reaches of the South Shetland Islands, in the Southern Ocean. A little history of the island is here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_Island
Antarctica is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Look at the colors of the ice, snow and mountains. Pictures of many icebergs and islands today. Another passenger took the pictures of the whales (I got permission to use). The map shows that Elephant Island looks like the head of an elephant of course. The Celebrity Eclipse was there with us also…”
To see it all, browse and/or ask to join the Cruising with Dan & Gail and Bruce & Pam3211235/ group on Facebook
Whale breaching in Antarctica
Cruising Update
Another quick update on the adventures of Dan, Gail, Bruce, and Pam
On to: Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo Uruguay, and Buenos Aires Argentina… Lots of shops, local architecture, magnet collecting, and a visit from a son & DIL… Quite a ride!
To see it all, browse and/or ask to join the Cruising with Dan & Gail and Bruce & Pam3211235/ group on Facebook
Copacabana Beach New Years Eve Fireworks
Bon Voyage Thanks
ASRDA Board, Callers/Cuers, and Dancers,
Gail & I want to send a THANK YOU to all of you for all of the well wishes in the card, and this great Bon-Voyage dance/party last week for us. It was very thoughtful of all of you to come out to celebrate our next adventure. We will certainly miss all y'all's, Talking, laughing, dancing, and calling with you. Please keep on dancing and having fun.
See you on the Ocean or on the road (RV). We really love the cake!!!!
Thank you so much!!!!
Dan & Gail
P.S. The Killeen Kickers held their sendoff festivities this evening. Be sure to watch for more about that next week and on their web and Facebook sites.
September 2023 RCS
The Septembet 2023 issue of the Round the Capital Square (RCS) newsletter has been posted to the
Newsletters page of the ASRDA website. Check it out.
Beginner Square and Round Dance Classes
Here are all the upcoming lessons from our Classes page. Please pass along far and wide!
Wheels ‘n’ Deals - Mainstream Square Dance Lessons- September 5, 2023, San Marcos. Flyer
Step ‘N Style - Mainstream Square Dance Lessons - September 6, 2023, Bastrop. Flyer
Shirts & Skirts - Mainstream Square Dance Lessons- September 13, 2023, Georgetown. Flyer
Taylor Promenaders - January, 2024, Taylor
Canyon Lake Dancers - January 10, 2024, Canyon Lake. Flyer
Installation Dinner - RSVP Soon
If you will be attending the dinner at ASRDA Installation Dance, please be sure to RSVP by this Sat, July 8th.
Also, attendees are asked to bring one of 5 possible side dishes: baked beans, pinto beans, coleslaw, potato salad, or a dessert.
Please include how many persons there will be in your group and your side dish choice
Step ‘N Style Rounds JULY 2023 Classes
Step ‘N Style Rounds will begin new round dance instruction along with dancing at many of the dance locations. See the flyer for details of the ones in your area.
Event PDFs Needed
Many events have been added to the ASRDA web site using screenshots or photos of flyers. We would, however, like to provide PDF copies for the public to be able to download and print. If you’re the author of a flyer for a listed event, please email a copy to AustinSRDA@gmail.com
Collect Extra Friendship Badge Dance Credits at State and Nationals!
The Friendship Badge Program has expanded to make it even easier to get dance credits towards a gift card.
Dancers who attend a dance festival or weekend where there is dancing during the day and evening can receive up to two visitation credits/day – one for daytime dancing/workshops and one for evening dancing.
Dancers attending the State Festival and/or National Convention should be able to collect quite a few visitation credits!"