Our eighth Harvest Moon Dance Weekend was held September 20 to 22, 2024, at the beautiful Baker Community Center in St. Charles, Illinois. Thank you to our wonderful artists, and to all our dancing friends who attended and supported the weekend. Stay tuned for news of next year’s weekend plans.

Enjoy this follow-up information which excellent teacher Paul Ross sent:
10 Commandments of Good Hand Turns – handout from the Saturday afternoon workshop
Final programs for the weekend’s dances

---

Musicians — Kathy Talvitie and Mara Shea
Caller — Paul Ross

More about our guest artists

For a sample of some of the weekend’s highlights, we invite you to check out the videos for The Saturday Triad, Fried Herman’s fun 3-couple dance with a partner swing, and her much beloved classic The Severn Bore. These and other enduring selections from Fried’s repertoire, combined with historical favorites and the works of other modern choreographers, will make the weekend memorable, not just for the dances but for the ravishing tunes that enliven them, expertly performed by renowned pianist Kathy Talvitie and multi-talented violinist Mara Shea.

---

Weekend schedule:

• Friday evening dance: 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. (beginners’ intro at 7 p.m.)
• Saturday morning workshop: 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
• Saturday afternoon workshop: 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
• Saturday afternoon ball practice: 3:15 to 4:30 p.m.
• Saturday evening ball: 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
• Sunday farewell dance: 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

---

Saturday Ball planned program with video links

---

Workshop Information

Saturday morning workshop: The Fried-for-Paul

A pun on “The Fried for All,” a dance weekend of the past that featured the teaching of Fried de Metz Herman, Paul’s afternoon workshop will comprise dances that illustrate three of her four categories of dances: “bits of fluff,” meaty dances, and serious dances, plus dance patterns. Some are well known; others less so, but all will illustrate the brilliance of Fried’s choreography.

Saturday afternoon workshop: The Hands Are Dancing

This workshop, titled after a saying often used by Paul’s mentor, Fried de Metz Herman, will focus on this important aspect of elegant and satisfying dancing, and it will include Paul’s handout called “The Elements of Style: Good Hand Turn Techniques.” The dances will be mostly easy and familiar, so that participants can focus on the style points.

---

Dance Clothing Exchange

Help us raise money to support the weekend by participating in two ways:

• Bring and donate any dance clothes and shoes that you’re ready to pass on to a new owner. (You can attach a tag with a suggested donation amount, if you like.) We will have racks and hangers available. Any of your items not taken at the end of the weekend can go back home with you, or we can donate them to an appropriate charity.
• Browse through the donated items and find something(s) you might like to take home–or even something to wear to our Saturday ball! Please donate according to your conscience. Cash or checks accepted.

---

Health and Other Reminders

COVID vaccinations and boosters are recommended but no longer required. Masking is optional and recommended if you are concerned about contracting the disease. Following our previous caution, we do require all participants to take a rapid antigen test within 6 hours of coming to their first event of the weekend and bring or photograph the results. Participants must also agree to the terms and conditions on the registration form.

We request that you respect our community expectations and policies on fragrance and etiquette.

---

Flyer

Please help get the word out about the HMDW! Download a flyer which you can print and hand out or email to friends.

2024 Harvest Moon Dance Weekend flyer image in PDF format for emailing

2024 Harvest Moon Dance Weekend flyer: printable 4 per sheet color or black and white