Notes from Texas Camp 2018

By John Clement

The 2018 71st Texas Camp featured Lee Otterholt teaching mainly dances from the Balkans with Michael Seider and Anna Sapozhnikova teaching Cajun and Zydeco dancing.

The camp opened with easy “howdy” dances, followed by the traditional camp flag-raising.  The camp flag was originally designed by Austin artist Nancy McGowan in the late ’60s.  The weather was beautiful as the flag went up against the background of a gorgeous oak turned red.

The Thursday “Come as you were” party brought out a variety of outfits from the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, and other unknown eras.  Tie-dye was definitely in fashion, but the uptight ’50s also made an appearance.  The most innovative costume prize should go to Jack Alley who went all the way to his beginning. Two slideshows in the lounge provided a break from dancing.  One covered the period from the first camp in winter 1949 to 2017, while a 3D show covered 1974 to 2017.  Recently digitized silent camp movies of the 1950s to early 1960s were interspersed with restored pictures.  Unfortunately, the movie quality was not very good because they were from a poor VHS tape transfer by Jere Hinckley.  If anyone knows the whereabouts of members of Jere’s family please contact us so we might be able to get a better transfer.

The lounge also served as a staging area for puzzlers putting together a 1000-piece Harry Potter puzzle.

Lee Otterholt not only taught the Balkan dances and an Italian mixer (as well as children’s dances), but also led the singing classes. His dances came from Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Albania, Bosnia, and Italy. Lee presented a cultural talk about where folk-dancing came from.

Michael Seider and Anna Sapozhnikova were also energetic teachers. Their Cajun styling was impressive, and they could move amazing parts of the body. Michael presented a culture session in which we were exposed to traditional Cajun social practices. The minute social restrictions he explored were astonishing. For example a man could not dance with a woman unless he had a handkerchief in hand.

The Friday “Mardi Gras Redux” party brought out many fancy outfits, with lots of purple, green and gold. Mardi Gras beads were everywhere. The most striking costume was by Susi Thennes, who looked 10 feet tall with her feathered headdress.

The fall foliage at camp was outstanding with some gold and deep red foliage. The large oak by the dance hall could look dark red, or glowing orange red. The afternoons were comfortable outdoors while the evenings were chilly.

The contra session with Homegrown Contra Band playing was lively. As usual, the popular Bruceville Roadhouse was fun, lubricated by an assortment of regional beers, popcorn, and pretzels. Saturday night’s “Balkan Potpourri” party featured an assortment of Romanian, Bulgarian, Macedonian, and other Balkan costumes. Lee’s singing group made its debut while we danced to their songs. The ice cream “always with sundae” came out a bit before 10PM, then around 10:20 the band played Arkan. The party went on until well after midnight, with the final dance Damat Oyunu at 3:06. The puzzlers were also at work!

The contra session with Homegrown playing was lively. As usual, the popular Bruceville Roadhouse was fun, lubricated by an assortment of regional beers, popcorn, and pretzels.

Saturday night’s “Balkan Potpourri” party featured an assortment of Romanian, Bulgarian, Macedonian, and other Balkan costumes. Lee’s singing group made its debut while we danced to their songs. The ice cream “always with sundae” came out a bit before 10PM, then around 10:20 the band played Arkan. The party went on until well after midnight, with the final dance Damat Oyunu at 3:06. The puzzlers were also at work!

Sunday was goodbye to camp. We ate lunch as the floor was being disassembled. The 999-piece puzzle was finished.