"Some drink deeply from the well of knowledge;
others do but gargle."
Want to do more than just "gargle" with your folk dancing?
Perhaps you should consider joining:
THE SOCIETY OF FOLK DANCE HISTORIANS
a 501(c)(3)non-profit educational corporation licensed by the State of
Texas and approved by the IRS.
OUR STATED PURPOSE:
(1) To collect, preserve, and disseminate to our members information about
the history, theory, and practice of international folk dancing.
(2) To demonstrate how international folk dance can promote social welfare
by reducing interpersonal and inter-group tensions, eliminating prejudice
and discrimination, supporting human or civil rights secured by law, and
promoting law-abiding behavior and community development.
(3) To offer lectures, classes, and workshops in which individuals may
learn the history, theory, and practice of international folk dance.
(4) To set up and/or facilitate meetings, groups, and conferences in which
individuals who are interested in the history, theory, and practice of
international folk dance may engage in discussion and practice.
(5) To publish a newsletter, pamphlets, books and/or similar materials
concerning the history, theory, and practice of international folk dance,
and to communicate these ideas to the general public through the various
media.
(6) To communicate with similar and related groups and organizations
throughout the world which are interested in the history, theory, and
practice of international folk dance.
WHAT WE REALLY DO:
-> Collect and preserve archives
Publish an annual collection of research on folk dances
Publish an annual directory of dancers and groups
-> Sponsor classes and seminars
THE ARCHIVES PROJECT:
1 We accept donations of archival material. These donations qualify as charitable deductions with the IRS.
2 We copy the archival material.
3 The originals go to the Center for American History at the University of Texas, Austin campus.
4 Those clever folks treat the material to stop deterioration, provide it to anyone wishing to study in their building, and sell photostatic copies.
5 We duplicate our copies for sale (at cost) to interested members.
OUR HISTORY:
As you can perhaps tell by the enclosed letter dated January 15, 1988, this is not a new idea. It took us 2 years to get organized: one year of talk and one year of paperwork. Two of our pioneers have died since then. Please, don't procrastinate.
WHY DONATE ARCHIVES?
Friends, that old stuff is falling apart. It needs treatment or we'll lose it forever. Let's give it to professionals and work from copies before it's too late.
YOU WANT TO KEEP THE ORIGINALS?
Fine. Send us copies. We'll treat them just as we treat originals and that information will not be lost.
We have already accepted dozens of private collections containing publications, documents, sound recordings, costumes, musical instruments, and other objects.
CALL FOR ARTICLES:
Lest you think we dwell only in the past, consider this a request for articles on international folk dance, to be published in the Folk Dance Problem Solver, the Society's annual 60-page publication.
WHY JOIN?
Members receive:
the current year's folk dance directory.
the current year's issue of the Problem Solver
current Reports to Members
HOW TO JOIN:
Send $15 to: SOFDH, 2100 Rio Grande, Austin TX 78705.
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[Here's that attached letter from 1988:]
8725 Tallwood, Austin TX 78759
Dear Friends,
International Folk Dancing in Texas has grown, matured, and splintered.
We, the pioneers, are faced with 2 problems:
1 We feel the need of a comprehensive collection of folk dance memorabilia to remind us of the "good ol' days" of Texas dancing,
2 Academicians in years to come will have fewer and fewer documents with which to reconstruct the development of this rather remarkable movement.
Therefore, we propose:
1 The printing of a series of scrapbooks to include every photograph we can collect, with captions and anecdotes, including possibly cassettes of relevant voices and noises, and possibly videos of relevant movies,
2 The donation to an appropriate curatorial institution of all archival material.
You, and only you, can help us:
1 Share with us your photographs, slides, movies, tape recordings, and other material which might remind us of the faces and voices of early dancing. This material will be used to compile the scrapbooks. Where possible, please caption all material with dates, names, anecdotes,
creative credit, and donor credit. "Where are they now?" information will also be used, including, sadly, far too many obituary notices.
2 Please send also that pile of dusty papers and memorabilia, including flyers, catalogs, newsletters, address lists, dance notes, magazines, calendars, recordings, programs and ticket stubs, posters, letters, and worn out opanci. Academicians derive pleasure from the oddest things!
3 Spread the word. We've lost touch with so many old friends.
Our time and financial resources are limited. Please send copies where possible. All material will be considered archival and given to the care of an institution, unless you specify otherwise. You helped us build folk dancing; please help us to memorialize it.
Sincerely,
(signed)
David Houston Bobbi Gillotti Selwyn Ligon