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February 18, 2010 Destination Paris
Wow, has it really been three months since the last newsletter? The saying must be true: time flies!
In recent months we very much enjoyed traveling and calling in:
November: Longview TX, Warner Robins GA, Toccoa GA, Charlotte NC, Chattanooga TN
December: Slidell LA
January: Maui and Honolulu, Hawaii
February: Birmingham AL
February 14th was Grand Opening Day for the brand-new FunDancers club. WOW we were very pleasantly surprised with over 110 dancers. About half were brand-new beginners. Thanks to a super bunch of founding club members, and a super bunch of beginners, square and line dancing is off to a great start in 2010.
FunDancers meet every week in Schertz (just north of San Antonio). Please drop by when you're in the area on a Sunday.
Beginners -- 5 to 7 pm
Experienced (Mainstream and Plus) -- 7 to 9 pm
Website: www.nshukayr.com/fundancers.htm
Upcoming travel dates:
February 27 - Paris. This is not a typo. We really are calling in Paris. No joke. Honest. Paris. For real.
March 19-21 - Bakersfield CA
April 18 - Denver CO
We're mostly staying close to home for a few months, to help give our beginner group a good start.
Did you guess that we will call this month in Paris ... Texas?
Plan in advance for the following events:
July 9-10, 2010 - Freedom Weekend in Albuquerque (with Richard Lane)
July 16-17 - weekend in Show Low, Arizona
July 23-24 - weekend in Diamond Lake, Oregon
August 20-22 - weekend in Salzburg, Austria
September 5-10, 2010 - week in Fun Valley, Colorado (with Lem Gravelle)
For square dance info in central Texas, visit www.DanceWithSam.com
Wishing you happy dancing!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
San Antonio, Texas
www.NShukayr.com
May 8, 2010 Fun in the Middle of the Night
The most fun Nasser ever had while square dancing was in a restaurant in Orlando. The 1997 National Convention had just ended. A group of friends was sad because we would not see each other until next year's National. Someone came up with a bright idea: "Let's find a random caller and just MAKE him call one last dance for us". The caller we randomly found was a really good sport about the whole thing. He called a fantastic square dance tip for us, at two in the morning in that all-night restaurant.
A few years later at the National in Indianapolis, the same group of friends decided to earn a lot of "Fun Badges" all at once. For example, there's a Fun Badge for dancing in the dark, and another for dancing on a bed. If you dance on a bed in the dark, you would earn two Fun Badges at the same time. There's a Fun Badge for dancing in an elevator, and another for sucking on a lemon while dancing. If you drag a mattress into an elevator, get some lemons, remove the elevator's light bulb ... that's four badges.
And so forth. We devised a plan to earn TEN Fun Badges at the same time. Then someone remembered that there's a Fun Badge for waking up a caller in the middle of the night and making him call for you. We could earn an unprecedented ELEVEN Fun Badges, all at the same time. The only problem is: where do you find a caller at two in the morning? Well ... DUH ... we were staying in the CALLER hotel at a National Square Dance Convention. We could just knock on random doors until we found a caller.
We were lucky. We found a willing caller on the very first knock. It never dawned on us that, instead of a caller, we might have randomly aroused someone on vacation from their Anger Management class. Anyway, our carefully (okay ... randomly) chosen caller graciously agreed to call for us. We earned our eleven Fun Badges.
Several years have now elapsed. Just last week, for the very first time ever, I realized an amazing fact. The caller in the middle of the night in the Indiana hotel, and the caller in the middle of the night in the Florida restaurant ... several years apart ... were both the same exact person. What a coincidence! I don't know why it took several years for this realization to surface.
If you ever run across the famous caller John Saunders from Florida, ask him to call for you in the middle of the night. He's had lots of experience. :)
Since our previous newsletter we enjoyed traveling and calling in:
February: Paris TX - we return in August
March: Bakersfield CA - it was a huge honor to call at one of the world's premiere square dance festivals
April: Denver CO - we got to visit with many wonderful friends
We call for FunDancers in Schertz (just outside San Antonio) most Sundays. Please consider yourself personally invited to dance with us whenever you're nearby on a Sunday. Website: www.FunDancers.org
Upcoming travel dates:
Plan ahead for Fun Valley, Colorado (September 5-10). This week usually sells out, so you will want to reserve your place early. Phone 800-548-1684
For square dance info in central Texas, visit www.DanceWithSam.com
Nasser and Jeanna consider ourselves fortunate to have met so many nice people through square dancing. We treasure those friendships. We wish you happy dancing all the time, but especially during the middle of the night!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
June 26, 2010 Cruising in December 2010
We are overjoyed to announce a Caribbean square dance cruise in December 2011. Callers are Mike Sikorsky and Nasser Shukayr. The Enstens from California are on rounds.
The ship sails from New Orleans on Saturday, December 3, 2011 and returns December 10. Ports are Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. We'll dance onboard. We also hope to set up a dance in New Orleans after the cruise. The short story is there will be LOTS of dancing, great memories and fun!
Check out www.thecruise.biz or call Cruise Holidays at 800-873-6033. Tell them you're interested in the Square Dance Cruise of December 2011.
Royal Caribbean has an extra-special offer this month only. If you have ever cruised on Royal Caribbean before, you can get a $100 per person credit. Wow, that's $200 per couple! Contact Cruise Holidays for details. To get the credit you must reserve your place BY JUNE 30, 2010. This spectacular offer expires in just a few days. If you are a past Royal Caribbean guest we hope you can book before the end of June to get your $200 per couple credit.
Even without the special offer from Royal Caribbean, this cruise is VERY attractively priced. Everyone in our square dance group gets a ship credit of $50 per cabin. You can spend your entire $50 on shopping. Or you can make a private dinner reservation in one of the ship's formal restaurants (and still have credit left over for shopping).
Meanwhile back on shore, we call for FunDancers near San Antonio most Sundays. Website: www.FunDancers.org
Upcoming travel dates:
Plan ahead for Fun Valley, Colorado (September 5-10). This week usually sells out. If it's sold out already, ask to be added to the waiting list. They'll call you when space opens up. Phone 800-548-1684
For square dance info in central Texas, visit www.DanceWithSam.com
We wish all our friends happy dancing and great memories this summer and beyond!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
August 27, 2010 Hecklers Welcome
According to the dictionary, a heckler tries to annoy a speaker or performer. Hecklers are rare in the square dance world but they're also fun (because they're so rare). We happen to know one of the world's most accomplished square dance hecklers. He always dances in the very front, so the caller (and everyone else) can easily hear his remarks.
It's common for a caller to encourage people to get up and dance. Nasser sometimes encourages people by saying "Have you ever been to a dance where there was only one good tip? It -could- be this next tip that's about to start." It's -supposed- to be funny.
(Please be aware that our favorite heckler has been to Fun Valley many times and danced an entire week with us.)
At a dance near The Heckler's home area, immediately after Nasser said "have you ever been to a dance where there was only one good tip?" the heckler interjected, "I've been to a whole -WEEK- when there were -NO- good tips!".
It's not very often that Nasser is rendered surprised and speechless. If you know of a witty reply for the heckler, please forward your suggestion immediately. We just can't wait until the next time The Heckler is at a dance. You never know what he'll say but you know it will always be amusing.
We call for FunDancers near San Antonio most Sundays. Hecklers welcome. Website: www.FunDancers.org
Upcoming travel dates:
Please remember next year's Caribbean cruise with Mike Sikorsky. We sail from New Orleans on December 3, 2011 and visit Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. We'll square and round dance during the cruise and also after the cruise in the New Orleans area on Saturday night December 10. We look forward to memorable experiences with long-term, as well as recent, friends and/or hecklers.
Check out www.thecruise.biz or call Cruise Holidays at 800-873-6033. Even if you can't go on the cruise, check out the website anyway to see a talking cartoon version of Mike Sikorsky. :)
For square dance info in central Texas, visit www.DanceWithSam.com
We wish all our friends happy dancing, great memories and friendly hecklers!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
September 24, 2010 The Wal-Mart Diet
People sometimes make videos at a dance. They post their video clips to YouTube. Three months ago, Nasser was watching YouTube videos of himself calling. He noticed something weird. There were only two possibilities: either the camera is lying, or a certain square dance caller needs to lose weight!
(Note: cameras do not lie.)
That very same day, a long-term caller friend (Bob Calton from Utah) emailed to say he recently lost 35 pounds. He became motivated after watching a YouTube video of himself calling. Nasser asked how Bob lost so much weight. Bob calls it the 'Wal-Mart Diet' because everything you need for the plan can be bought at Wal-Mart. (The plan is mainly about making better choices.)
That was three months ago. Today Nasser weighs 40 pounds less, thanks to the 'Wal-Mart Diet'. There's only one problem. Existing YouTube videos of Nasser still show the old chunky version. It's time for someone to capture and upload a scrawnier video. :)
Upcoming travel dates:
Locally we call for FunDancers just outside San Antonio. Get scrawnier with us whenever you're in the area on a Sunday. Website = FunDancers.org
Special announcement: Nasser will teach a full accredited Caller School in San Antonio, November 18 thru 22.
The school is for New and Brand-New Callers (zero to two years calling experience). If you know someone new to
calling (or just thinking about calling), this school might be the right ticket. More callers today means more dancers in the future. The school has room for only 2 or 3 more students. See website nshukayr.com for details.
Plan ahead for the following week-long events next year:
Fun Valley, Colorado (with Lem Gravelle and The Shanes) - September 4 thru 10, 2011. Always a highlight of the year. An extremely fun week of dancing in the majestic splendor of the Rocky Mountains. Reservations 800-547-1684
Caribbean Cruise from New Orleans (with Mike Sikorsky and The Enstens) - December 3 thru 10, 2011. Probably the best square dance cruise ever. :) Website thecruise.biz, reservations 800-873-6033
We wish our friends happy dancing, great memories and accurate YouTube videos!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
Our web host goofed by sending the most recent newsletter three times. We apologize (three times) for their error. Thank you for your patience and friendship.
A few years ago, friends in Michigan posted a YouTube video of Nasser calling the "The Teenage Song". That video has been viewed more than 15,000 times! While we -could- be happy with 15,000 views, the natural human tendency is to want more, more, more.
How do you know if a video clip is -really- popular? Here's how: if you're out in public and a stranger's cell phone rings and their ringtone is "The Teenage Song", it's popular. By that measure, we're -not- popular yet.
Upcoming events:
A Caller School for "New and Brand-New Callers" is set for November 18 thru 22 near San Antonio. If you know a new or brand-new caller, or someone interested in what a caller does (ahem, -tries- to do), please direct him or her to the school. More callers today means more dancers in the future. For more info see flyer
Great vacation opportunities in 2011:
September 4 thru 10, 2011. Fun Valley, Colorado (with Lem Gravelle and The Shanes) - a fantastic square and round dance vacation. While your home town bakes in the last heat of summer, you'll have fun dancing and partying in the cool splendor of the Rocky Mountains. Reservations 800-547-1684
December 3 thru 10, 2011. Caribbean Cruise (with Mike Sikorsky and The Enstens) - If you're waiting for a bargain square dance cruise, your wait is over. Enjoy seven days of meals, activities, entertainment and dancing. The most expensive balcony cabin is only $919 per person. Other cabins are considerably less. This cruise is almost cheaper than staying home! Website thecruise.biz, reservations 800-873-6033
Our home club is FunDancers. Come visit if you find yourself near San Antonio on a Sunday. Someone might film the dance and post it on YouTube. You could become famous overnight. Website = FunDancers.org
We wish our friends happy dancing, great memories and millions of views on your YouTube videos!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
October 25, 2010 The GPS Speaks
Thanks to your gracious support, this little newsletter grows and grows. It recently outgrew the program it was in. We converted to a new program which can handle a million subscribers. Just think: only 997,000 more friends and everything goes haywire again.
We exercised due care while converting yet it's possible that someone gets this newsletter and does not want it, or prefers it sent to a different address. Your wish is our command -- just let us know.
Let's talk about GPS (Global Positioning System) devices.
The GPS is a marvelous invention. It can guide you to dance locations around the world. Our GPS lets you choose its speaking voice. Nasser likes the voice of a British woman, but he dares not select it because there would be TWO British women telling him how to drive. Jeanna thinks all the GPS voices sound "boring" except one, which she promptly chooses. Now our GPS talks like an excited Australian bloke. Nasser plans to watch Crocodile Dundee movies to better understand the accent.
"Texan" should be one of the available languages for a GPS. Instead of "drive straight ahead" it could say "GUN IT". Instead of "turn right" it could say "HANG A RIGHT" or "They Went THAT-A-WAY". Instead of "Now Arriving at Destination" it could say "it's a DONE DEAL" or simply "WHOA!!".
Upcoming events:
Plan ahead for next year:
Our home club (FunDancers) dances on Sundays near San Antonio. Enter 3501 Morning Drive into your GPS, then do what the voice says. By the time you arrive at the dance, you'll already be accustomed to following directions.
An Australian-speaking GPS works fine in all U.S. states except one. "WA 18" is "Washington 18" but the GPS pronounces it "Western Australia 18". We are planning a future calling trip to Australia so the GPS can be with people who speak its language.
We wish you well-guided travels!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
November 9, 2010 Save the Best for Last
On October 29, North Dakota became Nasser's 50th state to visit. It was the 45th state for Jeanna. Wow, she moved to the USA just 5 years ago. We enjoyed North Dakota tremendously. The people are very friendly. Although we can never grasp the concept of "60 degrees below zero in winter" we do love the region's wide open spaces, uncrowded roads and strong sense of community.
On Halloween, South Dakota became the 50th state in which Nasser has called (and Jeanna's 46th state to visit). The people in South Dakota were amazing. They gave us a nice plaque to commemorate calling in all 50 states. Let's just say they made the occasion fun and memorable. It will take MANY years to forget the good scare they gave us. It was, after all, Halloween.
At the risk of disappointing anyone:
Upcoming events:
As always, flyers and such are on the website at nshukayr dot com
Get on the phone and make your reservations for these week-long events next year:
Our home club (FunDancers) dances on Sundays near San Antonio. We welcome visitors from any state.
We're looking for almost any cockamamie reason to visit the 4 states Jeanna has not yet seen: Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska and West Virginia.
In retrospect, calling in all 50 states is not terribly important ... but having good friends in all 50 states is -precious- beyond belief. Hurray for square dancing, which is enjoyed in all 50 states (and worldwide)!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
December 7, 2010 Hear Ye, Hear Ye
Scientific research shows that eating fish can improve hearing. Perhaps that's why they give trained seals a fish after each trick. Maybe it helps seals hear the commands.
The same technique could apply to square dancing. Here's an idea: give every dancer a trained seal for a partner. If you dance the calls correctly, both you and your partner get a fish.
One year from today, we will be on a Royal Caribbean cruise to Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. You can join us! Even if there are no trained seals aboard, you'll have a great time.
The cruise is on a quality cruise line, Royal Caribbean. We have arranged fantastic pricing. The most expensive balcony cabin is just $919 per person. The cheapest cabins (i.e. where they stick the callers) are just $539. That price includes meals, lodging, entertainment, sightseeing, dancing, taxes, fees, everything for 7 days and nights. It's almost cheaper than staying home!
We will dance once or twice a day, but no traipsing off to a different bar or disco each time. We have arranged for the ship's conference center as our own spacious 1900 square foot dance hall. Callers are Mike Sikorsky and Nasser Shukayr, with Bob Ensten on rounds.
Some cruises require a deposit of $400 or more. On this cruise a refundable deposit of just $250 saves your place with no other payment due until 90 days prior to sailing.
More info is available at thecruise.biz, or simply phone the travel agent at 800-873-6033. Tell them you want the Sikorsky/Shukayr square dance cruise which departs New Orleans on Saturday December 3 and returns December 10, 2011.
We're planning some fun activities in New Orleans upon return, including sightseeing, visiting a fabulous restaurant and a square dance that night.
Yes, we're yammering on and on about the cruise, but it's hard NOT to think about where we'll be, exactly one year from today! We hope you can share this great experience with us.
If you'd rather plan just 9 short months ahead, you'll want to phone in your reservations for Fun Valley, Colorado week of September 4 thru 10, 2011. It will be Nasser's 16th year to do this dance week with Lem Gravelle. Phone 1-800-548-1684 to choose your accommodations.
Our home club (FunDancers.org) dances on Sundays near San Antonio. We welcome visitors, and the calls are loud enough so that you and your pet seal can hear, even if you don't eat fish.
We hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas a Happy New Year!
Nasser and Jeanna Shukayr
May 15 - Tool TX
May 25 - Austin TX
June 4 - Vista CA
June 5 - Vista CA
June 21 - Gonzales TX
July 16-17 - Show Low, AZ weekend
July 23-24 - Diamond Lake, OR weekend
July 31 - Gulfport MS
San Antonio, Texas
www.NShukayr.com
July 16-17 - Show Low, AZ
July 23-24 - Diamond Lake, OR
July 31 - Gulfport MS
August 12 - Tucson AZ
August 13 - Burbank CA
August 14 - Santa Ana CA
August 20-22 - Salzburg, Austria
August 27 - Dallas TX
August 28 - Paris TX
San Antonio, Texas
www.NShukayr.com
August 27 - Irving TX
August 28 - Paris TX
September 3-4 - Oxnard CA
September 5-10 - Fun Valley (South Fork) CO
September 11 - Santa Rosa CA
September 24 - San Marcos CA
September 25 - Thousand Oaks CA
September 26 - San Luis Obispo CA
October 8-10 - San Jose CA
October 29-30 - Bismarck ND
San Antonio, Texas
www.NShukayr.com
September 24 - San Marcos CA
September 25 - Thousand Oaks CA
September 26 - San Luis Obispo CA
October 8-10 - San Jose CA
October 29-30 - Bismarck ND
October 31-November 1 - Rapid City SD
November 9 - Austin TX
November 13 - Fort Payne AL
San Antonio, Texas
NShukayr.com
October 29-30 - Bismarck ND
October 31 - Rapid City SD
November 9 - Austin TX
November 13 - Fort Payne AL
November 18-22 - caller school for New Callers
NShukayr.com
October 29-30 - Bismarck ND (49 and counting)
October 31 - Rapid City SD - (South Dakota will be the 50th state in which Nasser has called)
November 1 - Custer SD
November 9 - Austin TX
November 13 - Fort Payne AL
November 18-22 - San Antonio Caller School for new callers
September 4 thru 10, 2011 - Fun Valley, Colorado
December 3 thru 10, 2011 - Caribbean Cruise
San Antonio, Texas
State with the friendliest people -- North Dakota
... the best dance hall -- Tennessee (Allemande Hall in Chattanooga)
... the nicest caller -- Massachusetts (Ken Ritucci, who set up a calling tour for us covering 8 different states)
... the most fun dancers to dance with -- California (the non-club known as Everybody)
... the most enjoyable dancers to call for -- a 50-way tie for first place
November 9 - Austin TX
November 13 - Fort Payne AL
November 18-22 - San Antonio Caller School (limited to new callers)
September 4 thru 10, 2011 - Fun Valley, Colorado - phone 1-800-548-1684
December 3 thru 10, 2011 - Caribbean Cruise with Mike Sikorsky - phone 1-800-873-6033
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas