GWCC Spring Fling
Join us for our last spring fling in Shepherdstown
April 19-20, 2024
& stay tuned for info about a new Gwcc set dance weekend (sometime in 2025)
Registration is open! GWCC will offer one last Spring Fling in Shepherdstown on April 19-20, 2024. Please put these dates on your calendar now and plan to join us. Our dance program will again be at the War Memorial Building, and our accommodations will be at the Clarion Inn Harper’s Ferry, where breakfast is included with your room.
2024 will be much like 2023, please read on for details:
Along with our Fall Fling in Rehoboth Beach, GWCC hosts a Spring Fling just an hour west of our DC home, in historic Shepherdstown, West Virginia. This event is slightly smaller than our Fall Fling weekend, a fun opportunity for our members and friends to celebrate the changing of the seasons. We dance in the historic War Memorial Building in the heart of Shepherdstown, on the great wood floor of the second-floor ballroom: a ceílí on Friday night, two set dance workshops during the day on Saturday, and a ceílí on Saturday night. We have reserved a block of rooms at the Clarion Inn Harper’s Ferry; where we kick things off with a Welcome Social in their White Horse Tavern on Friday. After the Saturday ceílí those still standing can reconvene at the hotel tavern for tunes, beverages & snacks and more socializing. In addition to our dance events there is time to explore beautiful, walkable, historic Shepherdstown, which is filled with shops, good restaurants and friendly people. Civil War buffs (everyone, really) can enjoy a visit to the nearby Antietam National Battlefield, and don’t miss Harpers Ferry itself — less than five minutes from our lodgings.
GWCC’s health and safety policy continues to require proof of COVID vaccination (show it only at the first GWCC event you attend). Given the ‘close contact’ nature of set dancing, we also recommend, but don’t require, wearing a mask. To be respectful of and courteous to other dancers, we also ask that anyone not feeling 100% for any reason please not attend.
Drop us a note at GWCCSpringFling@gmail.com to be added to our mail list or if you have any questions.
Workshops & Instructor
This weekend offers two workshops (2 hours each) held on Saturday morning & early afternoon. The Saturday ceílí program will include a couple of the workshop dances so we can put our learning to good use.
Back by popular demand, Ann Marie Breheny will be our instructor again this year. In addition to teaching at our modified 2021 Fall Fling and the last two Spring Flings, GWCC is lucky to have her as instructor for our Thursday evening classes in Silver Spring, as well as her regular contributions to our monthly ceílís. Anyone who has danced with and learned from her will tell you you’re in for a treat!
Though Ann Marie attended an occasional ceili during her youth, she found her true love of dancing when she attended her first set dancing class as an adult. In the 20+ years since then, she has learned sets and footwork from many of the leading set dancing instructors, taught weekly classes and workshops and called ceílís and special events. Ann Marie enjoys making set dancing fun and accessible for dancers of all backgrounds and levels.
Costs & Registration
How much does the full Event Package cost? $75 for GWCC members, $84 for non-members (please note online registration prices include a $5 processing fee).
Can’t attend the entire weekend? No problem! You can pay at the door and show proof of vaccination (if this is your first GWCC event) for individual events.
This year there are two ways to register: by US mail and online:
By US Mail: Complete & mail the registration portion on page 2 of this flyer by April 8, 2024, along with your payment and proof of vaccination (if needed); then keep the rest of the flyer for easy reference about the details of the weekend.
Register Online using PayPal (each participant’s registration must be entered individually):
By submitting this registration form you agree to adhere to all safety guidelines of the event, including any future additional restrictions.
Use the drop-down arrow below to select Registrant Type,
Complete the fields with your name as you want it to appear on your badge and contact information
Click on the “Add to Cart” button; you will be redirected to PayPal.
To register another person, click on PayPal’s "Continue Shopping" link to return to the Spring Fling page to repeat this process.
5. Be sure to proof-read the details of your registration in PayPal before you confirm your order. PayPal accepts payment via all major credit cards or your personal PayPal account: choose ‘PayPal Checkout’ if you want to use a PayPal account, or ‘Check Out’ if you want to use a credit card.
6. If not already on file, send proof of COVID-19 vaccination either by email [GWCCSpringFling@gmail.com] or US Postal Service.
Accommodations
Rooms are not included with Event Registration. We have arranged for a block of rooms at the Clarion Inn Harper’s Ferry, about 15 minutes from Shepherdstown, where our room rate remains the same as for ‘22 & ‘23: $150/queen (including breakfast), plus taxes & fees. The deadline for our special rate is March 19, 2024.
Call 681-540-0202 and reference ‘Greater Washington Ceílí Club 2024, Group #AI58G8.’
OR make your room reservation online here. (The event registration form also includes the link.)
Our musicians
Musicians for both our Friday and Saturday ceílís have been confirmed. Aren’t we lucky to have such a talented music community to draw from? On Friday evening we’ll enjoy dancing to Rambling House Deluxe (Tina Eck, Joe DeZarn, Marc Glickman, Jesse Winch & Patrick Winch). Saturday’s ceílí features Ellis Island (Dave Abe, Peter Fitzgerald, Myron Bretholz, Martin McCann and Andy Thurston). Both nights will be great!
