Follow Your Northern Neighbour

Dates: 05-08 Jul 2023

Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada

Host hotel/venues: The Westin Ottawa

Hosting club: Ottawa Date Squares

Convention committee title: Ottawa Square Dance Convention 2023, Inc

Convention committee members:

Logo design: Patrick Vandesompele

Calling staff:

Trail-in dance:

Special dancesː

Sound staff: Blanche (Len Christiansen), John Liesch

Vendor list:

Ruby Slipper Fun Badge Tour stops and highlights:

Callers were Barry Clasper and Don Moger
Each bus had a "Dorothy" escort - see photo below
Stopsː
- Aberdeen Pavilion, Lansdowne Park
- RCMP Musical Ride Stables
- Canadian Museum of History
- National Arts Centre

Pre/Post convention events & tours:

Signature Event – dinner/dance at Lago Barr & Grill on the shores of Dow’s Lake, calling by Brian Crawford & Tim Crawford
Byward Market Walking Tour
Deifenbunker Tour
Gatineau Day Trip
Gay Village Walking Tour
Montebello Day Trip
Ottawa River Boat Tour
Parliament Hill Walking Tour
Women's Walking Tour

Notable Notes and Highlights:

Old Queen Bingo – held during Houston, We Have a Promenade: MISSION SIMULATION as a fundraiser to replace missed 50/50
Upgrade to Junior Suite raffle (2 prizes). Won by Will Hamp and Joanne Laplante
Quilt raffle. Won by Paul Brulotte
Afghan raffle (2 prizes). Won by Jonathan Domash and Randy Hensley
Embroidery raffle. Won by Linda Paleshnuik
All attendees received a cloth bag hand made by Nelly Van Veldhuizen
Orientation sessions hosted by Michael Helfgott to explain IAGSDC Conventions and IAGSDC styling to 111 first-time attendees
US & Canadian National Anthems performed by Ottawa Gay Men's Chorus. Unfortunately no Japanese dancers could attend so Japanese National Anthem was played from a recording
80-100 dancers danced on Parliament Hill to Chris Phillips & Kris Jensen
over 150 dancers danced Progressive Squares to Vic Ceder
Performance by Drake Jensen at the Saturday morning Brunch
Introduction to calling session with Bill Eyler
Ruby Lounge & Toto's Tavern – evening bars with entertainment by Chip Prince (show tunes singalong), Claude & René, Ottawa Drag Queens Showcase
Fistful of Firsts, a documentary noting highlights in the evolution of gay square dancing, aired for the first time. It was researched and produced by Jim Babcock