TRAVEL REPORTS :: REISEBERICHTE

Celebration Dance Plön 2006

The 2006 Percolators Celebration dance

The 2006 Percolators Celebration dance in Plon Germany was a most unique event from this American’s perspective. Held on the grounds of a retreat complex in a small resort area of Northern Germany, the thirteen squares of dancers had the place all to themselves, except for the locals. Nearly an equal number of dancers from Great Britain, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany, and at least one dancer from Norway, were very friendly to the three American dancers and three American callers; Mike Jacobs, Ross Howell, and John Marshall. The stage in the main dance hall was even dressed with an American flag. The accommodations were a bit more meager than you would find in a hotel, but it didn’t really matter because this event is all about dancing, supplemented with a fair amount of eating to keep up the strength.

Things got started with dinner on Wednesday followed by a C1 dance for everyone and ended with a final Brunch and dance on Monday morning. During the day, three dance halls were in use for C1, C2, and C3A. In the evenings only two halls were used for C1 and C3B. The dance package included three sessions of dancing each day, accommodations, three meals and two coffee breaks each day. The second break included a dessert of several different choices of cake, and of course the after parties. The after parties were a wonderful time to get to know the people from other countries and included all kinds of carrying on until the wee hours. Every country except the US seemed to have its own national drinking song or toast. Local entertainment was brought in for two of the after parties. One night a duet of violin and accordion played familiar German and American sing along tunes. They were very good, and they were having such a good time with us that they stayed several hours past their engaged time. The next time you see John Marshall, you should ask him why he is taking up the violin. On New Year's Eve a wonderful local female singer was brought in as entertainment. She may have regretted enlisting the help of one of the Danish callers for a duet, as he upstaged her a bit, but it was all in good fun. Another of the after parties consisted of four of the callers attending as dancers calling a tip. Two Danes, a German, and this American caller were enlisted for the event.

The New Year's Eve after party was a little different than the typical American New Year's Eve. There were some typical skits and party games, but around eleven o’clock we all gathered to watch "Dinner for One" a twenty minute film produced in Britain in the 1960's. It’s the story of a butler serving dinner and drinks for Miss Sophie and her four imaginary friends. The butler has to do all the drinking for the imaginary friends. With every trip to the bar, he stumbles on the head of a tiger skin rug, and by the end of several rounds of drinks he is quite tipsy. I don’t understand why this is significant to the Germans, but it was great fun watching them reciting the words and interact with the film. We watched the TV coverage and countdown from Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. It was a little like the coverage from Times Square but without the Ball. At midnight was the Champagne toast and eating a Berliner, a jelly filled donut. With Great Britain being in the next time zone, at one o’clock we had another countdown and celebration with them and danced their own special version of the Hokey Pokey, a combination of the children’s dance and Rugby. Unfortunately, no one was interested in waiting the five hours to celebrate with the US east coast. Besides, there would be more dancing in the morning.

The Celebration Dance is held every year, with even years having dancing at the C-1 through C3b levels, and odd years having accelerated lessons for each level. Compared to dancing in the US, the breaks between tips are very short, but the dancing level is generally high and vigorous. Square dancing is truly an international language, and most dancers had at least some English, leading to some good conversations about customs and how clubs are surviving in various countries. Some free time was available each afternoon, and on Saturday morning, to rest or to visit the nearby town of Plon which has a pleasant cobblestone pedestrian walking street, shopping, and beautiful views over the lake. Lubeck, a medieval city about 45 minutes from Plon, was a treat to visit, with buildings dating from as far back as the 13th century. One especially memorable sight was a set of church bells that had fallen during World War II bombings, and were left where they lay smashed into the ground as a memorial.

Although the weather was often cold and dreary, I will retain warm memories of my experiences at the Celebration Dance 2006.