Lavender Country and Folk Dancers (LCFD) is an umbrella organization forming a loosely knit group of gender-free dance clubs. (Sometimes the expression is "gender neutral," "gender role free," or "role optional"). We currently encompass several dance traditions and welcome the opportunity to include more.
LCFD is governed by a Board of Directors who are elected by its members. See the Bylaws (PDF 57KB). LCFD is an affiliate of the Country Dance and Song Society (CDSS) and obtains its 501(c)(3) tax exempt status from that relationship.
The mission of LCFD is essentially:
- Organize and run dance camps, which are multiple-day events usually occurring at a rustic site.
- Promote and support gender-free traditional dancing (contra, square, English country, and folk) primarily, but not exclusively, for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer dancers and friends.
- Promote and support dance leaders, musicians, organizations, and others who support gender-free dancing, whenever possible.
- LCFD is a non-profit organization which will occasionally raise money for the purpose of supporting LCFD activities. (For example, we've run a very popular food booth for years now at NEFFA.)
LCFD flourishes through the work of a large number of volunteers. LCFD runs the twice-a-year East Coast dance camps (largely the work of the Camp Committee). LCFD works with local gender-free dance groups that are affiliated with it, helping with organization and outreach. There is a Lavender Dance Legacy Committee that is working to help the dance community and organization continue and grow.
LCFD enthusiastically welcomes other local gender-free dance groups, and other groups that want to run gender-free dance camps. Affiliation with LCFD lets us provide web site access, liability insurance, general assistance, and the possibility of various forms of financial assistance.
Currently there are affiliated contra dance groups in Jamaica Plain MA, Montague MA, New York NY, Glen Cove NY, Atlanta GA, and the San Francisco Bay Area; English country dancing in Jamaica Plain MA; and square dancing in Dorchester MA. The SF group runs the West Coast dance camp, and the Dorchester square dance group has a weekend-long "fly-in" every other year.
LCFD Mailing List
You can sign up for our e-mail list to keep up with breaking news!
Contact Information
- general: lcfd AT lcfd.org
- dance camp: camp AT lcfd.org
- board of directors: board AT lcfd.org
- treasurer: treasurer AT lcfd.org
Board members: Andy Shore, Chad Rider, Chris Ricciotti, Eileen Casella Rider (co-chair), Jeffri Harre, John Gintell (treasurer), Judy Hawkins, Mike Miller (co-chair), Paula Sommers, Read Weaver, Tam Willey.
Camp Committee: Read Weaver (publicity creator), Thom Yarnal (programmer), Chris Ricciotti (sound), Den Collins (fall registrar), Sam Arfer (food coordinator), John Gintell (treasurer), Judy Hawkins (work exchange coordinator), Chad Rider (on-site coordinator), Yvonne Crevier (spring registrar).
Lavender Dance Legacy Committee: Dean Allemang, John Gintell, Liz Augustine, Mike Miller.
Other Activities: Bob Peterson (Webmaster emeritus, database guru), Chris Ricciotti (Queen Mum), John Gintell (Webmaster).
This page is managed by John Gintell & Read Weaver.
