Attention all you Cheshire Cats, Mad Hatters, White Rabbits, and of course,
all you Dancers!
It's time for ......
Contra in Wonderland
Birmingham Footmad's Weekend Festival
of dancing, swimming, food,
and fellowship.
August 18-20, 2023,
at Camp DeSoto, Mentone, AL.
with music by Hot Coffee Breakdown and Reelplay,
and calling by Gaye Fifer.
of dancing, swimming, food,
and fellowship.
August 18-20, 2023,
at Camp DeSoto, Mentone, AL.
with music by Hot Coffee Breakdown and Reelplay,
and calling by Gaye Fifer.
Events
We will dance in an almost brand new, beautiful dance hall on Friday Night, Saturday morning, Saturday night, and Sunday morning. In addition we will have a Saturday afternoon concert, Qigong with Christin Whittington, Saturday afternoon skits, Saturday blues dance workshop with Jim Bird, Saturday flat footing workshop with Terry Doyle, Saturday late night blues fusion dance with Beadle, and Sunday morning gospel singing with Janet Shepherd. Of course you will have time to swim and to participate in an organized jam session (as well as any you initiate yourself).
We will dance in an almost brand new, beautiful dance hall on Friday Night, Saturday morning, Saturday night, and Sunday morning. In addition we will have a Saturday afternoon concert, Qigong with Christin Whittington, Saturday afternoon skits, Saturday blues dance workshop with Jim Bird, Saturday flat footing workshop with Terry Doyle, Saturday late night blues fusion dance with Beadle, and Sunday morning gospel singing with Janet Shepherd. Of course you will have time to swim and to participate in an organized jam session (as well as any you initiate yourself).
Lodging
Your registration fee includes on-site lodging. Unfortunately, we cannot offer a discount this year for those who lodge or camp off-site. Continue reading for a description of lodging options.
On Site
Camp DeSoto provides clean n0n-air conditioned cabins each equipped with multiple beds, power, ceiling fans, and box fans. Some, but not all, have their own restrooms. Each cabin has convenient access to at least one of several bathhouses equipped with showers and restrooms,. Feel free to bring your own box fans, floor fans, etc.. Normally, we experience comfortable nighttime temperatures.
Off Site
You have many options for lodging off site within a fifteen minute drive from Camp DeSoto. A search for lodging in that area turns up several possibilities such as Andiano Lodge, Mentone Inn Bed and Breakfast, Mentone Cabins, Bee on the Brow Bed and Breakfast, DeSoto State Park, and others. You will also find listings with Vrbo and Airbnb. Get your reservations soon, Mentone area lodgings often book up early for the summer!
Your registration fee includes on-site lodging. Unfortunately, we cannot offer a discount this year for those who lodge or camp off-site. Continue reading for a description of lodging options.
On Site
Camp DeSoto provides clean n0n-air conditioned cabins each equipped with multiple beds, power, ceiling fans, and box fans. Some, but not all, have their own restrooms. Each cabin has convenient access to at least one of several bathhouses equipped with showers and restrooms,. Feel free to bring your own box fans, floor fans, etc.. Normally, we experience comfortable nighttime temperatures.
Off Site
You have many options for lodging off site within a fifteen minute drive from Camp DeSoto. A search for lodging in that area turns up several possibilities such as Andiano Lodge, Mentone Inn Bed and Breakfast, Mentone Cabins, Bee on the Brow Bed and Breakfast, DeSoto State Park, and others. You will also find listings with Vrbo and Airbnb. Get your reservations soon, Mentone area lodgings often book up early for the summer!
Camping
On Site
We can camp again at Mentone! Camp DeSoto has limited space for both tent and vehicle camping (no hook-ups, no generators allowed). We will have a grassy field available for tent camping (no vehicles) and a parking lot for vehicle/RV camping. The tent camping is located near the main activity areas whereas the parking lot is near the pool but a little more remote from the dance hall, dining hall, and bathhouses.
If you plan to camp on site, then please indicate so on the registration form so we can get a headcount.
Off Site
Off site camping choices include Tranquility RV and Campground, Desoto State Park. and 1776 RV and Campground.
On Site
We can camp again at Mentone! Camp DeSoto has limited space for both tent and vehicle camping (no hook-ups, no generators allowed). We will have a grassy field available for tent camping (no vehicles) and a parking lot for vehicle/RV camping. The tent camping is located near the main activity areas whereas the parking lot is near the pool but a little more remote from the dance hall, dining hall, and bathhouses.
If you plan to camp on site, then please indicate so on the registration form so we can get a headcount.
Off Site
Off site camping choices include Tranquility RV and Campground, Desoto State Park. and 1776 RV and Campground.
Meals
All dancers must provide for their own meals for Friday night and Saturday lunch. Camp DeSoto will provide Saturday breakfast, Saturday dinner, and Sunday breakfast, with much of the food coming from their organic farm. Make sure you specify your dietary restrictions on the registration form. For meals you provide for yourself you have the option of bringing your food in coolers, etc, and/or eating in nearby restaurants.
All dancers must provide for their own meals for Friday night and Saturday lunch. Camp DeSoto will provide Saturday breakfast, Saturday dinner, and Sunday breakfast, with much of the food coming from their organic farm. Make sure you specify your dietary restrictions on the registration form. For meals you provide for yourself you have the option of bringing your food in coolers, etc, and/or eating in nearby restaurants.
Showers and Restrooms
Some of the cabins include restrooms, but no showers. All cabins have convenient access to at least one of several bathhouses equipped with both shower and restroom facilities.
Some of the cabins include restrooms, but no showers. All cabins have convenient access to at least one of several bathhouses equipped with both shower and restroom facilities.
So Register Now
and travel down the rabbit hole to Camp DeSoto for Contra in Wonderland!
and travel down the rabbit hole to Camp DeSoto for Contra in Wonderland!
You may want to check out videos from past Mentone dance weekends.