Announcing the Mentone Bird Count!
The 2026 edition of Birmingham Footmad's Mentone Dance Weekend will happen August 14-16, 2026.
We’ll dance at beautiful Camp DeSoto to the music of Kingfisher, The Red Mountain Yellowhammers, and Shapeshifter with Cis Hinkle and Seth Tepfer sharing the calling duties.
So register now and get ready to fly on up to Mentone
Aug. 14-16, 2026
So register now and get ready to fly on up to Mentone
Aug. 14-16, 2026
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Shapeshifter
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The Red Mountain Yellowhammers
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Cis Hinkle
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Seth Tepfer
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Events
We pack a lot into Mentone!
The main events include six scheduled dances/workshops to Cis Hinkle's and Seth Tepfer's calling in Camp DeSoto's beautiful dance hall. Dance to the thrilling music of Kingfisher on Friday Night, Saturday night, Sunday Morning, to the Red Mountain Yellowhammers on Saturday morning, and to Shapeshifter on Saturday afternoon (English and waltzing)..
But the fun doesn't end there.
On Saturday our organized activities include Qigong with Christin Wittington, bird count walk (see details below) with birder extraordinaire Tom Gordon, and a late night swing, blues, and Zydeco dance with music provided by Praise Daramola, On Sunday morning prior to the morning dance, enjoy gospel singing led by Janet Shepherd followed by waltzing in the dance hall while we set up for the contra dance.
All weekend long unorganized activities include swimming in the beautiful pool during designated hours, hiking, napping, spontaneous jam sessions, etc.
We pack a lot into Mentone!
The main events include six scheduled dances/workshops to Cis Hinkle's and Seth Tepfer's calling in Camp DeSoto's beautiful dance hall. Dance to the thrilling music of Kingfisher on Friday Night, Saturday night, Sunday Morning, to the Red Mountain Yellowhammers on Saturday morning, and to Shapeshifter on Saturday afternoon (English and waltzing)..
But the fun doesn't end there.
On Saturday our organized activities include Qigong with Christin Wittington, bird count walk (see details below) with birder extraordinaire Tom Gordon, and a late night swing, blues, and Zydeco dance with music provided by Praise Daramola, On Sunday morning prior to the morning dance, enjoy gospel singing led by Janet Shepherd followed by waltzing in the dance hall while we set up for the contra dance.
All weekend long unorganized activities include swimming in the beautiful pool during designated hours, hiking, napping, spontaneous jam sessions, etc.
Want to be a Bird?
If you would like to participate as a bird in our Bird Count Walk Saturday afternoon at 2PM, create a costume in the likeness of a bird, real or imagined, and create a name for the species of your bird. Optional: you can come up with a backstory about how these birds came to settle in Mentone or anything else you might find in a bird guide. We'll make something up if you don't.
Before the bird walk, the birds will hide in a little forested area on the way to the swimming pool, and will each make their appearances as the birding group comes near. They can tweet, flap their wings, do a bird dance, etc. When they are spotted, the hikers will try to identify them and our leader will read about them from his guide to the birds of Mentone, AL. The birds can then join the hikers on the way to the pool. (You might want to have swimming suits underneath your costume if you like to swim). Please let Tom Gordon know about your bird a day or so before August 14.
If you would like to participate as a bird in our Bird Count Walk Saturday afternoon at 2PM, create a costume in the likeness of a bird, real or imagined, and create a name for the species of your bird. Optional: you can come up with a backstory about how these birds came to settle in Mentone or anything else you might find in a bird guide. We'll make something up if you don't.
Before the bird walk, the birds will hide in a little forested area on the way to the swimming pool, and will each make their appearances as the birding group comes near. They can tweet, flap their wings, do a bird dance, etc. When they are spotted, the hikers will try to identify them and our leader will read about them from his guide to the birds of Mentone, AL. The birds can then join the hikers on the way to the pool. (You might want to have swimming suits underneath your costume if you like to swim). Please let Tom Gordon know about your bird a day or so before August 14.
Planning Your Trip
You can arrive as early as 3:00 PM CDT on Friday, August 15, and must check out by 1:00 PM CDT on August 17. In between we will have loads of fun. Your registration fee includes on-site lodging, breakfast Saturday and Sunday, and dinner on Saturday. Note that we do not offer discounts if you decide to stay off site. You must provide your own food for dinner Friday night as well as lunch on Saturday and Sunday.. Below you will find detailed information to help you plan your stay.
You can arrive as early as 3:00 PM CDT on Friday, August 15, and must check out by 1:00 PM CDT on August 17. In between we will have loads of fun. Your registration fee includes on-site lodging, breakfast Saturday and Sunday, and dinner on Saturday. Note that we do not offer discounts if you decide to stay off site. You must provide your own food for dinner Friday night as well as lunch on Saturday and Sunday.. Below you will find detailed information to help you plan your stay.
Lodging
Your registration fee includes on-site lodging. We cannot offer a discount for those who lodge or camp off-site.
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..
Your registration fee includes on-site lodging. We cannot offer a discount for those who lodge or camp off-site.
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!
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
Camp DeSoto has space for both tent and vehicle camping (no hook-ups, no generators or campfires 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.
Off Site
Off site camping choices include Tranquility RV and Campground, Desoto State Park. and 1776 RV and Campground.
On Site
Camp DeSoto has space for both tent and vehicle camping (no hook-ups, no generators or campfires 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.
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. You have the option of bringing your food in coolers, etc, and/or eating in nearby restaurants.. Your registration includes Saturday breakfast, Saturday dinner, and Sunday breakfast, with much of the food coming from the Camp DeSoto organic farm. We do not offer a discount if you provide these meals for yourself. Make sure you specify your dietary restrictions on the registration form.
All dancers must provide for their own meals for Friday night and Saturday lunch. You have the option of bringing your food in coolers, etc, and/or eating in nearby restaurants.. Your registration includes Saturday breakfast, Saturday dinner, and Sunday breakfast, with much of the food coming from the Camp DeSoto organic farm. We do not offer a discount if you provide these meals for yourself. Make sure you specify your dietary restrictions on the registration form.
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.
Vendors
As at past Mentone weekends, we will have Vendors selling beautiful items next to the dance hall. If you desire to sell something yourself, send a note to [email protected] and we will put our vendor co-coordinator Naomi Anderegg in touch with you.
As at past Mentone weekends, we will have Vendors selling beautiful items next to the dance hall. If you desire to sell something yourself, send a note to [email protected] and we will put our vendor co-coordinator Naomi Anderegg in touch with you.
Refund Policy
We offer full refunds if you register and then decide you can't make it. So as not to put others at risk, we especially encourage you to cancel if you feel ill. Contact us at [email protected] if you desire a refund.
We offer full refunds if you register and then decide you can't make it. So as not to put others at risk, we especially encourage you to cancel if you feel ill. Contact us at [email protected] if you desire a refund.
Videos
You may want to check out videos from past Mentone dance weekends.
You may want to check out videos from past Mentone dance weekends.