All right, you Space Cowpokes, get ready for Mentone Star Trek. Tune up your tractor beams. Set the controls at warp speed. Set aside your deflector shields, disruptor cannons and photon torpedoes and join the fun-loving Federation of Contra in the Deep Dancing Space of Camp DeSoto in Mentone, Alabama,
Aug. 16-18, 2024.
We’ll have magnetic music from The Mean Lids and The Yellow Dandies, intergalactic calling from Cis Hinkle.
So don’t be a Borg. “Klingon” up to Mentone!
And as Spock would say, “Live long, and dance!”
Events
We pack a lot into Mentone!
The main events include four scheduled contra dances to Cis Hinkle's calling in Camp DeSoto's beautiful dance hall. On Friday Night, Saturday night, and Sunday morning dance to the driving music of the Mean Lids, and on Saturday morning dance to the same from the Yellow Dandies.
But the fun doesn't end there.
On Saturday our organized activities include yoga, a waltz workshop with Jim Bird and Diann Weatherly, our Mentone skit time led by Tom Gordon, a jam session, a can't miss concert by The Yellow Dandies, and a late night DJ Contra with DR Shadow and Beadle, 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 .....
We pack a lot into Mentone!
The main events include four scheduled contra dances to Cis Hinkle's calling in Camp DeSoto's beautiful dance hall. On Friday Night, Saturday night, and Sunday morning dance to the driving music of the Mean Lids, and on Saturday morning dance to the same from the Yellow Dandies.
But the fun doesn't end there.
On Saturday our organized activities include yoga, a waltz workshop with Jim Bird and Diann Weatherly, our Mentone skit time led by Tom Gordon, a jam session, a can't miss concert by The Yellow Dandies, and a late night DJ Contra with DR Shadow and Beadle, 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 .....
Lodging
Your registration fee includes on-site lodging. We cannot offer a discount 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. We cannot offer a discount 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
Camp DeSoto has limited 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. 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
Camp DeSoto has limited 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. 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. 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.
You may want to check out videos from past Mentone dance weekends.