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What’s new?

Registration is now open! However, the ball and workshop are nearing the hall limit. If/when that is reached, we will add new registrations to a waitlist even as registration for the Sunday dance and dinner continue.
The ball program and dance notes are posted on the Events page.
By request, we are compiling a roster for attendees to connect with friends, plan carpools, or request local home-stay opportunities. To be included in the shared roster, please fill out this MRB attendee form asking for the contact information you are willing to share. If you do not submit this form, you will not be included in the roster.
Due to high demand, the Friday and Sunday dances have been moved to Hermann Sons Hall in Petaluma, so all Friday, Saturday, and Sunday events will be in the same hall.
Effective February 1, discounted lodging and transportation options for out of town dancers have been posted on the Concierge page.

Join us for the 2024 Mad Robin Ball Weekend, May 17-21, in Petaluma, California. Our 20th Mad Robin Ball is expanded to include a welcome dance on Friday night and a special Palo Alto dance the following Tuesday. We’ll dance to programs designed by three of ECD’s most notable callers to memorable tunes provided by four of the genre’s most venerable musicians, all located in one of the most glorious locales in Northern California.

*Jacqueline Schwab, Mary Lea, Earl Gaddis, Daniel Beerbohm*

Jacqueline Schwab, Daniel Beerbohm, Earl Gaddis, and Mary Lea will play for all five dance events, except that Friday’s dance will feature Jacqueline, Earl, and Mary.

*Kalia Kliban, Gene Murrow, Bruce Hamilton*

Mad Robin Dancing Master – Gene Murrow
Special Dance Callers – Kalia Kliban and Bruce Hamilton

Weekend Highlights

Friday, May 17, 7:00-10 pm

The Weekend Welcome dance will feature the energetically textured calling of Kalia Kliban in the spacious Hermann Sons Hall, 860 Western Avenue, Petaluma, CA.

Saturday, May 18

Dancing Master Gene Murrow will lead the afternoon workshop and evening ball program Celebrate the Classics. His legacy program will comprise significant and consequential dances drawn from those recorded by Bare Necessities, Hold the Mustard and Reunion.

1:30-4:00 pm Workshop
7:00-10:00 pm Ball

Dancing will be on the resilient wooden dance floor in Petaluma’s spacious Hermann Sons Hall, erected in 1931, at 860 Western Avenue, Petaluma, CA.

Sunday, May 19

Enjoy a noontime potluck brunch at Hermann Sons Hall and adjacent outdoor space. Gene Murrow will then lead dancing to Memorable Melodies. Following the dance, join long-time and newly found friends for a Turkish Buffet provided by family owned Real Doner.

12:00-1:30 pm Potluck Brunch
2:00-5:00 pm Memorable Melodies Dance led by Gene Murrow
5:30 pm Community Dinner, prepaid catering

Hermann Sons Hall, 860 Western Avenue, Petaluma, CA.

Monday and Tuesday, May 20-21

Explore the distinctive natural beauty and quirky towns of Napa, Sonoma, and Marin Counties and the cultural riches of San Francisco and the Peninsula. See our Concierge page for ideas.

Tuesday, May 21, 7:30 -10:00 pm

Finish the ball weekend with a special dance led by Bruce Hamilton in Palo Alto. Bruce’s program will reward an extra bit of skill and experience, but remain accessible to dancers with a basic knowledge of English figures. Enjoy dancing one more time to the music of Mary Lea, Earl Gaddis, and Jacqueline Schwab of Bare Necessities, with Daniel Beerbohm on winds. First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94302.

Registration is open for the Workshop and Ball, which are limited to 125 pre-registered dancers. The additional three dance events will be open to all with admission paid at the door.

Community Expectations

COVID precautions. The current expectations are as follows:
- Wearing masks will be optional.
- Covered outdoor areas will be provided for social interactions and during refreshment breaks, the Sunday brunch, and the Sunday buffet dinner.
Additional COVID precautions are listed in the NBCDS covid policy. The Mad Robin Ball committee will monitor local COVID levels and reserves the option to alter this policy and inform attendees if medical wisdom dictates.
Dance Etiquette. The Mad Robin Ball committee asks participants to follow the NBCDS policy on dance etiquette.
Fragrance-Free Policy. Please refrain as much as possible from wearing or using products that contain synthetic fragrances, including perfumes, deodorant, soaps, laundry detergents. Fragrance-free soaps for handwashing will be available at our events.
Code of Conduct for NBCDS events.

Download a printable Save the Date flyer below, in color or black and white:

Question or comment about Mad Robin Ball? Contact us here.