The Tehachapi Gandy Dancers host their Dance Under the Stars

On a beautiful Tehachapi evening, the Tehachapi Gandy Dancers Square Dance Club hosted their Dance Under the Stars to 77 square and round dancers. Dancers representing the Mountain Squares at Frazier Park, the Joaquin Squares of Bakersfield, the Bakersfield Rounders, the Aces & Deuces of Palmdale, the Boots & Slippers of Simi Valley, Buckles & Bows of Thousand Oaks, the Sierra Hillbillies of Santa Clarita, and our own Tehachapi Gandy Dancers came together under a canopy of stars and cool mountain air to enjoy a night of dancing and camaraderie.

Andy Allemao graced us with outstanding calls, good humor, and a seemingly unending exuberance throughout the night. Square dancers danced to a variety of music from several genres and eras. The music alone was awesome!

Chuck and Doreene Ball provided a wonderful rendition of cueing waltzes for the round dances to sounds from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s; leading dancers through some smooth footwork and graceful moves. This writer spent time visiting and reminiscing with a fellow child of the railroad in Doreene. She grew up in a railroad section house as her father worked for the Frisco Railroad where I grew up in railroad depots as my father worked for Southern Pacific.

The next event hosted by the Tehachapi Gandy Dancers is the "October Harvest and Anniversary Dance" at the Tehachapi SENIOR CENTER at 500 East F Street on Oct. 28, 2017. Dick Hodnefeld will be calling; Gary and Susan McLaughlin will provide the cues. Come out and join us!

Brenda S. Johnston is a member of the Tehachapi Gandy Dancers, and works for the United States Air Force as a technical editor.