  | Volume XII, Issue 2 February 2003 |
What the world needs now is love. The Membership Corner
Greetings from the world of membership! Normally, January is a slow month for membership. But this month seemed to be a little busier. If you have been to our web page lately, the membership page specifically, you have found a new addition. We have added the option to join online, in addition to renewing online. This new feature already brought in 2 new members. Our membership stands strong at 153. I am pleased to announce that we have a preliminary contract signed with our new host hotel, the Hyatt Regency. With the signing of this contract, the hotel not only provides us with a space to hold our monthly Board of Directors meetings, but also our membership meetings. So, starting with our February membership meeting, we will be meeting at the hotel. Meeting time will more than likely stay the same (4:00pm). But keep watch on the web page, as well as your email box for any changes to the schedule.
If you need to order any ASGRA merchandise (logo or Stampede t-shirts, Denim or Red long-sleeve shirts, name badges, etc) you can do so on the web page. Come check out the ASGRA online Store! If you have moved or changed any of your personal information please let me know. If you no longer wish to receive email announcements (or want to be added to that list) let me know and we will make sure it happens. Remember that you have a voice on the board (me). As your membership chair, I serve as your liaison to the board. If you have issues, concerns or questions, please don't hesitate to bring them to my attention. I can be reached by email at join@asgra.org or by phone at the number listed in the sidebar of the newsletter. Mike Sanders, Membership Chair Keeping Country Dance Alive In Baltimore!
Two-step and Country Waltz Dance Lessons with Instructor
Jan. 9: Two-Step
 Howdy Gang,
Billy Collison, Atlantic Stampede 2003 Rodeo Director ASGRA Board of Directors 2003 & Committee Chairs
President: Gaither Pennington 133 Tull Place Alexandria, VA 22304
News 'Round the Corral
2003 IGRA Rodeos
Cowtown Rodeo 2003: TGRA Fort Worth, TX March 28-30, 2003
ASGRA Royalty 2003 & Committee Chairs
Web Master: Frank Harrell 12905 Clifton Creek Dr. Clifton, VA 20124
A Reminder to IGRA CONTESTANTS: It is your responsibility to keep IGRA informed of address, phone, and email changes. You can update your information with them at http://www.igra.com/address.html
 Getting Social!
The Social & Entertainment Committee is seeking creative, energetic people to help plan an exciting social calendar for ASGRA in 2003. Our goal is to provide a variety of social events for the ASGRA membership throughout the year. We are limited only by having willing volunteers to help suggest, plan, and host events. Whether you can commit a few hours each month or only have time to help out with one or two events that interest you, your participation is welcome. If you've got skills or ideas that you can offer, the Social & Entertainment Committee wants you! If your main talent is a willingness to pitch in, we want you, too! The S&E goal for 2003 is to involve as much of the ASGRA membership and the country western community as possible, whether you volunteer to help or just come out and enjoy socializing at the events. S&E is about having some fun and building a sense of community among our members. Join us for the fun! If you have ideas to share, contact the Social &&Entertainment chair, J.R. Key,.
CELEBRATING 10 SPECTACULAR YEARS AS AMERICA'S MOST SUCCESSFUL GLBT EVENT!
2003 is the 10th Anniversary of this incredible event. This is a huge milestone for the GLBT Community, the loyal sponsors/exhibitors/attendees that support the EXPO and the dedicated staff at The RDP Group.
ASGRA has been a participant and the IGRA Representative group to this event for the past 2 years. It's a wonderful opportunity to network with the GLBT community and to showcase all that is exciting about gay rodeo, ASGRA/IGRA and the County-Western lifestyle. For more info and pictures from last year's expo check out their website: http://www.rdpgroup.com/glexpo/welcome.htm
DID YOU KNOW….. Stage I (formerly the Stagecoach) in Baltimore has been purchased by the owner of Central Station. It will be closed for 1-2 months for renovations, but word on the street is that once it reopens they plan to have country dancing one or two nights a week. And the C&W Reunion Tea Dance on the second Sunday of every month may be back as well. Stay tuned! ASGRA Calendar of Events
February 2003 There will be no ASGRA Memberhip meetings during March or June this year. |
Road Runner Regional Rodeo 2003: Phoenix, AZ January 17-19, 2003
Courtney and John, Miss and Mr. ASGRA 2003 performed several times during the weekend and met most of the other Associations' royalty teams. There will be stiff competition come finals this year and our team is one of the best. Lonni LaBel, Ms. ASGRA 1999/Ms. IGRA 2000 also performed. ASGRA also put on quite a show in the arena as well. Ribbons and trophies abound. Here's how we stacked up:
Mike Sanders, Membership Chair
And Speaking of Rodeos…Stampede 2003 September 5 - 7, 2003
Check our website frequently (www.asgra.org), as new information and details are posted regularly. Tickets for this event will be available on-line beginning in June 2003. J.R. Key, S&E Chair Upcoming ASGRA Events!!!!
Hoedown on the Harbor 2003
Spend the day enjoying Baltimore's Gay Pride Festival; then spend the hot summer night where the Cowboys and Cowgirls play, at the Hoedown on the Harbor. We'll be boot-scootin' all night under an open-air pavilion down on the waterfront of the Baltimore Inner Harbor. Come early for the ASGRA couples and line dance competitions (6pm - 8pm) and stay late dancing the night away (8pm - 2am). We'll provide plenty of food, drinks, good music, and a special guest performance … add in a cool breeze, the harbor lights … and all we need is you to complete the mix for the area's best country western dance party of the summer. Tickets for this event will be available for purchase online and at local Lambda Rising bookstores beginning in April, 2003.
ASGRA Couples Dance & Line Dance Competitions
Saturday, June 14th, 2003, 6-8pm
You may register for competition online (www.asgra.org) or via mail beginning in February, 2003. In addition, on-the-spot registration will be available for the Line Dance competition for anyone with an urge to kick up their heels and show their stuff for the crowd. After the heat of dance competition, cool off outdoors at the open-air pavilion and join us for food, drinks, and dancing the night away at Hoedown on the Harbor.
Atlantic Coast Open
J.R. Key, S&E Chair March 2003 newsletter issue: Submissions due: 2/17/03 Mail out date: 2/24/03
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An ASGRA Valentine 
Feb. 6: Two-Step
Just wanted to give y'all a quick "Howdy" and let everyone know how grateful I am to have been selected by the Board as your Rodeo Director for this year's Atlantic Stampede in September. I will be using the Newsletter to keep everyone informed of the 2003 Rodeo status. I have already signed-on Mike Lentz as my Asst. Rodeo Director. And hope to make more assignments soon. If you have any questions please feel free to give me an E-Buzz at RodeoDirector@asgra.org.
Happy Trails To You!
Bighorn Rodeo 2003: NGRA Las Vegas, NV April 4-5, 2003
IGRA Trustee: Michael Lentz 4602 Coachway Drive North Bethesda, MD 20852
2 11:00am Trail Ride at Piscataway stables, Clinton, MD
Gay Rodeo and country western enthusiasts from California to Calgary, from NYC to NC all know the only place to be Sept 5-7 is in Washington, DC, for two days and three nights of cowboys, cowgirls, competition and dancing. ASGRA has earned a reputation as one of the best rodeo entertainment weekends on the IGRA circuit. With several new improvements to our arena and rodeo grounds venue, praised by contestants and fans alike, followed each night by the largest and best evening dance/entertainment events, Atlantic Stampede continues our tradition in 2003 to provide the highest quality all-around line-up of rodeo entertainment. Start making plans now to be in DC this fall.
After a day of celebration at the Baltimore's Gay Pride Festival, join us as we kick-off the area's best country-western dance event of the summer with the ASGRA Couples Dance and Line Dance Competition. Whether you would like to join in the competion or just enjoy watching the show, it's an exciting way to start an evening of dancing. An IGRA sanctioned dance competition, the overall winners for this competition will be invited to represent ASGRA at the IGRA international dance competition finals in July, 2003.