ECR Photo Gallery 2
Photos from ECR events 2017-present

October 28, 2023: Halloween Ball

From ghastly ghouls and social butterflies to perky pumpkins and plushy Pokemons, Reelers and friends came out to dance to Andy Allemao at ECR's 2023 Halloween Ball.

Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023: Step to a Wave

Surf's up! Reelers and friends jump the shark at ECR's summer beach party dance Step to a Wave featuring Darren Gallina.

June 10, 2023: San Mateo Pride

The Reelers execute the awe-inspiring, death-defying Catwalk Promenade, made up on the spot by caller Rich Reel at the San Mateo Pride celebration. ECR staffed a booth at the festival and invited folks to join us for our upcoming Open House on June 27.

May 27, 2023: The Grandest Square on Earth

The circus came to town when El Camino Reelers and friends danced to the awe-inspiring, death-defying callng of Michael Kellogg.

May 13, 2023: Picnic in the Park

Strange visitors descended on Hoover Park in Palo Alto when the Reelers held a picnic and dance on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Kurt Gollhardt had the crowd dancing to "Purple People Eater" and Jeff Alder made his calling debut.

March 25, 2023: Walk & Dodge Into Spring

Spring has sprung! Reelers and friends frolicked to the calling of Ken Ritucci at ECR's first dance of 2023.

October 29, 2022: The Rocky Square Dance Horror Show!

Reelers and friends give themselves over to absolute pleasure at ECR's Rocky Horror- themed Halloween Ball, with spooky good calling by Marin County's Eric Henerlau! And yes, we did the Time Warp again!

September 10, 2022: Congratulations to our Red and Violet Blast Class Graduates!

August 13, 2022: A Family Affair

El Camino Reelers kicked off its second Beginner class of the year (our "Red" blast class) on Saturday, August 13. Caller Michael Levy introduced the next generation of square dancers to the basics. With a little help from their parents (all experienced dancers), these kids will be out-dancing the adults before long.

July 16, 2022: Jurassic Picnic

RAWWRRRR!! Visitors from the Mesozoic dancing at El Camino Reelers' Jurassic Picnic in Palo Alto's Robles Park. Rich Reel and Dave Decot were the callers.

June 11, 2022: San Mateo Pride

El Camino Reelers dancing onstage at the 10th Annual San Mateo Pride celebration. Kurt Gollhardt was our caller.

May 14, 2022: The Road to Convention

March 26, 2022: Having a Ball

October 30, 2021: We Dance in the Shadows

Sept. 25, 2021: Squareapalooza!

Beautiful fall day! On September 25 the Reelers went to Peers Park in Palo Alto for another picnic and dance outing. Michael Levy and Kurt Gollhardt were the callers.

June 26, 2021: Reelers Renaissance

On Saturday June 26, Reelers and friends went back to Robles Park in Palo Alto for our first in-person dancing since the beginning of pandemic. Four callers (Michael Levy, Mike Pogue, Kurt Gollhardt and Dave Decot) kept the music going. Smiles all around!

May 22, 2021: Picnic in the Park

On Saturday May 22, Reelers and their significant others got together for a picnic in Palo Alto's Robles Park. No dancing, but still... our first in-person event since last March!

February 22, 2020: Black & White Ball

A record turnout for our first quarterly dance of 2020, with Eric Henerlau calling.

January 31, 2020: Load the Love Boat

Hello sailor! ECR gets nautical at our first potluck dance of 2020, with Three of a Kind (Mike Pogue, Regina Schulz, James Thompson) calling. Great turnout, lots of good food, and fun dancing!

January 8, 2020: Fun on a Wednesday Night

A good turnout as ECR held its first-ever Wednesday Fun Night at St. Andrews, with Michael Levy calling a variety of mixer dances along with square dance basics, wrapping up with a couple of full Plus tips for the regulars.

November 15, 2019: Fun with Rob

Rob French was our featured caller at the November Fun Night, giving the dancers a taste of ballroom dancing as well as square dance fundamentals.

Rob was back the following week for ECR's second annual APD/DBD Workshop, coaching five squares of dancers on the intricacies of All Position Dancing and Dancing by Definition.

October 26, 2019: Reeler Madness!

Lots of fabulous costumes at ECR's Reeler Madness Halloween Ball, with great calling by the incomparable Vic Ceder.

October 18, 2019: Fun Night at Billy DeFrank

Our October Fun Night at the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Center in San Jose featured Kurt Gollhardt teaching square dance basics and a lively Indian "Dandiya" folk dance done with tasseled sticks.

August 3, 2019: Cast Away Three Quarters

ECR members and friends spend the evening on their own desert island, dancing to The Skipper (aka caller Darren Gallina) as he plays the theme from "Gilligan's Island" and other nautical tunes.

July 6, 2019: Allan Gets the Boot

Congratulations to ECR's Allan Hurst on receiving the prestigious Golden Boot Award, the highest honor of the gay square dancing world, at this year's IAGSDC Convention in Philadelphia. Allan was chosen by last year's winners, Barry and Pam Clasper, for his work on the IAGSDC History Wiki, the Gay Callers Association's Call Sheet newsletter, and so much more. Well done, Allan!

June 25, 2019: Congratulations to our A2 Grads!

We had a big turnout for our A2 Graduation celebration. Dancers from ECR and other local clubs came out to celebrate with the new grads, and dance to our caller/instructors Michael Levy, Dave Decot and Kurt Gollhardt. Speechifying, diplomas and cake, and review instructor Allan Hurst brought the donuts.

June 2019: Pride Month at Filoli and San Mateo

On June 1, ECR made its debut at the first-ever Filoli Pride at the beautiful Filoli Gardens in Woodside, dancing on a shady patio with Kurt Gollhardt calling. Lots of audience participation, including a troop of Brownie Scouts getting their first taste of square dancing.

Two weeks later on June 15, we put on a show at the San Mateo Pride Festival (our seventh appearance) with Rich Reel calling. We started with an on-stage demo tip, then wento out into the audience to encourage festival-goers - and their kids - to join us.

May 8, 2019: Congratulations to Our New Members

El Camino Reelers welcomed two new members on Wednesday, May 8 when Mike and Dawn completed the Mainstream program. The graduation ceremony included diplomas, some silly dances, and, of course, cake.

May 4, 2019: Star Thru Silicon Valley

The Force was strong in the galaxy as El Camino Reelers celebrated Star Wars Day with caller Gary Monday, aka Princess Mary Wanna Leia!

April 26, 2019: Back to Billy DeFrank

El Camino Reelers went back to the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center in San Jose for our April Fun Night. Caller Kurt Gollhardt taught a three-couple not-quite square dance -- and the Hully Gully!

March 29, 2019: The Woodstock of Square Dancing!

Folks from many clubs came out for ECR's Woodstock-themed Friday potluck featuring "3 of a Kind" callers Mike Pogue, Regina Schultz, and James Thompson. Lots of tie-dye, lots of food, lots of fun. The dance was also a farewell to longtime ECR board co-chair Lynn Ashmall, who has been in charge of the Friday Potluck series, and intrepid photographer Ken Seibert, who will soon be leaving the Bay Area. We'll miss you both!

Feb. 23, 2019: Take Me to the Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras comes back to Palo Alto with a fun-filled appearance by caller Bill Eyler from Palm Springs. Great dancing, lots of costumes and beads aplenty!

Feb. 15, 2019: February Fun Night

Guest caller Darren Gallina gets the dancers circling at ECR's February Fun Night.

January 18, 2019: More Fun at Billy DeFrank

ECR goes back to the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ Community Center for an evening of square dancing, line dancing, and general frivoloity with caller Kurt Gollhardt.

December 14, 2018: ECR Fun Night

Caller Rob French returns to show Reelers and friends how to do the Two-Step at our December Fun Night.

November 30, 2018: Potluck Friday

ECR members doing the roller coaster as we Spin Chain and Exchange the Gears at ECR's last potluck of the year, with caller Rich Reel. Good food, good friends, good dancing!

October 27, 2018: The Pirates of Palo Alto

Yo ho ho! El Camino Reelers hoist the Jolly Roger for their pirate-themed Halloween Ball as caller Bronc Wise gave No Quarter to the dancers. Great costumes, great decorations, and a whole lot of fun. Shiver me timbers, matey!

October 19, 2018: Back to Billy DeFrank

ECR held its second Fun Night at the Billy DeFrank Center in San Jose with caller Harlan Kerr.

September 26, 2018: Congratulations, New Grads!

ECR welcomed our GREEN Blast Class graduates with diplomas and silly square dance games. And cake, of course!

September 14, 2018: A Night at the Ballet

Everything was beautiful at ECR's fall potluck. Big turnout (including a lot of our new Plus grads), great food, and top-notch calling by club caller Michael Levy.

September 9, 2018: What a Blast!

ECR's GREEN Blast Class wrapped up the PLUS curriculum at the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ Community Center in San Jose. Kurt Gollhardt was the instructor.

August 17, 2018: Hot Fun in the Summertime

ECR Fun Nights return to St. Andrews as caller Michael Levy pumps up the energy with a mixer dance.

August 4, 2018: Sunglasses Optional!

Big turnout on a hot summer night for our "Star Across Summer" quarterly dance with caller Darren Gallina.

August 2, 2018: Out at the Fair

ECR dancers promote the Gay Square Dance Agenda, pulling bystanders into a demo tip at the first-ever "Out at the Fair" LGBTQ night at the Santa Clara County Fair. Kurt Gollhardt was our caller for the evening.

July 20, 2018: Fun at the Billy deFrank Center

ECR takes its monthly Fun Night program to the Billy deFrank LGBTQ Community Center in San Jose. Caller Kurt Gollhardt introduced the group to the Virginia Reel and a variety of other novel dances, as well as beginning square dance moves.

June 16, 2018: San Mateo Pride

ECR members whoop it up onstage at San Mateo Pride. Rich Reel was our caller. We also had a booth where we spread the word about our Fun Nights to potential dancers.

June 15, 2018: Fun with Eric

ECR welcomed guest caller Eric Henerlau to our June Fun Night. Along with square dance basics, Eric taught some easy line dances like the Electric Slide ("If you've been to a wedding, you've done this.") and the "Wild Wild West" barn dance (an ECR fave).

June 13, 2018: Welcome, New Grads!

ECR welcomed its 2018 "Green" Blast Class graduates with diplomas and speechifying, and cake. Caller Michael Levy led the group in silly square dance games. And did we mention cake?

June 3, 2018: Santa Cruz Pride

ECR kicks off Pride month at the Santa Cruz Pride Parade. Caller Rich Reel and banner carriers James Thompson and Susan Grieger show off our new club banner before we dance our way down Pacific Avenue to cheering crowds.

June 1, 2018: Pass the Ocean, Please!

Kurt Gollhardt was the caller at our June potluck and dance. Plenty of good food and decorations, and all levels of dancing to Kurt's collection of ocean-themed music, with a grand finale of "Octopus's Garden".

May 11, 2018: Fun Night

Lots of new faces at our May Fun Night. Michael Levy introduced the crowd to square dancing... and some Jewish folk dances. Hava Nagila!

April 28, 2018: A Square Dance Romance

Love was in the air on April 28 at our romance-themed "Walk & Dodge into Spring" dance. Sacramento sweethearts Scot and Erin Byars were the featured caller and cuer.

April 20, 2018 Fun Night

Cowboy up! Kurt Gollhardt teaches a line dance at ECR's April Fun Night.

February 2018: A Double Header

ECR held back-to-back dances on Friday and Saturday, February 23 and 24. First up was our monthly no-experience-required Fun Night with Kurt Gollhardt calling squares, Sicilian Circles, and a Quadrille! The next evening was our quarterly theme dance, the Black & White Ball featuring Jet Roberts calling Plus, A2 and a couple of SSD-50 (class-level) tips. Something for everyone!

January 27, 2018: What a Blast!

January 19, 2018: Fun Night

December 2017: Holiday Fun at ECR

October 28, 2017: The Season of the Witch!

A bewitching evening of dancing, costumes and gooey treats at ECR's Halloween Ball with caller Michael Kellogg.

October 20, 2017: More Fun at ECR

The fourth in our series of "Fun Nights" (no-experience-needed dance parties) featured our own Senior Club Caller, Rich Reel. Rich taught some basic square dance moves including the awe-inspiring, death-defying "Grand Square", and kept the crowd laughing with his snappy patter. He gave some basic lessons in the Waltz and reprised the "Wild Wild West" mixer dance that Michael Levy presented at last month's Fun Night.

August 18, 2017: Another Fun Night at ECR

ECR held the second in its series of "Fun Nights" (no-experience-needed dance parties) featuring Arlene Kaspik who flew in all the way from Chicago to call for us.

August 5, 2017: The Summer of Love!

The Age of a-SQUARE-ius started off, appropriately enough, with a bit of chaos when Reelers and friends arrived to find the church occupied by another group. But we partied on and danced outside on a beautiful summer evening.

Caller Kris Jensen and cuer Sharon Parker played a stellar collection of Sixties music, and dancers came dressed in tie-dye, flowers, and peace symbols, with a lot of vintage Sixties paraphernalia. No time to decorate the hall, but it didn't matter -- WE were the decoration! Watch the video below and see for yourself.

July 21, 2017: Andy Shore Kicks off ECR Fun Nights

ECR kicked off a series of "Fun Nights" -- no-experience-needed dance parties -- with the return of long-ago ECR caller Andy Shore.

Andy called a variety of dances - squares, mixers, contras - and kept the crowd buzzing with novelties like this dance for groups of 5 people:

June 21, 2017: Let Them Eat Cake

New Plus grads Mary and John cut the cake to celebrate their graduation on June 21 in a ceremony that included diplomas, speechifying, and blindfolded square dancing.

Photos by Ken Seibert

More photos

June 2017: Pride Month

El Camino Reelers danced in two Pride celebrations this year: San Mateo and Santa Cruz. Rich called for both events and encouraged onlookers to join us as we strutted our stuff for the crowd.

April 15, 2017: A Great Square Dance!

Reelers and friends came out to "Make Square Dancing Great Again" at our "Walk & Dodge into Spring" dance. A last-minute appearance by caller Gary Monday saved the day, cuer Kevin Klein rounded out the evening and a splendid time was had by all.

Feb. 25, 2017: Let the Good Times Roll

Big turnout, great costumes! Reelers and friends get down at the Mardi Gras Ho-Down with caller Bill Eyler and cuer Sue Harris.

Jan. 27, 2017: ECR Tie-Dye Friday