{"items": [{"author": "Kiran", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/615196708742?comment_id=615197831492", "anchor": "fb-615197831492", "service": "fb", "text": "John is a great guy. Go to Cincinnati and hang out with him if you can.", "timestamp": "1370351611"}, {"author": "John", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/615196708742?comment_id=615201349442", "anchor": "fb-615201349442", "service": "fb", "text": "Thanks for tagging me Kiran.  It was fun to read this again.  Jeff if you're ever in my environs please do say hi.", "timestamp": "1370353365"}, {"author": "Michael", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/615196708742?comment_id=615225620802", "anchor": "fb-615225620802", "service": "fb", "text": "I think you're wrong about publicity-seeking having changed.  All the local dances I know of are very lazy about seeking out beginners.  For example, NONE of them are making use of free mainstream calendars such as in the Boston Globe. I call it laziness rather than deliberately avoiding publicity because they do make use of mailing lists, facebook pages, web pages -- all of which are easier than negotiating with an outside service that has its own requirements for publication.  I think that all these dances are also wary of a sudden influx of beginners, though they welcome a steady stream.", "timestamp": "1370370953"}, {"author": "Jeff Kaufman", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/615196708742?comment_id=615235695612", "anchor": "fb-615235695612", "service": "fb", "text": "@Michael: I've tried to get Boston Intergenerational Dance Advocates (BIDA) listed on the Globe calendar before, without success.   I don't remember why it didn't work before, though, so I'll try again now.", "timestamp": "1370378132"}, {"author": "Kiran", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/615196708742?comment_id=615235805392", "anchor": "fb-615235805392", "service": "fb", "text": "The Thursday night dance was listed back in the VFW days I think.", "timestamp": "1370378218"}, {"author": "Phillip", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/615196708742?comment_id=615248405142", "anchor": "fb-615248405142", "service": "fb", "text": "I think the twirl is less negotiated now than it used to be. I think dipping is the new twirl, though not to the point of acceptance in the thesis. The showy thing I remember from that time frame was clogging, but it was not a couples thing. What I note about contra is that the lack of distinct footwork allows it to be a very plastic form of dance that's easily molded by the participants. I have noticed in the past five years the heavy influence of swing dance. Given the swing dance revival that started in the 90s it makes a certain amount of sense (clogging was one of the last parts of the folk dance revival from the 60s that appeared in the 80s. Swimming after hot contras??? Yep, I'm way outside the mainstream.", "timestamp": "1370386422"}, {"author": "Rick", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/615196708742?comment_id=615291848082", "anchor": "fb-615291848082", "service": "fb", "text": "My stepmother, Martha Buskirk, grew up in Bloomington, and probably used to go to that dance.  John, do you remember someone with that name.  I don't know your age, but she is undoubtedly much older.  Currently iin her 80s.", "timestamp": "1370423919"}, {"author": "Jeff Kaufman", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/615196708742?comment_id=615355216092", "anchor": "fb-615355216092", "service": "fb", "text": "@Michael: it worked this time! https://calendar.boston.com/.../show/331196603-contra-dance", "timestamp": "1370479144"}, {"author": "Jeff Kaufman", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/615196708742?comment_id=668673256312", "anchor": "fb-668673256312", "service": "fb", "text": "@John: I'll be in Cincinnati this Monday (and Bloomington this Wednesday) to play with the Free Raisins.  It would be nice to see you if you're around!", "timestamp": "1405784113"}, {"author": "Patrick", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/615196708742?comment_id=668682557672", "anchor": "fb-668682557672", "service": "fb", "text": "I have a thesis languishing in with the Bloomington libraries. The story goes that some graduate researcher left a $50 bill in a stamped envelope halfway through his dissertation in the library with instructions to keep the money and mail him a note if you actually read his work.", "timestamp": "1405790598"}, {"author": "John", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/615196708742?comment_id=668696110512", "anchor": "fb-668696110512", "service": "fb", "text": "Jeff I am doing sound for you guys.  Thanks for tagging me so I'd remember this connection. Jeff Kaufman", "timestamp": "1405799122"}, {"author": "Maureen", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/615196708742?comment_id=668715087482", "anchor": "fb-668715087482", "service": "fb", "text": "I'm sad I didn't see this when you first posted it last year. Bloomington is my home dance scene (though unfortunately I'm not around this summer). It was fun reading about how it was 20-ish years before I started.", "timestamp": "1405810053"}]}