Tech Squares May Dance Weekend FAQ

May 4, 5, & 6, 2007 in Cambridge, MA

Is there a Frequently Asked Questions List or something?

Why yes! Yes, there is. You're reading it right now!

What if I don't RSVP?

There's a chance there won't be space for you to dance on Friday. For the Saturday morning dance, if we don't get enough C3a dancers RSVP'd, we may lower the level. So send us an email already!

How do I reserve my spot? I can't find a registration form!

Send us an email: squares-weekend-07mit.edu. There isn't a registration form, per se, we're not incredibly formal people around here. As the flyer says, sometimes we just think of this as a big Saturday dance. For Tech Squares dancers and locals, the easiest way to reserve your spot is to give money to Sara Pickett during some Tuesday dance; for others, we'll send you instructions in response to your email.

How do I pay?

When you register, Sara will tell you the easiest way for you to pay. At this point, it's probably easier to bring your money to the dance and get it to her there — although we're not guaranteeing that there will be a registration table at every dance. Look for a Tech Squares officer or member (look for the badge; officers have dangles) and ask if things aren't obvious.

Do I need a partner?

Certainly not to get in! However, many of your fellow dancers will prefer there are 8 people in each square during the tips, as some dancers suffer from phantom-phobia. But rather than square up and wait for a partner, Tech Squares prefers that you arrange a partner before joining the square. When the two of you get into the square simultaneously it speeds the squaring up and allows for more dancing. (If there are not an even multiple of 8 people wanting to dance, sometimes a partial square will dance at the back of the hall, and sometimes they will succeed. Other times a group of 12 people will form a hexagon at the back of the hall and dance Plus or Advanced that way, just because they can. You may even see Czech Line Dancing or 2-couple dancing. Just ignore the crazies in the back; they won't hurt you. Or, if you feel adventurous and confident at the level, join them!)

Can I dance other than my biological gender role?

Not only do Tech Squares not care, Tech Squares will not notice.

I just dance rounds, I don't square dance at all.

That's a statement, not a question! Regardless, your $15 “plus and rounds” admission covers rounds in all sessions, not just the Plus ones. So feel free to attend the C3a session, which will have rounds alternating with squares, and the rounds teach on Saturday afternoon and the rounds session on Sunday morning. Round dance your heart out!

What am I going to do during the day? I don't dance challenge!

There will be board games on Saturday during the day in 20 Chimneys; maybe we'll show square dance movies or present papers on square dancing as well. Email us if you've got a cool idea!

Can I eat dinner with everyone even if I bring my own?

Certainly!

I'm coming from out of town. Is there a hotel near the dance hall? Is there an official hotel where people from out of town are staying? Is there crash space available in local people's home?

That's a lot of questions, Marc! There's no official hotel; officially you're On Your Own for accomodations. That said, we can offer some suggestions:

• There are four hotels within walking distance of the dancing: the Hyatt Regency Cambridge, the Boston Marriott Cambridge, the Kendall Hotel, and the Hotel @ MIT. However, these are all rather expensive, and we'd expect most square dancers would find the cost prohibitive — although we've got anecdotal evidence that you can get a good room at the Hotel @ MIT (at least) for $95 if you bid on Priceline. Good luck!
• For those from far away on a tight budget, the Cambridge Gateway Inn is not too shabby, not too expensive, and within walking distance of the Red Line; the Kendall stop on the Red Line is within walking distance of MIT. You can use the trip planner at MBTA.com to get exact directions. I'd expect the trip to take about 40 minutes from when you leave the Alewife station of the Red Line. Or you could drive (see below).
• If you've got a car (see below for parking information), there are some reasonable hotels near by: two Days Inn on Soldiers Field Road (search at the Days Inn site for hotels in “Cambridge, MA”; the one farther from Boston is a bit cheaper), and La Quinta in Somerville. (Even if you don't have a car, the nearby places are so cheap that staying far away and taking a taxi twice a day is likely to be cheaper. We hear that a cab ride from the Soldiers Field Road Days Inn to the Cambridgeport/MIT area is about $10.)

Where can I park?

Hmm, good question. You first option is: don't! We may try to arrange or facilitate carpooling so that Tech Square people or visitors with cars who are driving in anyway could pick up visitors who've flown in (and don't have cars) or visitors who'd prefer not to have to park at MIT. We may set up a web page with ride sharing information as the dance approaches; for now, email us (address below) for more information.

Ok, that's fine and all, but I really do need to park somewhere!

Here's a map of the MIT area; you'll need it to follow along. There are some spaces along westbound side of Vassar Street, east and west of Massachusetts Avenue. There is metered parking on Mass Ave, and the meters “deactivate” at 6PM and on Sunday. They ARE in effect during Saturday so be forewarned. There are also bits of metered parking along Main Street, which runs past the east end of Vassar into Kendall Square. A bit more far flung is the east end of campus, near Ames and Amherst Streets. There are bits of non-permit on street parking there. There is also non-metered parking on Memorial Drive, but it tends to be pretty full.

There are also parking lots at MIT; see the MIT parking pages for full information:

• There is a small public parking lot at the northeast corner of Vassar Street and Mass Ave which is free after 5PM, and all weekend (double check the sign when you enter to be sure).
• N10, on Albany just east of Massachusetts Avenue, is reported to be very reliable.
• There's also the Windsor St Lot a little farther north.
• The East Lot, the Hayward St. Lot, and the Amherst St. Lot are farther away.

I've got some other question! I don't see it listed here!

I recommend you email squares-weekend-07mit.edu then.