BENEFACTOR: John Antoun • Terry Campbell • Becca Garber • Andy Knapp • Bill Mills • Meredith Stead • Steven Wilson • Ingu Yun ••• PARTNER: Robert Becker • Beth Calvin • Country Fried Dance • Daniel Craigmile • Edie Driskill • Evelyn Hooghkirk • Ronald Jenkins • Tony LaBella • Caroline Serrato • Sherry Thomas • Mario Torrigino • Curtis Tutt • Joseph Winkler ••• HOST: Marianne Bertuccelli • Flynn Bickley • Jonathan Boland • Gerald Box • JD Brooks • Sam Calandra • Terry Chasteen • Reuben Chong • Chris Cochran • Gene Corpuz • Adriano de la Cruz • Deb DeProspero • Amy Dewey • Kodi Diaz • Jim Drew • Mark Evans • Terry Felts • Stephen Fettig • Tim Fey • Caitlyn Fischman • Paula Fraser • Fernando Garcia • Alan Gaudet • Claude Godbout • Edwin Goei • Jerri Goldberg • Dan Goldes • David Grubbe • Malcolm Harris • Zoe Hawkins-Wells • Dave Hayes Mocci • Paul Heaton • Ming Ho • John Huebler • Anthony Ivancich • Ray Kenyon • Colin King • James Kingdon • Martin Kooi • Daniel Kurtz • Donna Lazorik • Johnny Legge • Kathy Lin • Sam Link • Susan MacMurchy • Joan McDonough • Herb Moore • Simon Nish • Elizabeth Nucci • Skip Ober Miller • Sheila ORourke • Jim Peeples • Dale Petros • Citabria Phillips • Daniel Pound • Nancy Quan • Mary-Anna Rae • Nikki Raeburn • Malcolm Reasons • Guillemette Regan • Danny Rideout • Peter Rolla • Sheila Schlicht • Nina Sonneborn • John Strickland • Charles Sullivan • Steve Sullivan • Andrew Taines • Sheba Thone • Dot Trevis • Alan Westley • Joy Willis • Jeremiah Yoo • Gail Zacharias
EVENT SPONSORS
Dairyland Dancers (Madison, WI)
Bill Severino
The Sundance Association
Sundance Reno Round-Up
Sundance CW Dance Weekend at the 2025 WGRF
Sundance Goes To Reno!
October 9–12, 2025
The Sundance Association is hosting a full-fledged country-western dance weekend in conjunction with the World Gay Rodeo Finals in Reno, Nevada (celebrating 50 years of gay rodeo!), October 9–12, 2025. We'll have four nights of dancing in up to two rooms, three days of dance workshops in up to three rooms, dance exhibition performances, and more! This event will also host the 30th annual convention of the International Association of Gay/Lesbian Country-Western Dancing.
The Sundance Reno Round-Up evolved from an invitation to the Sundance Association for Country-Western Dancing from the International Gay Rodeo Association to help the IGRA include country-western dancing as a part of the 2025 World Gay Rodeo Finals.
In the 1990s, country-western dancing was a huge part of the gay rodeo circuit, and in its heyday the largest rodeos attracted thousands of attendees. (In 2001 the Sundance Stompede was created in part to mimic a rodeo weekend without the rodeo.) In 2025 the WGRF would be kicking off the 50th year of gay rodeo and returning to Reno, Nevada, the location of the very first gay rodeo in 1975. To help celebrate, the IGRA wanted to recreate the glory days when country-western dancing was such an integral part of rodeo weekends.
Initial plans to support a night or two of dancing quickly grew into a full-fledged Stompede-like weekend. With the IGRA handling the administrative work, including hotel, registration, and finances, the Sundance Association could focus on the creative aspects of the weekend: the dance events, workshops, and exhibition performances. The Sundance Stompede ended in part because the amount of work to produce it had become unsustainable. But now, what had become overwhelming suddenly became manageable, and the Sundance Reno Round-Up took shape.
Stompede founder and co-director Ingu Yun is still at the helm, with a mix of new and prior committee members from the Stompede years. While the architecture of the Sundance Reno Round-Up is similar to the Stompede, it will not be exactly the same, as the Round-Up is a sub-event within the larger WGRF event, and ultimately controlled and financed by the IGRA (who have been very deferential and responsive to our needs). But we fully expect that the strong sense of community will remain, along with our culture of welcoming and inclusiveness, because we know our attendees will make it so.
The Sundance Reno Round-Up will be a one-time event – one more chance to reproduce the same joyous feeling we experienced at the Sundance Stompede. We hope you will make a special effort not to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Registration
Advance registration is available now for just $100 for the entire weekend including four nights of dancing and three days of dance workshops, as well as admission to the rodeo on Saturday and Sunday. (There will be an additional fee for premium workshops and for the Stompede documentary screening.) Registrations are nonrefundable. Advance registration ends October 5, 2025. Full weekend passes will be available on site for $120.
After you register you will be given the opportunity to upgrade to a host sponsorship for just $40 additional. Your tax-deductible donation directly supports the Sundance Association for Country-Western Dancing and is a great way to show your appreciation. (Note that your registration fee goes entirely to the International Gay Rodeo Association, and the host sponsor donation goes entirely to the Sundance Association. That's why it requires two separate forms.)
You will receive hotel reservation information in your registration confirmation email. If you register and do not receive a confirmation, please contact us at roundup-registration@sundancesaloon.org. Note that hotel room rates will increase as we move through our room block allotments, so register early for the best rates.
Single event tickets will be available at the door:
Thursday and Sunday night dances - $15 each
Friday and Saturday night dances - $30 each
Dance workshop one-day pass - $40
Rodeo single day entry - $30
REASONS TO REGISTER EARLY: Get the lowest hotel room rates and guarantee your choice of hotel and room type. And help us plan , so we can make it the best possible weekend for you. For example, we may be able to expand our offerings if we know that attendance will be high.
NOTE TO OUR CANADIAN FRIENDS: As a gesture of good will, the International Gay Rodeo Association has determined that Canadian citizens with a weekend pass and Canadian ID will receive a $30 refund at will call when they pick up their badge.
Hotel
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UPDATE - June 1, 2025: Availability for all categories of rooms is currently good at both Circus Circus and Silver Legacy. However, this status could change quickly. We will be adding more rooms to our block intermittently, so if your desired category is not available, it will almost certainly become available soon, although possibly at a higher rate.
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The host hotel is actually two interconnected hotels, Circus Circus and Silver Legacy, part of a trio of hotels collectively known as "The Row." The Row offers 25 restaurants, 23 bars and lounges, entertainment venues, 11 nightspots, immense casino spaces, and a luxury spa, all right in the heart of the Biggest Little City in the World.
Circus Circus offers rates of $39 We-Th-Su and $119 Fr-Sa.*
Silver Legacy offers rates of $49 We-Th-Su and $149 Fr-Sa for a deluxe room and $69 We-Th-Su and $169 Fr-Sa for a premium room (higher floor).*
Rates listed do not include a discounted $25 "resort" fee (normally $35), $3 city tourism fee, and 13.5% tax.
A refundable deposit for the first night will be charged immediately.
Cancel without penalty up to 72 hours prior to arrival.
All of the dancing will take place in the ballrooms of the Silver Legacy. Circus Circus is only a five-minute walk away via an internal walkway.
*Rates as of 6/1/25. Note that hotel room rates will increase as we move through our room block allotments, so register early for the best rates.
You will receive information about making your hotel reservation after you register for the Sundance Reno Round-Up. If you need this information prior to registering, contact us at info@sundancesaloon.org
When making your plans, remember that dancing starts Thursday night and ends Sunday night, and that Monday is a federal holiday.
Schedule
We're working on it! For now, here is what we're planning:
Four nights of dancing, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We will have a second room open for line dancing and west coast swing on Friday and Saturday nights, or possibly all four nights, depending on attendance.
Late-night west coast swing Friday and Saturday nights.
Dance workshops in three rooms running simultaneously during the day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Premium (small-group) workshops in a fourth workshop room.
IAGLCWDC dance contest Friday evening at 7:00 pm.
IAGLCWDC delegate's meeting Friday afternoon and general membership social Saturday afternoon.
VIP welcome reception, women's/trans/nonbinary social, and after-hours parties (tentative).
Screening of the documentary: Last Dance at the Sundance Stompede. There will be a separate fee for this.
World Gay Rodeo Finals all day Saturday and Sunday
The Great Italian Festival all day Saturday and Sunday (an unrelated event happening just outside the hotel)
The following schedule is still very preliminary and will certainly change:
PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE – SUNDANCE RENO ROUND-UP
Workshops
We will have three rooms of workshops running simultaneously during the day on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We're planning instruction for all levels, from beginning to advanced, and all kinds of dance styles, including two-step, waltz, east coast swing, west coast swing, line dancing, and more. In addition to our regular program of workshops, we will offer small-group premium workshops in a fourth room with limited attendance for a nominal extra fee.
Instructors
We already have the following instructors confirmed. You'll recognize many from past Sundance Stompedes.
Click on the photo for a short biography.
Sara Willbrich
Sara Willbrich
Sara Willbrich (Washington, DC) was coerced onto the CW floor at Faces, Sacramento in 1994 and never looked back. Moving to DC a decade later, she converted to progressive 2-step and dove into the wild world of mainstream WCS. She competed as a leader and follower in WCS and in IAGLCWDC CW couples for several years. She founded DC Roleplay and helps produce DC Out.
Sheba Thone
Sheba Thone
Sheba Thone (Rhode Island) is a 40-year-old (This year!) line dancer who feels (and thinks she looks?) much younger on the dance floor. She *maybe* only loves the Lord, her husband, her dog, and the Emerald City (shout out Rain Country!) more than line dancing. She started line dancing in 2011 and was hooked from the first 8-count. She can frequently be found line dancing in public whenever she “hears” a dance she knows. She line dances as often as she can, and when she’s not line dancing, she’s wishing she was line dancing.
Michael Sims
Michael Sims
Michael Sims (Washington, DC) has been providing dance lessons, choreography for special occasions, and artistic performances independently since 2006, specializing in a variety of dance styles including American Style Ballroom, Rhythm, Swing, Salsa, and Country-Western. He currently competes and provides lessons at various locations serving the Maryland, D.C. and Virginia. website
Meredith Stead
Meredith Stead
Meredith Stead (New York), with husband John Knapp, ran a dance studio for years, and won titles in Lindy Hop, Cabaret, Team, and Country-Western. She has choreographed and consulted for Broadway shows, television and film, and has judged, taught, and MC'd at mainstream and LGBT competitions and dance weekends. She and partner Daphna Locker took silver in Standard Ballroom in their age category at the 2014 Gay Games and were the 2015 U.S. Same-Sex Champions in Women's Standard.
Scott Schrank
Scott Schrank
Scott Schrank (Atlanta) has been line dancing since 1998. He has won top awards at numerous competitions in both IAGLCWDC and in the “Mainstream” dance world. Scott was the choreographer of Southern Line Atlanta since 2000. He has written over 60 line dances to date, including Georgia Winder, Somewhere WIth You, and Working It.
Michael Metzger
Michael Metzger
Michael Metzger (San Francisco) began dancing in 2005 and immediately felt like he had found his tribe. Within a couple years he began teaching, and not long after he began choreographing. He loves bringing the joy of line dancing to as many people as possible, and he enjoys creating dances of diverse styles and difficulty levels. He looks forward to seeing you in class, dancing, playing, and laughing.
John Lindo
John Lindo
John Lindo (Houston) is an invaluable presence at West Coast Swing Dance events - from international conventions to regional workshops. John teaches, judges, coaches, choreographs, and is one of the most sought-after DJs on the circuit. But all of that pales in comparison to the way John consistently wows crowds with his exciting and entertaining competitive dancing. website
Jonno Liberman
Jonno Liberman
Jonno Liberman (Anaheim, CA), a former Olympic roller skater, stumbled into the world of line dancing at the Sundance Saloon in 2012. He soon began creating his own line dances which have earned several awards, including two UCWDC World titles. Some of his most popular line dances include "The Wolf" and "She's A Natural." Today, he is part of the choreography team for the L.A. Wranglers.
Michelle Kinkaid
Michelle Kinkaid
Michelle Kinkaid (San Francisco) is a 4-time US Open Swing Dance Champion. Numerous other titles and awards include both the World Swing Dance Council National Hall of Fame and the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame. In addition to running her own studio, Michelle has a line of instructional videos, and is the organizer of the Mountain Magic Swing Dance Convention in Lake Tahoe, NV and Sea Magic Dance Cruises. website
Ron Jenkins
Ron Jenkins
Ron Jenkins (San Francisco) Ron first started dancing in Chicago in 1993. He has enjoyed teaching at Sundance Saloon for many years. He performed with the Barbary Coast Cloggers from 2001 to 2007 and then began same-sex ballroom dancing in 2007. He and his dance partner, Photis Pishiaras, won many titles in California, the US and North America, and medaled at the 2010, 2014 2018, and 2023 Gay Games. Ron is also a founding member of Vima Vice Squad.
Phoenix Grey
Phoenix Grey
Phoenix Grey (Portland, OR) discovered West Coast Swing in 2010. He then began exploring every style he could get his hands on, but Swing remains his first and greatest love. Phoenix’s advocacy for role-based dancing helped change competition rules in mainstream West Coast Swing to allow nontraditional dancers. Phoenix was among the first in the world to achieve a dual “All-Star” competitive ranking both as a lead and as a follow. website
Lee Fox
Lee Fox
Lee Fox (Ft. Lauderdale, FL), IAGLCWDC Dance Competition Director, has been teaching ballroom, latin, and swing dancing for over 45 years and CW dancing for over 30 years. He was a ballroom finalist at the 1998 and 2002 Gay Games and IAGLCWDC champion in 1998. He has judged numerous competitions nationally and internationally. He was choreographer for numerous dance troupes including the Southern Country South Florida Dream Team, the SunDancers, Heels On Fire, and more.
John Festa
John Festa
ohn Festa (New York) learned Lindy Hop at an young age, trained in ballet, and introduced to West Coast Swing in the late 1980s. Since then, John has become a pivotal figure in the national West Coast Swing community, wearing many hats as a teacher, judge, and DJ. He has received numerous awards and honors, including DJ of the Year, induction into the Kenny Wetzel DJ Hall of Fame, and the World Swing Dance Council Hall of Fame. He is also recognized as a Living Legend of Dance.
Rick Dominguez
Rick Dominguez
Rick Dominguez (Los Angeles) has been a DJ for 40 years. Following the closure of Oil Can Harry's, Rick started a new club night "Follow Your Arrow" in North Hollywood, with co-founder Jonno Liberman, and is resident DJ at several local clubs. Rick is also a line dance instructor and well-known choreographer. He is the founder of the award-winning CW dance troupe, The LA Wranglers, now in its 22nd year, and the creator of Wrangler Weekend Los Angeles.
Kevin Cornett
Kevin Cornett
Kevin Cornett (Dallas) has been dancing since he took dance as his PE credit in college. Within two years he joined a competition dance team and competed in the Fun Country and UCWDC dance circuits. With his regular dance partner he placed 4th at the UCWDC World Dance Competition and 4th in Regional Dance with Night Club Two-step. Kevin has worked with some of the top names in country and swing. Kevin is currently the Director of Dance of the IAGLCWDC.
Jeremy Box
Jeremy Box
Jeremy Box (North Hollywood, CA) has taught for over 25 years American Smooth & Rhythm, International Standard & Latin, Argentine Tango, West Coast Swing, and Country Two-Step, competing in all styles and receiving numerous awards. He has instructed at the Wrangler Weekend Los Angeles, and taught for thirteen years at the Sundance Stompede.
Dance Exhibitions
Dance troupes from all over the country will perform between 8:00 and 9:00 pm at the Friday and Saturday night dances. Is your dance group interested in performing in Reno? Contact our exhibition coordinator at exhibitions@stompede.com.
Volunteers
We are going to need a large number of volunteers. Positions at the hotel will include set-up and tear-down, registration/front door, badge-checkers, coat-check, social event hosts, documentary screening staff, and more. In addition there will be many volunteer shifts at the rodeo arena. Volunteer sign-up will not be available until much closer to the event.
We expect that volunteers for a single shift will gain comp entry for one day, and volunteers who serve four or more shifts will receive a full weekend comp pass.
Getting There
By air. The Reno-Tahoe International Airport is just 4 miles from our hotel. There is a free airport shuttle to and from the Silver Legacy and Circus Circus that runs every 30 minutes from 4:00 am to midnight. You can view the live shuttle tracker here.
We are pleased to partner with United Airlines for air travel to the Sundance Reno Round-Up. Click here for information about booking discounted airfares with United.
United Airlines Meeting Airfares
We are pleased to partner with United Airlines for air travel to the Sundance Reno Round-Up. To make flight reservations online please click on discount code ZQY3304062. You may also call United Meetings Reservation Desk Monday – Friday at (800) 426-1122 for booking assistance. Booking fees are waived for Meeting reservations. International customers may contact their local United Reservation Desk. Discount varies by flight. Our random search showed a range of 2 to 6% - not much, but at least it's something. Valid for flights to and from Reno, from October 6 to October 15, 2025.
Driving. Reno is about a 4-hour drive from San Francisco, and 2-1/2 hours from Sacramento. Parking is free at the Silver Legacy and Circus Circus for hotel guests.
By train.Amtrak has direct daily service between the Bay Area and Reno. The California Zephyr takes about 7 hours, but it’s a very comfortable way to travel, and the scenery is terrific. And the Reno train station is just three blocks from the hotel.
Stompede Documentary Update
The documentary of the 2023 Sundance Stompede had its world premiere screening at the Brava Theater in San Francisco, presented by the San Francisco Dance Film Festival. The documentary was described as exploring community, resilience, and joy through the lens of queer country-western dancing at an iconic San Francisco gathering. The premiere was more than just a screening: it was an event, with a VIP reception and dancing on the stage and in the theater lobby. Photo gallery from the world premiere screening.
What's next?
May 30-31 • Collective Encounters Festival, Leeds, U.K. • Presenting an immersive multi-screen version of the documentary.
June 21 • London LGBTQ+ Community Centre • Film and Workshop: Country Dancing in the LGBTQ+ Community. Not a full showing of the film.
June 26 • Ojai Playhouse, Ojai, CA. Free screening, along with other shorts. Registration required. Get tickets.
Oct 11 (tentative) • Sundance Reno Round-Up, Reno, NV • We're waiting for confirmation of logistics with our host hotel.
Many other screenings across the US and Europe are being considered.
