Boston ReneGAYdes

The Boston ReneGAYdes is Gays for Patsy (GFP)’s official amateur performance group. The ReneGAYdes’ mission is to promote LGBTQ+ folk through country/western, swing, and other types of dance performance.

Since 1993, we have performed at our annual Spring Stomp, monthly Queer Country Social, and the annual IAGLCWDC conventions. We also perform for charities and at other dances.

Here are some highlights:

• Currently the ReneGAYdes are working on new routines for the 2024-2025 season. We will premier the new dances at our Spring Stomp dance in Provincetown, and we’ll perform them again at GFP’s Queer Country Social dance and at Big Apple Ranch in NYC.
• In 2023, we had tons of fun with a routine called Smells Like Rockin’ Robin. Dancing to a mashup between two venerable songs “Rockin’ Robin” and “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” we partied like it was 1999 and even rocked some of those sweet ’90s outfits!
• In 2019, we got swept away sea-shanty style in a pirate-themed routine choreographed by then-GFP president Bob Sweeney. Also see us competing at the New England Dance Open in 2019.
• In 2018 Beth choreographed a fun routine that featured a combination of Latin, two step, and west coast moves: Pa’ Bailar & It’s Not Unusual. We debuted it at our Spring Stomp in Provincetown in April and took second place with it at the IAGLCWDC‘s annual hoedown in Louisville. We also performed the routine for Pa’ Bailar with the Mood Swings Orchestra. We also danced Shape of U with the Manhattan Prairie Dogs, which was choreographed by Jon Lee of the Prairie Dogs.
• In 2017 Beth and Bucky choreographed a number called “How is July Beyond the Sea?” that won first place in the October 2017 Boston Open Dancesport held in Provincetown. Beyond the Sea was also performed with the Mood Swings Orchestra a number of times throughout the year.
• In 2016 we collaborated with our sister group, Big Apple Ranch’s Manhattan Prairie Dogs, on a routine to “Convoy,” complete with Greek chorus. Beth choreographed a great Latin-style routine to “Pa’ Bailar.”
• 2015 we learned two routines for the annual IAGLCWC convention in Montreal in July – one of which we competed with at Boston Open DanceSport and won a first place ribbon in the Precision Group Performance category!
• In 2014 our own Ian choreographed a fun night club inspired piece to Please Come to Boston for the Denver IAGLCWC Hoedown, and we also performed it at the 2014 Stomp and GFP Queer Country Socials. It was well received, and we got many compliments on the choreography and our performance.
• Back in 2013 we created a special piece called “Love Cats” for Halloween 2013 as a fundraiser for Ralphie’s Place, a holistic cat shelter in Ogunquit, ME. It was co-choreographed by Ian and Nina. We had a grand old time prancing around in cat outfits and making the fundraiser a fun time for all.  And here are the ReneGAYdes at the 2013 NASSPDA Boston Open DanceSport Competition performing an dance choreographed by Alan Gaskell.

  

• In 2012 we performed a routine called Rhythm of See Me for the 2012 Spring Stomp in Provincetown and at the 2012 IAGLCWDC Hoedown in New Orleans, LA. We were twelve performers strong with a few first-timers. The routine was a combination two-step and west coast swing number that was a blast to learn. Thank you to Alan Gaskell for choreographing and coaching us through the three and a half months of Sundays and some last minute rehearsals before going.
  

  

• In 2010, the ReneGAYdes performed a nightclub two-step routine at GFP’s annual Spring Stomp in Provincetown, MA as well as at the annual IAGLCWDC Hoedown in Austin, TX. Nightclub two-step is a romantic dance that is derived from both the bolero and the rumba. It is perfect for the slow songs.

  

  

• Here’s a video of the 2005 ReneGAYdes dancing Chapel Window.
• Since 1992, the group has performed choreographed dance routines locally at fundraisers, social events, marches, and other special events, and nationally on the Gay Rodeo and Hoedown circuits. The ReneGAYdes were the first lesbian and gay group to have performed at a Boston Mayoral Inauguration. Other highlights include a performance at the 1993 March on Washington, winning the silver medal at the International Gay and Lesbian Country Western Dance Competition at the 1994 Gay Games in New York City, a performance at the annual meeting of Staples, Inc. in Boston, MA, a first-ever country/western dance performance in Dorset, England, a country/western dance demonstration at the Dedham Mall in Dedham, MA, a unique joint performance with Southern Country South Florida in Atlanta, Georgia, and first place in the 1995 Atlantic Coast Open team dance competition in Washington, D.C.

Some vintage ReneGAYdes videos:

• Second place team at the 1994 Gay Games country western dance competition in New York City! Here are the videos:

  • 1994 Gay Games ReneGAYdes Two-Step (Time Has Come)

  • 1994 Gay Games ReneGAYdes Line Dance (Every Little Thing)

• Our first-place routine at the 1995 Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association’s Atlantic Stampede in Washington, DC!

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