Hi folks!

The weather is getting warmer (finally!) and we're fast approaching Pride month as well as Atlantic Stampede 2004. In this issue you will find a variety of opportunities for you to participate in our activities at Pride events in DC, Baltimore and NYC. June is a fun month, but a very busy one and we can always use more of ASGRA's creative and enthusiastic membership to make each of these events successful.

Come on out and help set up/break down booths, march in the parades, dance, ride or help manage Bam Bam or just promote the association within our community. For details contact either our S&E Chair CJ Liotta or MsTer ASGRA 2004 Cody Jaymes (aka Annie Carroll), who is coordinating Baltimore Pride.

The Board continues to work diligently on this year's upcoming rodeo. PR Chair JR is in full swing with the promotional materials and advertising plans. You can see the results of some of his work on page 5 of the newsletter.

Mary Lynn Logsdon, our Fundraising Chair, has been crossing the country and the local DC metro area, securing sponsors, raising money at various fundraising events, and ensuring a lively ASGRA presence everywhere she goes. Check out page 4 to see just a few of the many events she's coordinating all over the DC area.

New S&E Chair CJ Liotta has hit the ground running and is busily coordinating the events and entertainment for AS2004 weekend. If you're an entertainer and want to perform, you MUST submit your application no later than June 1, 2004. Spots are going fast; application and info are available on the website.

And finally, a hearty thank you and Hallelujah - we have our Rodeo Director for Atlantic Stampede 2004! Longtime ASGRA member and former President David H has stepped up to the plate to take on this important task. He'll be needing lots of help so don't hesitate to put your name on the list of volunteers!

It's going to be a busy spring and summer; I look forward to seeing you out and about at an ASGRA event soon!

Lonni La Bel, Vice President

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Howdy all!

Have you noticed in the last couple of months we have been in more places, doing more things? Thanks to the efforts of our Fund Raising Chair Mary Lynn Logsdon, we now have ASGRA events at Titan/Hamburger Mary's, the Green Lantern, Freddie's and Remington's. We are "Bowling for Bud", hunting Easter eggs, shouting BINGO! And soon we will be playing life-size Jenga. Come out; join in the fun and help support the establishments that support us. JUST IN THIS WEEK…ASGRA long-sleeve Denim shirts! We have 26 shirts, ranging in size from Small to 2X-Large. These, as well as the black and white ASGRA t-shirts can be ordered online from the ASGRA Store.

Remember to keep me up to date on any changes in your personal information. This way, you will continue to be informed of meeting notices, special events, and receive your newsletter. As your membership chair, I serve as your liaison to the board. If you have concerns or questions, please don't hesitate to bring them to my attention. I can be reached by email or by phone (see sidebar). Keep check on the web page for all announcements and updates on upcoming events.

Mike S., Membership Chair

I wanted to update you on the financial status of the Association. The 2003 books have been closed. The Association ended 2003 with a small profit--$34. Thanks to Royalty Fundraising efforts, we were able to distribute $3,082 between Food & Friends and The Dean Berken Fund. Thanks to our 2003 Royalty Team for all their hard work.

While our net profit may have been small, our cash flow remains healthy and we were able to allocate additional funds to our Reserve Fund. Building the Reserve Fund up to the equivalent of one year's operating expenditures is extremely important for the financial health of the Association. The Association is overly dependent on the revenues from Atlantic Stampede to fund its activities. Should we have poor turn out due to weather or other complications, it is important to have sufficient funds set aside so that we can continue to operate.

We are already well into 2004 and the association has a current deficit of $9,251. A loss of this magnitude, at this point in the year, is quite typical for the Association. The loss will continue to increase until we begin receiving income from Stampede related items and the July membership renewals.

Overall, the Association remains financially healthy and we are well positioned to ensure another successful rodeo.

Scott Smiley, Treasurer

ASGRA trail rides are the first Sunday of the month at 11:00am!
Regardless of the weather, ASGRA's monthly trail rides are held at Piscataway Ranch in Clinton, MD at 11:00 am on the following days:
May 2nd: Spend the first weekend in May celebrating the beauty of the springtime woodlands.
June 6th: Kick off Pride month with an invigorating canter along the Maryland trails.

For further information and to RSVP, contact Glenn at (703) 538-2225.

ASGRA Pride Participation

This year, ASGRA will be participating in pride festivities in Washington DC, New York, and Baltimore, and we need your help! We need people to march in parades, volunteer at the booths, and get things organized and planned for these three events. If you are interested and able to help in any or all of the three cities, please contact CJ Liotta, Social and Entertainment Chair at .

Comstock Stampede HSRA Reno, NV May 14-16, 2004
Great Plains Rodeo OGRA Oklahoma City, OK May 28-30, 2004

John Chaney Roping Clinics Morning: Roping - beginner through intermediate (unmounted)
Afternoon: Horsemanship/cattle working (mounted - your horse or ours)

April 24, May 22, June 26, July 24, August 28, September 25, October 23
Against The Wind Ranch Clarksburg, MD 301-540-0014

Miss ASGRA 2004 would like to thank Carol's Western Wear for its recent decision to sponsor her during her royalty year!

There will be a benefit for SMYAL on Saturday May 15 from 8-11pm at Nation. Contact Destiny for details!

A little bird told me

On April 13, Mr. ASGRA 2004 1st Runner Up was the lucky Jackpot winner at Titan's ASGRA Bingo. He generously donated the $141 prize money back into ASGRA's general fund.

Join MsTer ASGRA at the Phoenix in Baltimore on Saturdays for Country night starting @ 9pm. ASGRA members get domestic beers for $2.50 with an ASGRA card. For more info see www.baltimorephoenix.com

You can catch Destiny, Jymmye Jaymes and many current and former ASGRA Royalty every Sunday night at Freddie's Follies, starting at 9pm!!

The ASGRA 2004 Royalty Team Charities are:

SMYAL, Whitman Walker, Pediatric AIDS Foundation, SLDN and Camp Friendship
And info on some fun events in May courtesy of your ASGRA Fundraising Chair:

May 12th is Remington's Anniverary Party. All ASGRA members are invited; there will be an open bar and buffet. Call Remington's for details.

On May 20th it's Feud Night at Titan with ASGRA vs. the DC Cowboys. Play Poker with ASGRA during the Feud.
Buy any Budweiser, Bacardi or soda product and get 2 cards for poker. Winning hands will be announced 9:30-11:30pm.
Ladies! May 23 is Best Breasts in a Bustier night at Remington's; event starts at 9:30pm.

A Royal Congratulations

from the 2004 ASGRA Royalty Team to the following ASGRA members who will celebrate birthdays in May:
Joe Lipani, Bill Thompson, Bob J., Mark Wofford, Janet B., Will Trokey, Scott Morton, Mary Lynn Logsdon, Jeff R., Ken Withers, Salvador Ayala, Rudy Benavides and Richard Schwinn!

Happy Birthday to all of you!

(Note: If your birthday is this month and you aren't listed, we either don't have your birthday on file or you have requested that we not print your name. We wish you a happy birthday as well!)

Just a Reminder from your S&E Chair: We're beginning to plan out entertainers for AS2004! If you would like to entertain at the rodeo or the hotel, you need to send in an application form. Please check out asgra.org/stampede2004/entertainment_app.htm for full details!

For additional information/tickets: 301-365-2850, x519
Email: www.bradleyhillschurch.org

The evening of music and dance will be hosted by Doreen Gentzler of NBC4 News and features a special performance by STEP AFRIKA! http://www.stepafrika.com/. The organizations that benefit from this event cover a broad cross-section of those impacted by HIV and AIDS on both a local and international level. If you are unable to attend, donations can be made via the address below. All donations that are above the ticket price are tax deductible. Details on the recipient charities follow.

BHPC-AIDS Benefit Concert
Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church
6601 Bradley Blvd.
Bethesda, MD 20817

The Association Francois-Xavier Bagnoud (AFXB) has actively supported and promoted children's rights, health and human rights and pediatric HIV/AIDS initiatives in more than a dozen countries. The proceeds of this concert will be targeted to AFXB's program in Uganda in support of children orphaned by AIDS in the district of Luwero. http://www.fxb.org/indexeng.html

The Women's Collective (TWC) serves over 600 women living with HIV/AIDS and their families and provides educational programs on HIV/AIDS prevention. The TWC program model is woman-focused, family-centered, and peer-based. It has been shared with women activists across the US and globally. http://www.womenscollective.org/

The Whitman Walker Clinic of Suburban Maryland (WWC/MD) was created to meet the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic in suburban Maryland. The nonprofit community based health organization provides health services to all adults affected by HIV/AIDS, and currently serves about 500 clients and their families. http://www.wwc.org/regional_centers/maryland.html

Lots going on in the dance arena all along the east coast! Here are some of the upcoming activities and events:

The objective of the Lambda DanceSport Association is to promote partnership dancing for same-gender couples in the LGBT community. Our purpose is very selfish...we LOVE TO DANCE!!! and we want more people in our community to dance with us. Consequently www.LambdaDanceSport.org (www.GayDanceSport.com) now contains a list of both ongoing partnership dance events for same-gender couples, as well as many one-time single events that we've learned about and can keep up with.

Capital Country Dance Club, a newly formed non-profit whose purpose is to bring the joy of dancing to the GLBT community through quality country western dance social and learning venues, hosts country western dancing every second Saturday night of the month. Capital Country sponsors open dancing from 8-10pm every Tuesday as well at De Lounge in Wheaton, MD. CCDC will also be providing beginner two-step lessons on Tuesdays in May. Everyone welcome. See our website for more details, or write to .

Saturday, May 8th - C/W Dance sponsored by Capital Country, Washington's LGBT C/W Dance Club. (This event welcomes everyone.) DJ Cricket, 9:00 PM to midnight. Snacks and a beginner night club 2-step lesson at 8:00 is included with admission: CCDC Members $15, Non-Members $20. Located at Generations Dance Studio, 816 N. St. Asaph St., Alexandria. Large 3,000 sq ft floating wood floor, smoke free, water and soft drinks for $1, BYO beer and wine only. Please visit our website at www.capitalcountry.org for more details.

Saturday, May 29th - Ballroom, Salsa, Swing and Tango "Dance-&-Learn Party" and classes at The Chevy Chase Ballroom

The Columbus Stompers hope you are ready to Hang On for the Ride of Your Life! Spend the entire July 4th (July 1-4) weekend in Ohio with the Columbus Stompers and the 11th annual IAGLCWDC (International Association of Gay/Lesbian Country Western Dance Clubs) convention. If you have any questions, please contact Jim Chakeres at An updated event schedule is now available at www.stompers.org. Click on the hoedown logo and follow the links. Dance competition and exhibition entry forms are now available as well. Please download forms and mail with the appropriate entry fee. Conference registration is available online as well!

IGRA NATIONAL FINALS DANCE COMPETITION

The International Gay Rodeo Association will be holding its National Finals Dance Competition in Denver, Colorado on November 13, 2004. Contestants will be representing Rodeo Associations from around the U.S. and Western Canada, vying for beautiful buckles, trophies and ribbons, and the coveted title of IGRA National Dance Champion, 2004!

The competition is open to both Couple and Line Dancers of all levels of ability, from a novice who has never before competed all the way to a professional dancer or instructor. The Couple can be made up of two men, two women, or one man and one woman. Many local Associations will be holding their own, qualifying, competitions in the coming months. However, if your Association doesn't hold a competition, simply contact your Board of Directors. Most will be happy to sanction you as their entry into the Finals. Some Associations even pay the entry fees for their competitors.

There are four divisions in the Couples section and two in Line Dance so you will only be competing against others of your same ability level. Check out igra.com and click on Dance for the rules, entry form, music, and line dances for 2004. If you have any questions or need guidance, feel free to email the Dance Committee Chair via the link found there or at dance@igra.com. There are fabulous dancers in gay country bars all across this country - let's see you all in Denver!