Gulf Coast Western Variety Dancers

The Gulf Coast Western Variety Dancers was founded in 1982 by Sincell Platts of Gulfport , Mississippi , in response to the need for some activities for the residents of Cheshire Home. The group outgrew the facilities there and began to meet at the Herbert Wilson Recreation Center in Gulfport.�It was also expanded to include any developmentally-disabled adult living anywhere on the Mississippi Gulf Coast .
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Membership has been as�many as 50 before Hurricane Katrina.� It is now approximately 35.� The dancers presently meet weekly on Thursday nights from 7:00 until 9:00 at the Arc building in Gulfport .  Since its founding by Sincell Platts who served as its first caller, the GCWVD has had two other callers - Tom Miller and Lloyd Alexander.� Lloyd is currently serving in that position. � Every two years the GCWVD participates in a convention sponsored by the United States Handicapable Square Dance Association.� The first such convention GCWVD attended was held in Mobile, Alabama, in 1990.� Since then the group has traveled to the following areas:� Orlando, Florida, in 1992;� English Mountain, Tennessee, in 1994;� New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1996;� Daytona, Floriday, in 1998;� Williamsburg, Virginia, in 2000;� Louisville, Kentucky, in 2002;� St. Petersburg, Florida, in 2004, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 2006.� The 2008 convention is scheduled to return to Mobile, Alabama, to celebrate its 25th anniversary.