Bracken Heidenreich
Jan 9, 2026
Pink-tastic updates, reminders, and tips you need to make this weekend a flamingo-fueled fiesta
HELLO, FABULOUS FLOCK!
Flap your wings, straighten your feathers, and fluff those fabulous tails! We’re almost ready to soar into Palm Springs Winter Break 2026, and we’ve got pink-tastic updates, reminders, and tips you need to make this weekend a flamingo-fueled fiesta. Thank you for registering! Your excitement makes our hearts flutter like a dozen happy flamingos in a tropical breeze.
WHERE THE FLAMINGOS LAND
This year, our flock will be gathering at the Mizell Center, because our usual Pavilion is getting a little R&R. You’ll find us at 480 S. Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262. The Mizell Center is a cozy, feather-friendly space perfect for flapping, twirling, and all the flamboyant flamingo frivolity you can dream of. Think of it as your personal flamingo roost, ready for wing-flapping, glittering fun.
DOUBLE-CHECK YOUR INFO
Before you flap in, please double-check your name and pass on the website, and email us IMMEDIATELY if any tweaks are needed.https://www.palmspringswinterbreak.com/registration/registered-flamboyance
Be sure to peek at the revised group listings too (at the very end of this email), because several swaps have been made to help the flock stay in formation. We want everyone in their perfect roost, ready to flamingle!
PARKING PERCHES
The Mizell Center has 115 regular parking spots and 15 for our birds with special needs. Carpooling is highly encouraged—fewer cars, more room for fancy feathered arrivals! You can also perch along Ramon Service Road just south of the Center across the street.
You CAN waddle through Sunrise Park from the Pavilion lot, but it does add more steps than we would recommend on a dance weekend.
The key is: arrive stress-free, so your wings are ready for dancing!
SEATING & SPACE
Space is snug this year, so feather friends, please share chairs and tuck your treasures underneath. A small side room is available for extra belongings, but remember: less is more when it comes to roosting space.
These dance spaces are delightfully snug! NOT EVERY FLAMINGO WILL HAVE AN INDOOR PERCH AT THE SAME TIME—thank you for sharing seats, keeping things friendly and fun, and helping everyone feel welcome in the flock!.
Spectators will be given chair sashes to save their spots since they paid to watch the flamingos strut their stuff.
PSWB has traditionally been wonderful for floor splits, and we would announce and lead them. The two-room venue this year won’t let that happen due to limited space, but if there is space to do a split (probably in Feather Flats), please use the floor!
SCHEDULE & HIGHLIGHTS
The schedule is being polished and will flutter into your inbox very soon. We’ve had a series of unforeseen adjustments, and we hope we are on the last round of updates and can send it out so you can plan your flamingo fun without a single hiccup. From early morning warm-ups to late-night glow parties, there’s something for every pink-feathered participant to enjoy!
EVENT ESSENTIALS
As you prep for the ultimate pink-tastic dance extravaganza, use this checklist for a flawless fête:
Gadget Gear: Bring your trusty smartphone to join the djFeed fun for requests and playlist peeks!
Cozy Cover: A snazzy sweater or a light jacket—because even flamingos need to stay cozy when they're not tearing up the dance floor!
Cooling Kit: Keep it cool on the dance floor with a stylish hand fan or your go-to personal cooling gadget!
Cash: Don't forget your magic wallet—loaded with low-denomination cash for refreshing drinks, caffeine hits, or spontaneous purchases!
Flamingo Frocks: Dress to impress in your most flamboyant flamingo frocks for some fanciful flamingling!
Glowing Magic: Light up Saturday night’s party with illuminated accessories - rings, pins, shirts, shoes, hats - you name it! Let’s KEEP THE MAGIC AGLOW! But don’t flash… glow away but no flashing lights - this is to protect others with any flashing-related health issues.
Can’t wait to see you all dance, dazzle, and dive into the festivities with flair!
FRAGRANCE-FREE FLOCKING
A gentle feather-fluffing reminder: some of our fabulous flock need a fragrance-free environment. Skip the perfumes, lotions, or sprays so that everyone can enjoy a happy, cozy roost. Your consideration keeps our flamingo family harmonious and fragrant only with love and joy!
CHECK-IN PROCESS
Our ever-smiling, feather-fabulous ambassador Peggy Hall will greet you at the registration table with a glittery hello and your magnetic nametag and weekend packet. If you pre-ordered a stepsheet booklet, it will be waiting for you, along with printed schedules and a local food map. Everyone must wear their nametag and color-coded wristband to enter the dance rooms, so let’s make it official: your flock identity is set!
Thursday registration opens at 6:30 PM
Friday through Sunday, check-in begins at 8:00 AM, with activities fluttering into motion shortly afterward.
THEMES & FRILLS
Every day is perfect for flamingo fabulousness! From frilly tutus to feathered flair, we love seeing your creativity take flight.
Saturday night is Keep the Magic AGLOW, honoring line dance legends Paul and Karla Dornstedt. Wear your glow gear and let your inner flamingo shine! Remember: NO FLASHING lights. Solid glow, full twirl, all sass!
FLAMINGO FOOD & DRINKS
While alcohol is a no-go at Mizell, you can bring your own food and drinks.
The Mizell Center will have a coffee, tea, bottled water, and soda (Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite) bar open in the lobby from 8 AM until dinner break, and low-denomination cash is preferred. Coffee is $1 per cup.
Tables in the side room will be available for any treats you’d like to share, but keep your personal nibbles with your bag when not nibbling.
No food trucks this year, but restaurants are VERY nearby, so you can waddle out for a bite very easily.
CAPTURE YOUR FLIGHT
No live streaming this year—so consider yourself extra lucky to be here, in person at our sold-out shindig!
We won’t have an official videographer or photographer, which means you’re the star of your own memories:
Feel free to record videos for personal use
Keep it handheld—no tripods, please
Be mindful of fellow dancers—don’t block the floor
Snap, film, and share your highlights with #PSWB or in our Facebook Group
Make your memories sparkle!
GAMES & FUN
BINGO is back by popular demand, and we’ll have optional games with prizes, including passes to future events and fun flamingo-themed surprises. It’s all part of the magical, feather-filled fun that makes PSWB the pinkest party of the year!
Event passes already contributed as possible prizes include:
Fort Wayne Dance for All, Indiana, March 5-8, 2026
Flag City Line Dance Festival, Ohio, March 26-29, 2026
H.O.T. Heart of Texas Line Dance Event, April 16-19, 2026
Virginia Line Dance Festival, July 30 - August 2, 2026
The Barn-Anza 16 at The Barn in Sanford, Florida, Saturday, August 8, 2026
2026 World Dance Showdown, South Bend, Indiana, August 27-30, 2026
Motor City Dance Classic 2026
New York State of Line 2026
Palm Springs Winter Break, January 2027
Cambria Line Dance Extravaganza! February 26 & 27, 2027
PRESENCE MATTERS SESSIONS & COACHING CONVERSATIONS
Reminder: Presence Matters sessions are part of this year’s PSWB schedule. These sessions focus on confidence, clarity, and connection—how you show up on the floor, in front of a room, and in everyday interactions. (Not dance technique workshops.) The instructor-focused sessions are intended for current, occasional, helper, and future instructors.
Friday (All Guests): Showing Up Strong: Presence On and Off the Dance Floor
Saturday (Instructors): How to Teach with Spark: Connecting Through Energy
Sunday (Instructors): Reach Every Dancer: Watchers, Listeners & Movers
Also available: One-on-one Presence Matters Coaching Chats throughout the weekend. These are relaxed, practical conversations focused on how you show up as a line dance instructor - with energy, confidence, and connection. Not about technique or styling. Join solo or with 1–2 other instructors. No pressure, just real talk and useful takeaways! Sign up onsite.
SILENT DISCO
Our Silent Disco returns Friday night! Starting at 7 PM, the first 150 flockers will trade their name badges for silent disco headphones. Choose your groove from the available channels, or switch between them, and enjoy your own party from 7:15 to 8:15 PM.
At 8:15 PM, everyone will turn back in their silent disco headphones, reclaim their name badges, and we will switch back to open social dancing with DJ Jill.
It’s a quiet yet fabulous way to shake your tail feathers.
SATURDAY POWER HOURS
YES! We love our power hours, so they are back again! Saturday night will feature dueling power hours. Our flockstars have been given full control of their power hours with the only direction of: “involve participation from the flamingo flamboyance!” This means for the FIRST HOUR of the Saturday night open dance, your flockstars decide what we do to PARTY! Pick your perch, join the party, and let the flockstars lead the first hour of Saturday’s nighttime dance with fabulous flamingo fun!
Flap fast to your favorite duo—once a room fills to the brim, late-fluttering friends will be guided to the other space still ready for fun and fabulous flamingo frolics!
THURSDAY PRE-EVENT FUN
Thursday pre-event activities are just getting their wings! Don’t miss T-shirt Cutting with Jo at 3:30 PM, where you can transform your shirt into a flamingo fashion statement. Bring your own shirt and scissors if possible—space is LIMITED, so sign up now via email!
CLIMATE CONTROL
Mizell’s indoor temperatures may flutter between warm and cool, so dress in layers. Feel free to strip or fluff your feathers as needed to stay comfortable while dancing, and remember to keep your extra items to a minimum.
SATURDAY NIGHT LEGACY CELEBRATION
As we gather this year for Palm Springs Winter Break, we’re reminded of the wonderful dancers who have shared the floor with us in past years but are no longer with us. We continue our event with the support of our vibrant dance community as a heartfelt tribute and remembrance of them all. For the many other dancers who were precious to our community, we know that as long as we dance and socialize as a flock, their memories will always live on. To honor their legacies, we are celebrating those who have passed by including these dances in our guaranteed-to-play list for Saturday night:
All of Me – Choreographer: Paul Dornstedt – in celebration of Paul Dornstedt
Amame – Choreographer: Robbie McGowan Hickie – in celebration of Robbie McGowan Hickie
Beautiful in My Eyes – Choreographer: Simon Ward – in celebration of Sandra Stuart
Coming Unplugged – Choreographer: Patrick Fleming – in celebration of Janet Wallace
Hello Dolly – Choreographer: Lorraine Kurtela – in celebration of Lorraine Kurtela
Islands in the Stream – Choreographer: Karen Jones – in celebration of Cathie Lopez
This Little Light – Choreographers: Jo Thompson Szymanski and Rita Thompson – in celebration of Gloria Gunn and of ALL those we miss dearly and memories we hold.
The CopperKnob list is here: https://www.copperknob.co.uk/lists/53297/pswb-legacy-celebration-dances
djFEED & DANCE REQUESTS
Check out the playlist during open dancing (djfeed.net/pswb) or submit your during-event requests (http://www.djfeed.net/pswb/requests/).
djFeed is a website that everyone can view from their own device. djFeed shows what’s coming up during open dancing and lets dancers submit dance requests through the djFeed. Yes, you can still walk up to our DJ Jill to write your request.
Do you sometimes forget the dance you want to request by the time you walk to the dj? Use djFeed on your phone to evade the amnesia zone between the dance floor and the dj table.
View djFeed from your phone, or your neighbor’s phone. Lots of dancers have seen and used djFeed. This is the fourth year we will have it at Palm Springs Winter Break.
THURSDAY SCRIPTED DANCES
Join us for an opening night filled with flair! After flockstar introductions, we will flap into these fun-filled favorites (exact order TBD by our flockstar DJ Jill):
Come Dance with Me by Jo Thompson Szymanski
3 Tequila Floor by Jo Thompson Szymanski & Maddison Glover
I’m Free by Jill Babinec & Raymond Sarlemijn & Roy Verdonk
Supa Fly by Jill Babinec & Jo Thompson Szymanski
Hideaway Cha by Joanne Brady & Jo Thompson Szymanski & Jamie Marshall
Junk in the Trunk by Junior Willis
Raised Like That by Darren Bailey
Lay Low by Darren Bailey
Eye Candy by Gerard Murphy
Bye Bye by Gerard Murphy
The CopperKnob list is here: https://www.copperknob.co.uk/lists/80168/ps-winter-break-2026-thursday-night-guarantees
FRIDAY NIGHT Pre-10:30 PM FAVORITES
Before we party ‘til pink dawn on Friday, these must-dance requests from our flock will fly your way before 10:30 PM:
24 Reasons by Jill Babinec & Debi Pancoast
Lipstick Tango by Michele Burton
Wonderland Waltz by Rob Fowler
Searching Soul by Niels Poulsen
Lil Bit by Kelly Cavallaro
Golden X by Roy & Fiona
You Better Think by Fred, Shane, Michael, Guillaume, Jean-Pierre, and Niels
The CopperKnob list is here: https://www.copperknob.co.uk/lists/80170/ps-winter-break-2026-friday-night-guarantees
VOLUNTEERS
We are so grateful to our flock-tastic volunteers! If you haven’t signed up yet but want to join the crew, contact Peggy Hall at pegatha_h@yahoo.com. Every feather helps make PSWB magical!
THANK YOU, FLAMINGO FRIENDS
It truly takes a flamboyance (village) to make PSWB shine! Your registrations, energy, creativity, and volunteer spirit keep this event pink, playful, and perfect year after year. Thank you for helping our flamingo flock gather and celebrate in style, joy, and glittery, pink-tastic flair. We can’t wait to see you strut, twirl, and flamingle across the dance floor!
GROUP LISTINGS (as of 1/8)
Need a Group Change?
Do you absolutely need a group change?Please REPLY ALL by January 9 so your message reaches PSWBrequests@gmail.com, and we’ll do our best to help. Reminders about the group logistics are after the lists below.
this year’s unexpected venue change means a slightly different setup — with the same pink-powered PSWB heart you know and love.
Why Things Look a Little Different This Year
The new venue simply can’t fit everyone into one room at the same time. But rest assured: we are fiercely committed to keeping the one-room feeling where everyone shares the same dances, the same instructors, and the same experience.
Not Your Typical Two-Room EventThis will not be the kind of two-room setup where dancers bounce between classes, choose different lessons each hour, or crowd the hallways. That style creates foot-traffic frenzy, eats into precious dance time, breaks the unity that PS Winter Break has built for 30 years, and frankly… makes it feel like every other multi-room event. That’s NOT our vibe!
How We’re Doing It the PS Winter Break WayHere is the fun, functional, flamingo-forward plan:
Both rooms will learn the exact same dances each day
No one misses anything — truly
Every instructor teaches each dance twice in the same day
Dancers stay in their assigned workshop room (restrooms, snack, and lobby breaks aside!)
Instructors are the ones who rotate between rooms
This keeps everything flowing smoothly, prevents hallway pileups, and preserves that shared “we’re all in this together” feeling that defines PS Winter Break.
Why the Instructors Move (and the Dancers Don’t)We explored cloning. We investigated holograms. Sadly, neither option made the budget. So instead, our fabulous flockstars will move between rooms to ensure everyone gets a full, in-person teach from the same incredible team.
Our Flock Flow Groups
To help manage room capacity and keep crowd flow comfortable during the daytime workshops, our flamboyant flock is split into groups:
Rhythm Rovers
Fancy Flyers
Funky Flockers
These groupings help us keep dance spaces happy, hydrated, and human-sized — without losing the shared experience that makes PSWB special.
Rooms, Roosts & Friendly Flow Helpers
Our two dance spaces are:
Happy Habitat
Feather Flats
To keep everything easy, organized, and stress-free, we’ll be using color-coded wristbands and clearly marked room entrances each day. Your wristband color will match your assigned group, and signage will guide you right where you need to be — no guesswork, no wandering, and no accidental flamingo migration.
Our fabulous staff will be nearby all day to answer questions, point wings in the right direction, and keep the flock flowing smoothly.
Daytime Workshop Room Assignments
Here’s how the daytime roosts will rotate:
Friday (Daytime):
Happy Habitat: Rhythm Rovers + Fancy Flyers
Feather Flats: Funky Flockers
Saturday (Daytime):
Happy Habitat: Funky Flockers + Rhythm Rovers
Feather Flats: Fancy Flyers
Sunday (Daytime):
Happy Habitat: Rhythm Rovers + Fancy Flyers
Feather Flats: Funky Flockers
Open Dancing = Full Flock Freedom
During open dancing, all birds are free to flit between rooms! If feathers get a little ruffled with capacity, staff will gently guide the flock to keep things comfy and safe.
Here are those groups (revised from the original lists sent January 1st):
Fancy Flyers
Adriana Langston
Alicia Forrester
Amer Khiyami
Aya Martin
Babs Crone
Barbara Brownell
Barbara Succi
Bay Ha
Beth Hill
Bonnie Michaels
Bonnie Thomson
Cam Ly
Carol Thomsen
Cheryl Stevens
Christine Denham
Cindy Cook
Cindy Yarbrough
Cleda Thompson
Colleen Welch
Cristi Ann Millard
Crystal Sullivan
Cynthia Ammon
Cynthia Tapia
Debra Kurita
Dene Olsen
Diane Miller
Dianne Gemmill
Don Carlos
Donna Newman
Doreen Sam
Eileen Sivert
Elaine Hass
Elin Rodger
Ephraim Agleham
Ethyl Kinney
Frank Feysa
Gerry Runz
Jacquetta Bratton
Jan Konishi
Jan Murray
Jane Wilson
Janice Carnahan
Jean Dodenhoff
Jessica Cortez
Jinny Lowe
Joni Rolenaitis
Joyce Snyder
Judy Carlson
Judy Kelley
June Bingham
June Tat
Kathlyne Boeding
Kathy Morin
Kathy VanLuven
Krista Shatto
Lacey Abbott
Lalaine Baltazar
Lam Nguyen
Lana Clemens
Leeanne Mallel
Linda Abbott
Linda Reese
Linda Ross
Linda Stewart
Lisa McGuire
Liz Anderson
Lorane Abari
Lucretia Martuscelli
Marilyn Robinson
Mark Tat
Marsha Jacobs
Mary Dupart
Mary Erickson
Mary Moreno
Mary Sullivan
Matt Koepnick
Melendre Agleham
Melissa Bilger
Melissa Fenn
Michelle Armenta
Migdalia Liebsack
Mike Gillespie
Myra Rosen
Nancy Coultrup
Nancy Tanaka
Natalie Segovia
Nathaniel Stewart
Orit Levy
Pam Valovcin
Patty Scherl
Paula Milham
Pauline Wong
Peggie Noisette
Peggy LaFon
Phyliss Harris
Randy Pullen
Reina Lopez
Renee Carpenter
Rita Kuby
Rona Kaye
Ronda Holmdahl
Sandra Randles
Shelly Zimmerman
Sherry Runyon
Sheryl Franke
Sindy Fredrick
Sunny Carlos
Sunny Mawson
Susan Jones
Susan Ryan
Susan Schwartz
Susan Torgerson
Tammy Yasutake
Terry Vahey
Tina Halverson
Toni Gillespie
Vanessa Castro
Vickie Akers
Vivien Olsen
Wendy Gray
Funky Flockers
Andy Reis
Angela Riley
Anita Meyer
Ann Margulies
Anna Maria Prach
Anne Burns
Annie Lo
Brenda Murphy
Candice Zirngible
Carol Evans
Carolyn Bechly
Carrie Jorgens
Carrie Schore
Chi Lee
Christina Griffith
Christine Quigg
Christy Conover
Cindy Stimmell
Dana Burns
Deena Ferman
Denice Pfeiffer
Emily Hill
Emily Monckton
Erin Leis
Glenda Maddux
Harmony Scopazzi
Heidi Laurenson
James Bruce
Jason Bauer
JD Willson
Jeanne Allen
Jennet Lijenquist
Jennie McJilton
Jeri Austin
JoAnn Perez
Joni Potter
Judi Frost
Karen Adams
Karen Hermanson
Kathy Barron
Kim Gerard
Kirsten Ferries
Kyla Paradise
Laurie Crow
Lee LeRow
Linda Jones
Lydia Camacho
Maggie Dorsey
Marcia Seeley
Maria Bennett
Marilyn Gomez
Marilyn McCord
Martha Tate
Martine Van der Laan
MB Swikard
Michele Daniels
Michele Laveaux
Michelle Carroll
Nancy Taber
Nora Kodet
Patty McMahon
Paul Louis
Paula Franze
Pauline Young
Peggy Williams
Rita Eastman
Sabrina McClinton
Sandra DeVito
Sandra LaTour
Sarah Cliver
Shannon Willson
Sharon Darley
Shawn Bauer
Sherri Fay
Shirley Brousseau
SooJee Le Vea
Stacy Saliman
Stephanie Bauer
Sue Botsford
Susan Moore
Suzanne Zavala
Teri Schmidt
Terri Dungan
Terri Linzy
Terry Ferman
Terry Karnezis
Timea Rozsa
Tina Lundy
Tom Wood
Toni Moheng
Vanna Holland
Wendy Thompson
Rhythm Rovers
Audrey Fish
Hiromi Hamilton
Janette Linke
John Knapp
Karen Lee-Yee
Kim Evans
Linda Shirvanian
Mariana Nussbaum
Marilyn Hamerla
Mary Beale
Nell Mozeleski
Richard Sanvig
Sam Senachai
Stacy Perkins
Takako Matsumoto
Terri Slemmons
Tom Hamilton
Trish Little
Vickie Eaker
Wendy Carmody
Staff & Spectators: Free-Range Flamingos
Good news! Staff members and spectators are not assigned to specific groups.They’ll be free to roam between rooms throughout the event, following the natural flow of the festivities.
Free-Range Flamingos
Bob Brady
Bracken Heidenreich
Brenda Shatto
Bryan Heidenreich
Cheley Swart
Corey Buckner
Craig Forrester
Debbi Fabiani
Frank Maddux
Gary Liebsack
Jill Babinec
Jim Lundy
Jimmy Jones
Jo Thompson-Szymanski
Joanne Brady
John Gomez
John Robinson
John Satterthwaite
John Templeton
Julie Ellis
Linda Ellis
Patrick Fay
Peggy Hall
Rhonda Shotts
Steve Frost
Tracy Bennett