Things About Square Dance You May Not Know

What is square dancing?
Well, the quick response would be,"Square dancing is fun and friendship, set to music." But that doesn't give you much information you can put to use, so let me try a different tact. Square dancing is movement by groups of 4 couples with each group arranged in a square. Their movements are set to music and directed by a caller.

"Modern Western Square Dancing" is also called "American Square Dancing". The "Universal Call Definitions" are defined by "CALLERLAB International Association of Square Dance Callers". CALLERLAB members have documented and negotiated an international agreement on the definition of all the calls we use. Calls are taught the same way in California as they are in New England - or "old" England, Germany, Japan, and everywhere worldwide. Calls are all in English!

Click here for a good "History of Modern Western Square and Cued Round Dancing"

Who square dances?
All sorts of people. Married couples and singles, college students, teenagers, senior citizens, and everyone in between. The primary benefit of square dancing is the social interaction between people. Square dancers look for opportunities to dance, and there are many. We dance at our club the second and fourth Fridays each month. We visit other clubs to dance with them and their caller. Guests are always welcome at Fiddlin' Owls. There are thousands of modern western square dance clubs in the United States, Canada, and throughout the world. AND THEY ARE ALL DANCING TO THE SAME SET OF CALLS ... IN ENGLISH!

Do I have to listen to country music all the time?
Yep. Such country greats as Aretha Franklin and the Beatles! We dance to a wide variety of music, from country, to traditional folk, to show tunes, to 60's rock and roll, to disco. I'll bet you never knew people square dance to "Pink Cadillac", did you?

Isn't square dancing just for old people?
Yes. Very, very young people do not square dance; you have to at least be able to walk.

How old are square dancers? I know a very active dancer who is over 80, but you don't have to a senior citizen to be a square dancer. Some very enthusiastic dancers are in their early twenties. Four of my children were in a children's Square Dance Club when they were between 9 and 13 in Florida. And everyone else sort of falls in between. Age doesn't seem to make too much difference in square dancing. In our club, we suggest dancers be at least 18 years old.

I don't have a partner. Is that a problem?
Yes and No. Some clubs focus on "singles", some clubs focus on "couples", but our club has both. There is usually a shortage of the "other gender" on the dance floor, so a partner cannot always be guaranteed. You will find that, with a partner, you will have more dancing time than if you are "solo." If you do have a partner, bring him or her along! If you don't already have a partner to dance with, recruit one. They'll thank you for it.

Is square dancing good exercise?
Absolutely, although most of us forgot about the exercise benefit as soon as we started dancing. To keep it from being too healthful, we take breaks, socialize, and eat goodies. In spite of this, you should wear what you would wear for some vigorous walking; comfortable shoes or boots are a must. Square dancing is not the best way to break in a new pair of boots! The top two activities to retard the "aging" process are square dancing and bridge. Both allow you to learn and to exercise your mind, but square dancing has the advantage of all that good physical activity.

What about the physical requirements? I have two left feet.
Don't let this one throw you. If you can see the other dancers, and hear the calls, and if you can walk fast enough to keep time to the music, YOU CAN LEARN TO DANCE. Two left feet? Don't worry. We aren't trying to teach you ballet, or even the tango. You will be sort of walking to the music, and in the direction the caller tells you. It's as simple as that.

Do you have to memorize all the steps?
There are NO long "dance routines" to memorize and execute. However, there are "calls" which you will have to learn. The caller tells the group exactly what to do as they are dancing using these "calls".

How do I learn these "calls"?
By attending a regular class for Modern Western Square Dancing such as those offered by Fiddlin' Owls Square Dance Club.

If I learn to dance with Fiddlin' Owls, will I be able to dance elsewhere?
Yes, you will. The calls in square dancing are universal. The dancers in Japan and Germany, for example, dance to exactly the same calls you will be learning. After you graduate, you could go there and dance if you can afford the trip, but you must listen closely to the caller. A Japanese caller using English language calls can be just a little difficult to understand.

Why can't I start learning just anytime?
Why wait for a class to start? Well, in square dancing, we don't dance alone, and so we can't learn alone. If a new person came into a class that had been going for some time, the entire class would have to stop and go back to the level of the new person.

Don't square dancers dress funny?
I'll bet that by "funny" you mean the rather short skirts with many petticoats. Or neckerchief for the men. Well, the answer is "No," but there is a sort of traditional attire for square dancing. For the ladies, the prairie skirt is quite acceptable and you will see many of them at any dance you attend. A prairie skirt is simply an ankle length straight skirt. (Oh, by the way, what the women wear under those "twirly" skirts is just one petticoat, and what they call "petti-pants.") Today, some men still wear the traditional neckerchief, but they are out-numbered by men wearing "Colonel ties," and bolo ties. Many of the women who start out saying, "I'll NEVER wear one of those silly little dresses!" end up with several in their dance wardrobe. Of course, while you are learning, regular street clothes, and comfortable shoes will be just fine. That's what most class members will wear.

How much does it cost?
Let's break that down into three questions.
1.) The cost for the class is $6.00 per lesson for each person.
2.) After you graduate, we hope you will want to become a part of our club. The cost this year is $25.00 per quarter for each person or $50.00 for each couple. That comes out to a little more than $4.00 per person per dance. These prices sure are hard to beat. Compare them to the price of joining a "health club."
3.) At special dances, the admission charge will range from $10.00 per couple for the evening, up to $50.00, depending on who the caller is. Dances spanning the entire weekend may run $30.00 to $150.00 per couple for the weekend.
It's much cheaper than a night out at the movies!

Can I come and watch before I make up my mind?
Yes! Please do. We enjoy having visitors. Of course, there is no charge to visit, and you WILL feel welcome. Dress very casually and stay as long as you wish.

I'm sold! Where do I sign up?
Our club meets the second and fourth Friday evening of the month, from 8:00 p.m. until 10:30 p.m., at:

    Rehoboth Presbyterian Church
    2729 Lawrenceville Highway, N.E.
    Decatur, Georgia 30033

(about 1/4 mile inside the perimeter on left)

MAP OF CLUB LOCATION

When and where else are Square Dances held?
Beginner groups are usually formed in the fall each year. New dancers can enjoy dancing with these groups, while learning the steps and moves. These groups usually meet on a week night, from 7:30 to 10:00. Some clubs might have the classes during the day or on Sunday from 3:00 to 5:00. To find a night and location convenient to you, see our class flyer page, our calendar, or check the Metro Atlanta Square Dance Association pages, or Georgia State Square Dancers Association, Inc. pages, for a group near you.

Questions most asked about Modern Western Square Dancing