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What is modern Square Dancing?
Square dancing has been around for a long time.
The early settlers square danced to a caller but there was
a set pattern to a certain piece of music and once the dancers
heard that music they knew which pattern they were to use.
But the patterns and calls were not standard and varied widely
from one end of the country to the other.
Then around 1952 some callers met together and formed what
is now known as Caller Lab and they started to standardize
the calls so that no matter where you traveled you could attend
a square dance and know the square dance call would be same.
That was the beginning of what we know call ‘modern’
square dancing.
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How many people are required
to hold a square dance?
A minimum of eight dancers (four couples) and
one caller. Square dancing is done by ‘groups of eight
people’ who form a ‘square’ and dance to
a series of calls as per a caller’s instruction.
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Is square dancing difficult
to learn?
No. If you are mobile and know your left hand
from your right (more than 50% of the time) you can learn
to square dance.
The moves however all come with a varying degree of difficulty.
The more you dance the further you advance. All clubs
will announce the degree of dance they do. The beginners
will start with the basic moves, advance to mainstream dancing
and then on to plus dancing. Advanced dancing is available
after you master the plus level.
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How long does it normally
take to get to the mainstream level of dancing?
After the first year you should have learned
the basic dance moves as well as mainstream. Now with
a bit of practice you can attend all the jamborees, conventions
and special events that are held across Canada and the United
States, as well as the Association monthly dances. These
dances are usually mainstream dances. The Jamborees
and conventions will have plus dancing but usually they have
a separate room or a time set aside to handle the more advanced
dances.
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Is there square dancing in
other parts of the world?
Yes. Square dancing is a worldwide activity.
All instructions and calls are given in English. If
you want to travel to Germany, Japan or anywhere in the world
just look up Square Dancing locations on the internet and
it will show you where and when they dance as well as the
levels they dance at. Then simply go to the club introduce
yourself and enjoy the music and your new friends.
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What is round dancing?
Round dancing is a couples activity. Similar
to ballroom dancing couples glide through a choreographed
routine specific to each song. The cuer, similar to
a caller, provides verbal instructions. Some clubs teach
round dancing and other clubs will cue a round dance but expect
you to know the cues.
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Do I have to
be in great shape to dance?
An evening of dancing can expend the same energy as an eight
km (five mile) walk, but you won’t even notice it.
Small steps, frequent breaks and lots of fun ensure that you
get great exercise and still leave the dance feeling refreshed.
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Can I dance
at more than one club?
Absolutely! In fact our Caller, Ray Ommerli, calls for several
other clubs as well. After all, this is not a competitive activity
so getting together with friends and having fun is what it is
all about.
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Is there a special dress
code?
Don't worry, you ladies do not have to go out
and purchase a whole new wardrobe full of big colorful dresses
with those fluffy crinolines. Most ladies are comfortable
with a full or western-style skirt or even slacks with a loose
blouse and comfortable shoes – usually with flat heels.
Men wear slacks and long sleeved shirts. Fancy outfits
for both the ladies and men are fun but never a requirement.
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Do I have to come with a
partner to participate?
Only round dancing requires your bring a partner.
Some women will learn the 'mans' part so
that in many clubs you will find many women dancing as a ‘couple’.
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