An Online Guide to Square Dancing

From time to time, we all want to get to the dance floor and shake off stress. Everyone from all ages love to dance. We find it entertaining and it is one of the most popular social activities. It makes us feel good about ourselves and people who watch dancers are amused. Dancing is part of global culture. No matter where you go, you will find that dancing is a necessary tradition in all cultures. It is one of the most important functions of humanity.

A particular dance that originated in the United States is square dancing. As immigrants flocked to the country, they brought with them their traditions and shared their customs to US natives. One that is noteworthy of mentioning is Contras Reels, which was brought by British settlers. Many of these dances became American folk dance. Another one is the Appalachian dance, which came from the mountains of the same name.

American folk dance is a combination of many movements. It requires proper timing and form in accordance with the music. It also requires participants to form a shape like a circle or a square. In some cases, a line. Square dancing is sometimes known as the cowboy dance or clodhopper. The entire activity requires what is called a "caller". The caller is the person who announces when the dancers should start moving and which direction to take. This cue ensures that the dancers move in the same style, with the same steps, and in the same direction.

An example of a call is "Everybody do a diamond. Now flip your diamond and recycle now!"

We can trace the origin of square dancing as far back as the 17th century. It was during this period that the first kinds of square dances became popular, but they were called by different names such as Morris Dance and Quadrille. The dances needed the accompaniment of acoustic bands and the tones were mostly country music.

The French takes credit for quadrille. Today, square dance enthusiasts and experts recognize that quadrille is the grandfather of what we know today as square dancing. Quadrille requires at least four couples to dance with the assistance of a caller. The caller demands for some moves that the dancers must comply to. In olden times, you typically get to watch quadrille in social occasions like wedding. The dances were typically held in a large area like a barn or in the town hall.

• History of Square Dancing in US Culture – though some people would argue that square dancing isn't American, this article explains that square dancing is something that is unique to the American people.
• Ground Rules of Square Dancing – in this article you will find some rules about square dancing. It is like the Ten Commandments of the dance and you need to abide by them if you want to learn.
• Square Dancing and Health – this article shows how square dancing is beneficial to mental health. It also shares other medical resources pertaining to dancing.
• Expected Etiquette in Square Dancing – read through this text to understand and ensure that you do not offend your dancing partners and other individuals who participate in the dance.
• Square Dance Calls – this site provides some examples of old time patter calls.
• History of Square and Round Dancing – the text provided here explains briefly the origins of both square and round dancing.

Just like any dance, square dancing has evolved over the centuries. But nonetheless, the variations maintain the basic premise of the dance, which is to dance in a square. In a square dance, the participants form this shape and revolve around the imaginary square. They only need to stop in their original positions.

Today, square dancing can either be modern or traditional. Modern dancers perform square dancing with modern music while the traditional ones will perform with country music. Modern square dancers also do not follow the square pattern anymore. The contention is that the absence of the square is made up for by the presence of the caller. In such cases, the dancers will dance to the tune of hip hop, rock and roll, and pop music.

Modern square dancing focuses on the dancers' ability to follow the caller. This is very different from other modern dancing in which there is a practiced choreography and everybody is expected to memorize the steps. With square dancing, you need to focus your attention to the caller's lead and be able to keep up with it. There is also no known structure for modern square dancing. The caller can pretty much make calls in random.

• Square Dancing Evolution – this article explains how this dance evolved over time. It also touches on the subject of the lost interest back in the 1970s. It takes us to the modern era and tells us how some individuals exerted their effort to bring back square dancing to modern society.
• Modern Square Dance – on this page you will find some key elements to modern square dancing. This resource is a video where an expert explains the modern take of modern square dancing and how it differs from the traditional one.
• The Six Styles of Square Dancing – on this site, you will learn the six variations of square dancing. It briefly describes the six types: Easters, Western, Southwestern, Southern Mountain, French-Canadian, and Maritime-Canadian.
• Origin of Appalachian Square Dance – the Appalachian dance is credited as one of the key sources of square dancing. It was developed in the Appalachian Mountains in the American East.
• The Two-Step Dance – this is a good resource to understand the history of the two-step dance. This article explains in detail how it is related to quadrille and the collegiate foxtrot.

There are country wide and international organizations that support and support square dancing. These organizations have a vast collection of pictures and historical mementos about square dancing. These groups usually hold an annual convention. They also facilitate classes and sessions for square dancing enthusiasts. Newbie square dancers are welcome. Some are free while some organizations charge a membership fee.

Apart from teaching you how to dance, these organizations also provide resources and activities for you to learn how to call. They house many experts and old timers who can teach you the old ways of calling patters, to a certain extent that you begin to realize how it has become an art form overtime. The art of calling the steps is one of the key elements of making square dance entertaining. Apart from learning the calls, you will also learn how to time your calls so the dancer have a brief moment to process the call and execute it.

Single Square Dancers USA is one of the few organizations that promote single square dancing. There is no need to have a partner to form the square. The organization's goal is to promote square dancing and spark interest among young people. The members want to ensure that square dancing does not get lost in time and that it stays as a tradition.

• Lloyd Shaw Foundation – the Lloyd Shaw Foundation aims to preserve several dance and music tradition. They also share this information of diverse cultural arts to international and inter-generational audiences. Apart from this, they sponsor scholarships for dancing and they hold events to ensure that the tradition lives on.
• Connecticut Association of Square Dance Cubs – established in 1964, the CASDC is a dedicated club supporting square dance. It hosts regular dance schedules and events.
• Canadian Old Tyme Square Dance Callers' Association – this organization promotes different dance styles including square dance. However, it also focuses heavily on Canadian style of dancing. Apart from square dance, its main focus is couple dance. It was founded in 1954 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada by several callers who wanted to preserve the tradition. They host regular meeting and events. They also provide resources for individuals who want to learn how to call.
• Yellowstone Square Dance Council – the YSDC is an old organization that was founded in 1952. At that time, they saw the need to organize because there were so many dancers and callers. Their website shares a vast resource of information particularly on square dancing. Beginners will find this site as a goldmine of learning materials. They host events and galleries, including open dance sessions.
• Bootjack Stompers – located in Mariposa, California, it hosts regular events on dancing activities. Apart from square dancing, the organization specializes in line dancing and round dance, including choreographed dance. They also work with other organizations such as CALLERLAB and the United Square Dancers of America, Inc.

Square dancing is fun but it takes time to learn. It is amusing to watch and the dancers are viewed with special awe. This style of dance requires grace and serious skill. In addition, this requires decency in clothing. It is very much unlike modern dancing in which the dancers are scantily clad. The dance attire required for square dancing is always modest. For males, the attire usually has a cowboy theme while the women dress in frill skirts or petticoats. The men are also expected to wear long-sleeved clothing.

As you come with an almost formal attire, you are also expected to behave with decorum, etiquette is a must. People do not typically drink when they dance. It smells bad and is off putting to your partners. Besides, alcohol impairs your motor coordination and this is bad for dancing. Your partners expect you to be able to concentrate. Bad behavior is also frowned upon. As mentions, proper etiquette and respect are expected at all times. Failure to do these things can give the club due reasons to ban you from membership and use of their facilities.

• Useful Resources for Square Dancing – this site provides several links to some key websites that will enrich your knowledge about square dancing.
• The Proper Attire for Square Dancing – take the advice from the biggest square dancing club in the country. This site will give you a history of how square dancing attire has evolved through the years. Today, you just need to wear the modern equivalent of those attires.
• Square Dancing for Beginners – if you are unsure where to start, use this reference to get a basic feel of what it is about.
• Reading Resources for Square Dancing – this site provides a list of reading materials. You will find resources for calling, square dance diagrams, an index to square dancing, and much more.
• Square Dancing Etiquette – if you are unsure how to behave, read through this before you join a club or before you go to a session. This site will get you up to speed about the proper things to do when you participate in a square dance activity.
• Kids Can Dance, Too – this site is a resource to teach children how to square dance.
• How to Behave Appropriately – this is an additional resource where you can get tips such as bathing, recognizing your corner, wearing the right attire, and some general behavioral expectations in a club.
• A Brief FAQ on Square Dancing – you will some interesting facts in this site. The facts are presented in FAQ format. You will also find manty resources here pertaining to state laws about square dancing.
• The Traveling Hoedowners – A great site with square dancing lessons, videos, instructions and an extensive collection of popular dance DVDs.