Square dance club
Encyclopedia
Square dance clubs are the primary form for organization within the recreational
activity of square dancing
, and more specifically modern Western square dance
. This article's focus is the modern Western square dance club, and it is understood in the context of this article that when the terms "square dance club" or "square dance" are used it refers to the form of square dance called "modern Western square dance".
Square dance clubs are primarily, but not exclusively, local in character. A square dance club is only as strong as its members, i.e. individual square dancers.
This is not an exclusive list, and square dance clubs are constantly on the look out for new ways to achieve their goals. Associations, partnerships and other cooperative ventures have become increasingly more important to square dance clubs. Membership in square dance clubs seems to have peaked in the late '70s and early '80s, and has gradually decreased since that time.
Callerlab
recommends that the Mainstream program
be taught in no less than 56 hours. Depending on the length of the individual class and how often one meets, it can take a half year or longer to learn the full program. Therefore, consideration is being given to many different ways to quicken the learning curve, and to get new dancers on the dance floor.
Callerlab also dictates what the plus, advanced 1 and 2, and 4 levels of challenge programs are.
Callerlab not only has a number of American callers that are members, but callers from all over the world.
In Europe, most notably in Denmark, there have been recognized a series of partial dance levels with corresponding dances available at those partway points (Mainstream 23, 45, 53, 69). The American Callers Association
also has a simplified program, called "1". In America, clubs sponsoring classes often hold "Red-light/Green-light" dances, where alternating tips are called at a level where class members can participate. These accommodations allow dancers to begin attending dances quicker in the learning cycle.
Some clubs, especially those with younger or more motivated dancers, teach at accelerated rates. As an example, Tech Squares
, associated with Massachusetts Institute of Technology
, teaches the longer Plus program
in one semester (12 classes of roughly 90 minutes of teaching time). Other clubs have reported success with intensive courses of one or two weekends to learn the Mainstream level, while other areas offer a "Five Saturday, or Sunday" program to instruct new students in the program.
Callers will have resources available to them that the general public may not know about. By contacting a caller, you may find information on the activity in your area that is not widely publicized.
Training for callers is done by other callers; some of whom have been Certified by organizations. Training can be done in seminars and in week long classes. A caller is never done with education as he/she is always trying to improve their craft.
Recreation
Recreation is an activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time. The "need to do something for recreation" is an essential element of human biology and psychology. Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure and are considered to be "fun"...
activity of square dancing
Square dance
Square dance is a folk dance with four couples arranged in a square, with one couple on each side, beginning with Couple 1 facing away from the music and going counter-clockwise until getting to Couple 4. Couples 1 and 3 are known as the head couples, while Couples 2 and 4 are the side couples...
, and more specifically modern Western square dance
Modern Western square dance
Modern Western square dance is one of two types of square dancing, along with traditional square dance. As a dance form, modern Western square dance grew out of traditional Western dance...
. This article's focus is the modern Western square dance club, and it is understood in the context of this article that when the terms "square dance club" or "square dance" are used it refers to the form of square dance called "modern Western square dance".
Square dance clubs are primarily, but not exclusively, local in character. A square dance club is only as strong as its members, i.e. individual square dancers.
Promoting and advancing square dance
The club's primary goal is to promote and advance square dance as a recreational activity. Typically clubs accomplish this goal through the following activities:- Providing classes and other training opportunities to new, as well as experienced dancers
- Showcasing the activity through public performances
- Organizing dances
- Participation in other associations dedicated to the promotion and advancement of square dancing
- Providing employment and training opportunities to square dance callers.
This is not an exclusive list, and square dance clubs are constantly on the look out for new ways to achieve their goals. Associations, partnerships and other cooperative ventures have become increasingly more important to square dance clubs. Membership in square dance clubs seems to have peaked in the late '70s and early '80s, and has gradually decreased since that time.
Classes and training for dancers
Providing classes and training opportunities is the main activity for the majority of square dance clubs. This activity develops competent dancers, a core membership for the club, club solidarity and feeling, and a renewable base for the sustainability of the club. Most clubs start classes in September and/or January, although strategies are being developed for starting classes more often.Callerlab
Callerlab
Callerlab is the international association of square dance callers, and is the largest square dance association in the United States. After some initial work started in 1971, it was officially established in 1974 by several members of the Square Dance Hall of Fame.Callers from all over the world,...
recommends that the Mainstream program
Square dance program
A square dance program or square dance list is a set of defined square dance calls or dance steps which are associated with a level of difficulty...
be taught in no less than 56 hours. Depending on the length of the individual class and how often one meets, it can take a half year or longer to learn the full program. Therefore, consideration is being given to many different ways to quicken the learning curve, and to get new dancers on the dance floor.
Callerlab also dictates what the plus, advanced 1 and 2, and 4 levels of challenge programs are.
Callerlab not only has a number of American callers that are members, but callers from all over the world.
In Europe, most notably in Denmark, there have been recognized a series of partial dance levels with corresponding dances available at those partway points (Mainstream 23, 45, 53, 69). The American Callers Association
American Callers Association
The American Callers Association is the second largest association of square dance callers in the United States. ACA is a non-profit organization with headquarters at Muscle Shoals, Alabama...
also has a simplified program, called "1". In America, clubs sponsoring classes often hold "Red-light/Green-light" dances, where alternating tips are called at a level where class members can participate. These accommodations allow dancers to begin attending dances quicker in the learning cycle.
Some clubs, especially those with younger or more motivated dancers, teach at accelerated rates. As an example, Tech Squares
Tech Squares
Tech Squares is a square and round dance club at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It was founded in 1967 and is still holding dances today. Tech Squares dances high-energy modern Western squares in an "all position" style, with no dress code or couples requirement. It has a large...
, associated with Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
, teaches the longer Plus program
Square dance program
A square dance program or square dance list is a set of defined square dance calls or dance steps which are associated with a level of difficulty...
in one semester (12 classes of roughly 90 minutes of teaching time). Other clubs have reported success with intensive courses of one or two weekends to learn the Mainstream level, while other areas offer a "Five Saturday, or Sunday" program to instruct new students in the program.
Public performance
This is a way of bringing public attention to the club, with the hope of recruiting more members. Public performances may be those done in public areas (malls, fairs, exhibitions) or it may refer to televised performances.Organizing dances
Organising dances is one of the primary activity of clubs. In addition to sheer enjoyment, dances provide the club's members and members of other clubs the opportunity to practice the skills learned in classes. It also gives the club an opportunity to showcase itself to the wider square dance community, provides dancers an opportunity to socialize, and provides employment for callers.Participating in associations
Square dance clubs participate in square dance associations of regional, area-wide, national and special interest character, as well as non-square dance association and organizations.Employment and training for square dance callers
Employment of square dance callers is a key means of securing competent dancers for the club, and for the activity as a whole.Callers will have resources available to them that the general public may not know about. By contacting a caller, you may find information on the activity in your area that is not widely publicized.
Training for callers is done by other callers; some of whom have been Certified by organizations. Training can be done in seminars and in week long classes. A caller is never done with education as he/she is always trying to improve their craft.
Dress code
Some clubs have a policy regarding appropriate clothing at club events; others do not. This is referred to as a dress code. Clubs that sponsor dances are encouraged to advertise the dress code that is appropriate for their dance.External links
- Dosado.com- An information portal for western square dance, including lists of active clubs around the world
- Square and Round Dancing Australia/NZ - Square and Round Dancing in Australia and NZ - Australian Products and area Information for Square Dancing, Round Dancing and Clogging