AMERICAN SQUARE DANCING
Origins
American Square Dancing has its roots in the early Folk and Court Dancing of Europe, taken over to America by the early immigrants. Many similarities can be found with English Country Dancing, with the ‘Dosado’ and ‘Allemande Left’ being familiar, at least by name, to most people. One of the most noticeable differences between English Country and American Square Dancing is that in the American form, all the moves are ‘called’ by a Caller, and there is no need to memorise each dance. Once the basic moves are learned, the Caller can move the dancers through a wide variety of patterns on the dance floor, limited only by his (or her) own expertise in choreography.
In the USA
In the 1940’s, the Modern Square Dance movement in the USA began to take shape, and dance moves which had taken on regional variations were made more standardised so that dancers could participate wherever they found themselves in the United States.
And over here
Square Dancing suddenly became popular in England as a result of the 1951 visit of the (then) Princess Elizabeth to Canada, where she was photographed participating in the activity. Clubs sprang up all over the South and East of England, usually close to, or actually on the American Air Bases, where Callers could be found. Many of those Clubs are still active and others have been formed in most English counties as far North as Yorkshire, and as far South as Cornwall, also in Wales and Scotland - over 150 at present.
Worldwide
Outside the U.K., Square Dance clubs can be found all over the world, particularly of course, in the USA, but also in Canada, Australasia, Germany, Denmark, Czeck Republic and Sweden, as well as in most other European countries, and even in China, Japan and the Middle East. All the Callers use the English language, and the moves are the same everywhere; once learned, there is no problem dancing anywhere in the world. It’s a memorable experience to walk into a club five thousand or more miles away from home and join in the fun - visitors are always made most welcome; holidays (and business trips) abroad take on a whole new meaning !
Music
We dance to many types of music, from the real old Country and Western favourites and nostalgic 50’s classics, to modern ‘pop’ tunes. Records, specially recorded for Square Dancing, are used most of the time, and this helps to keep down the cost of the activity. An evening’s dancing at most clubs costs around 2 to 3 pounds, generally including coffee !
Fun for all the family
Although Square Dancing is very much a ‘couples’ activity, and is one of the few pastimes where husbands and wives can enjoy themselves together in friendly company, many single people do join in, and can usually find partners. Children are welcome as soon as they are tall enough to be able to dance comfortably with adults, - usually at about 11 or 12 years of age; the main problem is that most clubs meet in the evening, making it too late for young children. There is no upper age limit; we have local Club Members well into their eighties, though you would never know it from watching them dancing!
