In square dancing, the dancers form a square of four couples. They dance by following the instructions of a caller, who gives a sequence of commands or “calls”. The calls are combined into patterns in such a way that dancers return to their original partner and their original “home” position by the end of the music.
Mainstream Program
Our club teaches the complete Mainstream square dance program. The calls (or “moves”) in this program are divided into three levels.
Basic One Level
These 32 calls are the easiest to learn and are danced in square and circle formations. At an Introductory Dance, new dancers will learn about twelve of these moves. At regular lessons, one or two new moves are added each week. This level is usually completed after two to three months of lessons.
Basic Two Level
These 16 calls involve new formations, such as Waves. This level is usually completed after four to five months of lessons.
Mainstream Level
The remaining 19 calls are learned by the end of our eight month lesson season. At a “Mainstream” dance, the caller will use a combination of Basic and Mainstream calls to provide variety.
Social Square Dance
Two other local clubs teach a program called “Social Square Dance” which omits several Basic calls and most of the Mainstream calls.
Plus Level
After gaining experience with the Mainstream program, some dancers choose to move on to the Plus level, which adds another twenty moves and teaches more variations of the Mainstream moves. Two local clubs offer lesson and dances at this level.
Advanced & Challenge Levels
These levels are for very experienced dancers who want even more challenge. One local club provides lessons and dances at this level.
Traditional Square Dance
Traditional or “Old Time” square dances are common in many regions of Canada. Each dance set involves only a few basic moves and the pattern of of the set is usually taught before the set begins.
Round Dancing
Round Dancing is choreographed ballroom dancing. At our Mainstream club dances, the caller will often call a round dance between square dance sets. One local club teaches round dance lessons.
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