News Digest for Square Dancing in the United States

Square Dance News Digest

Recent examples of square dance news on a variety of topics from various publications around the United States. Excerpts appear below, please follow the link to the original article.

July, 2010

Shout!WhiteDragon is dedicated to dancing
*** International ***: The Georgia Straight
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada
July 29, 2010

On the Powell Street Festival’s Web site, featured entertainers Shout!WhiteDragon are billed as a bluegrass band. But that’s not quite true, says multi-instrumentalist Kori Neil Miyanishi, who plays banjo and fiddle with the local foursome.; "In the simplest terms, bluegrass has become a performance-type music, whereas old-time music is a dance-based music," he explains, on the line from his Vancouver home. "They function differently. The instruments—fiddle, banjo, guitar, bass, mandolin—all appear in both styles of music, but bluegrass is more of a sit-down thing.; "We had this idea that we wanted to put on a square dance, so we did," he explains. "And we had it at the Cambrian Hall, and it was very well attended, surprisingly. I mean we were kind of surprised. So we said, ‘Let’s do this again!’ "; "Around the time of the second dance, we decided we needed a name, so we came up with Wrong Way Grand, which is a square-dance manoeuvre," he adds. "So we started putting that on posters, just to give a cohesive face to what was going on."
Merry Mohicans still dancing: The Post-Star
Glens Falls, New York
July 28, 2010

They've been dancing for 48 years, and would like more people to know how much fun they're having, keeping step and keeping healthy. The Merry Mohicans are a local square- and round-dancing group made up of people in the area who have developed a love for dancing. The group's president, Peter Weidman, said at first, he was not enthusiastic about trying it out.; "It was 18 years ago, and my ex-wife dragged me to a dance, kicking and screaming the whole way," Weidman said. "All I could think of was the square dancing we had learned in school, but I soon learned it was nothing like that."; Modern square dancing is Western-style, as opposed to Eastern-style, which has the swinging and dos-i-dos we all remember from school gymnasiums. "In school, we had to dance, and it didn't make for the most fond memories," Weidman said. "Especially in grade school, when boys and girls aren't real interested in dancing with each other yet."; "There are 73 maneuvers in the mainstream level of dancing," he said. "Each lesson teaches some maneuvers, and the next lesson reviews them and teaches more." In order to dance successfully with a club, a person has to learn the maneuvers. "But the classes are designed to be fun, people have a great time learning," Weidman said. "We have new lessons starting in September."
Dottie’s ready to dance
*** International ***: The Chronicle Herald
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Canada
July 28, 2010

The 17th annual Canadian National Square and Round Dance Convention at Halifax’s World Trade and Convention Centre steps into gear tonight and runs through Saturday, bringing together dancers from across North America, Europe and Japan.; They may not all be able to communicate directly, but they share "a common language," as longtime Nova Scotia square dancer and square dance "caller" Dottie Welch puts it. And phrases like "scoot back," "spin the top" and "walk and dodge" could be part of the vocabulary.
Travel Thru Time Vintage Shop Proves Hoarding Can Be Healthy: Phoenix New times
Phoenix, Arizona
July 27, 2010

Did you know that in some cases hoarding can be good for you? Take Corinne, owner of Travel Thru Time vintage shop on the corner of Fifteenth Avenue. and Thomas Road in Phoenix. In her travels, she's amassed one of the largest and most stunning collections of vintage dresses, leisure suits and square dance outfits we've ever seen.; Though some of the items in her shop were intentionally bought for resale or sourced by friends, Corinne admits to once wearing many of the disco dresses and frilly petticoats that now adorn Travel Thru Time's racks. That was back in her heyday, when she danced with a male partner she briefly mentions on the phone as having been about "six feet tall and 300 pounds."
Dance the night away: The Daily Reflector
Greenville, North Carolina
July 25, 2010

Put on your dancing shoes and grab a partner because Greenville has a few dance clubs that are just begging for you to come break in the dance floor and show off your skills. There are several different types of dance clubs that offer opportunities for everyone to get involved in different types of couples and singles dance styles.; The Folk Arts Society of Greenville is another area dance group. It is "dedicated to enriching the community’s understanding, appreciation of and participation in traditional and contemporary folk arts," according to its web site. It hosts contra and salsa dances two times each month in the fall and spring with the East Carolina University Folk and Country Dancers student organization. An instruction session is offered prior to the dances which are held at the Greenville Masonic Temple.; "Contra dance is similar to square dance but dancers move through lines not squares. We have a caller that tells you what you need to do next and a live band that plays old-time music," said Elizabeth Smith, secretary of the board.
Swing through: Valley Courier
Alamosa, Colorado
July 22, 2010

I have known Karol Wilson, one of the members of the Hi Valli Swingers (yes, that is a square dance club, so don’t get any other ideas), for many years. So when she caught me in Family Dollar the other night and started telling me how wonderful square dancing was, I knew I had to write a story and take some pictures. I covered one of their dances and had a ball - and I didn’t even dance!; People came from all over the San Luis Valley and part of Texas, I think. It turns out, you don’t even have to have a partner to go, either. Single gals like Sylvia, whose husband died a couple of years ago, switch out dance partners with the ladies who did bring a guy. Single guys are in high demand at these gatherings since currently there are more ladies than gents. (Just a hint to the gentlemen dancers in the audience.); I watched as dancers moved about the floor to such instructions as "load your boat," "promenade" and "swing that corner." My favorite call, however, and one that might get me in the group just for that alone, was "yellow rock" or "red rock." I’m not going to tell you what those mean. You might have to run Karol or Sylvia down and ask them to demonstrate it for you. Actually, that’s one of the few I could demonstrate for you.
PARADE OF DANCERS
*** International ***: Fergus News Express
Fergus, Ontario
Canada
July 21, 2010

Dancers with the National Square Dance Campers Association parade from their campers to the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex for the 34th annual Ontario Camporee opening ceremonies, Saturday evening. The group spent most of the weekend in the area, attending workshops, socializing, and dancing in the evenings.
A&E Notebook: ‘Altar Boyz,’ square dancing, Access 4 fundraiser: The State Journal-Register
Springfield, Illinois
July 21, 2010

Scores of square dancers from around the country are expected to do-si-do into town this weekend for the 27th annual Illinois Square and Round Dance Convention. The event runs Friday through Sunday at the Springfield Hilton, 700 E. Adams St.; The convention culminates with a show at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Hilton. Featured callers are Jason Raleigh and Pam Courts. Admission is free for spectators.
Yellow Rockers Attend Convention: The Pilot
Southern Pines, North Carolina
July 21, 2010

Eighteen members of the Yellow Rockers Square Dance Club attended the 59th National Square Dance Convention in Louisville, Ky. The bus tour included four days of dancing and workshops at the national convention as well as tours to the Heaven Hill Bourbon Distillery, Churchill Downs, the Louisville Slugger factory and a lunch cruise on the Belle of Louisville steamboat on the Ohio River.; The Yellow Rockers hold open house nights the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Senior Center on U.S. 15-501, two miles north of the Pinehurst Traffic Circle. "Visitors are welcome," says a spokesman. "They will be invited to learn some calls and to dance with the club for one hour."
Square dancers to kick up their heels at park: News Times
Portland, Oregon
July 21, 2010

It’s been a social outlet for at least three centuries, and it’s Oregon’s official state dance.; This Saturday, members of a Hillsboro square dancing club, the Sunset Promenaders, plan to strut their stuff at L.L. "Stub" Stewart State Park between Banks and Vernonia.; Retired Forest Grove lawyer and club member Bill Young, 80, will be there during the park’s third annual "Cowboy Day" to demonstrate some dances and educate spectators about his favorite hobby.
Scene Noir: Times-Standard
Eureka, California
July 20, 2010

For the last few years, it's kind of been tradition that I celebrate my birthweek, rather than one single day. I think it started a few years ago when my birthday landed on a Tuesday, when there were no shows, so rather than mope about it, I decided to start celebrating the weekend before -- and continue on to the weekend after. This year, I'm hitting the big three-oh this coming Sunday, July 25, and there is no shortage of potential celebratory events.; Post-Friday evening happy hour with friends, if I don't feel like driving down to Loleta, I may end up walking over to the Arcata Veteran's Hall for the Humboldt Folklife Festival barn dance with the Striped Pig String Band. Obviously, it's not a rock show, but with a beer or two in me, square dancing is fun! And the best part is not needing a partner -- you just show up and mingle your way into one of the groups of dancers.
A benefit show will be held July 25 for Elaine Peacock: York News-Times
York, Nebraska
July 19, 2010

The show will be at the York Senior Center with performances from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and a bake sale starting at noon. The main performance will be by western-style singer and songwriter Terry Smith with performances by area musicians Rick and Harriette Andersen, Ralph Johnson, Lee Muller and Jackie Shewey.; Peacock is well known in the area as a singer and square dance caller, Shipferling said. her three brothers, Ralph, Rick and Kerry Johnson are all participating in the benefit. Before Peacock was sick, she used to do shows for her mother in the York Leisure Home. She has also done a benefit for the veterans in McCool and has sung at various senior centers in the area.
Learn modern square dancing: North County Times
Escondido, California
July 19, 2010

The Whirlaways will begin modern square dance classes for beginners at 6:30 p.m. and Phase II students at 8 p.m. Aug. 2 in the auditorium at the Joslyn Senior Center, 210 Park Ave. The first lesson is free; thereafter lessons are $4 per person. Come make new friends, get aerobic exercise, keep your mind sharp and have fun. All ages welcome. Children under 10 must be accompanied by a parent.
ESCONDIDO: Dance club holds graduation: North County Times
Escondido, California
July 18, 2010

The Whirlaways Square Dance group held a graduation on June 22 for Phase I and Phase II students. Pictured is caller/instructor Jim Randall, left; Phase II students Bill and Deb Gaarde; Beau Haskell, Betty Murray and Jim Stoddard. The next classes begin at 6:30 p.m. for beginners (Phase I) and 8 p.m. for Phase II students on Aug. 2.
Plan Now For Dance, Rock, And Road Bowling At WV State Parks July 24 Weekend: Huntington News
Huntington, West Virginia
July 18, 2010

Square dancing with Lou Maiuri promises an evening of Appalachian dance and square dancing fun at Beech Fork State Park on July 24. Beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the activity room at park headquarters, the dance is open to overnight park guests and the general public. "It’s good old fashioned fun and you don’t have to have any experience," according to Sarah Miloski, park naturalist. "That’s the beauty of square dancing. If you can count to four and know your left from your right, you’re 90 percent there. It’s just great fun for everyone and every age."
Hendersonville set to kick up its heels: Citizen-Times
Asheville, North Carolina
July 18, 2010

While many of us are embracing high-tech entertainment this summer like 3-D movies and laser tag, downtown Hendersonville is keeping a connection to the past with its Monday night free street dances. The mountain square dance ritual has been going on since just after World War I, and it's become an activity that is as much for watching as it is dancing.; "You don't have to know anything special to enjoy yourself," said Walt Puckett, the night's dance caller and Hendersonville native. "That's the good part about mountain square dance. Most of it is follow the leader."; The Monday night dances happen near the Visitors Information Center at 201 Main St., and everybody is encouraged to bring a chair or blanket to set up alongside the activity. Dancers young and old can get a free lesson about 30 minutes before the event officially starts with Puckett as their guide.; Puckett remembers attending these street dances for the first time in the second or third grade. "Mother took me and my sister, and I remember just loving the sounds and being out there dancing," he said. "Now all these years later I can see other kids enjoying it for the first time."
MONADNOCK PROFILE: Dancing their way through life: The Keene Sentinel
Keene, New Hampshire
July 17, 2010

As the music from a small sound system pours into the church meeting hall, David D. Trimble stands at the front of the room, bobbing his head and counting off beats.; As Trimble lowers his finger, the rows behind him begin to move in unison, but they’re not marching. They’re line dancing.; David was born in Richmond, Va., and his family moved to Jaffrey during World War II, staying at his grandmother’s home. When he was 5 his family returned to Virginia, but they spent summers in Jaffrey and he began attending contra dances with his mother in the late 1940s.; Their family and careers took precedence over dancing, but the dance floor continued to call the Trimbles and they started square dancing again in the late 1980s. It was at a square dance in the early 1990s that the Trimbles first tried line dancing.; "It’s a lot easier than a lot of different kinds of dances," David said. "Line dancing is instant gratification because everyone can learn it. It’s repetition and the more you do it the easier it gets."
Oshkosh couple helps plan state dance convention: The Northwestern
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
July 17, 2010

Charlie and Jan Bitter of Oshkosh are the assistant general chairpersons of the 51st Wisconsin Square & Round Dance Convention, to be held at Fox Valley Lutheran High School in Appleton, Aug. 6-8.; The three-day convention is expected to bring 800 or more dancers to the Fox Valley from throughout Wisconsin and surrounding states. It will feature square, round, contra and traditional dancing, retail vendors, a fashion show and other related events. The public is invited to watch free of charge, and to attend a free introduction to square dancing on the evening of Aug. 7.; The Bitters have been square and round dancing for 18 years. Charlie Bitter is a square dance caller and Jan Bitter is a round dance cuer.
Stay Cool and Fit this Summer with Square Dancing: Bronxville-Eastchester Patch
New York, New York
July 17, 2010

For many it's difficult to gain motivation to exercise. It can be even more difficult with the hot weather. For a cool alternative, check out the Bronxville Women Club located at 135 Midland Ave. There, on Thursdays from now until August 12 between the hours of 2-4 p.m., participants can learn to square dance with a pro.; The response and feedback from class participants has been overwhelmingly great. "Most people like it. They are a bit lost at first and fumbling around a bit," she said. "But after you get the basic steps down and run through it, you get a success feeling and motivation, they want to go on and do more. It's a lot of fun. It's a great mixer type of activity where you get to meet different people and interact with others."; This reporter even participated in a few rounds of square dance. Janet was right. Since it was the first lesson I was a bit lost as she called out the steps: round to the right and left, do-si-do your corner and your partner, and promenade your partner. But I quick caught on and was motivated.
De Lancey of Caldwell elected officer, square dancers association: The Progress
Essex County, New Jersey
July 16, 2010

Alice De Lancey of Caldwell has been elected third vice president of the Northern New Jersey Square Dancers Association (NNJSDA). De Lancey and her co-third VP, Bill Flynn of Bloomfield, are responsible for publicity for the association’s events including all dances, special gatherings including the New Jersey annual mini-festival where dancers from all 20 modern western square dance clubs in and around the northern New Jersey area convene each November, and for keeping square dancing in the public eye.; Square dancing music includes all genres – country, Broadway show tunes, movie themes, rock, classical, folk and others. A newcomer can learn the various steps in a few months. While a partner is helpful, singles are also invited to lessons. Upon completion, a dancer can participate in dances anywhere in the world; all the calls are in English. Individual clubs offer local dances and lessons for beginners through advanced dancers.
Downtown Stampede activities bolster festive spirit
*** International ***: The Gazette
Montreal, Quebec
Canada
July 16, 2010

While most people expect Calgary Stampede activities to take place at Stampede Park, there are a number of events happening throughout the city -- including the popular Fluor Rope Square at the downtown Olympic Plaza. What they come for are the various events that take place at the venue on the corner of 7th Avenue and Macleod Trail S.E., right across from City Hall.; Each day begins with an authentic chuckwagon breakfast from 8:15 to 10:30 a.m. There's old-time rigs offering rides and a host of entertainment and activities. There's also square dancing and natives sharing their culture through dance, music and commentaries.; The downtown attractions committee was formed in 1947 with a group of square dancers dancing on the back of a rig and travelling downtown from hotel to hotel. It officially became a Calgary Stampede committee in 1953.
Benefit Show to be held in York: York News-Times
York, Nebraska
July 15, 2010

A benefit show will be held July 25 for Elaine Peacock. Peacock has breast cancer and no health insurance and so all of the proceeds will be going to cover her medical expenses. Thrivent Financial Services in York will be making a donation, Shipferling said. Kerry’s Restaurant in McCool Junction is donating refreshments for the intermission.; Peacock is well known in the area as a singer and square dance caller, Shipferling said. Her three brothers, Ralph, Rick and Kerry Johnson are all participating in the benefit. Before Peacock was sick, she used to do shows for her mother in the York Leisure Home. She has also done a benefit for the veterans in McCool and has sung at various senior centers in the area.
Barefoot square dance honors the circle of life: The Riverdale Press
Bronx, New York
July 15, 2010

As a rendition of "I’ve Been Working on the Railroad" wound to a close, a little barefoot girl in pink jumped up and down in the grass, her face radiant with glee. "We’re dancing!" she crowed, bouncing in the air, beaming. "We’re dancing!"; As the band, James Reams & The Barnstormers, played folk favorites — audience requests included "This Land is Your Land" and "Kentucky River" — participants learned to square dance, stepping, whirling, promenading, and clapping hands with their partners. Some mothers danced with babies in their arms; young children, teenagers, and elderly couples all joined in.
Camp Stories: Faith at heart of Camp Wightman: Norwich Bulletin
Norwich, Connecticut
July 14, 2010

Last summer, the camp served 550 people between the ages of 5 and 84 — and this season, administrators are hosting campers from as far away as New York and Canada through Aug. 23, when summer programming ends.; But with nearly 60 years of tradition, campers have grown accustomed to Square Dance Thursdays, Tuesday night concerts and being called to breakfast every morning by a large bell in the center of camp donated by the Stonington Baptist Church.
Not boring history interests camp-goers in southwest Riverside County: The Press-Enterprise
Riverside, California
July 13, 2010

Mention history to a lot of kids, and they think about heavy books with too many big words and names they've never heard of. Boring! Bring up the topic to the 12 youngsters at this year's Temecula Valley Museum Explorers Camp and brace yourself for the learning equivalent of a roller coaster ride.; The camp was started about five years ago, and this year the kids will take field trips to the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, the great oak that the high school is named after in south Temecula, the San Luis Rey mission in Oceanside, ancient Wolf Store on Temecula Parkway, the archaeology at Diamond Valley Lake and, last but hardly least, fascinating Old Town Temecula.; They'll make their own baskets and adobe bricks, play Native American games, handle museum artifacts, square dance and see a Wild West show. Notice there is nothing about dull books.
Square Dancing Revived at Wharf: The Wanderer
Mattapoisett, Massachusetts
July 13, 2010

Until recently, Saturday nights in the summer meant square dancing at the Mattapoisett Town Wharf. Dwindling attendance ended the 52-year old tradition a few years ago, but Paul Letourneau — who leads the Wareham Swingers at the Wareham Council of Aging — decided to bring it back as an annual event.; Harkening back to the good old days, last Saturday dancers again dressed to the nines for some square dancing fun. The wharf teemed with 72 enthused participants – eight dancers in nine squares – with even more folks on the sidelines waiting for their turn to Do-Si-Do.; "It was a good night. It was wonderful," said Mr. Letourneau, noting that attendees came from all over southern Massachusetts and even Rhode Island. He said the event included eight callers who prompted or cued dancers through a sequence of steps.
Community Happenings: Salem News
Salem, Ohio
July 11, 2010

Twenty-two members of the Friendly Squares enjoyed square dancing throughout the Niles Fourth of July Parade. They are a new square dance club in Trumbull County. Lessons and dances will start this fall at the Niles Ohio SCOPE Center for all residents in Trumbull, Columbiana and Mahoning counties.
County Farm featured at the street dance: Times-News
Hendersonville, North Carolina
July 11, 2010

Sashay down to Main Street and join in the fun at the Street Dance from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Visitors Information Center, 201 S. Main St. The Dance will feature County Farm, the Mountain Thunder Cloggers and Walt Puckett as Caller.; Bring a chair; admission is free. Enjoy mountain heritage music and dancing every Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. through Aug. 9 at the Visitors Information Center. Audience seating area opens after 5:30 p.m. Early admission is strictly prohibited. Hendersonville City ordinance prohibits animals in the event area. No alcoholic beverages or coolers allowed.; At 6:30 p.m., Caller Walt Puckett will teach audience members some traditional Appalachian square dancing moves, such as the "Right Hand Across," "Open the Garden Gate" and "The Shoe Fly Swing."
Still dancing after 66 years together: The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington
July 8, 2010

One fellow’s thirst for a beer became Chuck Soliday’s lucky break. The young University of Idaho student was at a Grange dance in McCall, Idaho, in the spring of 1941. An acquaintance had escorted a girl to the dance and didn’t want to leave her alone when he snuck out to grab a beer he’d left in the car. So he introduced her to Chuck.; In January, Chuck celebrated 66 years of marriage to the girl he met at that dance. "I thought, 'Boy this is it!' right away," he said, as he recalled his first sight of Harriet. "She was a good-looking girl."; He didn’t find the girls at college appealing. "At the University of Idaho there were four guys to every girl, and those girls were stuck up!" But 18-year-old Harriet was friendly and sweet. "He got my phone number before the dance ended," she said. Chuck didn’t have a car, but that didn’t hamper their dates. "He had a bicycle," said Harriet, smiling. "I’d ride on the handlebars."; They raised their family in the Mead area, and always made time to dance together. After all, dancing brought them together in the first place. "We just loved square dancing," Harriet said. "We belonged to five or six groups." They also enjoy ballroom dance and joined a couple of dance clubs.
Dancers attend Kentucky convention: Wilmington News Journal
Wilmington, Ohio
July 8, 2010

Members of the Clinton County Country Squares dance club recently attended the four-day 59th National Square Dance Convention held at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky.; An estimated 6,300 dancers were at this year’s event including 558 dancers from Ohio. The Ohio delegation was the largest. The convention featured not only square dancing and calling, but also line dancing, clogging, contra and round dancing.; The dancers were allowed to participate in open competition square dancing and dancing to the Ghost Riders, a square dance band from California.
Bucky Moon Belated Birthday Bash: Channel 34 News
Binghampton, New York
July 8, 2010

Well-known musician Bucky Moon, born June 27, 1928 as Francis Thomas Jerome Moon, will be at the center of attention for a belated birthday bash planned in his honor for July 18, 2010 at the Candor Fire Hall located on Route 96B in Candor, N.Y.; Bucky Moon's entertainment ventures began in 1948, and in the 1950's, Moon was calling Round & Square Dance at the old South Waverly Boro Hall. According to Moon, the venue was like the Grand Ole' Opry. "They had two floors, and people would come and dance," said Moon.
Club News: Dancers graduate at Southern Lights: Times-News
Hendersonville, North Carolina
July 8, 2010

Southern Lights Square and Round Dance Club had its 28th annual Dancer Graduation on June 9 at the Stoney Mountain Activity Center. Diplomas were awarded by caller Stan Russell to 30 dancers who completed the lessons in Western Style Square Dancing.
Why would I want to climb a building?: Greene County Daily World
Linton, Indiana
July 7, 2010

I am on the other side of the bridge looking back and I can truthfully say, "Today, there is no limit to what I can't do."; I can't square dance. And I hate to try. I have watched people square dancing and they are graceful and fluid. I look like Forest Gump trying to stomp cockroaches. I can't listen to hip hop or rap music and keep my lunch in my stomach.; I can't imagine eating rattlesnake meat or those huge puffy white worms that Andrew Zimmern eats on the Travel Channel. I can't stand to watch any of the reality shows on TV. It is too late to start my own country music band even though I have the name picked out -- Dead Horse Creek.; There is no limit to what I can't do.
Contra dancers may do-si-do, but don't call them squares: Chicago Tribune
Chicago, Illinois
July 7, 2010

Stepping into the Kuhn Village Barn on a recent Sunday night was a bit like stepping into 1910. A dozen men and women shuffled over the worn, wooden floor in the barn, which was built a century ago on the far east end of the property now owned by the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia.; A fiddle player and keyboardist filled the room with lively old-time music as people formed lines to dance. A woman on stage called out instructions complete with terms such as "do-si-do" and "swing your partner" and "promenade."; This was a contra dance, a traditional American style of dance featuring two facing lines and constantly changing partners. The Chicago Barn Dance Company has been holding contra dances at the Kuhn Barn since 1979.
Pertutual e-Motion wilplay for contra dance: Sun Journal
Lewiston, Maine
July 6, 2010

Jazz-inspired jigs and reels from the folk duo Perpetual e-Motion will drive the action at a contra dance Friday, July 9, at the Lewiston Public Library.; Fiddler Ed Howe and guitarist John Cote are known for mixing jazz and bluegrass influences into their repertoire of traditional Irish, French-Canadian and Scottish tunes.; Nils Fredlund of New Hampshire will serve as caller, leading attendees through an assortment of lively New England contra dances – based on a double-line formation – as well as an occasional circle or square dance. No prior dance experience is required to participate, nor is it necessary to bring a partner as the custom is for everyone to mingle freely during the evening.
Elks Lodge to host three-day, community party: The North County Times
Escondido, California
July 5, 2010

Bigger than ever -- that's an apt description for a three-day community party to be put on this weekend by the Encinitas Elks Lodge, organizers said Monday. "This year, it's huge," organizer Ed Przybysz said as he described the Elks' annual fund-raiser known as the Encinitas Community Hootenanny.; Typically held in the southeastern hill country, a "hootenanny" features music, dancing and food. "In this case, we have 60 hours of professional entertainment," Przybysz said.; Each day features special musical acts and themed meals. Friday is country and western day, with line dancing and square dancing lessons at 6 p.m. with the "Sandpipers": There will be square-dancing music with instruction.
Sommerfest der Grüngürtelschule (German)
Summer celebration of the green belt school (English Translation)
*** International ***: rodenkirchen.de
Cologne, Germany
July 5, 2010

The summer celebration of the green belt school became the celebration of the celebrations. In radiating sunshine the school and the schoolyard of the green belt school transformed to a multicolored fair of the worlds, because this year was the topic: a journey approximately around the globe. Multicolored Buden from far countries, plays from the whole world, art, music and culture was presented by the pupils and pupils green belt school.; The stage program was codesigned completely by the different groups of the OGS after the school celebration slogan. Thus the children had dances over the 4 directions rehearse, as for example for the east, which should stand for China. Here an enormous Green kite danced consisting of children to Asian music over the stage. Afterwards the south followed.; Now the west stood on the stage. In the Westernlook with Westernmusik, with Squaredance and rehearsed lasso leaving the savage the west pulled on the schoolyard. The spectators raved and demanded an addition.
Group decorates national square dance convention: The News-Enterprise
Elizabethtown, Kentucky
July 4, 2010

When individual square dance clubs of Kentucky and Southern Indiana were asked to decorate a square dance hall stage at the convention, Emily Willis took the challenge seriously. She asked Charlotte Allen, her club’s president, about a good theme for the Hardin County Fair Squares club’s contribution in decorating a stage.; After selecting an Abraham Lincoln theme, Willis decided that painting a large view of Lincoln’s Knob Creek home site might be possible.; They painted on June 21, in the Willis home’s plastic protected dining room. Marsha came back that evening, and she and Willis finished the painting at 10 p.m. Upon leaving, Elliott took an enlarged picture of Lincoln to her home for mounting and promised to loan an easel. The mounted picture and easel were delivered the next morning. That afternoon, Willis and her husband, Ray, transported the mural and picture to the Exposition Center hall stage, which they decorated.
The Mountain Thunder Cloggers featured July 12: Times-News
Hendersonville, North Carolina
July 4, 2010

Join in the fun at the next Street Dance in downtown Hendersonville from 7 to 9 p.m. on July 12. The dance will feature the band County Farm, the Mountain Thunder Cloggers and Walt Puckett as caller.; At 6:30 p.m., caller Walt Puckett will teach audience members some basic square dancing, such as the Right Hand Across, Open the Garden Gate, and the Shoe Fly Swing moves in traditional Appalachian square dancing.
Contra, squares, and couple dances offer fun for all: Concord Patch
Concord, Massachusetts
July 3, 2010

Dan Pearl says a lot of people are not aware of one of the best-kept secrets in Concord: Contra dancing, which has really taken off, and is held three times a week at the Concord Scout House.; "If you ever passed the Concord Scout House on some evenings — Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays — you will have heard the sound of live music, people clapping and howls of enjoyment from people attending dancing," Pearl said.; Contra dancing, which is a form of barn dancing or square dancing in long lines like the Virginia Reel, has been done in the area for hundreds of years, according to Pearl. The scout house has held such dances for decades.; "You are dancing with a partner," Pearl said of the dance, "and you and your partner are dancing with another couple. All the couples are in a set."; Pearl added: It is an "ever expanding universe of people doing the same dance at the same time."
LETTERS: NCT, July 3, 2010: North County Times
Escondido, California
July 3, 2010

In Agnes Herman's column on health this week, she talks about the importance of exercise, mental stimulation and social connectedness in warding off aging ("Give your memory a workout," June 30). A wonderful activity that combines all three of these aspects is square dancing.; Brought to America by the colonists who knew they needed a place to relax and have fun, it still fulfills that need today for people of all ages. Square dancing is a mental and physical challenge that leads to good health and happy friendships. Give it a try!
Youth Flock To Contra Dancing: National Public Radio
Washington, DC
July 2, 2010
Radio Segment

Contra dancing has been around since the 1700s. If you don't know it -- it's kind of like square dancing but with long lines of dancers. As Marika Partirdge reports, the dance is having a renaissance around the country thanks to a thriving youth scene.
LR to do-si-do in 2014: Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Little Rock, Arkansas
July 1, 2010

Fiddles and good old-fashioned clogging are in store for Little Rock in 2014 after the city was selected for the 63rd National Square Dance Convention.; The June 2014 event is expected to draw around 6,000 people from all across the globe. The estimated economic impact, based on revenue seen at previous host cities, is near $7.5 million.; The top attraction at the convention are the dancing competitions, but the event will also include a fashion show, parade of states and various educational panels and seminars.
Tales from the Aisles: Osceola Sentinel-Tribune
Osceola, Iowa
July 1, 2010

I first met Charley and Evelyn Kent in the mid-50s when I called a hoedown square dance, accompanied by the Noel Boles band, at Chevy Garage. The Kents encouraged me to learn western-style square dancing that features singing calls and complicated routines.

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