Square Dance in the news

Press Clippings

News items concentrating on San Diego County with selected items of national interest.

College and University

San Diego, California: Hootenany raises $3,500 in funds for Haiti relief and UNICEF: March 3, 2010 (University of San Diego): College students stage a western-themed fundraiser to benefit victims of an earthquake in Haiti. The Ruffles and Beaus provide a square dance demonstration and lead a step-by-step lesson in traditional square dancing.
Naperville, Illinois: The Mathematics of Square Dancing: December 3, 2007 (North Central College): Elective class shows how square dancing may be utilized to visualize abstract mathematical concepts. No experience necessary, the final exam is administered by one of the top square dance callers in the country.; Offered during 2010 - 2011 school year.; Offered during 2009 - 2010 school year.; Offered during 2008 - 2009 school year.; Offered during 2007 - 2008 schoolyear.
El Cajon: An appealing mix of artistic disciplines: February 27, 2007 (San Diego Union Tribune): Grossmont College presents "Dances of Time" featuring ballet, rumba, waltz, and a grand finale of post-modern square dancing all set to live music.
Cambridge, Massachusetts: Tech Squares: Summer 2003 (Massachusetts Institute of Technology): College square dance club is 35 years old, membership is growing because "it's thinking on your feet, it's aerobic exercise, it's a great way to socialize, teaches teamwork and how to listen, and is good wholesome fun."

Community

Vista: Squaring Off For Charity: February 5, 2010 (North County Times): Have a Heart benefit square dance to raise funds for Solutions for Change.
San Marcos: Palomar Square Dance Association donates to San Diego Blood Bank: July 3, 2009 (North County Times): Dancers donate $3,000.00 towards the purchase of a new bloodmobile.
Vista: Dance benefits Solutions for Change: March 27, 2009 (North County Times): Proceeds from a benefit dance are given to Solutions for Change to assist families attempting to improve their lives.

Festivals

Long Beach: World of Square Dancing at Long Beach Convention Center: June 25, 2009 (Press-Telegram): "'I want to say we have at least 500 international visitors,' said Ray Hutchison, a general chairman for this year's convention. 'It says it is the National Square Dance Convention, but it really is worldwide.' The convention attracts so many people for a number of different reasons, but many say they come back every year is because of the friendships square dancing create. Herbert and Heidrun Hoffmann are a married couple who have come all the way to Long Beach from Berlin. It is one of the only times they get to see their Texas friends Pead and Betsy Waite, who taught them how to square dance."
Long Beach: Square Dance Convention Comes to Long Beach: June 23, 2009 (Press-Telegram): "The Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center has been transformed into 18 dance halls as it serves as the epicenter for square dancing for the next four days. The 58th National Square Dance Convention is being hosted at the Long Beach Convention Center. The convention has returned to the City of Long Beach for the first time in 19 years. The convention starts today and ends Saturday. Over 5,000 dancers, both local and international, will participate. Approximately 2,300 Californians will be in attendance along with dancers from Japan, Sweden, China and Germany."
Del Mar: Square dancers promenade at the fairgrounds: February 6, 2005 (San Diego Union Tribune): Coverage of the 56th Jamboree By The Sea, a three-day event attended by 600 people.

Fitness

Tigard, Oregon: Tigard square-dancer swings at spry 98 years young: January 14, 2010 (Oregonian): "Most people would consider themselves lucky to be alive at age 98. Genevieve Churchill doesn't just live; she also drives, has her own place in Tigard and, perhaps most importantly, square-dances four times a week."
Sierra Vista, Arizona: Even cancer can’t stop love of square dancing: AP Newsire: Despite brain cancer, Ariz. man keeps on dancing (January 15, 2010)

January 13, 2010 (Sierra Vista Herald): "Jill and Steve Gunzel participate in square dancing in the rec room at Sierra Lutheran Church with fellow members of the Thunder Mountain Twirlers Dance Club. Steve Gunzel wears a special electronic device that helps treat brain cancer, and his wife says the dancing is therapeutic for him."
Vacaville, California: Stay fit by square dancing: December 31, 2009 (The Reporter): "Dr. Aaron Blackburn states, 'It's clear that square dancing is the perfect exercise. It combines all positive aspects of intense physical exercise with none of the negative elements.' The study was based on physical examination which indicated that both female and male square dancers could expect to live well into their 80s."
Vista: Square Dancing Has Many Benefits (Letter to the Editor, 4th from top): July 11, 2009 (North County Times): "On a good night of square dancing, you can walk up to five miles and never realize it because the lively music gives you energy to spare."

General

Portland, Oregon: If They Want to Make It Hip, They Shouldn't Call It Square-Dancing: December 16, 2009 (Wall Street Journal): "For decades, children endured square-dancing taught by indifferent teachers in gym class."; "To the standard repertoire of Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash, some callers have added Michael Jackson, U2 and hip-hop. To keep younger pupils hooked, instructors use collectible plastic badges that denote dancing milestones."
Asheville, North Carolina: Strictly Come Square Dancing: Historian Digs Into Dance’s History: December 16, 2009 (Wall Street Journal): "Where did square dancing come from? Square dance caller and historian Phil Jamison may have found out. It’s taken the teacher of math and Appalachian studies at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, N.C., over 10 years to unearth pieces of the puzzle that have been missing for centuries."
San Diego: Dancing in Squares: August 6, 2008 (San Diego Reader): A restless reporter seeking to escape midsummer boredom is recommended to square dancing by a friend. An interview with the president of the San Diego Square Dance Association ensues.

Grade School, Middle School, High School

Morgantown, Pennsylvania: Daniel Boone holds holiday hoedown: January 5, 2010 (Tri County Record): High school juniors and seniors participate in a voluntary square dance with a live caller after learning the moves to records in gym class.
Murrietta: Students show off square dancing skills: April 5, 2009 (North County Times): Third graders give a performance for their parents after practicing every week since the beginning of the school year. Parents and guests are invited to join in at one point in the program.
Escondido: Students step back in time for Bear Valley's Confederate Union Ball: May 24, 2007 (San Diego Union-Tribune): Students at Bear Valley Middle School perform the Virginia reel and Texas star as part of the 8th grade Civil War curriculum.
Rancho San Diego: An Inspiring Principal at Vista Grande Elementary Letter To The Editor: May 24, 2007 (San Diego Union-Tribune): Retired caller Don Pfister (and retired member of the San Diego Callers Association) praises the fifth graders at Vista Grande Elementary School who were attentive, courteous, and receptive while learning to square dance three hours a week for eight weeks.

Blogs

The Johnson Journals, Chapter 80: January 4, 2010: "9/2/57 I went to island where LaValleys and Don Armstrong were waiting for dinner. At 8 p.m. we went to Elks hall for big square dance. By 8:30 there were about 4 squares of out of towners and I was beginning to fear that locals had boycotted us. I was wrong. We finally had 16 squares in action. What a howling success! To Mae’s for coffee and home by 2 a.m."
Yahoo Answers: 2006: "Are there any other teens that square dance?"

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