Square dancing was first defined in 17th century Europe, but is known today as an American dance form, because of its rich American history. In fact, 19 U.S. states have claimed square dancing as its official state dance. Learning how to square dance is learning a traditional American art form, at this point.
Square dancing is considered a folk dance with 8 total dancers (4 male and 4 female). Modern square dancing is an amalgam of steps from various dances, brought by people who migrated to the U.S.
Square Dance History in the U.S.
Early New England settlers gathered in the town center on Saturday evenings, after a long week of hard work. Each specific group brought with them the style of dance popular in their home country. Folk dance styles grew from the intermingling of each individual dance, transforming into its own form – the traditional square dance.
As the population dispersed across the country, dancing became more urban, while Americans found different forms of recreation, besides square dancing. Square dancing nearly died out, until Henry Ford decided to revive the American art form in the 1930′s. As Americans looked for inexpensive forms of entertainment during the Depression, square dancing became the birth of modern square dancing.
By 1948, square dancing was a fad and began incorporating modern instruments and movements. Long gone were the twangy fiddle of our ancestors. In came modern, 20th century music combos and high-energy movements.
Square Dancing Lives On
Lovers of the square dance kept the style alive, and square dancing has thrived in the U.S. ever since. Clubs and dance halls, and even dance studios, are found all over the country. Not only do these venues hold square dances, but they also hold classes for square dancing.
The average dancer remains at the basic level for five years. Advanced and more challenging forms of square dancing exist, for the more competitive dancers. Square dancing has been exported to other countries around the world, such as England, Japan and Australia.
Today, square dancing is enjoyed by citizens around the world.
Square Dance Call
A “call” specifically refers to the name of a square dance move. The caller or cuer names out a “call” or movement the dancers should make. Depending upon the length of the call, dancers execute the movement in anywhere from four to thirty-two counts, or steps.
Square dance callers are trained in their art form. The caller’s task is to create square dance movements that flow well together, have excellent timing and work well with the dance partners.
Square Dance Instructions
How to Square Dance
Understanding square dance instructions required that you understand the moves involves. In the next passages we’ll explain these moves.
Square Dancing Moves Moves
Modern and traditional square dances share many of the same moves. Many of the well-known square dancing moves include the following.
- Do Sa Do
- Flutter Wheel
- Reverse The Flutter
- Right, Left, and Through
- Ladies Chain Family
Below are descriptions for each move.
Do Sa Do
Start in a circle formation, with dancers facing. Makes sure the men and women are paired opposite one another, on each side. Dancers advance and pass right shoulders.
Partners move in a full six step circle and end facing each other.
Flutter Wheel
Start as facing couples. Right hand dancers go into the circle and turn right by the forearm. In most cases, this would be two ladies.
As they circle around, each lady reaches out her left arm, inviting the opposite partner to join her with his right hand. A half circle is completed and partners are switched, upon returning to the original position.
Reverse the Flutter
This move works exactly like the flutter wheel, except it starts with the men. The same movements are made, only in reverse.
Right, Left, and Through
Opposite dancers step forward and join right hands with the dancer directly in front. Each dancer pulls by, and then performs a curtsey turn to face the other couple.
Ladies Chain Family
Two adjacent ladies step forward, join hands and pull by. Each man steps forward, to the right. He then turns left to face the same direction as the lady beside him. The lady then extends her right hand for a curtsey turn, ending facing the other couple. (Note: “Curtsey” is sometimes spelled “curtsy” or “courtesy”.)
Remember that square dancing has eight dancers. Thus, each dance is performed two separate times. Two couples perform, always opposite one another.
Once the dancers complete the call, the other two couples perform. It may seem confusing to read, but once you are in the action, the steps come as second nature.
Things to Remember about Square Dancing
The point of square dancing is enjoyment. Even if you step into the room having never performed the moves, each step is explained to you in full, before you are asked to perform.
Start with basic steps. Once you get the hang of the movements, you can move up and advance to more challenging moves.
Join a square dancing club. Check your local listing to find locations that offer weekly square dancing. Many clubs are offered, such as: beginner classes, teen clubs, gay clubs, camper clubs and singles clubs.
Many online square dancing communities offer directories of square dance clubs all over the world, so no matter where you live, you can learn how to square dance.
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