Stephen’s Square Dance Blog

Last night I did my last square dance gig as a resident of AZ.

There’s an LDS church in Litchfield Park, AZ that had me do an event earlier in the year for an adult Sunday school group. They had me come back and do one for their teenage Sunday school group.

These were mostly 12, 13, and 14 year olds (some older, some younger) whose leadership wanted them to engage of an activity that would help teach them respect an interaction. What better than square dancing?

I went in prepared for a massive gender imbalance. I know teens and dancing. (At least teen boys.) However, it wasn’t horrible. I think I only had 2 women dancing as men the whole time *and* I had five squares.

I had a fabulous time and I think they did too.

I thought that I would be doing some non-square dances, but it wasn’t really needed. I did mostly squares.

My beliefs may be different than then theirs, but I’ve got this to say about the LDS events I’ve done. (I’ve done either 4 or 5 since I’ve been here in AZ.) Every group has been polite and helpful at every event. Everyone participates (even if it is only once) and, afterwords, a sizable number number approach me to offer thanks and/or offer to help me carry things out to my car. They are fabulous folks and I appreciate them.

I hope to get at least one more blog post in before I leave for WA. However, if I don’t, I see you all in Washington!

Keep dancing!

Martha and I had an amazing night in Tempe doing a “taste of square dancing” event for a group staying at the Tempe Mission Palms.

About a month ago, I got a call from a Kathy Nord asking if I’d be willing to do some square dancing at a conference that she was being held in Tempe. The conference/banquet was from 6-8 and then she’d like some square dancing from 9 to Midnight.

We played phone tag, and then I didn’t hear from her again… until last monday. She apologized and said that she didn’t get my last message as her husband had heard the message, and written it down but had neglected to get it to her. No big deal.

We had a blast! The group was COCA-I, the Children’s Oncology Camping Association, International. Kathy is set to retire from her camp, Camp Rainbow.

There were probably 200 hundred people in attendance. Of which, I think, at one point, we had 6 squares on the floor dancing. After about two hours, I still had 8 people that wanted to dance, so I gave them an hour to themselves. I felt as if it were a rock concert where people were chanting “One More!” I’m a little hoarse today as I abused my vocal folds just a tad. I’ll rest them before my dance tonight.

The telling thing, to me, in the numbers, is that we had a large group from which to draw people (200), of that one forth chose to participate (48-50), and from that one square (8 people) wanted to go all night. The same is true of our overall square dance population. From a large group of people, we get our square dance classes, many quit, and a few want to just keep going. The trouble comes, I think, when the few that want to keep going use peer pressure to get their friends involved.

What did I teach? I didn’t use a written program, so, from memory (and not in this order):

Circle Left/Right
Boys/Girls/Heads/Sides – Right/Left Hand Stars
Allemande Left/Arm Turns
Dosado
Right and Left Grand
Sides Face Grand Square (one tip only)
Promenade

With the above calls, I entertained people for about two hours. With the square that stayed, I added…

2/4 Ladies Chain
Courtesy Turn (for the Ladies Chain)
Star Promenade
Ladies Center, Men Sashay

I used mostly pop tunes for my hoedowns, not because it is better, but because I find that there are a number of songs that people connect with. When I said, “I’ve got a traditional hispanic hoedown” and started playing it, one of the women on the dance floor said, with a look of surprise, “Jennifer Lopez!” Too funny. I did a singing call after every teach and used mostly high energy music. They were clapping, and sometimes singing, along.

These people were of all ages, but mostly young, and I had a lot of positive feedback. One man from Canada asked me about leaning how to call what I was doing, so told him to get in touch with me and I’d send him some information. He’d be a perfect candidate for an ABC Program caller. Martha heard people saying they wanted to learn more about square dancing when they got home. Our fear is that they’d find some old guy that plays vintage 1950′s music and specialized in bolo ties. Still, if they have a good memory of square dancing from this evening, it should carry on and they can spread the good word.

It was a really fun evening for both me and Martha. We’re also going to look to see if we might be able to help with Camp Rainbow in some capacity as a volunteer.  We’ll see what happens.

Until next time, keep dancing!

On Saturday, I was invited to provide some square dancing for Hannah Parce’s 80th birthday party.  It seems that I was the only one in the building that didn’t know Hannah, and after hearing some testimonials and tributes I’m sorry that I’d not met her earlier. 

The dancing started after the party was nearly over, and we had a good time.  I called three tips, teaching as I went, in the style of ABC.

Nothing fancy, circles, stars, allemandes, and right and left grands.  I had 2 squares each time and had some new people each time.  So, I made sure everyone had a good time and that all ages participated. 

 More than ever, I recognize that the most important thing to new people is that they are successful.  Too many experienced dancers, I think, forget that it isn’t about how well you can dance material that stretches your brain, but rather, it is about moving to music.

(Not that stretching the brain is bad.  I, personally, enjoy this sort of dancing.  Simply put, there is a time and place for it.)

It was a fun night and a great hall.

Until next time, keep dancing!