Resource Portal: Dancers
Resource Portal: Dancers
Introduction
This section of the CDSS Resource Portal is for traditional social dancers - trad squares, ECD, contra, family/community dance and more! You’ll find resources organized by topic, recommendations for online discussion groups, and much more.
Do you know of a resource that we could add? Maybe even something created by you? Let us know through this form.
Is there a resource in the portal that should be updated? Let us know through this form.
Have comments regarding the portal? Email portal@cdss.org.
The CDSS Online Store also carries resources of interest to dancers. Look through the following sections on contra dance, English country dance, traditional square dance, and children and community dance.
Resources by Topic
This section includes a wide range of resources organized by topic.
The CDSS Online Store also carries resources of interest to dancers. Look through the following sections on contra dance, English country dance, traditional square dance, and children and community dance.
Resources for All Dancers
This section contains some great resources for dancers of any level.
Title | More information | Tradition |
---|---|---|
Contra Pulse: A Podcast about Contra Dance Music |
CDSS Ben Williams and Julie Vallimont Where does contra music come from? Why does it sound the way it does? How has it changed over time? In this online radio show, we take the pulse of contra music today through a series of conversations between host Julie Vallimont and prominent contra musicians from all corners. Join us in this journey through music, dance, time, space, and community. |
Contra |
Village Green English Country Dancers ECD Manual | 2020 Village Green English Country Dancers This recently updated manual describes in detail figures, formations and steps in English Country dancing. It also includes descriptions of common difficulties in executing steps and figures. |
ECD |
Tips on Becoming a Better Intermediate-Level Dancer | CDSS News Spring 2019 Laura Brodian Freas Beraha As the title suggests! |
ECD |
Running Behind: Rush to Catch Up Or Not? | CDSS News Spring 2018 Laura Brodian Freas Beraha Laura's reflection on what to do when you are behind in the dance/music. |
ECD |
A Couple Left the Set While We Were Dancing | CDSS News Spring 2018 Laura Brodian Freas Beraha Tips on how to recover when a couple leaves the set during the middle of a dance. |
ECD |
Connecting and Letting Go and the Yin-Yang of Contra | CDSS News Spring 2017 Lisa Marie Lunt Lisa's reflections on the role of 'connecting' and 'letting go' in contra dance and how that relates to life. |
Contra |
Technique for Swinging, Connection and Allemandes |
John Sweeney In these three resources, John provides tips on good technique for swinging,allemands, and connection. There is a focus on how to improve dancing skills and prevent injuries.(Submitted January 2020) |
General |
Ten Reasons Not to Book | CDSS News Spring 2015 Eric Engles As the title of the article suggests! |
General |
Dancing the Dance, An Essay | CDSS News Winter 2012-2013 Tom Webb Tom's reflections on what it means to really dance a dance. |
ECD |
10 Tips for Contra Dancing With Kids | 2017 Miriam Axel-Lute Blog post: 2017.02.12 This is a personal blog post from a dancer, reflecting on how dancers can be more supportive of children and youth within the contra dance context. Some helpful considerations for dancing with children. While the context of the article is contra dancing, the ideas also apply to many other forms of dance. |
Contra |
The Top Ten (plus) Things That Make a Good (Contra) Dancer | Jonathan Sivier Jonathan’s thoughts on what makes a good dancer. |
Contra |
Videos of English Country Dancing Done Well |
Paul B Ross The Childgrove channel on YouTube is a repository of over 100 videos of English country dancing and is a source of instruction on how to dance many of the finest dances choreographed by Fried de Metz Herman. (Submitted January 2020) |
ECD |
How To Be A Great Dancer | Kimbi Hagen & Peter Baumgartner A printable PDF booklet on how to be a great dancer. |
Contra |
Dance Technique Notes | Colin Hume This website containes an extensive list of topics for dances of various levels. This includes everything from awareness and consideration as a dancert to how to enjoy dancing more. The list is too long to provide here. Dig in! |
General |
Age Segregation at Contras | 2012 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff explores the complexities of dance communities segregating by age. The post is followed by a community discussion. |
Contra |
Contra Cliquishness: Healthy? | 2012 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff explores how contra dances can be cliquish and whether this is healthy. |
Contra |
Booking Ahead at Contras | 2012 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff explores the practice of booking ahead at contra dances. |
Contra |
Declining Dances | 2015 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff explores the reasons for declining a dance. The post is followed by an extensive community conversation. |
Contra |
L and R hand positions | 2017 Jeff Kaufman Jeff's reflections on hand positions with relation to Larks and Ravens. |
Contra |
Resources for the Novice Dancer
This section contains a wide range of resources for beginning dancers.
Title | More information | Tradition |
---|---|---|
The Basics of the Contra Dance Form | c 2010s CDSS This two-page PDF describes the very basics for the contra dance form. It's a great backgrounder for dancers who want to understand how the dances fit with the music. |
Contra |
What is Contra Dance | Gary Shapiro Gary Shapiro’s definition of contra dance. |
Contra |
How to be a Great Dancer - basic tips, technique, & etiquette | Chattahoochee Contra Dancers A great set of tips for both beginners and long-time dancers to consider. |
Contra |
Elements of English Country Dance | Hugh Stewart A description of the basic dance figures in English Country Dance. |
ECD |
Contra Wabi Sabi | CDSS News Summer 2002 Maria Michael Maria's reflections on attending her first contra dance. |
Contra |
Hands Four | CDSS News Jan-Feb 2003 Greg Rohde A wonderful description of contra dancing and how one dancer 'got hooked.' |
Contra |
Beginner Session |
Seth Tepfer (caller) |
Contra |
Contra Dance Introductory Session - video | George Marshall (caller) As a new dancer, this is a great video to watch in order to get a sense of the basics you need to know to start contra dancing. |
Contra |
Contra Dance: The Movie | Chattahoochee Contra Dancers Chattahoochee has developed a set of 11 YouTube videos as an introduction to contra. Scroll down the page for the videos. |
Contra |
Becoming a Great Dancer in Five Easy Steps | CDSS News Fall 2010 Ridge Kennedy Ridge's suggestions for how new dancers can become great dancers. |
General |
Resources for the Experienced Dancer
This section contains a wide range of resources for long-time dancers. Dive in!
Title | More information | Tradition |
---|---|---|
"More Dancing!" | CDSS News Winter 2012 Lynn Unger Lynn's reflections on keeping her New Year's resolution to dance more. The article also includes reflections on the importance of our traditions. |
General |
Dance Local | CDSS News Spring 2012 Dragan Gill Dragan presents some thoughtful reflections on why experienced dancers should consider supporting their local dances by 'dancing local.' |
General |
Showing Off, Growing Up | CDSS News Spring 2012 Julia Wise Julia's reflections on moving beyond the cool/hot shot stage to focus on bringing out the best in others. |
General |
Tips on Being a Better Contra Dancer | 2017 Cary Ravitz Cary provides a number of tips on how to become a better contra dancer. |
Contra |
Tips For Experienced Dancers Dancing With Beginners | Jonathan Sivier Jonathan’s tips on how experienced dancers can support beginners. |
Contra |
Teaching Experienced Folks to Dance | David Kaynor Some musings from David Kaynor on the behavior of experienced dancers. |
Contra |
Introducing a Beginner to Contra Dancing | Chris Weiler This article, published in the CDS Boston Center newsletter and based on conversation from the Boston Area Contra Community email group, discusses the fine art of teaching a beginners session at a contra dance. |
Contra |
Contra Syncretist | This website is promoted as being for contra dancers "who have ever thought to themselves, 'what if I added this to make this dance even cooler?' Or, better yet, 'I added this, and it was really cool, and I want it to catch on! Come look!' ..." One of the main features of their website is a set of videos showing how to do various contra flourishes. | Contra |
Yoga for Dancers
This section contains articles from a long-running series in the CDSS News featuring various yoga stretches for dancers.
Title | More information | Tradition |
---|---|---|
The Spaces In Between the Thoughts: Yoga Esoterica on the Dance Floor | CDSS News: Winter 2017-18 Anna Rain |
General |
Descend, Ascend, Broaden, Soften: Strengthen the Muscles that Lift Your Torso | CDSS News: Fall 2017 Anna Rain |
General |
Gypsies! | CDSS News: Summer 2017 Anna Rain |
General |
Attention, Extension | CDSS News: Spring 2017 Anna Rain |
General |
Physical Practice (Outside) Leads to a Settled Mind (Inside) | CDSS News: Winter 2016-2017 Anna Rain |
General |
Float the Floating Ribs and an Altar for the Heart | CDSS News: Fall 2016 Anna Rain |
General |
Krama: Small Actions, Big Results! | CDSS News: Summer 2016 Anna Rain |
General |
Yes, Virginia, More Hip Openers... | CDSS News: Winter 2015-2016 Anna Rain |
General |
Abdominal Integrity, Part the Second | CDSS News: Fall 2015 Anna Rain |
General |
Abdominal Integrity, Part the First | CDSS News: Summer 2015 Anna Rain |
General |
Love Your Hips and They'll Love You Back | CDSS News: Spring 2015 Anna Rain |
General |
Keep Practicing: Release Attachment to Immediate Results | CDSS News: Winter 2014-2015 Anna Rain |
General |
Open the Shoulders, Open the Breath | CDSS News: Fall 2014 Anna Rain |
General |
Why the Well-Lifted Spine? For Breath’s Sake! | CDSS News: Summer 2014 Anna Rain |
General |
Resting | CDSS News: Spring 2014 Anna Rain |
General |
Thumbs, Wrists, Shoulders and a Postural Epidemic | CDSS News: Winter 2013-2014 Anna Rain |
General |
Listen to Your Knees | CDSS News: Fall 2013 Anna Rain |
General |
Next Level of Knee Care | CDSS News: Summer 2013 Anna Rain |
General |
Cranky Knees and Long Quads | CDSS News: Spring 2013 Anna Rain |
General |
"Shoulders Back"... and so much more | CDSS News: Winter 2012-2013 Anna Rain |
General |
On Balance | CDSS News: Summer 2012 Anna Rain |
General |
Twists for Spinal Freedom | CDSS News: Spring 2012 Anna Rain |
General |
More Hamstrings, More Abdomen | CDSS News: Winter 2011 Anna Rain |
General |
Hands and Feet | CDSS News: Fall 2011 Anna Rain |
General |
Long Legs, Strong Back | CDSS News: Winter 2010 Anna Rain |
General |
In Which We Revisit The Hamstrings | CDSS News: Fall 2010 Anna Rain |
General |
Opening the Shoulders | CDSS News: Spring 2010 Anna Rain |
General |
Align the Spine | CDSS News: Fall 2009 Anna Rain |
General |
The Upper Spine | CDSS News: March/April 2009 Anna Rain |
General |
Reflections on the History and Evolution of Traditional Dance
Our dance traditions are both strongly rooted in the past and are constantly evolving. In the future, this section will include some interesting reading on how our dance forms are shifting generally.
In the meantime, check the history & evolution sections under callers, and musicians.
Title | More information | Tradition |
---|---|---|
5 Things...Inside the Dancing Mind of... | A one-hour chat with Q&A from movers and shakers in the English Country Dance community from across the country about the 5 things that they feel are important to our passion for ECD and why. Hosted by the Historical Tea and Dance Society. | ECD |
City Folk: English Country Dance and the Politics of the Folk in Modern America | 2010 Daniel Walkowitz This is the story of English Country Dance, from its 18th century roots in the English cities and countryside to its transatlantic leap to the U.S. in the 20th century, told by not only a renowned historian but also a folk dancer, who has both immersed himself in the rich history of the folk tradition and rehearsed its steps. |
ECD & morris |
An Introduction to the Various Styles of American Square Dancing |
2019 |
Squares |
Other Resources & Loose Ends
This section contains a number of resources that don’t easily fit under the other headings. Dive in!
Title | More information | Tradition |
---|---|---|
An Introduction to the Various Styles of American Square Dancing |
2019 |
Squares |
What's Your Pronoun? | CDSS News Winter 2015-2016 Miriam Newman In this article, Miriam explains the movement towards asking people about their preferred personal pronoun. |
General |
English Country Dance and Its American Cousin | Alan Winston ECD and contra dance share some of the same historical roots. This article by Alan Winston describes those roots and how the two styles have changed over time. |
General |
The Contracast Podcast of Contra Dance Music |
2010 |
Contra |
Choosing Contra Dance Shoes | 2014 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff explores how to choose shoes for dancing. |
Contra |
Math, Music and Contra Dance | CDSS Blog December 2014 Lena Erickson In this blog post, Lena writes about the connections between math and contra dance. |
Contra |
Online Discussions
Do you want to connect with other dancers now? Then check out the following online groups. You can ask questions and get immediate responses from dancers throughout North America and beyond. These online communities are full of supportive people who share similar interests with you.
Facebook Group: Stuff Contra Dancers Say... | This Facebook group exists to provide a place for civil conversation between contra dancers on matters that are important to them as individuals. |
Facebook Group: English Country Dance | This Facebook group primarily focuses on promotion of ECD events throughout North America. It's great place for ECD dancers who want to learn about other dance events. |
Facebook Group: Gender Free Contra | This Facebook group is for enthusiasts of Larks and Ravens terminology. However, other ways of welcoming LGBTQIA dancers into contra and other folk dances are also on topic. The group offers resources, discussion, and strategy. |
Other Resources
This section contains even more resources that may be of interest to dancers..
Share your resources: Do you have a resource you think should be shared on The Portal? Fill out this easy form to let us know about it!
Directories and Calendars | |
The CDSS Affiliate Directory contains contact information of all of the organizations that are currently members of CDSS. It’s a great resource to find organizers with whom you might want to connect. |
|
The CDSS Events calendar lists traditional dance, music, and song events throughout North America. View events that others have submitted and add your own. |
|
CDSS Dance Map |
The CDSS dance map lists dance series throughout North America. |
Dance DB | Ted Crane's database is another location where organizers can post their events so that dancers, musicians, callers, and other organizers can find out about them. This database tends to focus on contra dance, although some English country dance and swing dances are listed. |
Contradancelinks.com | This website focuses primarily on contra dance but it also has information about waltzing, Scandinavian dance, and old time square dance. The site not only lists dance series by region but also has links to callers, bands, and much more. |
ECD Around the United States | Alan Winston maintains a list of English country dances throughout the United States. |
Trycontra.com | Jeff Kaufman maintains a website of contra dances where you can enter your zip code and it will list dances close by. You can also look at the full list of dances. |
The Dance Gypsy | The Dance Gypsy is another listing of dance-related events, venues, and performers. The list focuses primarily on contra dance but does include other forms of folk dance as well. |
Where's the Dance? |
Submitted by Rachelle Cournoyer: 2018 This resource is primarily for the modern western square dance community although it also lists a few other traditions including contra. The website allows users to easily look up where and when dance events are happening in North America. |
Umbrella Organizations | |
---|---|
English Folk Dance and Song Society | Based in England, EFDSS was founded in 1932 to preserve, promote, and develop the English folk arts (specifically songs, tunes, and dances). Activities supported by this incredibly active organization include advocacy, learning, participation, and performance and artists' development. They have taken on many initiatives to support local organizers. |
Still More Resources | |
CDSS E-News | This is CDSS’s main e-newsletter with announcements, articles, and other news. You can browse through past issues and sign up to receive the news. |
CDSS News | CDSS News is our quarterly print publication, and in a slightly shorter format, an online publication. Each issue is full of fantastic articles as well as other content (e.g. songs; dances; announcements). You can browse through past issues. Become a CDSS member to receive the print publication. |
Country Dance + Song | CD+S is an online journal with articles that explore how Anglo-American dance and song traditions continue to reinvent and refresh themselves.. |
Country Dance and Song Archives | This webpage contains the 26 volumes of CDSS's Country Dance and Song publication which ran from 1968-1998. The articles are available free online and cover a wide range of topics from ritual dance to social dance to traditional song. |
The Country Dancer Archives | This webpage contains CDSS's Country Dancer Archives, which ran from 1940-1966. Many of the articles focus on news from the dance music and song community although there are articles on music/dance style, song contributions, and more. |
CDSS Library & Archives at the University of New Hampshire | The CDSS Library at UNH is a collection of nearly 3,000 books, 400 periodicals, pamphlets and sheet music, and close to 2000 recordings all about traditional dance, music and song. The CDSS Archives are another 64 boxes of manuscripts, personal papers of individuals prominent in the teaching and collection of American traditional dances and songs, microfiche recordings, and archival materials dating from CDSS's founding in 1915. |
About Square Dances
An Introduction to the Various Styles of American Square Dancing
First and foremost, square dancing is about people - socializing, dancing, playing music, and connecting with each other Square dancing as we know it began in Europe in the 1600s. Over the centuries it has spread to many countries and has experienced quite an evolution. This evolution tells a fascinating story and points to a bright future for this flexible social dance form.
The details of the story of the North American square dance invite a great deal of speculation, and a fair amount of disagreement among the many people who care deeply about the activity. Note from Nils Fredland: "While I don't presume to be a scholar and expert on square dance history, I have developed my own understanding of square dancing's journey through time." We encourage you to develop your own understanding of this fascinating journey! To get you started, we offer the following overview of six categories of American squares. We have also included a very brief introduction to the rich history of Canadian square dancing.
May 2020 Update: Radiolab recently produced an interesting podcast about Square Dancing in the United States. You can listen to it here.
The Quadrille
Square dancing is a social dance form with English, French, and Scots-Irish roots. Early four couple dances in square and round formation can be found in John Playford's 17th-century English dance text The Dancing Master. Another four couple square formation developed in 18th-century France, probably independent of English squares and rounds. This French invention, named the quadrille, is arguably the main predecessor to the North American square dance as we know it today. The quadrille, and quadrille-inspired forms, developed over the course of a hundred years or so, and by the mid-19th century had swept both Europe and the Americas.
A style of dancing rooted in the French courts and English high-society. Most traditional New England squares are in this style. The quadrille (upon which today's American quadrille style squares are based) was an 18th century French invention, but by the early 19th century these dances had swept both Europe and the Americas. The early quadrilles were five- or six-part, carefully choreographed sequences danced in four-couple square sets.
Some characteristics of American quadrille style squares:
- Danced in four-couple square sets.
- Typically danced in connection to the phrases of the music.
- Led by a caller providing prompts, as in a contra dance.
- Choreography includes courtesy moves (bows and honors), in addition to some standard quadrille figures like ladies chains, rights and lefts, half promenade, half right and left, etc.
- Long swings: 8 to 16 beats.
- Danced to a wide variety of music: tunes from England, Scotland, Ireland, New England, and French Canada.
External links:
- Quadrille Wikipedia entry — Overview on the development of the quadrille
- Some Notes on the Lancers, by Ralph Page — Discussion of a popular 19th-century quadrille form called "The Lancers"
- Edson H. Cole: Fiddler, Caller, and Dancing Master — Listen to several early 20th century examples of quadrille prompting by New Hampshire fiddler, caller, and dancing master Edson H. Cole. The site also includes brief historical background; Cole calling contras and other non-square formations, in addition to the quadrilles; and an interview with Kenneth Libby (conducted by Dudley Laufman), who attended some of Cole's dancing classes as a young man.
- The Lancers: Some Historical Notes by Ralph Page — Five-part series documenting more information on the Lancers
- Quadrilles and Cotillions — Interesting discussion of the differences between Cotillions and Quadrilles, from the FIDDLE-L discussion group
Dance | Prompter | Source |
---|---|---|
Plain Jane | Adam Boyce | Ed Larkin Dancers, Tunbridge, VT |
Reuben, Reuben | Adam Boyce | Ed Larkin Dancers, Tunbridge, VT |
Honest John | Adam Boyce | Ed Larkin Dancers, Tunbridge, VT |
Excerpt of figure no. 1 from Duval's Lancers | Dance Through Time video | |
Duval's Lancers, Nos. 1, 2, & 3 | Quadrille Club video | |
Duval's Lancers, Nos. 4 & 5 | Quadrille Club video |
Appalachian / Old-Time Mountain Style
As the quadrille was gaining popularity in American cities and urban areas, a unique style of square dancing and fiddle music was developing in more isolated communities across the Appalachian Mountains of the American East. This style of dancing has many different names, including "Southern," "Appalachian," "mountain," "Running Set," and "old-time." Depending on whom you ask, Appalachian square dancing and old-time fiddle music have English, Scots-Irish, African, or other ethnic origins.
Sometimes referred to as "Southern," this style appears to have developed in rural communities in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Englishman Cecil Sharp came across old-time mountain style in Kentucky during the last of several trips to America between 1915-1918. In The Country Dance Book, part 5 (1918), Sharp published a description of old-time mountain style, and named it "Kentucky Running Set." There is no evidence that the locals referred to the dance this way; more likely, Sharp misunderstood someone talking about "running a set." Sharp asserted that the dances were English in origin, and pre-dated the quadrille. There are compelling arguments developed more recently (notably a 1969 article called "Appalachian Square Dancing" by Hugh Thurston in Northern Junket vol. 9 nos. 11 and 12, and by Lee Ellen Friedland in her article, "Square Dance," in The International Encyclopedia of Dance) that indicate Scotch-Irish origins, and also leave the door open for other possible ethnicities.
Some characteristics of old-time mountain style squares:
- Danced in four-couple square sets, or in a large circle of couples, depending on community: North and West of the Blue Ridge, the tendency is four-couple square sets; South and East, the tendency is a big circle of couples.
- Danced to the beat of the music, not necessarily connected to the phrase.
- A caller typically leads the dance. The timing of the calls is consistent from one dance event to the next, and is usually not affected by what is happening on the floor. The caller in old-time mountain style provides: the overall timing (including length of the figure, the swings, transitions on to the next, etc.); starting the dance and ending the dance; and entertainment (calls are expected and are as much a part of the dance as the music).
- Many figures have associated rhyming calls that have been passed down over generations of callers, musicians, and dancers.
- No honors, and no quadrille figures.
- Short swings: 4 to 8 beats.
- Danced to hoedowns (reels) played in the Appalachian style.
External links:
- The Origin of the Appalachian Square Dance, part 1 & part 2, by Hugh Thurston — An interesting and compelling theory arguing the Scots-Irish origin of Appalachian square dancing
- Square Dancing in Haywood County, North Carolina, by Phil Jamison — Fascinating article from the Old-Time Herald about the 19th and 20th century story of Appalachian square dancing
- West Virginia Square Dances, by Bob Dalsemer— From the CDSS E-Library focusing on Appalachian-style squares
- Kentucky Mountain Square Dancing, by Patrick Napier — From the CDSS E-Library focusing on Appalachian-style squares
Form | Dance(s) | Caller | Location/Event |
---|---|---|---|
Big set | Stars, Birdie in the Cage, Duck for the Oyster, Chase the Rabbit | Bob Dalsemer | Cumberland Dance Week, KY |
Big set | Stars, Basket, Birdie in the Cage | Falls Creek Falls Park, TN | |
Big set | Stars, Basket | Joe Sam Queen | Waynesville, NC |
Big set | Stars, Birdie in the Cage | Beth Molaro | Square dance beginners workshop, Clifftop 2010, WV |
Big set | Georgia Rang Tang (aka Georgia Alabam) | Phil Jamison | John C Campbell Folk School, NC |
Big set | Georgia Rang Tang | Midway Lake Music Festival, NWT, Canada | |
Big set | Georgia Rang Tang, Dip and Dive | Midway Lake Music Festival, NWT, Canada | |
Little circle | Stars, Georgia Rang Tang | Beth Molaro | Rockbridge Music and Dance Festival 2010, VA |
Square | Chase the Rabbit, Pokey-o (aka Bouquet Waltz) | Bob Dalsemer | John C Campbell Folk School, NC |
Square | Chase that Rabbit | Zach Hudson | House party, Portland, OR |
Square | Duck for the Oyster | Jerry Gallaher | Darrington Grange Hall, WA |
Square | Duck for the Oyster | Bob Dalsemer | Cumberland Dance Week, KY |
Square | Birdie in the Cage | Bob Dalsemer | Dare to Be Square, Portland, OR |
Square | Basket | Matt Cartier | House dance, Fayetteville, AR |
Square | Old Side Door, Stars, Georgia Rang Tang, Bouquet Waltz | Fred Feild | House dance, Tucson, AZ |
Square | Bouquet Waltz | Dave Snedden | Alisonville Hall, Wellington, Ontario |
Square | Grapevine Twist | Kris Jensen | Albuquerque Folk Festival, NM |
Square | Grapevine Twist, Duck for the Oyster | Fred Feild | House dance, Tucson, AZ |
Square | Swing at the Wall, Birdie in the Cage | Portland Old-Time Music Gathering 2011, OR | |
Square | Lady Round the Lady | Gabe Strand | Folklife 2009, WA |
Square | Take a Little Peek | Michael Ismerio | Portland Old Time Music Gathering, OR |
Square | Grandpa's Baby | Matt Cartier | House dance, Fayetteville, AR |
Square | Cut Away Six | Bill Martin | Dare to Be Square, Portland, OR |
Square | Shave 'er Down (aka Lady Walk the Circle) | Matt Cartier | Fayetteville, AR |
Traditional Western Squares
The quadrille and Appalachian mountain-style square dance forms traveled with the settlers of the American West, and a new style of square dancing slowly developed combining elements of both forms. This new form of Western square dance (now named, by some, "traditional Western") eventually captured the attention of the American public, through the efforts of a young educator in Colorado named Lloyd Shaw. Motivated in part by Henry Ford's book, Good Morning — which was written to help revive the "old-fashioned" American quadrilles, contras, and couple dances that had been, by the early 20th century, largely replaced by the jazz-inspired fashions of the ballroom — Shaw set out to publish a book of traditional American square dances with a particular focus on collecting and documenting dances found in the American West. The book Cowboy Dances gave rise to Shaw's popular caller training classes, as well as his nationally-traveling teenage dance demonstration team, the Cheyenne Mountain Dancers. All of this energy and exposure led to a square dance craze in the mid-20th century, with millions of Americans participating in the activity on a regular basis.
Figures in this style of square dancing bear a resemblance to old-time mountain style because many of the early settlers of the American West came from Appalachia and brought their dance and music traditions with them. As more settlers moved West, a "new" Western square dance tradition slowly developed, combining elements of quadrille style and old-time mountain style square dance.
Some characteristics of traditional Western style:
- Danced in four-couple square sets.
- Sometimes danced in connection to the phrases of the music (as in quadrille style), sometimes danced to the beat rather than the phrase (as in old-time mountain style).
- A caller provides the directions for the figures of the dance, using the traditional old-time mountain style described above, but also incorporating quadrille style prompts and "sight timing" (watching the dancers, and delivering the next call just as the dancers are completing the previous move) to keep the dancers moving smoothly through the figures.
- The caller uses extra language to fill in the spaces between directions (often colorful rhyming language, not necessarily directive), commonly referred to as "patter."
- Choreography combines honors, some quadrille figures, and figures from old-time mountain style, as well as new choreography developed during the heyday of traditional Western style square dance (1935-1955).
- Short swings: 4 to 8 beats.
- Danced primarily to hoedowns (reels) played in the Appalachian style.
External links:
- Lest We Forget: Henry Ford and American Dancing and The Dean of American Square Dancing: A Short Sketch About Benjamin Lovett, both by Ralph Page— More information about Henry Ford and his dancing master, Benjamin Lovett
Dance | Caller | Location/Event |
---|---|---|
Wagon Wheel | Ralph Sweet | Guiding Star Grange, Greenfield, MA |
Wagon Wheel | Ralph Sweet | Powder Mill Barn, Enfield, CT |
Texas Star | Phil Jamison | Dare to Be Square, Brasstown, NC |
The Bachelor Mill | Nils Fredland | Guiding Star Grange, Greenfield, MA |
Sally Goodin | Ralph Sweet | Guiding Star Grange, Greenfield, MA |
Gents Whirligig | Matt Cartier | House dance, Fayetteville, AR |
Bend the Line theme | Bill Litchman | FolkMADness, Soccorro, NM |
Scoot and Swing ("Cutaway six, and swing on the corner...") | Beth Molaro | Rockbridge Music and Dance Festival, VA |
Ends Turn In | Phil Jamison | Georgy-Alabam Square Dance Weekend, GA |
Allemande X | Nils Fredland | Spring Breakdown Dance Weekend, Columbia, MO |
Mow the Wheat, Bouquet Waltz | Lisa Greenleaf | Brattleboro Dawn Dance, VT |
Pop the Line | Lisa Greenleaf | Spring Thaw Dance Weekend, Toronto, Canada |
Allemande Thar w/ bits from Arkansas Traveler | Bob Dalsemer | Dare to Be Square, Portland, OR |
Divide the Ring theme | House party, Bloomington, IN | |
Plow the Row | Zach Hudson | House party, Portland, OR |
Modern Western Squares
The extraordinary interest in square dancing in the mid-20th century gave birth to the branch of the activity now named "modern western." Many callers learned from Lloyd Shaw, then took their newly acquired skills and interpreted them for use in their own local communities. The 1960s and early 1970s saw a flood of new calls appearing as callers tried to outdo each other in creativity. It became difficult for dancers (and for other callers) to keep up with the vast number of new figures that were being invented; clearly, some effort at standardization was essential to support the continuing widespread growth of square dancing. As a result, the governing organization for modern western square dance leaders, CALLERLAB, was founded in 1974. The original stated goals of the charter were: "To put the dance back into square dancing; establish standardization for calls; and provide adequate training for callers."
Modern Western square dancing began in the 1940s, and overlapped in a twenty-year period of transition with traditional western squares. During this transitional time, the hybrid style of traditional Western dance began to develop, characterized by all four couples in a square moving simultaneously. This resulted in the potential for more complex patterns; since the 1960s, the modern western square dance movement has realized the full potential of that complexity by creating many new choreographic building blocks, and training callers and dancers, by way of a hierarchy of classes, to gain the knowledge necessary to navigate the ever-changing MWSD landscape.
Some characteristics of modern Western square dance:
- Danced in four-couple square sets.
- The role of the caller is more prominent than in the traditional styles described above. The caller creates the dance as it is called, and must match it to the skills of the dancers; a particular sequence of dance figures is not taught beforehand, nor can dancers anticipate the next calls.
- To help callers manage the increasing complexity in MWSD, a governing organization named CALLERLAB was founded in 1974.
- Dancers belong to clubs offering classes that allow them to progress through the various levels. Clubs also host dances that are for members only, as well as hosting larger events that are open to the public.
- In the last century a dress code was widespread, but has become less common recently. The most formal dress is known as "traditional square dance attire." For men, this used to call for western style shirts with string ties or bolos, and often cowboy boots. For women, the dress code has changed substantially over the years, but even now usually has a wide skirt, often with a full petticoat. The longer prairie skirt is becoming more popular today.
- Danced to recorded music, including both hoedowns and accompaniment for singing squares.
External links:
- History of CALLERLAB — More information about the transition from the Lloyd Shaw era to modern Western square dancing, from the organization's website
- Square Dance Foundation of New England 1960's Era Recordings — Listen to audio examples of popular callers from the early days of MWSD. Five of the callers included were charter members of CALLERLAB. These recordings made available through the meticulous work of Jim Mayo for the Square Dance Foundation of New England.
- Western Style Square Dancing Is in Trouble, by Ralph Sweet — Ruminations on the future of modern Western square dancing, excerpted from a 1965 book by Ralph Sweet (with a brief introduction by Clark Baker)
Dance | Caller | Location/Event |
---|---|---|
Patter square | Ted Lizzotte | MIT Tech Squares, MA |
Singing Square - Sweet Home Alabama | Ted Lizzotte | MIT Tech Squares, MA |
Patter square | Pat Barbour | Bluebonnets Squares, Houston, TX |
MWSD Patter | Kappie Kappenman | Dance with live music, The Aqua Barn, Seattle, WA |
Another Square Dance Caller | Jim Mayo | N Waterford, ME |
The Square Dance is On | Tony Oxendine & Jerry Story | Pride RV Resort |
Rock Me, Mama | Jerry Story & Thomas Doug Machalik | Unknown |
Singing Squares
A relatively modern form of square dance, found throughout the United States and Canada (except where old-time mountain style predominates) from the 1930s to the present. Singing squares use figures from quadrille, old-time mountain, and traditional Western styles; a figure is paired with a popular song, and the original lyrics are rewritten as directions for the dancers. This style has roots in 18th century European and American quadrilles, some of which were danced to the popular music of the day.
Some characteristics of singing squares:
- Danced in four-couple square sets.
- Danced to the phrases of the music.
- A caller provides the directions for the figures of the dance, sung as lyrics to the tune of the associated song. Depending on the local tradition, the caller might use prompting, sight timing, patter (within the structure of the melody of the song), or some combination of those three skills, to keep the dancers moving smoothly through the figures. It is common in traditional communities, where dancers know most of the figures by heart, for callers to simply sing the rewritten lyrics without regard to what is happening on the floor, and let the dancers adjust as necessary to keep the calls and the dancing in sync.
- Timing of swings vary: Northeastern singing squares tend towards longer swings of 8 to 16 beats; singing squares in the traditional Western style tend towards shorter swings of 4 to 8 beats; swings in modern Western singing squares tend to be only once around.
- Danced to popular songs from the late 19th century to the present.
Dance | Caller | Location/Event |
---|---|---|
Trail of the Lonesome Pine | Tony Parkes | Guiding Star Grange, Greenfield, MA |
Trail of the Lonesome Pine | Tod Whittemore | Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend, Durham, NH |
The Auctioneer | Ralph Sweet | Guiding Star Grange, Greenfield, MA |
The Auctioneer | Nils Fredland | Contra Dancer's Delight Holiday, Morgantown, WV |
Listen to the Mockingbird | Lester Bradley | Wentworth, NH |
Listen to the Mockingbird | Adam Boyce | West Newbury, VT |
Just Because | Tod Whittemore | Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend, Durham, NH |
Just Because | David Millstone | Scout House, Concord, MA |
Down Yonder | Bob Dalsemer | Dare to Be Square, Portland, OR |
Marianne | Tony Parkes | Guiding Star Grange, Greenfield, MA |
Little Red Wagon | Nils Fredland | Guiding Star Grange, Greenfield, MA |
Shindig in the Barn | Ralph Sweet | Guiding Star Grange, Greenfield, MA |
Comin' Round the Mountain | Lester Bradley | Wentworth, NH |
Red River Valley | Lester Bradley | Wentworth, NH |
Duck for the Oyster, sung to "Jingle Bells" | Adam Boyce | West Newbury, VT |
Maple Sugar Gal | Tod Whittemore | Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend, Durham, NH |
Darling Nellie Gray | Adam Boyce | West Newbury, VT |
Nelly Bly | Nils Fredland | Nelson Town Hall, Nelson, NH |
First Two Gents Cross Over, sung to "Life on the Ocean Wave" | Adam Boyce | West Newbury, VT |
My Little Girl | Adam Boyce | West Newbury, VT |
Louisiana Swing | Nils Fredland | Contra Dancer's Delight Holiday, Morgantown, WV |
Sioux City Sue | Adam Boyce | West Newbury, VT |
Climbin' Up the Golden Stairs | Adam Boyce | West Newbury, VT |
Smoke on the Water | Tod Whittemore | Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend, Durham, NH |
Forward and Six and Back | Adam Boyce | West Newbury, VT |
‘Traditional Style’ Modern Squares
In the midst of the growth of modern Western square dance, traditional dancing continues to exist in many areas. Traditional squares have lately been experiencing a surge of interest as part of contra dance events across the country, as well as in dance series devoted to old-time mountain style and traditional Western square dance. Traditional square dancing also happens spontaneously at gatherings with a music jam, eight willing dancers, and a caller to facilitate the action on the dance floor.
Ever since modern Western square dance established itself as a unique entity in square dance culture in the mid-20th century, there has been a separate category of squares developing across the United States. "Traditional style" modern squares use choreographic elements and calling skills from quadrille, old-time mountain, traditional Western, modern Western, and singing square styles. In today's community dance culture, this style is often found at dances with a mixed program of contras and squares, and can range in complexity from very simple to very challenging. Thanks to groundbreaking callers and dance writers such as Ralph Page, Ted Sannella, and Gene Hubert, and the many others who are still living and actively writing new square dances influenced by traditional styles, there will be a supply of excellent material to add to the vast and rich repertoire provided by the square dancing's long history in this country.
External links:
- The Dances in Bradford, NH (c. 1942),
- Duke Miller calling a Dance at the Peterborough NH Golf Club (August 20, 1965),
- Glenn Pease: Old-time Barn Dance Caller (c. 1973) — Three fascinating pages offering descriptions and audio examples of traditional square dances (which also include contras and couple dances) in New England in the mid-20th century, all from Walter Lenk's website
- Dare to Be Square — Blog post describing a recent (2011) old-time square dance in Hallsville, MO
- Reinventing Square Dancing — An April 2011 NPR piece on the traditional square dance scene in Washington D.C. (make sure to scroll down to the bottom of the page to find the piece)
- A Grand Ole Time in East Nashville — YouTube clip showing a great example of a traditional square dance happening at a house party
Form | Dance(s) | Caller | Location/Event |
---|---|---|---|
Grid square walk through | Can of Worms by Bob Isaacs | Bob Isaacs | The Dance Flurry, Saratoga Springs, NY |
Grid square | Can of Worms by Bob Isaacs | Bob Isaacs | The Dance Flurry, Saratoga Springs, NY |
Grid square | Balance the Grid by Bob Isaacs | Bob Isaacs | The Dance Flurry, Saratoga Springs, NY |
Grid square | Maze of Heys by Bob Isaacs | Bob Isaacs | The Dance Flurry, Saratoga Springs, NY |
Square | Do-Si-Do and Face the Sides by Ted Sannella | Tony Parkes | Guiding Star Grange, Greenfield, MA |
Square | Ashley's Star by Bob Dalsemer | Sue Rosen | Fiddling Frog Dance Weekend, Pasadena, CA |
Square | Shooting Stars by Tom Hinds | Beth Molaro | Contra Dancers Holiday, Morgantown, WV |
Square | Mount Pisgah Star by Gene Hubert | Lisa Greenleaf | Fiddling Frog Dance Weekend, Pasadena, CA |
Square | First Night Quadrille by Bob Dalsemer | Adina Gordon | Carborro Century Center, NC |
Square | First Night Quadrille by Bob Dalsemer | Jim Thaxter | Hallsville, MO |
Square | Kimmswick Express by Gene Hubert | Nils Fredland | Lava Meltdown, Lava Hot Springs, ID |
Square | Variation of Deer Park Lancers | Beth Molaro | Rockbridge Music and Dance Festival, VA |
Canadian Squares
As with the US, Canada as a rich square dance history. Many regions each have their unique traditions that have evolved in their local text (e.g., Newfoundland; Cape Breton; Quebecois; the Arctic; Ontario; the Prairies).
Below are a few examples of square dances from various regions. If you would like to be involved in adding more information about Canadian squares to this page, please email portal@cdss.org.
Dance(s) | Caller | Location/Event |
---|---|---|
Running the Goat | None | Harbour Deep, Newfoundland |
Inverness Set - 2nd and 3rd Figures | None | Inverness County, Nova Scotia |
A Quebecois square dance | Donald Dubus | Richmond, Quebec |
A Quebecois square | Ghislain Jutras | Montreal, Quebec |
An Ontario old time square dance | Unknown | Ontario |
A Metis square dance | None | Shell River Centre, Manitoba |
A metis square dance grand entry | None | Batoche, Saskatchewan |
An inuq square dance | None | Rankin Inlet, Nunavut |
An inuq square dance | None | Pond Inlet, Nunavut |
Additional Links
General history:
- A Brief History of Square and Round Dancing — A brief history of American square dance, with a particular focus on how modern Western square and round dance developed
- History and Heritage of Modern American Square Dancing — Website by the European Association of American Square Dancing Clubs; presents a summary of essays on the history of the American square dance (a selected few of which are offered as links above)
- Northern Junket, Dance History Index — Links to all the Ralph Page articles mentioned above, in addition to many other fascinating articles and commentary on the history of American social dancing
- An Online Guide to Square Dancing — An introduction, history, overview of types of square dancing, links and general tips
General interest videos:
- Thousands of square dancers in Central Park, circa 1945 — New York City's Parks and Recreation sponsored a series of these Summertime square dances in four NYC locations, called by Ed Durlacher
- Pete Seeger with Margot Mayo's American Square Dance Group — Video from the late 1940s made by Margot Mayo's "American Square Dance Group" in NYC, featuring a young Pete Seeger on banjo
- Square dance promotional video, 1951, — A 1951 promotional video made by Bob Osgood in Los Angeles, CA for "Sets in Order," the national square dance magazine.
- Song: "Square Dancing's Calling Me" — Documentary film about the modern Western square dance anthem, "Square Dancing’s Calling Me," recorded by MWSD callers at the 1986 CALLERLAB convention in Baltimore, MD
- Not Your Grandparents' Square Dance — Documentary short about the thriving traditional square dance scene in Portland, OR; footage of various callers and events, and interviews with caller/organizers Michael Ismerio and Bill Martin
- Square dance at the Tractor Tavern — A 2008 traditional square dance at the Tractor Tavern in Seattle, WA, with commentary by caller Charmaine Slaven
- Square dance at HM157 — A 2010 traditional square dance at HM157 in Lincoln Heights (Los Angeles), CA, with multiple callers
- Square dance at Bell's Bend — A 2010 party at "Bell's Bend" in Ashland City (outside of Nashville), TN
- Square dancers do-si-do at the local library — A 2010 traditional square dance in Oakland, CA, with calling by Jordan Ruyle
- Square Dance at the Lakewood Community Center —A 2010 traditional square dance in Seattle, WA, with calling and additional commentary by Suzanne Girardot; footage also includes comments from organizer Catherine Alexander
- "Sail Away Ladies" host a Barn Dance — A 2011 barn dance at the New England Conservatory in Boston, MA, with calling by Will Mentor
- Let's Go! Episode TWO: "Old-Time Square Dance" — A 2011 traditional square dance at The Bishop Bar in Bloomington, IN, with calling and additional commentary by Michael Ismerio
- Square Dancing on the Ice - someplace VERY COLD — Impromptu square dancing on a frozen lake
- Community of the Square — The Monday night square dance in Minneapolis, MN, with voice-over commentary about the mini-community that forms during the experience of dancing a single square. Also, a video of their square dancing on wheels!
Collections for further browsing:
Want an even bigger selection of square dance videos to browse through? Here are some of the great collections I used to compile the above lists.
- Dare to be Square — various sessions from 2009 and 2010 (Tony Mates's videos)
- Square Ball, daytime sampler and evening sampler — Montpelier, VT
- Dan Freligh's YouTube channel — video footage of old-time square dances with caller Dan Freligh (OTM, SS) to recorded music in Saegertown, PA
- Fred Feild's YouTube channel — video and audio footage of traditional square dancing from Fred Feild (Tucson, AZ caller and dance historian)