Welcome to our world of dance: Square, Round & Line!
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More about Round Dancing ↓    More about Line Dancing ↓

More about SQUARE DANCING

Square Dancing is a social activity where eight people dance a series of movements as "called" by the square dance caller. It is a healthy, recreational, fun activity. Square dancers often say that square dancing is friendship set to music.

Modern Square Dancing?

In Modern Square Dancing, which is what is danced in our area, there are no set patterns for a dance. The dancers learn a number of moves, which the caller then puts together to form the dance (tip). The caller "calls" out these moves and the dancers follow the "calls". Dancers do not know what will be called next. Usually all dancers move together, although some calls are executed by just four people. Generally, callers call and sing to modern, recorded music.

How do Modern Square Dancers learn the movements?

Anyone can learn to become a square dancer by joining a square dance club where the basic movements are taught. New dancers enjoy an evening of fun while being taught the moves/calls by the caller. The moves are repeated constantly so no worries if you’ve forgotten one. There are always experienced dancers on hand to help out. Once you know the basic moves, you can choose to learn more complicated ones and move through the dance levels, or you can just dance at whatever level you enjoy most!

Dancing around the world

Do you like to travel? Square dancing is taught in English around the world. Once you learn the calls at home, you can dance anywhere you go…across Canada, the United States, Europe, in Japan, Australia…

More about ROUND DANCING

Round dancing is also referred to as choreographed ballroom dancing. On the dance floor, the dance steps and figures are directed verbally by a round dance cuer, enabling all couples on the floor to dance the same steps at the same time as they progress around the hall – hence, the name “round dancing". Round dances have choreographed sequences of steps that are borrowed from ballroom dancing. The dancing and choreography can easily be transferred directly to other forms of social dancing. Many round dancers tell us they take what they learn and practise at their round dance clubs onto dance floors while travelling, at social events, or during family and other community gatherings.

What makes Round Dancing unique?

Although the rhythms are the same ones enjoyed by ballroom dancers and those just dancing for fun at social events, round dancing uses cuers who direct dancers through pre-established choreography for each dance. In this way, dancers don't have to memorize a vast list of dance sequences – they just follow the instructions from the cuer. Round dancers dance only with their own partners. It is excellent exercise for the mind and the body. It’s also a joy to behold with couples on the floor dancing routines in unison.

How difficult and complicated is it?

Unlike square dancing, round dance steps are syncronized with the music. Dancers usually start with simple rhythms like the two-step or a waltz. Over time, round dancers will dance the foxtrot, waltz, quickstep, tango, rhumba, cha cha, jive, swing, bolero, and other rhythms, depending on the interest of the club and the dancers.

Instruction and dancing is structured into six phases from beginner through intermediate to advanced. Each rhythm begins with simple and basic figures and routines. As dancers progress, more complex choreography is introduced for each rhythm.

Round dancing has evolved over the past fifty years and now has an ever-expanding inventory of well over ten thousand choreographed dance routines.

What kind of music is used?

Round dancing uses popular instrumental and vocal music, mostly from the easy listening category. Music includes show tunes, swing, rock, western, pop, and more. Most music comes from the contemporary charts along with some “Golden Oldies”.

How do I get started round dancing?

You can get started by joining a club that teaches beginning round dancing. A typical session at a beginner club will include periods of instruction, review periods for dances and figures taught in the past, and opportunities to just dance for a while. The dance season usually runs from September through to the end of April, although some clubs offer some summer dancing.

What do I wear?

Casual, informal and comfortable clothing is the order of the day. Whatever you’d wear for a night relaxing indoors with friends will work nicely. Most round dancers bring along a pair of “indoor dance shoes” that are comfortable and have clean soles that won’t scratch or mark the dance floor.

After you’ve danced for a while...

Dancers can come together at local clubs, organized conventions, and clinics across Canada, the United States and around the world – literally! At these events, dancers will learn a new dance or two to add to their repertoire – and they get to socialize with fellow round dancers. Dance routines and choreography are standardized so that no matter where in the world you find a round dance club or event, you’ll fit right in … and make make lots of new friends as you enjoy some great dancing!

More about LINE DANCING

Line dancing is a formation dance in which a group of people dance in one or more lines, all facing the same direction, and executing the same choreographed movements at the same time. Line dancers are not in physical contact with each other.

Line dancing is practiced and learned in country and western dance bars, social clubs, dance clubs and ballrooms worldwide. It avoids the problem of imbalance of male/female participants as it does not involve partners.

In a small group there may be only one line, but usually there are several parallel lines, one behind the other. In this parallel line formation, the dancers dance in a synchronized manner, but independently of each other. There are usually no moves that require any interaction between the dancers, other than they execute the maneuvers at the same time.

Although line dances can be fairly simple, as with the 18-count 4-wall beginner Electric Slide, increasing complexity can be created through several means. The inclusion of unusual or unfamiliar sequences of steps also makes a dance more challenging. Body movements other than steps, such as hand gestures, can add complexity.

Line dancing has a cowboy image, and it was originally danced predominantly to country-western music . But this began to change in the 1970s, when the hustle line dance became popular. Line dancing now features a wide range of music.