What is square dancing anyway?

Square dancing requires 8 dancers plus a caller and some music. The dancers are arranged in pairs in the shape of a square. The caller tells the dancers what to do and moves them into different positions around the square. A “call” involves moving in a specific way usually with another person in the square. This could be your partner, the person adjacent to you on your other side (called your corner) or another pair of dancers. The dancers need to know several calls and be able to do them quickly when the caller says (or sings) them. It is a combination of physical exercise, a mental challenge and social activity since you need seven others plus a caller to be able to dance. In fact, it is customary to express gratitude to all the dancers in the square by linking hands and saying “Thank You!” in recognition of the fact that without them you’d be sitting around being bored. Square dancing is sometimes called “friendship set to music” or described as a constant pop quiz. It is also likely more fun than you think it would be!

Check out these videos to give you an idea.

“I don’t know but I’ve been told, if you keep on dancing, you’ll never grow old.” – Steve Miller, Dance, Dance, Dance