General Square Dance Info
The Square Dancers Pledge
With all my ability, I will do my best to help keep square dance the
enjoyable, wholesome, friendly and inspiring activity I know it to
be. This I pledge in the sincere desire that it may grow naturally
and unexploited in the coming years and to be available to all those
who seek the opportunity for friendship, fun and harmony –
through square dancing.
Square Dance Etiquette
Square dancers pride themselves on being friendly, courteous and honest on
and off the dance floor. Following is a few items to remember when attending a
square dance:
Bathe diligently and refrain from garlic and alcohol prior to dancing.
Wear proper square dance attire. This may simply mean ladies in a loose
fitting skirt, men in long sleeves and low-heeled shoes for all. Check all
hats at the door. Hats are dangerous and eyes have been damaged by
their brims.
Wear a name badge. There are a lot of people to meet and badges help
refresh the memory.
Show up on time. You will need to sign in and have time to greet those
you know and make a new friend.
Join the nearest square needing a couple. Do not pass by a square
needing a couple to join another square. Introduce yourself as a
stranger is just a friend whom you haven't met yet. Avoid cliques and give
others the chance to meet and dance with you.
Do not go through a square on your way to another square – go
around.
Recognize your corner, not only what she/he is wearing, but who she/he
is. Next to your partner she/he is the most important person in your
square.
Remember who you are every time you square up -- heads, sides and
what couple (1, 2, 3 or 4).
Listen to the caller. Even if you know what he's going to say, someone
else in the square may not. After a tip, applaud the caller and thank your
fellow dancers.
Keep smiling even if you are angry with yourself for "goofing". The other
seven people in the square may think you are frowning at them.
Forgive other dancers if they "goof". We all get our turn and next time it
may be yours!
Never walk out on a square! This is the cardinal sin of square dancing.
Ask for help and let others help you. If you walk out of the square then
nobody gets to dance.
Square dancing is not a competition. Don't speed through the calls or
perform time-consuming "cutesy styling". High flung kicks can be
dangerous to those around you.
Be gentle, especially with the ladies, but not so gentle that you become a
"limp fish."
Do not miss class. If you miss two consecutive classes and are having
difficulty keeping up with the rest of the class, you may be asked to leave
so as not to hold the rest of the class back.
Attend dances designed for you whenever possible. You will get much
more practice at a dance and will also get the opportunity to hear a new
caller and make new friends.
Well Used Terms
Angel: An experienced dancer who attends class to fill out square and help demonstrate the proper way to perform various movements.
Banner Stealing: The practice of a square or more of dancers form one club attending another club's dance and receiving the other club's banner until the visit (or raid) is reciprocated.
Clogging: A dancing style originating in Appalachia with synchronized
movements of the feet. Commonly performed in shoes having taps on them.
Contra: Line dancing popularized in New England. Now done with traditional and square dance movements.
Definitions (of calls): Each call has a specific way of being executed by
determining ends, centers, leads, trailers, etc. Once the definitions are learned a dancer can execute a call whether or not they have been walk through the various positions.
Patter call: A series of square dance movements called by the caller, using music only to keep a rhythm. Partner changes are rare. (See Singing call.)
Programs: Various square dance calls organized by Callerlab into Basic,
Mainstream, Plus, Advanced and Challenge categories. This provides dancers with an indication of material being used at a given dance.
Round Dancing: Couple dancing in a circle formation, using choreographed routines to a definite arrangement of music.
Singing Call: A series of square dance movements, called by the caller, to a piece of music that allows the caller to sing words to the song. The movements may be repetitive or not and partner changes are done.
Taw: The caller's partner who plays an important role in both classes and
dances. Say "Hello" and remember that the Caller's Taw is a good source of information.
Tip: Normally a patter call followed by a singing call.
Workshop: Special classes after graduation which dancers may attend to learn new or more advanced movements or review those movements already learned.
Yellowrock: A friendly hug.
What We Wear
Square dancers wear clothes that are, above all, clean and comfortable. Because square dancing is a form of exercise, it's easy to perspire. Instead of trying to cover up odors with a heavy dose of cologne, a shower and deodorant is a much better way to achieve that fresh clean smell.
Dressing up for a special dance can be fun and add to the enjoyment of square dancing. You will see many styles on a square dance floor from the longer prairie-type skirts to the short petticoated dresses. Any mention of "full attire required" means that ladies will be expected to wear some sort of dress/skirt, men will be expected to wear long sleeves and that any attire, as always, should be neat and clean. Unlike many other dance forms, we dance in a group of eight which means constant interaction with a variety of people. With this in mind there are a few specific cautions:
Due to the high interaction with others, our activity prohibits drinking prior or during the dance.
Bare backs, bare midriffs, tank tops, gym wear and any underwear worn as outerwear are not appreciated. Along with this is a caution to the ladies who wear dresses - Make sure that what shows when you twirl is decent enough for anyone (especially a child) that may be sitting on the sidelines. Because of our forearm turns, men (and women) who get especially wet on the arms might consider long sleeves for the comfort of others.
Because square dancing is interaction with other people, for safety's sake we do not wear items such as jewelry with sharp edges, dangling jewelry that might catch on someone, spike heels, hats. For your own safety you may not wish to wear open toe shoes.
For the Traveling Dancer
Not all areas have adopted a relaxed dress code. When traveling it is best to assume that "full attire" will be required.
Ten Commandments of Square Dancing
Thou shalt Square Dance only for the fun which thee will find in it.
Thou shalt not be a snob, considering thyself too good to dance with any and all, sitting out the mixers, or leaving a square lest though be required to dance with those whom thou deemest unworthy of thy talents, for the Gods of Retribution are zealous Gods, and will visit their mischief upon thee, and thou wilt be the one to goof the square.
Thou shalt be exuberant, thou shalt act thy age. Thou shalt not offend others by thy
high flung legs and out-flared skirts.
Thou shalt go abroad and dance with other callers so that thy opinions expressed as to the merit of this one and that one are bases on fact.
Thou shalt not let the stranger in thy midst sit on the sidelines and cool his heels, nor fail to speak to him.
Thou shalt bathe diligently that the sweet aroma of soap and shaving lotion may assail
the nostrils of thy associates.
Thou shalt take care that the words of thy mouth are not scented with garlic or beer.
Thou shalt honor thy club and give thy loyalty, for if thou canst not do this, it were
better to separate thyself from it and join thyself to another whose methods, members and
callers are more to thy liking.
Thou shalt not kill thy club with bickering and fault finding.
Thou shall not forget that thou were once a beginner.
How To Be A Good Angel
ON THE HEAD OF A PIN .....
Is your halo on straight? It is important that as many of our club members as possible come to the class as "angels." What are angels? They are the wonderful people who volunteer their time to ensure that a class has the best possible learning experience.
Angles provide the new class members with their first real look at the club. How angels behave and treat the new dancers, other angels, and visitors will affect class members' decisions whether or not to join our club.
Angels are also role models. No matter what the instructor and club try to communicate to the students concerning etiquette, attitudes, or styling, class members inevitably take their cues from what they see the angels doing. So it is important that angels be extra careful to provide good role models.
Smile, be enthusiastic, and enjoy the dancing. Be friendly, courteous, and gentle. This is
sometimes easier to say than to do, especially if it has been a long day. And, let's be honest, some of us have personal agendas, perhaps disagreements with club policies or less-than- cordial relations with specific club members that are out of place here and must be put aside.
Although most of us do the right things instinctively the majority of the time it can't hurt to reiterate certain points. The following advice for angels has been extracted from several sources, including articles in square dance publications and handouts prepared for other clubs.
ANGELS ARE NOT TEACHERS
This is perhaps the most common misconception that causes problems. The primary teaching function of an angel is to teach by example. To be in the right place at the right time. One important thing you can do is to establish handholds after every move. This not only helps the students maintain their orientation in the square, it is a very good habit to develop.
It is always tempting to explain something your square is not getting and the students will often ask you to do this -- BUT YOU MUST RESIST. It diverts the student's attention from the teacher and one of the most important things to learn in beginner class is to listen to the teacher/caller. Sometimes you can clarify a simple point for students between tips; this is fine, but not while the caller is at the microphone.
Another difficult point is just HOW MUCH HELP you should give in getting dancers into the right place. Dancers, after all, must learn to do the moves on their own. To gently guide someone through a maneuver if they have a momentary lapse of memory might be okay and sometimes one can help by indicating nonverbally where a person should go. But we accomplish little by pushing or pulling a dancer through an action when he or she doesn't know what was supposed to have been done.
It is better to let a square break down rather than to use too much force getting people into the right place. Broken down squares are an indication to the instructor that the dancers are having problems. Do be sure the teacher is aware of problems, raise your hand if necessary and ask the teacher to explain something if your square is having trouble.
Be careful, however, not to embarrass any dancer by the way you ask for help. It is much better to say that "the square is not getting" a certain move rather than saying "Steve isn't getting" a certain move.
Do encourage students. Let them know that all new dancers make mistakes and that things get better with practice. Also, angels do make mistakes too. It is good to admit to them cheerfully as it makes the students less tense about their own mistakes.
CLUB STYLING
Club styling is always a third major source of contention. It is important the new dancers learn the calls with standard Callerlab styling, that is, without the flourishes we like so much. The teacher will introduce our club styling at appropriate times after the calls are mastered. Angels must use only the styling which has been taught to the class. This is not always easy. How many of us even remember how to do a DoSaDo without a Highland Fling? But it really is very important. Students are going to want you to teach them
"how it's done" before they have mastered the call but you should resist the temptation.
SOME RANDOM ADDITIONAL ADVICE
Square Up With Everyone -- not just a few friends. Seek out the weaker students and ask them to
dance with you. Make sure that students are not sitting out because angels are dancing.
End Conversations Promptly -- when the teacher begins a tip. If you are not dancing, keep your conversations far away from the dance area.
Lend A Hand -- cheerfully if you are asked to help set up or clean up, help with refreshments or take attendance.
Keep An Eye Out -- for security problems, accidents, and dangerous situations like spills or debris on the floor.
Let The Instructor -- know if there are problems with the sound.
Don't Complain -- about the hall, the floor, the caller or anyone attending the class.
Don't Criticize -- students or other angels.
Remember -- your name badge.
A Prayer For New Graduates
May you dance as long as you want to
and want to as long as you can.
May your toes never stop tapping
to the beat of a square dance band
We wish you a smile on your career
and a partner that really can swing.
And each a handclasp of friendship
as you right and left grand the ring
May you never forget the struggle
when you lessons finally were through.
May you always reach back with a helping hand
that someone extended to you.
May you never become a dancer that knows all
and there's no more left to learn
In the midst of the muddle,
come out of your huddle,
Could be you made the wrong turn!
As long, as you're dancing, enjoy it
and the friends that you'll make `fore you're done
With a smile and a song, promenade along,
`CAUSE YOU SQUARE DANCE, MY FRIEND,
FOR FUN'