Article in the Charlotte Observer (North Carolina) about contra dancing.
It’s part line dance, part square dance and involves lots of swinging, stomping and switching partners. And social graces such as smiling, looking your partner in the eye and helping beginners through awkward moments. As the band plays its fiddles, keyboard and guitars, dancers divide into two lines, facing their partners. Two couples form squares, dance together, switch partners, then move down the line to the next couple. By the end of the night, they’ve danced with just about everyone.
Article in The Acorn (California) about square dancing.
A centuries-old social dance with European roots, square dancing is alive and growing in many parts of the world, and it has been an integral part of American social life. Square dancing is also popular in Germany, Sweden and Japan. “They dance to American English calls. If I were to go to Japan and, even though I don’t speak the language, I could go to a square dance,” Sybil Duhig said.
Article in the Collegiate Times (Virginia) about square dancing.
Wagner has played a major role in organizing Blacksburg Square Dance since the very beginning. The idea was originally sparked in the 1980s. Wagner and a few other friends were playing in a house when several of them started to voice frustrations about there not being a more challenging dance venue in the area.
Article in the Del Mar Times (California) about square dancing.
People interested in seeing if square dancing is something they would like to do are invited to try a class for free on their first visit. The classes will introduce participants to the modern version of the classic American Square Dance, which uses a wide variety of music styles. Dancers learn dance movements rather than memorize dance routines and follow the lead of the square dance “caller” as he or she creates the dance on the fly to fit the music.
Article in the Bradford Era (Pennsylvania) about square dancing.
Although most participants were familiar with the steps, square dancing can be for everyone. Kwiatkowski explained that when people think of square dancing, they’re thinking of modern western dancing where participants wear elaborate skirts, hats and bows. “This is traditional square dancing, anyone can walk in and get involved. My advice is: Don’t think, listen — just move.”
Article in Glasgow Daily Times (Kentucky) about square dancing.
“The advantage of learning western square dance is, once you’ve learned it, you can go dance any where because it’s standardized. It is called the same way. It is taught the same way. It is the same steps for each call. That is world wide. It doesn’t matter where you go in the world, it is taught and called in English. So, you can dance anywhere.”
Article in Thurston Talk (Washington) about square dancing.
It’s not the square dancing of your childhood – when you went to the gym because it rained. The hall is full of flashing smiles, tapping feet, and modern music of all types. Some people wear petticoats or western shirts, while others dress more casually.
Square Your Dance 