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A square dance is a dance for four couples, or eight dancers in total, arranged in a square, with one couple on each side, facing the middle of the square. Square dances are part of a broad spectrum of dances known by various names: country dances, traditional dances, folk dances, barn dances, ceilidh dances, contra dances, Playford dances, etc.
Apr 25, 2011 · Square Dance Demonstration. How To Square Dance: This entire video square dance lesson series on how to square dance is available on DVD at:...
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Square dance, dance for four couples (or groups of four couples) standing in square formation, the most popular and widely known type of folk dance in the United States. It was called the square dance to distinguish it from comparable dances called the contra, or longways dance, for a double file.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Overview
- Getting in Position
- Common Calls
- Square Dance Ettiquette
The movements and calls you need to know before you step onto the dance floor
There’s more to square dancing than swingin’ your partner round and round, though that’s definitely a big part of it. The traditional dance style dates back to 17th-century England, then made its way across the Atlantic to American dance halls, where it cemented itself as an emblem of small-town communities. If you’ve ever been to a square dance, you know that those folks get real fancy with it, so fancy it makes your head spin. But everyone’s gotta start somewhere, and that’s where we come in. We’ll give you some pointers on squaring up, common moves (or “calls”), and square dancing etiquette so that you can hit the floor and join the fun.
Find a partner, and then find 3 more pairs to form a square of 8 people.
Listen to the caller and follow their instructions as you dance—keep your ears open and stay light on your feet!
Grab a partner, then find a group.
Square dance is performed in pairs, so
and get in position—traditionally, the man starts on the left, and the lady on the right. Then each pair groups up with 3 other pairs, and the 4 pairs all stand in a square facing each other. That’s where the name comes from!
The “first couple” stands with their back to the source of the music, and the other couples are then numbered 2-4 counterclockwise from the first. These numbers come into play in some dance moves.
“Head couples” are the first and third couples (facing each other), and “side couples” are the second and fourth couples.
Note that square dancing delineates partners by the “man” and “lady,” and these terms are used to describe and call the moves, but you can dance with anyone you like! Free dancers holding up their right hand are willing to dance the man’s position; a left hand indicates a dancer able to dance the lady’s position.
Everyone in the circle joins hands and moves in a circle, either to the left or the right, depending on the caller’s directions. If the caller just says “circle,” assume you’re headed left.
Careful not to step on any toes!
Face slightly in the direction you’re moving; you’re not walking sideways, but forward at a comfortable angle.
Each dancer walks 3 short steps forward, then taps their free foot on the floor in front of them. Then, everyone takes 3 steps back to their starting position, starting with the foot they just tapped, and finishes by tapping their new free foot on the floor beside the other.
Altogether, this move takes 8 beats to perform; 4 beats forward, 4 beats backward.
Start this step with your right foot by default, but feel free to use your left foot if it’s more comfortable.
Take small steps and move lightly to stay in control.
Square dancing requires the full coordination of everyone in the square, so don’t take overly long or dramatic steps. Keep your weight on the balls of your feet and use your partner for balance—just don’t lean on them too much!
Use a light grip when holding hands.
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the music, but mind your grip when taking hold of your partner. A too-firm grip is uncomfortable and can make it difficult to perform certain moves. Hold other dancer’s hands gently so that you can meet and part easily during the dance, without any fuss.
Always default your hand-holding to your right palm facing upwards and your left palm facing downwards. The other dancer will do the same, and your grips will match perfectly every time.
Coordinate with your group and laugh off mistakes.
Defines Heads, Sides, Positions 1,2,3,4; Learn to Circle Left/Right, Do Sa Do, Forward & Back, Swing, Promenade, Promenade 1/2, Single File Promenade.The ent...
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Jul 20, 2021 · Square dance is a traditional American folk dance with European roots. Learn about the dance style’s history and its evolution.
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The square dance represents specially choreographed a dance that includes four active dance couples who are arranged in a square and are all facing toward the center of the square.
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