I love Square Dancing and in my area more and more youth are being interested. Now the dress code is killing off this activity and it indeed does turn away young people. If they have a dress code they should at least have a modern one. Lloyd Shaw took what was popular in the 50's and 60's and made it the dress code. I hate to break it to ya but its 2011 and nobody wants to be wearing that stuff anymore
I really think the dress code is killing off square dancing. My club doesn't have a dress code, but if it did, most of us simply would not have joined.
Oh, and the dress? More and more folks are going 'casual' most of the time, which means wear whatever you're comfortable in! We TRULY want everyone to come and join in, the more the merrier. It's good to have at least one 'trad' outfit, but any longish skirt is quite acceptable. The clothes grow on you, but if they put you off, DON"T let that stop you from square dancing! All those frilly layers can be claustrophobic, especially when in a hot climate!
We teach mainstream in 18 weeks. There are shorter programs, but those folks REALLY struggle. After 18 or so weeks, you're ready to get out there and become REALLY fluent by dancing all over!
Some of these people are fanatical when it comes to square dancing, I never knew that so many took it so seriously. I'm taking SD for the required phys ed in College and the caller has some of his other students come in and learn from our class, they're fanatical and resemble some of the ppl in this video. It's interesting (and a bit annoying) to see how my class (20-somethings just there for the credit) mingle w/ the dedicated older dancers.
limpnjen, I'm curious why you find it so annoying. (asked by someone who fits the "older dancer" demographic.) I wouldn't say I'm fanatical, but I recently came back after 12 years because it's more fun than going to the gym for my aerobic workout. :)
I don't find square dancing annoying, the older ppl that became a part of our class were annoying. All of us were there because we had no choice for whatever reason(s), we had no desire to learn inside tricks nor mingle, unlike the older ppl which forced their fanatical ways onto us. For example: when possible, we (the students) did not touch, when the older folks came in they would force our hands together, that annoyed me deeply esp. when they weren't even officially a part of our class.
Heaven forbid that you should have to touch the hand of an older person! Have you related to the instructor how deeply annoyed and offended you are? Do all the other college students feel the same as you do? Or could it be that they are more charitable to someone who could be the same age as their parents or grandparents?
The version of square dancing taught in PE classes has very little in common with the "real" square dancing seen at clubs and conventions. If your instructor brought them in to dance, I'd guess he wanted the real students (them) to get more practice. Surely he must have had permission from the PE staff, right? But I'm sure it was just a 1 term class and you've recovered by now. And remember--some day a younger person will think you're old and annoying, too.
All of my friends are either the same age as you or older so the "treat old ppl with respect" type of lines are pointless and misdirected. Anyways, I never knew that square dance was taught in grade-school until I was in sd and ppl would tell me stories of how they had to do it when they were younger. My teacher was okay, he is a professional caller and calls at different events in the area etc. and teaches us (college students) as well (not to mention hold down a full-time 'regular' job).
Their age is irrelevant, if they had been a group of young tards I would have referred to them as such but in my case they were not. I don't know ALL college students, however, I do know the people that were in my class and we all felt the same way! They were rude, overbearing, and slowed us down tremendously, end of story. Before you make assumptions maybe YOU should know the facts? There was no need to twist my comments into something that they were not.
You're right, i don't know all the facts. I could only go by what you wrote here, and commented based on the way your comments related to my experience--which were polar opposites. Isn't that all any of us can do on this sort of site? I'm glad you thought the activity was pretty decent. It's true, in square dancing you can't always choose who's in your square, and some can be annoying, regardless of age. But you stick with it for one tip, and find another group for the next time. Peace, jen.
This video shows that square dancing is still very much alive all over the world. It's true that you are actually square dancing from the first lesson on, but for most people it takes about 4-5 months to learn all of the basic calls and another 2-3 months to learn all of the mainstream calls. For weekly classes most people wear jeans--it's the special dances & conventions that they dress up for. Just have fun--that's what it is all about!
As a 20+ year dancer, I can say that while many feel that all dancers should wear the traditional dress, in most settings respectful casual attire (including jeans) is acceptable and common. Also, it doesn't take 9 months to learn, you're dancing the 1st night. Lessons build on what you have learned by adding new calls to your repertoire each night. Square dancing doesn't require you learn "steps" with your feet. You just walk. It is easy to learn even for people with "2 left feet".
In contemporary America the majority of women do not wear dresses. Up untill the late 1950's proper atire followed the style of the era - a practice that should return.
To be honest with people who may be wanting to learn how to square dance, it doesn't take 9 months of weekly lessons to learn basic mainstream like this video says. I learned most of the mainstream calls in about 3 days. I also believe that this video doesn't show the full extent of the excitment in square dancing.
Oh, so many beautiful skirts!!!! A dream!!
StellaDress 5 months ago
I love Square Dancing and in my area more and more youth are being interested. Now the dress code is killing off this activity and it indeed does turn away young people. If they have a dress code they should at least have a modern one. Lloyd Shaw took what was popular in the 50's and 60's and made it the dress code. I hate to break it to ya but its 2011 and nobody wants to be wearing that stuff anymore
Goldrushoutlaws49 6 months ago
@ZackAttack261 Still smarter than you dude so BAM!
DjShredderbeat 6 months ago
These people are awesome. and they will live longer because it's great exercise. I hope they never change the dress code.
DIANNEELEE 7 months ago
leave the square dancing for the ignorant rednecks who live out in the trees
DjShredderbeat 9 months ago
I really think the dress code is killing off square dancing. My club doesn't have a dress code, but if it did, most of us simply would not have joined.
SuperMattTO 10 months ago
Oh, and the dress? More and more folks are going 'casual' most of the time, which means wear whatever you're comfortable in! We TRULY want everyone to come and join in, the more the merrier. It's good to have at least one 'trad' outfit, but any longish skirt is quite acceptable. The clothes grow on you, but if they put you off, DON"T let that stop you from square dancing! All those frilly layers can be claustrophobic, especially when in a hot climate!
faithwh 1 year ago
We teach mainstream in 18 weeks. There are shorter programs, but those folks REALLY struggle. After 18 or so weeks, you're ready to get out there and become REALLY fluent by dancing all over!
faithwh 1 year ago
We can get you square dancing the basics a lot faster than the 9 months quoted in this story. It's a really fun time!!
alyssumhawk 1 year ago
I will alway's think that square dancing is friendship set to music. I could be wrong though
petticrazy 1 year ago
Some of these people are fanatical when it comes to square dancing, I never knew that so many took it so seriously. I'm taking SD for the required phys ed in College and the caller has some of his other students come in and learn from our class, they're fanatical and resemble some of the ppl in this video. It's interesting (and a bit annoying) to see how my class (20-somethings just there for the credit) mingle w/ the dedicated older dancers.
limpnjen 2 years ago
limpnjen, I'm curious why you find it so annoying. (asked by someone who fits the "older dancer" demographic.) I wouldn't say I'm fanatical, but I recently came back after 12 years because it's more fun than going to the gym for my aerobic workout. :)
leora98 2 years ago
I don't find square dancing annoying, the older ppl that became a part of our class were annoying. All of us were there because we had no choice for whatever reason(s), we had no desire to learn inside tricks nor mingle, unlike the older ppl which forced their fanatical ways onto us. For example: when possible, we (the students) did not touch, when the older folks came in they would force our hands together, that annoyed me deeply esp. when they weren't even officially a part of our class.
limpnjen 2 years ago
Again, the activity itself is pretty decent and not bad at all, but mixed with the wrong people it can be tedious and highly annoying.
limpnjen 2 years ago
Heaven forbid that you should have to touch the hand of an older person! Have you related to the instructor how deeply annoyed and offended you are? Do all the other college students feel the same as you do? Or could it be that they are more charitable to someone who could be the same age as their parents or grandparents?
leora98 2 years ago
The version of square dancing taught in PE classes has very little in common with the "real" square dancing seen at clubs and conventions. If your instructor brought them in to dance, I'd guess he wanted the real students (them) to get more practice. Surely he must have had permission from the PE staff, right? But I'm sure it was just a 1 term class and you've recovered by now. And remember--some day a younger person will think you're old and annoying, too.
leora98 2 years ago
All of my friends are either the same age as you or older so the "treat old ppl with respect" type of lines are pointless and misdirected. Anyways, I never knew that square dance was taught in grade-school until I was in sd and ppl would tell me stories of how they had to do it when they were younger. My teacher was okay, he is a professional caller and calls at different events in the area etc. and teaches us (college students) as well (not to mention hold down a full-time 'regular' job).
limpnjen 2 years ago
Their age is irrelevant, if they had been a group of young tards I would have referred to them as such but in my case they were not. I don't know ALL college students, however, I do know the people that were in my class and we all felt the same way! They were rude, overbearing, and slowed us down tremendously, end of story. Before you make assumptions maybe YOU should know the facts? There was no need to twist my comments into something that they were not.
limpnjen 2 years ago
You're right, i don't know all the facts. I could only go by what you wrote here, and commented based on the way your comments related to my experience--which were polar opposites. Isn't that all any of us can do on this sort of site? I'm glad you thought the activity was pretty decent. It's true, in square dancing you can't always choose who's in your square, and some can be annoying, regardless of age. But you stick with it for one tip, and find another group for the next time. Peace, jen.
leora98 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
good lordy, thats my mom and she ain't wearing herself no underpants!
jettkrash 3 years ago
I wish i could have been there.
elvis3700 3 years ago
This video shows that square dancing is still very much alive all over the world. It's true that you are actually square dancing from the first lesson on, but for most people it takes about 4-5 months to learn all of the basic calls and another 2-3 months to learn all of the mainstream calls. For weekly classes most people wear jeans--it's the special dances & conventions that they dress up for. Just have fun--that's what it is all about!
djconnectionme 3 years ago
As a 20+ year dancer, I can say that while many feel that all dancers should wear the traditional dress, in most settings respectful casual attire (including jeans) is acceptable and common. Also, it doesn't take 9 months to learn, you're dancing the 1st night. Lessons build on what you have learned by adding new calls to your repertoire each night. Square dancing doesn't require you learn "steps" with your feet. You just walk. It is easy to learn even for people with "2 left feet".
imtigertoo 3 years ago
Honestly, in some states jeans are proper.
In contemporary America the majority of women do not wear dresses. Up untill the late 1950's proper atire followed the style of the era - a practice that should return.
clecowboy 3 years ago 2
Great square Dance demo! Hiya from Czech Republic
pyrotechnikczech 4 years ago
Great verbal report, but no good demo
of a square dance or music.
sanamau 4 years ago
Square Dance in Germany! :D
afaik1Ben 4 years ago
To be honest with people who may be wanting to learn how to square dance, it doesn't take 9 months of weekly lessons to learn basic mainstream like this video says. I learned most of the mainstream calls in about 3 days. I also believe that this video doesn't show the full extent of the excitment in square dancing.
turt101lee 4 years ago
Oops! I didn't mean to hit the thumbs down. Two thumbs up!
imtigertoo 3 years ago