Don’t be a square, be a square dancer

By RaeAnne Marsh

As a social activity, square dancing is fun, healthy, friendly and inexpensive. The steps are choreographed by the caller, as dancers follow a fast-paced pattern of movements, but there’s plenty of chance to add one’s own flourishes to the moves.

Square dancing is a truly native American folk dance, a legacy we owe to the early immigrants who first settled New England.

After a week of hard toil, the settlers would gather in their community center on Saturday evening and enjoy dancing their old-world favorites. New immigrants who followed added traditions from their own national dances.

Once also known as barn dances or hoe-downs, square dancing is now enjoyed in many foreign countries—and there’s no language barrier, as the calls are universally taught and danced to in English.

Dressing up in special attire is part of the fun, but the dress now is much more relaxed than in earlier days. Another change is the music, which is no longer the stereotypical country/western but varies all the way to include rap music.

Join the square dance community beginning Tues., Sept. 9 as the Buckles & Bows Square Dance Club begins a new series of classes for beginners. Classes are from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hillcrest Center, 403 W. Hillcrest Dr., Thousand Oaks (opposite The Oaks Mall).

The cost for each session is $5 per person. Singles are welcome. Children (8 years and older) who’d like to learn to dance are invited to join their parents free of charge. (The first night is free for everyone.)

For additional information, call John/Shirley at (805) 499-2920 or Kathy/Ray at (805) 375-2420.