We
hope you will enjoy yourself through the whole learning to square dance
process.
Experienced square dancers may pair with you during the time you are
learning to dance. These dancers are called, in square dance terms,
angels. It is sometimes helpful to have an experienced dancer guide you
through the calls during lessons.
The club caller is Bill Chesnut. He travels from Gainesville to Lake City
every Tuesday evening to call for the Dixie Dancers. Bill is a friendly
person and will try to help you in any way he can. If you feel you are
having trouble with a certain call, please feel free to ask him questions.
The Dixie Dancers Welcome You!
DANCE FEES:
The
regular dance fee
is $5.00 per person each week.
But to new dancers,
the cost
will be $3.00 per week during this series of lessons.
Altogether,
it takes about 20 - 24 weeks
to learn the basic square dance movements.
If you miss two consecutive classes, it will be difficult to keep up with
the new movements.
Try
not to miss a class
- new movements are taught each week.
DANCE TIMES
The club meets every Tuesday
6:45 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Square dance classes
will be scheduled within
that time frame.
Standard Square Dance DRESS CODE:
There is a
dress code in square dancing. During the time you are learning to dance it
is acceptable to wear casual comfortable clothing. Men should wear long
sleeves.
You may, however, wish to start acquiring square dance clothes right away.
After completing basic square dance lessons, square dance attire is
encouraged at all square dances. Anyone in the club will be glad to help
you learn where to acquire square dance attire. For the ladies, prairie
skirts are now considered acceptable square dance attire.
Square dancing is a social activity as well as exercise. You dance close to
many other dancers. As in any other social activity, personal hygiene is
important. A shower, a shave (for men) and clean clothes should be
everyone’s routine before attending a square dance. Also, don’t be
embarrassed by offensive body odor. Use deodorant and avoid eating garlic
and onions on dance nights. Breath mints go only so far.
SQUARE DANCE ETIQUETTE
When you
“square up,” join the nearest square needing dancers.
Don’t talk while dancing in a square.
It is very
important for everyone to listen to the caller and be able to hear the calls
and instructions.
Barring some emergency, NEVER
leave a square once it is formed!!
When a square dance “tip” is over, thank all the dancers in your square.
It is important to NOT DRINK ALCOHOLIC
BEVERAGES before or
during a square dance. It inhibits the ability to concentrate and
results in poor dancing.
ROUND DANCING
&
LINE DANCING:
At the regular club
dance,
between square dance tips,
there is a different type
of dancing going on.
It is Round Dancing.
Almost anywhere
there is square dancing,
round dancing is integrated
into the dance program.
Ralph Beekman cues rounds
for the Dixie Dancers.
Line Dancing
is also a part the
weekly dance program.
8:00 – 8:15
or thereabouts
Ann Hadsall
teaches line dances.
The Line Dancing
segment is about 15 minutes
during a break in
class sessions.
Always smile, be cheerful and
have fun.
Overlook mistakes by others and laugh at your own mistakes.
It is all a part of the fun of learning to square dance.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
Our goal is to help you have fun and enjoy
square dancing as much as we do.
