If you would like to learn how to square dance, please contact us at SquareDanceMN@aol.com and we will help you find a class and location. There are a couple of ways to learn how to square dance:
a. “Square Dance ABCs” for beginners or “Intro to Square Dancing” dances are where you learn about fifteen calls. The ABC dances usually lead to a BLAST class where the remainder of the mainstream calls are introduced. Then you need to go square dancing and use all the calls at dances.
b. Another means is a more traditional 12-20 weeks of classes where the 68 “Basic and Mainstream“ calls are taught and practiced during 40 hours of instruction. These classes may run once a week from September through December or March or twice a week for 6-10 weeks at various times throughout the year.
After you become proficient at the “Basic and Mainstream” level, if you so desire, there are another 30 “Plus“ calls to learn and if you want more, there are also “Advanced” and “Challenge” calls to learn.
The following links provide instructions on calls:
http://videosquaredancelessons.com/lessons/
Upcoming Square Dance ABCs
Monday, April 29, 2024 – “Intro to Square Dancing,” 7:00-8:15 pm, Gillespie Center, 2590 Commerce Blvd, Mound, MN 55364. Westonka Whirlers Flyer
Monday, May 6, 2024 – “Intro to Square Dancing,” 7:00-8:15 pm, Gillespie Center, 2590 Commerce Blvd, Mound, MN 55364. Westonka Whirlers Flyer
Monday, May 13, 2024 – “Intro to Square Dancing,” 6:00-7:45 pm, Ramsey County Library – White Bear Lake, 2150 2nd St, White Bear Lake, MN 55110. Ar-Dale Dancers Flyer
Monday, May 13, 2024 – “Intro to Square Dancing,” 7:00-8:15 pm, Gillespie Center, 2590 Commerce Blvd, Mound, MN 55364. Westonka Whirlers Flyer
Monday, May 20, 2024 – “Intro to Square Dancing,” 7:00-8:15 pm, Gillespie Center, 2590 Commerce Blvd, Mound, MN 55364. Westonka Whirlers Flyer
Tuesday, May 28, 2024 – “Intro to Square Dancing,” 7:00-8:15 pm, Gillespie Center, 2590 Commerce Blvd, Mound, MN 55364. Westonka Whirlers Flyer
Upcoming Square Dance Classes
Thursday, April 25, 2024 – “Track 2” – Mainstream Square Dance Lessons 7:00-9:00 pm. Casual attire, free. People who want to learn (or remember) all the mainstream square dancing calls have not had very many local options. Our Track 2 program is designed to add to the calls you already know and get you ready for dancing anywhere in the world. If you’ve been dancing at Intros for several weeks and feel comfortable enough to move ahead to more complex calls, these sessions are for you. Otherwise, you’re welcome to keep dancing at Intros. Track 2 sessions will be held on the fourth and fifth Thursdays of each month. It should take 4-5 sessions to pick up the remaining calls. If you have to miss a session, no worries! Come back the next month (or the one after that) and pick up more calls; it’ll just take a little longer. You can dance Track 2 as many months as you like. We’ll let you know when you’ve picked up all the calls! Angels are needed and appreciated. Bloomington Center for the Arts, 1800 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington, MN 55431. Spares and Pairs Flyer
Monday, May 6, 2024 – Square Dance Class (Instructor Bernadette McNeil – “Learn to Square Dance” 7:00 pm), Mainstream classes begin. Community Action Program/Lakes & Prairies, 861 Belsly Blvd, Moorhead, MN 56560. FMSDA Flyer
Thursday, May 23, 2024 – Additional session added: “Track 2” – Mainstream Square Dance Lessons 7:00-9:00 pm. Casual attire, free. People who want to learn (or remember) all the mainstream square dancing calls have not had very many local options. Our Track 2 program is designed to add to the calls you already know and get you ready for dancing anywhere in the world. If you’ve been dancing at Intros for several weeks and feel comfortable enough to move ahead to more complex calls, these sessions are for you. Otherwise, you’re welcome to keep dancing at Intros. Track 2 sessions will be held on the fourth and fifth Thursdays of each month. It should take 4-5 sessions to pick up the remaining calls. If you have to miss a session, no worries! Come back the next month (or the one after that) and pick up more calls; it’ll just take a little longer. You can dance Track 2 as many months as you like. We’ll let you know when you’ve picked up all the calls! Angels are needed and appreciated. Bloomington Center for the Arts, 1800 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington, MN 55431. Spares and Pairs Flyer
Upcoming Square Dance Blasts
Dates and location to be determined.
Upcoming “New Dancer” Square Dances
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 – Dakota Grand Squares “New Dancer” Square Dance (Caller Rick Larson – “New-Dancer Mainstream” 6:30-9:00 pm). Salem Lutheran Church, 11 Bernard St W, West St Paul, MN 55118
Tuesday, April 30, 2024 – Dakota Grand Squares “New Dancer” Square Dance (Caller Bill VanBergen – “New-Dancer Mainstream” 6:30-9:00 pm). Salem Lutheran Church, 11 Bernard St W, West St Paul, MN 55118
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 – Beaux & Belles “Graduation” Square Dance (Caller Tom Allen – “New-Dancer Mainstream” 7:30-9:30 pm, “Plus” 9:30-10:00 pm; Cuer Sarah Klaphake – “Rounds” between tips), potluck. Whitney Center, 1527 Northway Dr, St Cloud, MN 56303.
Upcoming Round Dance Classes
Dates and location to be determined.