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Basic classes begin in September on Monday nights, and run through the year until April. Membership is $10 for the year, and $6 per person per night of dancing. The first 2 classes are free! Round dancing is taught on Wednesday nights. Membership is $10 for the year, and $5 per person per night. We meet at Polson Park School, 165 Robert Wallace Drive, in Kingston, Ontario, from 7:15 – 9:30 p.m. Polson Park School is located south of Bath Road, east of Portsmouth Avenue, on Robert Wallace Drive. From Bath Road, turn south on Portsmouth, right on Miles Avenue, then right on Robert Wallace Drive. To sign up for classes, or for more information, please contact Mary or Michael Shumate at 613-384-5019, or click this link to email:
mshumate@cogeco.ca
If you did a bit of square dancing in high school, you may wonder why classes are necessary. Square Dancing has evolved greatly over the past half century. During the time of the early pioneers, square dancing was a series of simple moves, initiated by one couple, then followed by a second couple. There were few moves and much repetition, and little changed until the 1950s. When callers discovered that they could move everyone at the same time and create more interest, other moves were invented, and square dancing became more complex and more enjoyable. Square dancing evolved from 16 moves to 20, then 32… and we now have 53 moves in Basic level, followed by a further 15 to reach Mainstream level. Plus dancers will learn 31 additional moves, and Advanced 1 and 2 add 44 moves, and 40 moves respectively. When you consider that advanced dancers should be able to dance both male and female positions, and some moves in reverse, the complexity of today's square dancing becomes apparent.
In 1974, an organization named CALLERLAB, established a standardization of moves, thereby assuring that square and round dancers could dance anywhere in the world. Because of the complexity and worldwide conformity of square dancing, classes are necessary to become proficient.
At the Limestone Dancers classes, your caller will spend considerable time explaining each move to you, and calling the moves in sequence with other moves until you are comfortable. Each week you can expect to learn a number of new moves until you reach mainstream level in the New Year. Generally, all the moves will be taught by mid-January, with the rest of the year being used to increase your proficiency and comfort level.
When you first join, our experienced members will partner with you to guide you through the basic moves. These "angels" will help you to enjoy the learning process.
If all this sounds somewhat overwhelming, it is your choice as to when or whether you will advance through the levels. If you enjoy Mainstream and wish to stay at that level, there is no requirement to press onwards.
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