Central Valley Squares

What is “Modern Square Dancing”?

Square dancing is done by groups of four couples who begin by facing one another as if standing on the sides of a square. What makes square dancing different from other dance forms is that instead of learning a dance, dancers learn individual dance moves called out to the dancers by the caller. It’s spontaneous, as
dancers don’t know what the next call is going to be.  At higher levels there can be hundreds of calls for the caller to choose from, and the dancing is more like geometric, real-time puzzle-solving.

What happens during the square dance?

A square dance “tip” is generally about fifteen minutes long, and consists of two parts. During the “patter” portion of the tip, the caller will take a piece of music, and move the dancers around using a variety of different square dance calls. The second portion of the “tip” is called a “singing call”. 
During the singing call, the caller will use a recognizable piece of music, usually a song you would hear on the radio, and sing along to it, while instructing the square dance calls.

Are there different levels of square dancing?

Modern Square Dancing levels are defined by an organization named Callerlab. The organization came to be in the 1970’s, and throughout the years has created various levels of modern square dance. As a beginner, you will learn to dance the “Mainstream” level. You can then choose to learn levels such as “Plus”, “Advanced”, or “Challenge”. Each level builds off the previous, and more calls are learned.

Is it necessary to wear traditional square dance outfits?

Many dancers like to wear traditional square dance outfits, consisting of Western shirts, fluffy skirts, and petticoats. The Central Valley Squares does not require you to wear such outfits. Many dancers choose to wear jeans, a tee shirt, or even shorts during the Summer months. You are free to wear whatever you are comfortable in. The most important part in square dancing, is dancing and having fun!

Do I need to come with a partner?

You are not required to bring along a partner to dance with. There are plenty of people who would be more than happy to dance with you throughout the evening!