Shelley Coate
Bow to your partner, do-si-do! Allemande left and promenade. Walk around your corner; pass through! Make room for the newest PebbleCreek club, The Sonoran Squares (PebbleCreek Square Dance Club)!
To those unfamiliar with square dancing, some of that terminology, also known as “calls” may sound like Greek. Some of you may have fond memories of learning to square dance in junior high school or maybe you think this is just for “old” people. Whatever your perception is, there is no question that it’s a fun, wholesome and high energy activity for all ages and all fitness levels. No dance experience required! And, quite honestly, square dancing isn’t really dancing at all. It’s more like walking to the beat of the music while doing one formation to the next, depending on the calls from the caller.
Each dance (called tips) is choreographed with individual square dance calls danced to a variety of music, including traditional, pop, Broadway musicals, country, contemporary and even hip-hop. I’m sure you have memories (fond or otherwise) of women wearing chiffon petticoats, tiered prairie skirts and ruffled blouses while the men dressed in bolo ties and belt buckles. Well, in more recent times, clubs have gotten away from the traditional garb and now wear whatever is comfortable. For those of you who would rather be jogging on the treadmill and think this is not really an aerobic activity, think again. As the calls get more challenging (and there are over 150 basic calls), the calorie burn sets in. Did I mention that this is not only a dance activity, but it is great exercise for the brain. Learning various calls, responding quickly, all while listening to the beat of the music; sound hard? Like anything, this will become second nature once the basics are mastered. And yes, even those who think of themselves as “rhythmically challenged” will love it.
After moving to PebbleCreek over a year ago, I realized the lack of dance clubs for those of us who love any kind of dancing. Ballroom dancing was out, as my husband proudly announces that he has two left feet. We tried country couples dancing, but after watching him struggle for two years, I decided to concede that this is just an activity I need to do alone. So off I go to Line Dancing two or three times a week. But secretly, I really wish my husband shared in my passion for dancing. Afterall, how difficult can it be? They teach you the steps, call the steps and there is absolutely no room for free style dance moves. And by gosh, my husband loved it. He learned square dancing over 60 years ago and said he recalled many of the calls, stating, “it’s purely muscle memory,” and he was comfortable taking the lead after only two weeks. The Sonoran Squares were born.
Keep your eyes open to the E-group, message board, PC Post and other advertising around the community for the first Intro to Square Dance Hoedown this spring.