First of all, the dancing aspect is great fun, no matter what your skill level. Unlike most athletic activities, there’s no pressure to win. There’s no points and you’re not judged. Meanwhile, studies have shown that square dancing allows you to become healthier while having fun. There’s also a great social aspect to square dancing, as you will meet new people.

Eight people interact through a series of movements as “called” by the caller. Unlike square dancing of old where dancers followed a set pattern, there is more variety in modern square dancing. There are still elements of older square dancing (as 8 people, paired up, form a square).

No. Instead, dancers need only to learn the individual movements. The caller then randomly calls out the movements and they are put together to form the overall dance choreography. While the dancers cannot anticipate what call will come next, many participants believe this makes square dancing more fun and exciting.

Don’t worry. Even the most experienced dancers make mistakes sometimes. Everyone just laughs it off and continues on. Remember: there’s no points or judging. We’re just here to have a good time.

As part of a 45th Anniversary project, the history of SWOSDA, from 1959-2009, was published in eight separate parts in the Bugle, SWOSDA’s official newsletter. You can read our history here.

The Executive is pleased to announce the SWOSDA Recognition Merit Award, a new award dedicated to recognizing any deserving SWOSDA club member(s) who significantly contribute to their dance Club. The nominees’ contributions shall be reflective of a continuing dedication to the normal activities of the Club.

The participation in the Club shall be a minimum of 15 years and one or more periods of time may be added to meet the requirement for the Recognition Merit Award.

The Award is limited to one couple or one individual per club per year and is presented at the April Annual General Meeting of Square and Round Dancers of South Western Ontario.

The deadline for submitting an application to SWOSDA is March 15.

You can read the complete criteria package here and then download and fill out the nomination form here.

The Ontario Square and Round Dance Federation also offers the Trillium Merit or Long Service Awards. You can read the guidelines and application form here.

Absolutely. SWOSDA has compiled a guide that will teach you how to approach recruiting new members and strategies to employ for successful recruitment. You can learn more here. There is also a recruitment bursary. Information can be downloaded in PDF formand the application can be found here.

Indeed. One suggestion was for dancers to carry business cards so that they could provide a handy information source to pass along to other prospective dancers. These cards can be printed on paper, or on card stock available at most business supply stores. The cards can also be printed on both sides to provide additional information – dances night, dates, specials, Fun Nights, etc

There’s lots of ways; some might be more simple than you might think.  We all know how much fun we are having; all you do is convey the same message to new dancers.  Every dance should be made up of fun, excitement, laughing, socializing, and of course dancing.  Your caller will do his/her best to take care of some of the requirement.  By being a new friend, you do the rest.

You can take courses to become a square dance caller. You can apply for a bursary which will help offset the cost of attending a course. You can find out more about the bursaries, what is involved with applying and download the bursary application form here.

Use these helpful links:

Canada

The Canadian Square and Round Dance Society

Ontario

• The Ontario Square and Round Dance Federation
• Eastern Ontario Square and Round Dance Association
• Toronto and District Association
• Lakehead & District Squares & RD Association
• Northern Ontario Clubs

Other Provinces

• BC Square & Round Dance Federation
• Saskatchewan Square & Round Dance Federation
• Alberta Square and Round Dance Federation
• Manitoba Square & Round Dance Federation
• Quebec Square & Round Dance Clubs
• Square & Round Dance Association of Nova Scotia
• Square & Round Dance Association of New Brunswick
• Square Dancing on the Island

Absolutely!

Upcoming National Conventions can be found on the Canadian Square & Round Dance Society Website.  See the Events Menu tab.