Frequently Asked Questions
|
Why Square Dance?
It is a wonderful activity that provides light aerobic exercise, mental stimulation, and social interaction in a safe environment that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Using your mind to remember all the calls may help to keep the mind sharp. Socially, it's a great way to meet people. It's a great way to get you mind off of a stressful work day. And lastly, IT'S LOTS OF FUN.
The Docey Dandies enjoy doing a variety of activities together. See the Who We Are page for more details.
I have two left feet. I can’t dance.
Think of square dancing as "walking set to music". The caller lets you know what move you are to make next. We will have experienced dancers in the squares with you during lessons. We refer to these dancers as "angels". The caller will do the teaching and instruct the movements to the square dance calls. The angels are there to help gently guide you. Our caller, Mike Salerno, is a professional dance instructor. He is excellent and a lot of fun!
When you're at a dance you will find that square dancers are very forgiving and that everyone makes mistakes. Most people just laugh it off and wait until they can get back with the call. When a square breaks down, the caller will notice you and set up the call so you can join back in the dance.
I had to square dance in school. Is it like that?
Square dancing is not the same as it was in elementary or middle school. Sure, some of the calls are the same (do-si-do, promenade, circle left, ...) but there is more to it than you were likely exposed to. You may have had a bad experience with a bad teacher, or worse yet, as preteens many of us thought members of the opposite sex had “cooties.” Wipe out those junior high memories and create some new square dancing memories. It’s fun and you will meet some of the friendliest people around. There are several levels of square dancing: Mainstream, Plus, Advanced and Challenge. The Docey Dandies dance Mainstream & Plus. Calls get more complicated as you move up and more challenging. It keeps you sharp and alert and mentally focused on what’s coming next.
What type of music do you dance to?
We dance to a variety of music, anything with a four count beat can be used. We dance to modern music, pop music, oldies, county music & gospel music. We've danced to songs by the Beatles, Adele, Lee Greenwood, Elvis, Garth Brooks and Lady Gaga to name a few. There are singing calls and patter to all types of music. If you go to our Gallery page/video-gallery.html and our What Does Square Dancing Look Like? page, you can view videos and hear some of the songs used.
We also have line dancing between some of the tips at our club dances and at lessons too!
Do I have to wear one of those puffy dresses?
No. Some dancers wear traditional square dance outfits (full skirts with petticoats for the ladies and long-sleeved western shirts for the men). Others wear longer prairie skirts and blouses. Some conventions will request formal square dance attire. No investment in clothing is required to learn to square dance. The most important thing is comfortable shoes. Many people prefer leather soled shoes to make twirling and swinging easier, but it’s entirely optional. There are several opportunities or “clothesline sales” in our area to buy inexpensive used square dance attire. If you sew, we also have some talented members in our club with patterns who may be able to help.
Jeans, shorts, t-shirts or anything comfortable is worn to lessons.
What expense is involved?
The lessons are very reasonably priced. After "graduating" lessons, club dance are about $4 - $5 per person. Special dances or those with a national caller (NC) are about $7 per person.
I’m excited about square dancing, I want to learn but I can’t come on Tuesday nights.
If Tuesday doesn’t work, contact us. We will be starting lessons monthly and may be able to arrange something that will work for you.
What happens if I miss a lesson?
We will be be emailing all the calls taught each lesson night so you can practice or study those calls. If you have to miss a lesson, this will help you know which calls to study and work on to stay current with the lessons. If you go to the Helps Page, there is a link to a video demonstration of each call. As needed, we will offer catch up lessons in the kitchen at the Grange to help students catch up with the class…we will leave no one behind!
What if I don't have a partner?
No problem. There will be other singles at lessons that we can pair you up with. We also have "angels" at our lessons who are experienced dancers that can be your partner. If you are a single dancer we will rotate you during the evening so that you have an opportunity to dance with different people and want to make sure that you are comfortable.
Can I come and visit a dance?
Yes, absolutely! You're welcome to have some of refreshments that are provided. We'd be glad to meet you and answer any questions you may have.
I think I may have difficulties hearing the caller.
The Docey Dandies have a Williams Sound Wideband FM Listening System which operates in the 72-76 MHz frequency band. It is designed for hearing assistance in place of public access, the system is for those who need help overcoming background noise, reverberation, or distance from the sound source.
What is a "tip"?
A "tip" is a set of two songs. The first is a "patter call" in which there are no words to the music. A caller tells the dancers what to do and you stay with the same partner throughout the dance. The second song is a “singing call" with the caller singing to the music and making the calls. In a singing call, you change partners throughout the dance (you progress around the square and your "corner" becomes your next partner). The caller gets you back to your original "home" and partner.
It is a wonderful activity that provides light aerobic exercise, mental stimulation, and social interaction in a safe environment that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Using your mind to remember all the calls may help to keep the mind sharp. Socially, it's a great way to meet people. It's a great way to get you mind off of a stressful work day. And lastly, IT'S LOTS OF FUN.
The Docey Dandies enjoy doing a variety of activities together. See the Who We Are page for more details.
I have two left feet. I can’t dance.
Think of square dancing as "walking set to music". The caller lets you know what move you are to make next. We will have experienced dancers in the squares with you during lessons. We refer to these dancers as "angels". The caller will do the teaching and instruct the movements to the square dance calls. The angels are there to help gently guide you. Our caller, Mike Salerno, is a professional dance instructor. He is excellent and a lot of fun!
When you're at a dance you will find that square dancers are very forgiving and that everyone makes mistakes. Most people just laugh it off and wait until they can get back with the call. When a square breaks down, the caller will notice you and set up the call so you can join back in the dance.
I had to square dance in school. Is it like that?
Square dancing is not the same as it was in elementary or middle school. Sure, some of the calls are the same (do-si-do, promenade, circle left, ...) but there is more to it than you were likely exposed to. You may have had a bad experience with a bad teacher, or worse yet, as preteens many of us thought members of the opposite sex had “cooties.” Wipe out those junior high memories and create some new square dancing memories. It’s fun and you will meet some of the friendliest people around. There are several levels of square dancing: Mainstream, Plus, Advanced and Challenge. The Docey Dandies dance Mainstream & Plus. Calls get more complicated as you move up and more challenging. It keeps you sharp and alert and mentally focused on what’s coming next.
What type of music do you dance to?
We dance to a variety of music, anything with a four count beat can be used. We dance to modern music, pop music, oldies, county music & gospel music. We've danced to songs by the Beatles, Adele, Lee Greenwood, Elvis, Garth Brooks and Lady Gaga to name a few. There are singing calls and patter to all types of music. If you go to our Gallery page/video-gallery.html and our What Does Square Dancing Look Like? page, you can view videos and hear some of the songs used.
We also have line dancing between some of the tips at our club dances and at lessons too!
Do I have to wear one of those puffy dresses?
No. Some dancers wear traditional square dance outfits (full skirts with petticoats for the ladies and long-sleeved western shirts for the men). Others wear longer prairie skirts and blouses. Some conventions will request formal square dance attire. No investment in clothing is required to learn to square dance. The most important thing is comfortable shoes. Many people prefer leather soled shoes to make twirling and swinging easier, but it’s entirely optional. There are several opportunities or “clothesline sales” in our area to buy inexpensive used square dance attire. If you sew, we also have some talented members in our club with patterns who may be able to help.
Jeans, shorts, t-shirts or anything comfortable is worn to lessons.
What expense is involved?
The lessons are very reasonably priced. After "graduating" lessons, club dance are about $4 - $5 per person. Special dances or those with a national caller (NC) are about $7 per person.
I’m excited about square dancing, I want to learn but I can’t come on Tuesday nights.
If Tuesday doesn’t work, contact us. We will be starting lessons monthly and may be able to arrange something that will work for you.
What happens if I miss a lesson?
We will be be emailing all the calls taught each lesson night so you can practice or study those calls. If you have to miss a lesson, this will help you know which calls to study and work on to stay current with the lessons. If you go to the Helps Page, there is a link to a video demonstration of each call. As needed, we will offer catch up lessons in the kitchen at the Grange to help students catch up with the class…we will leave no one behind!
What if I don't have a partner?
No problem. There will be other singles at lessons that we can pair you up with. We also have "angels" at our lessons who are experienced dancers that can be your partner. If you are a single dancer we will rotate you during the evening so that you have an opportunity to dance with different people and want to make sure that you are comfortable.
Can I come and visit a dance?
Yes, absolutely! You're welcome to have some of refreshments that are provided. We'd be glad to meet you and answer any questions you may have.
I think I may have difficulties hearing the caller.
The Docey Dandies have a Williams Sound Wideband FM Listening System which operates in the 72-76 MHz frequency band. It is designed for hearing assistance in place of public access, the system is for those who need help overcoming background noise, reverberation, or distance from the sound source.
What is a "tip"?
A "tip" is a set of two songs. The first is a "patter call" in which there are no words to the music. A caller tells the dancers what to do and you stay with the same partner throughout the dance. The second song is a “singing call" with the caller singing to the music and making the calls. In a singing call, you change partners throughout the dance (you progress around the square and your "corner" becomes your next partner). The caller gets you back to your original "home" and partner.
|
Article in the March 2017 New York Times
KJZZ 91.5 Article, April 2017
|
Article in the Salina Journal describing square dancing at the 63rd Kansas State Square Dance Convention, June 2015.
|
