Learn to Dance

Upcoming Classes————————————————————

Contact us if you wish to be emailed with new class information as it becomes available: squaredancememphis@gmail.com

What is Square Dancing?

Square dancing is done by groups of four couples facing one another as if standing on the sides of a square. Square dancing is different than other forms of dance, because instead of learning and repeating a choreographed dance, dancers learn dance moves -known as calls- and must actively listen to the Caller to know which dance move is next. This results in each dance being exciting & different than the last and keeps dancers guessing, as they don’t know what the next call is going to be!

“Square Dancing is like a real-time puzzle”

The goal of the caller is to get each couple back to their starting point, know as their “home” through a series of calls. All types of music is used in Square Dancing, from traditional country western songs, to songs you hear on the radio – there’s something for everyone!

Why Square Dance?

Similar to other forms of dance, Square Dancing offers numerous health and mental benefits. On average, dancers walk over 2 miles, or 4,000 steps per dance. Square Dancing also offers both travel and leadership opportunities! Many of our dancers travel across the country to dance at Square Dance conventions including the annual Tennessee State Square Dance convention, which is held in Gatlinburg each year. Most importantly, Square Dancing provides a warm, supportive and fun social community. We hope to dance with you soon!

What is Round Dancing?

Round dancing is a form of cued partner dancing. A pair of people dance together doing steps as directed by a cuer. Similar to squares, there is a vocabulary of cues each corresponding to a different dance action, and these cues are divided into levels. Cuers cue dances, telling the dancers what moves to do and when. Typically, couples progress counterclockwise around a circle, hence the name round dancing.

Round dancing has a number of different rhythms; many of these rhythms are shared with ballroom dancing (waltz, foxtrot, rumba, and cha cha, among others), but some round dance rhythms come from other dance traditions or are unique to round dancing.

Sign me up! When do classes start?

Please reach out to squaredancememphis@gmail.com or visit our events page to learn about upcoming classes.

Tips for new dancers

  • When the music starts head out onto the dance floor. Don’t be afraid to get up and dance!
  • Introduce yourself to the other dancers in your square. It’s nice to be nice.
  • Listen to the caller. It’s okay if you miss a call, but listen for the next call and try to catch up. Talking while dancing distracts both you and other dancers and it can cause the square to break down.
  • Always let the caller explain the call. It’s hard to hear the caller when other people are talking or noisy.
  • If you are having trouble with a call in a class or workshop, ask your caller or an experienced dancer to run through it between tips.
  • Be gentle with other dancers. Use a gentle handhold. Most experienced dances will touch, but not grasp, other dancers’ hand. Never push or drag a person into position. Some dancers don’t like twirling. Get to know the people in your square!
  • Keep your squares tight. Sometimes while dancing we can drift away from one another. It is easier to keep time with the music and easier to move into the next formation if we’re closer to one another.