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Welcome to the San Diego Callers Association website!
Square dancing keeps the mind sharp, the body exercised, and even offers health benefits such as the reduction of stress and an enhanced immune system.
The American Heart Association lists square dancing as a "moderate activity" in General Physical Activities Defined by Level of Intensity. Energetic square dancing is shown as a "vigorous activity".
In elementary schools, square dancing is a fun and memorable way to experience American history. In college, it has been used to study mathematic concepts in an engaging manner. The final exam for this college class is conducted by a guest caller of national prominence. There is also an active and popular student club at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
No special skill or previous experience is necessary to become a square dancer. Enthusiasts can dance around the world since the various calls have been standardized by Callerlab, the International Association of Square Dance Callers. Dancers are able to join in with nearby clubs, attend regional festivals, and participate in national square dance conventions.
Square dancing is recognized as California's State Folk Dance.
If you're considering or planning a square dance party for an interested group or organization, check out the information on the Square Dance Party page. No prior experience or skill is necessary, just the desire to move with the music! If you can move, turn, and shake hands you can square dance.
For companies, square dancing is great as a team-building exercise because it's a cooperative -- not competitive -- activity. It enhances people skills, which improves the overall work environment. It's an ideal break during an intensive brainstorming retreat.
Most clubs offer one to three "give it a try" square dances every year. The cost of admission on your first night is generally free (call ahead to be certain). Dress for comfort, wear walking shoes or sneakers, and plan to have fun moving with the music! A fun and friendly experience is waiting for you at a nearby square dance club.
| Open Dates, 2010 | Day | Location | Contact | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 8, 15, 22 | Friday | Chula Vista | Richard & Judy (619) 426-9407 | Calico Twirlers |
| Jan 10, 17, 24 | Sunday | Balboa Park | Flyer | Ruffles 'n Beaus |
| Jan 15, 22, 29 | Friday | Lakeside | Niki (619) 448-8088 | Alpine Squares |
There are a number of organized clubs throughout San Diego County offering square dancing at standardized levels of Mainstream, Plus, Advanced, and Challenge. Most clubs have their own detailed web sites that are easily found on the square dance association web sites.
Plan ahead using the list of January special dances featuring a variety of callers:
Ray Holmes, Rod Shuping, Andy Allemao, Jerry Jestin, Darren Gallina, John Marus, Cliff Simpson, Buddy Weaver, Jim Randall,
Dick Neumann, Steve Moore, Mike Kellogg, Ken Bower, Barry Clasper, Phil Farmer, David Mee, Tony Oxendine,
and TBA. Compiled by Dick Neumann.
December's list of special dances is still available on the calendar page.
BASIC fun-level square dances, designed for new dancers who already know the basics or dancers no longer dancing at the Plus level, are sponsored monthly by the San Diego Callers Association. They are held on the 4th Saturday night of every month at the Grossmont Work Training Center. Dance time is 7:00-9:30 PM. Please check the calendar for possible blackout dates.
Association members support the community at a variety of dances benefitting organizations such as Father Joe's Villages, Rady Children's Hospital, Toys For Tots, and the Susan G. Komen Walk For The Cure. Upcoming events are shown on the Calendar.
Square dancers in all three associations (Back Country, Palomar, and San Diego Square Dance Associations) also support the San Diego Blood Bank.
Meetings are held on the third Saturday of each month at the Grossmont Work Training Center, 230 Jamacha Road in El Cajon; meeting time is 8:00 AM. Educational presentations are made following every meeting.
The annual Caller's Social, attracting callers throughout Southern California and beyond, is held in August.
Presentations and workshops by Callerlab accredited Caller-Coaches appear on the calendar when scheduled.
The San Diego Callers Association is an affiliate member of the Square Dance Association of San Diego and CALLERLAB, the International Association of Square Dance Callers.
Membership is open to experienced and novice callers alike, throughout southern California.
Modern Western Square Dancing has it's roots in early American country dancing. These early dances are well-known for the Virginia Reel, Birdie In The Cage, and the "visiting couples" concept.
The Virginia Reel -- a style known as contra dance -- is composed of two lines of facing dancers moving with the music. Instruction is quick and easy, allowing for a quick walk-through before each dance begins.
Within San Diego County, there are two clubs concentrating on traditional dancing: the Reels and Squares contra dance club (contact Ron Nelson for additional information) and the Heritage Dancers exhibition group.
Interested in performing traditional square dances? The Heritage Dancers invite those who are dancing at the Mainstream level or higher to consider the open casting call on Sunday, January 10th, 1:00 PM at the War Memorial Building in Balboa Park. Additional information is available from Jim & Pam Kidwell.
Additional details about the origin of square dancing are on the history page.
If you can dance in a square, you should be able to dance in a circle, right? Round Dancing, which is very much like ballroom dancing, has been closely associated with square dancing since it began.
It is not necessary to be a square dancer to round dance and you don't have to have any previous ballroom dancing experience to become a round dancer. If you can do the Surfer's Two Step (left, then right, then left, then right, keep going), you can become a round dancer!
Most clubs feature rounds between tips at their square dances. There are also some groups that round dance exclusively. More information is available from the San Diego Round Dance Instructors and from the clubs themselves.
Disclaimer: Links to other websites are informational and do not necessarily constitute an endorsement by the San Diego Callers Association or any of it's members.