Dancers Square Off In Moose Jaw
Photos and Story By Robert Thomas
A wet and cold Saturday evening played second fiddle to those gathered at the Cosmo Centre on Saturday evening as the Saskatchewan Square and Round Dance Federation (SSDARF) held their 42nd Annual provincial dance.
Held for the first time since the COVID - 19 pandemic restrictions were lifter the event saw close to 90 dancers from across the province and one dancer from Alberta take part in the three day event.
The non-competitive event is held annually alternating between the southern and northern regions of the province.
Around In A Circle - Dancers hold hands and rotate together in a circle - MJ Independent photo
Intricate patterns are part of square dancing with instructions given out by the caller - MJ Independent photo
Lane Wright is the co-president of the the SSDARF Zone Five with his wife Valerie being the second co-president and they said despite the weather the event was well attended.
“There are people from all parts of Saskatchewan and there is one lady from Calgary here as well,” Lane said.
Lane said the purpose of the weekend for the clubs from across the province get together and Federation holds their annual general meeting as well as an entire weekend of dancing and socializing with friends.
“This is the first dance we have held since prior to COVID and we had 87 people register for this dance,” he said, adding “this is a little bit low because of COVID and we had between 120 and 130 people in prior years.”
The weather - Moose Jaw had in late October - may have had an effect on the number of dancers who made the trip, he said.
Swing your partner around - MJ Independent photo
The waltzing style of the round dance - MJ Independent photo
“We put it on just to bring people together and have a good time,” Lane said.
Both Dale And Valerie said despite the lower turnout at this year’s event it is nice to get out onto the dance floor once again and also meet with old and new friends.
As part of the Saturday night dance there was a banquet for all registered dancers
Form a line the caller calls to the dancers - MJ Independent photo
So What Is Square Dancing???
Square Dancing is a dance where there are four couples lined up in a square with one couple forming part of the square.
The dancers then perform a series of dances on the instructions of the caller. The instructions have some or all of the dancers perform pre-determined moves depending on what the caller calls.
Although the dance starts in a square the calls have the dancers moving in intricate patterns of waves, columns and diamonds.
Square Dancing is a unique American folk dance that developed from dances that immigrants to the United States brought with them from England and France. The dances were ways for the earliest settlers to the United States to entertain themselves.
The dance is dynamic with new calls and patterns being developed keeping Square Dancing alive.
A short video below shows one of the moves the dancers do at the instructions of the caller.
“It is why we get to be 80 or 90 years old. There is a fitness element. And it is fun. It doesn’t feel like fitness. If some told me I had to walk to the store for five miles to get a loaf of bread and milk I would go without. If they told me I had to go for a dance I would go alright we are going to have some fun I will be there.”
Square Dancing does not just have a low impact fitness element to it but additionally it is proven to lower stress, help fight off memory loss, has a major social element to it and the fun rolled into.
For more information on this click the link.
Dancers MJ Independent spoke to said it was great to get out and dance again and the feeling of happiness it brought them.
Go under the arches - MJ Independent photo
And Twirl - MJ Independent photo
Asked how many years she has been dancing Valerie replied 44 years coyly making sure not to reveal her age.
“But I am only 44 and holding so I really don’t know how that is possible,” she said laughing.
The 44 years is key though as Square Dancing has played a major role in her and her husband Dale’s lives.
Both have been actively Square Dancing for 44 years and there is a major romantic element to it.
“We were dating and we decided we wanted something to do other than go to the bar scene and so we looked this up and got involved in it and it has been fun ever since,” Dale said.
Asked if it was “sort of a romance story here?” Dale responded “well I guess” as both he and Valerie has a good laugh.
Many of the people who attended the weekend event are couples but people do not have to have a significant other to be part of Square Dancing and the culture surrounding it.
More Twirling during the Round Dance as the ladies long skirts spread out and fly adding to the artistic effect of the dance - MJ Independent photo
And it was all smiles during the Round Dance - MJ Independent photo
“Let me put it to you this way we had date nights before we even knew date nights existed,” Valerie said.
Dale said that the event was also a positive one for the community on the economic front.
“Yeah we are bringing some money into Moose Jaw because we are holding this weekend and pretty much everybody is staying in a hotel with the exception of the ones from Moose Jaw here so it all helps (out the local hotels).”
Side by side with your partner during the Round Dance - MJ Independent photo
Swing your partner round and round shows in the intricate patterns of a Square Dance - MJ Independent photo
The Wrights encourage people to come out and see exactly what Square Dancing and Round Dancing is all about.
“Most clubs in the province dance once a week in their own areas and then there are special weekends like this one as well as other workshop weekends that are held,” Valerie said.
At the present time the Moose Jaw group is accepting beginners who might be interested to come out and take some lessons.
“We are hoping to start a class if not before Christmas then right after Christmas in January,” she said.
They can be reached through their contact information located on the Saskatchewan Square Dance and Round Dance Federation’s webpage by clicking the link.
For people in other communities the Saskatchewan Square Dance and Round Dance Federation’s webpage has the appropriate contact information.
Although the Moose Jaw club does not formally teach it but the always high in demand ability to learn to basic waltz for weddings is available at the Swift Current and Regina Round Dance groups but Moose Jaw is able to teach the basics of waltz if there was enough interest.
Everyone of whatever age you may be is welcome to come and give Square Dancing a try.
“We encourage those who are interested in trying it to come out and give it a try. And don’t wait until you are 65 to join us, 35 and 40 year olds come out and give it a try. If you don’t like it you don’t have to come back,” Valerie said.
For more information contact Lane or Valerie Wright at 306 691-0579.
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