Round Dance

 When I wrote about ballet, Lily commented on how she enjoys ballroom.  Oooo, me, too!

We've had several good ballroom teachers, and (before they had kids), my daughter, her husband and I took ballroom classes.

In the early 2000s, I had a teacher who had both Arthur Murry and Fred Astair training! When his usual assistant couldn't make it, he'd ask me to help demo, telling me, "I know you've had ballet - when I tell you to slide your foot straight back, I DON'T want a rondé!" 

Unfortunately - while we had great teachers and classes, there was just the occasional dance in town! The annual Mayor's Ball fundraiser was fun, with a different theme each year. 

With ballroom, women often pick up the steps and patterns more quickly - but the guys need to both learn the steps, and think ahead, to be able to 'lead' their partner! And without regular opportunities to dance, that's hard!

During those years, we even got to take a couple of classes from Lindy Hop legend, Frankie Manning, who was in his 90s!! 

With Princess at Midwinter

Then, one of my favorite ballroom partners invited me to take Round Dance lessons! That's ballroom which is 'Cued,' and pairs with Square Dance! 

The basic Round dances are 2 Step, Waltz and Cha Cha. Upper levels include Merenge, Rumba, Tango, etc. My friend Steve didn't want to square dance, so stopped after the lessons were over, (and didn't come to dances.)

I went on to learn Square Dance! Our local club holds dances monthly - and alternates between 2 Square Dance 'tips,' and two Round Dances! Those who just know Round or Square Dances don't get to dance as often! 

The beauty of Round Dance is, the 'cuer' choreographs the dances, and cues each movement! They use a range of music, adding new dances to old favorites. 

Fortunatly for me, our Square Dance caller Leonard was an excellent dancer, and had time to Round dance between calling tips. And our cuer's husband Bill would often partner with me on squares! 

In fact, Bill kept asking me to join a Square before I took the class! I kind of knew a few steps, but then got stuck! Bill called out, 'new dancer!' and Leonard stopped to 'workshop' that call!  I joined the next Square Dance class! 

It's a kind (and joyful) community, and single folks are welcome. Most dancers know both Square and Round dances, and make sure everyone has opportunities to dance!

Caller Leonard Snodgrass (1947-2024)

Callers and cuers offer classes in the fall, and experienced dancers help out. Each club hosts 'New Dancer' events, to integrate the learners. 

In Oregon, there's a big weekend dance, Midwinter, and callers, cuers and dancers come from all over.  New dancers are encouraged to attend, to get more floor time, and experience patterns from different callers. 

At Midwinter, there's a room dedicated to Round dancing, with workshops and dances, plus a Showcase of Rounds performance. 

My college roommate Charlotte Jeskey both calls and cues - she and Leonard both began calling in their late 20s. When I graduated from square dance classes in '09, there were several men's' singing call Quartets, but no women's groups - that was soon to change! 

Charlotte and Sandy already called and cued; our club cuer Jackie had been dancing for years. Charlotte invited me to join them, and Girls Night Out was birthed! 

Minor problem - I knew the steps - but was still learning how they fit together, and the sequences! Oy! I've been in choirs and sung in small groups since I was a teen - this was a whole new level! 

Charlotte • Nadya • Jackie • Sandy

We began practicing, and I called with the group for about a year.  Char even got me a purple mic cord!  This video is from a Christmas dance in 2010 - we had songs from different countries, and props for each tip! (Leis, green top hats for Christmas in Killarney,...)

We could call and cue the whole dance, or just do a couple of guest tips. It was fun - and a huge challenge for me! Over the years, the other gals have continued to do duets or trios, and a couple of different gals have been the fourth in the quartet.