The Complete Book of Square Dancing

by Betty Casey

Overview

“Square dancing is friendship set to music,” says author Betty Casey. Just take four couples, old or young, put ’em on a good floor, turn on the music, and you’re all set. Whether you’ve done it before or you’re just starting out, this book tells you everything you need to know—85 basic movements used all over the world, the spirited calls unique to square dancing, the costumes and equipment that are best, and music (from “Red River Valley” to “Mack the Knife”) that will set your feet in motion.

Down-to-earth details and anecdotes give a taste of the good times in store for you. Find out how native folk dances grew out of European quadrilles, jigs, and fandangos. Open this book and get ready to: “wipe off your tie, pull down your vest, and dance with the one you love best.”

This book includes: 50 basic movements, 35 advanced movements, variations, dances that are a part of the American heritage, Contra and Round Dances, polkas and reels, and calls, past and present.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781574411195
Publisher:	University of North Texas Press
Publication date:	06/01/2000
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	553,973
Product dimensions:	8.20(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

BETTY CASEY, formerly a ballroom dancing instructor, saw her first square dancing at the Cowboys' Christmas Ball in Anson, Texas. She got the bug while researching the dance so her Girl Scout troop could earn a folk dance badge.

Among the first women callers in Texas, she studied under Dr. Lloyd Pappy Shaw and Francisca Aquino and introduced square dancing to Marshall Flippo, America's foremost national caller. Hundreds of students of all ages attended her school in Abilene, Texas. She taught square dancing and studied foreign folk dancing in Asia, Europe, and Africa. She participated in folk dance cultural programs from Tangier to Hong Kong and from Manila to Munich for the U.S.O., Military Special Services, North Atlantic Girl Scout Council, Brussels World Fair, embassies and consulates, U. S. Information Services, television and movies.

Betty called for square dancing at the Brussels World's Fair and the 2nd Asian Games, and her dancers appeared on TV programs and in movies.

Table of Contents

	Introduction	xi
I.	Background of the Modern American Square Dance
	Today's Square Dances Are Different	3
II.	Modern Square Dancing...Step by Step
	85 Mainstream Movements with Calls	13
	Selected Square Dance Calls	88
	The Special Language of Square Dancing: A Selected Glossary	103
III.	Fifteen Oldies but Goodies with Calls
	Lest They Be Lost	109
IV.	Round Dancing and Contra Dancing
	The New Look of Round Dancing	124
	How to Read a Round Dance Cue Sheet	125
	Round Dance Terms: Selected Definitions	126
	Steps and Figures	128
	Round Dance Positions	131
	Round Dance Symbols and Abbreviations	135
	American Round Dance Rhythms	136
	Selected Round Dances, Mixers, and Icebreakers	141
	Yesterday's Contras for Today	155
	Selected Contras	156
V.	Calling, Teaching, Calls, Music, Equipment, Fees
	So You Want to Be a Caller	161
VI.	Let's Get Organized
	Clubs Classes, Costs, and Camaraderie	171
	Costumes, Courtesy, and Styling	173
	Demonstration and Exhibition Dancing	175
	Associations, Festivals, Conventions, Publications, Archives, and Foundation	177
VII.	Square Dancing for Youth and Children
	Tie in with Tomorrow	183
	Bibliography and Sources of Other Material	185
	Index	187