Actual Press Releases

Published Press Releases

Recent examples of square dancer news on a variety of topics from various publications. Excerpts appear below, please follow the link to the original article.

Fundraiser Square Dance: Published in:
Massapequan Observer
Massapequa, New York
January 8th, 2010

The fun starts with a chuck wagon dinner at 7:15 p.m. at Temple B’nai Torah, 2900 Jerusalem Ave., Wantagh, with hot vittles, on Jan. 23. Lee Kopman, the well-known professional square dance caller will be directing the square dancing fun. Country Line dances and partner dances will be taught by Lilith during the breaks. Dessert and coffee will be served at 11:30 p.m. The cost for all this fun is $31 non-temple members; $28 members.
Dust off those contra dancing shoes in N.H.: Published in:
The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts
January 7th, 2010

The last 22 years have been blessed with the Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend in Durham, N.H., an annual celebration of the New England traditions of contra and square dancing. These dance forms have been a part of life in the region for 200 years, and men like the late dance caller Ralph Page gave their time and energy to keep the traditions alive. The weekend of Jan. 15-17 is the 22nd Annual Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend, hosted in his honor. The celebration brings together top dance callers and musicians and offers visitors unique learning opportunities in dance. Cost is $80 for entire weekend for walk-ins, or $60 for pre-registration.
Square dance lessons debuted Monday at Odell Recreation Center: "We’re starting the year off trying to get some exercise," Kaufman said, stating hers and Godlin’s motivation, "in a fun way." Godlin and Kaufman took part in beginners square dance lessons, which debuted Monday at Odell Recreation Center.; Mason, who has arthritis, has become more limber through square dancing. And because it requires mostly an upper-body effort, square dancing is easy on leg joints. "You’re just walking," Mason said. "It’s very easy on the knees and hips."; R.J. Hogan is the caller for the lessons. The Gainesville resident has instructed square dance lessons in The Villages for 21 years. OB Squares members known as "angels" and "helping hands" are guiding newcomers through the lessons.
Don’t be square: Square dancing offers a variety of mental and physical benefits, according to local dancers, and two clubs offer the opportunity every week.; "First of all, it’s exercise. Second of all, it’s memory retention," Kathy Bosler, a member of Weiser’s Fiddle Footers square dancing club, said. "It’s also socialization. Square dancing isn’t a competitive sport. It’s a social sport."; The Fiddle Footers offers square dancing to experienced individuals from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesdays at Park Elementary School in Weiser and will start a new class for beginners next fall, Bosler said.; "Not only is it good physical and mental exercise, it’s fun," Lynne Krogh, who dances at Emmett’s Silverleaf Squares, said.
Resolve to square dance for fun and health: Published in:
Hot Springs Village Voice
Hot Springs, Arkansas
January 6th, 2010

Modern American Western Square Dancing is significantly different from barn dancing of yesteryear, with several levels of dancing proficiency. It is a great social mixer, using non-alcoholic stimulants of fun and fellowship. It’s a great way to meet people and a refreshing, healthful exercise without being taxing. Imagine the benefits of exercise while having fun.
Square dance group holding district dance: Portales’ square dancing group, the Portales Starlight Swingers, is hosting this quarter’s district dance. The dance includes square dancing groups from Clovis, Artesia, Hobbs, Roswell, Portales, Carlsbad and Ruidoso.; Karl Cox Jr. works as a caller for the Portales Starlight Swingers. He said district dances are meant for fun. "We get together to enjoy each others friendship," Cox said. "We’ve all known each other for along time. We laugh, we joke. We talk about fishing, going to the casino, our grandkids. We just visit."; Cox said he prefers calling to dancing. "Most callers don’t dance much ‘cause we’re calling all the time. We’re the sorriest of dancers," he said. His wife, Angela, said anyone is welcome at the group’s weekly dance. "We give lessons all the time. Anyone who walks in the door can do it. Anyone who wants to do it can," she said.
A hoe-down in the snow-down: Forget about singing in the rain. Try dancing in the snow. Grand Spinners Square Dance Club will take the party outdoors today during the group's first-ever Polar Bear Dance. Not only will members perform, but everyone and anyone is welcome to stop by and join the fun.; "It was just something really different, like those guys jumping in the water," seven-year member Chuck Roberts said. "We just wanted to do something different, just to get a little attention (like): 'Those crazy square dancers out there.'"; "We're just trying to grow the activity," president John West said. "It's an inexpensive activity to get involved in and you have a lot of fun."; Both West and Roberts are hopeful those who attend the dance will take Grand Spinners' classes and become members of the dance club. Grand Spinners, in existence for 25 years, offers weekly classes for $3 each at Forest Park Senior Center.; For those who think the dance sounds fun, but not keen on being outside for hours, don't worry. Chili, coffee and hot chocolate will be available inside the center.; And, if your New Year's resolution is to get active, square dancing could be the perfect addition to your fitness routine as it's great for the cardiovascular system.
Square dancing fun, healthy, social: "you don’t need to learn a whole lot of moves before you can start dancing," Luis Gruntmeir added. "You can teach them eight calls and keep them busy for an hour."; Saturday’s Open House means to do exactly that while recruiting new square dancers for their spring lesson series. The free event begins at 8 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, and while participants can simply watch, the Gruntmeirs want everyone to feel comfortable enough to join in before the night is over.; "People can come who’ve only heard of ‘Swing your partner’ and ‘do-si-do,’ but we will have them up and dancing," Renee Gruntmeir said. "They can come and just watch square dancing, or what we really want them to do is to get up and try it before they commit to lessons, and just see what square dancing is all about."
Square dancing lessons begin Jan. 8: Hermann Sons Square Dance Club will be hosting an open house for anyone interested in learning the art, technique and history of square dancing. Lessons will be from 7:30-8:45 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Hermann Sons Hall, 525 South St. Mary's St. (between Durango Boulevard and East Nueva Street).; Dancers will be introduced to some of the basics calls of square dancing, including "do si do," "allemande left," "swing your partner" and "promenade." Once the classes are underway, there will be an opportunity to learn some line and western dancing between tips.; The first meeting will be an open house, where dancers can come enjoy food and meet members. The club will show you what square dancing is all about, involve you in the dancing, and probably exhibit some of the higher-level moves that you will learn before the lessons are over.; The caller at Hermann Sons is Bill Wright, who assemble unique choreographies and communicate them with a strong voice. Wright is known for teaching efficiently, and with encouragement.
New Year's Needham event schedule: The New Year’s Needham celebration on Dec. 31 includes live music from jazz, classical and folk to vocal groups and rock bands.; Dance, storytelling and theater will be performed in locations central to town center. Children’s puppet shows, movies and creative arts will be offered at the library and Creative Movement and Arts Center beginning earlier in the day. On New Year’s Day, a 5K run will take place. A $5 button gets you into any and all events. They are on sale now.; 4 p.m.: Great Plain Squares for all ages (4-5:30 p.m.) (Ages 8+). Here’s your chance to try out square dancing — no experience needed. Great exercise for mind and body. First Parish in Needham, Unitarian Universalist.
Square dance group benefits pantry: The Chase County Stompers of Imperial brought donations for the food pantry instead of the traditional gift exchange at their Christmas Dance.; The club meets once a month at the fairgrounds for an evening of square dancing and round dancing.; Square dancing is gaining popularity in some parts of the country because the activity conditions the body, keeps the mind alert and offers interaction with others. There are clubs all over the world with the common ‘language’ of square dance calls. Learn in Imperial, and be able to dance in San Francisco, New York, Tokyo or Sydney.; Lessons are necessary to learn the basic calls so that a person may join a club and participate on various levels.; The Chase County Stompers are planning lessons in the near future. For information about the club or lessons, contact John or Joan Osler, presidents.; The group’s next dance is Jan. 9, 2010.

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