Welcome to Calico Squares – a square dancing club in Cleveland, Tennessee!
America’s folk dance represent the many cultures that came together in this great country. Square dance was influenced by and is similar to some European folk dances. Square Dance is the official folk dance of Tennessee. Often described as “Friendship set to Music”, Square Dancing is a respectable and relatively inexpensive source of recreation. (Alcohol is banned from Square Dance activities and smoking is done outside the building. Profanity is strictly prohibited.) Square-dancing is fun, friendly & colorful! Ladies wear either traditional knee-length skirts & flouncy crinolins or full prairie skirts- which have now been approved by the National Square Dance Association. (Some Gals prefer to wear jeans – however it’s more fun to twirl a skirt when you do spins) Gents typically wear jeans/Western slacks, long-sleeved shirts and a Square Dance tie to match their partner’s dress. Western bolos are also acceptable. Hats are not usually worn, because they tend to fall off. Comfortable shoes are a MUST as dancers are on their feet a lot. A good pair of insoles may help you feel lighter on your feet.
Square Dancing has 3 levels; Basic, Mainstream & Plus. There are 71 different moves at the Basic/Mainstream level. Plus level consists of 29 additional, more complicated movements. Some Basic calls for beginners to learn are: Dosado, See Saw, Allemande, Forward & Back, Swing Your Partner, Courtesy Turn, Promenade & Right-Left Grand. If you want to study/practice on your own at home, you will find animations of Square Dance moves at all levels at Video Square Dance Lessons Online.