Square Dance History Project
The rich story of North American square dance finally has a home in the digital age.

Browse Items (189 total)

  • Collection: Southern Appalachian
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Kathy Anderson - Patter Calling

Caller Kathy Anderson is well-known for her fast-moving squares, accompanied by equally lively patter calling. She talks about how she uses patter, what she chooses to include and what to leave out,… View item
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Kathy Anderson - four styles of squares

Caller Kathy Anderson gives an overview of the characteristics of four different regional styles of traditional square dances-- old-time Southern, New England, traditional Western, and singing… View item
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Kathy Anderson - Youth Square Dance Scene

Caller Kathy Anderson discusses the burst of enthusiasm among young people for simple square dances set to hot old-time tunes. Starting in Portland, Oregon, with the efforts of caller Bill Martin, the… View item
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Square Dancing Atop Lookout Mountain

Article by Karen terHorst describes dancing in New Salem, Georgia, an historically-isolated community above Chattanooga, TN. The article is based on her visit to the dance in the 1970s. The dance… View item
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Rural Square Dances in East Tennessee: A Personal Account of Visits to Four Communities

This article appeared (1981) in the scholarly journal published by Country Dance and Song Society. The author describes four East Tennessee square dance communities, including discussion of typical… View item
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Texas Star - Phil Jamison

Recorded May 5, 2012, at the evening dance at Dare To Be Square, Riner, Virginia. Phil Jamison, Asheville, NC, is the caller. Musicians are Chance McCoy -- fiddle; Bob Browder -- guitar;; Mac Traynham… View item
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Big Set 3 - Phil Jamison

Recorded May 5, 2012, at the evening dance at Dare To Be Square, Riner, Virginia. Phil Jamison, of Asheville, NC, is the caller for this first dance of the program. Musicians are Chance McCoy --… View item
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Bill Ohse - Dip and Dive

"Inside arch, outside under, dip and dive and go like thunder." Also includes Birdie in the Cage Recorded May 5, 2012, at the evening dance at Dare To Be Square, Riner, Virginia. Bill Ohse,… View item
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Bill Ohse - Grapevine Twist

"Take that lady by the wrist, around that couple with a grapevine twist... back to the center with a whoa haw gee."Break: Dive for the OysterA search for "Grapevine Twist" in this project's digital… View item
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Bill Ohse - Peek-A-Boo Over (walkthrough)

Recorded May 5, 2012, at the evening dance at Dare To Be Square, Riner, Virginia. Bill Ohse, traditional West Virginia square dance caller, is at the mic. Musicians are Chance McCoy -- fiddle; Bill… View item
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Bill Ohse - Take a Little Peek

Recorded May 5, 2012, at the evening dance at Dare To Be Square, Riner, Virginia. Bill Ohse, traditional West Virginia square dance caller, is at the mic. Musicians are Chance McCoy -- fiddle; Bob… View item
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Bill Ohse 6 - Six Go Forward and Six Go Back

"Six go forward, six go back, two ol' gents do a do-si-do,...Right hand high, left hand low, cross 'em on over, now here we go." West Virginia caller Bill Ohse, recorded at the… View item