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
Moving Image

Bob Dalsemer - demonstration of smooth transitions

Bob Dalsemer demonstrates how New Creek dancers move smoothly from swinging the opposite to a partner swing, and then out to join in one big circle. Recorded at Dare To Be Square, Seattle, in 2009.… View item
Moving Image

Take a Little Peek - Bob Dalsemer

Swing your partner and she'll swing you. Step right back and watch her grin Step right up and swing her again Step right back and watch her smile Step right up and swing 'er a while! View from behind… View item
Sound

Bob Dalsemer - West Virginia dances

This is audio only; it's part of Bob Dalsemer's introduction to his workshop introducing different dance styles from West Virginia. Despite its small size, there are different square dance styles in… View item
Sound

Chase the Rabbit - Ed Gilmore

Ed Gilmore, caller. Gilmore was from California, but demonstrates here his familiarity with traditional Southern Appalachian style patter. View item
Moving Image

Elizabeth Burchenal footage 1 - Old Dan Tucker

Elizabeth Burchenal leading a group in Old Dan Tucker, a dance with with an extra gent in the center, a square dance related to the Ninepin. Recorded at Coney Island; see Tilyou's Steeplechase… View item
Moving Image

Elizabeth Burchenal 2 - big set in field

Brief shot of Elizabeth Burchenal herself at the start; shots of musicians (guitar, 2 banjos, fiddle) at 2:51 Figures include: Opposite turn by right hand; partner turn by left hand; swing… View item
Moving Image

Elizabeth Burchenal 4 - big set, rooftop

In this dance, the lead couple passes around their neighbors, and while behind them passes each other by the right hand, then returns to the center of the set, swings the opposite, and moves on to the… View item
Moving Image

Elizabeth Burchenal 5 - square dance

Several figures incorporated into four-couple square dance, with the men doing some fancy footwork. Starting at 2:16 and until the end, notice the musicians, two fiddlers and a banjo. The fiddlers… View item
Website

The Slave Roots of Square Dancing

This is an easily-read summary of a scholarly article by Phil Jamison on the African-American roots of southern Appalachian dance and, in particular, the pivotal role played by African-American… View item
Sound

Devils Dream (clip) - Ernest Legg & Kessinger Brothers

Ernest Legg (1904-1970) was from Charleston, WV (Kanawha County) Kessinger Brothers were fiddler Clark Kessinger (1896-1975) and his nephew, guitar player Luches Kessinger (1906-1944) "Devil’s… View item
Moving Image

A Better Missouri - square dance, 1937

This dance sequence is an excerpt from "A Better Missouri," a documentary film from 1937. The film was produced for the Work Projects Administration, and focuses on public works projects created by… View item
Website

Virginia square dance, 1925, silent movie

This silent movie footage, created by Fox News, shows dancers and fiddlers recorded in an outdoor setting in Quitman [sic], Virginia. We cannot identify this location since it does not show up on… View item