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

Browse Items (499 total)

  • Collection: MWSD
Sound

Ends Turn In - Fenton "Jonesy" Jones

This is a rare live recording of Fenton “Jonesy” Jones from California. In the 1954 tape he says that he prefers to use his guitar for music rather than records even for some of the patter… View item
Sound

Your Home Town - Fenton "Jonesy" Jones

A rare live recording of Jonesy calling, this time a singing square. View item
Document

The Caller - Jonesy

A list of qualifications and items to consider for would-be square dance callers View item
Sound

Fenton "Jonesy" Jones - interview

This lengthy interview (nearly three hours) with Fenton Jones was conducted by Bob Dalsemer and Drew Tronvig in Los Angeles in 1985. Dalsemer recalls: "In November, 1985 I toured the West Coast… View item
Still Image

Frank Grundeen cartoons

Grundeen produced the cartoon that appeared on the back cover of Sets in Order for every issue.InAs I See It,Bob Osgood relates how that came about:"I had been noticing one of the class members in… View item
Sound

Frank Lane - 2 recordings

Two audio clips illustrating Frank Lane's style. The first is a hash call recorded live at Hoedown Hall, Mantua, NJ on May 16, 1960. In it, Lane introduces a new call, Wheel and Deal, written… View item
Sound

Patter Calling - Frank Lane

This is a short clip from a dance called in 1969 by Frank Lane at the Newton Pavillion in Newton, New Hampshire View item
Document

Clayton Eighters - guidelines

Toward the start of the square dance boom in the St. Louis area, there were three clubs that sponsored Lloyd Shaw's visit: The Lancers, Boots and Belles, and The Promenaders. However, at the same… View item
Document

George Greene - Lloyd Shaw letters

This is correspondence between St. Louis dance organizer George Greene and Lloyd Shaw, setting up a 1952 visit by Shaw to the area. Note that Shaw indicates (p. 3) that he will come for expenses and… View item
Sound

Gloria Rios Roth - patter

Gloria Rios Roth calling the patter half of a tip at a dance in New England in 1960. View item
Sound

Maria - Gloria Rios Roth

Gloria Rios Roth calling a singing call at a dance in New England in 1960. View item
Website

Musical and Mathematical Design of Square Dance Singing Calls

These videos record a lengthy and detailed talk by caller Guy Steele. He's not addressing a square dance audience, so it's an interesting presentation of technical aspects of how a singing… View item