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
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Winfield P. Niblo

Photographs of Winfield P. Niblo, widely credited with bringing American square dance to Japan after World War II. In one photo he can be seen calling with cupped hands; there simply was no PA system… View item
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Square dance demonstration - Calgary Olympics, 1988

Hundreds of modern western square dancers perform as part of the opening ceremony for the 1988 Olympics, held in Calgary, Alberta. The dance features the "Kaleidoscope Square" created by Gloria Rios… View item
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Joe Casey - hash

Joe Casey died June 22, 2012. He was a square dance caller for 62 years, starting as a traditional dancer and then moving into modern square dance. He was a caller for six clubs and a guest caller… View item
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Square Dancing with Joe Lewis - Australia, 1952

A unique heritage clip of the Australian visit of American 'Hall of Fame' Square Dance Caller, Joe Lewis, on arrival at Essendon airport, Melbourne, in 1952, with commentary by Australian square dance… View item
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Australia Square Dance Boom, 1952 - Jim Vickers-Willis

Drawing on audio clips, still photographs, newspaper clippings, and other illustrates, this short piece describes the enormous interest in square dancing in Australia in the 1950s. The primary focus… View item
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Square Dance Revival - Australia, 1980

Television documentary that looks at square dancing in Australia. Mention is made of the boom years of the early 1950s an the start of square dancing there, but this focuses on a revival around 1980.… View item
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Les Gotcher - photo

Gotcher was a recipient of the Milestone award from CALLERLAB, with this biographical information. View item
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Dick Leger - Marianne

The Square with the Bongo Beat, Dick Leger's dance, "Marianne," was a 1957 hit. Here are additional links to the recording itself and to a video of the dance called by Tony Parkes. View item
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Arnie Kronenberger - record album

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Document

Santa Monica Diamond Jubilee - 1950

At the time, it was the world's largest square dance event. Santa Monica, California, was celebrating its diamond jubilee, so it planned to celebrate in square dance style. Lloyd Shaw was invited to… View item
Website

Lighted Lantern Folk Dance Camp

The Lighted Lantern was also known as the Rocky Mountain Square Dance Camp. It was operated by Paul and Pauline Kermiet from 1948to 1967. This website pays homage to the camp and includes a roster of… View item
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Square Dance and Folk Dance (Japan)

Cover and first page of book that Winfield Niblo helped get published in Japan. Niblo played a key role in bringing American square dance to Japan in the time immediately after World War II. ---Edited… View item