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

Browse Items (1938 total)

Sound

Dive for the Oyster (clip) - Chris Sanderson

Audio clip of Chris Sanderson calling with the Pocopson Valley Boys, popular caller and band from southeastern Pennsylvania. Opening figure: Bow to your partner, Bow to your corner, hands all… View item
Website

Primo Fiore

Primo Fiore was born in Brooklyn on September 6, 1930 but raised his family in Deer Park, New York, while working as a physical education instructor in West Islip. His gifted speaking voice, combined… View item
Moving Image

Nouvelle Anglaise, contredanse française

This dance is Nouvelle Anglaise, acontredanse française published in Repertoire de Bals, de la Cuisse, Paris, 1762. The music is Sur L'Air du Tambourin de Daquin.The 18th centurycotillonandcontredanse… View item
Sound

Chip Hendrickson - square dance caller's workshop

This is a recording of a workshop led by Chip Hendrickson at the 1988 Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend in Durham, NH. Chip illustrated different calling styles and the effect of different kinds of… View item
Document

Singing Squares - Chip Hendrickson's call book

This is a transcription by Walter Lenk of the singing squares in Connecticut caller Chip Hendrickson's call book, c. 1955, made available with the permission of the Hendrickson family. It contains… View item
Moving Image

Square Dance in Ava, Missouri

Edna Davis is caller. The dance is Two Little Hobos, a common southern Missouri figure. View item
Moving Image

Broom Dance - Ava, Missouri

In modern square dance programs, squares are often intermingled with round dances. Similarly, traditional dance programs often involve a variety of dances other than squares—waltz, polka, schottische,… View item
Moving Image

Two-Step at a Square Dance

In modern square dance programs, squares are often intermingled with round dances. Similarly, traditional dance programs often involve a variety of dances other than squares—waltz, polka,… View item
Moving Image

Cabool, Missouri - Square dance with Bob Holt

This is the last of 11 clips filmed at a 1997 dance in Cabool, Missouri, featuring fiddler Bob Holt, a National Heritage Fellowship recipient. Calling is done by dancers in the squares, different… View item
Moving Image

Bible Grove Square Dancers, Bethel, Missouri, 1989

Dancers from Bible Grove in Scotland County, MO at the Bethel Fiddle Convention, Bethel, MO. June 1989. Fiddling by Chirps Smith and Charlie Walden. Others in the band are Forrest Rose on bass, Dennis… View item
Website

Old-Time Dancing Traditions in Missouri

(excerpt from start of article) It is nearly impossible to discuss old time fiddling without referring to old time dancing at some point. In Missouri, the development, maintenance, and preservation… View item
Website

Calendar - Traditional and Old-Time Square Dances

This calendar is a subsection of a detailed and well-maintained website that lists dances around the country. View item