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

Browse Items (1925 total)

Document

Texas Square Dance - Family Tree

The author attempts to trace the various antecedents leading up to Texas square dancing in the 1940s. After the obligatory look at British sources, he notes: "The recent history of the square… View item
Document

Square Dance Contests - Texas debate, 1948

In the 1920s and 1930s, continuing a little into the 1940s, Texas had numerous square dance competitions. These two essays from Foot 'n' Fiddle magazine debate the merits of such events.In the first… View item
Sound

Ed Gilmore - live recording - 1958

This live recording of three dances called by Ed Gilmore comes from Don Ward's Podbean site.After a musical introduction, the recording starts with Ward's comments and then moves to the dances: 3:15… View item
Document

Social Symbolism in a Rural Square Dance Event

This scholarly article looks in depth at a Grange dance in a small town in western Pennsylvania. Written from a sociological/folklorist perspective, the authors describe the community in which the… View item
Moving Image

Danse québécoise - Quadrille en 5 parties

This is an edited version of a dance created by choreographer Yvan Gagné, from Quebec City. You can see the original video, complete with his teaching the figures, at this site. In somewhat the same… View item
Moving Image

Lancers

Footage from a 2015 historical ball sponsored by the Golden Forest dance group in Russia. This version has some interesting variations, including the "chassez by your partner" in the fourth figure… View item
Moving Image

Independence Lancers

The Lancers is a five-part Quadrille that made its way from 19th century ballrooms to 1985 in southwestern Pennsylvania at the Independence Grange Hall, Independence Township, Washington County,… View item
Moving Image

Duck and Dive - Bill McAdoo

A section of square dance caller Bill McAdoo calling Duck and Dive on May 11, 1985 at the Independence Grange Hall, Independence Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania. Similar examples may be… View item
Moving Image

Eriskay Quadrilles - Scottish square

Performed to Allan MacDonald on the pipes. Ceolas Summer School, Eriskay Ceilidh, Scotland. Notice the aerial figure created by the two side couples at 5:45! View item
Moving Image

Fiddlers' Festival dance - Cape Breton

We're not sure where this event took place. The musicians here are Brian MacDonald and Hilda Chiasson.This is one of a large collection of videos posted on Facebook by the Cape Breton Music Media… View item
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Mabou Dancers

The Mabou Dancers are a performance group that shows the 3rd figure of the Mabou set. Here they are performing in the Mabou Community Hall. View item
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Inverness Set - 2nd and 3rd figures

Great example of square dancing at a house party, an authentic setting. It's common for squares to be done at house parties. Lots of well-known locals in the video. The musicians are Howie… View item