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

Browse Items (1926 total)

Document

"Folk Dances of the United States: Regional Types and Origins"

Scholarly presentation by noted dance researcher Elizabeth Burchenal and published in the Journal of the International Folk Music Council. Burchenal begins her talk thus: "The term "folk… View item
Sound

Allemande Hash - Carroll White

Another dance from "A Night at Sunny Hills," a series of records "for experienced square dancers," released in 1951. As the name suggests, the Allemande Hash contains variations on allemandes,… View item
Still Image

A Night at Sunny Hills

Album cover, inside text, and a related record label. This recording, from 1951, illustrates what was considered appropriate material for experienced square dancers at that time in southern… View item
Sound

Yucaipa Roll Away - Carroll White

The dance was created by Ed Gilmore, who ran a hardware store in Yucaipa, CA, when he started his calling career. The dance was published in 1950 in Square Dancing: The Newer and Advanced Dances, by… View item
Website

Neil Barden - Square and Contra Dance Figures and Definitions

(The link above will take you to the website of the Square Dance Foundation of New England, where you can download a copy of Barden's booklet.)Square & Contra Dance Figures & Definitions was… View item
Document

Push Your Pa and Shove Your Ma

PUSH YOUR PA AND SHOVE YOUR MA P.53From Wes McVicar’s 75 More Square DancesMusic: Doc Boyd's jigThird changeINTRODUCTIONThe first couple balance The first couple swing.FIGUREGo down the center split… View item
Document

Alex Boustead – biographical info

Alex Boustead was also one of the founding members of the Canadian Olde Tyme Square Dance Callers Association. He was introduced to squares in the winter of 1931-32, and in a short time he started… View item
Document

Lloyd Shaw - Caller of the Month

Article by Mildred Buhler with brief biography and accomplishments of Lloyd Shaw View item
Document

Ray Smith - Sally Goodin and a Do-Si-Do

Ray Smith was the "Caller of the Month" in Let's Dance magazine, published by the Folk Dance Federation of California, Northern Section. View item
Document

West Texans Do It Differently

In this 1949 article, caller Jimmy Clossin describes some of the distinguishing characteristics of west Texas square dance: "Many people think when Western Square Dancing is mentioned that we… View item
Still Image

Chuck Jones - Bugs Bunny square dance

This cartoon of Bugs Bunny all duded up and ready for a square dance, and the accompanying note, were made by Chuck Jones for Harriet Kline.Chuck Jones was an enthusiastic square dancer; see the… View item
Moving Image

Back to Donegal - Bob Dalsemer

Bob Dalsemer calls this singing square, with music provided by Notorious (Eden MacAdam Somer on fiddle, Larry Unger on guitar). Recorded January 18, 2013, at the Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend,… View item