IOCA Barn Dance 1942

Events sponsored by the IOCA, the Intercollegiate Outing Club Association, provided the introduction to square dancing for many young dancers. Students from colleges and universities in the Northeast would go off on trips-- backpacking, rock climbing, hiking-- and evening activities were often built around square dances. The repertoire in this booklet focuses on "Eastern" squares, mostly singing squares. (Directions are also provided for one contra dance, the IOCA Reel by Al Smith.)

The editors write, "Square dancing is a pastime traditional to IOCA. However, only a few clubs are fortunate enough to have a professional caller nearby. Most of us must learn to call our own dances. For this reason the IOCA BARN DANCE, containing twenty-two of the simpler calls came into being. Most of these are singing calls, easy for both caller and dancers to remember, and equally good even when no instrumental accompaniment is available."

(from the table of contents)
DANCES (Arranged with the simplest first)
FIRST TWO LADIES CROSS OVER (Life On The Ocean Wave)
DIVE FOR THE OYSTER (any tune)
POP GOES THE WEASEL
MARCHING THROUGH GEORGIA
OH SUSANNA
TURKEY IN THE STRAW
NELLIE GRAY (I & II)
THE GIRL I LEFT BEHIND ME
JITTERBUG (Captain Jinks)
POLLY WOLLY DOODLE
DOODAH, DOODAH-DAY (Camptown Races)
SPANISH CAVALIERO
PADDY DEAR (Wearing of the Green)
CASEY JONES
HINKEY DINKEY PARLEE VOO
BUFFALO GALS
LITTLE BROWN JUG
IRISH WASHERWOMAN
SOLOMON LEVI
RINGO (any tune) - wear 'em out!
WALTZ PROMENADE - cool 'em off!