How Squares Evolved – Tony Parkes
Dance caller and historian Tony Parkes leads a workshop on how square dancing changed from traditional forms to modern squares as found in MWSD clubs. He starts by looking at "swoopies," circular figures derived from southern mountain dances; these figures were a favorite of Lloyd Shaw, who played a key role in this transition. Over the next decade, square dance choreography moved toward dancer interactions in a grid. Among the dances illustrated:
• western doceydo (an example of "swoopies"
• Arkansas Traveler
• Dip and Dive
• Divide the Ring
• Cross Trail
• Ends Turn In
• "Allemande left in the Alamo Style"
• Chicken Plucker
The video has been edited to include most of Tony's comments along with some examples of the dances called in this session. Recorded at the Star Hampshire Dance Weekend, September 2019.
Subjects: Transitional/Western 1940s, Transitional/Western 1950s
Tags: Alamo style, Arkansas Traveler, Chicken Plucker, Cross Trail, Dip and Dive, Divide the Ring, Ends Turn In, history, Lloyd Shaw, swoopies, Tony Parkes
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• western doceydo (an example of "swoopies"
• Arkansas Traveler
• Dip and Dive
• Divide the Ring
• Cross Trail
• Ends Turn In
• "Allemande left in the Alamo Style"
• Chicken Plucker
The video has been edited to include most of Tony's comments along with some examples of the dances called in this session. Recorded at the Star Hampshire Dance Weekend, September 2019.