What is Round Dancing?

The type of round dance we do is a choreographed social ballroom dance. As a social dance, it involves couples moving counter-clockwise in a circle around a hall, guided by a “cuer” who calls out the steps to pre-choreographed routines. 

• Music: Dances are set to music from various genres, including waltz, foxtrot, cha-cha, and swing.
• Choreographed ballroom: It is a choreographed ballroom dance where couples learn individual figures and follow a “cuer” who announces each step. 
• Social and non-competitive: It is a social, non-competitive activity that many find to be a less stressful introduction to couple dancing.
• Movement: Dancers progress in a large circle around the hall in a counter-clockwise direction to prevent collisions. 
• Complementary to square dancing: It is often integrated into square dancing programs as a complementary activity. 
• A video of a round dance: https://www.youtube.com/watchv=YfMIejfNlXc&list=RDYfMIejfNlXc&start_radio=1

What is Square Dancing?

Square dancing is a social dance where eight people form a square and follow a series of movements, or “calls,” as directed by a caller. It is a recreational activity that combines physical exercise with social interaction, set to a variety of music from country to rock and roll. Modern square dancing focuses on learning individual calls and reacting to the caller’s sequences, making each dance unique and engaging for beginners.  

Key aspects of square dancing

• Formation: Eight dancers form a square, with two people on each side. 
• The Caller: A caller directs the dancers by announcing a sequence of moves called “calls”. Dancers listen to the caller to know what to do next. 
• The Dance: Instead of learning a set routine, dancers learn individual calls (like “do-si-do” or “promenade”) and the caller strings them together in an unexpected order. This means no two dances are ever the same. 
• Music: Square dancing is performed to a wide range of music, not just traditional country music. Modern dancers use everything from classic rock to pop. 
• Clothing: The traditional formal attire is no longer required. Comfortable clothing and shoes are all that is needed. 
• Levels: There are different levels of square dancing, such as Mainstream, Plus, Advanced, and Challenge, which offer increasing levels of physical and mental complexity. 
• A video of a square dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rIK3fo41P4&t=20s