Blog

November 2019

Welcome to all of you.

I would like to express my appreciation to Jean Wood our new BCSRDF President for her trips to many clubs through some of the federation regions in promoting the federation and festivals also debunking some of the rumors floating around.

I regret having to inform all of you, that at the end of April 2019, the Penticton Square Dance Club will be going dark. This will not have a major impact on the annual Peach Fest Dancing as the event is sponsored by the Penticton Peach Fest Square and Round Dance Committee.

There are plans for more round dance work shops as well as making Contra more available. Last year Round dance clubs put on additional round dance events to utilize the moves from the more advanced phases. The dancers that attended these workshops and dances  indicated they were very much in favour of the events.

Special dance events such as these also serve as fundraisers for the Association so that it can present valuable programs and projects to advance our great recreation.

There have been queries regarding what are the levels available in square dancing.                                            When the organization known as Callerlab standardized square dance programs worldwide (in English) in the early 1970’s, they named them according to increasing levels of complexity. They’re known as:

• Basic
• Mainstream
• Plus
• Advanced
• Challenge
In each of the Advanced and Challenge programs there are even more parts.

You’ll only sample some of the Plus calls but within the full program are 29 calls that include the following (not necessarily ones in the introduction):
• Teacup Chain
• Load the Boat
• Diamond Circulate
• Grand Swing Thru
• Spin Chain the Gears
As the first President of our B.C. Square & Round Dance Federation, the late Vic Harris, pointed out when the programs were introduced: it’s all about the amount of time you have to commit to learning and to dancing.

As many of us know from experience, our chosen activity “DANCING” offers many opportunities for social interaction, exercise, friendship, contributing to better health and mental fitness. We need to share the benefits with all our friends and acquaintances.

In closing, I repeat!                                                                                                                                                                      Word of mouth is one of the best ways to recruit new dancers however word of mouth used negatively can loose new dancers. Remember, We need them more than they need us.

Dancers and their clubs must and need to support each other otherwise we will create our own demise.

See you on the floor.

Bill Morey. President OSRDA