A wet and cold Saturday evening played second fiddle to those gathered at the Cosmo Centre as the Saskatchewan Square and Round Dance Federation (SSDARF) held their 42nd Annual provincial dance.
Held for the first time since the COVID - 19 pandemic restrictions were lifted, the event saw close to 90 dancers from across the province and one dancer from Alberta took part in the three-day event.
The non-competitive event is held annually alternating between the southern and northern regions of the province.
Lane Wright is the co-president of the SSDARF Zone Five with his wife Valerie being the second co-president and they said despite the weather, the event was well attended.
“There are people from all parts of Saskatchewan and there is one lady from Calgary here as well,” Lane said.
Lane said the purpose of the weekend for the clubs from across the province is to get together. The Federation also holds their annual general meeting, along with an entire weekend of dancing and socializing with friends.
“We put it on just to bring people together and have a good time,” Lane said.
Both Dale And Valerie said despite the lower turnout at this year’s event it is nice to get out onto the dance floor once again and also meet with old and new friends.
As part of the Saturday night dance there was a banquet for all registered dancers
So What Is Square Dancing???
Square Dancing is a dance where there are four couples lined up in a square with one couple forming part of the square.
The dancers then perform a series of dances on the instructions of the caller. The instructions have some or all of the dancers perform pre-determined moves depending on what the caller calls.
Although the dance starts in a square, the calls have the dancers moving in intricate patterns of waves, columns and diamonds.
Square Dancing is a unique American folk dance that developed from dances that immigrants to the United States brought with them from England and France. The dances were ways for the earliest settlers to the United States to entertain themselves.
The dance is dynamic with new calls and patterns being developed keeping Square Dancing alive.
“It is why we get to be 80 or 90 years old. There is a fitness element. And it is fun. It doesn’t feel like fitness. If someone told me I had to walk to the store for five miles to get a loaf of bread and milk I would go without. If they told me I had to go for a dance I would go, ‘alright we are going to have some fun I will be there.’”
Square Dancing does not just have a low impact fitness element to it but additionally, it is proven to lower stress, help fight off memory loss, and has a major social element to it with fun rolled into it.
Asked how many years she has been dancing, Valerie replied 44 years, coyly making sure not to reveal her age.
“But I am only 44 and holding so I really don’t know how that is possible,” she said laughing.
The 44 years is key though as Square Dancing has played a major role in her and her husband Dale’s lives.
Both have been actively Square Dancing for 44 years and there is a major romantic element to it.
“We were dating and we decided we wanted something to do something other than go to the bar scene, so we looked this up and got involved in it and it has been fun ever since,” Dale said.
Asked if it was “sort of a romance story here?” Dale responded “well I guess” as both he and Valerie had a good laugh.
Many of the people who attended the weekend event are couples but people do not have to have a significant other to be part of Square Dancing and the culture surrounding it.
“Let me put it to you this way; we had date nights before we even knew date nights existed,” Valerie said.
Dale said that the event was also a positive one for the community on the economic front.
“Yeah we are bringing some money into Moose Jaw because we are holding this weekend and pretty much everybody is staying in a hotel, with the exception of the ones from Moose Jaw here so it all helps (out the local hotels).”
The Wrights encourage people to come out and see exactly what Square Dancing and Round Dancing is all about.
“Most clubs in the province dance once a week in their own areas and then there are special weekends like this one, as well as other workshop weekends that are held,” Valerie said.
At the present time, the Moose Jaw group is accepting beginners who might be interested to come out and take some lessons.
“We are hoping to start a class if not before Christmas then right after Christmas in January,” she said.
They can be reached through their contact information located on the Saskatchewan Square Dance and Round Dance Federation’s web page. For people in other communities the Saskatchewan Square Dance and Round Dance Federation’s web page has the appropriate contact information.
Although the Moose Jaw club does not formally teach it, it may be possible for them to teach the basics if there was enough interest. The always high-in-demand ability to learn to basic waltz for weddings is available at the Swift Current and Regina Round Dance groups.
Everyone, whatever age you may be, is welcome to come and give Square Dancing a try.
“We encourage those who are interested in trying it to come out and give it a try. And don’t wait until you are 65 to join us; 35 and 40 year olds come out and give it a try. If you don’t like it you don’t have to come back,” Valerie said.
For more information contact Lane or Valerie Wright at 306 691-0579.
