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Square Dancing organizes the dancers into groups of eight who form a square of 4 couples at the start of the dance. Traditional Square Dancing featured named dances that were set patterns often known to all of the local dancers. In its modern form the square dance choreography uses a vocabulary of calls known to the dancers. The caller "calls" these moves to create an endless variety of figures to keep the dancers entertained. Some figures are old favourites and some are spontaneous new creations. The music for Square Dancing ranges across many genres requiring only that it can be played at about 128 beats per minute. Expect to hear classic sing-a-longs, ragtime, jazz, big band, rock 'n' roll, folk songs, music from musicals and movies, country and western, disco, Latin, and what ever else might please the dancers.

Round Dancing organizes the dancers in couples facing counterclockwise around a big circle. It is basically pre-choreographed and cued ballroom dancing. Many choreographers have written superb choreography for specific pieces of music. This choreography is graded according to the number and difficulty of the moves used. Dancers learn the individual moves in a rhythm and phase (difficulty level) and with just a bit of practice are able to learn any dance that uses the set of moves, or with more experience are able to dance straight from the cues. Rhythms include waltz, two-step, polka, foxtrot, jive, rumba, cha-cha, tango and others.

Contra Dancing usually organizes the dancers in facing lines. Dances are almost always walked through ahead of time. They typically consist of a 64-step figure that repeats, which helps less experienced participants smooth out their movements as the dance progresses. The music and choreography are more closely melded together than in Square Dancing, with clear emphasis on the 8-beat phrasing. Although modern music is sometimes used, many of the classic dances were choreographed for traditional jigs and reels.

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Dancing for Beginners

New dancers attend dances designed for beginners. The vocabulary is gradually explained and practiced in dances choreographed to use just the known moves. Within the first ten minutes you will be dancing! "Circle Left, Circle Right, Forward and Back, Dosado, Promenade." You can guess what the first three moves mean so you only need to learn how to Dosado and Promenade. Some groups accept new dancers at any time, but most clubs generally begin instruction in September, October, or sometimes January.

These clubs offered introductory Square Dancing in 2011-2012, and will likely do so again in the fall of 2012.

Special open houses for prospective new dancers are shown in red. Click on the club name for information about the club, and on the red link for open house information.

Cape Breton Region:
Town and Country Dancers, Christ Church Hall, Trinity Ave, Sydney, Wed. 8:00 p.m.

Central Region: (see also Metro Square & Round Dance Association)
Fun Squares, Dartmouth, St. Luke's Church, Sat. 8:00 p.m. Open house
Lake City Swingers, Dartmouth, N. Woodside Community Centre, Thr. 7:30 p.m. Open house
Stardusters, Dartmouth, S. Woodside Community Centre, Thr. 8:00 p.m. Open house
Timberlea Twirlers, Halifax, Lakeside Fire Hall, Mon. 8:00 p.m.

Fundy Region:
Cumberland Twirlers, Experimental Farm, Nappan, Tues. 8:00 p.m.
Strathmor Strutters, Bob's Hall, 12281 Lower Onslow, Thurs. 8:00 p.m.

Highland Region:
Highland Squares, NS Community College, 39 Acadia Ave, Stellarton, Thurs. 8:00 p.m.
Mapleleaf Whirlaways, St. James United Church Hall, Antigonish, Mon. 7:30 p.m.

South Shore Region:
LaHave River Ramblers, Wileville Fire Hall, Thurs 7:30 p.m.
Sunrise Squares, MARC Hall, Dayspring, Fri. 8:00 p.m. Open house

Valley Region:
Dice Hill Squares, Ardoise Community Hall, Thurs. 8:00 p.m. Open house
Four Season Squares, 77 White Cap Lane, Clementsport, Tues. 7:30 p.m.
Fundy Squares, Wilmot Community Centre, Wed. 7:00 p.m. Open house
West Kings Twirlers, Melvern Community Centre, Fri. 7:00 p.m.
Young Country Dancers, Aylesford

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Introductory Round Dancing is offered by these clubs:

Central Region:
Fun Time Rounds, Dartmouth, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Wed. 7:00 p.m.

Fundy Region:
NB-NS Border Rounders, Experimental Farm Pavilion, Nappan, Thurs. 8:30 p.m.

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This club offers introductory Contra Dancing:

Central Region:
Contra Time Dancers, Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 2096 Windsor Street (corner of Allan), Halifax, some Sat., 8:00 p.m. Fall dance schedule

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Common Questions

What do I wear?

The most important item of clothing is a pair of comfortable, soft-soled shoes with good support. For square and round dancing ladies are encouraged to wear a comfortable skirt to ensure freedom for moving. For many years the traditional attire has been a knee length full skirt over a crinoline with pettipants. Although ladies are sometimes initially reluctant to wear this attire, it is actually very appropriate for the activity and great fun to swish and twirl the skirts. Prairie skirts are also popular, however, and are accepted everywhere. Gentlemen usually wear a long-sleeved shirt with a western or string tie and long pants. The dress code is no longer as strict as it once was. Many events today are casual, accepting any clean and neat street-wear. All-in-all, there is little need for specialized dance clothing.

How much does it cost?

The average cost is about $5 per person per dance event. Sometimes that is collected as yearly club dues, in other cases the philosophy is "pay as you go". Club members also pay a small yearly membership fee in the National Square and Round Dance Society, which includes third party liability insurance coverage.

What is the time committment?

Clubs usually dance once a week from September to May with a break for the Christmas holidays. Several clubs in the Metro area offer beginner Square or Round Dancing, and those dances are also held weekly. A typical dance lasts two hours, and most are held in the evenings. The Metro Association sponsors a reduced schedule of dances during the summer; visitors are always welcome. Follow the links above to find more information about clubs in Metro and elsewhere in Nova Scotia. The local contact number for Metro is 902-435-4544.

Within a year of weekly dancing most dancers learn enough vocabulary to be able to dance at similar clubs across Canada and around the world. The same list of moves is used worldwide and called everywhere in English, allowing dancers to truly enter a world of fun and friendship.

How difficult is it to learn?

Learning how to square or round dance is something like learning how to play a sport. You need to learn "the moves" and you need to practice - that's what weekly beginner dances are all about. At those dances you will meet new friends who've already been where you're going, and are glad to help. You'll find that they're generally not naturally gifted dancers. They make mistakes like anyone else, and have learned that it's just part of the dance activity. Like them, you'll soon learn to laugh and enjoy the moments of comedy created by our human imperfections. You'll also experience the sense of accomplishment after realizing that "hey, I can DO this!"

Do I need a partner?

Two people form the basic unit of square, round, and contra dancing. The Halifax-based contra dance club welcomes singles as well as couples, and there are usually enough single dancers so that it's not hard to find a partner. Same-sex pairs are accepted without a second thought at contra dances.

Don't give up on square or round dancing if you lack a partner! Singles are welcome in a number of clubs, where they pair up with other single people or with a "free" spouse whose regular partner wants to sit out for awhile. Contact the club to find out about its singles policy.

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Treat your Group to a Square or Round Dance Party

Are you searching for a different way to get members of your church or service organization together for a fun evening? Would your Girl Guide group like to provide fathers and daughters an opportunity to do something together? Want something that'll give an extra sparkle to your upcoming wedding reception? Several callers and cuers are available to teach, call and cue for your special single-event dance. Schedules are busy so please plan ahead. You can start by looking for a leader near you.