Category: Blog
-
Apparently We’ll Dance Anywhere!
One of the greatest things about square dancing is that you can travel halfway around the world, walk into a dance hall where people speak a different language…and somehow “Square your sets!” still means the same thing! We’ve been incredibly blessed to travel around the world visiting square dance clubs and events, meeting wonderful people and… Read more
-
Well, Hello Dolly: When Square Dancing’s Magazine Went to Dolly Parton
There are a lot of famous people who have had a connection to square dancing. Country singers have recorded songs that callers have used. Actors have appeared at dances. Politicians have proclaimed it a wholesome American pastime. Even Elizabeth II, the late Queen of England partook of the dance floor herself in her younger years.… Read more
-
One Year of Being the Brushy Mountain Outlaws
One year ago today, Brushy Mountain Squares became official. Which is still a little hard to believe, considering the whole thing started with a text message and a joke. If you’ve read our origin story, you know how it happened. George Hawkins and Angie Wittwer were on their way home from square dance class one… Read more
-
So you think you want to Square Dance…
Excellent! I have several questions. First of all, how did this happen? Did somebody drag you to a dance? Did you see a flyer somewhere? Did a friend tell you it was fun? Did you watch a bunch of people spinning around a dance floor and think, “I could do that!”? You see the dancing… Read more
-
If They Can’t Hear You, They Can’t Dance
Every time the square dance community gathers to talk about the future of our activity, the conversation usually centers around the same ideas. We talk about recruiting younger dancers, improving our marketing, updating our image, simplifying lessons, or finding ways to make dances more exciting. Those are all good discussions, but I feel that we’re… Read more
-
Socks, Stars & Salutes
The past couple of weekends took Brushy Mountain Squares on a trip from the 50s and 60s, I mean the 1950s and 1960s, to 1776. Socks On Saturday night, we traveled to Young at Heart for their 50s & 60s Sock Hop Dance, featuring Chuck and Kristy Woods. The themed decorations, great music, and wonderful… Read more
-
Everything’s Bigger in Texas
Brushy Mountain Squares Celebrate the 75th Diamond Jubilee National Square Dance Convention Everything really is bigger in Texas – including the fun! With the theme “Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary,” the 75th Diamond Jubilee National Square Dance Convention in Waco, Texas, was a patriotic celebration of our nation’s history and the friendships that unite square dancers… Read more
-
Mike Sikorsky: Caller in the Sky
“Circle Left! An old cowboy went ridin’ out one dark and windy day.” For many dancers, those words immediately bring to mind Mike Sikorsky. Because even if every caller can sing this song. It definitely belonged to the one and only Mike Sikorsky (and the Ghost Rider Square Dance Band) This week there was a… Read more
-
Square Dance Clubs Are Getting in Their Own Way
Square dance clubs don’t usually set out to sabotage themselves – but many are quietly following patterns that shrink their communities year after year. It’s rarely one big mistake. It’s a collection of small habits that feel “safe,” “traditional,” or “just how we do things,” but together they slowly make clubs less welcoming, less visible,… Read more
-
Dancing in Disguise & Cruising in Style
Last night at Knoxville Squares, Ken Burke called a Masquerade Dance, and by all accounts it was a wonderful evening. Unfortunately, we’re not entirely sure who attended. Between the masks, costumes, and mysterious disguises, identifying dancers became nearly impossible. Rumor has it that longtime friends introduced themselves three times, and at least one dancer spent… Read more