For many people, mere mention of the phrase “square dancing” conjures up painful memories of forced interactions in middle school gym classes. At an age when avoiding all contact with the opposite sex is of paramount concern, such interactions were met with understandable resistance. As adults, however, many people are erasing those memories and finding square dancing to be an entertaining and rewarding experience.
Square dancing has been our “official national folk dance” since President Reagan signed an act of Congress in 1982. The origins of the dance, however, are varied and complex. Certainly, the taproots go back to our English and French ancestors, but there are traces of Scottish, Scandinavian, Spanish, and other elements. When pioneers began to settle across American, they brought the dance with them. As the country became more urbanized in the early 20th century, however, square dancing saw a decline in popularity. One can credit Henry Ford with its revival. Ford believed square dancing could counteract what he considered to be the evils of jazz.
Modern square dancing is quite similar to that enjoyed by our ancestors. A square dance is typically a dance for four couples (eight dancers) arranged in a square, with one couple on each side facing the middle of the square. In most American forms of square dance, the dancers are prompted or cued through a sequence of steps by a caller to the beat (and, in some traditions, the phrasing) of music. The caller may be one of the dancers or musicians, but is more likely to be on stage, giving full attention to directing the dancers.
Fargo/Moorhead is home to four square dancers clubs that together make up the F/M Square Dancers Association. The three mainstream clubs are L & M Squares, Prairie Promenaders, and Saturday Fun Nite. The Circle 8 Plus uses more advanced calls. Jim Lizakowski has been a part of L & M Squares for over twelve years, first attending when his wife, Rita, suggested they go watch a friend dance. A former square dancer, Jim began taking lessons with Rita and the pair hasn’t stopped since. After two years of dancing, Jim became a caller. “I volunteered to call one night and people like what they heard,” he said. “I’ve been doing it ever since.”
According to Lizakowski, the club averages three to four squares a night, each square made up of four dancers. “We’ve had up to eight at times,” he said. Jim believes the aspect of square dancing that people like the best is the fellowship. “Square dancers are a very friendly group of people,” he said. “Wherever you go, you’re only a stranger until you walk into the hall.” Lizakowski believes it is the prospect of fun and exercise that gets people in the doors, but that’s not necessarily what keeps them. “A lot of people come to have fun and then get hooked by the people,” he said.
Dennis Papke was also asked to attend a session by his wife. What he saw interested him and he decided to take a lesson. He has been dancing with his wife ever since. “It is our scheduled date night,” he said. “We’ve made very good friends there.” Papke likes the community feel of the dances, in addition to the exercise factor. “Three hours of moving makes you feel like you’ve done something afterwards,” he said. Papke would love to see more people get involved. “It really is a great time.”
Whether or not people come for the fellowship, square dancing is an excellent source of exercise. It has been endorsed by the American Heart Association as the number one non-impact activity for a healthy heart. According to Lizakowski, on any given night the average square dancer dances what would be the equivalent of walking three to five miles. Jim doesn’t want that to scare away potential members who may be worried about their level of physical fitness. “We dance at a moderate pace,” he said, “with small steps. Anyone can do it.”
Lizakowski is well aware of the stereotypes that exist regarding square dancing, especially from those who harbor painful resentments from middle school gym class. “Don’t judge by the past,” he said. “Forget about grade school and give it another shot.” Modern square dancers also do not require what Jim terms “stereotypical clothing,” adding that they do request dancers dress in presentable clothes. “People here dress very casually and nice,” he said. “The biggest thing is to wear comfortable shoes.”
L & M Squares dances to all types of music, not just the fiddle music one might have heard in grade school. “We do country, rock, hip-hop, and gospel,” Lizakowski explained. “There is even a caller in town that raps.” There is no drinking or smoking in any of the halls, because as Jim explained, “square dancing makes you use your mind.” Square dancing is also a very family-friendly event. Children are more than welcome as long as they are old enough to understand and take instruction. “Kids bring energy to the group and learn very fast,” Lizakowski explained. The first square dancing lesson is always free. Lizakowski would like to invite everyone to “come out and at least take a look.”
L & M Squares dance year-round on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. in the Cashwise Community Room at 1401 33rd St. SW in Fargo. The Prairie Promenaders, Saturday Fun Nite, and Circle 8 Plus all dance from September to May at the following locations:
Saturday Fun Nite – 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. at St Anthony of Padua, Gathering Space, 710 10th St S (north door), Fargo, ND.
Circle Eight Plus – 1st, 3rd, and 5th Saturdays of the month from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. at the Glyndon Community Center, 212 Partridge Ave S, Glyndon, MN.
Prairie Promenaders – 1st and 3th Fridays of the month from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Madison School Community Room, 1040 N 29th Street, Fargo, ND.
More information about square dancing in the FM area can be found at www.fmsquaredancers.org.