MR Square Dance Classes start up again in September - along with first dance, Sept. 21

Nifty old-fashioned square dancing themed scarf.

A new season of square dance classes - or actually, progressive dances, at which new steps and skills will be introduced - will begin in late September.

After attending the Pennsylvania State Square Dance Convention, several students have asked for dances featuring Plus calls, but called at a very fast, challenging pace.  They are eager to
"up" their skills.  This class will also feature DBD-type calls.  It ought to be a lot of fun, and a great workout for mind and body.  Dan Koft, a great favorite,  will be our caller and instructor. His wife, Kathy, is the club round-dance cuer.

The first MR square dance of the new season will be on Saturday, September 21.  Pre-rounds at 7:30, squares at 8pm at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 1620 Prospect Ave, Ewing, NJ.  Our parties feature a 2x2 format, with alternating Mainstream and Plus tips, unless all dancers present are Plus level, in which case the caller, at his discretion, may decide to call all Plus tips.

We're ba-a-a-a-ck!

We have returned from the Pennsylvania Square Dance Convention, which was held in Camp Hill, PA, just outside of Harrisburg, which, I discovered to my delight, has an excellent used book store.

MR Squares had 12 members present at the convention, a very impressive number.  Everyone reported having a great time, and coming away inspired to improve their square dance ability even further.

Our president and founder, Rich Delgado, called at the event.  He led sessions in Mainstream, Plus DBD, and Advanced.

PA convention coming up

At least a dozen MR Square Dance Club members are going to be attending the Pennsylvania Square Dance Convention in Camp Hill, PA (near Harrisburg) on August 8th through 11th.

This year there will be a mix of national and local callers, a change from years past in which local callers were in charge.  Evidently, there was some controversy generated, but I think it settled down and the program looks terrific.  Our president, Rich Delgado, will be calling several programs, including Mainstream, Plus DBD, and Advanced 2 - a treat for all of us.

Our twelve members span the age gamut from 10 or 11 on up to sixty-ish, with the intervening decades well-represented.

MR Square Dance Club is very happy and proud to have quite a few younger dancers and teens participating regularly and enthusiastically.

We hope to have some photos to post on our return!

In the meantime, here is a fun vintage postcard of some real barn dancing, featuring barn animals!

MR Square Dance Club

MR (for Mercer Region) Square Dance Club was founded nearly four years ago by Richard R. Delgado, a long-time square dance enthusiast, to serve the Mercer and central New Jersey Region.

The Club offers instruction in square dancing for the mainstream and plus programs in weekly "Progressive Dances" on Wednesday evenings beginning in the Fall.  A progressive dance is a fun evening of square dancing, during which new calls (steps) are introduced.  There are refreshments and a party atmosphere, making it an enjoyable way to enter the world of square dancing.

Instruction in square dancing for beginners will begin some time in October, 2013.   News about the Open House and beginning of the progressive dance season will be posted soon.  If you are interested in square dancing, this is a great opportunity to get started!

MR Square Dance Club also offers Saturday night square dances starting in September and running into June.  The first Saturday night dance this fall will be on Saturday, September 21.  The dances start at 7:30pm with pre-rounds, and the square dancing begins at 8pm and continues until 10:30pm.  It is a 2x2 format, which means that there are two square dances, then two round dances.  We alternate Mainstream and Plus tips, unless all dancers present dance the same programs. 

The Club caller and instructor is Dan Koft, well-known in the square dance world for his easy, encouraging manner, sense of humor, and teaching ability.  Kathy Koft, his wife, is the club cuer for round dancing.  She is a terrific cuer and also teaches round dancing for the club.  A simple way to explain round dancing for those not familiar with it is to liken it to ballroom dancing where the steps are announced and all the couples dance in unison in a circle around the floor.

MR Square Dance Club is a friendly, welcoming club, which has members from 10 years old on up. Our members include families, singles, and couples - you don't have to have a partner to come to MR Square Dance Club's events.

We look forward to meeting you!