DO YOU NEED MORE EXERCISE? TRY SQUARE DANCING!!
First off, square dancing is probably NOT what you think it is. It's usually presented in movies, schools, etc., as a fairly "simple" activity (you know — do-si-do, promenade, swing your partner, etc.). Nothing could be farther from the truth. Square dancing IS a lot of fun. Once you start, you'll probably find that you're hooked.
You do not need to have rhythm or even be a great dancer! Square dancing is based upon “walking in defined directions for defined distances” and is easy to learn. Research has shown that while dancing in a square, a dancer can actually walk or dance roughly 5 miles during an evening.
A typical dance evening consists of several dance "tips," lasting about 10 minutes each, with breaks in between. At the beginning of a tip, the dancers line up to form "squares." A square has four couples, with one couple making each side of the square. There may be many squares on the floor, but each is separate. That is, each square of four couples works together as a team, independently of the others.
A "caller" stands at one end of the hall and begins giving a sequence of instructions for the dancers to follow. Each of these instructions, or "calls," requires that some or all of the dancers in the square perform pre-determined maneuvers during the tip.
The calls (instructions) that the caller gives are set to music, so the dancers' movements flow to the music. That's part of the fun of dancing. Since square dancing uses many different types of music – bluegrass, ballads, country & western, rock’n’roll, jazz, sing-a-longs, and even gospel, so there’s something for everyone.
While square dancing, you must concentrate on the calls and maneuvers, so you don’t have time to think about your work, or your kids, or other stressors in your life. One might be led to believe that square dancing is a great stress-reliever! And they would be correct!! Who has time to be stressed when they are laughing, and enjoying the fellowship of others in their square?
So, square dancing is fun, good exercise, and relieves stress. However, it also is mentally stimulating, as square dancing not only exercises the body, but the mind. Another reason for square dancing is the people you'll meet and the friends you'll make. It's a wonderful opportunity to form friendships that may last a lifetime. And that may be the best reason of all.
To learn the "calls" required for the normal level of square dancing, you will need to attend a weekly class for 6 – 9 months. That may sound like a long time, but it's fun right from the start, and you'll find yourself looking forward to the next class. Classes are now being offered by Kennesaw Square Dealers, a local square dance club which meets at the Ben Robertson Center in Kennesaw. Our first lesson starts on Thursday, September 4th, from 7:30 – 9:30. Singles and couples are welcome. Visit our Facebook page for more information. Basic square dance lessons are FREE! Registration is located on this website.
Happy 4th of July Week, Square Dealers!
Wow, I cannot believe that June is almost gone and July is upon us! That said, we have an opportunity to begin recruiting for new members on Thursday evening at the City of Kennesaw's Salute to America event from 6:00 til 9:30, when fireworks begin. We would like to start handing out KSD flyers and fans as people begin arriving, which means KSD members need to be there by 5:00 or so. An area will be staked off in front of the train depot with red table cloths and our KSD signs. Don't forget to bring your favorite lawn chair, cold beverages, and snacks to eat or share! We hope that many of you will come out to support and participate in our club's recruiting efforts, and enjoy the fellowship, program and fireworks that our city does for us. We have heard that the bands will be showcasing the music of the BEE GEES! Hopefully that will entice many future square dancers to be in the audience!!
What can we do to pick up our visitations?
Just as we do, other area clubs depend on visitors to fill their halls and coffers. Several clubs are still within easy driving distance, and others require a little planning and effort to get there. When we have a couple of squares visit another club, the dance is a lot more fun for everyone. Also, it lets the club we are visiting know we care about our passion (square dancing) and want to continue the fellowship and exercise that we get while dancing with other dancers and callers.
There has been some interest expressed in going back to a scheduled visitation, so KSD members can dance with more clubs in our area. Friday, July 4th, would be a great time to visit the Rebel Reelers in Newnan. This club normally dances the same night that we do, so this is a great opportunity to visit them. Can we get a couple of squares willing to make that trip? Maybe we can even carpool so more would be willing to travel. What more could you ask for on a Friday night – eating ice cream and dancing to Bob Sloman and cuer, Carlene Bohannon!!
A big Yellow Rock and thank you 
to everyone who visited Cherokee Squares, Dudes 'n Darlings and Danc'ing Singles over the weekend. If you have suggestions on how we can pick up our visitations, please let your officers know.
We are still looking for a few members to step up and coordinate or co-chair with your officers, a few committees and events:
- Pigs and Peaches
- Decorations for Dances and Events
- Big Shanty Festival
- Kitchen Coordinator for Thursday night lessons.
Please let one of us know how you would like to support KSD!
And, remember, that the most important recruiting activity is how YOU find potential students and bring them to class! It all starts in September, so share our FB Fan Page far and wide! www.facebook.com/KSDClub.
UPCOMING EVENTS (8:00-10:00 unless noted):
July 3 — Recruiting event at City of Kennesaw's Salute to America! More info coming soon!
July 4 — Visitation at Rebel Reelers, Ice Cream Social with Bob Sloman. 8:00-10:00, Coweta County Recreation and Parks Dept., 39 Hospital Road, Newnan.
July 5 — Visitation at Wheel Arounds Celebrate Our Heritage Dance, Mountain View Community Center
July 11 — Visitation at Cherokee Squares Ho-Made Ice Cream Dance, Woodstock Jaycees Bldg.
July 11 — Alternative visitation to Dudes 'n Darlins Regular Dance Mountain View Community Center
July 12 — Visitation at Dancing Singles Luau Dance, St. Jude Episcopal Church – Casual Attire permitted
July 18 — Chris Burchfield visits KSD again and joins Ray and Anne for our Luau Dance
July 19 — Join the Silver Stars at the North Georgia Mountain Fair Square Dance Pavilion in Hiawassee (10 am to 4 pm)
July 25 — Visitation Cherokee Squares Favorite Team Dance, Woodstock Jaycees Bldg.
July 26 — Visitation to Dudes 'n Darlins Farewell Dance (they are disbanding and will not be dancing anymore), Mountain View Community Center
Aug 1 — KSD's Pie and Ice Cream Dance. Bring your favorites!
Aug 2 — Visitation Lads 'n Lassies Elvis' Blue Hawaii Luau, St Joseph's Episcopal Church, McDonough
Aug 3 — Pink Ribbon Square Dance, 2:30 – 5:00pm, Mountain View Community Center – **We will collect donations at our July 18th dance.
Attached is the newest KSD Kitchen Duty Roster beginning with our next dance, July 18th. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Marian Ley.
Don't forget that Anne has her surgical procedure on July 2nd. Please keep her and Gup in your thoughts and prayers.
See you in a square!
Julie and Bill Jarrett
KSD Presidents