Because traditional square dances or old-time square dances are danced as part of the program at many contra dances, I have made a list of groups and dance series which appear, on description, to be as informal in attitude as the crowd you'll see and meet at a contra dance. That means, for the most part, I have not included groups that appear to have an emphasis on Modern Western Square Dancing. These inclusions and exclusions are not meant to place a value on any type of dancing, just that I have to limit, at some point, what types of dancing I will include on these lists. This is an adjunct page to my links about contra dancing.

To differentiate these types of square dances from others, here's a quote from Jaso's FAQ on old-time square dancing:

Q: What's the difference between old-time square dancing and modern western square dancing?

A: "Modern western square dancing" evolved after WWII and has a strong focus on performance and exhibition. Western squares often involve costumes, pre-recorded music, club membership, and difficult dance figures that people actually practice. Old-time squares are more informal and party-like and always have live string band music.

Or, in my words, if there are mentions of levels, clubs, badges, colors and/or costumes, links to that type of dancing are not included here. Not that either type of dancing is better, just that I'm trying to limit the list of links to a certain type of square dancing.

I do understand that a significant number of contra dancers do not like square dances, with attitudes ranging from, "This is a good time to sit one out" to "Kill me now". Obviously, this list is not for them. But, I do enjoy having a little variety during the course of an event. Ten or so contras (plus a couple of waltzes), while not necessarily boring, can be less interesting. In any event, I'll see you out on the dance floor.

As always, if you have additions or corrections for this list, please e-mail me.

New links are simply new to me, not necessarily new to the World Wide Web. Change in URL means that a link has changed its WWW address or URL.

• California, Berkeley: Berkeley Old Time Music Convention in mid-September
• California, Los Angeles: 2nd Sundays. Also see the Triple Chicken Foot page for information. Also check the Triple Chicken Foot MySpace page for more information. New entry (March 9, 2008)
• California, Los Angeles Annual Old-Time Social in May
• California, San Francisco: San Francisco Bluegrass and Old-Time Festival in early February. New entry (March 7, 2008)
• Canada: Canadian Olde Tyme Square Dance Callers' Association lists dances across the nation. New entry (March 22, 2008)
• Canada: Fiddle Events in Canada lists many events which include dancing. New entry (March 22, 2008)
• Connecticut, Killingly: 2nd Saturdays.
• Delaware, Arden: Some Wednesdays as part of international folk dancing
• Germany, Berlin: 1st and 3rd Sundays
• Kentucky, Whitesburg: Check the calendar for information about dances on various Saturdays. New entry (March 17, 2008)
• Maryland, College Park: 2nd and most 5th Tuesdays
• Massachusetts, Goshen: 2nd Saturdays
• Massachusetts, Watertown: Various Saturdays (Canadian-American squares) New entry (April 20, 2008)
• Minnesota, Minneapolis: 1st Mondays
• Missouri, Hallsville: 2nd Saturdays New entry (January 31, 2008)
• New Hampshire, Wentworth: 1st Thursdays
• New York, Schroon Lake: Wednesdays, mid-July to end of August
• North Carolina, Asheville: Last Sunday of the month up to May 2008. New entry (March 17, 2008)
• North Carolina, Brasstown: Southern Appalachian Square Dance in late October. New entry (April 3, 2008)
• North Caroina, Denton: 3rd Saturdays (generally)
• North Carolina, Denton: Every Monday
• North Carolina, Hot Springs: Annual event in mid-June with square dancing. New entry (May 4, 2008)
• North Carolina, Pleasant Green: 2nd Saturdays
• North Carolina, Sparta: Every Saturday
• North Carolina, Sparta: Alleghany Jubilee on Tuesdays (?) and Saturdays (?)
• Ohio, Lucas: Ohio Heritage Days in late-mid September
• Ohio, Wooster: 2nd Saturdays
• Oregon, Portland: 1st Thursdays
• Oregon, Portland: Every Wednesday
• Oregon, Portland: Dare to Be Square - West in late October
• Oregon, Portland: Portland Old-Time Music Gathering in mid-January
• Pennsylvania, Philadephia: 2nd Tuesdays (no dances listed after June 2006)
• Pennsylvania, Cochranville: 3rd Saturdays
• Virginia, Ararat: Every Saturday
• Virginia, Blacksburg: 1st Saturdays
• Virginia, Floyd Every Friday
• Virginia, Fries: Every Saturday
• Virginia, Rocky Mount: Festival in the Pines/Tripple Creek Music Festival in late April/early May
• Virginia, Patrick Springs: Every Saturday
• Virginia, Stuart: 1st Saturdays (?)
• Washington, Seattle: Last Fridays
• Washington, Seattle: 2nd Mondays
• West Virginia, Charleston: Vandalia Gathering in late May
• West Virginia, Clifftop: Appalachian String Band Music Festival in late July/early August
• West Virginia, Glenville: West Virginia State Folk Festival in mid-June
• West Virginia, Helvetia: 1st Saturdays; also check FOOTMAD for information Added FOOTMAD link (January 29, 2008)
• West Virginia, Morgantown: Gardner Winter Music Festival in late February
• West Virginia, Morgantown: Dances on various Saturdays. New entry (March 17, 2008)
• West Virginia, Riverton: 4th Saturdays New entry (January 29, 2008)

http://www.contradancelinks.com/square.html
Produced by Charlie Seelig
This page last updated on May 4, 2008.