Here is an update on the calls we have learned.  Please look the definitions up on taminations or watch the videos on saddlebrook squares out of Tucson (simply google).

1.  Walk Around the Corner
2.  See Saw
3.  Arm Turns
4.  Backtrack
5.  Bend the Line
6.  California Twirl
7.  Chain Down the Line
8.  Circle Left/Right
9.  Circulate
10.  Courtesy Turn
11.  Dive Thru
12.  Do Paso
13.  Dosado
14.  Forward & Back
15.  Grand Square
16.  Ladies Chain
17.  Ladies In Men Sashay
18.  Lead Right
19.  Pass Thru
20.  Passing Rule
21.  Promenade
22.  Pull By
23.  Right/Left Hand Star
24.  Right & Left Grand
25.  Rollaway
26.  Split Two
27.  Square Thru
28.  Star Promenade
29.  Star Thru
30.  Swing
31.  Turn Back
32.  Veer Left/Right
33.  Weave the Ring
34.  Wrong Way Grand
35.  Box the Gnat
36.  Double Pass Thru
37.  First Couple Go Left/Right
38.  Flutterwheel/Reverse Flutterwheel
39.  Sweep A Quarter
40.  Trade
​41.  Wheel & Deal

I'll take a brief moment to welcome all of you...It's my pleasure to help you learn this great activity sport that is called square dancing!

Each week, I will enter the calls we learn.  It's always the best practice to check this site and mentally go over the "calls" that you have learned.  Do I know that call?  Or is that a foreign word for me?  It can take more time for others as we all learn differently.

Since we do all learn differently, you might notice how I will take a different approach some nights to try and teach a certain "call".  For example, the "call" DO SA DO...I can tell you to face your partner...pass right shoulders...go back to back...and then pass left shoulders and then you should be right back where you started facing your partner  OR  I can go out on the floor and demonstrate it first hand to you.

Other ways to pick up these calls would be to go:  https://videosquaredancelessons.com/lessons/

The above website has all the calls in MAINSTREAM AND PLUS in video with dancers executing each "call" so you can visually see it...It works for a lot of people to learn or rather it helps them with some area of doubt about a certain "call".

Also, if you have a smart phone, you can go to your app store and download TAMINATIONS...This has every call from BASIC to the highest level that exists in square dancing!!  From the app, one can see the moves unfold by seeing a 'bird's eye view" of the CALL unfold.  I will demonstrate this in class.

What we've learned so far from Class 1

1.  Partner/Corner relationship
2.  Do Sa Do
3.  Swing 
4.  Right & Left Grand
5.  Weave the Ring
6.  Grand Square
7.  Ladies Chain...both Two Ladies Chain & Four Ladies Chain
8.  Right & Left Thru
9.  Flutterwheel/Reverse Flutterwheel
10.  Left Allemande or Allemande Left
11.  Promenade...Couples and Single File
12.  Backtrack
13.  Stars...Both Right and Left for Men and Ladies & Star Promenade
14.  Pass Thru
15.  California Twirl
16.  Forward Up & Back
17.  Ladies In Men Sashay

Now, each week expect that we will learn fewer than the number listed above...We were able to make great progress because most of you had attended our open house events.  Each week we will add a few more and build on what we've already learned.  If you are having trouble with any of the calls, please see me.  I would be more than happy to show you in between breaks on an individual one-on-one session.

Expectations???  In 12 weeks, I will graduate through the Mainstream program.  More expectations?????   We ALL have FUN!!!

If you have to miss a week, please see me and I will come up with a plan to get you caught up

THANK YOU EVERYONE...I TRULY HOPE you all love this sport.

Dean

443-440-7007

Hi everyone!

Coming down to the last four sessions...Most important that I see you all show up if at all possible...We've made it this far...We're almost there...I can smell the finish line...Can you?

The last few weeks we have learned:

Relay The Deucey

Peel The Top

Coordinate

Dixie Grand

Cut The Diamond

Peel Off

Left Chase

Three Quarters Tag the Line

We have reviewed:

All 8 Spin The Top

Chase Right

Spin Chain The Gears

Track 2

Teacup Chain

If any of those sound like foreign words to you than I suggest you make flashcards and write out the definitions on the back side with the front side being the name of the call.

We only have around 4 more calls!!!!!!!

​Can I get an amen???

I heard that many of you who traveled to WASCA had a fantastic time...One of the best festivals in the nation...it also boasts some of the best National Callers.

Last Wednesday, we were missing some folks so basically we reviewed most of the calls.

I will be gone this coming Wednesday, however, the club has gotten a replacement in the talented Art LaVigne.  Please make him feel welcome as I'm sure you will.

Please remember to always connect hands in formation whenever possible as this will help everyone and I will see you perhaps at the April 1st dance!!

We reviewed Cut The Diamond and Spin Chain The Gears, Explode The Wave, All Eight Spin The Top, Track 2 and Teacup Chain.

New calls introduced included Coordinate and Peel Off.

Counting the calls left....10!!

Spin Chain The Gears...Chase Right were added to our list of calls

We are definitely trending in the right direction!  Just remember, Taminations and or Saddlebrook videos can help you if you give it a try.

If anyone is struggling on any particular call...I recommend you tell me so that I can workshop it more in class.  Additionally, I have told most of you that studying the definitions from flashcards is an excellent way to grasp the calls better.  If you're able to tell me the definition of Spin Chain The Gears I will be very impressed...but, moreover you'll become a better dancer for it.  Instead of needing someone to "push" you through the call, you'll be able to help others as you will be confident in what you should be doing and how the call works.

Just pick one call per week that you're unsure of and learn the definition before you come to class.  This will give you confidence and I'm sure your square will appreciate your efforts!

See you all for a ton of fun tonight!!!

​Dean

Last week, we reviewed all the calls that got us to this point.  VERY HAPPY TO SEE ALL OF OUR BEGINNERS LAST WEEK!!! 

This included:

 Load the Boat
Diamond Circulate
Flip the Diamond
Grand Swing Thru
Fan the Top
All 8 Spin the Top
Extend
Ping Pong Circulate
Track 2
and learned one call (I believe) Trade the Wave = Dancers facing the same direction in the wave trade places...You will note that a right handed wave now becomes a left handed wave and vise versa.

Looking forward to seeing you all...EVEN AMIDST THE RAINY WEATHER :)

Trust me...there will be times where you may think you have all the calls mastered and then you come to lessons/dance and something may "unrail" you.  It's ok...It happens.

Get back on the saddle and let's ride again.

But eventually, with enough "floor time"....these calls will be second nature to you!

Here's our progress:

1.  All EIGHT SPIN THE TOP...same definition as we know it from waves...this is just a different look as it starts with no one touching.  Definition?  Swing 1/2 by the Right...New Centers Star 3/4s while the new Ends advance up 1/4 on the outside to form an Allemande Thar position.

2.  TRACK 2...right side dancers take a Left Inside track where the Leader leads the way and the follower follows them....left side dancers go the right on the outside track where the Leader leads the way and the follower follows them...you form two ocean waves.

3.  EXTEND...walk straight ahead...if you were in a wave and you extend you would finish with a wave position.

4.  FAN THE TOP...Centers Cast Off 3/4s and the Ends advance up a quarter on the outside to form another wave.

5.  ANYTHING AND SPREAD

6.  GRAND SWING THRU...Tidal Waves...Everybody Swing 1/2 by the Right and those that can Swing 1/2 by the Left.

Fantastic job goes out to all the people who have helped Angel this season...Thank you for making this class successful.

We are well into the Plus Program.

Here's what we've learned in the last two sessions:

1.  Single Circle to a Wave

2.  Load the Boat

3.  Acey Deucey...Ends Circulate while the Centers Trade

4.  Anything and Spread

5.  Diamond Circulate

6.  Flip The Diamond

7.  Extend

8.  Ping Pong Circulate

9.  Grand Swing Thru

Don't forget to check out Taminations that could help you visualize what each call does.

​See you Wednesday!

Last night, we finished all the way through Mainstream...I've seen and witnessed everyone getting stronger than the week before...It startred with a strong foundation (understanding positioning, formations, definition of calls and situational awareness) and we will build off of this.

Here's what we learned:

1.  Shoot the Star

2.  Wrong Way Thar

3.  Tag the Line

4.  Spin Chain Thru - Ocean waves...Ends and Adjacent Dancers Trade with right hand...at this point the End Dancers are finished...Centers Cast Off 3/4s...A new wave down the center will be formed where the new Centers Trade and then the Ends and Adjacent Dancers of this wave Cast Off 3/4s to form two parallel waves.

Hint:  After the first Cast Off 3/4s...the Ends of the Wave have to wait for the Centers to Trade.

5.  Recycle

6.  Half Tag

7.  Acey Deucey - Ends Circulate...Centers Trade

8.  Single Circle to a Wave - Join hands with only the person in front of you...Circle to the Left 1/2 way around and then step to a Wave

Next week, review!  (maybe with one Plus Call added)

Good job!

Dean