Square Dance History Series

Led by David Millstone

Experience the rich history and regional variety of square dancing in this in-depth, three part series.

With photographs, audio, and video, we’ll travel:

• from 17^th century France to Civil War ballrooms
• from New England Grange halls to Texas cowboy balls
• and from Newfoundland to New Mexico

to explore and discuss how this dance form became a staple of American popular culture.

Program Details

Session 1: A square dance family tree

This session focuses on the evolution of today’s squares. We’ll look at how English country dance influenced the creation of the cotillon in France. That new dance moved to England and to America as cotillions morphed into the quadrilles that dominated ballrooms in the 1800s. We’ll also look at related changes in society over time, particularly the changing preferences for longways, squares, and couple dances, and at several key people who promoted country dances to a broader audience.

Session 2: What’s a square dance? North & South

The phrase “square dance” means different things at different times and in different places. We’ll start our look at regional styles by considering two fundamental branches: northern squares and southern squares. Within each branch, though, there are important variations. We’ll discuss the vital role played in both regions by Black musicians and callers.

Session 3: Modern-day squares – from cowboys to hipsters

We’ll begin by looking at traditional western squares. This style had an important influence in several directions, from the work of Lloyd “Pappy” Shaw to the development of club squares to the exuberant calling of leaders such as Sandy Bradley. The modern western square dance movement that started after World War II became an American cultural phenomenon that involved millions. In recent years, newly-created revivals are attracting large numbers of younger dancers.

Presenter

David Millstone, of Lebanon, NH, has been a dance caller for more than 40 years—squares, contras, English country dance, and family-friendly events. A past president of CDSS, David has a long interest in the history of many branches of country dance. He is co-author of Cracking Chestnuts, a book about classic American contra dances, he wrote the contra dance history chapter of Dance a While, he co-authored an exhaustive look at the history of the dolphin hey, and he produced video documentaries about Bob McQuillen, Dudley Laufman, and Ralph Sweet. He created the Square Dance History Project, helped organize the 2011 Dare To Be Square event at the John C. Campbell Folk School, and created the website for the Square Dance Hall of Fame. His current project, under construction, celebrates bands who played for contra and square dances in the early years of their dance communities.