Just 8 weeks to your first social dance
We teach in two 8-week blocks. You only need to commit to one block at a time. Complete Block A, enjoy a couple of social dances, and decide when you're ready for Block B. Not feeling confident? No problem — you can repeat Block A before stepping up. Go at your own pace. When you've done both blocks, you graduate.
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1Introduction — the basicsCircle left and right, do-si-do, promenade, swing your partner. The calls that underpin everything else.
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2Star figures & circlesRight and left hand stars, allemande left, getting comfortable moving in the square formation.
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3Pass through & U-turnsMoving through the square, separating and returning, the start of multi-person figures.
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4Squares & linesCalls that move couples from a square into lines and back — the geometry starts to reveal itself.
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5Trades & runsSwapping positions, filling spaces — this is where all-position dancing starts to get interesting.
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6Putting it togetherFlowing through combinations of calls. Confidence building. The moment things start to feel natural.
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7Speed & recoveryLearning to recover when you lose your spot — one of the most important skills in square dancing.
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8Review & consolidateBringing it all together. By now you know the calls — this week is about dancing them, not just knowing them.
No new calls — just dancing. Two Sundays where you put everything you've learned into practice with the full club. Celebrate how far you've come. Then decide: ready to step up to Block B, or want to do Block A again first? Either is completely fine.
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1bBuilding on your foundationNew calls layered onto what you already know. The square gets more interesting from here.
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2bExtending the vocabularyMore calls, more combinations. You're no longer thinking about the basics — you just do them.
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3bComplex formationsWaves, lines of four, columns. The full geometry of the square starts to open up.
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4bAll-position in actionThis is where all-position dancing really proves itself. You're in any position — and you know what to do.
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5bTiming & flowMoving as a square, not just as individuals. When eight dancers are in sync, it feels like flying.
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6bMainstream calls — the full setCompleting the Mainstream program. You now have the full calling vocabulary the world dances to.
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7bPolish & confidenceRefinement, not new material. Dancing cleanly and calmly — you've come a long way from week 1.
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8bFinal class — dress rehearsalOne last practice before graduation. You're ready.
- Flat, smooth-soled shoes (leather-soled are ideal)
- Comfortable clothes you can move in
- Layers — halls can be cool at first and warm up
- Whatever makes you feel comfortable
- Rubber-soled shoes (they grip too hard and can injure knees)
- High heels
- Very tight clothing that restricts movement
Do I need a partner? +
No. We rotate partners throughout every class and dance. You'll dance with everyone. Many of our most dedicated dancers come alone every week.
What's the age range? +
From about 12 years old upwards — genuinely all ages. One of the unusual things about square dancing is that it's multigenerational by design. Teens dance alongside retirees, and both benefit from it.
I missed week 1 — can I still join? +
Yes. Classes are progressive so you may have a little catching up to do, but we'll help you get there. Just show up and let us know it's your first time.
Is it LGBTQ+ friendly? +
Absolutely — it's built into how we dance. We're an all-position club, which means roles in the dance are based on where you're standing, not who you are. Come as you are, dance with whoever you want.
Do I need a sense of rhythm? +
Not really — the caller and the music keep time for you. You just need to listen and move. Most people find their rhythm naturally within a few sessions.