Turn Out The Lights.....The Party's Over

Today was the "end of an era" - the last dance for our square dance club, the Waubun Rising Sun Dancers.  (Waubun is the Ojibwe word for 'rising sun').  Because of dwindling membership we can no longer sustain our club.  This is kind of the story everywhere in the nation, except for possibly the southwest and parts of the south.  Square dancing is the original American folk dance, dating back to the late 1700's.   During the 1800's it became really popular with barn dances, and modern square dancing really exploded in popularity during the 40's, 50's and early 60's.  But square dancing is dying out now because of many factors:  today's society has no time, isn't into sociability and clubs, movies, computer pursuits,  and video games are more exciting, and to some extent the media has made square dancing seem a little too "hokey" for today's world.  Young folks aren't getting interested in it, and so as the old timers die out, so do most of the square dance clubs.
     This is a pity because square dancing is fun, good exercise, and a clean family activity.  There is a code of ethics in square dancing of no drinking, no smoking, no swearing, and modesty and courtesy at all times.   Dances are usually held at schools, church halls, or community centers (with plenty of lighting at all times!)  Most families think of sporting events as a family thing to do, but a person probably sees and hears more cussing and immodesty and drinking at a typical sports event than anything at a typical square dance!  Square dancing isn't really "dancing" per se, but more like walking to called, coordinated moves.  There are about 180 basic commands and moves in square dance and these are repeated in various patterns with 4 couples to a square.  Square dancing is based on the old fashioned courteous and friendly behavior, and  country hospitality.   Women are "ladies" and men are "gents".   The men must wear long sleeved shirts (no bare skin), and ladies are encouraged to wear square dance attire, which can be as frilly and fancy as one desires.  Colorful skirts and petticoats and lots of frills and lace make for a very feminine appearance.   In later years, the dress code has been greatly relaxed, and a dancer can wear jeans or slacks or long prairie skirts.
     I got involved with square dancing in 1997 towards the end of that year, and joined the Riverboat Reelers of Aitkin Mn back then.   I originally got involved with square dance because I loved the outfits so much, but I was also wanting to meet some new friends.   When I met Harold in 2003, he wanted to learn square dancing, too, and took lessons with the Brainerd Ray's Promenaders.  When we got married, we joined the Waubun Rising Sun Dancers.   Our square dance friends have been very supportive through many tough times and have also helped us financially when the going was rough during Harold's initial cancer diagnosis.  Most square dancers are deeply Christian and we have made some lifelong friends throughout the state.
     We will miss our club, but there are a couple other clubs still around that we can go to - just a little longer drive.  Here are some photos from this afternoon in Waubun:

Some of the colorful dancers

Today's caller was Roger Leuth

Our club leader, Sheri Z, who always sets things up, does the club paperwork, and makes coffee. 

We did have one young dancer today! (That's his Mom coming to meet him)

A full dance floor of 5 squares.

Yours truly and Harold taking a break 

The lady in the black dress on the left is 95 yrs old!

Instead of our usual snacks, today we had free pizza. 

Just a few of some of my colorful dance dresses

And so, goodnight.....good-bye.....turn out the lights.......the party's over........