Square dancers to converge on Valdosta for state event
Published 10:35 pm Monday, January 4, 2010
VALDOSTA — Area residents can catch a glimpse of a great American tradition this weekend at the Valdosta-Lowndes County Senior Citizens Center.
Sponsored by local square dancing group Belles and Beaux, the Georgia State Square Dance Association will host its 2010 Winter Dance in Valdosta Friday and Saturday.
The dance will bring in groups from across the state and from Alabama and North Florida, said Pauline Brown, Belles and Beaux member.
The two-day event will feature square dancing and round dancing and is free for those who want to come and watch.
Square dance typically has four couples arranged in a square. They perform various steps and figures signaled by a square dance caller to the beat of the music.
Round dancing moves in a circular pattern, with each dance choreographed ahead of time.
A “cuer” instructs the dancers on what steps to take.
Friday’s event is sponsored by Belles and Beaux, and members of the Georgia State Square Dance Association dance for free.
The trail end dance will be held from 8-10:30 p.m., with George Lavendar calling square dancers and John Pritchett cueing the round dances.
All activities on Saturday are sponsored by the association and begin with a round dancing workshop from 10 a.m.-noon.
A fun square dance will be held from 2:30-4 p.m. and round dancing will be cued from 7-7:30 p.m.
A grand march at 7:45 p.m. will signal the beginning of the main dance, which will begin at 8 and last until 11 p.m.
All participants in Saturday’s activities will have to pay a $6 fee.
George Lavendar will be the host caller for the weekend’s activities since he is a member of the local group.
Lavendar said he has been calling square dance for 30 years.
“It’s fun, a good activity, and a good clean wholesome family activity,” he said.
“Everyone has a good time. It’s not competition. You just have to learn it.”
Brown has been square dancing since the 60s and said the activity is great exercise.
“They claim that it will extend your life by 10 years,” she said.
Belles and Beaux dances each Tuesday night at the Senior Citizens Center from 7-9 p.m.
Anyone interested in dancing should attend, Brown said.
The Senior Citizens Center is located at 1360 E. Park Ave.
Georgia State Square Dance Association schedule
• Friday: Trail End Dance 8-11 p.m.
• Saturday: Rounds Workshop 10 a.m.-noon; Georgia Round Dance Teachers Association Fun Dance 2:30-4 p.m.; Early Rounds 7-7:30 p.m.; Grand March 7:45 p.m.; Dance 8-11 p.m. Square dance attire is optional for Fun Dance only
