Arkansas State Square Dance Federation, Inc.
Welcome
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Welcome to the home page for the Arkansas State Square Dance Federation, Inc.; last updated July 3, 2008. Much of the information is taken from The Modern Square, Arkansas' monthly publication of square and round dancing.
By choosing the desired links, you'll get a glimpse of what we are. We hope that you enjoy your visit, and will come back often to keep up with the happenings of our federation clubs, callers and cuers, etc. We invite you to come see that both square dancing and round dancing are Friendship Set To Music.
If you have any questions, you
can 
the ASSDF President.
If you have any
other square or round dance related links, you can the webmaster.
Please note Square Dancing or the equivalent in the subject line, or spam filters will block your message and address.
These pages are a link off of my main homepage, hosted
by 
,
and have been donated to the ASSDF to help promote square and round dancing in Arkansas.
The background music (which may take longer to load if you're on a dial-up connection), is used by permission of Tom Dillander of the Western Square Dancing website. It's an excerpt from a public domain recording from the square dance patter record on the TNT-307 label.
Callers And Cuers
There are several callers and cuers across Arkansas. While most of the callers call Basic, Mainstream and Plus level square dancing, some callers also call Advanced, and Challenge level dancing. Round Dance Cuers cue Phases 2-6, and some are available for specials. For a detailed list of callers and cuers, click here.
Clubs and Organizations
There are several clubs and organizations across Arkansas for your dancing pleasure. For a list of Arkansas' Square and Round Dance Clubs and Organizations, click here. Also, be sure to note the Changes and Cancellations section below.
Changes and Cancellations
No matter whether you dance to a local club, or a traveling a good distance to a club, it is strongly encouraged that you contact the person listed before traveling to a dance.Clubs sometimes CANCEL for various reasons (weather, etc.), or for other clubs Special Dances...and it can be frustrating after driving a long distance to find that a club is ''dark''. These changes can also occur at the last minute, and it's better to be safe than sorry. If your club has to make a last minute change or cancellation...either in a regular dance, or a special dance...please
the webmaster. A contact person will be listed for any updates...such as if a dance is rescheduled, plus any comments, if applicable. Again, Special Dances are
NOT on the website...but CANCELLATIONS are.
The 60s Swingers have a CONFLICT on their Thursday, July 24, dance. The club will danced instead at either be at the Penick Boys Club around the corner from their regular location (the YWCA at 12th and Cleveland)...at a different location...or will cancel. However, a final decision has not yet been made. For updates, contact me, or watch this page.
Square And Round Dance Lessons
Square and Round Dance Lessons. Whatever your introduction was, it was the start of an incredible journey.
The thought may stir memories of dancing with the same sex in elementary school, doing a swing your partner, do-si, do, etc. You may recall the first night of class, when a friend invited you to learn square or round dancing. You might have been at a ''one night stand'' demonstration, put on by a church or other group. Or maybe you are curious as to what the wonderful world of square and round dancing is about.
For a further overview of square and round dancing, as well as a list of upcoming square and round dance lessons in Arkansas, click here.
Dance Admission Fees
Unlike much of the country, most, but not all, of the square and round dance clubs do not charge an admission fee to their dances, unless the dance is a ''big special''. However, a few clubs do charge a fee for visitors. This is to help pay the caller/cuer fee, the hall rent, etc. Fees usually range from $3 to $5 per person, whether for a regular dance, or for a special, unless otherwise noted. Check the ASSDF Clubs And Organizations listing for more details.
The Modern Square
The Modern Square is the ASSDF's monthly publication, containing reports from the various square and round dance clubs and organizations across the state...as well as information on upcoming special dances across the state. Subscriptions are $15 per year. For a printable form, and a list of upcoming Subscription Dances...where dancers can sign up for, or renew their subscription to The Modern Square, click here.
Officers
The ASSDF has several officers, both elected and appointed. For a list of these individuals, and a brief description of their jobs, click here.
Festival
The ASSDF has a yearly fall festival dance in a different Arkansas city each October. The Friday night dance features a national caller for the square dancing...and Arkansas cuers for the round dancing. Saturday activities feature workshops, the ASSDF meeting (where bid presentations for future dances are made), and the evening dancing to Arkansas callers and cuers. For details on the 2008 Fall Festival, which will be held in Fort Smith, with national caller Dean Dederman, click here. Details on the 2009 Fall Festival, to be in Mountain Home...which will be the 60th Anniversary Of The ASSDF...with national caller Gary Shoemake...will be posted as soon as possible on that page as well.
History
The ASSDF was formed in 1949, by Otis A. Higgins, and Richard Dick. Max Smith was appointed in 1949 to plan and promote the first Federation Dance, and he was elected as the first president in 1951.
The ASSDF is actually 2 years older than the National Square Dance Convention (NSDC), which is overseen by the National Executive Committee...composed of past NSDC chairpersons. The NSDC is held the Wednesday through Saturday, up to and including, the last weekend of June each year, in a different U.S. city. It is billed as ''The World's Greatest Square Dance Event''. For a list of past ASSDF presidents, past National Square Dance Conventions, as well as a poem I wrote for the 40th birthday of the ASSDF, and a tribute to one of the greatest callers in Arkansas square dancing, the late J.D. Kerr, click here.
Membership Meetings
The ASSDF has membership meetings twice a year. The meetings are where the state square and round dance clubs send at least two (2) delegates to the meeting, to discuss various issues related to square and round dancing, and with the ASSDF. The spring meeting is held PRIOR to the Central District Dance in Little Rock...and the fall meeting on the Saturday afternoon during the ASSDF Fall Festival. The meetings in 2008 are set for May 24, and October 11, respectively. While votes on issues may not always be unanimous, it is a chance for dancers to have their voices heard...and to discuss how to keep the hobby of square and round dancing alive.
Square Dance Links
There are many square and round dance links for your enjoyment on the Internet. I've included some of the most popular ones below, last updated June 25, 2008.
If you note any bad links, or if you have one you'd like added, please
the
webmaster...and be sure to put Square Dance Links in the subject line, or my spam filter will block it.
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