Clark Baker

Clark started dancing in 1974 at MIT's Tech Squares. In 1976, for his undergraduate thesis, Clark wrote a computer program to generate "smooth, flowing, danceable" Plus and Advanced material. He started calling in 1977; in the mid-1980's he developed several computer programs to assist in writing choreography. Currently he calls for a local C3 group and a handful of challenge weekends around the US. He has called in Germany, Sweden, and Japan. He and his wife dance Plus through C3, his younger daughter dances Advanced, and he really enjoys local contra dance scene.

Clark has been an active member of Callerlab since 1980 and is presently the chairman of the definitions committee, and a member of its Board of Governors. His choreographic reputation is for problem solving, technical accuracy, and testing the dancer's knowledge of the basics.

Upcoming Events

Weekly Schedule

Every Thursday, C3B 7:30 - 10:00, call before visiting.

The Challenge Square Dancing Handbook

Written in 1978, this book concentrates on concepts since they were so poorly covered in other square dance dictionaries. It is now out of print and there are currently no plans to reprint. I recommend the Callerlab definitions and the Ceder Chest.

Monster A2

This CD is a complete dance consisting of challenging A2 all position choreography called with energy at a snappy pace. The material will test the skills of experienced and adventurous A2 dancers, while proving very interesting to all dancers through the C3A level. A great exercise for higher level dancers who wish to practice with their A2 or C1 friends. Monster A2 is very danceable, but nobody will walk away bored! We offer a paper entitled Monster A2 which covers the content and application of this CD in greater detail. You can order the CD from http://www.g2ideas.com/cdw/index.html.

Articles by Clark Baker

• Challenge Square Dancing: Myths and Responses
• Square Dance Programs...What's the Difference?
• The Twisted Concept
• Another description of the Twisted Concept (from Ceder Chest)
• Hexagon Squares
• Square Games
• Fun - a definition
• Calls Database, in somewhat readable LISP, and huge (over 1 megabyte)
• Explaining Traditional Squares and Contras to MWSD folks
• How I became involved with computers
• A quick explanation of the "Rule of 78"
• Barstool Dancing
• Helping in a square
• Alternative Patter Music
• C2 Teaching Order
• C3A Teaching Order
• C3B Teaching Order
• Disposable Experimentals
• Gimmicks: A talk I gave at Callerlab 2005
• Contra dances that include Clark as an author
• Musings on definitions
• Introduction to the PPC Initiative (a talk Clark gave at Callerlab 2005)
• Western Style Square Dancing is in trouble
• Will Square Dancing Survive?

Contact Information

Last updated Tuesday 12 January 2010