Information for Beginner Square Dancers

Classes, hoedowns, and more

What are you looking for?

A square dance class?
A beginner level hoedown?
A round dance class?
Something else?

Are you looking for a square dance class?

Square dance classes usually start in the fall, around September, and last through around May. In our area the standard dancing level is Plus, and when you graduate you have learned the Plus level.

Some clubs start their classes in January. This gives some people who missed their chance in September a second chance.

Other clubs have started a tiered program where classes begin three times per year, usually in September, January, and May. Each session lasts four months, but you must attend two sessions, the first at first tier, and the next at second tier, in order to graduate at the Plus level. Examples of the tiered approach include Sunnyvale Singles, Ridge Runners (Paradise), Overalls (Orangevale), Prairie Squares (Redding), and the Inter-Club Council (Reno, Nevada).

There are specialized dance classes targeted to children, teenagers, singles, gays & lesbians, families, and handicapables. Whatever your interest, you can find a square dance club where you will feel comfortable.

Here is a list of classes starting in California and Nevada in Fall 2007.
Here is a list of classes starting in California and Nevada in early 2008.
There are classes somewhere every night of the week. There are classes somewhere every night of the week. There are classes all over the San Francisco Bay Area, the Sacramento area, Los Angeles and Orange counties, plus Paradise, Fresno and Clovis, Bakersfield, Hanford, Seaside, Riverside, and San Diego.

Enter a location in California or Nevada to search the list:
Here is a list of classes in Santa Clara county (on the SCVSDA web site).
There are classes starting in January 2007. There are classes for teenagers and children starting soon.
Here is a list of classes in the Sacramento area (on the ASDSC web site).
There are several classes starting soon in the area represented by ASDSC, which includes the Sacramento area plus Auburn, Placerville, and Woodland.
Here is a searchable list of the best 400 square dance association web sites.
It includes every U.S. state, most Canadian provinces, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and most western European countries. It is specifically information about clubs, and not every club runs a class every year. But it is the best place to seek out square dancing in your area.

Enter a city, state and/or country to search the list:
Here are links to classes starting in other areas.
Specifically: Southern California, Chicago, Atlanta, Texas, Rochester, NY, Wisconsin, Washington state, and British Columbia.
Here is a list of square dance associations in Northern California and Nevada.
You might find updated class information on some of these pages. There are eight different associations that cover everywhere from the central coast to Fresno to the Oregon border.

Are you looking for a beginner hoedown?

Beginner hoedowns in our area are usually held at John Muir School in south San Jose, CA. The season usually starts in January (after September class members have learned enough calls to dance with others) and extends through June. There are occasional off-season beginner hoedowns targeted to members of January or May classes.

Here is a list of upcoming beginner hoedowns in San Jose.
Here is an excellent list of beginner hoedowns in the San Jose area (on the SCVSDA web site).
You can search for beginner hoedowns in your area on the events calendar.

Are you looking for a round dance class?

There are a few beginner round dance classes in northern California.

Sundown Rounders with Virginia and Bill Carpenter in Lafayette.
Dan and Allison Drumheller have a beginner class with the Sacramento Singles Square Dance Club.
Galaxy Rounds might be running a beginner class in Prunedale with Sue and Phil Harris.
Chuck and Shirley Hurst started a beginner class in Santa Rosa in September, 2005.
Twisty Vines is a class that meets in Manteca.
Sharon and Jim Rammel teach a class in Jackson.
Jeanne and Ray van Blarcom teach a beginner class in Sebastopol.
Les and Mary Farley may be running a beginner class in Mount Shasta.
Marlene and Leo Humphreys run a beginner class every year in Reno, Nevada.

These square dance clubs occasionally run beginner round dance classes, so you might want to contact them:

Here is a list of northern California round dance cuers. Besides the classes and cuers in the above list, the cuer most likely to start another beginner class soon is Wendy-Jean Iannico.

Here is excellent coverage of classes, beginner programs, levels, lists, definitions, and other information of interest to the newer dancer. (on the SCVSDA web site)
Here are a set of articles on square dancing topics, by Bill van Melle of the Stanford Quads. It includes such topics as jargon, etiquette, square dance attire, and tips for class angels.