A key factor in the appeal of square dancing is the opportunity it offers to join a community, to form friendships, and to socialize with others. In recent years CALLERLAB has become increasingly focused on the social elements of our activity, culminating with the establishment of the Social Connections Committee in 2019. The Social Connections Committee both creates and gathers material specifically directed at fostering social bonds and creating an appealing social environment. The articles below are curated to ensure they primarily focus on these elements. The material is divided into sub-categories which you can select from in the drop-down list titled “Social Connections Category”. You can also filter the material by Tag.
A Few Helpful Tips & Ideas from EDSARDA
Type Idea Submitter Eastern District Square & Round Dance Association (EDSARDA) Date 2023-02-24 Links EDSARDA Tips and Ideas Description These ideas and tips were published on a private Facebook group ... Read More
Breaking Bread and Building Connections
As square dancers, we know that food unites. Breaking bread together is one of the oldest forms of community interaction. It provides a valuable time and place to socially connect ... Read More
CALLERLAB 2021 Keynote Address by Mike Seastrom
At the virtual Annual General Meeting held in March 2021 Mike Seastrom delivered an inspiring keynote address focusing on the importance of making sociability a more prominent element of our ... Read More
Cuesta Squares: A Social Success
This is the story of Cuesta Squares which is an LGBTQ club that dances in San Luis Obispo, CA. It is different in that it is told by a new ... Read More
Dancing In A Social Club
The Kittyhawk Squares are a social club that square dances and not a square dance club that socializes. We have an excellent home dance location: The Lathrem Senior Center of ... Read More
Education Recordings About Games and Gimmicks
Looking for ideas on how to make an event a bit different or introduce some "out of the square"-type fun? These educational recordings discuss the use of games and/or gimmicks ... Read More
Education Recordings On Sociability
The following education session recordings from past CALLERLAB conventions deal with the social aspects of square dancing, encouraging sociability and socialization ... Read More
First Friday Fun Fest Story
Dave and Bonnie Harry of Lynnwood, WA tell the story of how a program called First Friday Fun Fests, sponsored by their Whirlybird Square Dance Club, has worked to attract ... Read More
How Rounds Are Scheduled Can Be Important
Jerry Junck reports on an observation from a club on Vancouver Island. Their format involved having a round between tips and they noticed that new dancers had difficulty getting into ... Read More
Ideas For Club Activities From Social Connections Contest #1
In late 2021 the Social Connections Committee ran a contest to solicit ideas to promote social connections and bonding in the square dance activity. The responses often included many valuable ... Read More
Ideas for Creating Social Connections
Cory Geishauser provides some ideas for stimulating socialization by getting people to ask questions about each other ... Read More
Ideas For Dances From Social Connections Contest #1
In late 2021 the Social Connections Committee ran a contest to solicit ideas to promote social connections and bonding in the square dance activity. The responses often included many valuable ... Read More
Ideas For Group/Club Interaction From Social Connections Contest #1
In late 2021 the Social Connections Committee ran a contest to solicit ideas to promote social connections and bonding in the square dance activity. The responses often included many valuable ... Read More
Ideas From Social Connections Contest #1
In late 2021 the Social Connections Committee ran a contest to solicit ideas to promote social connections and bonding in the square dance activity. The responses often included many valuable ... Read More
Keep Those New Dancers
This article by Mike Seastrom was published in edition 2022-6 of Claudia Littlefair's Alberta Chatter Newsletter. Mike provides numerous ideas for keeping new dancers enthused about coming to lesson nights ... Read More
New Dancers – (Crosstrailers – Warren, OH)
We have enjoyed thirty-seven new dancers (students) for lessons this year ….. thirty-seven! Our lesson nights have ten to eleven squares, and yes, they are a bit noisy with all ... Read More
New Dancers From The Home Schooling Community
Caller Ian Craig describes how Silver City Squares in Oregon experienced a sudden influx of new dancers by connecting with the home schooling community in their area ... Read More
NNJSDA Keynote Addresses From Roy and Betsy Gotta
At the Northern New Jersey Square Dance Association annual convention in 2018, Betsy and Roy Gotta delivered individual keynote addresses. Together, these presentations provide a wealth of insights and suggestions ... Read More
Novelties Section of CALLERLAB Online Teaching Resource
As part of CALLERLAB’s effort to encourage Social Connections, a section containing information about Games, Gimmicks, Interacting Squares and other related ideas has been added to the CALLERLAB Online Teaching ... Read More
Seating Can Change The Social Atmosphere of a Dance
This account from Jerry Junck describes a seemingly trivial change in the way dancers are seated during breaks which he believes has improved the social atmosphere of the group and ... Read More
Welcoming Dance Environment Documentation
Square Dancing is an overwhelmingly social activity. Therefore, it is essential that square dance groups create a social environment that feels welcoming, engaging, and safe. Events in recent years have ... Read More