SQUARE DANCING
ROUND DANCING
New to square dancing?
If you’re new to square dancing—welcome! Square dancing is a fun, social, and easy-to-learn activity enjoyed by people of all ages. Tri Squares has members from 10 to 95 years old! You don’t need any dance experience to get started. If you can walk and follow simple instructions, you can square dance!
Square dancing starts with basic steps that are taught gradually. You’ll learn at a comfortable pace, with plenty of practice and help from experienced dancers we call “angels.” Most new dancers are surprised by how quickly things begin to feel natural.
Head over to our Lessons page to learn more and to sign up to get more information.
Square dancing FAQs
What is square dancing?
Square dancing is danced by four couples arranged in a square, with one couple positioned on each of the four sides. During the dance, a Caller provides instructions—known as “calls”—that guide the dancers through a variety of movements and formations.
Square dancing is not only social and fun, but it also offers a wonderful blend of physical exercise and mental engagement. Dancers stay active while listening, reacting, and working together as a team. It’s a great way to meet new people, stay fit, and keep your mind sharp—all while enjoying lively music and a welcoming community.
Is it hard to learn?
Learning to square dance is surprisingly accessible for most people. If you can walk, listen, pay attention, and follow instructions, you have everything you need to get started. The basic movements are introduced gradually over the course of several weeks, giving dancers plenty of time to learn, practice, and build confidence.
Lessons are structured so that each new call builds on the ones already learned, and there’s always lots of repetition to help everything feel natural. With friendly guidance from the Caller and support from fellow dancers, beginners quickly discover that square dancing is not only easy to pick up—but also incredibly enjoyable.
Are there special clothes I need to wear?
Casual clothing is perfectly acceptable for modern square dancing. Most dancers—both men and women—prefer to wear comfortable attire such as jeans, slacks, t-shirts, and tennis shoes. The emphasis is on ease of movement, so anything that allows you to walk, turn, and glide comfortably works well.
Traditional square dance attire is always welcome but never required. Men may choose western-style shirts and slacks, while women might opt for prairie skirts, blouses, and petticoats. These outfits can add color and flair to the dance floor, but they are entirely optional.
At Tri Squares, we want every dancer to feel relaxed and confident, so we encourage you to come dressed in whatever makes you comfortable and ready to have fun. Whether casual or classic, your presence is what matters most!
what does it cost?
Tri Squares Club offers square dance lessons once a year, providing a structured and supportive environment for new dancers to learn the basics and build their skills. You can find more details about our lessons here.
For our regular club dances, the admission fee is $8 per person. For our special dances like Mardi Gras, the cost is $10. These dances are open to all mainstream and plus dancers.
Tri Squares also offers a membership. To explore what membership includes and how to join, click here for more information.
round dancing FAQs?
Round dancing is a form of ballroom dancing. In round dancing, couples move in a large counter-clockwise circle around the dance floor, all performing the same choreographed steps at the same time. These steps are prompted by a cuer, who announces each figure just before it is danced.
Because the choreography is pre-arranged, dancers learn a variety of patterns and rhythms that flow smoothly from one to the next. Round dancing includes a wide range of dance rhythms and styles, such as waltz, foxtrot, cha-cha, rumba, two-step, and many more.
Is it hard to learn?
Round dancing is not difficult to learn. Much like square dancing, lessons begin at an easy, introductory level and gradually progress as dancers become more comfortable and confident. As you practice, the steps are combined and expanded upon, allowing you to learn more complex figures at a comfortable pace.
Instruction is guided by a skilled cuer and supported by experienced dancers who help newcomers feel welcome and successful.
WHat does it cost?
We offer round dance lessons once a year. You can find more details about our upcoming lessons here.
For our regular club dances, the admission fee is $8 per person. These dances offer round dancing from 7:00 - 7:15 and then alternates between each square dance tip.
History of square dancing?
Square dancing has roots that stretch back hundreds of years and across multiple cultures. Its origins can be traced to European folk dances from England and France in the 17th and 18th centuries. English country dances and French quadrilles were especially influential. These dances typically involved four couples arranged in a square formation, performing patterned movements to live music. As immigrants brought these traditions to North America, the dances began to evolve, blending with regional styles and adapting to the communities that adopted them.
In early America, square dancing became a central part of rural and frontier life, especially in the Appalachian region and the western territories. Community gatherings such as barn dances and social halls often featured a fiddler or small band and a caller who would announce the next moves. These events were more than just entertainment—they served as important social occasions where neighbors gathered, young people met, and communities strengthened their bonds. The dances varied from region to region, with local customs and music influencing the steps and formations.
Eventually, square dancing was recognized as an American folk dance and some states even adopted it as their official state dance. Today, square dancing continues to thrive around the world. Contemporary square dancing continues to be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds.
History of round dancing
Round dancing developed as a natural companion to modern square dancing, giving couples a way to enjoy ballroom-style movement in a social dance setting. Its roots go back to traditional European ballroom and social dances such as the waltz, two-step, foxtrot, and later the rumba and cha-cha. As square dancing grew in popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century, dancers wanted a paired dance that allowed them to move continuously around the floor instead of returning to a fixed square. This led to the rise of round dancing, where couples dance in a circle, or “round,” all moving counterclockwise around the room.
In the 1940s and 1950s, round dancing began to take on a more structured and organized form. Instead of each couple improvising, a cuer (similar to a square dance caller) began prompting the steps so all couples could dance the same choreography together. This made it accessible to large groups and helped it spread through square dance clubs and conventions across the country. Over time, round dancing evolved to include a wide variety of rhythms, from slow waltzes and smooth foxtrots to lively cha-chas and quicksteps. Today, round dancing remains a popular part of the square dance community, blending elements of classic ballroom with the friendly, social atmosphere that defines square dancing events.
benefits
Round and square dancing offer a wide range of benefits, combining physical exercise with social connection and mental stimulation.
Physically, both forms of dancing provide low-impact cardiovascular activity that helps improve stamina, balance, coordination, and flexibility. The constant movement, turning, and weight shifting strengthen muscles and support joint health, making them great options for people of all ages.
Mentally, square and round dancing keep the brain active. Dancers must listen, responding quickly to calls or cues which helps improve memory, encourages focus, and improves cognitive processing.
Socially and emotionally, these dances are especially powerful. They bring people together in a welcoming group environment, helping participants form friendships and stay connected to their community. The cooperative nature of square dancing builds teamwork and communication, while round dancing encourages couples to move in harmony with one another. Many dancers also find that participating regularly boosts their mood, reduces loneliness, and gives them a fun reason to stay active and involved.