Square Dance Federation of Minnesota

History

The Square Dance Federation of Minnesota, Inc was founded in November 1947 by Morry Gelman and Dr. Ralph Piper and was originally known as The Folk Dance Federation of Minnesota.  The Federation is comprised of 84 (eighty four) clubs with approximately 2400 dancer members in 6 (six) geographical regions.

Purpose:

The purpose of the Federation is to promote the spirit of friendship, understanding, and fellowship, and to encourage organized participation in Square, Round, Contra, Clogging and Folk Dancing.

 What does the federation do?

• Provides an annual convention:  Three fun filled days in June, dancing at all levels, workshops, seminars, and more, plus the annual membership meeting.
• Contributes financial  support to the learning seminars for our members, officers, Callers and Round Dance Leaders
• Supplies educational and promotional materials: Brochures, flyers, window stickers, diplomas, new dancer ribbons, etc.
• Publishes an annual directory that has all members, clubs, callers, round dancer leaders
• Offers an afternoon of free dancing after every quarterly meeting, State or Regional, where every members has a voice and a vote on policymaking and other issues
• Aids club officers by conducting meeting with them to help cope with mutual problems and provide them with resource manuals.
• Procures liability insurance for all member clubs.
• Sponsors “The ROUNDUP”, our monthly magazine that provides free publication of Open Dance Listings and Club news to member Clubs plus a wealth of other information.  The ROUNDUP keeps our dancing community informed on what happening where and when.  The ROUNDUP is put together by volunteers.

 The square dance is comprised of four couples who form squares and dance within that square, performing learned figures directed by a caller.  Music is usually provided by records but live music can be used.  The music can be country western, pop tunes, rap, etc.  A routine is written for a certain tune which the caller may use or he/she might prefer to call ”Hash”.  A tip consists of two separate routines with the same four couples dancing in the square formation.

 Round dancing has its root in the early folk and ballroom dancers, as well as ancient rituals and ceremonies.  Modern round dancers use the same types of rhythms, positions, steps and patterns used in ballroom dancing.  The couples form a circle and progress in a counterclockwise direction around the dance floor.  A Round Dance leader will cue to learned figures as the dance is performed.  Round Dance cues are written to a variety of music’s such as Pop, Country, Western, and Latin, and use a variety of rhythms such as two-step, waltz, fox-trot, cha-cha, and rumba.

Contras are danced to musical phrases of melody, not simply the beat of the music and the caller’s voice.  Contra preceded the Square dance in origin, came to us from the British Isles and is still current exciting and challenging.  Contras are danced in lines of many couples face to face, line facing line and any number of couples can participate.  Contra is truly dancing to the music, usually jigs, reels, or hornpipes.  Various square dance calls are used, with couples progressing from the head to the foot of the line and back again, to the prompting of the caller.

Clogging is used in an exhibition type of square dancing.  Clogging rhythm is used in executing the figures, creating a spectacular performance. 

 Folk dancing is very popular in perpetuating the traditional ethnic dancers of many countries.  Set routines are learned and are danced with or without the aid of a prompter.  Usually the dancers form a circle around the dance floor and progress counterclockwise.  Some dress in authentic native costumes for colorful exhibitions.

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