Square Dance
Square dancing is for everyone!
Never square danced before? No problem! It’s all ages, all genders, and fun for absolute beginners, even if you’ve never danced a step your life!
In a square dance, the band plays live music, and the caller stands in front of the band with a microphone to lead the dance. It’s a great ice-breaker to meet new people with lots of smiling and laughter.
Between the squares there are often waltzes or honky-tonk tunes. Basic waltz and 2-step dance can also be taught in a 5 to 10 minute mini-lesson, if the crowd is interested.
Square dances are great for weddings, parties, festivals, and more.
Our range is generally Oregon, Washington, southern BC & Gulf Islands.
Bex Bee called her first square dance in 2014, in Missoula, Montana. She now lives in Portland. She has now called over 100 dances!
Bex calls with Bex & The Bees, Sweater Weather Stringband, and other oldtime bands.
History of Square Dancing
American square dancing and the music that accompanies it evolved from a cultural blend of influences from European Americans, African Americans, and Native Americans. To learn more about the fascinating history of American folk dancing, check out the excellent book Hoedowns, Frolics, and Reels, by Phil Jamison.
Some folks have recently heard the story being spread online about how Henry Ford appropriated square dancing in the 1920’s, as a way to as a way to promote a “white” dance to a “white” crowd. However, he was ignorant to the true origins of the dance.
Real folk dancing is by the people, for the people! Today we celebrate and recognize all of the past, present, and future cultural contributions to this living, breathing art form. I’m thankful for the power this art form has to bring people and communities together.
🐝 Bex Bee 