Opposite by the Right (The Wendy)

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In a square dance, your partner, corner and opposites are important to you.

Most folks call this “opposite by the right”, but we call it The Wendy, in honor of our friend Wendy Brumbaugh, a musician and dancer from Shelby County, MO who, along with her dad, Wendell, calls this dance often.

Notes:

  • Your opposite is the dancer directly across the set from you (usually dancing as the other gender). So, if you are gent #1, lady #3 is your opposite.
  • This is a progressive dance, meaning that each time through the figure, you’ll be dancing with a new partner.
  • Couples one and three are head couples.
  • Couples two and four are side couples.

Common in Northeast Missouri. Good for beginners. Continue reading →

Texas Star

Common all over the country, including Missouri. Unlike many of the traditional squares done in Missouri, this is nearly always a traveling square, meaning that each time through, the ladies move up to a new partner (this is usually called “same old gent and a brand new gal”).

There are a variety of ways to call the Texas Star, and they’re all right. They vary in length and complexity. The one recorded here is the one commonly done at Hallsville, MO.

Good for intermediate dancers. Can be danced with five couples. Continue reading →

The Ninepin

This is an unusual square that’s especially fun with kids. For this dance, you need four couples plus an extra person.  The directions below assume the extra person (the ninepin) is a gent, but it can just as easily be done with a lady.

Good for beginners. Can be danced with five couples (though that would make the extra person an eleven-pin!) Continue reading →