To the non-participant, square dancing is “square” dancing. Not true. Although a Western-style dancer may participate in a Traditional-style dance without too much difficulty, a traditional dancer would be lost at most Western-style dances. The calls at a traditional dance may differ from one area to another, even in the U.S., but a Western-style dancer can join in anywhere in the world.

According to experts, a 2 to 2 1/2 hour session is equivalent to walking 5 miles … and a lot more fun. But if you want to participate in Western-style at the club level be prepared to attend at least 25 classes … and that’s just the beginning.

The next National will be held in Spokane, WA with an expected attendance of about 6,000 people.

Joe began square dancing in 1959 through the local 4-H program but dropped out for a few years. Suellen joined in in 1970. In the mid- to late-60s, Western-style square dance took a giant leap toward being a different type of dancing from Traditional-style. Therefore, Joe had to take classes again with Suellen to catch up.

Joe & Suellen took another break starting just prior to the birth of their 3rd child but have been quite active for the past 12 years … including being on the Michigan Council of Square and Round Dance Clubs (MCSRDC) and on the Committee for the 60th National Convention in Detroit in June 2011.