Brandon Twp.- Swing your partner and do-si-do.
The Knights of Columbus will have a square dance from 7- 9:30 p.m., Oct. 22, at Hardy Hall at St. Anne Church, 825 S. Ortonville Road. The cost is $15 per couple.
‘It’s a lot of fun because we all mistakes and we all laugh with each other about each other,? says Rod Gombar, who is chairperson for the square dance. ‘It’s good to come in pairs, but not necessary. It’s a social thing. We’ve had a couple here and there that have dressed up in square dance clothing, but most of us dress very casual.?
Paul Ott has been the caller for the Knights of Columbus square dances for the past eight years. He began calling square dances 19 years ago.
‘Square dancing is one of the easiest things to learn,? says Ott. ‘It’s great exercise both mentally and physically. You walk between three and five mils a night when you square dance.?
Ott uses a variety of music when he calls square dances, including pop and rock as well as country. He gives dance step directions and says dancers learn in stages like anything else. There are nine different levels in square dancing and the basic beginner level has 70 different maneuvers. Each consecutive level adds another 30 moves.
Ott says that the Knights of Columbus group is unique because they tend to remember what they’ve learned from previous years and are almost full square dancers. Calling square dancing is rewarding for Ott.
‘For me, it’s the joy of someone coming up to you and saying they don’t know how and in 20 minutes, they’re square dancing and enjoying themselves,? he said, adding that he feels like square dancing is becoming a lost art because more people are staying home.
‘This is one of the most social activities you can do,? Ott said. ‘You dance with seven or eight different people. You meet all kinds of people from all walks of life.?
For details on the Knights of Columbus square dance, call Rod Gombar at (248) 634-4263.