AGM Minutes – April 20, 2024
The Annual General Meeting of the Ontario Square & Round Dance Federation took place at Crestwood Secondary School on Saturday April 20 at 12 noon. The meeting was well attended with several guest from the T&D area. Minutes will be posted as they become...
Newsletter – May 2022
Greetings to all Ontario dancers! - (PDF Printable Version) At his time of year clubs are usually celebrating the graduation of new dancers and also the end of another dance season. Unfortunately, many clubs did not dance this 2021/22 dance year; some due to problems...
Square Dancing vs Contra Dancing
Traditional contra dancing and modern western square dancing are both dynamite dance activities to get involved in. They each have their own flavour and cultural norms. Let’s look at similarities: Both dance forms have a caller who teaches and calls the dances. Both...
The Evolution of Modern Square Dancing
Many students are cash-strapped, nowadays. Nevertheless, their purchasing power is very high. Research reveals that 20 million students in the US have a combined disposable income of $417 billion.
How to Begin?
There are over 125 square and round dance clubs across Ontario (click here to see the entire list), most of whom have weekly dance nights where you can participate in a regular dance program. Clubs also host special dances such as on Valentine’s Day. You should be able to find a club within driving distance no matter where you live.
Health Benefits
Square and Round Dancing has been described as “fitness at its best” in the article “It’s Fun to Get Fit for Under a Fin”, by Corben Geis in the July 2004 issue of American Square Dance.
From helping to control weight gain to decreasing blood pressure to enhancing agility and muscle tone, the list of health benefits that one can gain from square and round dancing is lengthy.
Square Dancing Terms
A list of common terms used in Square and Round Dancing.
Dancing can reverse the signs of aging in the brain
Dancing can reverse the signs of aging in the brain Physical exercise has an anti-aging effect on the hippocampus region of the brain -- an area that controls memory, learning and balance. A new study, comparing different forms of exercise -- dancing and endurance...
Contra Dancing Improves Health
Contra Dancing Improves Health The waltz won’t do. Nor will the rumba. Looks like the good old-fashioned square dance, AKA contra dancing, accompanied by a fiddle and a helpful caller, could keep older brains firing on all pistons. At least that’s the conclusion of a...
Can The Federation Help YOU?
Can The Federation Help YOU? Highlighted here are some of the more tangible ways in which the Federation can offer support to clubs, leaders and dancers within Ontario. Various bursaries are available to help offset the cost of recruitment, caller training, new club...