Community Corner
Do Si Do & Away They Go
Beginning square dance lessons at the Glenview Park Center have gathered some 17 students to try their hands (or feet!) at this most American of dances.
Do si do, allemande left and grand right and left are just a few of the words you’ll hear on Tuesday evenings at the now that Square Dance classes have launched. That, plus plenty of laughter.
This week, some 17 students will again turn out to try their hand at square dancing.
One new student, Judy Loebbaka of Skokie is a former roller skate-ballroom dancer who hung up her skates 10 years ago due to vertigo and was encouraged to try square dancing by a friend and long-time dancer. “I had a lot of fun,” Loebbaka said afterward. During the evening, she learned some 15 calls.
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Loebbaka and her fellow classmates will have their work cut out for them. Between September and April, they’ll be learning and practicing the nearly 100 calls that make up the first three levels of this uniquely American dance form.
“Square dance is a cross between learning a new language, since you have to know what each call means, and the kids’ game of Simon Says,” says Lila Leverick, president of the Glenview Square Dance Club and a 24-year square dancer herself. “You have to not only remember the calls but also react quickly as soon as you hear them.”
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A short video clip showing square dancers in action during last week's lesson can be viewed on YouTube.
Beginning square dance classes are offered once a year, in September. The Glenview classes are a partnership between the Park District and two area square dance groups, the Glenview SD Club and the Spare Squares and Pairs SD Club, whose members volunteer their time each week to help new dancers navigate the various calls. The moves are taught by Morton Grove-based caller, Cliff Benson.
For more details, contact class coordinator Janice at Janice.cha@sbcglobal.net, or better yet, stop by the the Glenview Park Center, Room 201, on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. for a first-hand look. New students are welcome through the end of the month. No partner or experience is needed.
And for information about square dancing around the Chicago area, visit the Metro Chicago Association of Square Dancers online.
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