Country Cousins members Mary Lou Pollard and her husband Richard dance at the Star Twirlers Square Dance Club’s annual Christmas dance in Colwood, B.C. Dances at the Colwood Community Hall occur on the second and fourth Wednesday evenings of each month, as well as alternating Monday evenings. (Chad Hipolito for The Globe and Mail)
The 35-year-old Star Twirlers Square Dance Club is the oldest “caller-run” plus-level club on Vancouver Island, and its membership includes Dawna Gowing and her husband David. (Chad Hipolito for The Globe and Mail)
A caller cues couples with instructions to perform square dance moves – from about 60-odd calls at the mainstream level, to more than 400 calls and concepts at the top challenge level – all to a combination of modern and traditional music. A caller can be one of the dancers or musicians, but more often is off to the side, on a stage, giving direction to the dancers. (Chad Hipolito for The Globe and Mail)
Evelyn (Eve) Plourd, 82: 2012 Lower Vancouver Island Western Square Round Dance Association square dancer of the year. (Chad Hipolito for The Globe and Mail)
The International Association of Square Dance Callers is the gold standard in square dancing and currently manages seven types of dance programs, divided into four main levels: mainstream, plus, advanced and challenge. (Chad Hipolito for The Globe and Mail)
Mary Lou Pollard and her husband Richard. (Chad Hipolito for The Globe and Mail)
to get it and come back to see the ad in front of this gallery.
