Square dancers wanted

The Peninsula Rippers are looking for square dancers on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 10 pm at the Ettalong Senior Citizens Club.

Organiser Les Heaton said square dancing was open to all age groups with dancers from five to 88 years.

"You can't help smiling when you dance - it's a great activity for everybody," he said.

"Everybody is put at ease and made welcome.

"Lady beginners only need a skirt and blouse, flat shoes. Men need long trousers, long-sleeved shirt and leather-soled shoes."

Les said square dancing started in America when immigrants from Europe started arriving in America looking for a new life in a new world.

They brought with them a rich array of dancing from different cultures and it was a custom after church service on Sundays for each culture to take turns to do their various dances, everyone joining in.

This went well for a time but soon all parties started bickering about whose turn it was to dance, said Les.

"Then someone suggested why not take different steps and movements from each dancing culture, combine them, add a neutral person to call the steps and behold, square dancing was born," he said.

Les said square dancing required stamina and, in Australia, was done quite fast to old and new songs, sung by a caller.

"One night of square dancing equals eight kilometres walking."

Square dancing took concentration from the dancers as movements could be altered at any time.

"All steps or movements are taught in basic mainstream dance and there are more advanced movements you can learn at a later date."

There were many clubs in Australia, one of which was the Peninsula Rippers.

Phone Les on 4328 1993 for more information.

Fiona Forbes, February 1