Who can join?
Membership in the Capital City Squares is open to anyone who wants to learn and agrees to abide by Capital City Squares' committment to providing a safe haven for gay men and lesbians and their straight friends regardless of their race, gender, religious and/or political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, health conditions or any other personal belief or challenge. Square dancing is said to be "Friendship set to music" and Capital City Squares makes every effort to live by this motto and take it seriously.
Does it cost anything?
Yes, but considering how much fun we have, the cost is very minimal. Class fees include a $10 registration fee which is non-refundable in addition to a $5.00 per week class fee. Please ask a board member for more information.
Do I need a partner?
No. Unlike many of the straight clubs, partners are never required at Capital City Squares classes or dances. If you wish, of course, you may always dance with the same partner. However, even when forming squares it is not necessary to pair up in advance; a solo dancer entering a square will be joined by another dancer as necessary.
How can I learn?
Capital City Squares offers Beginner classes starting each September, which teach the Callerlab Mainstream program. Graduation is usually in March, by which time class members are proficient and can dance with the Capital City Squares or with any other club that dances the Mainstream program. Capital City Squares teaches Callerlab dance programs through the Plus level. We can refer interested parties to other local groups who dance the Advanced or Challenge programs.
Who dances what part?
Square dancing is quite "sexist" by contemporary standards, and there are traditional men's and women's roles. The calls often designate dancers by their sex. Like all the IAGSDC® clubs, Capital City Squares does not require that you dance your biological role: both men and women may dance either the man's or the woman's part. Many of our dancers are perfectly comfortable dancing either role. This can be confusing at first. In some clubs, and especially in classes, dancers may be encouraged to wear something, such as a bandanna, to distinguish their sex roles.
Do I need special clothes?
Capital City Squares, like all IAGSDC® clubs, does not have a dress requirement at dances. Dancers generally wear street clothes; shorts and T-shirts are common in hot weather. Of course, some of our dancers like square dance "drag" and so you will see a mix of casual clothes and traditional square dance attire at most of our functions.