About Us
About The Times Squares and Frequently Asked Questions
Our purpose
Times Squares is a not-for-profit organization whose pupose is to
provide educational, recreational, and social opportunities within the
framework of
Modern Western square dancing for the gay and lesbian community.
Who can join?
Membership in the Times Squares is open to anyone who has learned the
Mainstream program as defined by Callerlab, and who supports the purpose
of the club. There are specifically no restrictions on sexual
orientation. Although we never inquire about private lives, we know that
many of our members are not gay.
Membership
information can be found here.
Do I need a partner?
No. Unlike many of the straight clubs, partners are never required at
Times 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?
Times Squares offers Beginner classes starting each September, which
teach the Callerlab Basic and Mainstream programs. Graduation is usually
in April, by which time class members are proficient and can dance with
the Times Squares or with any other club that dances the Basic or
Mainstream programs. Times squares also teaches Callerlab programs
through Challenge to members who have experience at the prior 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, Times 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 the sex
roles.
Do I need special clothes?
There is a tradition in square dancing -- in fact, quite a rigid dress
code in many clubs -- which requires that men wear long sleeve shirts
and that women wear dresses and crinolines. Couples often wear matching
outfits. This can be quite charming or quite silly, depending on your
perspective. Typical square dance attire looks out of place in most
other settings. Times 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.
WHAT IS
MODERN WESTERN SQUARE DANCING?
HOW THE
TIMES SQUARES BEGAN: A CHRONOLOGY
