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.
This page was written by the late
Sheldon Green.
He is sorely missed.
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