SQUARE-DANCING GROUPS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28800, 22 January 1959, Page 7

SQUARE-DANCING GROUPS

Attempt To Revive Interest In spite of the advent of jive, rock ’n’ roll and hoola-hooping, a move is afoot in Christchurch to restore square-dancing to the popularity it enjoyed several years ago. At present, four square-dancing clubs, whose combined membership is about 100, have during the winter seasons held regular weekly dances in such areas as Avonside, Cashmere, Opawa and Sumner. The 7Whirl-a-way” club at Avonside, with a membership of about 30, intends during the comipg season to follow the lead set by similar clubs in Dunedin by holding a series of learners’ classes. The president of the club (Mr T. FT Mathie) considers that one week’s practice in the basic movements is all that is necessary for a newcomqr to grasp the art. He considered the lack of good callers to be partly responsible for the decline in the dance’s popularity. Contrary to popular opinion, a uniform such as check shirt and jeans was not necessary and ‘‘they should roll up to a dance in any type of clothing they ichoose,” he said.‘‘Exchange visits are made with the Waggon Wheel Squaredancing Club, of Dunedin, which has a membership of 100. Most of the time square-dancing is a family affair to be enjoyed by anybody between the ages of 16 and 60,” said Mr Mathie. ‘‘Some of the Christchurch groups have in the past given demonstrations* at various garden fetes , and church bazaars and the combined groups will give a display of square-dancing at the Floral Festival in February,” he said.